Is 2026 a Buyer’s or Seller’s Market in Westchester County? Here’s What the Data Says

If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home in Westchester County in 2026, one of your first questions is probably:

“Is it a buyer’s market, a seller’s market, or somewhere in between?”

The short answer: Westchester remains a seller’s market overall, but the dynamics are shifting and vary by price point and neighborhood. Let’s break down exactly what the data and local trends are showing.

Strong Home Prices & Solid Demand

Westchester County continues to see appreciation in home values, with average home values rising modestly year-over-year. According to the latest Zillow data, the typical home value in the county is around $827,000, up about 4.8% over the past year. Homes are going under contract in roughly 43 days on average, an indicator of sustained demand.

Meanwhile, Redfin and local MLS data show median sale prices increasing and sales volume remaining robust, especially for single-family homes, signaling that buyers are still active.

Inventory Still Low - A Key Seller Advantage

One of the biggest factors shaping the market is limited inventory. While listing counts may be slowly increasing compared to previous years, the number of homes for sale in Westchester remains relatively tight, meaning buyers still have fewer choices. Low inventory tends to favor sellers by keeping competition strong and preventing price drops.

In many competitive towns, especially in southern Westchester, like New Rochelle and White Plains and the Rivertowns, like Tarrytown and Ossining, homes priced correctly still receive strong buyer interest.

Market Metrics Show a Seller’s Leaning

Local market reports indicate that:

Median sale prices are still climbing in many areas.
Homes in competitive price ranges (especially $900K–$1.5M) sell quickly and attract multiple offers.
Luxury segments continue to see strong activity as buyers from NYC and beyond purchase for lifestyle reasons.

These are classic features of a seller’s market, especially at and above the county’s median price point.

But the Market Isn’t One-Dimensional

Here’s where nuance comes in:

Balanced Conditions in Some Segments

While overall conditions favor sellers, lower-priced homes or properties with pricing or condition issues are staying on the market longer and sometimes selling closer to or even below list price. According to Realtor.com’s local metrics, the sale-to-list price ratio is roughly 100% countywide, which suggests some balance, especially where buyers feel they have more negotiating power.

Interest Rates & Affordability

Mortgage rates haven’t returned to the ultra-low levels of recent years, but they have eased slightly compared to their peaks, which helps buyers regain a bit of buying power and encourages more activity. National forecasts also expect home sales to rise modestly in 2026 as affordability improves gradually.

What This Means for Buyers

If you’re buying in 2026:

Expect competition in desirable neighborhoods and popular price ranges.
Be prepared with financing pre-approval.
Homes priced well and in good condition still draw multiple offers.
You may have more negotiating leverage than a year or two ago — but it’s still not a deep buyer’s market.

What This Means for Sellers

If you’re selling now or soon:

You’re likely to benefit from continued demand and limited inventory.
Well-priced homes can still move quickly.
Some segments, especially in high-demand towns, remain firmly in seller territory.
Pricing strategy and presentation are more important than ever to maximize offers.

Final Takeaway

Westchester’s 2026 real estate market remains a seller’s market, but with subtle signs of rebalancing. Prices continue to rise and demand stays strong, yet smoother affordability and inventory improvements have given buyers slightly more room to negotiate compared with the peak frenzy of recent years.

If you want a clearer read on your specific neighborhood or price range, reach out, buyers and sellers benefit most when they understand the data behind their market. Call me at 646-421-4467 for more.