Long Beach Island Real Estate Market Update: February vs March 2026
As winter conditions eased and we moved closer to the spring market, March brought a noticeable shift in activity across Long Beach Island. With improved weather and increased buyer access to the island, both inventory and overall market movement began to pick back up.
Here’s how March 2026 compared to February 2026:
Total Sales
February 2026: 17 properties sold
March 2026: 23 properties sold
Sales increased in March as conditions improved from February’s harsh weather. With fewer disruptions from storms and more consistent access to the island, buyers were more active and able to move forward with purchases.
Average and Median Sale Price
February 2026 Average: $1,914,347
March 2026 Average: $2,279,967
February 2026 Median: $1,805,000
March 2026 Median: $2,195,000
Both average and median prices rebounded in March after a softer February. This reflects a return to a more typical mix of homes closing, including higher-end properties that may have been delayed during the winter months.
New Listings
February 2026: 44 new listings
March 2026: 63 new listings
New listing activity increased significantly as we moved toward the spring market. Sellers are beginning to bring properties online in anticipation of the summer season, which is typical for Long Beach Island. The typical boost of inventory we see in late January/February seemingly was delayed and surged in March.
Sales to List Price Ratio
February 2026: 97%
March 2026: 96.8%
The sale-to-list price ratio remained relatively stable. Buyers are still paying close to asking price, though the slight dip suggests a bit more balance as additional inventory begins to come onto the market.
Median Cumulative Days on Market (CDOM)
February 2026: 20 days
March 2026: 63 days
Days on market increased in March. With a larger number of listings entering the market, properties are taking longer to sell compared to February, when a smaller pool of serious winter buyers moved quickly on limited options.
Total Inventory
February 2026: 101 active properties
March 2026: 119 active properties
Inventory continued to build as more listings came online. While this is a meaningful increase month over month, inventory levels still remain well below what would have been considered historically normal for Long Beach Island. Low inventory and high demand remains the standard.
Market Insights
March marks the transition out of the winter market and into the early stages of the spring season. The increase in sales, pricing, and new listings all point to improving market conditions and renewed activity across the island.
At the same time, rising inventory and longer days on market suggest that buyers may begin to see slightly more negotiating power compared to the tight winter months. However, supply remains limited overall, and well-priced homes in desirable locations continue to attract strong interest. After a long winter, many buyers are eager to get back on the island, enjoy some sunshine, and finally walk down to the beach again. Oh and also buy a beach house!
What This Means for Buyers and Sellers
For sellers, the market is entering one of the most important windows of the year. With more buyers returning to the island and inventory still relatively constrained, properly priced homes are well positioned to attract attention and competitive offers.
For buyers, March brings more options to the market, which can create opportunities that were not available during the winter months. That said, demand remains strong, and desirable homes are still moving quickly, especially as we approach the spring and summer seasons.
As we move further into 2026, the balance between increasing inventory and steady demand will be important to watch. If inventory remains limited relative to demand, pricing is likely to stay supported across the Long Beach Island market.
Source: Bright MLS® Statistics for Residential, Multi-family, and Land Sales Data
