November 2025 Market Pulse: What’s Really Happening in the Long Island Market?

Let’s talk about what’s *actually* happening out here on Long Island as we head into the final stretch of 2025. Because if you’re thinking about selling, buying, or investing right now… you’re going to want the full picture — not rumors, not headlines, not guesses. I’m talking real numbers. Real trends. Real Long Island behavior.

And the truth? The market is still moving. People are still buying. People are still selling. And smart investors are definitely still investing. So let’s break this down the way I would if we were sitting together over a cup of coffee in Babylon Village or right after your kid’s soccer game in Islip.

1. The Numbers: What Suffolk County Is Telling Us

Here’s the headline: Suffolk County homes are holding strong. Zillow’s latest data has the median home value hovering around $694,000 — still inching upward. Redfin’s October numbers backed that up with a median sale price near $680,000, up year-over-year.

But here’s the stat that really matters: homes are still selling just above asking. The sale-to-list ratio is right around 101.4%. Translation? Serious buyers are still stepping up. Not as wild as 2021–2022, but far from a “down market.”

Inventory is tight enough that well-priced homes are still moving quickly… but we’re starting to see more homes sit a bit longer when they’re not positioned well. That’s the shift. Not a crash — a shift.

2. What This Means for Sellers

Sellers, hear me on this: You still have the upper hand — if you play it smart.

• Price it right. This is not the market to “test the waters.” Buyers will simply move on.
• Presentation is everything. Photos, staging, lighting… it all matters. Buyers decide in seconds.
• The window is still open. Q4 brings out the serious buyers — relocators, job transfers, and families prepping for spring.
• Your home needs a strategy, not just a listing. The homes getting top dollar right now? They’re positioned to win.

If you're thinking, “Should I sell now or wait?” — let’s talk. A five-minute pricing review could literally be the difference between attracting a bidding war… or watching buyers walk right past your home for the one down the block.

3. What This Means for Buyers

Buyers — listen. This market rewards preparation. The homes you see today? Someone else is watching them too.

• Get pre-approved before anything else. No pre-approval, no showings in many cases. That’s the reality.
• Don’t sleep on homes sitting 40+ days. These are the hidden deals. This is where negotiation power returns.
• Factor in long-term costs. Taxes, insurance, potential flood zones — especially along the South Shore.
• Be ready to move. If you love it, someone else does too.

The buyers winning right now are the ones ready to take action — not the ones “thinking about it.”

4. Investor Insights: Buy, Hold, or Flip?

Investors — this is where things get interesting.

This is a value-add market. The turnkey homes? They’re selling at premium pricing. The homes needing vision? That’s where the opportunity sits — especially if you know how to reposition a property, calculate ARV properly, and control renovation costs.

• Flippers: Stick to your numbers. Don’t chase deals. The margins are there if you're disciplined.
• Buy-and-hold investors: Rent demand across Suffolk is incredibly strong — cash flow is real.
• BRRRR opportunities: Still present, especially in pockets of Brookhaven, Islip, and Riverhead.

Bottom line: Good deals still exist — but they go to the investors who know exactly what they’re looking for.

Sources Used

• Zillow Suffolk County Home Values (Nov 2025)
• Redfin Suffolk County Market Data (Oct–Nov 2025)
• Redfin Sale-to-List Price Metrics
• Redfin Flood-Risk Data