Short Sale Listings Are Climbing in Baltimore County

After years of historic quiet, new short sale activity in Baltimore County is up at every timeframe measured.

In 2023 and 2024 this market hit historic lows, with multiple months seeing zero new short sale listings. Something has shifted.

What the data shows

Over the last six months, November 2025 through April 2026, new short sale listings in Baltimore County are up 56% compared to the six months prior.

Within 2026 alone, activity has grown every single month: up 33% from February to March, and another 50% from March into April. Year over year, April 2026 is running 20% ahead of April 2025.

The second half of 2025 was already showing signs of a turn, coming in 22% higher than the second half of 2024. What is happening now is that momentum continuing to build.

Period-over-period change in new short sale listings
H2 2024 to H2 2025	+22%
April 2025 to April 2026	+20%
February to March 2026	+33%
March to April 2026	+50%
Last 6 months vs. prior 6 months	+56%

Data: ShowingTime / Bright MLS, New Listings by Distressed State, Baltimore County, MD, through April 2026.

Context

2023 and 2024 were historic lows, with multiple months recording zero new short sale listings. Activity is rising but remains well below the levels seen in 2016 and 2017.

These figures also count new listings rather than closed sales. A listing means a homeowner decided to act. It does not mean a lender has approved anything yet.

What it means

To be clear, we are not near the levels seen in 2016 or 2017. But the direction is consistent, and the dead stretches are gone. Homeowners in Baltimore County who are behind on their mortgages are increasingly choosing to act, and the pace is picking up month over month.

If you have been sitting on the fence, that is a signal worth paying attention to.

A free consultation costs nothing and carries no obligation. If you want to understand the mechanics first, our short sale process guide walks through each stage.