Why There Are More Homes for Sale in Union County Right Now: A Tale of Two Markets (East vs. West)

by Jorge Casalins

If you have been keeping an eye on the North Jersey real estate market, you have likely noticed a shift: the number of single-family homes on the market in Union County is climbing. However, looking at the county as a whole only tells half the story. To truly understand what is happening, we have to look at the distinct differences between the entry-level East and the higher-price-point West.

Here is what the latest local numbers from September 2026 mean for your next move.

The East / West Divide: Inventory and Supply

The dynamic of rising inventory is playing out very differently depending on where you look in Union County.

The East (Entry-Level): Encompassing towns like Elizabeth, Linden, and Union, the East saw 423 homes for sale in September 2026, with 227 new listings coming to market. However, with only 109 pending sales, the East is building inventory faster, resulting in an approximate 3.88 months supply. This higher supply signals a shift toward a more balanced market for entry-level buyers.
The West (Higher Price Point): In contrast, the West—including Westfield, Cranford, and Summit—remains a tighter seller's market. There were 220 homes for sale and 213 new listings in September, but demand remains strong with 105 pending sales. This keeps the West at a tight approximate 2.10 months supply.

Speed of the Market: Days on Market (DOM)

While national trends show homes sitting longer, the speed of sales in Union County depends entirely on your price point and location.

The higher-priced West towns are moving fast, with an approximate weighted median of 14.8 days on market.
Meanwhile, the entry-level East towns are experiencing a slightly slower pace, with an approximate weighted median of 23.2 days on market.

Pricing and Buyer Leverage: Where Are the Bidding Wars?

The competition remains fierce, but the premium buyers are paying varies significantly by region.

West Union County: Buyers are still paying a hefty premium, with an approximate weighted average list-to-sale ratio of 105.2% and an approximate weighted median sale price of $1,103,070.
East Union County: Bidding wars are slightly softer here. The approximate weighted average list-to-sale ratio is 102.2%, with an approximate weighted median sale price of $545,087.

Submarket Spotlights: Notable Outliers

Even within these two distinct regions, certain towns are defying the trends:

Berkeley Heights: The median sale price spiked drastically to $1,400,000, representing a 54.3% year-over-year increase.
Mountainside: This was the only town in the county to sell below asking price on both average (98.2%) and median (96.4%) measures. Its median days on market also jumped 500% to 30 days.
Fanwood: Despite pending sales dropping 75%, Fanwood experienced the fastest turnover in the county with a median of just 8 days on market.
Garwood: Inventory surged 200% year-over-year, alongside a softening median price that fell 19.3%.

How to Make This Market Work for You

If You’re Buying:

If you are shopping in the East, you finally have more options and breathing room as inventory climbs toward nearly a 4-month supply. In the West, you still need to be prepared to move quickly and offer aggressively, as homes are flying off the market in about two weeks.

If You're Selling:

Sellers in the West are still enjoying a highly competitive market with strong over-asking offers. Sellers in the East must be more strategic; with more inventory and homes sitting for over three weeks, pricing accurately from day one is critical to attract buyers.

The Bottom Line:

The Union County market hasn't slowed down—it has expanded. More options are coming onto the market, giving buyers breathing room while sellers continue to enjoy strong home values and rapid sales timelines.

Whether you're looking to buy or sell, local strategy matters more than national headlines. Connect with a local Union County real estate expert to break down the exact neighborhood data for your specific town or home search.

Check out the full breakdown: Union County, NJ — Single-Family Market Stats for September 2026

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Jorge Casalins

Broker Associate License ID: 1435833

+1(908) 220-7151 | jorge@jorgecasalins.com