Is Rochester’s Housing Market in a Horror Movie Phase?

October 19, 2026

If Rochester’s housing market were a Halloween movie, which one would it be?

The Exorcist and Texas Chainsaw Massacre both came up when Mark Siwiec and Corey Moran opened their latest market update. The one thing they would like to see slashed? Interest rates.

The conversation quickly turns to what they are seeing across Rochester real estate this fall: more homes remaining available after delayed negotiations, listing agents following up with buyers, and questions about how much of October’s slowdown could carry into the next selling season.

Watch the full Rochester market update with Mark and Corey.

More Homes Are Going Past Delayed Negotiations

One of the clearest observations in this update comes from Corey’s work with active buyers. He is still showing homes, and he is hearing more from listing agents afterward. They want to know what buyers thought and whether an offer might be coming.

He is also seeing more properties remain available beyond their delayed negotiation dates.

For sellers, that changes the conversation after a home goes on the market. A scheduled date to review offers can create expectations about how quickly a sale will come together. When that date passes and the property is still available, buyer feedback becomes especially useful.

The response to showings can help an agent assess how the home is competing with other choices. Sellers may need to revisit their expectations about timing and discuss how price, presentation and the competing inventory are affecting interest.

Mortgage Rates Keep the Monthly Payment in Focus

Mark and Corey acknowledge some recent relief in mortgage rates while questioning how much improvement buyers can count on. Their concern is what another increase in borrowing costs could mean for activity.

For someone financing a purchase, that concern comes down to the payment. With the same loan amount and term, a higher interest rate increases the monthly principal and interest payment. That can change the home price that fits a buyer’s budget, as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau explains in its home affordability guide.

A buyer can like a home, need to move and still have to reconsider the numbers before making an offer.

That is why mortgage rates remain central to the local conversation. Having properties to consider is one part of the search. Being comfortable with the cost of purchasing one is another.

The October Rochester Housing Market Snapshot

The figures discussed in Episode 260 show a modest decline in active listings across the six county region, along with lower under-contract and pending totals in both Monroe County and the broader region.

Figures are the snapshots reported in the episode, compared with the preceding update. They reflect the discussion at the time of recording.

More than 1,200 active listings remained across the region. Mark and Corey describe that as a meaningful amount of available inventory for this point in the season, with some properties continuing to linger.

The lower under-contract and pending totals also provide context for their description of the fall market winding down. These counts describe inventory and homes awaiting closing. They do not establish a trend in completed sale prices.

How Much of the Slowdown Is Seasonal?

October is typically a quieter period in the local pattern Mark and Corey describe. Some reduction in activity fits that familiar seasonal rhythm.

The harder question is how much of the slowdown reflects the pressure of higher borrowing costs and how long that pressure might last.

Mark and Corey are looking toward mid-to-late January, when they would normally expect the local market to begin becoming more active again. What buyers and sellers encounter then will depend partly on the financing conditions they face.

For homeowners considering their timing, an anticipated seasonal pickup is one factor to weigh alongside the performance of nearby listings, their own moving plans and the cost of their next purchase.

For earlier context, read our fall Rochester real estate market update.

What This Means for Rochester Buyers and Sellers

For sellers, the response to your particular home matters. Work with your agent to understand the competing listings, recent transactions and feedback from showings. If your home remains available after delayed negotiations, review that response and discuss what it suggests about your strategy.

For buyers, keep the search connected to the full monthly cost. Some homes remaining available longer may give you more time to evaluate a property. An updated financing estimate can help you understand how the purchase fits your budget, including taxes, insurance and other ownership costs.

The Halloween comparisons bring some humor to the discussion. The questions behind them are useful ones: how buyers are responding, how sellers are adjusting, and what those conversations tell us about Rochester’s fall market.

Watch the full October 19 market update with Mark Siwiec and Corey Moran.

Thinking about buying or selling in Rochester? Contact Elysian Homes to discuss how the current market applies to your plans.