Market report · CA

Modesto, CA

Balanced's market

Modesto's market is in transition: -0.6% YoY, median DOM 14 days. Selective deals only.

DATA · Zillow Research (via scrape.do) · AS OF APRIL 2026

$447k
Typical home value
↑6.5%
-0.6%
YoY change
$1,996
Median rent
↑8.1%
5.35%
Gross yield
14
Median DOM
49/100
MDR score
Detail Value Detail Value
Median list price $464,667 Median sale price $447,500
Sale-to-list ratio 1.000 % sold below list +38.9%
Active inventory 461 New listings 187
Trends · 36-month series

How Modesto has moved.

Typical home value $420k → $447k · ↑6.5% (36mo)
$420k $431k $441k $452k May 23Nov 24Apr 26
Median rent (ZORI) $2k → $2k · ↑8.1% (36mo)
$2k $2k $2k $2k May 23Nov 24Apr 26
Median days on market 25d → 14d · ↓43.6% (36mo)
14d 18d 21d 25d Feb 26Mar 26Apr 26
Sale-to-list ratio 1.000 → 1.000 · ↑0.0% (36mo)
1.000 1.000 1.000 1.000 Jan 26Feb 26Mar 26

Modesto sits at a median home value of $447,353 as of the latest Zillow read, essentially flat year-over-year, which historically is the most workable environment for disciplined wholesalers.

The sale-to-list ratio of 1.000 signals a balanced market — neither bid wars nor fire sales dominate. 38.9% of closings land below list, leaving room to negotiate on the right deal but no broad discount across the board.

Rents are workable but not generous. ZORI of $1,996/mo against a $447k median gives a 5.35% gross yield — average for the metro tier, requiring tight underwriting on any hold.

Median days-on-market is running around 14 days against 461.333 active listings — that’s a fast-moving market. Speed is the moat; pre-arranged proof of funds and a tight buyers list are the difference between getting under contract and getting outbid.

MDR’s composite investor score for Modesto is 49/100 based on rent yield, sale-to-list discount, motivated-seller proxies, and DOM. Lower tier this quarter. Watch list, not deploy list — re-evaluate next read.

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FAQ

Modesto for investors.

Is Modesto a good market for real estate investors in 2026?

Metro Deal Report's composite investor score for Modesto is 49/100, based on rent yield, sale-to-list ratio, motivated-seller proxies, and days on market. Modesto is a lower-tier market right now. Watch list, not deploy list, until the numbers shift.

What is the median home price in Modesto?

The typical home value in Modesto as of the most recent Zillow read is $447,353. Median list price is $464,667 and median sale price is $447,500. Year-over-year change: -0.6%.

What can a landlord expect to rent a property for in Modesto?

Zillow's Observed Rent Index for Modesto is $1,996/mo. Against the typical home value of $447k, that produces a gross annual rent yield of 5.35% — right at the national baseline, requiring tight underwriting on holds.

Is Modesto a buyer's or seller's market?

Modesto's current sale-to-list ratio is 1.000 with 38.9% of homes closing below list. That's a balanced market — neither side dominates. Median days on market: 14 days. Active inventory: 461 listings.

Which investment strategy works best in Modesto?

Modesto's data favors a mixed approach — no single strategy dominates, so selective deal sourcing wins. See the per-strategy breakdowns at /wholesaling/modesto, /brrrr/modesto, and /flipping/modesto.

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