The San Diego Housing Market Is About to Get a Lot More Expensive
The national housing market is facing a wave of uncertainty, and San Diego is no exception. According to geopolitical expert Peter Zeihan, several major economic and policy shifts are beginning to hit the housing industry hard — with more impacts likely in the months ahead.
As a local real estate brokerage in San Diego, we want you to understand what’s changing, how it could affect your real estate plans, and what smart buyers and sellers should do next.
🔨 Labor Shortages Are Driving Costs Up
A significant portion of home construction labor — especially in California — comes from immigrant workers. With federal policies aiming to reduce that workforce, the cost to build new homes is rising fast. That shortage trickles down to everyone, even in resale markets.
- Bottom line for buyers: Expect fewer new homes and more competition for existing ones.
- Bottom line for sellers: Low housing supply could work in your favor — but not forever.
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🧱 Material Costs Are Skyrocketing Due to Tariffs
Tariffs on key building materials like lumber, steel, aluminum, and copper are raising prices and slowing shipments. Even electrical components are being affected, many of which are sourced from overseas.
This means:
- Builders may delay or cancel projects.
- Renovation costs are going up.
- Some housing features may be harder to come by or take longer to install.
🛋️ Furnishing & Renovating Just Got More Expensive
Buyers often budget for furniture, upgrades, and remodels after purchasing a home. But now, due to supply chain constraints and tariffs, costs for appliances, furniture, tile, stone, and fixtures are much higher.
Tip: Budget more than you think for post-purchase improvements — especially if you’re buying a fixer or older home in San Diego.
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📉 Financing Is Becoming Less Accessible
The mortgage market is tightening. Baby boomers are retiring and pulling cash out of investments. At the same time, government borrowing is expected to increase. This means less capital is available for home loans, and interest rates are likely to rise even further.
If you’re on the fence about buying or refinancing, now may be the time to act before financing becomes more expensive.
⚠️ Insurance Premiums Are Spiking
Insurance companies are being hit hard by reconstruction costs after disasters — and with markets down and premiums politically limited, some insurers may stop writing policies altogether.
If you’re buying in San Diego, especially in high-risk or coastal zones, check with your lender and insurer early to make sure coverage is available and affordable.
📍 What Does This Mean for San Diego?
While San Diego remains one of the most desirable markets in the country, these national issues will ripple through our local housing economy. It’s more important than ever to:
- Work with an experienced local agent
- Understand true costs beyond the sale price
- Move quickly when the right property appears
- Strategize with financing and insurance partners early
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💬 Need Help Navigating the Market?
Whether you’re buying, selling, or just trying to make sense of where the market is headed — we’re here to help. Our team specializes in San Diego real estate, with deep local knowledge and sharp insights into current trends.
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