Marin County Real Estate Market Report: October 2026
Last updated October 17, 2026 · By Melissa DiVita, REALTOR®, Compass · DRE #01387955 · Fourth-generation Marin native, in real estate since 2003
The short answer: Marin is still a healthy, well-balanced market heading into the holidays. The county median sale price is about $1.51 million, up 8.6% from a year ago, and about 41% of homes are selling over asking (Redfin, August 2026, the latest month published). The big change this month is rates: the 30-year fixed average is 7.40%, up from 7.03% in late September.
October is one of my favorite months in Marin. The fog usually pulls back and we get some of our warmest, sunniest days of the year, and this October has been beautiful. It’s also Halloween season, and the decorations are going up all over the county. Some of my neighbors in Paradise Cay already have their Christmas lights on. Fall light and warm weather are when Marin homes and neighborhoods look their best.
The big picture
| Marin County | Value | vs. last year | Period · Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $1,509,947 | +8.6% | Aug 2026 · Redfin |
| Homes sold | 227 | +34.9% | Aug 2026 · Redfin |
| Median days on market | 36 | down from 40 | 3 months to Aug 2026 · Redfin |
| Sale-to-list ratio | 101.2% | +1.7 points | Aug 2026 · Redfin |
| Sold above list | 40.7% | +3.8 points | Redfin |
| Typical home value | $1,464,630 | +4.3% | Aug 31, 2026 · Zillow |
| Homes for sale | 610 | Aug 31, 2026 · Zillow | |
| New listings | 218 | Aug 2026 · Zillow | |
| 30-year fixed rate | 7.40% | up from 6.27% | Week of Oct 15, 2026 · Freddie Mac |
| 15-year fixed rate | 6.71% | up from 5.52% | Week of Oct 15, 2026 · Freddie Mac |
Public sales data runs a month or two behind, so the price figures above are the latest available, not October’s. Town-by-town prices are in my September report.
What changed since last month: rates
In late September the 30-year average was 7.03%. It’s now 7.40%, and it held there two weeks in a row. On a $1.2 million loan, that’s roughly $300 more a month in principal and interest (about $8,309 vs. $8,008). It’s about $900 a month more than a buyer would have paid at last year’s 6.27%.
Prices haven’t backed off, though. Many Marin buyers are using jumbo loans or bringing large down payments, so a move in rates doesn’t hit here the way it does in many other markets. Where rates matter most is in negotiations: on a home that has been sitting, a seller-paid rate buydown can do more for a buyer than a price cut. I ran the numbers in the 2-1 buydown vs. a price cut.
New to Marin, and new to how buying works here?
If you moved to the Bay Area from another country for a tech job, buying a home in California probably works differently from what you know at home. Here are the things that tend to surprise people most:
- The list price is a starting point, not the price. With about 41% of Marin homes selling over asking, a well-prepared home is often priced to draw several offers. Others sit and have room to negotiate. Knowing which is which is a big part of my job.
- “Offer dates” are common. Many sellers review all offers on one set day, often about a week after listing. You may get only one chance to make your best offer.
- Get your financing in order first. Sellers expect a pre-approval letter with your offer. If you’re new to the U.S., your credit history here may be short, and loan options can depend on your visa status. Talk to a lender early, before you fall in love with a house. My guide to buying on a work visa covers H-1B, L-1, O-1 and more.
- Inspections often happen before you offer. In Marin, sellers usually provide inspection reports and disclosures up front, and I read them with you before you write an offer.
- Escrow is a neutral third party. Your deposit and the paperwork go through an escrow company, and a typical purchase closes in about 30 days.
- Property tax is based on your purchase price. Under Proposition 13, the base rate is 1% of what you pay, plus local bonds and parcel taxes that vary by town. Ask for the full tax bill on any home you like.
- Insurance and microclimates matter. Two homes a mile apart can have very different weather, fire insurance costs and commutes. That’s the local knowledge you can’t get from a listing website. Start with my microclimates guide and insurance guide.
If you’re working in San Francisco or down the Peninsula, my guide to moving from San Francisco and Marin vs. the Peninsula cover commutes, schools and prices. And what $2 million gets you in Marin is a good reality check by town.
What it means for sellers
Buyers are active, and fall light and warm weather make homes show beautifully. But buyers are discerning, and higher rates make them pickier about homes that need work. The homes getting multiple offers are the ones that look great on day one. If you’re thinking about spring, now is the time to plan any prep. Here’s how I approach it.
What it means for buyers
Get pre-approved at today’s rates, not last month’s, and know your monthly payment before you shop. Fall is a good time to look: there are still homes on the market, and some sellers who listed in September want to be done before the holidays. Homes that have been on the market more than 30 days can leave room to negotiate on price or a rate buydown.
A little Halloween scouting
Here’s a tip I give families relocating to Marin: drive the neighborhoods you’re considering on Halloween night. The streets where everyone decorates and the kids trick-or-treat in packs are usually the streets where neighbors know each other all year. I put together my favorites, from Paradise Cay to Gerstle Park, in the best Halloween neighborhoods in Marin.
Quick answers
How is the Marin real estate market in October 2026?
Healthy and leaning slightly toward sellers. Marin’s median sale price was about $1.51 million in August 2026, up 8.6% from a year earlier, and about 41% of homes sold over asking (Redfin). Mortgage rates rose in October, with the 30-year fixed averaging 7.40% the week of October 15 (Freddie Mac).
Can I buy a home in Marin if I’m in the U.S. on a work visa?
Yes, many people on work visas buy homes here. Loan options depend on your visa type, how long you’ve been in the U.S. and your U.S. credit history, so talk with a lender before you start looking. Plan for a larger down payment if your U.S. credit history is short.
Do homes in Marin sell over asking price?
Many do. About 41% of Marin homes sold over list price recently, and the average home sold at about 101% of asking (Redfin). Homes that sit for a month or more often sell at or below list.
What is the weather like in Marin in October?
October is often one of Marin’s warmest and sunniest months. The summer fog usually pulls back, which makes fall a great time to see homes and neighborhoods at their best.
Sources
- Redfin: Marin County housing market
- Zillow: Marin County home values
- Freddie Mac: Primary Mortgage Market Survey
About the author: Melissa DiVita grew up in Belvedere, her family has been in Marin for four generations, and she lives in Tiburon. She has been a REALTOR® since 2003 and works with Compass in Tiburon, helping sellers prepare their homes and buyers relocate to Marin.
New to Marin, or new to the U.S.? Send me a note. I’ll walk you through how it works here and pull recent sales for the towns you’re considering.
