Providing Service to Families for More Than 25 Years Across Southern California.

Rachael Hughel
Your San Diego Real Estate Partner

I launched my career right here in San Diego, partnering with RE/MAX on Morena Blvd, where I focused on supporting investors with the purchase, sale, and flipping of single-family homes, duplex properties, and multi-family apartment communities throughout the region. With more than 25 years of real estate expertise and over 500 home sales along with extensive Project Management, Advisory, Property Administration, Contractor Negotiations, Move Logistics and Senior Transitions experience, I’m honored to be recognized among the top 2% of Zillow agents throughout Southern California and to serve as a strong advocate for seniors in our local community. Throughout my career, I’ve helped countless families manage relocation plans, life changes, and major milestones. Additionally, I’ve also provided valuable guidance to investors who reached their real estate goals. In San Diego’s "re-calibrating" market, navigating the current landscape requires a sophisticated, data-driven approach that goes beyond standard listings. While the pace has stabilized a bit, the demand for premier detached homes remains intense, and move-in-ready properties in our most sought-after enclaves still command significant premiums, and sell rapidly.

With home prices holding strong and with a simultaneous restricted supply of available properties, my role is to ensure you capitalize on the steady appreciation that defines our current environment. For sellers, I utilize high-end "smart marketing" to captivate increasingly selective buyers, while for my buying clients, I leverage this shift to secure more favorable negotiation terms and early access to inventory before anticipated rate shifts spark a new surge in competition. Whether you are looking to sell a cherished home or acquire a turnkey investment, I provide the local expertise necessary to turn this market normalization into your distinct financial advantage.

Senior Transitions Specialist • Real Estate Professional • Managed Care Concierge

Experience

25+ Years

KNOW-HOW BUILDS VALUE.
Results

500+ Sold

PROVEN REAL ESTATE EXPERTISE.
Performance

Top 2%

ZILLOW AGENTS ACROSS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.
Impact

Hundreds

OF GOALS ACHIEVED.

Real, Real Estate Information

Our Local Market Is Dynamic And You Need Someone Who Knows The Gameplan.

Market Snapshot (SPRING 2026)

The San Diego real estate market in early 2026 is characterized by a “re-calibrating” landscape. A transitioning away from the extreme, frenzied seller’s market of the pandemic years toward a more balanced (though still highly competitive) environment. As of Spring 2026, the market is defined by high prices, low inventory, and stabilizing mortgage rates; supporting moderate, steady price appreciation rather than rapid spikes.

Price Trends & Market Velocity

  • San Diego remains one of the nation’s most expensive housing markets. As of early 2026, the median sales price for detached single-family homes has surpassed $1.1 million, reflecting resilience with a 2–4% year-over-year increase.
  • The condo and townhome segment shows slight softening, with increased inventory that may lead to a cooling in prices for attached homes.
  • Homes are taking longer to sell than in 2021–2022, with average days on market rising to roughly 28–34 days. Still, the “freshness premium” remains: well-priced, turn-key detached homes often sell within two weeks. This means that you need an "active" representative on your side.

Inventory & Buyer Activity

  • The “lock-in effect” (homeowners with ~3% mortgage rates) continues to create a chronic supply constraint, though inventory has improved slightly from 2025 lows.
  • While total inventory is higher than last year, it remains below the long-term average; keeping competition strong for desirable, move-in-ready properties.
  • Buyers in 2026 are more cautious and selective. Move-in-ready homes are winning attention, while “fixer-uppers” are lingering longer.
  • The market has shifted toward more negotiations, with the sale-to-list price ratio hovering around 99%.

Interest Rates & the “New Normal”

In early 2026, 30-year fixed mortgage rates hovered around 6.0%–6.8%, establishing a “new normal” for both buyers and sellers. It may come to pass, if rates dip below 6% toward the end of 2026, it may trigger renewed buyer activity and encourage current homeowners to enter the market.

Investment & Future Outlook

  • For investors, San Diego’s rental market remains strong. However, rising maintenance costs and HOA fees make the “buy-to-rent” calculations more complex.
  • 2026 is expected to continue the pattern of moderate appreciation (2–5%).

Key Areas for Opportunity

  • Suburbs: Oceanside and Escondido offer more affordable, attractive options.
  • Detached Homes: Still the strongest performer, with the highest demand.
  • Attached Units: More inventory and better negotiation opportunities for first-time buyers.

In summary, the 2026 San Diego market is looking like a “normalization” year where professional marketing and strategic pricing matter most for sellers, while buyers have more time to evaluate options, even as affordability remains a significant challenge.

All of this points to the fact that if you do not have the right Real Estate Agent on your side, you may find market difficulty instead of market success. Call Me, I know this market and I can help you make the right move. - Rachael H.