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orfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell reported a surge in real estate activity for the first quarter of 2025, with increases in both deed and mortgage recordings compared to the same period in 2024.

    The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds recorded 22,752 documents during the first quarter of 2025, a 4% increase from the previous year. This growth is attributed to consistent activity in property sales, transfers, and lending, despite economic pressures such as interest rates, inflation, and employment levels.

    Deed recordings for commercial and residential real estate sales and transfers rose by 5%, with 3,409 deeds recorded in the first quarter of 2025 compared to 3,262 in the same period of 2024. The total volume of commercial and residential sales reached $1,663,020,938, a 9% increase from the previous year.

    The average sale price for properties climbed to $1,146,911, reflecting a 12% increase from the same time period in 2024. Overall lending activity was up, with an 11% increase in mortgage recordings and a significant decline in total mortgage indebtedness, falling 41%.

    Foreclosure activity also saw notable improvements during the first quarter of 2025, with a 38% decrease in foreclosure deeds recorded and a 23% decline in notices to foreclose. Register O'Donnell urged anyone struggling to pay their mortgage or facing foreclosure challenges to contact non-profit organizations listed on the Registry's website.

    Norfolk County remains a highly desirable location for real estate, but affordability challenges and limited inventory continue to create hurdles for prospective buyers. As the spring homebuying season approaches, the Registry of Deeds hopes to see continued activity reflecting the strength and resilience of local communities.