Market Update – September 2026

Greetings!

The Market at a Glance

• 68 sales through August, compared with 74 last year
• 8% fewer transactions, narrowing from 22% at the end of June
• $25.20 million in total sales volume, just 1% behind 2025
• Residential dollar volume is ahead of last year when commercial sales are excluded
• 43 homes sold, with dollar volume slightly ahead of 2025
• 12 condos sold, compared with 11 last year
• 13 lots sold, up 44% from nine last year
• Mexican buyers represented the majority of summer purchasers
• Mortgage-financed purchases have increased substantially

The Summer Market Closes the Gap

At the end of June, San Carlos real estate sales remained well behind 2025 in the number of closed transactions. Two months later, the difference has narrowed considerably.

Through August 31, 68 properties have sold through the MLS, compared with 74 during the same period last year. That leaves 2026 just 8% behind 2025 in the number of sales. At the end of June, the difference was 22%.

Dollar volume has drawn even closer. Sales through August total $25.20 million, compared with $25.46 million last year, a difference of just 1%.

The summer market contributed much of that ground. Mexican buyers represented the majority of purchasers during July and August, continuing the seasonal pattern we have seen in San Carlos for many years. What has been particularly noticeable this year, however, is the increase in buyers using mortgage financing.

There are also some interesting differences within the property categories.

Home sales remain behind last year in number, with 43 sales compared with 51 in 2025. In dollar terms, however, homes have reached $19.98 million, slightly ahead of the $19.82 million recorded through August last year.

Condominiums have moved in the opposite direction. Twelve have sold this year compared with 11 last year, although dollar volume is 4% lower. The average condominium sale price has declined from $293,818 to $258,408.

Lots have had the strongest year-over-year increase. Thirteen have sold compared with nine last year, a 44% increase, while dollar volume has risen from $1.08 million to $2.12 million.

There is one other number worth noting. Last year's totals included three commercial sales representing $1.33 million in volume. There have been no commercial sales this year. If we compare homes, condominiums and lots alone, 2026 dollar volume is actually ahead of the same period in 2025.

The year began slowly and remained behind last year's pace through the first half. July and August did not erase that difference entirely, but they changed the year-to-date picture substantially. The Mexican summer market played a large part in doing so, with both the number of buyers and the increased use of mortgage financing contributing to a much stronger second half of the summer.

Year to date real estate sales

Living in San Carlos: Why We Stay

People come to San Carlos for many reasons. What makes them stay is often something quite different.

After more than two decades here, I have come to believe that part of the answer can be found around a table, among friends.

Living in San Carlos: Why We Stay

Photo credit: Alfonso “RADA” Vásquez

San Carlos Malecón Moves Forward

After years of discussion, there are now unmistakable signs of activity. Heavy equipment is working in the Playa San Francisco area as the first stage of the San Carlos Malecón gets underway.

Here is what we know about the project, the investment and the work now beginning.

Read : San Carlos Malecón Moves Forward

Photo credit: Alfonso “RADA” Vásquez

Passenger Rail Plans Reach Toward Sonora

Mexico's expanding passenger rail program has an interesting connection to our part of the country. A future phase calls for high-speed passenger service along the Pacific corridor, linking Guadalajara, Tepic, Mazatlán and Los Mochis with Guaymas and Hermosillo.

It is a long-term plan rather than an imminent arrival, but an interesting one to follow.

Read the article from Mexico News Daily: Mexico's High-Speed Rail Plans

Access the Guaymas San Carlos MLS: Sonora Regional MLS

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San Carlos, Sonora.

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