Happy new year, friends! January’s market data is in, and I want to walk you through what’s happening across the Lexington area. Whether you’re thinking about buying, selling, or just keeping an eye on things, here’s what the numbers are telling us as we kick off 2026.
All data below comes from the Bluegrass Realtors MLS, comparing January 2025 to January 2026.
Fayette County — the big picture
Fayette County started the year with some really interesting movement. We saw 305 new listings hit the market — that’s a 16.9% jump from last January. Even more exciting? Pending sales climbed to 267, up 23.6%. That tells me buyers are active and motivated, even in the middle of winter.
The median sales price came in at $318,000, which is down about 3% from last year. Before that number makes you nervous, keep in mind that January is always a smaller sample size, and a slight dip after a couple of years of rapid growth isn’t necessarily a bad thing — it can actually open the door for buyers who felt priced out last year.
Homes are sitting a bit longer than last year at 34 days on market (up 12 days from January 2025), and total sales volume hit $99.4 million — a 15% increase year over year. So even with prices leveling off a touch, the overall market is doing more business. That’s a healthy sign.
Scott County — prices climbing, homes moving fast
Scott County is telling a different story right now. The median sales price jumped to $410,000 — up 11.5% year over year. Georgetown and the surrounding areas continue to attract families looking for a bit more space without straying too far from Lexington.
New listings came in at 60 (down 10.4%), and pending sales hit 52 (down 26.8%). With fewer homes available and prices on the rise, this is a competitive market for buyers. If you’re shopping in Scott County, having your financing lined up and being ready to act quickly makes a real difference.
Days on market? Just 24 — down 10 days from last year. Homes are moving fast here, and total volume still grew 9.5% to $26.7 million despite fewer transactions.
Woodford County — a standout month
Woodford County had a remarkable January. New listings surged 65% to 33, and pending sales jumped 61.1% to 29. That kind of activity in January is unusual, and it suggests sellers in the Versailles area are feeling confident about the market heading into spring.
The average sales price hit $457,000 — up 22.2% from last year. Versailles and the Woodford County horse country continue to command premium prices. Days on market held steady at 37, and total volume grew 14% to $6.4 million.
If you’ve been thinking about listing in Woodford County, this is encouraging data. Buyers are out there and they’re willing to pay for the right property.
Jessamine County — inventory is pouring in
Here’s the most dramatic number of the month: Jessamine County saw 96 new listings — an 84.6% increase over last January. That’s a huge influx of inventory for the Nicholasville area.
Pending sales stayed relatively flat at 45 (up just 2.3%), which means a lot of that new inventory is still waiting for buyers. The median price came in at $237,000 (down 35.4%), and days on market increased to 40 (up 24 days). Total volume dipped 22% to $13.1 million.
What does this mean? If you’re a buyer looking in Jessamine County, you have options right now. More inventory and longer days on market give you room to be selective and negotiate. For sellers, pricing competitively from day one is going to be the key to standing out.
what this means for buyers and sellers
Every county is a little different right now, and that’s actually one of the most interesting things about this month’s data. Fayette County is active and balanced. Scott and Woodford are competitive for buyers with rising prices and fast-moving homes. And Jessamine County is giving buyers more breathing room than we’ve seen in a while.
If you’re a seller, the good news is that buyer activity is strong across the board — especially in Fayette County where pending sales jumped nearly 24%. Pricing your home right and presenting it well is still the recipe that works.
If you’re a buyer, your personal timeline and financial readiness matter more than trying to time the perfect moment. The market is moving, and waiting for a dip can mean missing out on a home you love.
I do a deeper dive on where the Lexington market is headed in my housing market forecast — check it out if you want the bigger picture.
let’s talk about your goals
Whether you’re curious about what your home is worth, thinking about making a move this spring, or just want to understand what’s happening in your neighborhood — I’d love to chat. This is what I do every day, and I’m always happy to share what I’m seeing out there.
reach out anytime — let’s figure out your next step together.
Data provided by Bluegrass Realtors MLS. January 2025 compared to January 2026. Raya Rivera is a real estate advisor with The Brokerage in Lexington, KY.
