The real estate market in Central Massachusetts, particularly in Worcester County, remains fairly strong as a seller’s market in September 2025. We don’t have a lot of homes for sale, prices are hanging in there, and properties are selling quickly (if priced right)!
We’re also seeing houses that aren’t priced right, sitting there, not selling. Some people would think of that as a market problem, but I see it more as a ‘personal problem’–sellers really need to listen to their chosen listing agent–who should be providing data that results in a clear price range that the property should be listed at. I don’t ever want to underprice or overprice my listings. I always let the seller decide what the final listing price will be, and they make that decision sometimes minutes before the listing goes live. My guidance is always to think like The Price Is Right – as high as you can get, without going over.
I’ve said this so many times–’the market’ (buyers) will give feedback on your listing price–could be positive, could be negative. Negative feedback is they don’t come at all (slow open houses), they come to see the house and then don’t offer, or they flat-out give feedback that the price is too high. Positive feedback is they see how your home appears online–then they give it a thumbs-up enough to see it in person. People who make the decision to see the house in person look around, gauge the activity and offer what they think the house is worth. I just had a sale in Princeton where the house was listed at $825K and it sold for $20K over our listing price, at $845K. A lot of buyers believed in our listing price.
Interest rates continue to be the focus of buyers–and the expectation is that we’ll continue to have a gradual decline in mortgage rates, but nothing crazy like the Covid-era 2.75%. Expectations are that rates will stabilize in the mid-to-low 6% range. Buyers still feel beaten up by the current market, but have some optimism at the thought that rates could continue to come down. Of course, we’ve seen that when rates come down, affordability goes up, and so do the sale prices of the homes.
A new law (part of the Massachusetts Affordable Homes Act) is set to take effect on October 15, 2025, which prohibits sellers and their agents from conditioning the acceptance of an offer on a buyer waiving a home inspection. We will have new forms to work through these new requirements. I wrote about this previously, because I’m of the strong opinion that some sellers need to sell quickly, don’t have any ability to make repairs and them accepting an investor offer with no contingencies is the smartest, or necessary route.
We’re closing on a Home Equity line of credit (HELOC) with Dawn Ferry at IC Credit Union, who I highly recommend as a local professional. I’m a fan of credit unions, with their lower rates and fees, and great local customer service. We don’t have any specific plans for the funds, but want to have it in place in case an opportunity presents itself. The point of me telling you this is that we had to have a full appraisal done, and it proved that investing in real estate (even if your only real estate investment is the home you live in), is a good move over time.
If you’ve found value in this newsletter, or if one of my resource stories, town guides, or even the magnet on your fridge has ever helped you, I’d be so grateful if you’d pass my contact details along with your personal recommendation. When someone you care about is thinking of making a move, or simply wondering what their home might be worth, I’m always here to offer grounded perspective and local insight. No pressure. No scripts. Just help when it’s needed. My business grows through kindness, trust, and people like you who believe in community. THANK YOU for being part of that.
Thinking of BUYING or SELLING residential property in Central Mass? Connect with me anytime!
Jennifer Shenk, Real Estate Broker
Keller Williams Realty North Central
107 Main Street, Westminster
Call/Text: 978 870 9260
Email: jennifershenk@kw.com
