Irvine, CA Housing Market Report

The Irvine real estate market as of December 2025 is characterized by a transition toward a more balanced environment, though it remains highly competitive. With a median home value of $1,510,682 and a sale-to-list ratio of exactly 1, properties are generally selling for their asking prices. This indicates that while the frenetic overbidding of previous years has cooled, demand remains robust enough to prevent significant price discounting. The most notable shift is the 11.53% year-over-year increase in active inventory, which, coupled with a median of 65 days on market, suggests that buyers finally have more options and breathing room than they did a year ago.

Price trends over the last six months reveal a period of stabilization following a slight mid-year dip. After peaking in July 2025 at over $1,523,000, values saw a modest decline through October before beginning a slow recovery in the final two months of the year. This lateral movement suggests the market has found a temporary floor, supported by Irvine's status as a premier employment and education hub within the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim metro area. Meanwhile, the rental market continues to show strength with a 2.85% annual increase, reflecting sustained demand for housing in the region despite high entry costs for buyers.

Looking ahead, both buyers and sellers should prepare for a market defined by patience and precision. For sellers, the increase in days on market—up 12 days from the previous year—means that homes are no longer flying off the shelf in a matter of days; professional staging and realistic pricing are now essential. For buyers, the rise in inventory provides a rare window of opportunity to negotiate without the pressure of immediate bidding wars. However, with prices holding steady and inventory still relatively tight by historical standards, Irvine remains a premium market where significant price drops are unlikely in the near term.