House the market? Scherb Homes Group - July 2026
South Bay Buyer & Seller Market Report | July 2026
A friendly, practical look at what buyers and sellers should know right now across the South Bay, Palos Verdes Peninsula, Beach Cities, Hollywood Riviera, Torrance, and San Pedro.
Hello from the Scherb Homes family. We have been enjoying summer, Clover has been loving summer school, and she has even told us she likes it more than being at home. We are planning our family trip to Maine in August, enjoying summer festivities, getting outside, hiking, exploring, and feeling grateful as we celebrate America’s 250 years.
The cities below are covered in order from highest median price to lower: Rolling Hills, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Hollywood Riviera, Redondo Beach, Torrance, and San Pedro.
Three Big Takeaways for the South Bay
If a home is priced right, in the right location, and presented well, it can still sell quickly.
Inventory is higher than it has been in the past year, which gives buyers more room to compare, negotiate, and be selective.
When rates move closer to 6%, buyer activity noticeably picks up. Higher rates make both buyers and sellers more cautious.
Jump to a Market
South Bay Market Overview
The market is not rapidly going up or rapidly going down. The push upward in interest rates has made things more difficult for buyers and sellers, but homes are still transacting. The best homes remain competitive, while homes with pricing, condition, or location challenges are taking longer.
| Metric | Current Reading | Cliff’s Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Market Type | Slight Sellers Market | Sellers still have an edge, but buyers have more leverage than they did during the most aggressive market periods. |
| Median Sold Price | $1,229,000 | The South Bay remains expensive, but pricing momentum varies city by city. |
| Cost Difference in Past 12 Months | +$33,000 | Prices are modestly higher year over year across the region. |
| Median % of Original List Price | 99.10% | Most homes are still selling close to list price, but overpricing is being punished. |
| Months of Inventory | 3.7 months | More balanced than the ultra-tight market, but still not a deep buyer’s market. |
| Home Purchase Sentiment Index | 73.5% believe the economy is on the wrong track | Consumer uncertainty is real, and it shows up in cautious buyer behavior. |
| Interest Rate Low | 6.66% | Rates remain the biggest affordability hurdle. |
| 10-Year Treasury | 4.38% | The mortgage spread is currently about 2.28%, above the historical average of roughly 1.7%. |
| Mortgage Spread | 2.28% | When the spread is elevated, mortgage rates stay higher than many buyers expect, even if Treasury yields are lower. |
City-by-City Market Details
Each city has its own rhythm. Below is the more detailed, local read on what buyers and sellers should be thinking about right now.
Rolling Hills
Private, low-turnover, and patient. Rolling Hills continues to behave like its own luxury micro-market.
| Metric | Stat | Cliff’s Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Median Price/Sq Ft | $1,062 | Stable luxury pricing. |
| Homes Active/Coming Soon | 13 | Limited transaction volume is normal here. |
| Median List Price | $6,000,000 | High-end buyers are selective and patient. |
| Median Days on Market | 71 | Longer selling timelines are not unusual in Rolling Hills. |
| Price Reductions | 14% | Few homes are seeing reductions. |
| 1-Year Market Forecast | -0.10% | Mostly flat. Expect stability rather than dramatic price movement. |
Manhattan Beach
One of the strongest markets in the South Bay right now.
| Metric | Stat | Cliff’s Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Median Price/Sq Ft | $1,745 | Highest median price per square foot since 2023. |
| Homes Active/Coming Soon | 80 | More inventory, but demand remains strong. |
| Median List Price | $5,272,000 | At or near an all-time high. |
| Median Days on Market | 40 | Homes are selling at a healthy pace. |
| Price Reductions | 25% | Lower reduction pressure than softer markets. |
| 1-Year Market Forecast | +4.10% | Positive pressure likely continues, especially for well-located homes. |
Hermosa Beach
A desirable beach market with limited options and steady demand.
| Metric | Stat | Cliff’s Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Median Price/Sq Ft | $1,455 | Still very strong relative to the region. |
| Homes Active/Coming Soon | 27 | Buyers do not have endless options. |
| Median List Price | $2,795,000 | Similar to recent months. |
| Median Days on Market | 48 | Sellers should expect roughly one to two months in many cases. |
| Price Reductions | 22% | Moderate and not alarming. |
| 1-Year Market Forecast | +4.00% | Continued strength expected, especially for scarce, well-located homes. |
Palos Verdes Estates
More inventory, more buyer choice, and a market that rewards best-in-class locations.
| Metric | Stat | Cliff’s Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Median Price/Sq Ft | $1,103 | Pricing has moved up somewhat. |
| Homes Active/Coming Soon | 49 | Buyers have more options to compare. |
| Median List Price | $4,150,000 | Luxury pricing remains significant. |
| Median Days on Market | 59 | Homes are taking longer than the hottest cycles. |
| Price Reductions | 36% | A meaningful number of sellers are adjusting. |
| 1-Year Market Forecast | -0.10% | Stable to slightly flat over the next year. |
Rolling Hills Estates
A market shifting slightly toward buyers, depending heavily on location and property type.
| Metric | Stat | Cliff’s Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Median Price/Sq Ft | $704 | On the lower side recently. |
| Homes Active/Coming Soon | 36 | More homes than we have seen in a while. |
| Median List Price | $899,000 | Lower than recent expectations. |
| Median Days on Market | 60 | Days on market have stretched. |
| Price Reductions | 20% | Not excessive, but sellers need to pay attention. |
| 1-Year Market Forecast | -0.70% | Slight softness expected unless rates improve. |
Rancho Palos Verdes
More inventory, but pricing remains firm in many segments.
| Metric | Stat | Cliff’s Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Median Price/Sq Ft | $873 | Near all-time high levels. |
| Homes Active/Coming Soon | 138 | More choices for buyers. |
| Median List Price | $2,199,000 | Significantly higher, influenced partly by very high-end listings. |
| Median Days on Market | 53 | Moderate selling timeline. |
| Price Reductions | 32% | Some sellers are adjusting, but not across the board. |
| 1-Year Market Forecast | -0.70% | Mostly stable with pockets of softness, depending on location and condition. |
Hollywood Riviera
A small, desirable pocket with limited inventory and steady long-term appeal.
| Metric | Stat | Cliff’s Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Median Price/Sq Ft | $1,052 | Strong pricing for the area. |
| Homes Active/Coming Soon | 14 | Inventory remains limited. |
| Median List Price | $1,990,000 | Still a premium lifestyle market. |
| Median Days on Market | 41 | Days on market have increased from last month. |
| Price Reductions | 30% | Fairly standard adjustment level. |
| 1-Year Market Forecast | +0.20% | Mostly flat to slightly positive. |
Redondo Beach
More inventory, a lower median list price, and a good opportunity zone for buyers.
| Metric | Stat | Cliff’s Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Median Price/Sq Ft | $832 | Still strong, but value opportunities exist. |
| Homes Active/Coming Soon | 147 | Inventory is up meaningfully year over year. |
| Median List Price | $1,499,000 | Down, creating a better entry point for some buyers. |
| Median Days on Market | 36 | Still a relatively healthy selling pace. |
| Price Reductions | 30% | Fairly standard. |
| 1-Year Market Forecast | +2.10% | Moderate growth expected, especially for well-priced homes. |
Torrance
A market with significantly more inventory and more breathing room for buyers.
| Metric | Stat | Cliff’s Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Median Price/Sq Ft | $649 | Still up meaningfully from the past few years. |
| Homes Active/Coming Soon | 188 | More than doubled compared with around this time last year. |
| Median List Price | $969,000 | More approachable than coastal markets. |
| Median Days on Market | 27 | Correctly priced homes can still sell quickly. |
| Price Reductions | 33% | Buyers have more room to evaluate and negotiate. |
| 1-Year Market Forecast | +0.40% | Growth is slowing, but the market remains resilient. |
San Pedro
A softer market right now, with longer days on market and more buyer leverage.
| Metric | Stat | Cliff’s Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Median Price/Sq Ft | $538 | More value-oriented compared with nearby South Bay markets. |
| Homes Active/Coming Soon | 111 | Inventory is up compared with last year. |
| Median List Price | $749,000 | Lower entry point than most South Bay cities. |
| Median Days on Market | 51 | Longer than last month. |
| Price Reductions | 33% | Sellers need to be realistic. |
| 1-Year Market Forecast | -0.80% | Slight softness expected in the near term. |
What Buyers and Sellers Should Be Thinking
For Buyers
More inventory means more choice, but not always better pricing. The best homes still move. Be ready with financing, know your target neighborhoods, and watch rates closely.
For Sellers
Presentation and pricing matter more now. A strong launch, clean prep, good staging, and realistic pricing are the difference between momentum and sitting.
For Both
This is not a panic market. It is a strategy market. The right plan matters more than guessing where the headlines are going.
South Bay Market FAQ
Is the South Bay in a buyer’s market or seller’s market?
Overall, the South Bay is still a slight sellers market, but the answer depends on the city, price point, condition, and location. Some areas, like Manhattan Beach, remain very strong. Others, like San Pedro and parts of Torrance, are giving buyers more leverage.
Are homes still selling quickly?
Yes, but mostly when they are priced correctly, in a strong location, and presented well. Homes with aspirational pricing or condition issues are taking longer and may need price reductions.
What is the biggest factor affecting buyers right now?
Interest rates. When rates move closer to 6%, buyer activity noticeably increases. When rates push higher, affordability becomes more difficult and buyers become more cautious.
Should sellers wait or list now?
It depends on the property and the seller’s goals. A well-prepared home can still sell well now. Sellers should not assume the market will automatically give them last year’s pricing without proper preparation and strategy.
Where are buyers finding the most opportunity?
Buyers may find more opportunity in markets with higher inventory, longer days on market, and more price reductions, including Torrance, San Pedro, Rolling Hills Estates, and parts of Redondo Beach.
Thinking About Buying or Selling This Year?
If you are thinking about selling your home in the next several months, reach out and I can prepare a detailed home selling report specific to your property, neighborhood, condition, and timing.
If you are a buyer, contact me for a current look at available homes, quiet opportunities, and what may be coming to market soon.
