Fireside Market Chat: December Market Snapshot for the Grand Rapids MLS Area

If you’re casually watching the market—or actively planning a move—December is a helpful month to step back and get a clean snapshot of what’s happening. Not hype. Not headlines. Just the numbers and what they usually mean in real life.

Here’s your December Market Pulse for the entire Grand Rapids MLS area, followed by a practical read on what it suggests for buyers and sellers.

The 3 numbers that matter

1) Average sale price: $389,748That’s a 3.9% increase year-over-year.

2) Average days on market: 30 daysHomes are still moving at a healthy pace, but not necessarily in a “decide in 12 minutes” kind of way.

3) Active inventory: 1,010 homesThat’s 7 fewer active listings than this same time last year—so inventory is essentially flat.

What this means (without the drama)

Prices are still trending upward—steadily

A 3.9% year-over-year rise in the average sale price is a sign of a market that continues to support value growth. This isn’t the kind of jump that usually indicates a frenzy, but it does reinforce something important:

If you’re waiting for a dramatic price drop across the board, the data doesn’t support that expectation—at least not at the macro level in the Grand Rapids MLS area.

Homes are selling, but buyers have a little more room to breathe

An average of 30 days on market typically points to a market where:

• Well-priced, well-presented homes still attract attention quickly

• Buyers can be more thoughtful than they could during peak-speed seasons

• Condition and pricing strategy matter more than ever

In other words, buyers may have slightly more time, but the best homes still don’t sit around indefinitely.

Inventory is flat—and that’s a big deal

1,010 active listings is essentially unchanged year-over-year (only 7 fewer than last year). That matters because the “feel” of the market can sometimes be misleading:

• Some buyers feel like there’s more choice simply because they’re watching more closely

• Some sellers assume it’s still a guaranteed multiple-offer environment

But when inventory is flat, the market tends to be segmented:

• Some price points and neighborhoods move fast

• Others require sharper pricing, better presentation, and patience

The practical takeaway for buyers

If you’re buying in this market, your advantage isn’t “waiting it out.” Your advantage is strategy:

• Get clear on your non-negotiables (location, schools, layout, timeline)

• Watch days-on-market patterns in the neighborhoods you care about

• Move quickly when the right home hits—especially if it’s priced correctly and in great condition

The market isn’t chaotic. It’s specific.

The practical takeaway for sellers

If you’re selling (or considering it), this market typically rewards precision:

• Pricing accurately for today’s comps—not last spring’s stories

• Presentation that makes a strong first impression online

• A plan for how to handle showings, offers, and negotiation

With inventory flat, buyers have options—but they still pay attention to homes that feel like a clear value.

Want this snapshot for your neighborhood?

The Grand Rapids MLS area is broad, and the market can behave very differently depending on location and price range. If you want these same numbers applied to your neighborhood, I can pull a quick local snapshot.

Comment your neighborhood on the video post (or reach out directly) and I’ll share a simple breakdown.