WEST CHESTER, PA — Chester County’s real estate market showed continued strength in September 2025, outpacing national trends and signaling a competitive fall season for both buyers and sellers. Closed sales in the county climbed 6.1% compared with last year, while new listings jumped 19%, providing a welcome boost in inventory after years of tight supply.
The median home price in Chester County reached $548,900, up 3.6% year-over-year, and homes sold quickly — averaging just nine days on the market. Inventory levels improved by more than 21%, a notable shift for a region long defined by low supply and high buyer demand.
Nationally, Zillow’s latest market report revealed a surprising burst of late-season resilience across U.S. housing markets. Traditionally a slower period for real estate, September saw both buyers and sellers remain active thanks to a modest dip in mortgage rates and a rebound in the stock market. “September’s market showed surprising stamina,” said Kara Ng, senior economist at Zillow. “Typically, both buyers and sellers step back this time of year, but lower mortgage rates and stock market highs provided a second wind heading into fall.”
Zillow data showed that new listings nationally rose 3% year-over-year after a weak August, while total inventory increased 14%. The number of buyers’ markets more than doubled — from six to fifteen of the nation’s fifty largest metros — as competition eased and new construction in cities like Miami, Austin, and Jacksonville expanded housing availability.
In contrast, Chester County continues to exhibit strong seller-side fundamentals. While national home values largely flattened or declined in many major markets, local property prices continued their upward climb, supported by sustained demand and limited buildable land. A recent Stacker ranking underscored the region’s position in Pennsylvania’s luxury market, naming nine Chester County towns among the state’s most expensive housing markets. Devon, Berwyn, and Malvern topped the list, with median home values approaching or exceeding $900,000.
Experts say Chester County’s enduring desirability stems from a mix of strong schools, high-income employment centers, and limited new construction — factors that have historically insulated it from sharper price corrections seen elsewhere. Even as higher mortgage rates have cooled demand in parts of the country, Chester County’s market remains competitive for move-in-ready homes and well-located properties.
With the fall season underway, buyers may find slightly more negotiating room than in spring’s peak market, particularly as inventory builds and some sellers grow more flexible ahead of the holidays. Still, for much of Chester County, demand remains high enough that desirable listings are likely to continue moving quickly — a signal that the local market’s momentum is far from slowing.
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