A headline about falling home prices can make a seller hesitate or a buyer expect a bargain. But it cannot tell you what a particular property should sell for. For that, start with the location, the home and the evidence around it.
Realtor.com’s September 2026 housing report describes increased national price cutting and a lower national median asking price than a year earlier. Those are useful signals, but they are listing measures across a broad market. They do not establish the value of a specific home in Bloomfield, Montclair, Verona or Guttenberg.
Source: Realtor.com September 2026 Housing Report
Start with the right comparison
A national report, a metropolitan-area report and a neighborhood review answer different questions. Even homes in the same town can differ substantially in size, condition, layout and location. A useful review starts with properties that resemble yours and explains the differences that matter.
Separate asking prices from completed sales
An asking price is a seller’s offer to the market. A completed sale records the price agreed upon in a transaction. A price reduction tells you that an asking price changed; it does not, by itself, show that every nearby home has lost value. Review recent completed sales alongside current listings, rather than relying on one number.
Look at today’s competition
For sellers, active listings help show the alternatives buyers can consider. Compare the space, condition, features and price of those alternatives. A recent sale can be informative, but the homes available today also help shape the decision facing a buyer now.
For buyers, begin with a workable budget
The purchase price is only one part of the decision. Discuss financing with your lender and consider taxes, insurance, association charges where applicable, and expected maintenance. A property that looks appealing in a headline may still be a poor fit for your monthly budget or plans.
Ask for a property-specific explanation
A market review should explain which comparable properties were selected, how they differ and what the available evidence can—and cannot—tell you. Ask how condition and current competition affect the proposed strategy. Avoid treating a broad trend as a guarantee about a particular home.
Your next step
Whether you are preparing to sell or beginning a search, a local review can help you move from a headline to a practical conversation. Contact Fourte International with your town and your goals to request a local market review.