Finding the perfect home as a 55+ buyer can be tough, especially in some markets. With limited housing inventory, rising prices, and high demand, the search can quickly become overwhelming. Add in competition from younger buyers looking to live in the same desirable locations, and the search can feel even more daunting.
If you’re looking to buy a home or just researching different real estate markets, you’re in the right place. We have our finger on the pulse of everything impacting the 55+ housing market right now, which means you can make more informed decisions during your home search.
In this blog post, we’re highlighting the 13 toughest real estate markets for 55+ buyers right now, based on areas with less than three months of inventory. Read on to learn more about these challenging markets, and if you’re looking to buy in one of them, let us help. Contact us today for expert guidance on navigating the 55+ housing market and finding the right home for you.
Understanding the 55+ Housing Market Challenges
So, what’s driving the current challenges in the real estate market? Numerous factors are contributing to the strain. For starters, there’s a high demand for homes coupled with a limited supply of houses for sale.
Additionally, rising home prices are further exacerbating the lack of affordable homes, especially in highly sought-after locations like North Carolina and California. These regions tend to be popular among retirees due to their pleasant climate and laid-back lifestyle. As demand continues to outpace the supply of homes for sale, buyers are facing fewer options and longer wait times for homes to hit the market.
If you’re like other 55+ buyers, you may want to simplify your life with this home purchase. That might mean downsizing to a smaller, more manageable home. It might mean moving closer to family members. If these goals lead you to search for homes in particularly challenging areas, like Charlotte or Sacramento, it can be tough to find a suitable home at a reasonable price.
Which real estate markets tend to be most challenging for 55+ homebuyers today? We outline the 13 toughest housing markets in the section below.
The 13 Toughest Markets for 55+ Buyers
1. Chicago Area
The Chicago area is experiencing low inventory and high demand for suburban homes. In March 2024, there was an average of 142 homes actively listed in 55+ communities, compared to 119 in March 2025. The median asking price for 55+ homes in Chicago is $367,835, with properties staying on the market for an average of 41 days.
2. Boston-Providence Area
The 55+ real estate market in Boston is marked by a strong demand for retirement homes near cultural centers. The number of active listings in this area is down more than 14% from 2024. The average listing price for 55+ homes in this area is $649,450, and the average time properties stay on the market is 42 days. There’s an average of 61 active listings right now.
3. Philadelphia Area
If you’re interested in moving to the Philadelphia area, be prepared for high competition. The number of active listings in this area is down more than 11% from the previous year, making it even more challenging to find the right home in a market with limited inventory. In Philadelphia, 55+ homes are currently listed at a median price of $479,000, and they typically stay on the market for 48 days. As of March 2025, there’s an average of 174 active listings.
4. Washington D.C./Baltimore
Washington D.C./Baltimore can be a challenging real estate market due to complex zoning laws and price surges. This area features an average median closing price in 55+ communities of $524,000, which is up from $436,000 in 2024. Currently, the listing price for 55+ homes in the Washington D.C./Baltimore area stands at $499,923, with homes on the market for 51 days. There’s currently an average of 241 active listings.
5. San Diego Area
Homes in the San Diego area spend an average of 49 days on the market, compared to 39 days on the market in 2024. This can be a difficult real estate market due to significant price hikes and limited options. San Diego’s current 55+ housing market shows an average listing price of $687,450, with homes spending about 49 days on the market. The city has an average of 150 active listings as of March 2025.
6. Southern Pines Area
North Carolina’s Southern Pines area is facing a short supply of homes and a highly competitive market. Last year, 55+ homes spent an average of 180 days on the market. In 2025, homes are only on the market for an average of 35 days. The current median price for homes in 55+ communities is $397,750, with an average of 12 active listings currently.
7. Los Angeles-Orange County Area
55+ homebuyers should expect skyrocketing prices and low inventory, especially in desirable coastal cities, like the Los Angeles-Orange County area. The median closing price on 55+ homes in this area is nearly $508,000, compared to about $459,000 last year. In Los Angeles, 55+ homes are priced at an average of $576,375, and they remain on the market for about 52 days. There’s an average of 672 available listings right now.
8. Sacramento Area
The Sacramento area can be a tough market to break into due to the high demand for suburban living and retirement-friendly amenities. 55+ homes in this area are staying on the market for about 53 days, which is almost the same as the average of 54 days in 2024. The listing price for 55+ homes in Sacramento is $591,250, with an average of 166 current active listings.
9. Central New Jersey Area
Many 55+ buyers want to live in the Central New Jersey area because of its proximity to New York City. Access to cultural amenities is also driving demand. The median closing price in 55+ communities is $356,000, compared to last year’s median closing price of $347,000. Currently, 55+ homes in Central New Jersey are being listed at a median price of $470,500, with an average market duration of 45 days. Presently, there’s an average of 666 homes for sale in this area.
10. Raleigh-Durham Area
Increased interest from out-of-state buyers is driving up prices in the Raleigh-Durham area of North Carolina. In March 2025, this area featured an average of 82 active listings, which is down from 90 active listings in 2024. Right now, the active listing price for 55+ homes in Raleigh-Durham is $530,625, and homes stay on the market for an average of 52 days.
11. Bay Area
The Bay Area is a challenging real estate market for two reasons: very limited inventory and high price points. Homes are closing at a median price of $648,000, which is up from the median closing price of $626,000 in 2024. Currently, the asking price for 55+ homes in the Bay Area is a median of $717,000, with properties staying on the market for an average of 59 days. The area currently has an average of 285 active listings.
12. Charlotte Area
Charlotte has become a challenging real estate market due to increased interest in North Carolina. Buyers are drawn to the favorable climate and the area’s many amenities. In 2024, homes were on the market for about 147 days. In 2025, homes are on the market for about half the time: 71 days. Charlotte’s 55+ homes have an average listing price of $545,947, with an average of 226 current active listings.
13. Long Island Area
A strong demand for beachfront properties and proximity to New York City make the Long Island area a challenging market for 55+ buyers. Active listings in 55+ communities are about the same year-over-year in this area, with an average of 97 active listings in March 2025 and 99 in the year prior. In Long Island, 55+ homes are currently listed at a median price of $563,020, and they typically stay on the market for 40 days.
Strategies for Overcoming Challenges in Tough Markets
Even though the 55+ housing market has its challenges, don’t give up hope. Instead, come prepared to purchase in a competitive market. Here are a few tips that can help you as you search for the perfect home in a tough real estate market:
Work With an Expert
Overcoming the challenges in a tough market requires working with an expert who knows the ins and outs of the 55+ housing market. Timing is crucial, and when a home hits the market, you’ll want to act fast. Otherwise, it could get snapped up, leaving you to start the search all over again.
Expand Your Search
You might also consider exploring new and emerging communities. If you look beyond the traditional retirement hotspots, you might find up-and-coming areas that offer fantastic opportunities at more affordable prices.
In California, for example, instead of focusing your search on San Diego or Los Angeles, consider expanding your home search to 55+ communities in the Inland Empire. Here, you can find beautiful homes at more affordable prices, giving you the perfect balance of a laid-back lifestyle and scenic beauty without the steep price of a coastal city.
Understand Your Financing Options
Being prepared with your financing is another way you can overcome today’s tough housing market. Familiarize yourself with loan programs for 55+ buyers. Some lenders may offer special programs that make it easy to get financing, even in difficult markets. It’s also wise to get pre-approved for a mortgage before starting your home search. This way, you’ll not only have a clear picture of your budget but you’ll also be a more attractive buyer to sellers—particularly in competitive markets.
Make Competitive Offers
In hot markets, it’s crucial to make your offer stand out. Pre-approval is great, and if you have the means, you may also want to be ready with a cash offer. This can give you an edge over other buyers. Many sellers prefer cash offers because they’re easier to close, which means you have an advantage in getting the home you want.
Stay Patient and Flexible
It’s understandable to feel frustrated if the perfect home doesn’t pop up right away. However, don’t lose heart. The right home is out there. Stay flexible with your must-have list. You might find a hidden gem in a home you didn’t expect to love. Keep an open mind, and when you do find the right place, you’ll know it’s worth the wait.
What 55places.com Can Do to Help
When it comes to your real estate search, you have market-leading expertise at your fingertips. 55places.com provides the most comprehensive 55+ real estate listings. With the help of our team of experts, you can navigate tough markets and receive personalized advice tailored specifically for your budget and preferences.
Searching for a home right now—especially in the 13 cities above—has its challenges. However, the situation isn’t bleak. With the right strategies, some flexibility, and a little help from the experts, you can find the home that checks off all your boxes—and then some.
Reach out today, and let us help you navigate the current market challenges. The right home is out there. We’ll help you find it!
Methodology
We analyzed data from over 70 Multiple Listing Services (MLSs), focusing on home sales in 2024 and 2025 within the geographic boundaries of more than 2,500 active adult communities listed on 55places.com. Most of these communities are age-restricted for residents 55 and older, in accordance with the Housing for Older Persons Act. We also included a small number of age-targeted communities—those designed to appeal to 55+ residents through their home designs, amenities, and lifestyle offerings, despite lacking formal age restrictions.
For each community, we aggregated key metrics, either summing or averaging values, to reflect trends within the broader “Area” they belong to.
While our methodology provides a comprehensive market overview, it does not account for transactions occurring outside the MLS. This includes many new construction home purchases made directly from builders, as well as private sales between friends or family members. Additionally, we excluded outliers to ensure the data remains relevant to the 55+ homebuying market.
