Selling a home in your 50s, 60s, or 70s has always come with a unique set of challenges, but according to the latest data from the New Jersey MLS, the adult community market just saw one of the biggest swings in years. Inventory, pricing, and days on market all changed at once, which almost never happens in this segment.
Even though 55+ and over-adult communities are a smaller portion of the total housing market in Bergen, Passaic, Essex, and Hudson Counties, the shift is real and significant, and for homeowners who have been waiting for the “right time” to downsize, this update matters.
✅ 1. Inventory in Adult Communities Jumped Fast
- Homes for sale: up 284.6 percent
- Months supply: 0.8 → 3.3 months
A 312.5 percent increase
When inventory jumps this quickly in a niche market, it usually means:
- Many owners are choosing to sell at once
- Buyers suddenly have more options
- Sellers may lose some pricing leverage
For the last few years, adult community homes sold instantly. That is shifting.
✅ 2. Prices Surged Anyway — Which Is Rare
Despite more competition, values climbed sharply:
- Median sales price: up 33.6 percent to $618,000
- Average sales price: up 65.3 percent to $702,250
That type of jump suggests:
- Cash buyers and investors have been active
- Downsizers with equity continue to drive demand
- Some sellers may have caught the peak just in time
If you own a single-level condo, ranch, or maintenance-free home in a 55+ community, there may be a narrow window where pricing is still on your side.
✅ 3. Homes Are Taking Longer to Sell
- Days on market: up 8.1 percent, now averaging 40 days
It is not a warning sign by itself, but combined with rising inventory, it means:
- Buyers are becoming more selective
- Overpricing and outdated homes are sitting longer
- The sprint-speed market of 2021–2023 has faded
If you are relocating, moving to assisted living, or selling an inherited 55+ home, proper pricing and preparation matter more today.
✅ 4. Affordability Dropped Hard
- Affordability Index: 99 → 73, a 26.3 percent decrease
A lower affordability score means typical buyers can afford less home based on income and mortgage costs.
When affordability drops:
- Fewer buyers qualify
- Some seniors delay downsizing
- Others look to lower-cost states
This could become the pressure point that slows 55+ prices going forward.
✅ What This Means for 55+ Homeowners in North Jersey
You may be close to the top of the market
Values jumped sharply, but inventory is rising and buyers have more choices.
Downsizing now can still capture strong pricing
Cash offers, investor demand, and stress-free closings remain very common, especially for homes that are:
- First-floor living
- Low maintenance
- Close to transit or shopping
Waiting may bring more competition
If inventory keeps climbing, expect:
- Longer time on market
- More price reductions
- Buyers negotiating repairs or credits
- Weaker offers for homes needing updates
✅ Who Should Pay Attention Most
✅ Seniors living alone
✅ Owners thinking about moving closer to family
✅ Anyone struggling with taxes or maintenance
✅ Families selling a parent’s home or an inherited 55+ property
✅ Homeowners considering assisted living or long-term care
These sellers often have higher equity and benefit most from timing the market correctly.
✅ Thinking About Downsizing, Moving South, or Selling As-Is?
Whether the goal is to simplify life, reduce taxes, help a parent transition into care, or sell as-is without repairs, the data shows downsizers still have a strong window in 2025. If you would like a no-obligation home value update or want to explore as-is cash offers, reach out anytime. We make senior transitions simpler, even if the home needs updates or cleanup.
✅ What’s Next?
This was just one part of the September NJMLS Market Indicators report. The next data trend is even more telling: single-family homes and condos in North Jersey are sitting longer, affordability is slipping, and bidding wars aren’t what they used to be.
I’ll break that down in the next article:
“North Jersey Prices Are Up, But The Market Is Slowing: What Sellers Should Know Going into 2026.”
If you’d like that one sooner, say the word and I’ll move it to the front of the list.
