October’s Market Refused To Hit The Brakes

As winter crept closer, you’d expect the housing market to chill a bit too. But Central Indiana didn’t get the memo. October saw more listings, steady prices, and homes still moving fast enough to make buyers double-check their pre-approval letters before scheduling a showing.

According to the latest data, both home sales and available inventory rose compared to last year — proof that this region continues to defy national slowdowns.

By The Numbers: What Changed Since October 2024

The highlights paint a clear picture of balance:

• Pended home sales: Up 0.6% year over year, with 2,748 homes purchased across 16 counties.
• Inventory: Up 24.9%, with nearly 7,000 active listings on the market.
• Median sale price: Up 3.4%, reaching $305,000.
• Days on market: 16 days on average — just three days longer than last year.

That combination — rising inventory but stable prices — signals a market that’s healthy, not overheated. Buyers finally have breathing room without losing value on their investment.

Where Sales Are Surging (And Where They Slowed)

Every county tells its own story:

• Brown County led the pack with a jaw-dropping 60% increase in pended sales.
• Boone County also jumped 33.7%, proving strong demand for upscale suburbs remains intact.
• Hamilton County, the region’s heavy hitter, rose 8.2% with a median sale price nearing $460,000.
• Putnam County saw the biggest dip, down 23.4% compared to October 2024.

Altogether, year-to-date prices across Central Indiana are up 3.2%, with most counties holding steady or climbing. Only Shelby County posted a small drop — down 3.2% to $242,000. Even that figure suggests stability, not distress.

Buyers Win On Inventory

More listings means more choice. Inventory across the 16-county area rose almost 25%, giving buyers an advantage they haven’t seen in years.

A few standouts:

• Hancock County: Inventory up 50%.
• Boone County: Up 46.5%.
• Brown County: Up 44.9%.

Jennings County was the lone holdout, where active listings actually dropped 13.2%. But overall, the market feels less frantic than the pandemic-era frenzy — a welcome shift for anyone tired of losing bidding wars.

What Buyers Should Take From This

Buyers are finally getting a chance to look before leaping. With more homes available and slightly longer days on market, you can tour a few contenders, compare prices, and still make a competitive offer without panic.

It’s a perfect moment to revisit your numbers and make sure your pre-approval is current. If you’re not sure what that process looks like, start with the difference between pre-approval and pre-qualification so you know which one actually carries weight when submitting an offer.

Sellers should take note too — buyers are more discerning now. Homes that feel turnkey and properly priced will move fastest. Overpriced or poorly presented listings will sit longer than before.

Homes Still Selling Fast

Despite cooler temps, homes aren’t lingering. Across the region, the average home sold in just 16 days. Boone County was the fastest mover, averaging 12 days — a 7.7% improvement over last year.

For context, homes in many U.S. metros now sit 30–45 days before going under contract. Indiana’s speed shows confidence and affordability are keeping things moving.

Price Segments Tell The Real Story

Not all price points behave the same way. October’s breakdown by price range shows where demand is strongest:

• 8 homes sold for $2 million or more.
• 57 homes between $1M–$2M.
• 375 homes between $500K–$999K.
• 934 homes between $300K–$499K.
• 806 homes between $200K–$299K.
• 478 homes between $100K–$199K.
• 90 homes under $100K.

That’s a balanced distribution — proof that Central Indiana caters to every bracket, from first-time buyers to luxury movers.

Why Inventory Growth Matters

Inventory doesn’t just mean more signs in the yard; it’s a sign of healthier competition. With new listings up, prices don’t have to spike for homes to sell. It also gives move-up buyers (those selling to buy bigger) confidence they can actually find their next home without going temporarily homeless.

And if you’re planning to sell soon, know this: buyers can spot when a listing tries to chase last year’s prices. The key is realism. A competitive price paired with updated condition still gets top dollar — especially when your agent markets it aggressively online.

The Seasonal Shift (And Why It’s Less Dramatic)

Historically, activity dips heading into winter. But this year, the slowdown feels more like a slight tap on the brakes rather than a hard stop.

While national markets are seeing a major cool-off, Central Indiana remains resilient. Buyers here are still motivated, and the extra inventory creates rare breathing room for both sides.

In other words, the fall market isn’t fading — it’s normalizing. And for most homeowners, normal is good news.

What’s Driving The Stability

Three main forces are keeping Indiana’s housing market solid:

1. Affordability. Compared to coastal metros, Central Indiana still offers strong value, even after a decade of steady gains.
2. Job growth. The region continues to attract employers and relocations, fueling sustainable housing demand.
3. Balanced supply. Builders and sellers are contributing just enough new inventory to meet (not flood) demand.

It’s the economic equivalent of a Goldilocks zone — not too hot, not too cold.

Advice For Buyers Going Into Winter

Winter buyers get perks: less competition, motivated sellers, and potential for price flexibility. You might face chilly open houses, but you also get a chance to negotiate repairs, seller credits, or a later closing timeline that suits your move.

If you haven’t been through an inspection process before, bookmark what really matters during a home inspection before you sign your next contract. It’ll help you focus on the deal-breakers, not the little stuff.

Advice For Sellers

Sellers, your playbook is simple: price correctly, prep thoroughly, and respond fast. The buyers out there are serious, but they have options now. Fresh photos, clean staging, and realistic expectations will keep showings and offers flowing.

If your home’s been sitting for weeks, reassess condition and price — not the market. It’s still moving, just with more thoughtful buyers.

County Spotlights

A few county stats worth calling out:

• Boone County: Median price jumped 8.4% to $417,495.
• Decatur County: Biggest price surge at 14.9% — small sample, big gain.
• Hancock County: Prices up 7.7%, inventory up 50% — perfect storm for move-up buyers.
• Jennings County: Down slightly in listings but up 9.3% in median price.

Hamilton County still leads the pack with the highest median price of $459,650. Marion County remains the engine of volume, accounting for more than a third of all regional sales.

What It Means For 2026

If this trend continues, Central Indiana’s housing market is heading into 2026 balanced and healthy. Expect stable appreciation (around 3–4%), plenty of listings, and continued demand from buyers priced out of other metros.

That’s the sweet spot every homeowner wants — enough competition to hold value, enough inventory to keep the market accessible.

Bottom Line

October’s numbers prove Central Indiana’s housing market is built on steady footing. Prices are inching up, inventory is catching up, and buyers finally have room to breathe. Whether you’re buying your first home or trading up to your next, this is one of the most balanced markets Indiana has seen in years.

If you’re ready to explore what’s next, start by understanding how much house you can afford. The math might surprise you — in a good way.