10/15/2026
I don’t go off feelings. I’m a numbers kind of girl. 📊
And what are these numbers telling us?
The real estate market is SHIFTING. And the data is making that pretty hard to ignore. Sorry sellers!
Howard County’s September 2026 housing statistics tell a very interesting story.
📉 Closed Sales DOWN 19.1%
Fewer homes are selling compared to this time last year. Buyer activity isn’t keeping pace with 2025.
📉 New Listings DOWN 4.7%
Fewer sellers are putting their homes on the market, yet somehow, inventory is still increasing. Interesting.
📈 Active Listings UP 14.4%
This is one of the most telling numbers. Despite fewer new listings, more homes are sitting on the market longer. Translation? Homes aren’t selling as quickly as they’re accumulating.
⏳ Days on Market UP 26.1%
Homes are taking an average of 29 days to sell versus 23 last year. Buyers have more time, more options, and less urgency to make a decision.
💰 Median Sold Price DOWN 0.8%
At $615,000, prices remain relatively stable. We’re not seeing a dramatic decline in values, but the days of assuming your home will automatically sell for more than your neighbor’s are becoming less predictable.
SO, WHAT DOES ALL OF THIS MEAN?
We’re transitioning away from the heavily seller-favored market we’ve experienced in recent years toward a more balanced environment.
Does that mean we’re in a buyer’s market? No.
Does it mean home values are crashing? Also no.
Does it mean sellers need to adjust their expectations? Absolutely.
After more than 20 years in real estate, one thing I know for certain:
The market doesn’t care what you THINK your home is worth. Buyers determine what they’re willing to pay.
And with today’s borrowing costs, buyers are getting a whole lot pickier. I don’t blame them!
When your mortgage payment is already stretching your budget, the last thing you want is a house that comes with a second mortgage worth of projects. 🙃
Buyers want value, and condition matters more than ever.
Overpriced AND needs work? That’s a tough sell.
That’s how homes end up sitting on the market, followed by price reduction after price reduction, until the seller finally meets the market.
Real estate is HYPERLOCAL. Even within Howard County, conditions vary dramatically by neighborhood, price point, property type, and condition.
A well-priced, beautifully presented home can still generate multiple offers, while another home just a few streets away sits for weeks.
The market isn’t broken. It’s changing.
And the agents who understand the numbers, recognize the trends, and know how to adjust their strategies are the ones who can help their clients navigate it successfully. 😉
The numbers don’t tell us everything, but they certainly tell us when it’s time to pay attention.
The market has changed. Has your real estate strategy changed with it?
📍 Howard County, Maryland
📊 Source: Howard County Association of REALTORS® | Bright MLS, September 2026
Jennifer De La Rosa | REALTOR®
eXp Realty
443-226-3477 (c)
866-201-6210 (o)
[email protected]
