On The Move
April 2026
You can literally smell spring in Palo Alto!
Not just fresh-cut grass, but those unexpected corners where the air turns floral and almost sweet. It still catches me off guard. After years in NYC, where you learned which blocks doubled as wind tunnels, I’ll just say, I prefer Palo Alto’s sensory experience!
And yet, while spring feels expansive, the housing market right now feels anything but.
The image above hangs inside Y Combinator (YC), the well-known “startup curve” mapping the emotional phases of building something new. While my real estate clients aren’t startups, March felt eerily similar: a sharp “Tech Crunch of Initiation,” followed quickly by the “Trough of Sorrow,” with plenty of “Wiggles of False Hope” in between.
That’s been the reality for buyers across Santa Clara County and San Mateo County.
Inventory is tighter than it was a year ago, particularly for the homes buyers actually want—move-in ready, well-located, and thoughtfully updated. By the numbers:
- New listings are down ~10–15% year-over-year across the Peninsula
- Months of inventory remains below 1.5 months in many submarkets (anything under 2 = highly competitive)
- Well-priced homes are still seeing multiple offers, often pushing 5–10% over ask
In other words: demand didn’t disappear—supply did.
And that imbalance creates its own psychology. Buyers stretch, recalibrate, and re-enter. Sellers test pricing boundaries, sometimes rejecting strong offers in pursuit of something higher. The result? A market that doesn’t move in a straight line but in fi ts, starts, and emotional swings that look a lot like that YC curve.
The good news: just like in startups, those who stay disciplined through the Trough tend to be the ones who win on the other side.
– Lisa
On The Move is a curated mix of what’s inspiring me lately, what’s shifting in the market, and what might just shift your perspective or inspire you too.
" Lisa is a very professional realtor. She is responsible, helpful, meticulous & honest. She provided timely follow-up to questions even in the late evening when the situation required. She always answered with thorough, accurate & thoughtful information. She made you feel at ease during stressful situations. My wife and I would use her as our relator agin if needed and would wholeheartedly recommend her to others."
– Buyers, J.T. & G.T.
About Eichler
Jospeh Eichler built 2,700+ homes in Palo Alto which makes him a well-known developer in this area with listings still highlighting “an Eichler.” In doing research for a listing, the following facts about Eichler left an impression.
Photo credit: Palo Alto Historical Association
Civil Rights Activist Developer: Eichler was an active fair housing advocate, often refusing to comply with discriminatory covenants.
Buy-Back Policy: Eichler famously offered to buy back homes from residents who complained about having black or brown neighbors.
Resigned from Builder Association: In 1958, he resigned from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) because they refused to support a non-discrimination policy, which he suspected was rooted in his own experience with discrimination against Jews.
San Francisco’s “Exodus” Lands in San Mateo.
San Francisco’s “exodus” story is often framed as people leaving the Bay Area but the reality is far more local. New data shows that over 23,000 San Franciscans moved into San Mateo County between 2020–2023, making it the single most popular destination.
That matters now: many of those movers are no longer just renters—they’re today’s buyers, bringing city-level equity and expectations into an already supply-constrained market.
In other words, the migration story didn’t end in 2023. It’s showing up in 2026 as increased competition, tighter inventory, and upward pressure on pricing across the Peninsula.
Full Story @ NYPost
Photo Credit:
Chris Brignola
John Galliano + Zara Partnership: Shows Where Value Is Heading
John Galliano + Zara isn’t just fashion news — it’s a signal of where value is heading. The power is shifting from institutions to individuals, where talent, taste, and perspective matter more than legacy brands.
Real estate is no different. In a world where every listing is online, my job isn’t just opening doors & putting up signs. I am curating opportunities, shaping strategy, and assembling the right team around for both buyers and sellers. The individual creative intelligence and ingenuity of your agent is an imperative.
The new luxury isn’t access. It’s judgment.
A bit of my past: I started in the fashion industry. I see the John Galliano name and it brings back memories of over-the-top, lusciously decadent fashion shows and the intensity of seeing the artisans at work in his studio on Rue D’Avron.
Photo Credit: Gareth Cattermole/BFC/Getty images
Insights From Patrick Carlisle
Chief Market Analyst, Compass
My summation after digging into Patrick’s data + additional resources is… wait for it…..
This is a high-functioning, disciplined market.
Less frenzy
Less blind bidding wars
More strategic pricing + positioning
But still multiple offers for turnkey homes
Not the chaos of 2021.
Not the hesitation of 2023.
Buyers are back, but they’re sharper. Sellers are returning, but they’re being tested.
And in neighborhoods like Palo Alto, Los Altos & Menlo Park, quality inventory is still the choke point.
Patrick’s latest Bay Area Housing reports:
One Estate. Without Equal.
Los Altos, Hills CA
8bd | 11 bath | 10,085 sqft | 78,843 sqft lot
$19,800,00
Original: $25,000,000
Let’s Make Your Next Move Distinctly Yours. Smart Moves. Bold Moves. Real Estate Moves. Call, text or…
Lisa M. Musich
DRE# 02210590
REALTOR®
M: 415.619.1426
lisa.musich@compass.com
Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California operating under multiple entities. License Numbers 01991628, 01527235, 01527365. All material is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. No statement is made as to the accuracy of any description or measurements (including square footage). This is not intended to solicit property already listed. No financial or legal advice provided. Equal Housing Opportunity. Photos may be virtually staged or digitally enhanced and may not reflect actual property conditions.
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