Long Beach Island Real Estate Market Update: April vs May 2026

As expected, the market picked up considerably in May as Long Beach Island moved deeper into the spring season. The cold winter and challenging weather conditions earlier in the year appear to be firmly in the rearview mirror, with buyer activity accelerating as temperatures warmed and summer approached.

Here’s how May 2026 compared to April 2026:

Total Sales

April 2026: 28 properties sold
May 2026: 45 properties sold

Sales jumped significantly in May, increasing by nearly 61%. This surge in activity likely reflects buyers who were waiting out the winter months finally returning to the market. Improved weather, increased inventory, and the approaching summer season all helped contribute to a much stronger month for sales.

Average and Median Sale Price

April 2026 Average: $2,816,458
May 2026 Average: $2,230,812

April 2026 Median: $2,162,500
May 2026 Median: $1,975,000

While both the average and median sale prices declined in May, it's important to remember that April's average price was heavily influenced by several higher-end transactions. With a much larger number of homes closing in May, the pricing data likely provides a broader representation of the overall market rather than being influenced by a handful of luxury sales.

New Listings

April 2026: 42 new listings
May 2026: 51 new listings

New listings increased in May as more sellers entered the market ahead of the summer season. This is a typical trend for Long Beach Island, where many homeowners prefer to have their properties available as buyer traffic increases heading into summer. It will be interesting to see if new listings slow down a touch as summer truly begins, like in the past, or will they keep coming on steadily?

Sales to List Price Ratio

April 2026: 96.7%
May 2026: 98.0%

The sale-to-list price ratio increased noticeably in May, showing that buyers were willing to pay closer to asking price than they were just one month earlier. This is often a sign of increasing competition, especially as more buyers begin focusing on securing properties before peak summer activity.

Median Cumulative Days on Market (CDOM)

April 2026: 55 days
May 2026: 25 days

Homes sold much faster in May, with median days on market dropping by more than 50%. This is one of the clearest indicators that buyer demand strengthened considerably as the weather improved and more people returned to the island.

Total Inventory

April 2026: ≈125 active properties
May 2026: ≈125 active properties

Inventory remained essentially unchanged from April. However, it is important to note that some of these properties may already be under contract or nearing settlement. Property status’s are only as reliable as the agent updating it. Despite inventory remaining steady, the sharp increase in sales suggests that new listings, especially reasonably priced properties, are being absorbed by the market at a healthy pace.

Market Insights

May's data reflects what many anticipated after a particularly cold and challenging winter. The slower activity experienced during the first few months of the year appears to have shifted into a much more active spring market.

Sales increased significantly, homes sold faster, and buyers paid closer to asking price. While pricing metrics softened somewhat from April's elevated levels, the increase in transaction volume provides a more complete picture of market demand. The data suggests that buyers who delayed their search during the winter months have returned and are actively pursuing opportunities before summer arrives.

What This Means for Buyers and Sellers

For sellers, the market continues to provide favorable conditions. Buyer activity has increased substantially, inventory remains relatively limited, and well-priced homes are selling much faster than they were earlier in the year. Properties in desirable locations that are presented well continue to attract strong interest.

For buyers, the increase in market activity serves as a reminder that competition tends to intensify as summer approaches. While inventory has remained relatively stable, homes are selling more quickly and buyers are paying closer to asking price. Those considering a purchase this year may benefit from acting sooner rather than waiting for peak summer demand. It is also important to remember that shopping for a home during the summer comes with its own challenges. Traffic increases significantly, many properties are occupied by owners or tenants, and rental changeover schedules can make showings more difficult to coordinate.

As we move into June and the heart of the summer season, it will be interesting to see whether inventory can keep pace with demand. If not, continued buyer competition could place additional upward pressure on pricing throughout the coming months and foreseeable future.

Source: Bright MLS® Statistics for Residential, Multi-family, and Land Sales Data