🏡 Burton’s Take: Clark County Housing Market Update | July 2026

If you’ve been wondering whether now is a good time to buy or sell a home in Clark County, you’re not alone. It’s one of the questions I hear most often.

The housing market continues to shift, and while national headlines often paint a dramatic picture, our local market tells a different story. Here in Clark County, we’re seeing a healthier, more balanced pace than the frenzy of a few years ago. Buyers have more opportunities, sellers are still seeing strong demand, and success on both sides comes down to strategy.

Let’s take a look at what happened in June and what it means as we move through July.

📊 June 2026 Market Snapshot

According to the Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS), here’s how Clark County performed in June:

• New Listings: 145 (▼ 3.0% from June 2025)
• Active Listings: 294 (▼ 3.0%)
• Pending Sales: 114 (▼ 0.9%)
• Closed Sales: 115 (▲ 29.2%)
• Median Sale Price: $550,000 (▼ 3.5%)
• Months of Inventory: 2.56 Months

Single-Family Homes

• Median Price: $560,000
• Closed Sales: ▲ 31.3%
• Pending Sales: ▲ 3.8%
• Inventory: 2.32 Months

Condominiums

• Median Price: $300,000
• Active Listings: ▲ 41.4%
• Pending Sales: ▼ 50%
• Inventory: 6.83 Months

📈 What Changed This Month?

One statistic immediately stands out: closed sales increased nearly 30% compared to last June.

That tells us buyers are still actively purchasing homes despite higher mortgage rates. While the median sale price dipped modestly year over year, it’s important to remember that median prices can fluctuate based on the types of homes sold during the month. A slight decline doesn’t necessarily mean every home’s value has decreased.

Inventory remains limited at 2.56 months, which is still well below the 4 to 6 months of inventory that is typically considered a balanced housing market.

In other words, the market has become healthier, but it still leans in favor of sellers.

🏡 What This Means for Buyers

Today’s buyers have more opportunities than they did just a few years ago.

With more homes available and fewer bidding wars, buyers can take a little more time, compare properties, negotiate repairs, and make more informed decisions.

That doesn’t mean it’s time to wait.

Well-priced homes in desirable neighborhoods are still selling quickly, so being pre-approved and ready to act remains incredibly important.

If you’re financially prepared, today’s market offers more flexibility than we’ve seen in several years.

🏠 What This Means for Sellers

Sellers are still in a strong position, but the rules have changed.

The homes generating the most activity all have three things in common:

✔️ They’re priced correctly.

✔️ They’re professionally marketed.

✔️ They’re well prepared before hitting the market.

Today’s buyers are educated. They’re comparing homes carefully and paying close attention to value. Overpricing a home based on last year’s market is one of the quickest ways to increase days on market and eventually require a price reduction.

A thoughtful pricing strategy from day one is more important than ever.

🔮 Looking Ahead

Clark County continues to be one of the most desirable places to live in the Pacific Northwest.

People continue relocating here because of our quality of life, strong job market, outdoor recreation, and proximity to Portland without Oregon income tax.

As long as inventory remains below balanced levels, I expect well-priced homes to continue attracting buyers. Mortgage rates will influence affordability, but demand for Clark County real estate remains healthy.

⭐ Burton’s Take

One of the biggest misconceptions I hear is that because the market has slowed from the frenzy of a few years ago, it’s a bad time to buy or sell. I don’t see it that way.

What I see is a healthier market.

Buyers have more time to make informed decisions, more homes to choose from, and better opportunities to negotiate than they did during the peak of the market. At the same time, sellers who prepare their homes well and price them strategically are still seeing strong activity and successful sales.

The biggest mistake sellers can make right now is pricing their home based on what a neighbor sold for last year instead of what buyers are willing to pay today. Likewise, buyers who are waiting for the “perfect” market may miss opportunities that exist right now. While interest rates and home prices will continue to fluctuate, you can often refinance a mortgage later. You can’t go back and buy the right home after someone else has.

Every neighborhood in Clark County tells a different story. The market in Camas isn’t exactly the same as Battle Ground. Ridgefield isn’t identical to Vancouver. That’s why I believe local knowledge will always be more valuable than national headlines.

My advice this month is simple: focus on your personal goals, not the noise. Whether you’re buying, selling, or simply planning for the future, decisions based on accurate local data will almost always outperform decisions based on fear or speculation.

That’s my take this month.

I’ll see you next month with another look at what’s happening in the Clark County housing market.

Thinking About Buying or Selling?

Real estate is local, and every neighborhood has its own story.

If you’re thinking about buying, selling, or just want to know what your home is worth in today’s market, I’d love to help. My goal is to provide honest advice, clear communication, and local expertise so you can make confident real estate decisions.

📞 Burton Walters Realtor
Serving Vancouver, Camas, Ridgefield, Battle Ground, Washougal, La Center, Woodland, and communities throughout Clark County, Washington.