A Thank You to Our Clients and Community

As we wrap up 2025, I want to take a moment to sincerely thank our clients, referral partners, and community for your continued trust, referrals, and support. It truly means a great deal to me and the entire team at The Charles King Group, and it’s something we never take for granted.

There’s no question that 2025 was a challenging year for real estate on a national level. Here in Massachusetts, every local market faced its own unique set of hurdles. Despite those challenges, our team was fortunate to have our strongest year to date, closing and pending over $84,000,000 in sales volume while helping more than 120 clients buy, sell, invest, and lease property across Eastern Massachusetts.

We’re incredibly grateful for the opportunity to guide so many people through important real estate decisions during a complex and evolving market.

How the Massachusetts Real Estate Market Performed in 2025

South Shore Single-Family Homes in 2025

The single-family home market on the South Shore remained relatively steady throughout 2025. Homes that were priced appropriately, well maintained, and located in desirable neighborhoods generally sold quickly and often attracted multiple offers.

That said, the top 5–10% of pricing in many towns experienced longer days on market as buyers became more selective. The luxury segment remained active but moved at a slower, more deliberate pace compared to prior years.

Condo Market Challenges Across Greater Boston

Across Greater Boston and the South Shore, condominiums took longer to sell in 2025. We saw increased challenges tied to condo associations, including rising HOA fees, higher insurance premiums, and deferred maintenance.

In some cases, these factors impacted financing options depending on the size, reserves, and management of the association, making buyers more cautious and extending timelines.

Boston Proper Market Trends

Boston real estate felt more balanced overall in 2025, with several neighborhoods and price points leaning more in favor of buyers than sellers. Compared to surrounding suburban markets, it was not a particularly strong year for Boston.

With potential rent control legislation being discussed for 2026, it will be interesting to see whether additional inventory comes to market as owners reassess their long-term investment strategies.

Cape Cod Real Estate Performance

Cape Cod proved to be one of the most inconsistent markets we worked in during 2025. Luxury homes did sell, but typically only when the property was truly special or located in a standout area.

Some median-priced homes moved well, while others lagged significantly depending on condition, presentation, and pricing strategy.

Overall, Eastern Massachusetts continued to outperform much of the country, showing resilience despite a challenging national environment.

What to Watch in the 2026 Massachusetts Housing Market

As we move into 2026, there are several key factors we’ll be watching closely:

• Whether Massachusetts moves forward with statewide rent control legislation

• How mortgage rates impact move-up buyers, especially families who purchased smaller homes during COVID and are now looking for more space

• Whether lenders and insurance companies can find workable solutions to ongoing condo association financial and maintenance challenges

If you’re considering buying, selling, or investing in 2026 — or simply want to talk through how the market may impact your plans — we’re always happy to have a conversation.

As always, thank you for your continued support. Wishing you and your family a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year.

FAQ

How did the Massachusetts real estate market perform in 2025?

Despite national challenges, Eastern Massachusetts showed resilience, with steady demand in well-priced single-family homes and more cautious activity in condos and luxury segments.

What happened to condo sales in 2025?

Condo sales slowed due to rising HOA fees, insurance costs, and financing challenges tied to association reserves and management.

Is Boston becoming a buyer’s market?

Certain Boston neighborhoods and price points leaned toward buyers in 2025, especially compared to surrounding suburban markets.

What should buyers and sellers expect in 2026?

Key factors include mortgage rates, potential rent control legislation, and evolving lending and insurance standards for condo associations.