Maryland’s housing market stayed firmly in sellers’ favor through the first half of 2026 — but slightly lower mortgage rates and a national inventory rebound are starting to shift the picture. The statewide median sale price reached $465,000 in June 2026, up 3.3% from a year earlier, with the typical home selling in just 11 days on 2.9 months of supply (Maryland REALTORS®, Housing Statistics — June 2026). Here’s what the numbers mean if you’re planning to buy or sell this summer.
Key Takeaways
- Maryland’s median sale price was $465,000 in June 2026, up 3.3% year over year (Maryland REALTORS®, 2026).
- At just 2.9 months of supply — tighter than a year ago — Maryland remains a seller’s market, even as national inventory rises.
- The 30-year fixed mortgage rate averaged 6.55% the week of July 16, 2026, down from 6.75% a year earlier (Freddie Mac, 2026).
- Fannie Mae’s July 2026 forecast expects rates near 6.3% and home prices up about 2.3% nationally through year-end.
Is it a buyer’s or seller’s market in Maryland right now?
It’s still a seller’s market. In June 2026, Maryland had just 2.9 months of housing supply, down from 3.3 months a year earlier (Maryland REALTORS®, 2026). As a rule of thumb, under about four months favors sellers, four to six is balanced, and above six favors buyers (Bankrate). Maryland isn’t close to balanced.
What’s driving the squeeze is the supply side. New listings fell 17.9% year over year and active inventory dropped 13.3%, while the number of homes going under contract actually rose 7.0%. Fewer homes, steady demand — that’s the recipe for the 11-day median time on market.
This is the opposite of the national trend, which matters if you’ve been reading headlines. Nationally, inventory has been rising through 2026; Freddie Mac’s chief economist noted that purchase demand has softened even as affordability improves and national supply keeps climbing (Freddie Mac, July 2026). Maryland simply hasn’t loosened the same way — so don’t assume national “buyers are back” coverage applies to your Baltimore or Annapolis search.
What are Maryland mortgage rates in summer 2026?
Rates have eased modestly. The 30-year fixed averaged 6.55% the week of July 16, 2026, down from 6.75% a year earlier, according to Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey. The 15-year fixed sat at 5.93% — notably, that’s a touch above its year-ago level even as the 30-year fell below.
For a Maryland buyer, that roughly 0.20-point year-over-year drop on the 30-year isn’t dramatic, but on a $465,000 median-priced home it still trims the monthly payment. The bigger takeaway: rates in the mid-6s have become the market’s normal, and buyers who kept waiting for a return to pandemic-era 3% rates have largely stopped waiting. For the programs that help offset today’s rates, see our Maryland first-time buyer programs guide.
How much are Maryland homes selling for by county?
The statewide $465,000 median hides a wide county spread. In June 2026, Montgomery and Howard counties led at roughly $680,000 and $675,850, while Baltimore City sat at $266,500 — and posted the fastest price growth in the group at 6.6% year over year (Maryland REALTORS®, 2026).
Because the range is this wide, a statewide median is close to useless for pricing your specific home or setting your buying budget. What matters is the sold-comp data for your neighborhood and school zone. Our community guides — like the Annapolis and Towson breakdowns — go market by market.
What does the rest of 2026 look like for Maryland real estate?
Forecasters expect a stable, slightly-warmer market rather than a swing in either direction. In its July 2026 outlook, Fannie Mae’s Economic & Strategic Research group projected the 30-year fixed averaging about 6.3% for the year, total home sales up 0.2%, and national home prices rising roughly 2.3% (fourth-quarter over fourth-quarter).
Worth noting: Fannie Mae actually revised that home-price forecast down in July from 3.2% a month earlier, a reminder that price growth is cooling nationally. But with Maryland’s supply this tight, local prices have more support than the national average suggests. The practical read for Marylanders: don’t expect a rate cliff or a price crash — expect more of the same, with pricing and preparation deciding who wins.
What summer 2026 means for buyers and sellers
For sellers, conditions remain strong: low inventory, an 11-day median time on market, and prices up year over year. The catch is that today’s buyers are rate-sensitive and picky — sharp pricing and professional presentation still separate a fast sale from a stale listing. Our guide to selling a home in Maryland walks through the full timeline and costs.
For buyers, the slightly lower 30-year rate helps, but tight inventory means competition is real in the sought-after counties. Getting pre-approved, knowing your target school zones, and moving decisively still matter. Whichever side you’re on, the smart move in a market like this is a local agent with live Bright MLS data — not an online estimate.
Plan your next move with local market data
Whether you’re buying or selling in the Baltimore or Annapolis area, decisions this good require current, block-level numbers. Talk with a Next Step Realty agent for a live Bright MLS market analysis of your neighborhood, or explore our buyer and seller resources to see how a Maryland boutique brokerage with 125 agents and full Bright MLS access can guide your move.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it a good time to sell a house in Maryland in 2026?
Yes, conditions favor sellers. In June 2026 Maryland had just 2.9 months of supply — tighter than a year earlier — with an 11-day median time on market and prices up 3.3% year over year (Maryland REALTORS®, 2026). Low inventory and steady demand support strong, quick sales.
What are mortgage rates in Maryland right now?
The 30-year fixed mortgage averaged 6.55% the week of July 16, 2026, down from 6.75% a year earlier, and the 15-year fixed was 5.93% (Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey, 2026). Rates move weekly, so confirm the current figure before you lock.
Are Maryland home prices going up or down in 2026?
Up modestly. Maryland’s median sale price rose 3.3% year over year to $465,000 in June 2026 (Maryland REALTORS®). Nationally, Fannie Mae’s July 2026 forecast projects prices up about 2.3% for the year — cooling growth, not falling prices.
Is Maryland a buyer’s or seller’s market?
A seller’s market. At 2.9 months of supply, Maryland is well below the four-to-six-month balanced range (Maryland REALTORS®, 2026; Bankrate). Unlike the national trend of rising inventory, Maryland’s supply actually tightened year over year.
Which Maryland county has the highest home prices?
In June 2026, Montgomery County led at roughly $680,000, just ahead of Howard County at $675,850, while Baltimore City was lowest at $266,500 (Maryland REALTORS®, 2026). County medians vary widely, so pricing to your local comps matters more than the statewide figure.
Sources
- Maryland REALTORS®, “Housing Statistics — June 2026,” retrieved 2026-07-16, https://www.mdrealtor.org/HousingStats
- Freddie Mac, “Primary Mortgage Market Survey — Mortgage Rates Average 6.55%” (week of July 16, 2026), retrieved 2026-07-16, https://www.freddiemac.com/pmms
- Fannie Mae Economic & Strategic Research, “Housing Forecast: July 2026,” retrieved 2026-07-16, https://www.fanniemae.com/data-and-insights/forecast
- Bankrate, “What Is a Seller’s Market?”, retrieved 2026-07-16, https://www.bankrate.com/real-estate/sellers-market/