Late winter into spring, if the calendar is all you go by. Contra Costa County single-family homes sold in a median 12 to 13 days every month from February through June 2026 (C.A.R. monthly reports, checked September 24, 2026), and nationwide, March sales brought the biggest premium over estimated value (ATTOM, April 30, 2026).
That’s the calendar. What actually moves your number is a house that’s ready, priced against its real competition, and timed to your next move.
How fast do homes sell in Contra Costa, month by month?
Quickest from February through June, slowest in January. C.A.R. publishes median days on market and an unsold inventory index for existing single-family homes in each county every month. Here are Contra Costa’s figures, read from each monthly release (C.A.R., monthly home sales and price reports, October 2025 through August 2026, checked September 24, 2026):
| Month | Median days on market | Months of unsold inventory |
|---|---|---|
| October 2025 | 19 | 2.4 |
| November 2025 | 22 | 2.3 |
| December 2025 | 21 | 1.9 |
| January 2026 | 29 | 3.6 |
| February 2026 | 13 | 3.0 |
| March 2026 | 13 | 2.4 |
| April 2026 | 12 | 2.6 |
| May 2026 | 13 | 2.3 |
| June 2026 | 13 | 2.3 |
| July 2026 | 15 | 2.6 |
| August 2026 | 20 | 2.7 |
Read it as the county’s rhythm, not a Pleasant Hill number. It covers every Contra Costa city and leaves out condos and townhomes. The year before looked similar: 11.5 days in February 2025 and 12 in March 2025, stretching to 17 by June 2025 and 21 by August 2025 (same releases).
What does national data say about the best month?
March first, then April and May. ATTOM compared more than 52 million single-family and condo sale prices from 2015 through 2025 against each home’s estimated value. March sales averaged a 10.7% premium, April and May 10.2%, and February and June 10.0%. October was lowest at 7.9% (ATTOM, “Best Days to Sell a Home,” April 30, 2026, checked September 24, 2026).
Two things stand out. Every month still averaged a premium. And the spread from the best month to the worst was under 3 points across the whole country. Missing on price by a few percent costs you more than picking the “wrong” month.
How were Pleasant Hill homes selling in August 2026?
Quickly, and often over asking. The median Pleasant Hill home sold in 18 days at 101.8% of list price in August 2026. 43.2% sold above list, and 23.8% had a price drop before they sold (Redfin, Pleasant Hill housing market page, August 2026, checked September 24, 2026).
That’s all home types together, so it isn’t a like-for-like match with the county single-family table. But it tells you late summer was still moving here.
Should I wait until spring?
Only if waiting works for your life. The county data favors February through June. Waiting also means more months of mortgage, taxes and upkeep, and nobody can tell you where rates or prices will be by then.
If you do plan around spring, think February, not May. Contra Costa’s median days on market fell from 29 in January 2026 to 13 in February 2026 (C.A.R.), and ATTOM’s national premium was already 10.0% for February sales. A house that’s photographed and on the market in February is in front of buyers from the start of the busy stretch.
Is fall or winter a bad time to sell in Pleasant Hill?
Not bad. Slower, with less room for error. County single-family homes took a median 19 to 22 days from October through December 2025, and 29 days in January 2026 (C.A.R.). Inventory was thin, too: the county’s unsold inventory index dropped to 1.9 months in December 2025, which means fewer listings competing with yours. Price it right the first day, because there’s little runway before the holidays to recover from a cut.
What beats good timing?
Three things you control.
- The price on day one. Nearly a quarter of Pleasant Hill homes cut their price in August 2026 (Redfin). A cut tells buyers the first number was wrong.
- The condition. A house with no surprises for the inspector holds its price in any month. Our Pleasant Hill selling answer covers what to fix and what selling costs.
- Your next move. If you’re buying too, the purchase often sets the calendar. A rent-back or a contingent offer can bridge the gap; walk through both with your agent and a real estate attorney before you commit.
Questions people also ask
What is the fastest month to sell a house in Contra Costa County?
In 2026 so far, April. Contra Costa single-family homes sold in a median 12 days in April 2026, with February, March, May and June close behind at 13, per C.A.R.’s monthly reports, checked September 24, 2026. The slowest recent month was January 2026 at 29 days. These are county figures for single-family homes, not Pleasant Hill alone.
Is it a mistake to list my Pleasant Hill house in December?
No, but plan for a slower pace. Contra Costa single-family homes sold in a median 21 days in December 2025 and 29 days in January 2026, per C.A.R.’s monthly reports. Listings were scarce too, with the county’s unsold inventory index at 1.9 months that December. That can help a well-priced home stand out, but there’s less time to fix a price that’s too high.
Is spring still the best season to sell?
On national averages, yes. ATTOM’s April 30, 2026 study of more than 52 million sales found March, April and May carried the biggest premiums over estimated value from 2015 through 2025. The gap between the best and worst months was under 3 percentage points, though. A home priced right in October can easily beat one priced wrong in April.
Your next step
Thinking about selling in the next six months? We’ll look at the house, your next move and the recent Pleasant Hill sales with you, and pick a listing date that fits. Talk to a Pleasant Hill agent on our team or call (510) 949-5525.
More on Pleasant Hill: How to sell your Pleasant Hill house for the most money · Pleasant Hill market update · Living in Pleasant Hill, CA · What’s my home worth?
By Bill Davis, DRE #01880656, The Davis Team at eXp Realty, Pleasant Hill, CA. Updated September 24, 2026.
Sources
- C.A.R., monthly home sales and price reports, “County Unsold Inventory and Days on Market” tables for existing single-family homes, Contra Costa County, releases for November 2025, December 2025, January, February, March, May, June and August 2026 (each also lists the prior month and the same month a year earlier): car.org/aboutus/mediacenter/newsreleases (checked September 24, 2026)
- ATTOM, “Best Days to Sell a Home” analysis, April 30, 2026: attomdata.com/news/market-trends/home-sales-prices/2026-best-days-to-sell-a-home (checked September 24, 2026)
- Redfin, Pleasant Hill housing market page, August 2026 figures: redfin.com/city/14983/CA/Pleasant-Hill/housing-market (checked September 24, 2026)