Hayward’s detached single-family home market remained competitive in May, with home prices posting solid year-over-year gains despite a slowdown in sales activity. Inventory remained limited, homes continued to sell quickly, and buyers were still paying above asking for desirable properties, signaling that demand continues to outpace supply.
Market Snapshot
Home Prices
- Median sale price: $960,000 (+7.9% year over year)
- Average sale price: $1,085,163 (+11.7%)
- Average sold price per square foot: $642
Market Activity
- Homes sold: 55 (-12.7% year over year)
- Active listings: 87
- Pending sales: 49
- Months of inventory: 1.8
Market Pace
- Average days on market: 23
- Average sale-to-list price: 104%
Home Prices Continue to Rise
Hayward saw steady appreciation in May, with the median sale price climbing nearly 8% compared to the same month last year. The average sale price increased even more—up almost 12%—suggesting continued demand across a range of price points.
While monthly price changes can be influenced by the mix of homes sold, the year-over-year gains indicate that home values have remained resilient despite broader affordability challenges.
Fewer Sales, but Demand Remains Steady
Closed sales declined to 55 homes, down from 63 in May 2025. Even so, pending sales and active buyer interest suggest the slowdown reflects limited inventory as much as softer demand.
With 1.8 months of inventory, Hayward remains well below the four to six months generally considered a balanced market. Buyers have slightly more choices than they did during the market’s tightest periods, but supply is still constrained enough to support pricing.
Buyers Continue to Compete
Homes sold for an average of 104% of list price and spent an average of 23 days on the market, indicating that well-priced properties continue to attract strong interest.
Although bidding wars aren’t as aggressive as in some neighboring markets, buyers should still be prepared to act quickly when desirable homes become available. Sellers who price strategically and present their homes well continue to benefit from favorable market conditions.
What We’re Watching
As we head into the summer market, several trends will be worth following:
- Whether inventory continues to increase and gives buyers more options.
- Whether sales activity rebounds after this month’s decline.
- Whether home price appreciation moderates or continues through the peak buying season.
- How mortgage rates and affordability influence buyer demand during the second half of the year.
Hayward continues to offer a competitive housing market with steady price growth, limited inventory, and healthy buyer demand. While transaction volume eased compared to last year, market fundamentals remain strong heading into the summer months.
