Westchester Real Estate Market Update: Q1 2026
What’s Really Happening Behind the Numbers
If you’ve been watching the Westchester market lately, you may have noticed something that feels a little contradictory:
Fewer homes are selling, yet prices continue to rise.
According to the latest Q1 2026 Westchester County Market Report, single family home sales are down over 15% year over year, while both median and average prices have continued to climb.
At first glance, that doesn’t quite add up. But when you look beyond the headlines and into what’s actually happening in real time, it starts to make perfect sense.
Inventory Is Driving Everything
Right now, the market isn’t slowing, it’s tightening.
There simply aren’t enough homes available. And when a well prepared property hits the market, buyers are ready. They move quickly, and more often than not, they compete.
That’s why we’re seeing this combination of fewer sales, rising prices, and shorter days on market. It’s not a contradiction, it’s a reflection of supply and demand doing exactly what it’s supposed to do.
What This Looks Like in Real Life
Recently, I represented sellers on a home in New Rochelle that perfectly illustrates this dynamic.
We received 11 offers.
And while that number alone is impressive, what mattered most wasn’t just how many offers came in, it was how they were structured.
The winning offer stood out because it was confident, clean, and thoughtfully put together. Contingencies were minimized, financing was clearly communicated, timelines were flexible, and every piece of the deal signaled strength.
In today’s market, that’s what wins.
Not just the highest number, but the most strategic one.
What This Means for Sellers
This is still very much a seller’s market, but it’s a more sophisticated one.
Today’s buyers are discerning. They know what they want, and they move quickly when they see it. But they’re also paying attention to presentation, pricing, and overall value.
The homes generating real competition right now are the ones that are well prepared, thoughtfully priced, and marketed with intention.
Because ultimately, it’s not just about listing, it’s about positioning.
What This Means for Buyers
For buyers, the experience has shifted.
You’re not just searching for a home, you’re competing for it.
But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. In fact, with fewer transactions happening overall, there are moments of opportunity for buyers who are prepared, decisive, and working with the right strategy.
The reality is this, the difference between winning and losing often comes down to how the offer is structured, not just how high it goes.
A Closer Look at Lower Westchester
Across the areas I focus on most, New Rochelle, Larchmont, Rye, and surrounding communities, the trends are even more pronounced.
In New Rochelle, prices continue to rise while homes are selling significantly faster than they were this time last year. In Larchmont, inventory has dropped sharply, yet pricing remains strong. Rye is seeing continued activity at the higher end of the market, and Edgemont has experienced one of the most notable price increases this quarter.
Across the board, demand continues to outpace supply.
The Real Takeaway
If there’s one thing to understand about the Westchester market right now, it’s this:
This is a supply constrained market, not a slowing one.
And that distinction matters.
Because in a constrained market, sellers still have leverage, buyers still need strategy, and execution matters more than ever.
Final Thoughts
Real estate headlines only tell part of the story.
The real story is happening in the details, the conversations, the negotiations, and the structure behind every deal.
Whether you’re thinking about selling, buying, or simply trying to understand what your home is worth in today’s market, having a clear strategy is everything.
If you’re curious how these trends apply to your specific situation, I’m always happy to talk it through.
