The New Jersey Real Estate Market: A Snapshot from July 2025 & What Lies Ahead
- New Era Real Estate
- Sep 18
- 3 min read
If you’ve been keeping an eye on the New Jersey real estate market, you know things are anything but boring. Home prices are rising once again, investors are flocking to the shore, and condos are suddenly the most in-demand beach accessory. Read on as we break down what’s happening in Atlantic County and around South Jersey, so you know exactly where the tide is turning.
Atlantic County: Steady and Growing
Right now, Atlantic County is riding a positive wave, with average home values rising steadily. For example, recent data shows that the average home value has climbed to around $380,000, marking a nearly 5% increase over the past year Zillow (1). That kind of property value appreciation is great news for both homeowners building equity AND for sellers considering listing in the near future.
Investors & Non-Residents in New Jersey Fuel Growth
Across the South Jersey Shore region, one notable trend is the growing percentage of out-of-state property owners. In Atlantic County, about 43% of residential property is now held by non-residents (2). The influx of remote buyers and vacation home investors is encouraging continued interest and demand in beachside towns like Brigantine, Atlantic City, Margate, Ventnor, and Longport.
Skyrocketing Condo Demand in Long Branch & the Rapid Transformation of Shore Towns
Though outside of Atlantic County, Long Branch has become a great example of an NJ town making the transition from a quaint beach town to a luxury shore destination, similar to the transformation shore towns like Margate and Longport have already undergone. A few years ago, Long Branch was your classic, laid-back (and affordable!) beach spot. Fast forward to today, and it’s looking a lot more like a mini Miami.
According to Business Insider, the Long Branch condo market has heated up big-time, with median prices rising 16% and reaching an average sales price of $950,000 as of April 2025. The article’s author, Jordan Sandy, suggests that “the increase in price could be due to the increase in ritzy selections in the area, like The Atlantic Club, a luxury beachfront condo building scheduled to open in 2027.” Beyond its hot new high-rise offerings, Long Branch is also home to what is now the most expensive condo sale in Monmouth County: a luxury penthouse that sold for $5.95 million in 2024. And according to local MLS data, condo sales over $1 million have steadily increased year over year in Long Branch by nearly 11% (3).
It’s a timely reminder that demand for high-end, luxury real estate is surging throughout the state, and New Jersey suburbs situated close to the ocean are no longer simply where you might find less-expensive second homes and vacation properties. Now, these shore-adjacent towns are destinations in their own right.
What does this mean for you?
If you're looking to purchase or invest, particularly within the emerging luxury markets in NJ, keep an eye on areas where developers are investing in ‘lifestyle’ amenities (spa suites, fitness centers, meetings rooms, & ocean-view terraces like those at the Atlantic Club). These extra perks and features are driving buyer desirability (and importably, owner retention value!) for condo owners.
On the seller side, homeowners in towns with a shrinking supply of listings (especially those in sought-after shore areas) will benefit from elevated prices, especially when inventory remains tight.
Atlantic County’s Unique Appeal
Atlantic County continues to deliver a mix of features that are highly-desirable to buyers, from the laid back, scenic boardwalks of Ventnor and Atlantic City, the buzzing & growing suburban communities just over the bridge, and the proximity to the beach, bay, boating, fishing, water sports, and more. With a population that has grown from roughly 274,500 people in 2020 to an estimated 279,100 in 2024, Atlantic County is showing signs of steady momentum (4).
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At New Era Real Estate, our agents remain on the pulse of these NJ trends and know how to direct both buyers and sellers strategically and effectively, no matter the market.
For South Jersey sellers, you’ll want to emphasize the rising values, especially in luxury and high-demand coastal communities like Ventnor, Brigantine, etc.
For buyers, you’ll want to check out purchase opportunities in emerging hot spots, especially where development is trending upward. And for the astute investors, Atlantic County’s growing non-resident ownership rate and its climbing population in general are solid signs of the future rental and resale potential of shore properties.
Despite mortgage rates hovering between 5.5% - 7% before this week's Fed rate cut announcement, New Jersey’s real estate market is thriving, and the wide variety of unique communities within our beautiful state offer a multitude of lifestyle options for each buyer. Whether you’re looking for beachside luxury, suburban family homes, or investment rentals by the beach, there’s something different to offer every client.