Nichole Willey & Team with Keller Williams Cape Cod & Colonial Partners are your #1 resource for real estate and rental market information on Cape Cod and beyond. In this month's January 2026 update, we are seeing some significant shifts that highlight just how unique the Barnstable County single-family home market is right now.

Breaking Down the Numbers

As we look back at the start of the year, the defining story continues to be incredibly tight inventory. In January 2026, we saw a 21.5% decrease in homes for sale year over year, leaving us with a total inventory of just 383 properties across the Cape. New listings followed a similar trend, dropping 27% compared to last year with only 138 new homes hitting the market. Interestingly, the pace of the market shifted slightly as well, with the average days on market ticking up 6% to 71 days.

What This Means for Buyers and Sellers

The low supply of homes is continuing to support strong property values. The median sales price for a single-family home increased by 5.2% year over year to $783,500. With only 1.7 months of inventory available, buyers need to move with serious intentionality and a clear strategy. For sellers, the list-to-sales price ratio sits strong at 93.6%, proving that motivated buyers are out there, but accuracy in your pricing strategy from day one is essential. Total properties sold also decreased by 16.2% to 160, reflecting the limited number of available homes rather than a lack of buyer interest.

Beyond the Sale

Navigating a low-inventory, high-value market requires deep local expertise. At Nichole Willey & Team, we specialize in comprehensive real estate strategies. Whether you are looking for guidance in Residential Sales, converting a property into a Year-Round/Long-Term Rental, optimizing Short-Term Rentals, or navigating a major life transition with our Senior Real Estate (SRES) services, we have the systems in place to support you.

Ready to figure out exactly what these numbers mean for your personal real estate goals this year? Let's build a customized plan. Call us at 508-737-3567 or email mailto:[email protected] today to get started!