March Market Recap
Spring Rebound Takes HoldThe Market Wakes Up
After a historically quiet February, March delivered the rebound the market was waiting for. 31 homes went under contract during the month — nearly double February's 18 — as improving weather brought buyers back to the island and sellers moved forward with plans they had been holding. Spring arrived, and with it, a meaningful shift in momentum.
The 60 new listings that came to market in March represent a healthy surge in spring supply — well above the winter pace and a sign that sellers who waited out the cold are now ready to move. With 31 contracts absorbed and 6 expirations, inventory grew by a net 18 properties, continuing to build the selection available to buyers heading into the prime selling season.
Closings, Pricing & Days on Market
March recorded 23 closings at a median sale price of $2,195,000 and an average of $2,280,000 — consistent with LBI's premium market position. The close-to-list ratio held at 96.78%, essentially in line with the trailing average, confirming that while closing volume was light, sellers are not being forced to discount to close.
Speed of sale tells a similar story. The median days on market for March closings was just 27 days, even as the average sat at 51 — a gap that signals a two-speed market. Well-priced homes are moving quickly. Properties that need a price correction are sitting, pulling the average up while the median tells the true story for motivated sellers.
Cash vs. Financed by Price Range
Through the first three months of 2026, 69 homes have closed island-wide — with cash buyers edging ahead at 35 to 34. The breakdown by price band is where the story gets interesting. Above $2M, cash dominates, accounting for 20 of 36 closings in that range. Below $2M, financed purchases lead — a clear reflection of the distinct buyer profiles at each end of the market.
What's Sitting & What It Means
The current active inventory paints a clear picture of where patience is required. The average asking price across active listings is $2,953,000 at an average of $1,215 per square foot — a meaningfully higher price point than what is actually closing. Active listings are averaging 90 days on market, a gap that reflects both the aspirational pricing common at the top of the range and the simple reality that higher-priced properties take longer to find their buyer.
March confirmed what the market was signaling all winter — demand is there, and when weather and pricing align, buyers act. With inventory building, contracts accelerating, and pricing holding firm, April and May will be the real test of how strong this spring run can be. The foundation is in place. Now it's about execution.
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April Outlook
Buyer Market Outlook
April is one of the best months of the year to buy on LBI — and the reasons are more practical than people realize. It comes down to three things: inventory, access, and timing.
Inventory is at its peak right now. Spring brings the highest concentration of active listings on the island all year. Once summer arrives, that supply contracts — owners pull homes off the market for rental season, and the buyer pool is left competing over whatever remains. Last year, inventory peaked on May 12th at 147 active listings and dropped steadily from there. Buyers who wait until summer are shopping a significantly thinner market. This year, a harsh winter pushed a number of sellers who would typically have listed in February or March into a delayed start — meaning there is a reasonable chance more fresh inventory arrives this April than in a typical year, which could give buyers an even wider selection to work with.
Most homes on the market right now are vacant. That is one of the most underappreciated advantages of buying in April on LBI. There are no tenants to schedule around, no summer rental turnovers blocking access, and no two-week wait to get inside a property. Same-day showings are the norm. If you want to walk through six homes on a Saturday, you can. That flexibility is largely gone by June.
The timing math works in your favor. A buyer who closes this spring is in their home for the full summer — using the property during the season it was built for. Waiting means another year of carrying costs, another summer spent elsewhere, and another off-season of ownership before you actually get to enjoy what you bought. For most buyers, that is a real cost — financially and personally.
Q1 2026 saw 72 contracts island-wide, compared to 114 during the same period last year — a meaningful gap that reflects just how slow the winter was. That backlog of buyers who expected to be under contract by now is still active and still looking. The demand is there; the right inventory is just starting to catch up.
The combination of high inventory, easy access, and a full summer ahead makes April one of the clearest windows to buy on LBI. Buyers who are pre-approved and know what they are looking for are well positioned right now. We are happy to walk you through what is currently on the market and what the numbers look like before you make any decisions.
Seller Market Outlook
April is one of the rare months on LBI where market conditions genuinely favor both sides of the transaction — buyers are active and inventory is accessible, but new listing supply historically remains measured. That balance creates a real opportunity for sellers: motivated, prepared buyers are in the market right now, and they are not competing against a crowded field of new listings to find your home.
April sits at the heart of the spring selling season, and the underlying conditions this year are favorable. March's 31 contracts confirmed that buyer demand — which built quietly over a slow winter — is now actively converting. That pool of motivated buyers is still in the market, looking for the right property.
The context here matters: Q1 2026 produced just 72 contracts island-wide versus 114 during the same period in 2025 — a 37% drop year over year. Combined with only 69 closings through the first quarter, that means a significant number of buyers who expected to be settled into a home by now are still actively searching. A well-priced listing in April walks into that audience directly.
The cash buyer story remains one of the defining characteristics of the LBI market. More than half of all closings in 2026 have been all-cash transactions — which translates to faster closings, no financing contingencies, and less deal risk between accepted offer and settlement.
Pricing continues to matter. Homes that come to market at realistic values are going under contract quickly — sometimes within the first week. The listings sitting at 90+ days are largely the ones that came in above market. April buyers are informed and comparative. Accurate pricing is what converts interest into offers.
April is historically one of the lower months for new listings on LBI — which means your property enters the market with less direct competition and more buyer attention from day one. If you are considering a sale in 2026, the window is open right now. We are happy to walk through what your home is worth in today's market and what a realistic timeline looks like.
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