Long Beach Island Real Estate Market Update: December 2025 vs. January 2026
The Long Beach Island real estate market opened 2026 with steady activity and a noticeable rebound in pricing. While winter can bring slower momentum, January showed that buyer demand remains strong, especially for well-positioned homes in desirable locations.
Here’s how January 2026 compared to December 2025:
Total Sales
December 2025: 29 properties sold
January 2026: 29 properties sold
Sales remained flat month over month, which is a positive sign for this time of year. Maintaining the same level of closings through the winter months reflects continued buyer engagement despite seasonal slowdowns.
Average and Median Sale Price
December 2025 Average: $1,626,759
January 2026 Average: $2,367,994
December 2025 Median: $1,550,000
January 2026 Median: $2,300,000
Both average and median sale prices increased significantly in January. This jump reflects a shift back toward higher-end and mid-to-upper-tier homes closing at the start of the year. It also suggests that many buyers who paused during the holidays re-entered the market in January, helping drive stronger pricing.
New Listings
December 2025: 24 new listings
January 2026: 28 new listings
New listing activity increased slightly in January, which is typical as sellers begin preparing for the spring market. However, overall inventory remains well below historically normal levels, keeping supply tight. January was an abnormally cold month for the island with snow and bitter weather playing a part (in my opinion) of owners waiting to list closer to Spring.
Sales to List Price Ratio
December 2025: 97.9%
January 2026: 96.3%
The sale-to-list price ratio declined modestly in January. This suggests that buyers had slightly more room to negotiate, though homes are still selling close to asking price, particularly when priced appropriately from the start.
This seasonal dip is also likely tied to a smaller pool of new listings and a higher percentage of older inventory remaining on the market. Homes that had been sitting longer are often more open to price adjustments, which, combined with fewer active buyers, contributed to increased negotiation and the rise in median days on market, as discussed below.
Median Cumulative Days on Market (CDOM)
December 2025: 26 days
January 2026: 44 days
Homes took longer to sell in January, which is expected during the winter season. Fewer active buyers, weather conditions, and holiday-related delays often contribute to longer marketing times early in the year.
Total Inventory
December 2025: Approximately 80 active properties
January 2026: 84 active properties
Inventory rose slightly in January. However, when accounting for listings that are likely under contract or nearing settlement, the true number of available homes is closer to about 70. This remains extremely low for Long Beach Island and continues to limit buyer options.
Market Insights
Sales held steady through the winter, showing consistent demand
Pricing rebounded strongly after a softer December
Inventory remains historically low despite a small seasonal increase
Homes are taking a bit longer to sell, but quality listings are still performing well
What This Means for Sellers and Buyers
For sellers, market conditions remain favorable. Inventory is still very limited, and buyers are actively searching for quality homes. Properties that are priced correctly and located in strong areas continue to attract serious interest and solid offers, even in the off-season.
For buyers, January’s data shows that opportunities still exist, but competition remains present for well-priced homes. While days on market have increased, desirable properties are still moving, and many buyers are acting quickly when the right listing appears. With spring approaching and more activity expected in the coming months, preparing early remains important.
As we move further into 2026, limited supply and steady demand continue to shape the LBI market. If these conditions persist, pricing is likely to remain supported heading into the peak season.
