New Listings: Slightly Lower Volume, Higher Price Points

Through the end of March, there were 23 new listings in 2026, compared with 25 new listings during the same period in 2025—about an 8% decline in volume. The more important story, however, is the shift in price mix.

In 2026, new listings skewed higher in price, with strong activity in the $1,000,000–$1,500,000 range (4 new listings year-to-date versus 2 last year), continued presence in the $500,000–$700,000 range, and fewer new listings under $400,000 than in 2025. The report’s “New Listings” section shows that by the end of March 2026, higher-end brackets such as $1,000,000–$1,499,999 and $1,500,000–$1,999,999 each recorded new activity, while several lower brackets remained at or near zero.

This shift toward upper-tier inventory is consistent with what we’ve been seeing across Saugatuck, Douglas, and the lakeshore corridor: fewer entry-level homes and more mid- to high-end properties shaping the market.

Active Listings: Inventory Holding Steady but More Top-Heavy

Active inventory ended March at 20 homes, nearly identical to the 19 homes available at the same time last year. On the surface, that suggests stability, but the composition of that inventory has changed.

The “Active Listings” breakdown shows:

• 6 active listings between $1,000,000–$1,499,999
• 3 active listings above $2,000,000
• Only 1 listing under $500,000

The median active list price rose from $1,025,000 in March 2025 to $1,149,500 in March 2026, a roughly 12% increase. The summary table notes that the “Median List Price (Actives)” moved from 1,025,000 to 1,149,500 year-over-year for March, confirming that the market is being increasingly defined by higher-priced homes.

This reflects a market where higher-end homes are lingering longer, contributing to a higher average days on market and a more top-heavy inventory profile.

Pending Sales: Fewer Transactions, Higher Price Points

Pending sales declined from 11 in Q1 2025 to 8 in Q1 2026, a 27% drop in the number of homes going under contract. Even with fewer pendings overall, the buyers who are active are focusing on mid- to upper-price segments.

The “Pending Listings” section shows:

• Two pendings in the $1,000,000–$1,499,999 range
• Two pendings in the $600,000–$699,999 range
• One pending each in the $700,000–$799,999 and $400,000–$499,999 ranges

This pattern suggests that while overall buyer activity has softened slightly, qualified buyers remain engaged and are still willing to move on well-positioned properties in the higher-end brackets.

Closed Sales: Same Number of Sales, Different Price Mix

Q1 2026 recorded 9 closed sales, exactly the same number as Q1 2025. The similarity in volume masks a meaningful change in the distribution of those sales.

The “Sold Listings” breakdown shows:

• Two sales in the $1,500,000–$1,999,999 range
• One sale in the $900,000–$999,999 range
• One sale in the $600,000–$699,999 range
• Only one sale under $400,000, compared with two such sales last year

For March specifically, the median sale price rose to $915,000, up from $740,000 in March 2025—a 23.6% increase. The statistics section of the report notes “Median Sale Price (Solds), 915000 vs. 740000, 23.65% change,” underscoring how March’s closings skewed higher.

At the same time, the year-to-date median sale price sits at $700,000, down from $975,000 in early 2025. That drop is largely due to several ultra-high-end closings in Q1 2025 that pushed last year’s median upward.

Days on Market: Homes Are Taking Longer to Sell

One of the most significant shifts this quarter is the increase in market time. According to the statistics summary, the Average CDOM (cumulative days on market) for March 2026 was 156 days, compared with 68 days in March 2025—an increase of more than 120%. The median CDOM jumped from just 3 days to 113 days.

This reflects:

• A higher concentration of luxury listings that naturally take longer to sell
• A more deliberate, less frenzied pace among buyers
• Seasonal lag from late-2025 listings carrying into the new year

Homes that are priced appropriately and presented well are still selling, but the days of immediate multiple offers—especially in the upper tiers—have clearly cooled.

March 2026 Spotlight: A Market in Transition

March was the clearest indicator of where the 49453 market is heading this spring. The monthly line in the report for “Mar-26” shows 20 active listings, 15 new listings, 5 pended, and 3 sold, with an average active list price of 1,386,905 and a sold median sale price of 915,000.

Key March highlights include:

• Active listings increased to 20, up from 17 in February
• New listings surged to 15—the highest count of the quarter
• Pending sales held steady at 5
• Closed sales dipped to 3
• Median sale price rose to $915,000
• Days on market spiked, driven by older luxury listings finally closing and pulling the averages higher

March revealed a market with more choices for buyers, especially in the $1,000,000+ range, but also a more patient buyer pool. Sellers entering the spring market should expect longer exposure times unless pricing aligns tightly with current demand.

What This Means for Buyers and Sellers

For Sellers

• Luxury listings need sharper pricing and stronger positioning to stand out
• Homes under $800,000 remain in relatively high demand with limited competition, especially if they are move-in ready
• Longer days on market are becoming the norm in many price brackets—patience and strategy are essential

For Buyers

• More inventory is coming online, particularly in the $1,000,000+ segment, offering more choice than in recent years
• Negotiation power is improving as days on market rise and some listings sit longer than expected
• Well-priced homes still move quickly, so having financing and decision-making lined up in advance remains important

Final Thoughts

The first quarter of 2026 in ZIP code 49453 reflects a market adjusting to new inventory patterns, shifting buyer behavior, and a heavier concentration of upper-tier homes. While overall activity levels remain steady, the dynamics beneath the surface are changing—and March made that especially clear.

If you’d like a deeper look at how these trends affect your neighborhood or property type, reach out anytime. We can walk through the numbers together and create a strategy tailored to your goals in today’s 49453 market.