Welcome to 2026! If you have been watching the El Segundo real estate market waiting for a sign, January has delivered it loud and clear. We are seeing a distinct “tale of two markets” emerge to start the year. While both Single Family Residences (SFR) and Condos remain in “Seller’s Market” territory, the gap between them has widened significantly. Whether you are looking to upgrade your space or make your first investment in 90245, understanding this divergence is critical to your strategy.

The Single Family Surge

The Single Family Home market in El Segundo has exploded out of the gate in 2026. If you own a home here, the news is excellent. The Median Sold Price for SFRs has climbed to $2,760,105, marking a staggering 24.9% increase month-over-month.

Inventory remains incredibly tight with only a 1.4-month supply , down 37.5% from last month. This scarcity is driving prices up, even as homes are taking a bit longer to sell. Interestingly, the Median Days in RPR (Realtors Property Resource) spiked to 97 days. This suggests that while buyers are willing to pay a premium (average sold price is 98.7% of list price ), they are being selective, likely waiting for the perfect “turnkey” property before pulling the trigger.

The Condo “Value” Opportunity

On the other side of the spectrum, the Condo and Townhome market offers a completely different value proposition. The Median Sold Price currently sits at $1,128,000, creating a massive $1.6 million price gap between the median condo and the median single-family home.

Inventory here is also tight but slightly more balanced than SFRs, with a 1.85-month supply. However, unlike the SFR market, median list prices for condos have remained relatively flat, dipping slightly by 0.2% month-over-month to $977,000. For first-time buyers or investors, this sector represents the most accessible entry point into our coastal community before prices potentially follow the SFR trajectory.

Key Takeaways for January 2026:

• Seller Power: Both markets are favoring sellers, but SFR owners have seen a massive equity jump recently.
• The Price Gap: Moving from a Condo to an SFR now requires a leap of roughly $1.6M, highlighting the premium on land and privacy.
• Inventory Crunch: With SFR inventory down 37.5% and Condo inventory down 11.9%, options are limited.
• Patience Pays: SFRs are taking longer to close (97 days) compared to the frantic pace we sometimes see, signaling a return to more normalized negotiation timelines.

2026 is shaping up to be a year of equity growth for homeowners and strategic opportunities for buyers. If you are a condo owner thinking of upgrading, we need to strategize on bridging that gap. If you are an SFR owner, now might be the perfect window to capitalize on low inventory.

• LINK to the Full SFR Report
• LINK to the Full CONDO Report

Are you wondering where your home fits in this widening gap? Let’s schedule a brief 15-minute strategy call to review your specific equity position and 2026 goals.

Melissa Menard REALTOR® | Compass
El Segundo & Surrounding Areas Los Angeles
📞 310.729.9726 | DRE# 01858710
📧 melissa@melissamenardhomes.com
🌐 www.MelissaMenardHomes.com

Market Data Disclaimer: “All statistics referenced are based on January 2026 data from Realtors Property Resource® (RPR) for the El Segundo neighborhood in Los Angeles and are considered reliable but not guaranteed.”