October 2026 Greater Boston market update

October 2026 Greater Boston Market Update

October 03, 2026•6 min read

 

Mike Hughes

Mike Hughes
Residential & Luxury Real Estate | Serving Greater Boston

Mike Hughes

Hi there,

You've probably heard that the best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago, and if you follow the stock market, you've heard Warren Buffett's phrase "buy when everyone is selling and sell when everyone is buying."

Similarly, the best time to buy a house is when others cannot. Unfortunately, high interest rates are blocking some buyers, but those who can buy at a higher rate are in a great position to buy now and refinance later. Ultimately, a rising tide lifts (and lowers) all boats. As we've seen several times over the past six years, each time interest rates decrease, more buyers flood the market, and prices rapidly accelerate. If you're able to buy, now could be a great time to take action before the next market frenzy.

As always, let me know if you ever need anything.

Best regards,
Mike


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In Norfolk County, MA, what was the average home sale price across all 28 municipalities for the full year 2025?

Hint: Think north of $900K... but just shy of a million. You are closer than you think!


Greater Boston - Middlesex, Norfolk, Suffolk & Essex Counties

Single-Family Homes

Across the Norfolk County market, the average sale price stands at $1,114,139 with homes averaging 34 days on market... and with 614 active listings, 504 pending, and 1,398 closings on record, buyer and seller activity remains notably steady. Visit our website to see how these numbers could shape your next move.

Metric

7/1/2026 - 10/1/2026

Average Sale Price

$1,114,139

Number Pending

504

Number of Closings

1398

Active Listings

614

Average Days on Market

34

Inventory vs. Last Year

--

Source: Multiple Listing Service (10/1/26)

Get Your Instant Home Value Range


Dedham

Historic Dedham Square streetscape with tree-lined sidewalks and colonial-era architecture in Dedham, Massachusetts

Photo: Kenneth C. Zirkel / CC BY 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Dedham, Massachusetts sits on Boston's southwestern border and carries more than three centuries of New England character. First settled in 1635, it is home to nationally recognized landmarks, a walkable historic square, and a dining scene that ranges from colonial-era heritage to modern trattoria. Whether you are drawn to wooded hilltop trails or a booth at a beloved local diner, Dedham rewards every kind of explorer. Living here means trading the rush of the city for a community with deep roots and genuine warmth ... right at Boston's doorstep.

Read the full Dedham community spotlight →

Single-Family Homes

Avg Sale Price

$830,749

Sold: 76  |  DOM: 31

Active - Avg List

$1,333,834

Active: 43  |  DOM: 99

Multi-Family Homes

Avg Sale Price

$775,000

Sold: 3  |  DOM: 43

Active - Avg List

$1,199,500

Active: 1  |  DOM: 23

Condominiums

Avg Sale Price

$792,278

Sold: 9  |  DOM: 86

Active - Avg List

$629,709

Active: 11  |  DOM: 59

Source: Multiple Listing Service (10/1/26)

* DOM = Days on Market

Notable Places

What to See

The Fairbanks House

Built circa 1637, the Fairbanks House is the oldest known timber-frame house still standing in North America and a designated National Historic Landmark | visitors can explore nearly four centuries of American history through guided tours of the original structure and its period collections.

What to Eat

50's Diner

A Dedham institution serving the community since 1993, the 50's Diner at Legacy Place dishes out fluffy pancakes, 100% beef burgers, and thick frappes in a retro 1950s setting open daily from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Map of Dedham

See Homes in Dedham


30 Year Fixed Rate*

7.28%

15 Year Fixed Rate*

6.60%

*Source: freddiemac.com (10/1/26)

Planning to purchase your first, next, or second home? Get in touch with our trusted lender, Jason Evans. He's available to discuss available options for your unique situation. His firm also handles refinancing and home equity lines, so consider him your mortgage resource.

Jason Evans

Mortgage Professional

Rate
C: 315-569-7338
[email protected]  |  Loan Officer Website

Search For Your Next Home


The luxury market is generally defined as the top 10% of all home sales by price in a given area.

The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing's September 2026 North American Luxury Market Report found that single-family luxury sales increased 1.72% year over year in August, while the median sold price rose 4.5% and days on market fell 25.7% : signals of continued buyer conviction even as sales volume approached parity with 2025 levels. The attached luxury segment reflected a balanced market with a 16.97% sales ratio, and attached homes sold at an average of 98.34% of list price. New listings picked up after trailing 2025 levels for much of the year, suggesting sellers across the broader luxury landscape are beginning to respond to sustained demand, a dynamic directly relevant to Norfolk County's competitive high-end submarkets.

Source: luxuryhomemarketing.com (10/3/26)

Current National Luxury Market Report


Curb Appeal Upgrades That Actually Move the Needle for Greater Boston Sellers

Selling in Newton, Waltham, or Watertown? These curb appeal upgrades deliver real ROI for Greater Boston homeowners ready to list.

Read the full post →


Around Town - November 2026 Events

Topsfield Fair 2026

America's oldest county fair returns to the Topsfield Fairgrounds (207 Boston Street, Topsfield, Essex County) from October 2 through October 12, 2026, open daily from 4:00 PM on opening night and 10:00 AM most other days, featuring livestock shows, a giant pumpkin weigh-off, carnival rides, rodeo, live concerts, and classic fair food.

Newton Harvest Fair 2026

The City of Newton's free annual Harvest Fair takes over Newton Centre Green (Centre Street at Langley Road, Newton, Middlesex County) on Saturday, October 17, 2026 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (carnival and kiddie rides) and Sunday, October 18, 2026 from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with 100+ crafters and vendors, live music on two stages, a GreenEXPO, and free pumpkin decorating.


Know Someone Thinking About Buying or Selling?

I'd love the introduction. A quick call or text with their name is all it takes - I'll take it from there.

Send Me a Name


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Home Value Range

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Next Home

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Home Seller Guide


The Answer

The average home sale price in Norfolk County for full-year 2025 was $943,929 : a 3.3% increase over 2024's average of $914,044. A total of 7,129 homes sold across the county that year.


Mike Hughes

Broker Associate

Realtor, CRS | eXp Realty

Ranked Top 10 eXp Agent in MA · Top 1% Nationally

617-433-9225

[email protected]

www.MikeHughesTeam.com

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As a Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), I'm among the top 4% of agents nationally - advanced training in marketing, technology & negotiation.

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Mike Hughes

Mike Hughes

Mike Hughes is a real estate broker with over 20 years of experience in residential real estate.

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