Ventura Housing Market Update September 2026: Inventory Falls as the Market Tightens

Ventura’s single-family housing market is showing renewed strength as we move through September.

As of September 7, 2026, the median list price in Ventura is $1,150,000, while available inventory has declined to 93 single-family homes.

At the same time, Ventura’s Market Action Index has increased from 39 last month to 42, placing the city in what Altos Research describes as a Slight Seller’s Advantage.

That does not mean Ventura has suddenly returned to an overheated seller’s market.

What it does tell us is that the relationship between buyer activity and the number of available homes has tightened.

Key Takeaways

• Median List Price: $1,150,000
• Inventory: 93 single-family homes
• Market Action Index: 42, up from 39 last month

The median home is also spending about 70 days on the market, which tells us buyers still have some room to evaluate properties and sellers still need to pay close attention to pricing.

Is Ventura a Buyer’s or Seller’s Market Right Now?

Ventura currently has a slight seller’s advantage.

The Market Action Index, often called the MAI, compares the rate of sales with the amount of available inventory.

When homes are selling at a stronger pace relative to the number of homes available, the index rises.

Ventura’s MAI increasing from 39 to 42, while inventory drops to 93 homes, indicates that conditions have become somewhat more favorable to sellers.

There is an important distinction, however.

A seller’s advantage does not mean every home will sell quickly or that a seller can price a property wherever they want.

Buyers remain sensitive to value.

Homes that are well positioned for their neighborhood, condition and competition are likely to generate a different response than properties that enter the market substantially above current market value.

What Is the Median List Price in Ventura?

The current median list price for Ventura single-family homes is $1,150,000.

The median price of newly listed homes is lower at $895,000.

The current median asking price per square foot is $685.

That difference between the overall median list price and new-listing median is another reason not to draw conclusions from a single number.

Ventura includes a very wide range of housing, from smaller inland homes to properties near the beach, larger homes and luxury real estate.

The mix of homes available during any particular week can significantly affect citywide statistics.

It is also important to remember that these are asking-price statistics, not final closed-sale prices.

How Long Are Ventura Homes Taking to Sell?

The current median days on market is 70 days.

That is an important piece of the market story.

If Ventura were experiencing an extremely aggressive seller’s market, we would expect many homes to be moving much faster.

Instead, we are seeing a market in which inventory is constrained but buyers can still be selective.

For sellers, the initial pricing strategy remains important.

The way a home is positioned during its first several weeks on the market can have a major impact on buyer attention.

Why Does Ventura’s Inventory Matter?

Ventura currently has 93 single-family homes in inventory.

For sellers, fewer competing properties can create an opportunity.

For buyers, it can make finding the right home more challenging.

Someone looking for a specific neighborhood, price range, lot size or type of home may have relatively few choices available at one time.

That is one reason we watch inventory along with prices and days on market.

Ventura Is Really Several Smaller Housing Markets

Citywide statistics are useful, but they only tell part of the story.

Midtown Ventura can behave differently from Pierpont.

Ventura Keys can behave differently from the East End.

Price range also matters.

Two properties only a few streets apart can attract very different buyer interest because of condition, architecture, lot size, location and pricing.

That is why we use the citywide numbers as a starting point and then look more closely at the neighborhood and comparable properties.

What Does This Mean for Ventura Sellers?

This is becoming an interesting environment for someone considering selling.

Lower inventory means fewer homes competing for buyer attention.

At the same time, sellers still need to be realistic.

The strongest strategy is not simply to see that Ventura has a seller’s advantage and automatically push the asking price higher.

We would look at:

• Current neighborhood competition
• Recent comparable sales
• Property condition
• Buyer activity
• Days on market
• Price reductions
• The specific price range

Those factors help determine what buyers are actually responding to.

What Does This Mean for Ventura Buyers?

There are still opportunities for buyers.

A 70-day median time on market shows that not every property is receiving multiple offers immediately.

Homes that have been on the market longer may present opportunities depending on the seller’s circumstances and the amount of buyer interest.

The challenge is inventory.

With only 93 single-family homes available citywide, the right property may not appear every week.

Being prepared to act when the right home does become available can make a meaningful difference.

What Is the Median Rent in Ventura?

The current median rent reported for Ventura is $4,550 per month.

For someone comparing buying with renting, rent is only one part of the calculation.

Mortgage rates, taxes, homeowners insurance, maintenance, expected ownership period and individual financial circumstances all matter.

The Bottom Line

Ventura’s housing market has tightened.

The Market Action Index has increased from 39 to 42, while inventory has fallen to 93 single-family homes.

The market currently shows a Slight Seller’s Advantage.

For sellers, that creates opportunity, but pricing and presentation remain important.

For buyers, opportunities still exist, but lower inventory makes preparation increasingly important.

Most importantly, Ventura is not one uniform housing market.

The numbers for your neighborhood and price range may look very different from the citywide averages.

If you would like to see what is happening around a particular Ventura home or neighborhood, visit:

VenturaCoastProperty.com

Source: Altos Research, September 7, 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ventura, California a seller’s market right now?

Yes. Ventura currently shows a Slight Seller’s Advantage, with a Market Action Index of 42.

What is the median list price for a house in Ventura?

The current median list price for Ventura single-family homes is $1,150,000.

How many single-family homes are for sale in Ventura?

The current inventory reported for Ventura is 93 single-family homes.

How long are Ventura homes staying on the market?

The current median days on market is 70 days.

Is Ventura’s housing market getting stronger?

The latest data indicates that market conditions have tightened. The Market Action Index increased from 39 to 42 while inventory decreased to 93 homes.

Are Ventura home prices rising?

The current data shows stronger market conditions, but asking prices have not yet shown the same degree of movement. Continued tightening is a trend worth monitoring.