Housing Market Forecast

September 2026 Market Stats

U.S. existing-home sales fell 2.0% from the previous month and 1.2% from a year earlier to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.98 million, the first reading below 4 million since June 2025, according to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). Sales held steady in the West and declined in the Northeast, Midwest, and South. Compared with a year earlier, sales were unchanged in the South and declined in the Northeast, Midwest, and West.

• Single Family Closed Sales were down 7.2 percent to 1,456.
• Townhouse-Condo Closed Sales were down 9.9 percent to 374.
• Adult Communities Closed Sales were up 13.0 percent to 52.
• Single Family Median Sales Price increased 4.1 percent to $661,000.
• Townhouse-Condo Median Sales Price decreased 5.5 percent to $415,000.
• Adult Communities Median Sales Price decreased 7.3 percent to $497,000.

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NCJAR Celebrates Its 2026 REALTOR®, Rookie, and Affiliate Business Partner of the Year Award Winners!

North Central Jersey Association of REALTORS® (NCJAR) proudly recognizes three outstanding individuals for their exceptional achievements, leadership, dedication, and contributions to the real estate industry and REALTOR® community.

NCJAR is pleased to announce the recipients of its prestigious 2026 awards, honoring individuals who demonstrate excellence in their professions, a commitment to serving others, and continued support of the Association's mission.

The 2026 award recipients are:

• 2026 REALTOR® of the Year: Jeffrey Kist, eXp Realty, Montclair, NJ
• 2026 Rookie of the Year: Wilder Marroquin, Realty One Group Lifestyle Homes, Westfield, NJ
• 2026 Affiliate Business Partner of the Year: Sheetal Sawhney, CrossCountry Mortgage

Each honoree represents the values of professionalism, integrity, leadership, and community involvement that make NCJAR's membership exceptional.

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Congratulations to Jeffrey Kist, NCJAR’s 2026 REALTOR® of the Year!

Congratulations to Jeffrey Kist of EXP Realty, Montclair, on being selected to receive the prestigious NCJAR REALTOR® of the Year Award for 2026.

Jeffrey has served as Broker of Record for eXp Realty in New Jersey since 2017, overseeing more than 2,500 agents across 40 offices statewide. During his tenure, eXp Realty’s New Jersey presence has grown from 29 agents to more than 2,500. Jeffrey has implemented many of the systems, policies, and processes supporting the company’s statewide operations and regularly addresses its New Jersey agents on brokerage, regulatory, and industry matters.

A REALTOR® since 2013 and broker since 2016, Jeffrey was named eXp Realty’s Broker of the Year in 2018, and New Jersey was recognized as eXp Realty’s State Team of the Year in 2025. Prior to becoming a broker, he received the NJ REALTORS® Circle of Excellence Sales Award®. He holds the ABR®, SFR®, and PSA designations and certifications.

Jeffrey’s service to NCJAR has focused primarily on education and professional standards. He has served on the Professional Standards Committee for approximately ten years and currently serves as Chair, participating in numerous hearings as both a panel member and chairperson. For several years, he taught NCJAR’s orientation class and until recently he taught their salesperson and broker pre-licensing courses through NCJSB.

At the state level, Jeffrey serves on the NJ REALTORS® Professional Standards Committee. Nationally, he served as a Director of the National Association of REALTORS® from 2023 through 2024 and regularly attends NAR’s annual legislative meetings in Washington, D.C. He is also a supporter of RPAC.

In 2024, Jeffrey worked with NCJAR and several other REALTOR® associations as a resource to brokers navigating the NAR settlement and New Jersey’s Consumer Protection Enhancement Act, helping them understand the new requirements and their practical application.

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Congratulations to Wilder Marroquin, NCJAR’s 2026 Rookie of the Year!

Congratulations to Wilder Marroquin for being selected to receive the NCJAR Rookie of the Year Award. The Rookie of the Year Award is bestowed on a member who has been a REALTOR® for three years or less and displays exemplary work in both the business and community outreach sectors.

Wilder entered the real estate industry with a simple but powerful goal: to open doors for people who never thought homeownership was possible for them.

Having seen firsthand how many families hesitate to pursue the dream of owning a home because they believe their circumstances may stand in the way, Wilder was inspired to become a real estate professional—not simply to sell houses, but to educate, guide, and show people that they may have more options than they realize.

Helping families has become one of the most rewarding parts of Wilder’s career. He understands that purchasing a first home can feel overwhelming, which is why he makes it his mission to be there for his clients throughout the entire journey—from answering that very first question to negotiating the final terms of the deal.

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Congratulations to Sheetal Sawhney, NCJAR’s 2026 Affiliate Business Partner of the Year!

Congratulations to Sheetal Sawhney of CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC for being selected to receive the NCJAR Affiliate Business Partner of the Year Award for 2026. The Affiliate Business Partner of the Year award is bestowed on an Affiliate Member who has been actively involved with the North Central Jersey Association of REALTORS® contributing time and energy in supporting the Association’s initiatives.

Sheetal Sawhney is a mortgage professional whose career is defined by optimism, dedication and superior customer service. With more than 28 years in the mortgage industry, she has built a reputation for guiding families and individuals through one of life’s most meaningful milestones: achieving the American dream of homeownership.

Throughout her successful career, Sheetal has expanded her mortgage business through strong alliances with real estate agents, attorneys, professional networks and CPAs. Much of her business continues to come from referrals from past clients and the real estate community, a reflection of the trust she has earned through hard work, thoughtful guidance and long-term relationships. She attributes her success to that work ethic, as well as the tremendous support she receives from her family and team.

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