Are downsizers or upgraders driving more activity in your area this year?

Both are active, but downsizers are driving this market.

The typical East Bay luxury downsizer is 65+, has 20+ years of equity, and wants lower maintenance without sacrificing quality or location. They’re selling larger homes in Crocker Highlands or Piedmont and seeking turnkey properties in Alameda, Temescal, or LaMorInda.

These sellers often become buyers again — creating a full-circle transaction flow that keeps mid- to high-end inventory circulating.

Upgraders, meanwhile, are younger families moving within the East Bay. They’re leveraging equity from starter homes in Glenview or Maxwell Park to buy $2–$3M properties in better school districts.

The result: a rare overlap where both segments are motivated — one unlocking equity, the other ready to spend it.

Understanding who’s driving demand helps sellers position pricing, staging, and marketing to target the right buyer profile — not just any buyer.