Is Now the Right Time to Sell? Key Market Factors to Consider for the North Shore of Massachusetts

1. Local Real Estate Climate: Still a Strong Seller’s Market

On the North Shore, the real estate market remains highly favorable for sellers. In May 2025, single-family home inventory was down significantly, with median sale prices rising nearly 6% year-over-year. Pending sales also climbed about 10%, even as days on market ticked up 13%, without showing a dip in prices chrisdoherty.com+3thelocalnews.news+3hannawayrealestatemarketblog.home.blog+3.

Further, cumulative MLS data across 28 North Shore towns indicates the average sale price for single-family homes hit $864,080—a 6.3% increase over 2022—with inventory continuing to hover near historic lows hannawayrealestatemarketblog.home.blog.

2. Conditions Across Essex County

Zooming out to Essex County—which covers much of the North Shore—the average home value is approximately $719,793, up 2.4% year-over-year through July 2025. Homes are going pending in just 9 days, and 66% of sales are above list price, affirming a swift-moving, in-demand market Reddit+12Zillow+12Facebook+12.

3. Statewide Trends in Massachusetts

Looking at statewide data, Massachusetts continues to show signs of strength:

• Home prices grew roughly 8.7% year-over-year by January 2025, with sales up 11%. Homes average just 34 days on market before going under contract thelocalnews.news+5Houzeo+5Redfin+5.

• The market remains tight, with only about two months of housing supply, well below the balanced-market benchmark—again favoring sellers HomeLight+8Houzeo+8Facebook+8.

4. Evolving Market Dynamics

Economists highlight national shifts in seller behavior: many are pulling listings rather than reducing prices, hoping to wait for better opportunities. Delistings rose 35% year-to-date (as of May 2025), which may tighten supply further and potentially sustain or elevate prices Business Insider.

Meanwhile, on the national stage, sellers in competitive markets—even in the Northeast—are still seeing bidding wars, with buyers going above asking price by being flexible on terms and timing MarketWatch+1.

5. Timing & Seasonality: It Still Matters

In Massachusetts, late fall and winter (November–February) are traditionally slow months for home sales—limited buyer activity and seasonal distractions can prolong listing time and reduce offers. Listing in spring or summer tends to yield better results HomeLight+2Kiplinger+2.

Although we're already mid to late summer, it's still a favorable time—especially given current low inventory conditions.

6. Mortgage Rates: Under Watch

Mortgage interest rates remain elevated—around 6.5–7% for a 30-year fixed rate in mid-2025—including on the North Shore. However, with the Federal Reserve signaling potential rate cuts later in the year, buyer demand could rise, making timing even more critical nestrealestate.com+15Kiplinger+15thelocalnews.news+15.

7. Your Personal Motivation and Circumstances

Beyond market metrics, your personal goals matter most. If you need liquidity, want to relocate, or want to capitalize on strong equity, now might be ideal. On the other hand, if you're in no rush and current conditions are less favorable to buyers, there may be justifiable reasons to wait—just weigh current strengths, like narrow supply and high sale prices, in your decision.

Final Takeaway

For sellers on the North Shore of Massachusetts in late summer 2025, the market remains decidedly in your favor. Inventory remains low, sale prices strong and rising, and homes are moving quickly. Combined with rising delistings elsewhere, your home may even stand out more to the limited pool of buyers.

If your situation allows, now appears to be a smart time to sell—especially if you can position your property well and prepare for rising demand.

Let me know if you'd like help analyzing a specific town or property type, or crafting a seasonal listing strategy!

Jim Armstrong
Broker, Massachusetts Real Estate Instructor
Armstrong Field Group
ALUXETY Real Estate
978-394-6736
jarmstrong@armstrongfield.com