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New Jersey Real Estate Sales Dip During Holiday Week

  //house-home.news-articles.net/content/2026/01/0 .. y-real-estate-sales-dip-during-holiday-week.html
  Published in House and Home on Sunday, January 4th 2026 at 19:58 GMT by NJ.com

New Jersey Real Estate: Sales Dip, Inventory Remains Tight During Holiday Week

The week leading up to Christmas (December 22nd - December 28th) presented a mixed picture for the New Jersey real estate market, according to data recently published by NJ.com. While sales volume dipped compared to previous weeks and year-over-year figures, the overall narrative remains consistent: inventory is stubbornly low, keeping prices relatively stable despite broader economic uncertainties. The article, compiled from Multiple Listing Service (MLS) data, provides a county-by-county breakdown of homes sold during that specific period.

Sales Volume Declines – A Holiday Slowdown?

As expected, the week before Christmas saw a significant slowdown in sales activity across much of New Jersey. The report detailed the number of homes sold in 18 counties (Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Salem, Somerset, Sussex, and Union). The numbers generally reflected a seasonal lull. For example, Bergen County saw just 72 sales, down from 138 the previous week. Similarly, Essex County recorded only 45 sales, compared to 96 the week prior.

This decline isn’t entirely surprising. Holiday periods typically witness reduced buyer and seller activity due to travel plans, family commitments, and a general slowdown in economic momentum. However, it's worth noting that even with this dip, some counties still saw a reasonable number of transactions, suggesting underlying demand remains present. The article highlights that the drop isn’t necessarily indicative of a broader market collapse but rather a predictable seasonal pattern.

Inventory: The Persistent Constraint

The most consistent theme across all 18 counties is the continued shortage of available homes for sale – a critical factor shaping the current real estate landscape in New Jersey. While the number of new listings did increase slightly in some areas, it hasn't been enough to significantly impact overall inventory levels. This scarcity continues to put upward pressure on prices and creates intense competition among buyers.

The article emphasizes that this low inventory situation is a long-standing issue, exacerbated by factors like construction delays, rising material costs, and homeowners hesitant to sell due to concerns about finding replacement properties. As reported in an earlier NJ.com article ("New Jersey’s housing shortage could last for years"), the state faces a significant deficit of affordable homes, impacting both first-time buyers and those looking to upgrade or downsize. The lack of inventory isn't just affecting prices; it's limiting choices for potential homeowners.

County-Specific Highlights & Trends

The data revealed some interesting regional variations:

• Ocean County: Despite the slowdown, Ocean County continues to be a hot market, likely driven by its popularity as a vacation and retirement destination. While sales declined, the median sale price remained relatively high.
• Morris and Somerset Counties: These affluent counties in North Jersey consistently exhibit strong performance, although they also experienced declines in sales volume during the holiday week. The competitive nature of these markets means homes often sell quickly when they do become available.
• South Jersey (Burlington, Camden, Gloucester): While generally seeing lower sale volumes than Northern and Central NJ, South Jersey counties remain relatively stable. The affordability factor plays a significant role in this region’s market dynamics.
• Hudson County: With its proximity to New York City, Hudson County continues to be influenced by the broader metropolitan area's economic trends. Sales were down, but demand remains high due to the county's desirable location and urban amenities.

Median Sale Prices & Days on Market

The article also reported median sale prices for each county. While these figures weren’t drastically different from previous weeks, they underscored the ongoing price stability – or even slight increases in some areas – despite the reduced sales volume. The "days on market" metric, which indicates how long a property remains listed before selling, remained low across most counties, further demonstrating that when homes do come onto the market, they are often snapped up quickly.

Looking Ahead: What Does This Mean for Buyers and Sellers?

The holiday week’s data reinforces the current reality of the New Jersey real estate market: it's a seller’s market characterized by low inventory and persistent demand. While sales volume may fluctuate seasonally, the underlying supply-demand imbalance remains.

For buyers, this means continued competition for available properties. Securing financing pre-approval is more critical than ever, as is being prepared to act quickly when a desirable home appears on the market. Working with an experienced real estate agent who has local expertise can be invaluable in navigating this competitive landscape.

For sellers, the data suggests that their homes are likely to attract significant interest and potentially command strong prices – but they should also be prepared for a more discerning buyer base, even in a seller's market. Proper staging and pricing remain essential to maximizing appeal.

The NJ.com article concludes by suggesting that while the holiday season typically brings a slowdown, the underlying fundamentals of the New Jersey real estate market haven’t dramatically shifted. The ongoing inventory shortage will likely continue to shape the market into 2024 and beyond, demanding careful consideration from both buyers and sellers.

I hope this provides a comprehensive summary and analysis of the data presented in the linked article!