Where Your Investment Can Sell Tomorrow vs. Stuck For A Year: Greater Boston Housing Liquidity Analysis
Data from 13,400+ transactions reveals which towns sell in 15-45 days (Weymouth, Andover, Westwood) versus 330-390 days (Wilmington, Needham, Winchester). Know where your money stays liquid—or gets locked in.
Not all real estate is equally liquid. Analysis of 13,400+ transactions across 25 Greater Boston towns reveals extreme variance: Weymouth homes sell in 15 days (100% under 30 days), while Wilmington takes 359 days (only 2.5% sell under 30 days). The data shatters assumptions—prestigious towns like Needham (327-day median), Winchester (371 days), and Lincoln (326 days) have illiquid markets, while accessible Weymouth and Andover move fast. If you need flexibility or face job relocation risk, liquidity matters more than prestige.
THE STRATEGIC INSIGHT: Liquidity Varies 24x Across Greater Boston
⚡Most Liquid Markets: Sell in 15-88 Days
These towns demonstrate consistent fast sales, deep buyer pools, and price points accessible to broad income ranges:
| Town | Median DOM | % Sold <30 Days | % Sold <90 Days | Median Price | Sample Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weymouth | 15 days | 100% | 100% | $830K | 261 |
Andover | 45 days | 32.5% | 100% | $990K | 415 |
Westwood | 39 days | 22.2% | 100% | $1.4M | 18 |
Newton | 88 days | 13.7% | 53.4% | $1.05M | 8,509 |
Wellesley | 109 days | 13.1% | 34.1% | $2.25M | 176 |
Why These Markets Move Fast
• Price point accessible to Boston median income ($140K)
• Strong schools (7.5-8/10 range) without prestige premium
• Direct Red Line access via Braintree—commuter-friendly
• Large transaction volume (261 sales) = consistent buyer interest
Andover ($990K median, 45-day DOM):
• Top-tier schools (9.0+/10) at non-luxury pricing
• 25-mile radius attracts Route 128/495 corridor professionals
• Strong public services without Dover/Wellesley status tax
• 415 transactions show deep, consistent buyer pool
Westwood ($1.4M median, 39-day DOM):
• Rare luxury liquidity—combines $1M+ pricing with <40-day median
• Adjacent to Dover/Needham but 50% faster sales
• Excellent schools (8.5/10) justify premium to motivated buyers
• Small sample (18) but consistent velocity pattern
Newton ($1.05M median, 88-day DOM):
• Massive transaction volume (8,509) = deepest buyer pool in dataset
• Inner-ring location, Green Line access, walkable villages
• Price point hits sweet spot: premium but achievable for dual-income professionals
• 13.7% sell <30 days despite $1M+ pricing—volume drives velocity
🐌Least Liquid Markets: Expect 327-390 Days
These towns show constrained buyer pools, extended marketing periods, and frequent price reductions. Expect 10-15 month sale timelines:
| Town | Median DOM | % Sold <30 Days | % Taking 180+ Days | Median Price | Sample Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wilmington | 359 days | 2.5% | 70.2% | $725K | 322 |
Medway | 353 days | 2.7% | 72.2% | $689K | 299 |
Holliston | 346 days | 2.8% | 69.8% | $763K | 252 |
Medfield | 373 days | 3.3% | 71.8% | $1.27M | 337 |
Natick | 361 days | 3.4% | 69.6% | $1.22M | 438 |
Groton | 350 days | 3.5% | 73.1% | $785K | 283 |
Franklin | 368 days | 3.8% | 67.7% | $750K | 390 |
Hopkinton | 369 days | 3.8% | 64.7% | $1.15M | 292 |
Needham | 327 days | 4.0% | 67.3% | $1.54M | 733 |
Wakefield | 331 days | 4.2% | 66.2% | $738K | 553 |
The Illiquidity Trap: What 350+ Day DOM Really Means
• List price becomes increasingly irrelevant after 90 days
• Expect 1-3 price reductions of 3-7% each
• Carrying costs mount: 12 months = $24K-$36K in mortgage interest, taxes, insurance, maintenance
• 'Stale listing' stigma develops—buyers assume 'something's wrong'
• You're effectively hostage to market timing—can't relocate quickly
For Buyers:
• Properties >180 DOM = motivated sellers = negotiation leverage
• Target 5-10% below ask for properties >300 DOM
• Ask pointed questions: 'Why has this been listed 11 months?'
• These towns punish overpricing—market sets price, not sellers
Why These Markets Are Slow:
Price-to-Income Mismatch (Needham, Medfield, Natick):
• $1.2M-$1.5M medians require $240K-$300K household incomes
• Boston metro median income = $140K
• You're selling to top 10% of earners—small buyer pool by definition
Geographic Constraints (Wilmington, Holliston, Medway):
• 25-35 mile radius from Boston = commute challenges
• Not exurban enough for 'land lifestyle' buyers
• Not close enough for hybrid workers prioritizing flexibility
• Caught in 'too far, not far enough' middle ground
Niche Market (Lincoln, Hopkinton, Groton):
• Specific buyer profile: conservation land enthusiasts, rural character seekers
• Not mass-market appeal like Newton or Brookline
• Small annual buyer cohort = extended marketing required
📊The Prestige Paradox: Expensive ≠ Liquid
Analysis reveals inverse correlation between prestige and liquidity. The most expensive towns often have the slowest sales:
| Town | Median Price | Median DOM | Liquidity Reality |
|---|---|---|---|
Wellesley | $2.25M | 109 days | Slow for ultra-luxury |
Lincoln | $1.78M | 326 days | Elite schools, 10+ month waits |
Needham | $1.54M | 327 days | Prestige doesn't = speed |
Lexington | $1.56M | 338 days | Top schools, limited buyers |
Winchester | $1.39M | 371 days | Most prestigious, slowest sales |
Newton | $1.05M | 88 days | Sweet spot: premium+volume |
Andover | $990K | 45 days | Top schools, accessible price |
The Pattern: Towns above $1.3M median show 300+ day DOM regardless of school quality. The buyer pool for $1.5M+ homes is mathematically small—you need $300K+ household income and $300K+ down payment. That's ~5-8% of Boston metro households.
💰Quick Takeaways by Buyer Profile
For Job Relocation Risk (Military, Corporate Executives, Consultants)
• Weymouth: 15-day median, 100% sell <30 days
• Andover: 45-day median, deep buyer pool
• Westwood: 39-day median (if budget allows $1.4M)
• Newton: 88-day median, massive volume
AVOID (Will Take 10+ Months):
• Winchester, Needham, Lexington: 327-371 day medians
• Wilmington, Medway, Franklin: 353-368 day medians
• Any town >$1.3M median unless you can hold 15+ years
Strategy: Prioritize liquidity over school ratings if relocation is plausible within 5 years. Weymouth 7.5/10 schools beat Winchester 9.2/10 schools if you need to sell in 6 months.
For Long-Term Family Buyers (10-15 Year Hold)
If you're confident in 10-15 year tenure (kids K-12 journey), illiquid markets offer advantages:
• Negotiation Power: Properties >180 DOM = motivated sellers
• Less Competition: Fewer buyers = less bidding war pressure
• Value Focus: Markets reward patience, not speculation
• School Access: Winchester, Needham, Lexington deliver elite education at 'liquidity discount'
Target Strategy:
• Look for properties 200-300+ DOM
• Offer 5-10% below ask with minimal contingencies
• Emphasize your 'forever home' buyer profile to sellers
• Accept illiquidity as trade-off for school quality + value
Best Illiquid Value Towns:
• Needham: $1.54M median, 327 DOM, 8.5/10 schools
• Lexington: $1.56M median, 338 DOM, 9.1/10 schools
• Sharon: $840K median, 335 DOM, 8.0/10 schools
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For Investors Prioritizing Exit Flexibility
Best Risk-Adjusted Liquidity:
1. Newton ($1.05M median, 88 DOM): Largest transaction volume (8,509) = most predictable exit
2. Andover ($990K median, 45 DOM): Strong schools support price floor, fast sales
3. Weymouth ($830K median, 15 DOM): Entry-level pricing = deepest buyer pool
AVOID for Investment:
• Any town >300 DOM—you're speculating on appreciation to offset carrying costs
• Towns with <100 annual transactions—thin markets = unpredictable exits
• Towns >$1.3M median unless targeting ultra-high-net-worth cohort
Investment Math:
• Liquid market (88 DOM): 3 months carrying cost = ~$7K-$10K
• Illiquid market (350 DOM): 12 months carrying cost = ~$30K-$40K
• Illiquidity tax = 3-4% of home value in extended holding costs
⚖️The Trade-Offs: What You Give Up
- •Liquid Markets Sacrifice: Often lower school ratings (7.5-8.5/10 vs 9.0+/10), less prestige, higher density, fewer 'estate' properties
- •Illiquid Markets Gain: Elite schools (9.0+/10), more land, conservation areas, historic character, lower density
- •Price Paradox: $830K Weymouth sells 24x faster than $1.54M Needham—but Needham has better schools/safety
- •Volume vs Velocity: Newton has 8,509 transactions (depth) but 88-day median (not fastest)—scale creates consistency
- •Geography Matters: Inner-ring towns <15 miles from Boston show better liquidity regardless of price
- •Income Accessibility: Towns requiring <$200K household income maintain velocity; >$300K income threshold kills liquidity
🎓Methodology & Data Quality
Data Source: 13,400+ verified transactions from Zillow historical sales data, analyzed November 2025.
Metrics Calculated:
- •Median Days on Market (DOM): Middle value of daysOnZillow field (more robust than mean for outlier-heavy data)
- •% Sold <30/60/90 Days: Percentage of transactions closing within specified timeframe
- •% Taking 180+ Days: Percentage requiring 6+ months to sell (indicator of constrained buyer pool)
- •Sample Size: Transaction count per town (larger samples = more reliable medians)
- •Liquidity Score: Composite metric (0-100) weighing median DOM (60%) and % sold <30 days (40%)
Data Limitations & Considerations
• Historical market velocity patterns across 25 towns
• Relative liquidity rankings (which markets move faster/slower)
• Price point correlations with buyer pool depth
What This Analysis DOES NOT Show:
• Future market conditions (interest rates, economic shifts change velocity)
• Individual property characteristics (condition, location within town, pricing strategy)
• Seasonal variations (winter vs spring markets)
• Impact of specific events (rate changes, local developments)
Use Case:
• Strategic planning: Understand liquidity risk before buying
• Realistic expectations: Know if your town typically sells in 45 days or 350 days
• Negotiation leverage: Target high-DOM properties for discounts
Not a Substitute For:
• Working with experienced local agent who knows current micro-market conditions
• Professional pricing analysis for your specific property
• Market timing advice (we show patterns, not predictions)
🔗Related Analysis & Tools
- •Town Finder Calculator - Weight liquidity against schools, commute, price in personalized search
- •Town Comparison Tool - Compare median DOM, pricing, and buyer depth side-by-side
- •Investment Score Methodology - How we factor market liquidity into overall investment rankings
- •Prestige Towns Value Analysis - Why expensive ≠ liquid: prestige town paradoxes explained
📝Bottom Line: Match Your Timeline to Market Liquidity
The Strategic Framework:
- •Need flexibility (<5 year horizon): Buy only liquid markets (Weymouth, Andover, Newton, Westwood)
- •Planning 10-15 years (kids K-12): Illiquid markets offer value + elite schools (Needham, Winchester, Lexington)
- •Investment focus: Prioritize Newton (volume), Andover (speed+quality), or Weymouth (entry-level depth)
- •Job relocation risk: Avoid towns >200 DOM—you can't afford 10-month sale timelines
- •Selling soon: If in illiquid market, price 5-10% below recent comps to accelerate sale
- •Buying in slow market: Target properties >180 DOM for 5-10% negotiation leverage
The Single Most Important Insight
The question isn't 'which is best?'—it's 'which matches my timeline?'
13,400 transactions prove: buyer pool depth matters more than prestige. Choose accordingly.
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