Most years, inventory builds through February and crests in March, April, or May, translating to peak sales in April, May, and June. That rhythm has held for six consecutive years. This year, the market was slower to wake. But it is waking up now, and when Lamorinda shifts into gear, it moves fast. 

What has also changed is how sellers are handling offers. The familiar sequence of Broker's Tour, Sunday open house, and a set offer date is no longer something you can count on. Some sellers are taking offers as they come. Others are setting tight timelines with little notice. A house you plan to see Tuesday may be in contract Wednesday morning. 

When a promising home surfaces, our team goes into full sprint mode. We are pulling comparable sales, reviewing disclosures, reaching out to insurance contacts, and evaluating condition, floorplan, site, and location all at once. We are forming a strategy, drafting terms, and looping in your lender. It is a lot of moving parts in a very short window, and what makes it work is having buyers who are ready to move alongside us. If there is a house you love, get in the car and make arrangements to see it. It may not wait for you to tour it over the weekend. 

A few things that make an enormous difference: 

Be reachable. A same-day response can be the difference between being in the conversation and missing it. 

Know your number. Pre-approval is table stakes. The ceiling conversation needs to happen before a seller is fielding offers, not after. 

Get into the market now. Every home you walk through sharpens your instincts. When the right house appears, you will recognize it faster and trust yourself to act. 

See it before it's perfect. Don't let incomplete photos or pre-staging photos keep you from a showing that could matter.

Don't hesitate to pick up the phone to text or call us to tell us you love a house, because we need to get you in quickly to see it. The window on a good home in this market can close before the weekend arrives.