San Diego Isn't Building Enough Senior Housing for the Decade Ahead

Written by:

Alejandra Rodriguez

Date:

08 Jun 2026

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San Diego has long been one of California’s most resilient real estate markets, and in mid-2026, that reputation holds. With fewer than three months of inventory across the broader market and interest rates hovering in the low sixes, the region continues to attract buyers despite persistent affordability pressures. But within this broader market story, a quieter and more complex dynamic is playing out, one centered on the growing population of seniors navigating one of the most consequential housing decisions of their lives.

Bryan Devore, lead agent at Devore Realty Group and Director of the Senior Division at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, has spent nearly 23 years working in San Diego real estate. For the past several years, his practice has focused almost entirely on seniors who are downsizing, transitioning to senior living communities, or managing estate-related transactions. His team of six agents, supported by a network of roughly 58 senior real estate specialists spanning San Diego to Santa Barbara, gives him a ground-level view of how this demographic is, and isn’t, moving through the market.

The Gap Between Wanting to Stay and Being Able To

One of the most cited statistics in senior housing is that 92% of older adults say they want to age in place. Devore sees this play out regularly, but with an important caveat: only about 60% succeed.

The gap comes down to the home itself. Many seniors live in two-story houses with stairs and layouts that become impractical as mobility declines. In those cases, Devore’s team helps clients explore modifications like ramps and grab bars, or guides them toward single-story alternatives that better support long-term independence.

For others, the math simply doesn’t work, and a senior living community becomes the more practical path. Independent communities offering meals, activities, and social connection are increasingly part of the conversation, particularly for seniors who are isolated, eating poorly, or lacking regular social interaction.

The emotional weight of that decision is real. Many clients are overwhelmed by the prospect of sorting through decades of belongings, managing a sale, and adjusting to a new living situation simultaneously. “A lot of people don’t want to make the move,” Devore acknowledges. “They don’t want to change, and they’re overwhelmed by the thought of it.” His role, as he describes it, is less about pushing a transaction and more about laying out options clearly enough that clients can make informed choices.

Where Deals Get Stuck and How They Get Unstuck

The friction in senior real estate transactions often comes down to a mismatch between what sellers have and what today’s buyers expect. Many long-held homes are well-maintained but dated, lacking the updated kitchens, quartz countertops, and modern finishes that current buyers have come to demand.

Most senior sellers are reluctant to invest in renovations before listing: it’s disruptive, it costs money upfront, and many are already managing a stressful transition. Devore’s team addresses this by offering a deferred-payment renovation option, where updates are made before listing and costs are settled at closing rather than out of pocket.

Devore says his team presents a clear comparison: the likely sale price as-is versus the projected return after upgrades. “If the difference is big enough, they’re going to open their eyes and say, okay, this sounds like a good option,” he explains.

For clients who prefer a cleaner exit, a guaranteed sale option allows them to sell as-is and close within ten days, a meaningful alternative for those whose priority is timing the move to a community rather than maximizing sale price.

The 55-Plus Inventory Picture

While the broader San Diego market remains tight, the 55-plus community segment tells a somewhat different story. These communities generally carry more available inventory than the standard residential market, in part because the buyer pool is naturally smaller and purchasers must meet age requirements to qualify.

That dynamic cuts both ways. For buyers looking to enter communities like Ocean Hills Country Club in Oceanside, a gated, golf course community that Devore describes as consistently active, there are options. But sellers in these communities need to price realistically. “They have to price it aggressively if they want to get their home sold successfully,” he notes.

In North County Inland, communities like Seven Oaks and Oaks North in Rancho Bernardo remain desirable, and quality properties still attract multiple offers. “The good properties are still getting multiple offers, because there’s not enough high-quality inventory,” Devore observes. The longer-term supply picture is also worth watching: as the population continues to age, demand for this type of housing is expected to grow steadily, and new development has not kept pace.

Family Dynamics and the Probate Layer

Senior real estate transactions rarely involve just one decision-maker. Adult children are frequently part of the conversation, and their priorities don’t always align with those of the senior client. Devore has seen both ends: families pushing a reluctant parent toward a community move, and families urging a parent to hold onto a home the parent is ready to sell.

“At the end of the day, the senior is my client, so I have to listen to them,” he says.

Beyond family dynamics, a portion of Devore’s work involves probate and trust transactions, cases where a property owner has passed away without a will or trust, requiring court oversight and close coordination with attorneys. As a certified probate and trust specialist, he notes that while the legal layers add complexity, the process ultimately follows the same fundamentals as a standard transaction. For families navigating grief alongside logistics, a smooth process can provide meaningful closure.

Affordability Remains the Central Challenge

The most significant variable shaping San Diego’s near-term outlook remains interest rates. Rates have moved up and down through 2026, currently sitting in the low sixes. The prevailing view among market participants is that a sustained dip below 6% would meaningfully expand the pool of buyers.

For now, affordability is the dominant constraint. Devore estimates that housing costs currently consume roughly 50% of monthly expenses for many buyers, well above the 30 to 40% range that most households can sustain.

San Diego’s underlying fundamentals, strong employment, desirable climate, quality schools, continue to support demand and keep prices relatively stable. But until rates ease further, many potential buyers, including seniors weighing a move, are likely to stay on the sidelines longer than they otherwise might.

For the senior segment specifically, the decision to move is rarely driven by market timing alone. Health, family circumstances, and quality of life tend to be the more pressing factors. What practitioners like Devore offer is a framework for navigating all of it, not just the transaction, but the transition.

About the Expert: Bryan Devore is the lead agent at Devore Realty Group and Director of the Senior Division at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, with nearly 23 years of experience in San Diego real estate. He leads a team of six agents and coordinates a network of approximately 58 senior real estate specialists spanning San Diego to Santa Barbara.

This article is based on information provided by the expert source cited above. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or real estate advice. Readers should conduct their own research and consult qualified professionals before making any real estate or financial decisions.