Union vs. Middlesex: Late-Fall Speed Check — Values, Days-to-Pending, New Listings

The 60-Second Snapshot

• Union County: Typical value $616,042; 22 days to pending; ~851 active listings; ~310 new listings. (Data through Oct 31, 2025.) Zillow

• Middlesex County: Typical value $571,949; 26 days to pending; ~1,967 active listings; ~666 new listings. (Data through Oct 31, 2025.) Zillow

What that means in plain English: both counties are still moving at a healthy clip into the holidays. Union is a touch faster; Middlesex has more choice on the shelf. If you prep right and price to reality, you can be under contract before the tree’s down.

Union County: Price-Up, Pace-Quick

Sellers in Linden, Rahway, Union Township, and Elizabeth are competing in a market where well-presented homes still go pending in about three weeks. The combination of tight choices and buyer urgency is keeping timelines snappy. Use this to your advantage with a strong first impression and clean pricing bands. Zillow

Micro-notes for Union sellers

• Lead with lifestyle copy: transit access, park adjacency, finished flex spaces.

• Over-pricing costs you time; homes closest to comps within ~2% tend to convert fastest.

• Expect serious traffic in week one; be ready for quick countering. (County pace context above.) Zillow

Middlesex County: Choice = Strategy

With more listings on the market, buyers in Woodbridge Township (Avenel, Iselin, Colonia, Woodbridge Proper, etc.) can compare and negotiate—especially on older ranches and townhomes near transit. Sellers win here by owning the details: pre-inspection fixes, energy-efficiency notes, and crisp photography. 26 days to pending is still strong—just bring A-game presentation. Zillow

Micro-notes for Middlesex sellers

• Stage for function: home office nook or storage clarity beats generic décor.

• Price bands around Metropark/Iselin commuter demand remain resilient—market confirms via county medians and time-to-pending. Zillow

New Listings Flow (Why It Matters Right Now)

Statewide, new-listing volume picked up into early fall 2025 versus last year, which is consistent with the local “still moving” picture you’re seeing. Translation: you can list now without getting buried—and buyers can tour more than one viable option. Timing + presentation is the difference. Njar Public Stats

Action Plans

If You’re Selling (Union or Middlesex):

1. Price to reality: anchor to the last 30–60 days within your micro-neighborhood; aim within ~2% of fair value.

2. List for speed: professional photos + simple repairs → hit the market Monday/Tuesday to capture weekday alerts; review activity by day 7.

3. Negotiate with intention: if you’re near transit/parks or freshly updated, protect price; if you lack those, trade speed for certainty (clean terms).
   (Data context: Union 22 days to pending; Middlesex 26 days to pending.) Zillow+1

If You’re Buying:

1. Shop the shelf: Middlesex has more active options—use that to negotiate inspections/credits. Zillow

2. Move fast in Union: prep underwriting and lock quickly; good homes move in ~3 weeks. Zillow

3. Think transit: station-area homes hold demand even in slower seasons—focus searches within your preferred commute radius. (County pages reflect the demand via time-to-pending.) Zillow+1

Neighborhood Micro-Notes (Agent talking points)

• Linden: leverage space/value vs. nearby towns; spotlight garages, basements, usable yards. Zillow

• Rahway: downtown energy + rail access keeps buyer flow steady; mention walkability and arts district. Zillow

• Woodbridge/Iselin: commuter corridor + broader inventory gives buyers options; sellers should pre-empt concessions with turnkey presentation. Zillow

Ready for Zip-Level Numbers?

Get a custom one-pager for your block: typical value trend, 30-day new listings, and time-to-pending in your ZIP.

👉 Get Your Zip-Level Market Report

Sources

• Zillow Research – Union County, NJ (typical value, inventory, new listings, median days to pending; data through Oct 31, 2025). Zillow

• Zillow Research – Middlesex County, NJ (typical value, inventory, new listings, median days to pending; data through Oct 31, 2025). Zillow

• NJ REALTORS® – Monthly Indicators (statewide trends and context).