If you've been following the national real estate headlines, you might think the housing market has slowed to a crawl.

That's not what's happening here in the Tri-Cities.

The June numbers tell a much different story. Buyers have more homes to choose from than we've seen in years, homes are still selling quickly, and prices continue to hold near record levels. In other words, our local market remains very healthy.

Inventory Is Finally Giving Buyers More Choices

One of the biggest changes over the past year has been inventory.

June finished with 1,163 active listings, the highest we've seen in more than a decade. That's an 8.2% increase from May and even higher than the inventory peak we saw during 2025.

For buyers, this is welcome news.

Instead of feeling pressured to write an offer on the very first home you like, you have options. You're able to compare homes, neighborhoods, and features without feeling like everything will disappear overnight.

That doesn't mean buyers suddenly have all the leverage, but it does mean shopping for a home is becoming much less stressful than it was a few years ago.

Homes Are Still Selling Fast

Here's where many people get surprised.

Even with more inventory, homes aren't sitting on the market.

The median time to sell in June dropped to just 20 days, the fastest we've seen all year. Well-priced, well-presented homes are continuing to attract buyers quickly.

That's an important reminder for sellers.

Simply because there are more homes available doesn't mean buyers have stopped buying. They just have more choices. Homes that are priced correctly and marketed professionally are still moving.

Sales Activity Is the Strongest We've Seen in Years

Another encouraging sign is the number of homes actually closing.

The Tri-Cities recorded 391 closed sales in June, up nearly 8% from May and almost 10% higher than June of last year. It's also the strongest month for home sales we've seen since 2022.

That's important because transaction volume often tells us more about the health of the market than price alone.

People are still buying.

People are still moving.

Families are still relocating to the Tri-Cities.

The market is active—not stagnant.

Home Prices Continue to Show Strength

Despite more homes coming on the market, prices remain remarkably stable.

• Median Sales Price: $445,000
• Average Sales Price: $490,000

We've now spent several consecutive months with median prices hovering in the $440,000–$446,000 range, showing that values have remained resilient even as inventory has grown.

That's good news for homeowners wondering whether increased inventory would cause prices to fall.

So far, that's simply not happening.

What Does This Mean If You're Buying?

Today's buyers are in a much better position than they were just a couple of years ago.

You have:

• More homes to choose from.
• More opportunities to compare properties.
• Less pressure to make an immediate decision.

That said, the best homes are still moving quickly. Waiting too long on the right property can still mean missing out.

What Does This Mean If You're Selling?

If you're thinking about selling, don't let the increase in inventory scare you.

The buyers are still here.

The key is standing out from the competition.

Professional photography, strategic pricing, strong online marketing, and a solid negotiation strategy matter more now than they have in years. Buyers have choices, and your home needs to give them a reason to choose yours.

My Take

This is one of the healthiest markets we've had in quite some time.

We're seeing:

• More inventory for buyers.
• Strong sales activity.
• Stable home values.
• Homes selling in about three weeks.

That's a balanced market—and honestly, it's good for everyone.

Whether you're buying your first home, moving up, downsizing, or just wondering what your current home is worth, understanding what's happening locally is far more valuable than watching national headlines.

Every neighborhood is different, and every situation is unique.

If you'd like to know what these numbers mean for your home, or your next move, I'd be happy to help you put together a strategy based on your goals, not just the headlines.