🏡 Union County Market Pulse — What 2025 Taught Us So Far (And What’s Next)

📊 Union County Market Pulse — What 2025 Taught Us So Far (And What’s Next)

The Big Picture

2025 has been anything but predictable for real estate — but in Union County, the story is one of resilience and quiet strength.

After a busy 2024 and early signs of a slowdown in January, local data shows the market didn’t cool as much as many expected. According to the NJ Realtors® Q3 Housing Report, home prices across Union County climbed roughly 2.5% year-over-year, bringing the median single-family sale to around $620,000 by fall.

While statewide new listings ticked up by 8% from Q2, the Union area stayed tight on supply — meaning properly priced homes continued to attract multiple offers, especially those under $650,000.

📈 Buyer Behavior: Shifting Priorities

One of 2025’s biggest takeaways is how buyers think differently now.

According to Zillow Research, affordability concerns pushed many buyers to focus on move-in-ready homes or smaller properties that minimize renovation costs.
Linden and Rahway saw strong activity from first-time buyers, while towns like Union and Cranford held appeal for “move-up” homeowners trading space for location.

There’s also been an increase in remote-friendly purchases — buyers seeking home-office layouts or proximity to NJ Transit while keeping the flexibility of hybrid work.

💡 Seller Trends: Strategy Over Speed

Gone are the days when listings sold in 48 hours. But that’s not bad news.
In 2025, successful sellers were the ones who understood timing, presentation, and price positioning.

Here’s what stood out:

1. Homes staged and photographed professionally sold up to 20% faster than average.

2. Price-anchored listings (homes priced within 2% of comparative sales) outperformed inflated listings by as much as three weeks on market.

3. Off-season listings — especially between October and December — performed better than many realized, with serious buyers still hunting before year-end.

Union County data also shows the average days on market remains around 22 days, which is historically low compared to pre-2020 levels.

🏘️ Towns to Watch Going into 2026

• Rahway: Ongoing downtown redevelopment continues to draw both investors and buyers looking for community walkability.

• Linden: Its location and multi-family options make it an investor magnet heading into the next cycle.

• Roselle Park: First-time buyers are rediscovering this overlooked gem, thanks to affordability and access to NJ Transit.

• Union Township: Stable demand and strong schools keep it a perennial favorite among move-up families.

🔮 What’s Next for 2026?

Expect 2026 to open with a balanced but competitive market. Inventory may rise slightly, but with steady demand and local job growth, Union County’s real estate outlook remains positive.
Interest rates are stabilizing, buyers are adapting, and sellers who present their homes well will continue to lead the pack.

As Zillow’s analysts put it: “The market is normalizing — not declining.”

📲 Call to Action:

Want to know what your home is worth in this shifting market?
👉 Request Your Union County Market Analysis
We’ll send you a personalized report with pricing insights, buyer demand data, and strategy recommendations — updated for the latest quarter.