Happy February! Here’s a summary of where we are in the Fairfield and Westport CT single-family markets in January 2026 compared to a year ago.

January 2026 Takeaways 😉

In Fairfield, the market still favored sellers due to very low inventory with just 85 houses for sale and less than two months of supply. The average time on market was 30 days to contract. Ninety-three percent of the homes sold for at least 95% of asking, and sale prices averaged 101% of the list price showing sustained buyer demand.

In Westport, the seller’s advantage also continued, though increased inventory and market time hinted at a potentially more balanced market to come. Housing inventory was up 32% from the previous year, and the months of supply was more than 34% higher than in January of 2025. Days on market averaged 34, a nearly 80% increase over the prior year. Sale prices averaged 102% of asking. Eighty-seven percent of homes sold for an average of 95% or more of the asking price.

Sales Were Up

January 2026 sales were up 15% from January 2025. This is in response to the drop in interest rates from the seven percent range to the low-mid six percent range, coupled with pent up buyer demand, and a bit more choice coming to the market.

The Opportunities… ✅

Rates are down with the 30-year fixed conforming mortgage rate at 6% and the jumbo rate at 5.875% at the time this was written. William Raveis Mortgage also offers adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs) with rates in the low-five percent range.

Chief economist for the National Association of Realtors, Lawrence Yun, emphasizes that the current interest rates are the lowest in three years. This means mortgage affordability is up!

Sellers entering the market now still benefit from low competition. The spring market begins to escalate after the Super Bowl!

If you are looking to buy and worry about coordinating your sale with finding your new home, you can protect yourself in the transition when you list your house “subject to finding suitable housing”. This means you are under no obligation to sell your house until you have found the new home.

Another option is to sell your house and rent it back until you’re ready to move. This puts cash in your pocket and positions you as a strong buyer.

You can also request a long closing to give you time to find and close on your new home. Additionally, it’s possible to buy before your sell with a bridge loan. Talk to your agent about a strategy that works best for you. Putting your house on the market enables you to be a competitive buyer while expanding the housing choices for everyone out there shopping for a home!

Buyers, depending on the competition for the home you are bidding on, you may face multiple offers or you could have leverage to negotiate. Remember to have your budget set, down payment saved, and credit score in good order. Avoid taking out other loans or financing other large purchases when preparing to finance a home! If you see something you like, be prepared to have your agent submit a complete and competitive offer including your pre-approval or proof of funds. If you need to sell your house first, talk to your agent as soon as possible to determine your strategy.

Contact your agent to help you plan for your new home this year! 🏡 💫

More Action Items

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