Is Santa Monica a buyer's or seller's market right now?

Santa Monica is currently a buyer's market with 7.9 months of supply. 26.1% of homes sell above asking price, and 32.4% go pending within two weeks. The Ridley Sell Score for Santa Monica is 43/100 (Cooling), based on 7 real-time market signals including inventory, pricing trends, and buyer demand.

What's the median home price in Santa Monica?

The median home price in Santa Monica is $1,504,000, down 8.8% year-over-year. The median price per square foot is $1107. Homes sell in a median of 88 days with a sale-to-list ratio of 100.8%.

How much does it cost to sell a home in Santa Monica, California?

On a $1,504,000 home in Santa Monica, a traditional listing agent charges around $45,120 (3% commission). Add buyer agent commission (3%), closing costs (1–2%), and you could spend $120,320 or more. With Ridley Essentials ($999) you save $44,121, and with Ridley Pro ($3,499) you save $41,621 while getting full agent support.

How does Ridley's flat fee compare to a traditional Santa Monica agent?

A traditional Santa Monica listing agent typically charges 3% of the sale price — about $45,120 on a $1,504,000 home. Ridley offers two flat-fee plans: Essentials ($999) with MLS listing, marketing tools, and self-service support, or Pro ($3,499) with a dedicated licensed agent. That saves you $44,121–$41,621 compared to a traditional agent.

How long does it take to sell a home in Santa Monica?

The median home in Santa Monica currently spends 88 days on the market before going under contract. 32.4% of homes go pending within two weeks. At a 100.8% sale-to-list ratio, sellers are getting very close to or above asking price. Only 13.7% of listings see a price drop, suggesting sellers can hold firm on pricing.

Do I need a real estate agent to sell in California?

No. California does not require you to use a real estate agent to sell your home. You can sell independently (FSBO) or use a flat-fee service like Ridley that gives you MLS access, professional tools, and expert support at a fraction of the traditional commission. On a $1,504,000 home, that could save you up to $41,621.

What's included with Ridley Essentials and Pro?

Ridley offers two plans in California. Essentials ($999) includes MLS listing distribution, professional listing tools, marketing materials, and self-service support. Pro ($3,499) includes everything in Essentials plus a dedicated licensed agent partner, expert pricing consultation, offer review and negotiation support, contract and deadline management, and full closing coordination. Both save significantly vs. the traditional $45,120 commission.

National/California

Santa Monica, CA

Is Now a Good Time to Sell in Santa Monica, California?

The median home in Santa Monica sells for $1,504,000 with prices down 8.8% year-over-year. The average seller pays $45,120 in commissions — Ridley’s flat fee saves you $41,621.

Santa Monica Real Estate Market Conditions — March 2026

43out of 100

Ridley Sell Score

How it's scored →

Cooling

43/100

The market is shifting — strategic pricing and presentation matter more.

What this means for sellers

The Santa Monica market is cooling, and sellers need to be strategic. Buyers have more options and are negotiating harder. Invest in staging and professional photography to differentiate your listing. Flexibility on terms can make the difference in attracting serious buyers.

Inventory TightnessFavors buyers

7.9 months of supply — above the 5-month balanced threshold, giving buyers more options. California average is 3.5.

Price MomentumFavors buyers

Prices down 8.8% year-over-year — vs. +0.7% statewide.

Seller LeverageFavors sellers

Homes selling at 100.8% of asking — sellers are getting 0.8% above list on average. California average is 99.4%.

Bidding ActivityNeutral

26.1% of homes selling above list price — 12% below the California average of 29.7%.

Sale SpeedFavors buyers

88 median days on market — 33 days slower than the California average.

Market UrgencyNeutral

32.4% of listings go pending within 2 weeks — vs. 37.1% statewide.

Price StabilityNeutral

Only 13.7% of listings have dropped their price — sellers are holding firm. California average is 20.8%.

Score based on 7 real-time market signals. Updated with latest available data.

How it works →

Median Sale Price

The midpoint price of all homes sold in the past month. Half sold for more, half for less.

$1,504,000

-8.8%

Days on Market

How long the typical home sits on the market before going under contract. Lower is better for sellers.

Price per Sq Ft

Average cost per square foot of living space. Useful for comparing homes of different sizes.

$1107

Sale-to-List Ratio

How close homes sell to their asking price. Above 100% means bidding wars; below means negotiation room.

100.8%

Months of Supply

How long it would take to sell all current listings at the current pace. Under 3 months favors sellers; over 6 favors buyers.

7.9

Buyer’s market

Competitiveness

Overall market competition based on offers per listing, days on market, and sale-to-list ratio.

Somewhat Competitive

Sold Above List

Percentage of homes that sold for more than their list price.

26.1%

Moderate demand

Price Drops

Percentage of active listings that had a price reduction.

13.7%

Well-priced market

Pending in 2 Weeks

Percentage of listings that went under contract within 14 days.

32.4%

Moderate pace

12-Month Price Trend

$2,074,500 → $1,504,000

▼27.5%

$2.0M$1.8M$1.6M

AprJunAugOctDecFebMar

Data updated March 2026

Get AI-powered market intelligence

Personalized pricing signals, demand shifts, and Sell Score changes for Santa Monica — delivered monthly.

Your savings

How much can you save selling your home in Santa Monica?

The average Santa Monica homeowner saves $41,621 by selling with Ridley instead of paying the traditional 3% listing commission on a $1,504,000 home.

$0Estimated savings

That's a new car — paid in full — save 2.8% of your home value

Your Santa Monica home value

$1,504,000

$50,000$10M

Traditional Agent (3%)

$45,120

Ridley Pro (flat fee)

$3,499

Ready to sell in Santa Monica?

Get a personalized selling strategy with AI-powered pricing analysis

Get Your Selling Strategy

Cost comparison

How much does it cost to sell a house in Santa Monica?

The total cost to sell a house in Santa Monica in 2026 ranges from $999 with Ridley Essentials to approximately $45,120 with a traditional 3% commission on a $1,504,000 home.

	Traditional Agent	Best valueRidley Pro	Ridley Essentials	FSBO
Listing fee	$45,120	$3,499	$999	$0
Buyer agent	$42,1122.8% avg	$30,080~2% avg	$30,080~2% avg	$42,1122.8% avg
Closing costs (~1.5%)	$22,560	$22,560	$22,560	$22,560
Total cost	$109,792	$56,139	$53,639	$64,672
Net proceeds	$1,394,208	$1,447,861	$1,450,361	$1,439,328
You save	—	$41,621	$44,121	$45,120No support