Introduction: Navigating the Shift in a Transitional Market
The real estate market in Talbot County, MD is evolving — and if you’re planning to buy or sell this fall, understanding the latest trends is essential. September 2025 brought an inventory surge, small pricing shifts, and more negotiation leverage for buyers, signaling a more balanced (and strategic) playing field.
In this month’s update, I’m breaking down what’s happening with prices, days on market, and what these changes mean for buyers and sellers looking to take action before year-end.
📊 September 2025 Market Snapshot | Talbot County, MD
Metric | September 2025 | YOY Change |
Closed Sales | 59 | +68.6% |
Median Sold Price | $530,000 | -1.9% |
New Listings | 68 | +30.8% |
New Pending Sales | 53 | - 11.7% |
Active Listings | 255 | +57.4% |
Avg. Days on Market | 67 days | +26 days |
Sold-to-List Price Ratio | 90.5% | -4.1% |
💡 What This Means for Buyers
More Choices — and Room to Negotiate
Buyers finally have something they’ve been waiting for: more inventory. With 255 active listings, Talbot County has reached its highest availability in five years.
✅ Opportunity: More listings = more options. But while homes are staying on the market longer (67 days on average), the well-priced ones are still moving fast.
✅ Negotiation power is back: The sold-to-list price ratio dipped to 90.5%, meaning sellers are increasingly open to price adjustments, concessions, and contingency-based offers.
Top Tips for Buyers in Fall 2025:
- Explore mortgage rate buydowns or ARM products to reduce monthly payments.
- Partner with a local agent who knows how to negotiate strategically in a shifting market.
- Be prepared to act quickly on competitively priced homes — the best listings still draw multiple offers.
🏠 What This Means for Sellers
Stand Out — or Sit Out
Increased inventory means increased competition. While homes are still selling, they must be priced correctly and marketed effectively from Day 1.
⚠️ Overpricing will hurt: With 67 days on market average, listings that linger risk price reductions and lost buyer interest.
📸 Visual marketing matters: High-quality staging, drone photography, and digital tours are no longer optional — they’re what make your home “click-worthy” in a crowded market.
Top Tips for Sellers:
- Price it right the first time — using a comparative market analysis (CMA).
- Prepare your home to show well both online and in-person.
- Work with a full-service broker who understands luxury buyer behavior and digital marketing.
🔍 Economic & Mortgage Trends
In September, 30-year fixed mortgage rates hovered around 7.1%, creating affordability headwinds for some buyers. However, the uptick in buyer activity suggests that serious buyers are adapting — often by using creative financing or leveraging negotiations to offset rate pressure.
🌿 Local Insight: In Talbot County, the lifestyle value — waterfronts, historic charm, and community — continues to attract buyers, even in a high-rate environment.
🔮 What’s Next?
As we head into the final quarter of 2025, the Talbot County housing market is expected to remain stable — with buyers gaining more leverage and sellers needing sharper pricing and marketing strategies.
Whether you’re just beginning to explore or ready to make a move before year-end, now is the time to strategize and act decisively.
📞 Ready to Make a Move?
Let’s talk about what these changes mean for you. Whether you’re buying, selling, or planning your next move in 2026, I’ll help you develop a personalized plan rooted in experience, data, and trust.
🧭 Contact Julie Stevenson
📱 Call: 410-251-5291
📧 Email: [email protected]