Maryland Housing Market Trends: Latest Prices, Inventory and What Sellers Should Know

Updated November 9, 2026

This guide is for Maryland homeowners deciding whether and how to sell. It uses Maryland REALTORS' monthly statistics, which come from Bright MLS, plus Bright MLS's regional reports and Freddie Mac's mortgage rate survey. Every figure is labeled with its month. For month-by-month timing, see the best time to sell a house in Maryland, and for costs, see how much it costs to sell a house in Maryland.

Maryland Housing Market Snapshot

Maryland statewide, September 2026 vs. September 2025

Source: Maryland REALTORS, September 2026 Housing Statistics (Bright MLS data, current as of October 12, 2026). Maryland REALTORS estimates county and state medians from Bright MLS data, and months of inventory is based on current listings and the average monthly sales over the past 12 months. Prior-year figures reflect Bright MLS revisions and may differ slightly from earlier reports.

For context, August 2026 had a higher statewide median of $445,000 (+2.3%), with 5,582 sales. Prices usually ease from summer into fall, so compare each month with the same month a year earlier rather than with the month before.

Maryland Housing Market by County

All 24 Maryland jurisdictions, September 2026 (change vs. September 2025)

Source: Maryland REALTORS, September 2026 Housing Statistics. Active listings rose in 22 of 24 jurisdictions; only Dorchester and Garrett had fewer than a year earlier. Small counties with few sales, such as Somerset (14 sales) and Kent (28), can swing sharply from month to month, so read their percentages with care. For a deeper look at one county, see our Montgomery County housing market guide.

Hottest and Slowest Maryland Housing Markets

Months of supply measures how long current listings would last at the recent sales pace, so lower numbers mean a tighter market. In September 2026 the tightest markets were Howard County (2.1 months), Carroll (2.2), Anne Arundel (2.4), St. Mary's (2.5) and Baltimore County (2.6). The most supply was in Somerset (7.3 months), Dorchester (6.7), Kent (6.5), Allegany (5.6) and Garrett (5.5), all smaller markets where buyers have more leverage.

Are Home Prices Dropping in Maryland?

Not statewide. The September median was up 0.5% and the average was up 2.3% from a year earlier. A few areas did slip: Howard County's median was down 0.8%, Baltimore City's down 1.1% and Charles County's down 1.1%. Bright MLS reported the Baltimore metro median flat at $405,000 in September.

The bigger change is in supply and demand rather than price. Inventory rose more than 20% while pending sales fell by about one-sixth. When that continues, sellers usually feel it first as longer market times and more negotiation, and only later, if at all, as lower prices.

Is Maryland a Buyer's or Seller's Market?

Statewide, Maryland is moving toward balance. At 3.5 months of supply, buyers have noticeably more choice than a year ago, when supply was 2.8 months, but homes still sold in a median of 20 days. Some counties, including Howard and Anne Arundel, remain competitive for well-priced homes, while Baltimore City and parts of Southern Maryland give buyers more leverage.

Is It a Good Time to Buy a House in Maryland?

For buyers, this fall offers more choice and more room to negotiate than a year ago, with 21.3% more homes on the market statewide in September 2026 and a median of 20 days on market. The trade-off is cost. At the 7.18% average 30-year rate on November 5, 2026, principal and interest on a $345,600 loan come to about $2,341 a month, roughly $220 more than a year earlier at 6.22%. If you plan to stay for several years and the payment fits your budget, a slower market can work in your favor. Our buyer strategy guide covers how to plan your search, or you can search homes for sale.

Mortgage Rates and the Outlook

Freddie Mac's survey put the average 30-year fixed rate at 7.18% on November 5, 2026, up from 6.22% a year earlier. On a $345,600 loan (80% of Maryland's $432,000 September median), principal and interest come to about $2,341 a month at 7.18%, roughly $220 more than at 6.22%. That extra cost is a big reason pending sales fell.

Bright MLS's September report described the region as stalling and said it is "likely to be a very slow market this fall," with 2026 transactions likely to come in below 2025. Bright did not publish a numeric Maryland forecast for 2027 at the time of writing, and we do not guess one here.

What Maryland Sellers Should Do Now

• Price from your county's recent sales, not the statewide median or last spring's peak. The county table above shows how much conditions differ.
• Know your net before you list. Commission, the 0.5% state transfer tax (or the seller-paid 0.25% first-time buyer rate), county transfer and recordation taxes, and payoff all come out of the price. On a $432,000 sale, the state transfer tax is $2,160. Use a seller net sheet.
• Get disclosures ready early. See our guide to Maryland seller disclosure requirements.
• Plan for negotiation. With more listings to choose from, buyers ask for repairs, credits or help with closing costs more often. Decide your limits before offers arrive.
• Expect more time on market than a year ago. Our guide to how long it takes to sell a house in Maryland walks through the timeline.

The 1.5% figure is the listing-side fee only. Buyer's agent compensation, transfer and recordation taxes and other closing costs are separate, and buyer's agent compensation is separately negotiable. Maryland's September 2026 median sale price was below the $500,000 qualifying list price, so many Maryland homes would not qualify. Learn more about our full-service listing fees starting at 1.5%, or read our guide to the average realtor commission in Maryland.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Maryland Seller Guides

Sources, checked November 9, 2026: Maryland REALTORS, September 2026 Housing Statistics (Bright MLS data, current as of October 12, 2026) and August 2026 Housing Stats; Bright MLS September 2026 Housing Market Report (October 12, 2026); Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (November 5, 2026); Maryland Code, Tax-Property § 13-203. Payment example assumes a 30-year fixed loan, principal and interest only. This article is general information, not legal or tax advice.