Northridge real estate sits in the middle of the San Fernando Valley price ladder, with typical homes trading right around the $1 million mark and a wide spread on either side. Condos near Cal State Northridge start in the $400,000s, while half-acre estates in Sherwood Forest and view homes in Devonshire Highlands push past $2 million. Northridge draws families who want a larger lot and a real backyard without paying Encino prices, CSUN faculty and staff, and commuters who use the 118, the 405 and the Northridge Metrolink station. What makes it distinct is scale: wide streets, big lots, and a community that still feels like the ranch town it was before the 1950s tract boom. James Malcom represents buyers and sellers across Northridge from his nearby Encino and Woodland Hills offices.
Northridge Real Estate Market Overview
Northridge pricing has held steady through 2026. Per Zillow, July 2026, the typical Northridge home value is roughly $1.07 million, down about 1 percent year over year, with a median sale price near $1.12 million and homes going pending in about 24 days. Per Movoto, July 2026, the median sold price was about $1.04 million at $514 per square foot, with 42 days on market and roughly 136 active listings, up modestly from a year earlier. Per Redfin, Northridge West posted a $1.14 million median at $496 per square foot for the three months ending March 2026.
Inventory has loosened since 2023. Well-priced homes still attract multiple offers while overpriced listings sit for 60 to 90 days, and that split defines the current market. Roughly three quarters of sales are detached houses, with the balance condos and townhomes near CSUN and along Reseda Boulevard.
- Entry band: $400,000 to $700,000. Condos near CSUN and along Nordhoff, Plummer and Parthenia, plus the occasional fixer south of Nordhoff.
- Mid band: $850,000 to $1.3 million. The heart of Northridge real estate: 1950s and 1960s ranch homes on 8,000 to 12,000 square foot lots, many with pools.
- Top band: $1.4 million to $2.5 million and above. Sherwood Forest estates on half-acre and larger lots, view homes in Devonshire Highlands, and full contemporary rebuilds.
Market data last reviewed August 2026.
Homes for Sale in Northridge
Northridge homes for sale are dominated by single-story ranch construction from the 1950s through the early 1970s. Tract developers laid out wide streets with 8,000 to 15,000 square foot lots, which is why the area feels more suburban than Reseda to the south. Expect three and four bedroom plans between 1,600 and 2,600 square feet, two-car garages, and a high share of pools. Sherwood Forest is the exception, with horse-zoned lots of half an acre and up and a mix of original ranchers and custom rebuilds.
New construction is rare, but teardown-and-rebuild activity has picked up on larger lots north of Devonshire, producing modern farmhouse and contemporary homes around $2 million. Condos cluster near CSUN and along Nordhoff, Plummer and Reseda Boulevard in 1970s to 1990s complexes with HOA dues of roughly $350 to $600 per month. Gated communities are rare inside Northridge; gates and Mello-Roos are a Porter Ranch feature to the north. View lots sit on the foothill streets near the 118 and Porter Valley Country Club, and the tree-lined blocks around Zelzah Avenue are the most requested addresses.
Northridge Neighborhoods and Enclaves
Sherwood Forest
Sherwood Forest, roughly between Balboa Boulevard and Lindley Avenue north of Nordhoff, is the marquee address in Northridge real estate. Half-acre and larger lots, horse zoning, mature oaks, and a mix of 1940s ranchers and 6,000 square foot rebuilds. Prices run from about $1.5 million for an original home to $3 million and up for a finished estate.
Devonshire Highlands
North of Devonshire Street and west of Reseda Boulevard, Devonshire Highlands climbs toward the 118 with larger 1960s homes, some on view lots that look south across the Valley. It sits within the Porter Valley Country Club orbit and trades from about $1.2 million to $2 million.
Northridge Estates
Northridge Estates is a pocket of upgraded mid-century ranch homes north of Devonshire around Tampa and Wilbur Avenues. Lots run 9,000 to 12,000 square feet, and buyers are usually move-up families from Reseda or Winnetka. Expect $1.1 million to $1.6 million depending on condition.
Porter Ranch Adjacent
The blocks between Rinaldi Street and the 118, from Corbin to Reseda, share a border with Porter Ranch and get much of the same buyer traffic. Homes are 1970s and 1980s two-story plans, some with foothill views, priced from $1.2 million to $1.8 million. Buyers who want Porter Ranch shopping without Mello-Roos look here first.
Cal State Northridge Area
The blocks surrounding CSUN, between Nordhoff, Plummer, Reseda and Zelzah, hold the densest housing in the community: condos, townhomes and modest 1950s houses. Prices start in the $400,000s for condos and reach $900,000 for houses. Investors and faculty buyers dominate.
Nordhoff Corridor and Reseda Boulevard
Nordhoff Street and Reseda Boulevard are the commercial spines of Northridge, and the condo complexes along both offer the most affordable entry into homes in Northridge CA. Two bedroom units run $450,000 to $650,000, and walkability to restaurants, Northridge Fashion Center and campus is the draw.
Northridge Park Area
The neighborhood around Northridge Park and the Northridge Recreation Center, on Reseda Boulevard near Devonshire, is classic mid-band Northridge: 1950s and 1960s ranch homes on 8,000 to 10,000 square foot lots, many with pools, priced from $950,000 to $1.3 million. It is the most common landing spot for first-time house buyers.
Schools in Northridge
Northridge is served by the Los Angeles Unified School District, and the school picture is stronger than most buyers expect. Several elementary campuses hold affiliated charter status. Topeka Drive Charter for Advanced Studies, Dearborn Street Elementary Charter, Beckford Avenue Charter for Enriched Studies and Calahan Street Elementary are the main neighborhood elementaries, and Topeka and Beckford are well regarded on GreatSchools and by local families. Nobel Charter Middle School on Tampa Avenue is the primary middle school and one of the more sought-after middle campuses in the Valley.
For high school, Northridge Academy High School sits on the edge of the CSUN campus and offers a smaller, college-connected program. Depending on the address, students may also attend Chatsworth Charter High or Granada Hills Charter, an independent charter that is one of the most requested schools in LAUSD. Private options nearby include Chaminade College Preparatory in West Hills and Chatsworth and Sierra Canyon School in Chatsworth. Verify attendance boundaries with LAUSD before writing an offer, since Northridge streets fall into different feeder patterns.
Lifestyle: Parks, Dining and Things to Do
Northridge Park and the Northridge Recreation Center on Reseda Boulevard anchor community life with ball fields, tennis courts, a pool and a senior center. Dearborn Park and Vanalden Park cover neighborhood needs, and the Aliso Canyon and Limekiln Canyon trails give hikers a quick escape into the Santa Susana foothills. Porter Valley Country Club, a private club with an 18-hole course, tennis and dining, is the social hub for Devonshire Highlands and Porter Ranch residents.
Shopping centers on Northridge Fashion Center at Tampa and Nordhoff, a regional mall with department stores, a multiplex and a Wednesday farmers market. Brent’s Deli on Parthenia is a Valley institution, and Reseda Boulevard near CSUN offers Thai, Persian, Mexican, Korean and Armenian spots. The Soraya, CSUN’s performing arts center, brings touring music and dance to the neighborhood, and the Northridge Sparkle holiday tree lighting is the signature annual event.
Commute and Location
Northridge is framed by the 118 Freeway on the north and the 405 to the east, with the 101 about ten minutes south. Downtown Los Angeles runs 40 to 70 minutes depending on the hour. Santa Monica takes 45 to 75 minutes over the 405. Burbank studios are 30 to 45 minutes via the 118 and 5. LAX is 45 to 75 minutes. Warner Center in Woodland Hills is an easy 15 to 20 minute drive down Tampa or Reseda.
The Northridge Metrolink station at Wilbur and Parthenia sits on the Ventura County Line, with direct trains to Burbank, Glendale and Union Station in about 45 to 55 minutes. Metro buses run along Nordhoff, Reseda and Devonshire.
Who Buys in Northridge and Why
The core Northridge buyer is a family moving up from a condo or a smaller house in Reseda, Van Nuys or North Hills who wants a real yard, a pool and a garage for around $1 million. A second group is CSUN faculty and Northridge Hospital medical professionals who want a short commute. A third is investors buying condos near campus for the steady rental pool.
Against its neighbors, Northridge is the value play. Porter Ranch to the north offers newer construction, gates and views but adds Mello-Roos and typically $300,000 to $500,000 in price for a comparable size. Granada Hills to the east is similar in age and lot size with prices that run close to even. Chatsworth to the west trades at a modest discount, with more equestrian property. Browse our featured communities and current listings in our search.
Selling a Home in Northridge
What sells fastest in Northridge is a clean, updated single-story ranch with a pool, priced between $950,000 and $1.25 million. Those homes draw multiple offers within ten days when priced correctly. What sits is the over-improved house priced at a Sherwood Forest number on a standard street, or the dated home priced as if remodeled. Pricing at or slightly under the last three comparable sales draws the crowd, and the crowd sets the final number.
Seasonality follows the school calendar. Late February through June is peak because families want to close before school starts, and a second window runs from Labor Day through early November. For prep, focus on what Northridge buyers inspect: roof condition, galvanized plumbing, pool equipment, chimney and foundation repairs from the 1994 earthquake, and permits for additions. A pre-listing inspection removes friction.
James markets every Northridge listing with professional photography, video and drone coverage that shows off lot size, staging guidance tuned to the likely buyer, and a pricing strategy built to produce multiple offers. Sellers can review our process on the sellers page, read our guide to the best time of year to sell in Los Angeles, and start with a free home valuation.
Why Work With James Malcom in Northridge
James Malcom has spent years selling across the San Fernando Valley and knows Northridge block by block: which tracts have the better floor plans, where school boundaries actually fall, and which condo associations are financially sound. That knowledge shows up in pricing, negotiation and in the problems that never reach escrow. Buyers get honest guidance on value. Sellers get a marketing plan built to draw multiple bids. The Malcom Group’s nearest office is the Encino office at 17547 Ventura Blvd, with the Woodland Hills office at 6263 Topanga Canyon Blvd a short drive down Tampa. Contact us to get started.
Northridge Real Estate FAQ
Is Northridge a good place to live?
Yes, for buyers who value space and a suburban feel inside Los Angeles city limits. Lots are larger than most of the Valley, streets are wide and quiet, CSUN adds cultural life and dining, and the 118 and Metrolink make commuting workable. The tradeoffs are summer heat and distance from the beach and Downtown.
How much does a house cost in Northridge?
Per Zillow, July 2026, the typical Northridge home value is about $1.07 million, and per Movoto, July 2026, the median sold price was about $1.04 million. Standard ranch homes run $900,000 to $1.3 million, condos start in the $400,000s, and Sherwood Forest estates run $1.5 million to $3 million and up.
Is Northridge expensive?
Relative to Los Angeles overall, Northridge is mid-priced. It costs less than Encino, Sherman Oaks or Porter Ranch for a comparable house and slightly more than Reseda, North Hills or Chatsworth. Price per square foot near $500 is below the Valley hill communities, and the larger lots mean buyers get more land per dollar than almost anywhere else in the city.
What are property taxes like in Northridge?
Northridge is in the City of Los Angeles and Los Angeles County, so Prop 13 sets the base at 1 percent of the purchase price, with local voter-approved bonds and assessments bringing the effective rate to roughly 1.2 to 1.25 percent. Most of Northridge has no Mello-Roos; those special taxes apply mainly to newer Porter Ranch developments to the north.
What are the best neighborhoods in Northridge?
Sherwood Forest is the prestige address for its half-acre lots and estate homes. Devonshire Highlands and the Porter Ranch adjacent blocks offer views and larger two-story homes. Northridge Estates and the Northridge Park area are the sweet spot for families seeking updated ranch homes around $1 million to $1.5 million. Condos near CSUN are the best value.
Is Northridge a buyer’s or seller’s market right now?
As of August 2026 it is a balanced market that leans slightly toward sellers on well-priced homes. Zillow shows homes pending in about 24 days and Movoto reports roughly 42 days on market with inventory up modestly year over year. Turnkey homes still get multiple offers, but overpriced listings see price cuts, so buyers have more negotiating room than they did in 2022.
How do I find a realtor in Northridge?
Choose a Northridge real estate agent who has closed transactions in the specific tracts you are considering and can speak to school boundaries, HOA health and earthquake-era repairs. Ask for recent sales, read reviews, and interview at least two agents. James Malcom and The Malcom Group can be reached at (310) 595-0915 or through the contact page.
Thinking about buying or selling in Northridge? Call James Malcom at (310) 595-0915 or request a free home valuation.
More Northridge seller questions
What do I need to do before selling a home in Northridge?
Northridge is inside the City of Los Angeles, so order the LADBS 9A Report of Residential Property Records, bring smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, seismic gas shut-off and water conservation fixtures into compliance, and complete the state transfer disclosures. Then address what Northridge buyers inspect: roof condition, galvanized plumbing, pool equipment, chimney and foundation repairs from the 1994 earthquake, and permits for additions. A pre-listing inspection removes friction. James Malcom runs this list at (310) 595-0915.
Does Measure ULA apply to home sales in Northridge?
Yes, Northridge is inside the City of Los Angeles, so Measure ULA applies to any sale at or above the annually adjusted thresholds and is charged on the entire price. In practice the typical Northridge ranch home trades well below the first threshold, so the tax mainly affects Sherwood Forest estates and full contemporary rebuilds north of Devonshire. Confirm the current threshold before pricing a top-band listing.
How long does it take to sell a house in Northridge?
A clean, updated single story ranch with a pool, priced at or slightly under the last three comparable sales, typically draws multiple offers within ten days and closes after a 30 day escrow. Overpriced listings sit for 60 to 90 days and take reductions. The over-improved house priced at a Sherwood Forest number on a standard street and the dated home priced as if remodeled are the two that stall.
What is the best month to list a house in Northridge?
Late February through June is peak, because families want to close before school starts and the Topeka, Beckford and Nobel Charter boundaries drive a lot of the demand. A second window runs from Labor Day through early November. Winter listings face less competition but a thinner buyer pool, which suits a well-priced flats home better than an estate.
Should I renovate before selling in Northridge?
Fix systems, not style. Buyers here pay for a sound roof, updated plumbing, working pool equipment and permitted additions, and they discount heavily for deferred maintenance from the 1994 earthquake era. A full kitchen remodel on a standard 1960s ranch rarely returns its cost at this price point, while paint, landscaping and staging do. An original home priced for the work still sells, because move-up families and rebuilders compete for the big lots.
Can I sell a house with tenants in Northridge?
Yes. Single-family homes and condos are generally covered by California statewide just-cause rules rather than the LA Rent Stabilization Ordinance, though the 1970s to 1990s multifamily buildings near CSUN and along Nordhoff, Plummer and Reseda may be RSO covered with relocation requirements. Investor demand near campus is steady, so occupied condos sell on income, while occupied houses lose the family buyers who set prices. Choose your buyer pool before you list.
What disclosures are required when selling in Northridge?
California requires the Transfer Disclosure Statement, Seller Property Questionnaire, Natural Hazard Disclosure report and lead paint disclosure for pre-1978 homes, plus the City of Los Angeles 9A report and retrofit compliance. Northridge sellers should specifically disclose any 1994 earthquake damage and repairs, unpermitted additions and pool work. Foothill sellers near the 118 should disclose fire zone status, and condo sellers deliver HOA documents, including reserves and litigation.
What schools serve Northridge homes?
Northridge is served by LAUSD, with Topeka Drive Charter for Advanced Studies, Dearborn Street Elementary Charter, Beckford Avenue Charter for Enriched Studies and Calahan Street Elementary as the main neighborhood elementaries, and Nobel Charter Middle School as one of the more sought-after middle campuses in the Valley. High school options include Northridge Academy High on the CSUN campus and, by address, Chatsworth Charter or Granada Hills Charter. Chaminade and Sierra Canyon are nearby private options. Feeder patterns vary by street, so verify with LAUSD.
How long is the commute from Northridge to Downtown LA or Burbank?
Downtown Los Angeles runs 40 to 70 minutes depending on the hour, the Burbank studios 30 to 45 minutes via the 118 and 5, Santa Monica 45 to 75 minutes over the 405, LAX 45 to 75 minutes and Warner Center 15 to 20 minutes down Tampa or Reseda. The Northridge Metrolink station at Wilbur and Parthenia has direct Ventura County Line trains to Burbank, Glendale and Union Station in about 45 to 55 minutes.
Is Northridge a good investment?
Yes for buyers who want land and steady demand. Lots of 8,000 to 15,000 square feet support ADUs and rebuilds, CSUN supplies a constant rental pool for condos near campus, and teardown-and-rebuild activity north of Devonshire shows where values are heading. Mid-band ranch homes with pools are the most liquid segment; Sherwood Forest estates appreciate but take longer to resell.
Northridge vs Porter Ranch: which is better for buying or selling?
Porter Ranch offers newer construction, gates and views, but adds HOA dues, Mello-Roos in the newer tracts and typically several hundred thousand dollars in price for a comparable size. Northridge delivers larger lots, no Mello-Roos, almost no HOAs and the CSUN and Metrolink convenience at a lower entry point. Sellers in Northridge compete on lot size and value; sellers in Porter Ranch compete with new construction down the street.
Who is the best listing agent in Northridge?
James Malcom of The Malcom Group lists homes across Northridge from the Encino office at 17547 Ventura Blvd, with the Woodland Hills office at 6263 Topanga Canyon Blvd a short drive down Tampa. Judge any agent on recent closed sales in your specific tract, knowledge of school boundaries, HOA health and earthquake-era repairs, a pricing method built on the last three comparable sales, and drone coverage that shows lot size. Call (310) 595-0915.