The September numbers are in for Monroe County, and they tell an interesting story. Prices are up 10 percent from a year ago and homes are still selling in about a week, well over asking. But mortgage rates have climbed back above 7 percent, fewer homes are closing, and for the first time in a long while, buyers are seeing more homes to choose from. Here is what it all means, whether you are buying, selling, or just keeping an eye on your home's value.
September 2026 at a glance
Single-family homes in Monroe County, September 2026 compared with September 2025:
| Measure | Sept 2026 | vs. Sept 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $300,000 | Up 10.0% |
| Closed sales | 563 | Down 13.9% |
| Median days on market | 8 | Up 14.3% |
| Percent of list price received | 114.9% | Up 0.4% |
| Median sold price per sq. ft. | $189 | Up 7.1% |
| New listings | 860 | Up 9.7% |
| Active inventory | 640 | Up 15.1% |
| Months supply of inventory | 1.1 | Up 33.7% |
Source: Greater Rochester Association of REALTORS, data provided by UNYREIS.
Prices: still climbing
The median sale price for a single-family home in Monroe County was $300,000 in September, up 10 percent from a year ago. Price per square foot rose about 7 percent to $189. The median price did dip about 5 percent from August, which is normal as the market moves out of the busy summer season.
Homes are also still selling well above asking. The typical home sold for 114.9 percent of its list price, which on a $275,000 list price works out to more than $40,000 over asking. Median time on market was just 8 days.
Mortgage rates: back above 7 percent
After holding in the mid-6 percent range for most of the summer, rates started rising in late August. Freddie Mac's weekly survey put the average 30-year fixed rate at 6.71 percent in early September. By late September it had crossed 7 percent, and on October 1 it averaged 7.28 percent, compared with 6.34 percent at the same time last year.
Here is what that means on a home at today's median price. On a $300,000 purchase with 20 percent down, the monthly principal and interest payment is about $1,492 at last year's rate and about $1,642 at today's. That is around $150 more each month, or roughly $1,800 a year, for the same house. (Taxes and insurance are extra, and your rate will depend on your credit and loan type.)
The shift to watch: more homes, fewer sales
Here is where the numbers get interesting. Closed sales fell almost 14 percent from last year and about 15 percent from August. At the same time, new listings were up nearly 10 percent and active inventory was up 15 percent, with a jump of about 20 percent in just the last month.
Put together, months supply of inventory rose by about a third, to 1.1 months. To be clear, that is still a strong seller's market. A balanced market is usually considered somewhere around five to six months. But it is the clearest sign in a long time that Rochester buyers are getting a little more breathing room.
Our read: higher rates are thinning out the buyer pool, while more sellers are deciding to list. Homes that are priced right and show well are still drawing multiple offers. Homes that are overpriced are more likely to sit.
What this means for buyers
- Get pre-approved at today's rate. Your buying power has shifted since spring. Know your real monthly number before you start touring.
- Shop lenders. Rates vary from lender to lender, and a small difference adds up over 30 years.
- Take advantage of the extra choice. With more homes on the market than a year ago, you may find less competition, especially on homes that have been listed for a few weeks.
- Be ready to move on the best ones. The typical home still sells in about a week at well over asking.
What this means for sellers
- You are still in a seller's market. With just over a month of supply and homes selling at nearly 115 percent of list, demand remains strong.
- Price it right from day one. With more listings competing for fewer buyers, the right price matters more than it did a year ago.
- Presentation counts. Repairs, cleaning and staging help your home stand out as buyers get more options.
- Do not assume spring will be better. Inventory is rising now, and nobody knows where rates will be in April. Listing this fall means facing less competition than you may see next year.
Thinking about a move?
Every town and price range in Monroe County is behaving a little differently right now. If you would like to know what your home is worth in today's market, or what you can afford at current rates, the NORCHAR team is happy to talk it through. Call us at 585.244.4444.
Sources: Greater Rochester Association of REALTORS Market Review, September 2026 (single-family residences, Monroe County; data provided by UNYREIS); Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. Payment estimates assume a 30-year fixed loan with 20 percent down and exclude taxes and insurance.