Two years ago, residential real estate agents and brokers were celebrating as Erie County sent a new benchmark with 57 private residences - homes , condos and townhomes - selling for north of $1 million.
Fast forward to 2025 and, as of Nov. 5, there have been 87 homes that went for more than $1 million. That's 58% increase in two years.
Last year, 83 homes sold for more than $1 million.
The sale of local million dollar homes was once a rarity but now it averages out to a million dollar home selling at least once every three days.
And, with several pending deals expected to close by Dec. 31, it is very likely Erie County will see somewhere between 90 and 95 homes - this year - selling for more than $1 million.
"I don't see the trend stopping," said Susie Lenahan, a broker and vice president with M.J. Peterson Real Estate.
This year alone, Buffalo has seen a house on Tudor Place sell for $3.5 million and one of Chapin Parkway that went for $2.9 million.
The sale of $1 million homes is considered a key economic benchmark within the local residential real estate industry. Many consider it a regional economic bellwether.
"In a way, it puts us on the map," Lenahan said.
So who is buying these homes and where are they selling?
This year, the four municipalities with the most number of million-plus home sales are: Clarence, Orchard Park, Buffalo and Amherst.
Buyers are people relocating to the area - many of whom are coming from places where residential real estate prices are considerably higher.
"They look at our prices as a bargain," Lenahan said.
Erie County and Buffalo are considered one of the most affordable places to buy residential real estate, according to national firms such as Redfin and Zillow.
Redfin said, as of September, the average Buffalo/Erie County house sold for $299,000 while Zillow reports home sale prices have increased by just 3.3% in the past year.
"People are amazed at what they can buy," Lenahan said. "And, yes that includes million dollar homes."