Bernal Heights Real Estate Market Update – May 2026
June 3, 2026
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Bernal Heights Real Estate Market Update – May 2026
Are Home Prices Still Rising in Bernal Heights? Here's What the Latest Market Data Shows.
By Jennifer Burden & Carren Shagley, Legacy Real Estate
Bernal Heights continues to be one of San Francisco's most competitive housing markets. Limited inventory, steady buyer demand, neighborhood charm, and a high concentration of single-family homes continue to attract buyers seeking a balance of community, convenience, and character.
The neighborhood's appeal extends beyond the homes themselves. Bernal's local business corridors, especially along Cortland Avenue and around Precita Park, continue to give the area a strong neighborhood identity. Recent and noteworthy additions such as Precita Social, from the team behind 3rd Cousin, andlongstanding Vega Pizzeria bring energy to the local dining scene, while longtime neighborhood favorites and everyday amenities continue to support Bernal's village-like feel. For buyers and sellers who want a deeper look at the neighborhood, our Bernal Heights real estate resource page offers additional local market guidance.
If you've been asking:
What is the median home price in Bernal Heights?
Are homes still selling over asking?
How quickly are homes selling?
Is inventory increasing?
Is it still a seller's market?
The May 2026 data provides some clear answers.
Bernal Heights Housing Market Snapshot – May 2026
During May, Bernal Heights recorded:
14 closed sales
7 active listings
11 pending sales
The typical home sold in Bernal Heights featured:
3 bedrooms
2 bathrooms
1,698 median square feet
1,751 median lot square feet
Inventory remains exceptionally limited. With only seven active listings at month's end and eleven homes already pending, buyers continued to face competition when desirable homes became available.
What Is the Median Home Price in Bernal Heights?
The median closed sale price in May reached $1,875,000, while the average sale price climbed to $2,297,714.
Closed sales ranged from $880,000 to $4,650,000, highlighting the diversity of Bernal Heights housing stock, from smaller condos and cottages to larger, highly improved homes.
The highest recorded sale in the May data was 1497 Shotwell Street, which closed for $4,650,000 after 13 days on market. That sale was notable not only because it represented the top price in the May dataset, but also because it helped lift the average sale price well above the median. In a neighborhood with a relatively small number of monthly sales, one high-end closing can meaningfully affect the average, which is why the median price is often the better measure of the typical buyer experience.
Key Takeaway
A median price approaching $1.9 million demonstrates the continued strength of Bernal Heights as one of San Francisco's most sought-after single-family home neighborhoods.
Are Homes Still Selling Over Asking Price?
Yes. Bernal Heights homes continued to sell above asking in May.
The average closed sale sold for 110.83% of its list price, meaning sellers received nearly 11% more than asking on average.
Even more notable:
Homes that sold within 30 days averaged 127.26% of list price
85% of all closed sales occurred within the first 30 days on market
These numbers reinforce how competitive the neighborhood remains for buyers, especially when homes are well-prepared, well-located, and priced to attract early attention.
How Fast Are Homes Selling in Bernal Heights?
The median Days on Market was just 13 days, while the average was 18 days. By comparison, the average Days on Market in May 2025 was 32 days, meaning homes moved more quickly this May than they did during the same month last year.
What This Means
Most buyers are making decisions quickly. Well-prepared homes that are priced strategically continue to generate strong interest shortly after hitting the market.
What Is the Price Per Square Foot in Bernal Heights?
The median sold price per square foot reached $1,358, while the average was $1,309 per square foot.
Price per square foot can be useful, but it should not be viewed in isolation. In Bernal Heights, value is heavily influenced by factors such as location within the neighborhood, views, outdoor space, parking, floor plan, condition, and expansion potential.
Is Bernal Heights a Seller's Market?
Based on the May numbers, Bernal Heights remains firmly in seller's market territory.
Several indicators point to continued strength:
Low active inventory, with only 7 active homes
More pending homes than active listings
Median market time of just 13 days
Average sale price exceeding asking price by nearly 11%
Most closed sales occurring within the first month
That does not mean every home sells immediately or without strategy. Buyers remain selective when homes are overpriced, difficult to finance, or in need of significant work. However, turnkey homes and properties with views, outdoor space, parking, or flexible living arrangements continue to command premium pricing.
Notable Trends We Saw in May
Premiums for Move-In Ready Homes
Updated homes continued to attract the strongest buyer activity, particularly those with modern kitchens, remodeled bathrooms, outdoor living spaces, and flexible rooms that can support work-from-home needs.
Buyers Continue to Prioritize Outdoor Space
Private yards, decks, gardens, and view-oriented outdoor spaces remain among the most requested features. Bernal's combination of city access, hillside views, and neighborhood-scale living continues to differentiate it from many other San Francisco neighborhoods.
Demand Remains Strong Despite Higher Prices
Even with median pricing approaching $1.9 million, buyers continued competing for desirable homes, especially detached properties in prime locations near Cortland Avenue, Holly Park, Precita Park, and Bernal's hilltop view corridors.
What Does This Mean for Buyers and Sellers?
For Sellers
The data suggests that properly prepared and strategically priced homes continue to perform well. Low inventory and steady buyer demand remain favorable for sellers, particularly when a home is presented clearly and priced with the market in mind.
For Buyers
Competition remains intense, but opportunities still exist. Buyers who are fully prepared, financially organized, and working with experienced local agents are generally best positioned to act when the right property becomes available.
Looking Ahead
As we move into summer, inventory levels will be important to watch. More homes may come to market, but based on May's activity, buyers should not assume that additional inventory will automatically translate into a major shift in negotiating leverage.
For now, Bernal Heights continues to stand out as one of San Francisco's strongest neighborhood markets, with fast sales, above-asking results, and continued demand for well-positioned homes.
Statistical SummaryArea/District SF District 9 Subdistrict Bernal Heights
Listing Statuses
Active
Pending
Closed
Other
Total
0
10
14
0
24
Aggregate Statistics
Minimum
Average
Median
Maximum
Tot. Val.
1
3
3
5
1
2
2
5
648
1,812
1,752
2,955
0.04
0.05
0.04
0.06
1,581
1,963
1,761
2,604
0
1931
1910
2018
$938,000
$1,670,867
$1,395,000
$4,500,000
$644.64
$991.51
$870.10
$1,522.84
$19,117,515.03
$37,544,223.04
$31,843,847.91
$76,600,234.47
$880,000
$2,297,714
$1,875,000
$4,650,000
$32,168,000
$750.88
$1,309.50
$1,358.02
$1,827.11
$21,891,947.46
$52,034,699.46
$46,190,116.82
$101,327,663.83
0
17
13
74
0
17
13
74
*Calculations for this field only use listings with valid values; listings with blank or zero values are excluded
DOM Statistics for Closed Listings
# of Listings
% of Total
SP % LP
12
85
127.26
2
14
94.40
0
0
0
0
0
0
14
100
110.83
CDOM Statistics for Closed Listings
# of Listings
% of Total
SP % LP
12
85.71
127.26
2
14.29
94.40
0
0.00
0
0.00
0
0.00
14
100
110.83
Thinking About Buying or Selling in Bernal Heights?
With more than two decades of experience helping clients navigate Bernal Heights real estate, we are always happy to discuss current market conditions, home values, and neighborhood trends.
