3 Most Competitive Housing Markets of 2025

Last year, the housing market was largely defined by weak demand and limited sales activity, but in these three metros, homes sold at a much faster pace
Jan. 2, 2026
91484749 © Christian Hinkle | Dreamstime.com
Lancaster, Pa., city skyline

In Lancaster, Pa., homes stayed on the market for a median of just 32 days in 2025 before selling. 

High home prices and mortgage rates have cooled buyer demand in 2025. According to a recent report from housing marketing platform Realtor.com, homes now sit on the market for a median of 64 days. While that’s down from the 73 days recorded at the beginning of the year, it is more than twice the timeframe recorded in 2022.

Still, some metros are seeing properties move off the market quickly. Three markets took the lead in 2025: Lancaster, Pa., Reading, Pa., and Springfield, Mass. In each of these markets, homes sat on the market for a median of just 32 days before selling.

While the national housing market slowed in 2025, these metros stood out for their ability to maintain fast-moving conditions throughout the year. Tight inventory, relative affordability, and strong regional demand helped keep homes selling quickly, even as higher mortgage rates reshaped market dynamics nationwide.

What do these three markets have in common?

All located in the supply-constrained Northeast, the three leading metros are slightly more affordable than nearby major cities, including Boston, New York City, and Hartford, Conn. 

In Lancaster, Pa., the median listing price stood at $395,000 as of November, and in Springfield, Mass., the median listing price was $350,000. In Reading, Pa., the median listing price was even lower at $319,990.

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