More Homes for Sale in San Marcos: A Buyer’s Advantage

The past few years have been challenging for homebuyers in San Marcos, with rising home prices and higher mortgage rates making it tough to find the right home within budget. But here’s some good news—housing inventory is on the rise, giving buyers more options than they’ve had in years.

More Existing Homes for Sale

According to Realtor.com, the number of existing homes for sale increased by 22% in 2024. And the outlook for 2025 is even better, with forecasts predicting an additional 11-15% increase in inventory (see graph below).

This rise in available homes means you’ll have more choices when searching for a home that fits your needs. If you’ve been struggling to find a property with the right features, an expanding inventory could be the key to finding your perfect home. As Ralph McLaughlin, Senior Economist at Realtor.com, notes:

“It could be a particularly good time to get out into the market . . . you're going to have more choice. And that's not something that buyers have really had much over the past several years.”

Newly Built Homes Are on the Rise

Beyond existing homes, newly built homes are making up a significant portion of the market. Data from the Census and the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows that 31.1% of homes on the market right now are newly built—far above historical averages.

This is not a sign of overbuilding but rather a much-needed correction after years of under-construction. Many builders in San Marcos have been focusing on more affordable, smaller homes, making new builds an increasingly viable option for buyers. As CNET explains:

“If you live in an area where there's a lot of new construction happening . . . you might be able to purchase a new house for a price similar to or even less than a pre-owned one.”

So if you’ve been overlooking new construction because of assumed higher costs, it may be time to take another look. You could find that new builds are more within reach than expected, especially as builders offer incentives to attract buyers.

Bottom Line

The growing number of homes for sale in San Marcos—both new and existing—means better opportunities for buyers in 2025. If you’re ready to start your search, reach out, and let’s explore what’s available in and around our area.