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October 2026 Market Overview
October brought the first pause in this year’s inventory build — but the market remains firmly in buyers’ favor.
Active listings eased to 300 from September’s 322, the first monthly decline of 2026, as new listings fell 30% to 60. Even so, inventory is up 52.3% from a year ago, and 6.25 months of supply is well above last October’s 3.8. Pending sales rebounded 20% from September to 54 but remain down 18.2% YOY; closings rose to 48 (-7.7% YOY).
The median closed price slipped to $425,000 (-3.5% YOY), while the $530,421 average reflects a handful of upper-tier sales rather than broad appreciation. Seller expectations are running ahead of buyers: the median new listing came on at $438,950 and the median active listing sits at $485,000, while homes averaged 105 days on market — the longest of the year — and sold at 95.9% of original list price.
Sellers have stopped flooding the market, but buyers still hold the leverage — pricing right on day one remains the deciding factor heading into winter.
October 2026 Market Snapshot
| Metric | October 2026 | Context / Year-Over-Year |
| Active Listings | 300 | Up 52.3% YOY (197 in Oct 2025); down 6.8% from September’s 322 — first monthly decline of 2026 |
| New Listings Taken | 60 | Down 4.8% YOY (63 in Oct 2025); down 30.2% from September’s 86; YTD 818 vs 730 (+12.1%) |
| Closed Sales | 48 | Down 7.7% YOY (52 in Oct 2025); up 4.3% from September’s 46 |
| Pending Sales | 54 | Down 18.2% YOY (66 in Oct 2025); up 20.0% from September’s 45 |
| Median Closed Price | $425,000 | Down 6.9% from September’s $456,500; down 3.5% YOY ($440,179 in Oct 2025) |
| Average Closed Price | $530,421 | Down 5.0% from September’s $558,554; up 2.3% YOY ($518,593) — upper-tier mix |
| Months of Inventory | 6.25 | Eased from September’s 7.2; up from 3.8 in Oct 2025 — still buyer’s-market territory |
| Close-to-List Ratio | 95.9% | Down from September’s 97.9% — buyers are negotiating more off original list price |
| 2026 YTD Closings | 495 | Jan–Oct, up 3.3% YOY (479 through Oct 2025) |
| 2026 YTD Avg Price | $495,978 | Up from $492,151 through September; just below 2025’s full-year $497,489 (-0.3%) |
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FOR SELLERS • Price competitively and make sure your home stands out — buyers can choose from 300 active listings, 52% more than last October. • Plan for a longer timeline: homes averaged 105 days on market in October, the longest stretch of the year. • Invest in staging and professional photos, and aim to secure a buyer before the quieter winter season sets in. • Expect negotiation — homes are selling at 95.9% of original list price, so build flexibility on price and terms into your plan from day one. |
FOR BUYERS • This is an excellent time to shop: inventory is near a four-year high, with more choices and less competition for each home. • With homes staying on the market longer, take time to tour, compare, and negotiate for the best price and terms. • Watch for price reductions — the median is down 3.5% from a year ago — and be ready to act when a great deal appears. • Don’t wait too long: pending sales jumped 20% from September, so well-priced homes are still going under contract. Be pre-approved. |
Curious About Your Next Move?
Every property and situation is unique, and personalized guidance can help you navigate today’s shifting market. Whether you’re thinking about buying, selling, or simply wondering what your home may be worth, contact your Windermere Real Estate / Walla Walla agent. We’re here to help you understand the numbers and move forward with confidence.
Here’s to making smart, confident moves in 2026!
Data source: Northwest Multiple Listing Service. Statistics reflect single-family residential and condominium sales in the Walla Walla Valley. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Not intended to solicit properties already listed.
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*NWMLS WA Data
