September 2026 Market Overview
September delivered a decisive turn in the market: inventory climbed to a ten‑year high just as pending sales fell sharply.
Active listings rose to 322 (+45.0% YOY), the highest count since 2016, and sellers kept coming with 86 new listings (+26.5% YOY). But buyers did not keep pace—pending sales dropped to 45, down from August’s 70 and 26% below last September. Closed sales also slipped to 45 (-8.2% YOY), the lowest monthly total since January.
With supply rising and sales slowing, months of inventory jumped to 7.2, the highest reading of 2026 and a clear indicator of a buyer’s market. Prices are holding: the median closed price rose 2.9% YOY to $456,500, while the average closed price hit $558,554—the highest monthly figure in four years—though driven by a heavier mix of upper‑tier closings rather than broad appreciation.
With 7.2 months of supply and pendings down sharply, pricing to today’s competition—not last spring’s—is what gets homes sold.
September 2026 Market Snapshot
| Metric | September 2026 | Context / Year-Over-Year |
| Active Listings | 322 | Up 45.0% YOY (222 in Sep 2025); up 6.3% from August’s 303 — highest count since 2016 |
| New Listings Taken | 86 | Up 26.5% YOY (68 in Sep 2025); YTD 758 vs 667 (+13.6%) |
| Closed Sales | 45 | Down 13.5% from August’s 52; down 8.2% YOY (49 in Sep 2025); lowest month since January |
| Pending Sales | 45 | Down 26.2% YOY (61 in Sep 2025); down 35.7% from August’s 70 |
| Median Closed Price | $456,500 | Up 1.8% from August’s $448,450; up 2.9% YOY ($443,750 in Sep 2025) |
| Average Closed Price | $558,554 | Up 15.2% from August’s $484,907; up 9.1% YOY ($511,926) — mix‑driven on just 45 sales |
| Months of Inventory | 7.2 | Up from August’s 5.8 and Sep 2025’s 4.5 — highest reading of 2026 |
| 2026 YTD Closings | 446 | Jan–Sep, up 4.4% YOY (427 through Sep 2025); YOY lead narrowing |
| 2026 YTD Avg Price | $492,151 | Up from $483,851 through August; just below 2025’s full‑year $497,489 (-1.1%) |
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FOR SELLERS • Price against today’s 322 active listings, not last spring’s comps — buyers have more choices than at any point in ten years. • Plan for a longer runway: with 7.2 months of supply and pendings down 36% from August, the first two weeks of exposure matter most. • Don’t read the $558,554 average as a price jump — the median (+2.9% YOY) is the better guide to what your home will bring. • Targeted incentives (closing‑cost credits, rate buydowns) can help listings stand out before reaching for a large price cut. |
• Selection is the deepest since 2016 — 322 active listings, up 45% YOY. • Fewer buyers are writing offers (pendings down 26% YOY), so competition is lighter and negotiating room is real. • Ask for terms, not just price: repair credits, closing costs, and full inspection and financing contingencies are all reasonable now. • Values remain firm — the median is up 2.9% YOY — so well‑priced homes in good condition still move; be ready when you find one. |
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 is from sources deemed reliable but is not warranted by NWMLS members. Statistics reflect single‑family residential sales in the Walla Walla Valley. Listing and selling brokers are not responsible for errors in data. Not intended to solicit properties already listed.
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*NWMLS WA Data