It's the prime time to list homes in San Diego, according to a new Zillow report.

Why it matters: Sellers who listed their homes in early spring last year made more money on the sale than any other time of the year.

The big picture: The "best time to sell," per Zillow researchers, depends on where you live and the season starts early in San Diego.

• Across the U.S. homes listed late last May sold for 1.6% more — typically $5,600 — than any other time of year.
• San Jose, Seattle and Austin, Texas also saw price premiums in March, while late fall was ripe to sell in Tampa Bay and Phoenix.

Zoom in: Listing San Diego-area homes in late March and early April boosted the final sale price by 2% or about $20,000 on the typical home.

• In San Diego County the typical home value was about $948,000 in February, per Zillow.
• In the city, it's just over $1 million.

The intrigue: One factor that plays a role in San Diego's timing is an influx of military transfers and new postings that come in March and April, San Diego Association of Realtors president Chris Anderson told Axios.

State of play: Local sellers' financial advantage remained through early June, but dropped significantly in the fall.

• The best time for buyers was late October when homes sold for a 2% discount — about $21,500 in savings on a typical home.

Zoom out: Nationally, there was less fluctuation in prices and a smaller impact of seasonality on sales outcomes last year, so "sellers were less rewarded (and less punished) for their timing," the report says.

State of play: Mortgage rates remain elevated this spring, and while some shoppers have adjusted to higher rates, many still feel priced out or find few options available.

• The average rate on the 30-year mortgage has stayed just under 7% for nine straight weeks, Freddie Mac data shows.

What we're watching

A new real estate industry policy will allow home sellers to delay sharing their listings online.

Why it matters: The change aims to give people more flexibility when advertising houses for sale, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) announced Tuesday.

How it works: Most homes for sale will remain widely viewable on the databases brokers use — but some listings might not show up right away on websites like Zillow and Redfin.

• Sellers who select the new option must sign a disclosure agreeing "to waive the benefits of immediate public marketing" on the internet, per NAR.

The big picture: The shakeup comes after some brokerages pushed for more leeway to privately share listings with agents and clients before advertising them publicly.

Zoom in: This new policy will primarily be used when homes are not quite ready to hit the market but sellers and agents want to let people know that it's coming to get a busier open house, according to San Diego Association of Realtors president Chris Anderson. Plus, they don't want the listing to seem stale.

The other side

🎢 Legoland is building the largest attraction in its history, and indoor roller-coaster that will open in 2026. (Union-Tribune)

🤑 SDG&E customers are getting up to $135 off their bill next month, thanks to state climate credits. (OC Register)

💻 San Diego became the first city in the U.S. Monday to ban grocery stores from offering digital-only coupons. Deals must be available through a physical coupon, too. (CBS 8)

The Padres are back with largely the same group that in 2024 delivered one of the best seasons in franchise history, and a crushing October collapse to end it.

Why it matters: It was a relatively quiet offseason for the Padres — at least compared to a year ago, when they traded away future Hall of Famer Juan Soto.

• That is, aside from the lawsuit filed by Sheel Seidler, widow of late Padres owner Peter Seidler, against his brothers for control of the team.

What we're watching: Absent major additions, the Padres' hopes for building on last year's 93-win total come from within.

• Center fielder Jackson Merrill made the All-Star team and was runner up for rookie of the year, and now looks to establish himself as one of the league's best players.
• Right fielder Fernando Tatis, Jr. missed nearly two months last year, but if healthy could again contend for NL MVP.

Catch up quick: Righty pitcher Nick Pivetta headlines the new additions and fills the rotation spot opened by Joe Musgrove's season-long injury.

• Jason Heyward begins his 16th major league season as the starter in left field.

The other side: Left fielder Jurickson Profar and fan favorite Ha-Seong Kim, left for the Braves and Rays, respectively.

• All-Star lefty reliever Tanner Scott left for a massive deal with the Dodgers, and Kyle Higashioka's departure has created a question mark at catcher.

The bottom line

👀Discover new local events.

Phoenix Global Forum at Phoenix Convention Center April 8-9: Join them for two days of discussion on AI, biotech, space and more. Register now.

Hosting an event? Email [email protected].

The San Diego Zoo needs your help in naming its two new sloth bear cubs, who were born in December.

How it works: Vote on the names picked by wildlife staff by noon on April 1.

• The results update live, and winning names will be announced April 2.

For the female (Sinhala/Sri Lankan origin):

• Nimala - Creative one
• Nimali - Independent one
• Shehani - Magic, shining, regal

For the male (Indian origin):

• Kavi - Wise, a poet
• Rishi - Wisdom and profound knowledge
• Kumar - Prince