CHESTER COUNTY, PA — Chester County’s housing market continued to defy national cooling trends in October 2025, posting rising prices, faster sales, and a sharp jump in inventory even as national data from Zillow shows a rare autumn surge led by falling mortgage rates and renewed buyer confidence.
Chester County’s median home price climbed to $545,000 in October, a 3.8 percent increase from last year. Homes sold in a median of just 10 days, and new listings rose 8.3 percent year-over-year. Inventory also expanded significantly, reaching 822 active listings — nearly a 20 percent jump from 2024 — giving buyers more choices without disrupting price stability.
Despite a 5.2 percent drop in closed sales, market analysts say sellers remain firmly positioned thanks to high homeowner equity and persistent demand across the county’s most competitive school districts and job centers.
Lower mortgage rates around 6.25 percent in mid-October opened the door for more negotiation, leading to modest increases in concessions. Yet well-priced homes continued to attract immediate attention, signaling a still-tight market even as conditions shift toward balance.
National data from Zillow reinforces the moment’s complexity. A surprise dip in rates triggered a three-year high in buyer affordability, contributing to a 5 percent jump in both new listings and pending sales — an unusual pattern heading into the holiday season. Inventory nationwide rose 12.8 percent from last year, shrinking the supply deficit to its smallest margin since early 2020.
“Buyers and sellers both got some badly needed relief,” said Zillow senior economist Kara Ng. “The reaction to lower rates shows that buyers are ready to make offers when affordability improves.”
Nationally, the typical U.S. home value held steady at $362,117, up 0.1 percent from last year. Monthly mortgage payments dropped 1.8 percent, marking the best affordability levels since 2022 — though still above the threshold considered financially burdensome.
Areas with sharp price corrections — including Austin, Tampa and Miami — continue to drag down national averages, while steady gains in metros such as Cleveland, Hartford and Chicago point to regional resilience.
For Chester County, Zillow’s findings reinforce trends already underway: the local market is cooling from its frenzied peak but remains stronger than many U.S. regions. Buyer competition has eased, but the combination of rising inventory, solid prices and renewed affordability hints at a potentially active winter season, depending on rate volatility.
In a region defined by stable demand, strong schools and proximity to Philadelphia and Wilmington job hubs, Chester County appears poised to maintain its advantage even as national markets fluctuate heading into 2026.
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