STAMFORD, Conn.— Housing markets across Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York continued to post higher closed dollar volume through the first nine months of 2026, even as the number of completed transactions showed a more mixed performance, according to the latest quarterly market report from William Pitt-Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty.
The firm’s Third Quarter 2026 Market Watch examined housing activity in Fairfield, Litchfield and Hartford counties and the Shoreline in Connecticut; the Berkshires in Massachusetts; and Westchester, Putnam, Columbia, Dutchess and Ulster counties in New York.
The report found that most markets were firmly ahead of the first nine months of 2025 in terms of closed dollar volume. Unit sales, however, were more uneven, with transactions trending slightly lower in many counties while increasing modestly in others.
The trend was particularly evident during the third quarter. Closed dollar volume increased across nearly every market compared with the same period last year, while unit activity varied by location. Stronger activity during the second and third quarters, following a slower first quarter, helped most markets finish the first three quarters of 2026 ahead of the comparable period in 2025.
Higher Prices Drive Dollar Volume
The report identified a continuing gap between dollar volume and the number of homes sold. Dollar volume is generally growing faster than unit sales, a trend the brokerage attributes to a combination of higher-priced properties accounting for a greater share of transactions and continued increases in median sale prices.
Twelve-month median sale prices were higher in most of the markets covered by the report. Westchester County stood out for its appreciation, with its year-to-date median sale price surpassing $1 million for the first time.
The combination of rising prices and limited inventory has also kept competition strong for desirable properties.
Well-priced homes are frequently attracting multiple offers and, in many cases, selling above their initial asking prices, according to the report.
Inventory Remains a Challenge
Limited inventory continues to be a major factor shaping the market.
Although total active inventory increased in several counties, overall supply remains historically constrained compared with pre-pandemic levels. The shortage of available homes continues to create an imbalance between buyers and sellers, resulting in what the brokerage describes as a strong sellers’ market across price ranges.
Demand has remained particularly resilient in markets with close ties to New York City, where buyers continue to compete for a relatively limited number of available properties.
The market conditions come despite a mixed broader economic environment, including changes in federal interest rates, mortgage rates, consumer confidence and labor-market conditions.
William Pitt-Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty said the markets it serves have demonstrated resilience despite those broader economic fluctuations.
Sellers Continue to Hold the Advantage
Paul Breunich, chairman and chief executive officer of William Pitt-Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty, said current conditions could provide an attractive opportunity for homeowners considering a sale.
“For property owners considering whether to sell, current conditions offer an outstanding window of opportunity,” Breunich said.
He said buyer demand continues to exceed available inventory, giving sellers leverage when negotiating price and terms.
The brokerage encouraged homeowners who have been considering listing their properties to take advantage of the current imbalance while inventory remains tight.
The firm’s 2026 Third Quarter Market Watch provides detailed market statistics for the individual territories covered by the brokerage and is available through William Pitt-Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty.
