Needham and Dedham homeowners saw their county's average property sale price climb 15% in August, even as the number of sales slipped slightly.

Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell released the August 2026 figures on Friday, Sept. 11. The county's report covers all 28 cities and towns in Norfolk County, including Needham and Dedham, where the Dedham-based registry is located.

The average sale price for residential and commercial properties hit $1,177,803 in August, up from roughly $1.03 million in August 2025. Total sales volume reached approximately $999 million, a 10% increase over the $906 million recorded a year earlier.

The number of properties sold fell 4%, dropping to 848 from 881 in August 2025. Total deeds recorded, which include both sales and transfers, also edged down 1% to 1,528.

O'Donnell said limited housing supply and affordability challenges continue to pressure the market. He noted the decline in recorded deeds.

"But there have been less deeds being recorded when you examine these statistics," he said in the report.

Overall document recordings at the registry ticked up 2% year over year, to 10,209 from 10,035. That broader category includes mortgages, liens and other filings beyond property sales.

Mortgage activity showed mixed signals. The registry recorded 1,508 mortgages in August, a 2% dip from August 2025. Total mortgage debt came in at roughly $1.55 billion, down 11% from August 2025.

Foreclosure numbers remain low but are climbing. Six foreclosure deeds were recorded in August, up from four a year earlier. Notices to foreclose, the first step in the process, rose to 34 from 26. Statewide, foreclosure filings increased nearly 12% year over year in July, though they remain at historically low levels, Banker & Tradesman reported.

O'Donnell said homeowners struggling with mortgage payments can contact Quincy Community Action Programs at 617-479-8181 (ext. 376) or NeighborWorks Housing Solutions at 508-587-0950. The Massachusetts Attorney General's Consumer Advocacy and Response Division is reachable at 617-727-8400.