🔒September brings more home sales to Central Massachusetts

Spurred by mortgage rate cuts and an increase in inventory, Central Massachusetts saw an increase in home sales in September compared to last year, even as prices continue to march upwards. Worcester County saw 559 single-family home sales in September, up 10.7% from the 505 seen last September, while Middlesex County was the site of 689 sales, up 11.7%, according to data released Tuesday by The Warren Group, a Peabody-based real estate research firm. This increase in sales came as the median September sales price grew 4.7% in Worcester County, from $468,000 to 490,000, and 6.7% in Middlesex County, from $750,000 to $800,000. The increases in both sales and median price mirrored statewide trends, as sales grew 8% and the median price increased 4.2%, now sitting at $625,000. Cassidy Norton, associate publisher and media relations director of The Warren Group, said September’s data represents an ongoing shift in the market. “The September housing market showed continued signs of shifting dynamics,” Norton said in a Tuesday press release accompanying the firm’s data release. “A recent mortgage rate cut, increased inventory, and the approaching end of the year are all contributing to a slower, more thoughtful market. Anticipated additional rate cuts will continue the trend.” Mortgage rates have been hovering around 6% this month, down from a peak above 7% in January, according to morningstar.com. The city of Worcester saw 70 sales in September, compared to 62 last September. The median price climbed 2.9%, to $442,500. To the north, Fitchburg saw 20 transactions, three fewer than last September. The city’s median price climbed 10.7%, to 409,500. Nearby Leominster also saw fewer sales, with 17 compared to 26. Its median price climbed 6.5%, to $545,000. In MetroWest, Natick was home to 15 sales, the same amount as last September. The town’s median price reached $895,000, growing 1.7%. Framingham saw 41 sales compared to 30, with a median price of $650,000, a 4.7% increase. So far in 2025, Massachusetts has seen 3,769 single-family transactions, an 8% increase over last year. The state’s median year-to-date price sits at $640,000, a 3% increase. Eric Casey is the managing editor at Worcester Business Journal, who primarily covers the manufacturing and real estate industries.