By Mike Lentz | The Mike Lentz Team – Keller Williams Realty
What do home price trends tell us about buying now in South Jersey?
It’s one of the biggest concerns some buyers have right now: “What if I buy, and home prices go down?” Understanding home price trends can help ease that worry and give you confidence in your buying decision.
With everything in the news, that worry makes sense. No one wants to make a big financial decision at the wrong time. But here’s what matters. You don’t want to get hung up on the few places seeing slight declines right now.
When you zoom out and look at the full picture, home price trends show that values usually rise over time.
What the Data Really Shows About Home Price Trends
Take a look at the visual below. It uses data from Case-Shiller and Bilello to show how home prices have changed year by year going all the way back to the 1950s.
Here’s the key takeaway.
Outside of the housing crash, home prices have either held steady or increased in just about every year for decades (see visual below):
That’s a remarkably consistent track record. And it shows something a lot of headlines miss.
While short-term shifts can happen, it’s the long-term gains that really matter.
We’re seeing this play out across our region right now. In Camden County, the median price held at $369,990 in April 2026. Burlington County saw $392,500. Gloucester County reached $370,000. Salem County offered strong value at $270,000. Cumberland County posted $289,000. While competition has eased compared to last year, prices remain stable or higher in every county.
Why Prices Tend To Rise Over Time
There are a few core reasons prices usually go up each year:
- There are always people who need to move. People need a place to live, and that demand will never fully go away. It may ebb and flow, but someone will always have to move as big changes happen in their life. So, homes stay in demand.
- There still aren’t enough homes for sale. While the number of homes for sale has grown, there’s still an undersupply based on how many people want a home. That keeps upward pressure on prices.
- Inflation has an impact. Over time, the cost of goods (including homes) naturally increases. That pushes home values higher.
Across South Jersey, inventory has increased modestly. Camden County saw active inventory rise 15.6% to 856 homes. Burlington County maintained a balanced supply. Gloucester County inventory grew 13.3% to 602 properties. But even with these increases, demand continues to support pricing and home price trends remain positive.
What That Means for You as a Buyer
It’s easy to get caught up in what might happen with home prices next month or next year, especially if you’re a first-time buyer and you’re feeling anxious about making such a big financial commitment. But the big picture is clear. Prices usually rise.
That doesn’t mean prices will go up every single year in every market. Real estate is local, and there can be short-term ups and downs. We’re seeing that in some places right now. You can even see it in the few annual dips in the visual above.
But historically, the declines have been temporary.
That’s why it’s generally recommended to buy a home only if you plan to stay for a while – typically at least five years. That’s normally enough time to see your house grow in value. And it’s enough so you can ride out any short-term changes in the market.
Because when you can do that, something powerful happens. Those rising home values grow your net worth, and by extension, help you build wealth.
The right decision isn’t about timing the market perfectly. It’s about making a move that works for your life and staying in it long enough to benefit from the bigger trend.
Understanding Home Price Trends Across the Region
Right now, buyers across Camden, Burlington, Gloucester, Salem, and Cumberland counties are finding more negotiating room than last year. Days on market have increased slightly. Fewer homes are selling above list price. But prices haven’t crashed – they’ve held steady or grown modestly.
This creates an interesting opportunity. If you’re worried about buying at the peak, current conditions suggest we’re in a more balanced environment. Competition has eased without prices falling dramatically. For buyers planning to stay long-term, this combination can work in your favor.
Bottom Line
Home prices have a long track record of going up over time. And that’s why buying a home is generally considered a safe long-term investment.
That certainly doesn’t mean you have to buy now. You should only move when it makes sense, and you plan to live there for a while.
But if you’re interested, let this reassure you. Historical home price trends support the wisdom of buying when you’re ready for a long-term commitment. If you want to talk through what this means for your situation, schedule a quick call and we’ll walk through it together.
For the full picture in your county, see our latest recaps for Camden, Burlington, Gloucester, Salem, and Cumberland counties.
