2025 Year in Review:

South Orange, Maplewood & West Orange

A market shaped by resilience, competition, and a return to thoughtful momentum.

Across South Orange, Maplewood, and West Orange, 2025 told a nuanced story. Inventory slowly loosened, buyer demand remained strong, and pricing continued to hold steady—or rise—despite a more measured pace than the frenzied years immediately following the pandemic. Homes still sold quickly, bidding wars remained common, and well-prepared listings consistently outperformed expectations.

Here’s how each community experienced the year:

South Orange: Steady, Competitive, and Consistently Strong

South Orange’s 2025 market reflected stability with a confident edge.

• Average Sales Price: $1,055,503 (up slightly from 2024)

• Days on Market: 20 days (nearly identical year over year)

• Sale-to-List Price Ratio: 110.05%

• Homes Sold: 158

Even with slightly fewer transactions than last year, South Orange remained intensely competitive. Homes continued to sell above asking, and buyers showed little hesitation when a property was well-positioned. Inventory crept up modestly, giving buyers more options—but not enough to dull the urgency.

What it felt like on the ground:
A market that rewarded preparation. Sellers who invested in presentation and pricing strategy were met with strong demand and swift outcomes. Buyers had slightly more breathing room than in 2022–2023, but hesitation still carried risk.

Maplewood: Momentum and Growth

Maplewood emerged as the standout growth story of 2025.

• Average Sales Price: $1,001,955 (up 5.7% year over year)

• Days on Market: 20 days (down significantly from 2024)

• Sale-to-List Price Ratio: 112.20%

• Homes Sold: 256 (up 11%)

This was a banner year. More homes sold, prices climbed meaningfully, and properties moved faster than in 2024. Maplewood’s blend of walkability, character, and access to transit continued to attract both local and city buyers.

What it felt like on the ground:
Energy. Optimism. Motion. Buyers were decisive, and sellers entered the market with confidence. Homes that hit the sweet spot—location, condition, and pricing—often ignited immediate competition.

West Orange: Expanding Opportunity with Rising Value

West Orange continued its upward trajectory as a value-forward alternative with growing appeal.

• Average Sales Price: $723,310 (up nearly 8%)

• Days on Market: 30 days

• Sale-to-List Price Ratio: 108.30%

• Homes Sold: 438

With more inventory and a broader price spectrum, West Orange offered buyers greater choice. Yet values rose meaningfully, reflecting sustained demand and confidence in the community’s future.

What it felt like on the ground:
A market maturing in real time. Buyers discovered opportunity, while sellers benefited from steady appreciation. Homes still sold over asking, though with a slightly more deliberate pace than in South Orange or Maplewood.

The Big Picture: Three Communities, One Story

Across all three towns, several themes defined 2025:

• Prices held firm or rose in every community

• Homes continued to sell above asking

• Inventory increased modestly, but demand stayed strong

• The market shifted from frantic to intentional

This was not a year of correction—it was a year of recalibration. Buyers became more thoughtful. Sellers became more strategic. And success hinged less on timing and more on preparation, storytelling, and precision.

Together, South Orange, Maplewood, and West Orange proved that our local market is not just resilient—it is deeply rooted in real demand, real community, and long-term confidence.

As we step into 2026, the takeaway is clear:
This is a market that rewards clarity, care, and expert guidance. Whether buying or selling, those who approach the process with intention continue to thrive.  And that is just what we are here for!

***Note: CLICK FOR FULL REPORT FOR EACH TOWN

Additional Essex County Towns

Morris County Towns

Union County Towns

Somerset County Town

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