Homes Are Sitting…

Is The Market Going To Crash?

Date:

By Expert Contributor Pip Haxby-Thompson

For the first time in years, South Jersey’s real estate market feels… different. The bidding wars have quieted. Homes are taking a little longer to sell. And buyers—after a wild few years of paying over-ask, waiving inspections, and racing to make offers—are finally catching their breath.

We’re officially in a softening market. And while it may sound concerning, it’s actually a sign of normalcy returning, as well as opportunity for those who know how to navigate it.

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Cooling—Not Crashing

Here’s what the numbers actually tell us.

As of October 2025, Camden County has about 2.2* months of housing inventory. This is up significantly from the pandemic-era lows, but still far from the six months that signal a balanced market.

Another key indicator is ‘days on market’. This time last year, the average property in Camden County sold in about 24 days. Today, that number is around 35—a whopping 29% increase year-over-year. Buyers are taking more time to choose, so naturally homes are taking longer to sell.

But there’s actually good news for homeowners; prices remain strong. Camden County’s home price appreciation is sitting at a healthy 5.26% from 2024 to today.

So while the market has undeniably cooled, it’s not collapsing. We’ve just shifted from chaotic to intentional, and that’s a far more sustainable place for both buyers and sellers.

But here’s the nuance that matters: even in a softening market, standout homes are still getting multiple offers. In 08108, properties like 416 Virginia, 310 Briarwood, and 264 New Jersey Avenue recently drew competing bids. In more rural pockets like Sicklerville, certain well-prepped homes—like 72 Pondview—still saw seven offers. What this tells us is that demand hasn’t disappeared; it’s become more selective. Condition, functionality, and location now play a much bigger role in determining which homes attract top dollar and which ones sit longer.

How We Got Here

To understand why homes are taking longer to sell, it helps to look back at what pushed the market into overdrive.

During the pandemic, South Jersey became one of the most desirable destinations in the region. Buyers from Philadelphia and New York were desperate for:

  • more space
  • bigger yards (with grass!)
  • home offices
  • and private parking.

But they didn’t want to sacrifice the bustling downtown atmosphere and walkability they loved. South Jersey offered all of that in one package, and demand skyrocketed in particular for towns like Collingswood, Haddon Township, and Haddonfield.

That influx created an extreme market: historically low inventory, surging prices, and homes selling in days (sometimes hours). Inspections were waived. Appraisals were waived. Buyers threw everything they had at getting a home. But markets like that are unsustainable and—thankfully—don’t last forever.

When The Market Shifts, Smart Sellers Shift With It

If you’ve been thinking of selling but have noticed homes ‘sitting’ on the market, it’s natural to feel uneasy—especially when just a year ago many sellers were getting 5+ offers in one weekend. But today’s conditions don’t mean buyers have disappeared…. they simply have options again. That means sellers need more strategy, not more panic.

And that’s exactly why The JFKLiving Team has built a comprehensive Seller Plan for this “new normal.” It’s a strategy rooted in data, timing, and intentional decision-making, because success today looks different than it did three years ago. 

Our savvy sellers are staying ahead with:

  • Precision pricing from day one
  • Maximum exposure marketing
  • Scheduled strategic check-ins
  • Accounting for the long game

If you want to see the full breakdown, scan the QR code on this page. It will take you directly to our “Selling in a Softening Market” guide.

And What Does It Mean For Buyers?

If you’ve halted your home search because of rising interest rates or lack of homes on the market, now might be your time to shine; this market is offering buyers breathing room after years of hyper-competition.

Instead of scrambling to submit an offer in an hour, you now have the luxury of comparing homes, submitting offers at asking price (rather than $10k over) and even negotiating repairs or concessions.

This doesn’t make South Jersey a buyer’s market, but it does create windows of opportunity that simply didn’t exist during the frenzy. The buyers who were sidelined in 2021 and 2022 are re-entering with more confidence, and that steadier, more thoughtful approach is helping stabilize the market as a whole.

Put simply, this is a market balancing itself after years of extremes.

The Bottom Line

A softening market doesn’t mean a crashing market. It means we’ve stepped away from chaos and returned to strategy, preparation, and thoughtful decision-making.

South Jersey is still one of the most desirable regions in the area. Homes are still selling. Buyers are still motivated. And when you pair realistic expectations with a smart plan, you can still win in any market.

*Data from https://www.getsmartcharts.com/statistics

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Pip Haxby-Thompson
Pip Haxby-Thompson
Expert Contributor

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