Market Trends June 12, 2019

Walla Walla Real Estate Update – May 2019

More sellers listed their homes for sale in May which brought a much-needed boost to the Walla Walla Valley’s listing inventory.  The number of listings grew 14% over the previous month and essentially equaled the number of homes available for sale 12 months ago.  Closed homes sales declined a bit from the previous month but remained quite active.  Yet at month’s end, annual homes sales were still 13% behind last year’s pace.

The valley’s median price jumped significantly from the previous month as more upper priced properties sold.  However, this year’s median price has increased by just 3% over last year.  Favorable interest rates continued to fuel buyer demand and new contract formation continued to be strong in May.  The number of pending transactions – homes under contract but not yet closed – increased 30% over the previous month.  This forward-looking indicator shows that the active market is continuing into the summer months.

 

May’s Listings: 264*

The month’s listings grew 14% over the previous month and equaled the number listed in May of last year.

 

May’s Closed Sales: 65*

Closed home sales slowed 7% from the previous month and 2% below the number that closed in May of last year.

 

May’s Median Price: $289,000*

The month’s median sales price took at 15% leap over the previous month but was just 4% above the median sales price for May of last year.

 

Click here for full a Monthly Statistics Report.

 

*WWMLS WA Data

Market Trends May 16, 2019

Walla Walla Real Estate Update – April 2019

Walla Walla valley’s real estate market sprung back to life in April. Homes sales surged 52% and listing inventory grew 9% over the previous month. However, given the slow first quarter, year-to-date sales remained 16% behind last years pace and the trend of year-over-year listing declines continued. At month’s end, there were 8% fewer homes listed for sale than were available 12 months ago.

However, there were signs that the market will stay active as we head into summer. Buyer demand remained strong and the number of purchase and sale agreements increased. Pending sales, a forward-looking indicator for homes under contract but not yet closed, grew 12% over the previous month. We also expect to see listing inventory grow during May as sellers look to take advantage of the busy market.

April’s Listings: 232*

The month’s listing inventory grew 9% over the previous month but remained 8% below the number of homes available a year ago.

April’s Closed Sales: 70*

Home sales surged 52% ahead of the previous month but were 11% behind the number that closed during April of last year.

April’s Median Price: $252,000*

The month’s median price was 2% higher than the previous month and 11% higher than the median price for April of last year.

Click here for the full monthly charts.

*WWMLS WA Data

Market Trends April 12, 2019

Walla Walla Real Estate Update – March 2019

Through the first part of the year, there were more buyers on the market than listings in the Walla Walla Valley.  Some buyers delayed their purchase decisions because they were unable to find what they were looking for.  At the first quarter end, both listings and sales had fallen 18% behind last years pace.

The low inventory continued to put upward pressure on price.  The median price for this year’s first quarter was 9% higher than the first quarter of last year.

However, buyer demand remained strong and there were signs that home sales were increasing.  Pending homes sales – those under contract but not yet closed – grew by 4% over the previous month.  There were also signs that more listing inventory was on the way.  Many sellers wanting to sell their homes this year have waited till spring to list.  And the buyers can’t wait.  We expect an active real estate market in the second quarter of the year.

Listings: 212*

Listing grew a modest 2% over the previous month but remained 18% below the number of homes available 12 months ago.

Closed Home Sales: 46*

Home sales increased 12% over the previous month but declined 20% below the number of closings in March of last year.

Median Price: $247,500*

The median decreased 5% from the previous month but was 4% higher than the median price for March of last year.

Click here for the full Monthly Charts

*WWMLS WA Data

Market Trends March 13, 2019

Walla Walla Real Estate Update – February 2019

Walla Walla’s real estate market experienced an icy month.  Both listings and sales continued to decline and harsh winter conditions are partly to blame.  Many brokers reported that their sellers who wanted to list homes in February were waiting for the snow to melt so they could prepare their homes for market.  In addition, slippery roads combined with the prospect of additional homes coming on the market caused some buyers to delay their purchase decisions.  Through the first two months, closed home sales fell 17% behind last years pace.

Everyone is ready for spring!  And Walla Walla’s real estate market is poised to get very busy.  Warm weather will certainly bring listings to market and buyer demand for homes in the Walla Walla Valley will remain strong.  Our local economy, favorable mortgage rates, and small-town lifestyle will continue to make owning a home here a very desirable investment.  Like pretty much everyone, we are ready for the snow to melt!

February’s Listings: 208*

The month ended with 5% fewer listings than the previous month and 10% below the number of homes listed for sale a year ago.

February’s Closings: 34*

Monthly closings slid another 19% from the previous month and ended 15% below the number of closings in February of last year.

February’s Median Sales Price: $263,750*

Median prices increased 13% over the previous month and 18% above the median price for February of last year.

Click here for monthly charts.

*WWMLS WA Data

Market Trends February 18, 2019

Walla Walla Real Estate Update – January 2019

The Walla Walla Valley’s real estate market got off to a slow start this year.  Home closings were 19% below last year’s pace and listing inventory remained historically low.  However, there were some encouraging signs; buyers continued to write contracts during the month and the pipeline of pending sales – homes under contract but not yet closed – increased by 41%.  This is a good forward-looking indicator of future sales.

In addition, we are expecting Walla Walla’s listing inventory to grow during the first quarter of the year.  As mentioned in our year-end report, 23 counties in Washington state are already reporting annual listing inventory gains.  And although Walla Walla is often more steady than other markets, our area usually trends with the state.

January’s Listings: 219*

The month ended with the same number of listings as the previous month and 6% below the number of homes listed for sale a year ago.

January’s Closings: 42*

Closings declined by 22% from the previous month and fell 19% below the number of closings for January of last year.

January’s Median Sales Price: 233,000*

The median price fell 6% below the previous month but was 5% higher than the median price for January of last year.

*WWMLS WA Data

Click here for THE JANUARY 2019 MARKET REPORT

Market Trends December 12, 2018

Walla Walla Real Estate Update – November 2018

Despite low inventory, the Walla Walla Valley MLS is poised to have its second most active real estate year ever.  With one month to go, annual homes sales remained 4% ahead of last years pace.  Last year’s sales were second to the number that occurred in 2016.  While sustained listing inventory levels were extremely low this year for the Walla Walla Valley, new listings that came to market each month were quickly sold.  The seller’s market continued, especially for homes under $600,000.

As reported throughout the year, low inventory levels led to increased prices.  With one month to go, the fourth quarter’s median sales price is 10% higher than that for the same period a year ago.

While the market sustained good activity throughout the month, there were signs that the anticipated seasonal slowdown had begun.  November’s pending sales – homes under contract but not yet sold – declined by 13%.  However, December’s projected closings should ensure the lead over last year is maintained.

November’s Listings: 237*

Novembers listing inventory dropped 13% from the previous month and remained 14% below the number of homes listed for sale in November of last year.

November’s Closed Sales: 63*

Closed sales declined 14% from the previous month but stayed on par with the number of homes that closed in November of last year.

November’s Median Price: $260,000*

The month’s median price equaled that of last month but was 9% higher than the median price of closed homes in November of last year.

Click here for the full November Monthly Charts

*WWMLS WA Data

Market Trends July 13, 2018

Walla Walla Real Estate Update – June 2018

Through the first half of the year Walla Walla’s Real Estate Market has experienced active sales, low inventory, and rising prices.  2017 was the second most active real estate market in Walla Walla’s MLS history but at the end of June, home sales were 6% ahead of last years pace.  June was the single busiest month for home closings yet this year.

Inventory remained low but did not experience a month-over-month decline as enough new listings were brought to market during the month to replace those that sold.  The seller’s market continued, especially for homes under $600,000.

Year-to-date, Walla Walla’s median price was $241,185 – a 6% increase over the previous years median price.  Thus far, rising prices coupled with increasing interest rates have not dampened buyer activity.  We expect the active real estate market to continue through the summer.

June’s Listings: 265*

Even after a busy closing month, the month ended with essentially the same number of active listings as the previous month.  Listings were down 7% from the number of homes available at the same time a year ago.

June’s Closed Sales: 81*

June’s closings increased 20% over the previous month and equalled the number that closed during June of last year.

June’s Median Price: $257,000*

June’s median price settled 8% from the previous month and was 3% higher than June of last year.

Click here for June’s Charts.

*WWMLS WA Data

 

Market Trends March 14, 2018

Walla Walla Real Estate Update – February 2018

Photo by Christina Kennel

 

Through the first two months of the year in the Walla Walla Valley, closed home sales have held steady with last years pace. Buyers were active during February with new contract signings; pending sales – homes under contract but not yet closed – grew by 17% over the previous month. However, buyers choices were limited. Listing inventory remained low. The number of homes listed for sale was 7% lower than the number available at the same time last year.

The market remained a clear sellers market, especially for homes under $400,000. Low inventory levels continued to put upward pressure on price. During the first two months, Walla Walla’s average sales price increased by 2.5%. Going forward, our listing supply should get a boost! Typically, more sellers list their properties for sale during the spring months. We expect listings to grow in March which will alleviate some of the pricing pressure.

February’s Listings: 232*

The month’s listings held steady with the previous month but ended 7% below the number of homes available for sale at the same time a year ago.

February’s Closed Sales: 39*

Typically, February’s closed sales slow from January’s pace. That is what happened again this year. Closed sales declined by 25% from the previous month but were up 15% ahead of the closed sales for February of last year. YTD, closed sales are on pace with last year.

February’s Median Price: $224,000*

The Median sales price held steady with last month. However, the average sales price increased 2.5% over the previous year. What happens to listing supply will determine how much upward pressure pricing face as we go forward.

Click here for February 2018 Charts.

*WWMLS WA data

Market Trends February 14, 2018

Walla Walla Real Estate Update – January 2018

An uptick in Walla Walla Valley home sales in the final three months of 2017 pulled down housing inventory to its lowest point in more than 15 years. But listing inventory improved a bit early in the year. Some sellers, wanting to capitalize on continued buyer demand, listed their homes early in January. As a result, listing inventory grew 3.5% during the month.

January’s median price ($222,750) pulled back a bit from 2017’s median price ($227,517) but low inventory levels will continue to put upward pressure on prices. The prospect of higher prices and potentially higher interest rates continued to fuel buyers motivation.

Although 6 sales shy of last January, closed home sales got off to a steady start in the new year. What happens to sales going forward will depend on whether or not listing inventory can keep up with buyer demand.

 

January’s Listings: 234*

The months listings grew 3.5% over the previous month but was still 5% below last January.

January’s Closings: 50*

The month’s closed sales settled from last month and was just 6 sales behind last January’s pace.

January’s Median Price: $222,750*

The month’s median price settled 8% from the previous month but was 6% higher than last January.

Click here for January 2018 Charts.

*WWMLS WA Data

 

Market Trends June 16, 2017

Walla Walla Real Estate Update – May 2017

More homes sold in May than any previous month this year in Walla Walla. Yet, through the first five months of the year, sales were still 8% behind last years record setting pace. The slow down was largely due to the low inventory levels Walla Walla has experienced through the first part of the year.

However, listing inventories have improved a bit. May experienced the largest monthly gain in new listings yet this year. The month ended with 24% more homes listed for sale than the previous month. But even after the boost in new listings, Walla Walla was still 20% below the number of homes listed for sale during May of last year.

Buyer demand remained strong during the month of May. Pending sales, a forward looking indicator based on contract signings, increased by 8%. On the year, Walla Walla has experienced a strong seller market, especially for homes priced $350,000 and below. We anticipate that more sellers will bring their homes to market during the month of June to take advantage of this dynamic.

May’s Listing total: 310*

The month ended with 60 more active listings than the previous month. However, Walla Walla is was still 20% below last year’s totals.

May’s Closings: 71*

May’s closed sales increased 45% over the previous month and was 9% a head of the number of homes that closed during May of last year.

May’s Median Price: $223,500*

The median price increased 6% over the previous month and was 5% above the median price for May of last year.  Year-to-date, Walla Walla’s median price was 2% above last year.

Click here for May’s charts.

*WWMLS WA Data