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Fueled by carefully calibrated pricing strategies, Cape Cod’s housing market saw 317 homes change hands in just one month, highlighting the region’s strong buyer demand even as affordability challenges persist. Unlike much of the country, where unsold inventory is stacking up, Cape Cod, MA, remains hot thanks to its unique mix of coastal appeal, limited supply, and buyers eager for lifestyle-driven moves.
In total, 317 homes closed in July 2025, including 251 single-family properties and 66 condominiums. The median sales price reached $820,000 for single-family homes and $521,500 for condos. A year earlier, 307 homes sold—256 single-family and 51 condos—at median prices of $789,500 and $575,000, respectively.
Cape Cod’s housing market showed steady momentum in July, with 263 single-family homes and 91 condominiums going under contract, according to the Cape Cod & Islands Association of Realtors (CCIAOR). That marked a slight 1.9% dip in single-family activity but a striking 49.2% jump in condo contracts compared to last year.
“Within the context of what the Cape market has looked like post-COVID—which is to say tight inventory and high prices—the market is noticeably shifting,” notes CCIAOR President Todd Machnik.
“With more inventory on the market, listings are taking longer to sell, and the percentage of listings selling for over asking price has dropped by 44.4% when compared to last July. Additionally, the percentage of listings with price changes is up 21.3% versus July of 2024.”
The properly priced homes turned out to be the most competitive when it came to sales—pushing the number of homes sold in July up.
In July 2024, 707 single-family homes and 212 condos hit the market—up 9.1% and 34.9%, respectively. However, inventory remained historically low at less than half the levels seen before 2020, the report noted.
(Realtor.com)
Across much of the country, buyers are taking their time before committing to a purchase, leaving homes lingering on the market despite easing mortgage rates. Freddie Mac reported that the average 30-year rate is 6.56% for the week ending Aug. 28. Even so, sentiment remains cautious—77% of respondents in Freddie Mac’s monthly survey said July was a bad time to buy, up from 71% the month before.
“Buying a home is often the most expensive purchase people will make in their lives,” says NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. “This means that going under contract is not a decision homebuyers make quickly.”
Homes spent a median of 58 days on the market in mid-July, a day longer than the same week in 2019, as seller momentum slowed alongside muted buyer demand, according to the Realtor.com® Weekly Housing Trends report.
Why buyers are looking to Cape Cod
“While starter homes in the Boston area start at about $1 million and are very competitive with multiple offers and no contingencies, there is greater affordability in the Cape Cod region as well as the MetroWest area to the west of Boston,” Karen Garrett, a Boston-based broker, tells Realtor.com.
“Retirees and empty nesters especially can get more for their money in these areas and still be close to the cultural offerings of the city as well as medical care,” she adds.
(Realtor.com)
Garrett says buyers are increasingly drawn to pockets of the state that strike a balance between lifestyle and convenience. On Cape Cod, towns like Yarmouth and Chatham promise breezy coastal living, postcard-worthy scenery, and a close-knit community feel.
Out west, Northampton and the Berkshires offer a blend of culture, creativity, and outdoor adventure against a peaceful backdrop. The South Shore, with towns like Hingham, delivers waterfront charm and historic character, all within easy reach of Boston. And in Middlesex County, places like Framingham stand out for their affordability and the ease of being just a short drive from the city.
Still, national numbers show why buyers are feeling the squeeze. In July 2025, the median U.S. list price held at $439,990—just 0.5% higher than last year—with the cost per square foot climbing by the same margin, according to the Realtor.com July Monthly Housing Market Trends Report.
(Realtor.com)