Why Buyers Feel Stuck Along Route 3 - And What the Data Actually Shows

If you’re trying to buy a home along the Route 3 corridor and feel like nothing is moving, the data confirms that you’re not imagining it.

Across South Shore towns such as Hull, Hingham, Norwell, and Weymouth, the market has entered a phase that looks quiet on the surface but is actually defined by compressed inventory and persistent demand.

Inventory Is Low — Even by Historical Standards

Over the past decade, a balanced market on the South Shore has typically sat around 5–6 months of inventory. Today, much of the Route 3 corridor is operating closer to 3 months of supply or less.

To put that into context:

·         6 months = balanced market

·         Under 4 months = seller-leaning

·         Under 3 months = strong seller conditions

In towns like Hull, three months of inventory may represent fewer than 15 actively available homes at any given time. That’s not a lack of interest — it’s a lack of options.

Demand Hasn’t Disappeared — It’s Paused

Even with higher mortgage rates compared to the pandemic years, buyer demand has remained resilient:

·         Homes that are priced correctly are still selling

·         Well-located properties continue to receive multiple offers

·         Days on market remain well below pre-2019 averages for desirable homes

What’s changed is buyer behavior, not buyer presence. Many buyers are watching closely, waiting for either:

·         A meaningful rate drop, or

·         Clear signs that inventory will increase

The data shows neither has fully materialized — which explains the stalemate.

Sellers Are Staying Put

On the supply side, homeowners along Route 3 are far less rate-sensitive than many buyers assume.

A large percentage of current homeowners:

·         Purchased or refinanced at historically low rates

·         Have no financial pressure to move

·         Are choosing lifestyle stability over market timing

This has resulted in new listings lagging behind historical norms, particularly in coastal and commuter-friendly towns.

Why the Market Feels “Frozen”

When you combine:

·         Inventory running ~40–50% below long-term averages

·         Buyers waiting for a trigger

·         Sellers holding firm

You get a market that feels inactive — even though transactions are still occurring.

In reality, the data suggests the market isn’t stalled; it’s coiled.

What the Numbers Suggest Comes Next

Historically, in low-inventory South Shore markets:

·         Inventory rarely rises before buyer activity increases

·         Modest improvements in mortgage rates tend to bring buyers back faster than sellers

·         Competition increases before selection improves

This is why periods like this often precede price stability or upward pressure, rather than meaningful buyer relief.

The Takeaway

Along Route 3, the feeling of being “stuck” isn’t caused by lack of opportunity — it’s caused by limited supply colliding with patient demand.

Understanding that dynamic — and recognizing that this market moves quietly before it moves quickly — is key to making informed decisions, whether you’re buying or considering selling.

Ina & Justin Nee

The Nee Team | Jack Conway

South Shore Real Estate Advisors

Helping buyers and sellers make smart, confident real estate decisions across the South Shore.

📧 inee@jackconway.com | jnee@jackconway.com

📞 [617-304-0333] | [781-724-8476]