Mid-Summer Housing Market Update

What's happening in the Lane County Housing Market right now?

If you've been wondering whether it's a good time to buy or sell in Lane County, Oregon, the latest market data from July tell us one thing:

The market is becoming more balanced.

While we aren't seeing the frenzy of the past few years, we're also not seeing prices fall dramatically.

Here's what buyers and sellers should know.

Buyers Have More Breathing Room

Inventory increased to 2.6 months, giving buyers more homes to choose from than we've seen recently. Homes are also averaging about 49 days on the market, meaning there is often more time to tour homes, compare options, and negotiate.

That doesn't mean every home sits for weeks—well-priced homes in desirable neighborhoods are still selling quickly—but buyers generally have more leverage than they did a year or two ago.

Home Prices Are Staying Surprisingly Stable

Even with a slower pace of sales, home values have remained remarkably steady.

Through the first seven months of 2026:

• Median sale price is up 1.1%

• Average sale price is up 0.4% compared with last year.

  
  

That's good news for homeowners worried about losing equity while also giving buyers confidence that they're purchasing in a relatively stable market.

Fewer Buyers Are Jumping In Immediately

Pending sales dipped slightly compared to both last month and last July, suggesting buyers are taking more time before writing offers.

Higher interest rates and increased inventory mean buyers can be more selective.

What This Means if You're Buying

This is one of the best opportunities we've seen in a while to:

• Compare multiple homes

• Negotiate repairs or closing costs

• Avoid bidding wars in many price ranges

  
  

What This Means if You're Selling

Homes are absolutely still selling—but pricing matters more than ever.

The sellers seeing success are:

• Pricing accurately from day one

• Presenting their homes beautifully

• Being prepared for some negotiation

  
  

Today's buyers have options.

What About Interest Rates?

Interest rates remain one of the biggest factors influencing today's market. While many buyers are waiting for rates to drop, most forecasts suggest they'll remain relatively elevated for the foreseeable future rather than falling dramatically.

If that's the case, buyers who have been sitting on the sidelines may eventually decide they can't wait any longer, increasing competition. For buyers who are ready now, today's market offers something valuable: more inventory, greater negotiating power, and fewer bidding wars.

Rather than trying to perfectly time interest rates, focus on buying or selling when it makes sense for your life. You can often refinance a mortgage later—but you can't always recreate today's market conditions.

My Take

This isn't a buyer's market or a seller's market.

It's becoming a smart market.

Preparation, pricing, and strategy matter more than simply waiting for the "perfect" time.

Whether you're thinking about buying your first home or selling your current one, understanding your local market is more valuable than following national headlines.