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Real estate can be overwhelming. “Realty Bites” makes sense of the madness, offering the insight behind the headlines and the strategy behind the sale.
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It may still feel like winter outside, with January temperatures in Massachusetts noticeably cooler than last year, but the housing market is warming up in its own way. According to the latest Altos Research data, the median list price in the region has climbed to approximately $750,000, reflecting upward pressure even through the quiet of winter. Meanwhile, Essex County’s total listing count remains well below historic peaks, around 700 homes on the market, underscoring persistent supply constraints.
Cool air and brisk winds are signature New England winter, but buyer activity and pricing momentum tell a different story. What we’re seeing locally is a market that feels calm on the surface but has durable strength beneath it, driven by sellers confident in value and buyers who know what they want and are ready to move when the right opportunity appears.
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Realty Mini Bite | Rye Beach Mansion
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The historic Studebaker Mansion at Rye Beach was built in 1917 as a coastal summer retreat for auto executive Clement Studebaker Jr. and boasts 7 bedrooms, 9 bathrooms and nearly 10,000 square feet, all perched above the Atlantic.
Even century-old estates on the seacoast were designed for views, function, and seasonal living, not just scale.
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Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm Preservation Trust Annual Meeting
Sunday, February 22, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Local history meets community stewardship at this annual gathering hosted at the historic Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm in Newbury. Members, preservation lovers, and curious locals come together to celebrate the legacy of one of the region’s oldest working farms, first established in 1690 and shaped by generations of Newburyport area families.
This is a perfect way to connect with neighbors, learn more about preserving character-rich places, and enjoy a winter afternoon on this iconic property.
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Ipswich Winter Lecture Series, Ipswich Museum
February dates throughout the month
Ipswich leans into winter with a rotating slate of local history talks covering early settlement, maritime trade, and domestic life in one of America’s oldest towns. These evenings are quietly popular and often sell out, proof that curiosity does not hibernate.
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Portsmouth Candlemas Open House
Strawbery Banke Museum, mid-February
Marking the midpoint of winter, Candlemas celebrations at Strawbery Banke focus on hearth, light, and early New England domestic traditions. Costumed interpreters, historic interiors, and warm kitchens make this one of Portsmouth’s most atmospheric off-season events.
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As we move deeper into winter, Essex County’s housing market continues to show resilience with clear signals of buyer engagement and pricing stability. Local data shows typical homes selling in around 27 days on market, with a median list price near $699,900, evidence that demand still exists even when seasonality usually slows activity. Homes are generally selling for close to asking price, a sign that pricing aligned with local comparables continues to matter.
Year-over-year trends tell an interesting story. Home values here are up roughly 2 percent over the past year, reflecting steady, not explosive, growth, a contrast to some of the more frenetic gains of recent cycles. Inventory remains tight relative to long-term norms, keeping buyers attentive but not rushed.
In short, the market feels balanced yet active. Sellers who price with precision are still drawing interest, and buyers with clear criteria are finding opportunities even in winter’s quieter rhythm.
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Late-Winter Buyers
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Working with buyers right now, February feels like a decision month, not a browsing one.
Most of the buyers I am advising at this stage are not casually watching listings. They are narrowing streets, refining criteria, and stress-testing budgets. When the right home appears, they are ready to act without hesitation. Winter listings tend to attract fewer showings, but the buyers who do walk through the door are far more serious.
For buyers willing to stay engaged while others wait for warmer weather, February often delivers clarity. Less noise. Fewer assumptions. Better conversations.
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Sellers
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With sellers, February is where intent turns into planning.
I am spending this month with homeowners reviewing recent sales, walking through light and layout, and deciding what truly needs attention before going live. The strongest spring listings I see every year are rarely rushed. They are shaped now, when there is time to think clearly and act deliberately.
Sellers who use February to prepare tend to enter the market with confidence rather than urgency. And that difference is often reflected directly in the outcome.
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Stories matter - it's the way memories are preserved and new ones created. And if you're ready for your next real estate chapter, I'd love to stand by your side and help you write it. Call, text or email - let's start the journey.
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Whether you're buying, selling, investing or just browsing - I’m here to help provide you with the insights to make sense of the data - and let’s together write your next real estate story.
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©2006-2024 Engel & Völkers® Americas, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Each Engel & Völkers real estate brokerage is independently owned and operated. Engel & Völkers fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All listing information is from sources deemed reliable. However, no representation is made as to the accuracy or completeness thereof and should be independently verified.
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Dear #lead_first_name#,
Real estate can be overwhelming. “Realty Bites” makes sense of the madness, offering the insight behind the headlines and the strategy behind the sale.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
It may still feel like winter outside, with January temperatures in Massachusetts noticeably cooler than last year, but the housing market is warming up in its own way. According to the latest Altos Research data, the median list price in the region has climbed to approximately $750,000, reflecting upward pressure even through the quiet of winter. Meanwhile, Essex County’s total listing count remains well below historic peaks, around 700 homes on the market, underscoring persistent supply constraints.
Cool air and brisk winds are signature New England winter, but buyer activity and pricing momentum tell a different story. What we’re seeing locally is a market that feels calm on the surface but has durable strength beneath it, driven by sellers confident in value and buyers who know what they want and are ready to move when the right opportunity appears.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Realty Mini Bite | Rye Beach Mansion
|
|
|
|
The historic Studebaker Mansion at Rye Beach was built in 1917 as a coastal summer retreat for auto executive Clement Studebaker Jr. and boasts 7 bedrooms, 9 bathrooms and nearly 10,000 square feet, all perched above the Atlantic.
Even century-old estates on the seacoast were designed for views, function, and seasonal living, not just scale.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm Preservation Trust Annual Meeting
Sunday, February 22, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Local history meets community stewardship at this annual gathering hosted at the historic Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm in Newbury. Members, preservation lovers, and curious locals come together to celebrate the legacy of one of the region’s oldest working farms, first established in 1690 and shaped by generations of Newburyport area families.
This is a perfect way to connect with neighbors, learn more about preserving character-rich places, and enjoy a winter afternoon on this iconic property.
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|
Ipswich Winter Lecture Series, Ipswich Museum
February dates throughout the month
Ipswich leans into winter with a rotating slate of local history talks covering early settlement, maritime trade, and domestic life in one of America’s oldest towns. These evenings are quietly popular and often sell out, proof that curiosity does not hibernate.
|
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Portsmouth Candlemas Open House
Strawbery Banke Museum, mid-February
Marking the midpoint of winter, Candlemas celebrations at Strawbery Banke focus on hearth, light, and early New England domestic traditions. Costumed interpreters, historic interiors, and warm kitchens make this one of Portsmouth’s most atmospheric off-season events.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As we move deeper into winter, Essex County’s housing market continues to show resilience with clear signals of buyer engagement and pricing stability. Local data shows typical homes selling in around 27 days on market, with a median list price near $699,900, evidence that demand still exists even when seasonality usually slows activity. Homes are generally selling for close to asking price, a sign that pricing aligned with local comparables continues to matter.
Year-over-year trends tell an interesting story. Home values here are up roughly 2 percent over the past year, reflecting steady, not explosive, growth, a contrast to some of the more frenetic gains of recent cycles. Inventory remains tight relative to long-term norms, keeping buyers attentive but not rushed.
In short, the market feels balanced yet active. Sellers who price with precision are still drawing interest, and buyers with clear criteria are finding opportunities even in winter’s quieter rhythm.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Late-Winter Buyers
|
|
|
|
Working with buyers right now, February feels like a decision month, not a browsing one.
Most of the buyers I am advising at this stage are not casually watching listings. They are narrowing streets, refining criteria, and stress-testing budgets. When the right home appears, they are ready to act without hesitation. Winter listings tend to attract fewer showings, but the buyers who do walk through the door are far more serious.
For buyers willing to stay engaged while others wait for warmer weather, February often delivers clarity. Less noise. Fewer assumptions. Better conversations.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sellers
|
|
|
|
With sellers, February is where intent turns into planning.
I am spending this month with homeowners reviewing recent sales, walking through light and layout, and deciding what truly needs attention before going live. The strongest spring listings I see every year are rarely rushed. They are shaped now, when there is time to think clearly and act deliberately.
Sellers who use February to prepare tend to enter the market with confidence rather than urgency. And that difference is often reflected directly in the outcome.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stories matter - it's the way memories are preserved and new ones created. And if you're ready for your next real estate chapter, I'd love to stand by your side and help you write it. Call, text or email - let's start the journey.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Whether you're buying, selling, investing or just browsing - I’m here to help provide you with the insights to make sense of the data - and let’s together write your next real estate story.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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©2006-2024 Engel & Völkers® Americas, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Each Engel & Völkers real estate brokerage is independently owned and operated. Engel & Völkers fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All listing information is from sources deemed reliable. However, no representation is made as to the accuracy or completeness thereof and should be independently verified.
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