Summer Market Heats Up: What 324 Recent Sales Tell Us
The South Coast summer real estate market is in full swing!
From July 6 to August 6, 2025, a total of 324 homes changed hands across 21 local communities, generating over $202 million in sales.
What does this flurry of activity mean for buyers and sellers right now?
Our deep dive into the latest MLS data reveals a balanced, dynamic market—where serious buyers and realistic sellers are both finding success.
If you’re considering a move, here’s what you need to know about price trends, competition, and opportunities in today’s South Coast market.
Who Should Read This Report?
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First-Time Buyers: See which price ranges move fastest and how to prepare to compete.
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Move-Up Sellers: Understand the timing and expectations for selling and buying in the mid-market sweet spot.
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Investors: Find out which communities and price ranges have the most activity and lowest days on market.
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Luxury Homeowners: See what’s trending in the $1M+ market this summer.
Key Market Numbers You Need to Know
Market Activity
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324 homes sold across 21 communities
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$202.8 million in total sales volume
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Average sale price: $625,815
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Median sale price: $549,850
Market Timing
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44 days average time on market
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30 days average time to get an offer
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Homes selling at 101% of list price on average
Quick Market Snapshot
| Segment | # Homes Sold | Avg Days on Market | Median Sale Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| $200K–$400K | 37 | <30 | $345,000 |
| $400K–$700K | 155 | 21–29 | $589,000 |
| $700K–$1M | 56 | 37–63 | $835,000 |
| $1M+ | 23 | 60+ | $1,340,000 |
What These Numbers Really Mean for You
Slightly Seller-Favored Market
With homes selling at 101% of list price, we’re seeing a modest seller’s market. Properties are receiving competitive offers, but we’re not in the bidding war territory of 2021–2022. Sellers are getting fair market value, and buyers aren’t being forced into desperate overpaying.
Reasonable Time Expectations
44 days on market represents a healthy, balanced market. Properties aren’t sitting for months, but buyers have time to make thoughtful decisions. The 30-day average to offer shows that well-priced homes generate interest within a month.
Strong Summer Activity
324 sales in just one month demonstrates robust market activity during peak summer season. This high volume suggests good inventory levels and active buyer engagement across all price ranges.
Price Range Analysis: Where the Action Is
Entry-Level Market ($200K–$400K)
Fast-moving opportunities!
With 37 sales in this range averaging less than a month on market, these properties move quickly when they become available. If you’re shopping in this range, being pre-approved and ready to act is essential.
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$200K–$300K: 9 sales – when they hit the market, they don’t last long
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$300K–$400K: 28 sales, averaging just 29 days on market
Ready to compete for these fast-moving opportunities?
📧 Email Now: jacqueline.james@kw.com
Mid-Market Sweet Spot ($400K–$700K)
The most active segment!
With 155 homes sold (48% of all sales), this is where buyer energy is concentrated and properties are moving efficiently:
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Lightning-fast sales: Averaging just 21–29 days on market
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Strong buyer competition: Properties generating multiple showings quickly
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Prime opportunity zone: Great selection when inventory hits
Want to get ahead of the competition in this hot segment?
📧 Email Now: jacqueline.james@kw.com
Upper-Mid Market ($700K–$1M)
56 sales with longer market times (37–63 days average). Buyers at this level are more selective, taking time to find the right property.
Luxury Market ($1M+)
23 luxury sales with the highest sale being $4.15M. Luxury properties require patience—some taking 60+ days, but quality homes are still moving.
Geographic Market Coverage
This data represents sales across 21 South Coast communities:
Massachusetts: Acushnet, Berkley, Dartmouth, Dighton, Fairhaven, Fall River, Freetown, Lakeville, Marion, Mattapoisett, New Bedford, Rehoboth, Rochester, Seekonk, Somerset, Swansea, Wareham, Westport
Rhode Island: Little Compton, Tiverton
From affordable Fall River to upscale coastal Marion and Mattapoisett, this data captures the full spectrum of our diverse regional market.
Mortgage Market Update: Rates Show Signs of Softening
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30-year fixed Conventional: 6.72% (down slightly)
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15-year fixed Conventional: 5.86% (down slightly)
Federal Reserve outlook:
The Fed held rates steady at 4.25%–4.50% for the fifth consecutive meeting, though two members voted for a rate cut, signaling growing internal pressure for policy easing. Chair Jerome Powell emphasized a data-driven approach, with a September rate cut possible but not likely unless economic conditions shift.
How Rates Impact Our Local Market
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324 sales despite 6.7% rates shows committed buyers are still active
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$625K average sale price means buyers are qualifying at these rate levels
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Balanced market conditions suggest rates aren’t creating panic buying or selling
What This Means for Buyers Right Now
Good News
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Reasonable negotiation opportunity – 101% of list price means some room for discussion
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Time to be selective – 30 days to offer means you’re not forced into instant decisions
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Active inventory – 324 monthly sales suggests good property flow
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Rate stability – Rates holding steady, with potential for improvement
Smart Buyer Strategy
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Get pre-approved now – Mortgage rates tend to move ahead of Fed decisions
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Be ready to act – When rates do drop, competition will likely increase
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Focus on payment comfort – At 6.72%, ensure monthly payments fit your budget
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Limited budget options – Very few homes under $300K available
Reality Check
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Higher borrowing costs – 6.7% rates significantly impact buying power vs. 2021–2022
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Move decisively – Good properties still get offers within 30 days
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Summer competition – Peak season means more active buyers
What This Means for Sellers Right Now
Market Advantages
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Strong buyer activity – 324 sales show engaged market despite elevated rates
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Fair pricing rewards – Homes selling at 101% of list price
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Reasonable sale timeline – Average 44 days to close
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Committed buyers – Those shopping now are serious (higher rates filter out casual lookers)
Success Strategies
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Price competitively – Market rewards accurate pricing, especially with higher borrowing costs
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Prepare for 6–8 weeks – Plan for realistic timeline
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Quality presentation matters – Well-prepared homes move faster in selective market
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Consider buyer financing – Help buyers with closing costs or rate buy-downs if needed
Refinancing Considerations
Current homeowners: If your rate is significantly higher than 6.72%, refinancing might make sense depending on your timeline and loan balance. The slight downward trend could present opportunities.
Market Trends to Watch
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Consistent sales activity across all price ranges despite elevated rates
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Reasonable days on market (not too fast, not too slow)
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Healthy sale-to-list price ratios
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Slight downward trend in mortgage rates
Key Questions for Fall Market
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Rate impact: Will potential Fed rate cuts in fall boost buyer activity?
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Seasonal patterns: Will back-to-school season slow current momentum?
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Inventory levels: Will fall bring more listings to market?
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Buyer behavior: How will rate-sensitive buyers respond to any improvements?
Bottom line:
The combination of strong sales volume (324 homes) at current rate levels suggests a resilient local market with committed participants.
Bottom Line for South Coast Massachusetts
This is a functional market where informed participants are succeeding. Sellers who price realistically and prepare their homes well are getting fair market value in reasonable timeframes. Buyers who understand local conditions and act decisively on well-priced properties are finding success.
The key is working with someone who understands these local market dynamics and can help you navigate timing, pricing, and strategy based on real data—not assumptions.
This analysis is based on actual MLS data covering sales from July 6 – August 6, 2025, across 21 South Coast Massachusetts and Rhode Island communities. Market conditions can change rapidly, and individual results may vary based on property location, condition, and pricing strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions: South Coast Home Sales Summer 2025
Q: Is this a good time to buy a home in South Coast MA?
A: Yes—market activity is high, inventory is good, and rates are stable, allowing buyers to act thoughtfully without extreme pressure.
Q: Are homes selling above asking price?
A: On average, homes are selling at 101% of list price, showing a modestly competitive market.
Q: What’s the average time to sell?
A: Most homes are going under agreement within 30 days and closing within 44 days.
Q: Which towns are covered?
A: Acushnet, Berkley, Dartmouth, Dighton, Fairhaven, Fall River, Freetown, Lakeville, Marion, Mattapoisett, New Bedford, Rehoboth, Rochester, Seekonk, Somerset, Swansea, Wareham, Westport, Little Compton RI, Tiverton RI.
Q: Who can I contact for local expertise?
A: Jacqueline James, South Coast Real Estate Specialist
Phone: 774-383-1044
Email: jacqueline.james@kw.com
Ready to make a move in the South Coast Massachusetts market?
Contact Jacqueline James at 774-383-1044 or jacqueline.james@kw.com for expert guidance based on real market data and local expertise.
Communities Covered:
Acushnet, Berkley, Dartmouth, Dighton, Fairhaven, Fall River, Freetown, Lakeville, Little Compton RI, Marion, Mattapoisett, New Bedford, Rehoboth, Rochester, Seekonk, Somerset, Swansea, Tiverton RI, Wareham, Westport
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