Nantucket’s real estate market opened 2025 with strong momentum. With a clear uptick in both sales volume and transaction count, Q1 shows signs of renewed buyer confidence and continued demand — particularly in the luxury segment. While we’re no longer in the breakneck pace of 2021, the market remains highly active, competitive, and value-conscious.
We'll break this information down for you:
Q1 2025 Performance Overview
- 79 property sales totaling $265.7 million
- Up 65% in total sales and 28% in dollar volume compared to Q1 2024
- The strongest Q1 since 2021
Data by Month:
| Month | Sales | Dollar Volume |
|---|---|---|
| January | 32 | $126.4M |
| February | 27 | $86.7M |
| March | 20 | $52.7M |
Activity in January and February was especially strong, driven largely by high-end, all-cash transactions. While March saw a slight slowdown, the quarter overall confirms that well-positioned listings are moving, and buyer interest is rising.
Q1: Historical Context:
| Year | Sales | Dollar Volume |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 49 | $162.8M |
| 2024 | 48 | $208.2M |
| 2025 | 79 | $265.7M |
Q1 2025 not only outpaces the previous two years—it does so with a significant jump in both unit count and total dollar volume. This points to broader market participation and increased engagement from high-net-worth buyers.
Market Trends to Watch
Luxury Market Stays Strong
- $5M+ Sales: 12 transactions, $118M total
- $10M+ Sales: 5 transactions, $70.9M
- Luxury homes accounted for 44% of Q1 dollar volume
Though the share of ultra-luxury ($5M+) sales dipped slightly from 2024, activity in this tier remains robust. Buyers are focused on quality, location, and long-term value.
Tight Inventory, Smart Pricing
- Listings remain well below pre-2021 levels
- Average sale-to-list ratio: 88%
- Properties priced to market are selling; overpriced homes sit
Today’s buyer is informed and selective. Sellers who lead with realism are the ones seeing results.
Slight Shift in Price Metrics
- Average sale price: $3.36M (▼16% YOY)
- Average home price: $4.41M (▼3%)
- Median home price: $3.25M (▼11%)
Today’s buyer is informed and selective. Sellers who lead with realism are the ones seeing results.
Influences Beyond the Island
Stock Market & Liquidity
Luxury buyers often rely on borrowing against investment portfolios. Ongoing equity market volatility may:
- Slow leveraged purchases
- Favor all-cash transactions
We may see a split-market emerge:
- Decisive all-cash buyers will continue transacting
- Portfolio-backed buyers may delay or downsize plans
This divergence could shape the tone of Q2.
Land, Commercial, and Permits Snapshot
| Category | Q1 2025 | YPY Change |
|---|---|---|
| Lots Sold | 11 | ▼ 23% |
| Avg. Lot Price | $2.09M | ▼ 23% |
| Commercial Sales | 7 | $23.4M |
| New SFR Permits | 35 (est.) | ▼ 76% |
The drop in single-family permits signals future supply constraints, which could support pricing in the long term.
Outlook for 2025
The market fundamentals remain in place:
- Scarcity of land
- Steady demand from affluent buyers
- Strong value retention in prime locations
We expect 2025 to deliver a measured but competitive season. Sellers with clean, well-priced properties should act now. Buyers with cash are actively shopping, especially ahead of the summer season.
Final Word
Q1 2025 confirms that Nantucket real estate is not just stable — it’s gaining strength. The return of high-end activity, combined with a disciplined, data-driven market, creates real opportunity.
Thinking of buying or selling this year? Let’s talk strategy. Timing and positioning matter more than ever in this evolving market. Contact me so we can discuss.
