Merrimack Valley MA Housing Market: September 2026
The Merrimack Valley MA single-family market cooled through the third quarter of 2026. From July to September, the median sale price slipped 3% to $750,000, closed sales fell from 249 to 181, and the sale-to-list ratio eased from 103.5% to 100.0%. Homes still sell fast, at a median of 23 days on market, but inventory is building, with months of supply up 44% to 2.52.
Merrimack Valley Housing Market Trends: July to September 2026
This report covers single-family homes in Amesbury, Andover, Boxford, Georgetown, Groveland, Haverhill, Lawrence, Merrimac, Methuen, Newbury, Newburyport, North Andover, Rowley, Salisbury, and West Newbury, MA.
- Price: The median sale price went from $775,000 in July to $765,000 in August and $750,000 in September. Price per square foot peaked at $381 in August, then dropped 2.7% to $366.
- Sales: Transactions fell from 249 to 187 to 181, consistent with the usual slowdown after summer.
- Speed: The median home received an offer in 11 days and sold in 23, which still favors sellers.
- Negotiation: The sale-to-list ratio went from 103.5% to 102.0% to 100.0%, so bidding premiums have faded.
- Supply: Months of supply climbed from 1.76 in July to 2.52 in September, with 413 active listings as of October 12. That gives buyers more choice, though it is still below the five to six months typical of a balanced market.
Town-by-Town Highlights
Prices vary widely across the Valley. Newburyport ($1,375,000), Boxford ($1,143,000) and Andover ($1,080,000) posted the highest median sale prices, while Methuen ($633,000), Haverhill ($615,000) and Lawrence ($525,000) were the most affordable. Newburyport also led in price per square foot at $612.
Competition differs just as much. North Andover (111%), Georgetown (109%) and Groveland (104%) had the highest sale-to-list ratios, while Lawrence (0.9 months), West Newbury (1.2) and Merrimac (1.3) had the tightest supply. Salisbury (5.9 months), Newburyport (4.3) and Rowley (3.9) had the most inventory. Some towns had only a handful of September sales, so their values can swing considerably from month to month.
For a closer look at three of these towns, see the Andover, North Andover and Boxford real estate market reports.
What This Means for Buyers
Buyers have more leverage than in July. With homes selling at 100% of list price and supply rising, there is room to negotiate, especially in Salisbury, Newburyport and Rowley, where inventory is deepest. In tight pockets like Lawrence, West Newbury and Merrimac, well-priced homes still move quickly, so get pre-approved and be ready to act. Browse current Merrimack Valley homes for sale to see what is available now.
What This Means for Sellers
Pricing matters more than it did this summer. Homes are still selling in about three weeks, but routine bidding wars have cooled outside towns like North Andover and Georgetown. Pricing in line with recent comparable sales, rather than July’s highs, is the best way to attract early offers. Thinking about listing? Visit the selling a home page, or compare these numbers with the July 2026 Merrimack Valley market report.
Key Takeaways
- Median sale price is down 3% to $750,000, and price per square foot is down 2.7% to $366.
- Sales are down 27% from July to September.
- Supply is up 44% to 2.52 months, so the market is still seller-leaning but shifting toward balance.
- Results vary significantly by town, so local data matters.
Talk to a Merrimack Valley Realtor
Whether you’re buying or selling in the Merrimack Valley, Matt Rosen, author of this post and a REALTOR® with Realty ONE Group NEST, can help. Contact Matt today or call 978-600-8005.
This report includes Amesbury, Andover, Boxford, Georgetown, Groveland, Haverhill, Lawrence, Merrimac, Methuen, Newbury, Newburyport, North Andover, Rowley, Salisbury, and West Newbury MA.
Source & Methodology: Market data is based on MLS PIN single-family statistics for 15 towns in Merrimack Valley:
- 7/1/26 to 9/30/26 for monthly numbers for Median Sales Price, Transactions, Sales Price per Sq Ft, Days to Offer, and Days on Market.
- Sales Price, Sales Price per sq Ft, Days to Offer and Days on Market used median values.
- Months of Supply used active inventory from 10/12/26 divided by the average monthly transactions from 10/1/25 to 9/30/26.