More Homes Are Coming to Market in Central MA: Here's What That Means for Buyers
After years of buyers competing fiercely for too few homes, inventory is starting to inch back in Central Massachusetts. And if you've been sitting on the sidelines, waiting for a better moment to buy, the market is beginning to shift... at least a little... in your favor.
Nationally, the number of homes for sale in January hit its highest point since 2020, according to Realtor.com.
Here's why that matters, and what it means specifically for buyers in the Worcester area and surrounding towns.
Central MA Is Still Competitive But the Pressure Is Easing
Let's be real: Central Massachusetts remains a seller's market. Homes in Worcester are receiving three offers on average and selling in around 24 days, which is fast by any measure. Worcester County homes have been selling for about 5.5% more than they did a year ago and that kind of appreciation doesn't happen in a balanced market.
But there are encouraging signs. Worcester County had 3,093 homes for sale as of June 2025, a nearly 6% increase compared to the prior month, with inventory rising across every bedroom type. More homes hitting the market, even incrementally, changes how a search feels. Rushed. Stressful. Intimidating. That was the story for the past several years. It's starting to soften.
Worcester: One of the Hottest Markets in the Country Which Cuts Both Ways
Here's something Central MA buyers should know: Worcester is predicted to be one of the nation's hottest housing markets this year, ranking third nationally for home sales growth. That's exciting if you already own here. If you're trying to buy in the area, it means competition isn't going away overnight.
That said, Worcester still offers something the Boston market increasingly can't: relative affordability. Worcester's median home price is up approximately 4.8% year-over-year, but the city continues to draw buyers priced out of Greater Boston, with homes under $500K in neighborhoods like Burncoat and Tatnuck still attracting strong interest.
More Inventory Is Forecasted... With a Catch
Statewide, the picture reflects what's happening nationally. Massachusetts inventory is on the rise, which has given buyers more of a chance to buy, with pending sales ticking up as a result, though the market is still tight and overall inventory remains well below pre-pandemic levels.
New construction, unfortunately, isn't filling the gap quickly enough. New housing permits in Massachusetts as of mid-2025 were down 44% from 2021 levels, creating a looming supply challenge for 2026 and 2027. More listings are coming to market, but the pipeline of new homes being built isn't there to dramatically change the equation in the near term.
What This Means If You're Looking to Buy in Central MA
Nationally, forecasts suggest inventory could rise another 10% this year, with more markets approaching pre-pandemic norms by fall. Central Massachusetts may lag that trend given how structurally tight supply has been here. But even modest improvement matters.
As Hannah Jones, Senior Economic Research Analyst at Realtor.com, puts it: housing market conditions are gradually rebalancing after years of extreme seller advantage, with buyers beginning to see more options and modest negotiating power as inventory improves.
That's true in Central MA too, just on a slower timeline. Homes are sitting slightly longer than they were a year ago. The average listing age in Worcester County climbed to 28 days in mid-2025, up about 15% from the prior year. That's not a dramatic shift, but it's breathing room that didn't exist before.
Bottom Line
Central Massachusetts isn't a buyer's market; not yet. But it's no longer the all-out sprint it was a few years ago either. If you've been waiting for a moment when you have a little more time to think and a little more leverage to negotiate, conditions are slowly moving in that direction.
Want to know what's available right now in Worcester, Shrewsbury, Northborough, Grafton, or the towns surrounding them? Reach out to me! Knowing your local market in detail is the best advantage you can have right now.
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