Greater Boston homebuyers had substantially more properties to choose from at the end of September 2026, with single-family and condominium inventory each rising nearly 30 percent from a year earlier, even as median sale prices increased and sales moved in different directions during the year’s first nine months.
For this report, Buyers Brokers Only defines Greater Boston as the City of Boston and 126 additional cities and towns within Interstate 495.
From January through September, homebuyers purchased 14,661 single-family homes, compared with 14,793 during the same period in 2025. The 132-sale decline was less than a 1 percent decrease.
The median single-family sale price increased to $850,000 from $830,000 during the first nine months of 2025. That was a gain of $20,000, or about 2 percent, despite the modest decline in closed sales.
The median sale price as a percentage of the original list price slipped to 100.02 percent through September from 100.42 percent.
Single-family inventory increased considerably. On Sept. 30, 2026, 3,962 homes were listed for sale, compared with 3,090 on the same date in 2025. The increase of 872 single-family listings represented a 28 percent gain.
The approximate months of supply on September 30 rose to 2.38 from 1.86 a year earlier. About five months of inventory is considered a balanced market between homebuyers and sellers. The 12-month activity figures cover from Oct. 1, 2025, through Sept. 30, 2026.
During those 12 months, 6,581 single-family listings recorded a price change, compared with 6,051 during the preceding 12 months. That was an increase of 530 listings, or 9 percent. The report identifies price changes but does not specify whether prices increased or decreased. While prices can rise, the vast majority, if not all, are price cuts.
Single-family sales were nearly unchanged over the 12 months. A total of 19,994 homes sold, compared with 19,986 during the preceding period, an increase of only eight sales.
Condominium sales rose during the first nine months of 2026. Buyers purchased 9,691 condos from January through September, up from 9,490 during the same period in 2025. The increase of 201 sales represented a 2 percent gain.
The median condominium sale price increased to $650,000 from $639,000, a gain of $11,000, or 2 percent during the first nine months of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025.
The median sale price as a percentage of the original list price declined to 98.89 percent from 100 percent. Greater Boston condo buyers had less competition than single-family homebuyers.
On Sept. 30, 2026, 4,095 condominiums were listed for sale, up from 3,169 a year earlier. The increase of 926 units represented a 29 percent jump. More supply will translate into more options for homebuyers. The approximate months of condominium supply increased to 3.86 from 3.03.
During the 12 months ending Sept. 30, 2026, 6,126 condominium listings recorded a price change, compared with 5,079 during the preceding 12 months. The increase of 1,047 listings represented a 21 percent gain.
Condominium sales increased to 12,731 over those 12 months, up from 12,560 during the comparable period ending Sept. 30, 2025. That was a gain of 171 sales, or 1 percent.
While Greater Boston homebuyers still experienced price growth during the first three quarters of 2026, competition for homes cooled a bit, and buyers have more options.
If inventory continues to trend higher during the fourth quarter, Greater Boston homebuyers will gain more negotiating power. Mortgage interest rates have declined for three consecutive weeks, as of Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026, but remain around 7 percent. Interest rates may slow sales in the fourth quarter and possibly add to growing inventory.
On the other hand, a drop in interest rates into the mid-6 percent range would likely spark homebuyer activity and competition.