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Party’s Over: Holiday Décor Reset
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When the last guests have gone home and the calendar turns, the shift from holiday hosting to everyday living begins. Taking down holiday décor can feel like a chore, but approached thoughtfully, it becomes an opportunity to reset your home for the quieter winter months ahead. With the right plan, this transition can feel just as intentional as decorating did in the first place.
A well executed holiday décor reset protects what you love, clears visual space, and sets your home up to feel calm, polished, and seasonally appropriate long after the celebrations end.
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How’s the market right now in Essex County, who has the advantage, buyer or seller?
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As we begin the new year, the Essex County housing market has settled into a more balanced rhythm. Home values remain strong, but buyers are seeing more options and have slightly more time to make decisions than in recent years.
Sellers still benefit from steady demand, especially for well-priced, move-in-ready homes. At the same time, buyers are no longer navigating the intense pressure and bidding wars that defined the peak seller’s market.
The takeaway: this is a market where thoughtful strategy matters and where both buyers and sellers can move forward with confidence when guided by local insight.
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Essex County Market Snapshot (Early 2026 overview)
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Home prices: Holding steady with modest year-over-year growth
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Inventory: Up compared to recent years, giving buyers more choice
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Days on market: Slightly longer, allowing for more thoughtful decision-making
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Negotiation: More balanced, fewer extreme bidding wars, more realistic pricing
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What This Means for Sellers - Homes are still selling well, but preparation counts. Pricing accurately and presenting your home thoughtfully makes a meaningful difference in today’s market.
What This Means for Buyers - You have more breathing room than you’ve had in years. More inventory and longer timelines mean you can focus on fit, value, and long-term goals.
Every market shift creates opportunity. If you’re curious how this one applies to your plans for the year ahead, I’m here as a resource. - Kim Lapine
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This charming 3-bed, 2-bath Craftsman across from Brown’s Pond in Peabody is officially home for one special family. My client, Shannon and her four sons, were an absolute joy to work with!
Helping these first-time home buyers reach this milestone was incredibly meaningful to me. Through determination, the right support, and a clear plan, home ownership became a reality for this family and I’m deeply honored to have guided them on that journey.
Moments like this are exactly why I love what I do.
“Kim went above and beyond to help me find my new home. Her guidance and caring nature were exactly what I needed during the high stress time of house hunting. She made herself available to see homes with short notice and even on her days off. Her attention to detail and organized nature was exactly what I needed as a new home buyer. I’m forever grateful!” - Shannon A.
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What to expect in the New Year
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The 2026 real estate outlook for Essex County suggests a steadier, more balanced market with modest price growth (around 2-3%), increasing home sales, and potentially easing affordability as mortgage rates stabilize, though high-demand areas like Danvers, Beverly, Salem, and Peabody remain competitive, while condos and walkable areas offer better entry points.
Essex County sellers, especially on the North Shore, should still find a favorable market, but it's shifting towards more balance with slightly better inventory, stabilizing (but still elevated) mortgage rates, and moderate price growth, favoring move-in-ready homes in desirable areas, with a calmer negotiation environment than recent years.
Expect more movement, increased buyer power, and a return to more rational negotiations, with continued resilience in the strong Massachusetts market despite national economic factors.
All my Best in the New Year,
Kim
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Your Selling Journey Starts Here
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I’ve put together a Pre-Listing Presentation to give you a clear overview of what to expect when selling your home with Engel & Völkers By The Sea.
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©2006-2024 Engel & Völkers® Americas, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Each Engel & Völkers real estate brokerage is independently owned and operated. Engel & Völkers fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All listing information is from sources deemed reliable. However, no representation is made as to the accuracy or completeness thereof and should be independently verified.
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