Ocean & Monmouth County Real Estate Market Update: Fall 2026
How is the Jersey Shore housing market holding up heading into the end of 2026? The short answer: prices are still rising modestly in both Ocean and Monmouth County, homes that are priced right are still selling close to asking, and buyers have a bit more inventory to choose from in some segments. Here is the latest data and what it means for you.
Ocean County market snapshot (August 2026)
| Single-family homes | Aug 2026 | Aug 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $649,900 | $620,000 | +4.8% |
| Closed sales | 449 | 511 | -12.1% |
| Days on market | 36 | 39 | -7.7% |
| Inventory | 1,582 | 1,598 | -1.0% |
| Months of supply | 3.5 | 3.5 | Flat |
| Percent of list price received | 99.9% | 99.5% | +0.4 pts |
Ocean County's year-to-date single-family median was $630,000, up 4.0%. Other segments:
- Townhouse/condo: median $429,990 (+1.2%), with inventory up 23.6% and supply rising to 4.0 months.
- Adult communities: median $330,000 (+1.5%), with inventory up 18.1% and 3.7 months of supply.
Monmouth County market snapshot (August 2026)
| Segment | Median price | Change | Days on market | Months of supply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single-family | $815,000 | +3.7% | 28 | 2.8 |
| Townhouse/condo | $550,000 | -3.9% | 26 | 2.8 |
| Adult community | $690,000 | +31.4%* | 39 | 2.9 |
*Adult-community figures swing month to month because of small sale counts; the year-to-date median was $547,000, down 2.6%.
Monmouth single-family closed sales rose 6.8% to 536, while inventory fell 4.9% to 1,201 homes. At 2.8 months of supply, Monmouth remains a seller-leaning market.
What the numbers mean
For sellers
- Prices are still climbing, but at a steadier pace than the rapid gains of 2021 and 2022.
- Pricing precision matters. Ocean County sellers are receiving about 99.9% of list price on average. Homes priced right from day one are the ones getting there; overpriced listings tend to sit.
- Condo and 55-plus sellers face more competition as inventory in those segments has grown, so presentation and pricing matter more there.
For buyers
- More choice in some segments. Ocean County condos and adult communities have notably more inventory than a year ago.
- Single-family homes are still competitive, especially in Monmouth County, where supply is under three months.
- Come prepared: a strong pre-approval and an attorney lined up for New Jersey's three-day attorney review help you compete. First-timers, start with our first-time buyer guide.
Looking ahead to winter and spring 2027
Fall and winter typically bring fewer listings and fewer buyers at the Shore, which can mean less competition on both sides. Serious buyers often find good opportunities before the spring rush, and sellers who list in winter face fewer competing homes. As always, mortgage rates and local inventory will drive the pace, and we will keep this update current.
Frequently asked questions
Are home prices going down in Ocean County, NJ?
Not according to the latest data. The single-family median rose 4.8% year over year in August 2026, to $649,900.
Is Monmouth County a buyer's or seller's market?
Still seller-leaning, with about 2.8 months of single-family supply. A balanced market is generally considered around five to six months.
How long does it take to sell a house at the Jersey Shore?
In August 2026, the typical single-family home spent about 36 days on market in Ocean County and 28 days in Monmouth County.
Want numbers for your town or your home?
County-wide numbers only tell part of the story. The CRESI Group can pull recent sales for your street and tell you what your home would sell for today. Get a free home valuation, check our live market snapshot, browse our guide to the best Shore towns, or contact us.
Sources: MLS data pulled 9/17/2026, as reported in Ocean County Real Estate Market Update and Monmouth County Real Estate Market Update (New Jersey Real Estate Network).
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