Essex County Home Sales: 109 Closings Last Week at an Average of $814,472
Essex County recorded 109 residential sales in the week of October 5-11, 2026, at an average price of $814,472 and roughly $375 per square foot, with the week's top sale a $3.1 million single-family home in Livingston, per nj.com's October 16 weekly roundup. It was a quieter week than the one before, when 175 sales averaged $845,163, but the takeaway is consistent: homes are selling steadily at strong prices across the county. Here is what the weekly numbers mean if you are buying or selling in Bloomfield, West Orange, Montclair, or anywhere in Essex County.
The weekly snapshot
For the week of October 5-11, 2026, nj.com counted 109 residential closings in Essex County averaging $814,472, or about $375 per square foot. The marquee sale was a $3.1 million single-family home in Livingston. The prior week, September 28 through October 4, was busier: 175 sales averaging $845,163 at about $396 per square foot, led by a $4.73 million home in Short Hills. Week-to-week swings like that are normal in a county with only a few hundred closings a week, but the per-square-foot numbers staying near $375 to $396 tells you where values sit.
These averages are skewed upward by the county's luxury towns, so they are more useful as a temperature check than as an estimate for any one street. The practical read: demand remains solid in October, a time of year when some markets start to slow down.
What it means for buyers
- Pricing still leans on comps, not averages. A countywide average near $800,000 does not describe Bloomfield's typical sale, and it does not describe Montclair's either. What matters is what nearby, similar homes closed for in the last month or two, because inventory is still tight enough that the newest sales move first.
- Be ready to move quickly. With the county still running low on active listings, well-priced homes in walkable neighborhoods continue to attract multiple offers, so having your financing and inspection plan ready before you tour is the edge that wins.
- Autumn is a reasonable time to close. The fall you are in right now is active, not dormant, so a serious buyer should not wait it out unless they have a reason to.
What it means for sellers
- October listing still works. Buyers looking now are typically motivated, and the week's steady closings confirm there is still activity to tap. A clean, well-priced home can absolutely find a buyer before the holidays.
- Pricing discipline matters more than ever. The mix of strong averages and a thinner post-Labor-Day buyer pool means the market rewards homes priced right from day one, while overpriced listings sit and miss the fall window.
- Tell your story with neighborhood data. Buyers comparing towns will respond better to what your street offers, commute times, schools, and walkability, than to an average price that does not reflect your home.
Where the activity is coming from
The week's top sales landed in Livingston and Short Hills, reminders that Essex County's market spans everything from first-time buyer neighborhoods to the luxury tier. For the towns this site covers, the continued draw is the same one that has powered the county through the year: proximity to Manhattan, strong school districts, and a housing supply that stays tight because so many buyers want in. That imbalance is what keeps sale-to-list ratios high through the fall.
What to watch next
Watch the weekly closings for signs of the traditional autumn slowdown, mortgage rates, which have stayed near 7 percent through the year, and the fallout from the Portal North Bridge cutover as commuters adjust to temporary schedules through November 14. Any one of those can shift buyer behavior in a given week. For sellers, if your circumstances allow a listing now, the current activity suggests it can work; if you are waiting for spring, the fall data gives you a baseline to price against.
The bottom line
Essex County closed 109 homes in the week of October 5-11 at an average of $814,472, with the luxury towns anchoring the top of the range and steady demand underneath. The county remains a sellers' market in most segments, and buyers who are prepared can still find and win the right home. If you want to understand what the latest sales in your town mean for the home you are buying or selling, I am happy to pull the comparisons and walk you through them. No pressure, just honest local guidance.
Sources
This story is based on nj.com's October 16 roundup of sales from October 5-11, 2026 (109 sales, average $814,472, top sale $3.1M in Livingston) and nj.com's October 9 roundup of sales from September 28-October 4, 2026 (175 sales, average $845,163, top sale $4.73M in Short Hills). For county context, see this site's August story on the county's tight inventory.
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I cover local real estate and development news across Bloomfield, West Orange, Montclair, and Essex County. If you hear about new construction, zoning changes, or neighborhood issues, I'd love to hear about it.