Spokane Real Estate • August 18, 2026

Fewer Homes Are Selling. Why Aren’t Home Prices Falling?

by Josiah Boone

Spokane area neighborhood illustrating current home sales and housing price trends

Fewer Homes Are Selling. Why Aren’t Home Prices Falling?

The latest housing numbers present what initially looks like a contradiction.

Redfin reported on August 12 that U.S. home sales fell 4.1% from June to July, reaching their lowest seasonally adjusted level in nearly two years.

Yet the median U.S. home-sale price didn’t fall with them. It increased 3.2% compared with a year earlier, reaching $407,730.

So how can fewer homes be selling while prices remain relatively strong?

The simplest answer is that sales activity and home values measure two different things.

Fewer Sales Don’t Automatically Mean Lower Prices

A decline in completed sales tells us something about the number of buyers and sellers successfully coming together on a transaction.

It doesn’t necessarily tell us what those homes are worth.

Today’s market continues to deal with several unusual forces. Affordability remains challenging for many buyers. Mortgage rates affect purchasing power. At the same time, some homeowners with attractive existing mortgage rates have little incentive to sell unless they have a compelling reason to move.

Put those factors together and you can have fewer transactions without enough downward pressure to produce dramatically lower prices.

The Northwest Makes the Story More Interesting

Redfin specifically identified Seattle as one of the markets contributing to July’s decline in sales.

It’s tempting to take a headline about Seattle and assume it tells us something about the entire Pacific Northwest.

That’s where I think we need to be careful.

Housing markets are remarkably local.

Redfin’s Spokane data, for example, showed the city’s median sale price essentially flat year over year in its latest available three-month reporting period, while the number of homes sold was slightly higher.

Those aren’t dramatic numbers, and that’s precisely the point.

The Spokane market doesn’t have to follow Seattle, just as Spokane Valley doesn’t necessarily follow Spokane and Coeur d’Alene doesn’t necessarily follow either one.

There Really Isn’t One “Housing Market”

We frequently talk about “the housing market” as though millions of homes across the country are all participating in one enormous marketplace.

For practical purposes, they aren’t.

A $350,000 home in Spokane Valley may face a very different pool of buyers than an $850,000 home in North Spokane. Move across the state line into North Idaho and the competitive landscape changes again.

Even within the same neighborhood, condition, updates, lot characteristics and pricing strategy can substantially change the response to two otherwise similar homes.

That’s why national data is useful for understanding direction, but local comparable sales are generally much more useful when making an actual real estate decision.

What Should Buyers and Sellers Watch?

For sellers, slower national sales shouldn’t automatically be interpreted as a signal that values are collapsing. It does, however, make accurate pricing and presentation increasingly important when buyers have more choices.

For buyers, slower activity can create opportunities for a little more patience and negotiation, but desirable homes that are priced correctly can still attract competition.

The question I’d ask isn’t simply:

“What is the housing market doing?”

I’d make it considerably more specific:

“What is the market doing for this particular home, in this particular location, at this particular price?”

That’s usually where a national headline stops and useful real estate analysis begins.

Source: Redfin, Home Sales Drop to Lowest Level in Nearly 2 Years, August 12, 2026.

https://www.redfin.com/news/pending-sales-decline-july-2026/

Fewer home sales don’t necessarily mean falling home prices. Local market conditions matter.

Spokane Real Estate • August 17, 2026

Motivation Monday: Pay Attention to What Excites You

by Josiah Boone

Motivation Monday graphic featuring a warm tree-lined suburban neighborhood and Ralph Waldo Emerson’s quote about enthusiasm, with Josiah Boone Real Estate and Windermere Real Estate branding.

“Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson

There are plenty of things in life that I do because they need to be done.

I suspect that is true for most of us.

But then there are the things I find myself thinking about when nobody is asking me to. Something I want to understand better. A skill I want to improve. An idea I keep coming back to.

That is why I like this week’s quote.

Enthusiasm changes the way we approach something.

When I’m genuinely interested in what I’m doing, I tend to ask better questions. I’m more willing to learn. I spend more time paying attention. And perhaps most importantly, I do not have to constantly convince myself to come back to it.

That does not mean enthusiasm eliminates the work.

Anything worth becoming good at eventually includes repetition, frustration, and days when we would rather do something easier.

But enthusiasm gives us a reason to return.

This week, I’m trying to notice the difference between the things that simply keep me busy and the things that actually draw my interest.

Maybe those interests are worth giving a little more room.

Maybe they are clues.

That is what I’m carrying into this Monday.

What do I keep coming back to because I’m genuinely interested in it?

And am I giving it enough space to see where it might lead?

Sometimes the things that keep capturing our interest are worth paying attention to.

Spokane Real Estate • August 11, 2026

Are National Housing Headlines Telling the Whole Story?

by Josiah Boone

Warm suburban neighborhood representing today's balanced housing market in Spokane and North Idaho.

Updated October 7, 2026.

National housing headlines are useful conversation starters for Spokane and North Idaho real estate. They can help us notice changes in inventory, pricing, or buyer activity. The challenge is deciding how much of that information applies to the home you want to buy or sell.

After more than 20 years in real estate, I have learned to spend as much time defining the comparison as discussing the result. A strong number can still lead to a weak conclusion when it describes the wrong properties.

Four questions to ask about national housing headlines

When was the information collected? Publication dates and reporting periods are not always the same. Closed sales also describe transactions that began earlier.
What is being counted? Asking prices, closed-sale prices, active listings, and pending sales measure different parts of the market.
Which properties are included? Geography, price range, property type, and condition can change the comparison.
What is the comparison period? A change from last month and a change from the same month last year may tell different stories.

Realtor.com’s weekly housing research is one source for following national listing trends. Read the report date and methodology alongside the headline. This article’s original August discussion has been expanded into a guide for interpreting those reports, rather than presenting an older weekly observation as today’s market.

Compare the homes that compete with yours

Suppose a national report shows more homes available. A buyer searching for a specific layout within a firm budget may still have only a few practical choices. Likewise, a seller with several similar listings nearby may face more competition than a regional average suggests.

For a local review, I would compare recent sales, current alternatives, pending activity, condition, and time on the market. If a comparable home needed substantial work or had an unusual feature, we should discuss that difference rather than treat its price as interchangeable with yours.

Give the numbers a job

For buyers, the purpose of the analysis is to support an offer and a comfortable ownership plan. For sellers, it is to guide preparation, pricing, and responses to buyer feedback. Data becomes more useful when we connect it to a decision you actually need to make.

That may mean comparing a repair request with an allowable seller credit, revisiting a list price, or deciding that a home does not fit your needs. It does not require predicting every turn in the market.

My guides to buying locally and planning a local home sale explain how those decisions fit into the transaction. If you are still choosing an area, start with the community guides.

I enjoy following housing research because it gives us better questions to ask. The answer still needs to fit your property, finances, timeline, and priorities. That is the part of the conversation I would put the most weight on.

A balanced housing market creates opportunities for both buyers and sellers.

Spokane Real Estate • August 10, 2026

Motivation Monday: Today Still Counts

by Josiah Boone

“What you do today can improve all your tomorrows.”
Ralph Marston

I like this quote because it brings the focus back to today.

There are plenty of things I look back on and wish I had started earlier. Skills I wish I had developed. Habits I wish were already easier. Goals that would probably feel less distant if I had begun a year ago, or five years ago.

That thought can sting a little.

But it can also be useful.

The point is not to stay stuck replaying what I wish I had done sooner. The point is to notice what I still have the chance to begin now.

That is what I’m thinking about this week.

A year from now, I may be looking back at this season of life and asking the same question again. Why didn’t I start then? Why didn’t I give that more attention? Why did I keep waiting for the timing to feel easier?

I’d rather answer that question differently.

So this week, I’m trying to choose one area where today can count. Not in a dramatic way. Just in a real one.

Today can be the day I begin again. Today can be the day I give a little time to something I keep saying matters. Today can be the day I stop waiting for some future version of life to make the next step easier.

That is the reminder I’m carrying into the week.

Today still counts.

And what we do with it can improve more of our tomorrows than we may realize.

Today still counts, and what we do with it can shape more of tomorrow than we may realize.

Spokane Real Estate • July 28, 2026

Spokane Homeownership Opportunities | Why Housing Choice Matters

by Josiah Boone

A welcoming Spokane neighborhood with modest homes, mature trees, sidewalks, and a young family walking during a warm summer evening.

For years, conversations about housing have centered on one question: How do we build enough homes?

That is certainly an important discussion. As our region continues to grow, additional housing of every type plays an important role in keeping communities healthy.

Recently, though, I came across an article that approached the conversation from a slightly different angle. Instead of focusing only on increasing the number of housing units, it asked whether we’re also creating enough opportunities for people to become homeowners.

I thought that was a worthwhile question.

For many people, buying a first home represents more than simply finding a place to live. It often becomes a way to build financial stability, establish roots in a neighborhood, and create long-term opportunities for a family.

Of course, not every household is looking for the same thing. Apartments serve an important purpose. Townhomes fill another need. Condominiums make sense for many buyers. Single-family homes continue to be an important goal for others.

Perhaps the conversation isn’t about deciding which housing type is “best.”

Maybe it’s about ensuring communities offer enough choices that people can find the right fit today while still having a pathway toward homeownership tomorrow.

One challenge builders continue to face is the cost of construction. Land prices, labor, materials, permitting, and infrastructure all influence what ultimately gets built. Sometimes those realities make certain housing types much more difficult to develop than many people realize.

As our region continues to grow, these conversations will likely become even more important.

I appreciate seeing thoughtful discussions like this because they encourage us to think beyond today’s market and consider what our communities might look like ten or twenty years from now.

Whether you’re already a homeowner, hoping to buy your first home, or simply interested in the future of Spokane and North Idaho, it’s a conversation worth following.

I’d be interested to hear your perspective.

What do you think creates the strongest communities while also helping more people achieve homeownership?

Creating more opportunities for homeownership begins with thoughtful conversations about the future of our communities.

Spokane Real Estate • July 27, 2026

Motivation Monday: Start Today

by Josiah Boone

A small start today can become something you are very glad you began.

“A year from now, you may wish you had started today.”
Karen Mayham

I like this quote because it gets right to the point.

There are things I know I would be better off starting now, even if I still feel a little uncertain about them. Sometimes that uncertainty makes it easy to wait. Another week feels harmless. Another month does too. Before long, something that could have quietly been growing has simply stayed where it was.

That is the part of this quote that gets my attention.

This week, I am trying to think less about the perfect time to begin and more about whether I will be glad I started. That feels like a better question.

I do not need a huge breakthrough to move forward. I do not need to have every detail settled. I just need to stop assuming that waiting will automatically make things easier.

Sometimes it does. Often it does not.

A lot of the things that become worthwhile later begin in a very ordinary way. They begin with a conversation, a decision, a fresh attempt, or a little bit of follow through that would have been easy to delay one more time.

That is the mindset I want to carry into this week.

What is something I would be glad I started by this time next year?

I think that is a good Monday question.

Maybe there is something like that for you too. Not something dramatic. Just one thing worth stepping toward now instead of later.

A year from now may feel far away, but it has a way of arriving faster than we expect.

So this week, I am trying to begin.

Spokane Real Estate • July 21, 2026

More Movement, Little Price Change: The Housing Outlook for the Rest of 2026

by Josiah Boone

Topic Tuesday graphic from Josiah Boone Real Estate about the second-half 2026 housing market outlook in Spokane and Coeur d’Alene.

The national housing market may become a little more active during the second half of 2026 without producing a major change in home values.

That is the central takeaway from Zillow’s newly released midyear forecast. Zillow expects its measure of existing-home sales to increase 1.2% from 2025, reaching approximately 3.8 million sales. At the same time, it forecasts typical U.S. home values to finish the year about 0.2% lower.

What I find interesting is the combination. We could see more people moving without seeing the sharp price increase or widespread decline that often dominates housing conversations.

A market can move without making a dramatic turn

Housing activity does not require prices to surge. Transactions can increase because slightly better affordability brings some buyers back, because homeowners finally decide they have waited long enough, or because personal circumstances make a move necessary.

Those buyers and sellers may become more active while remaining careful about price and monthly cost. That produces a market with more movement, but not necessarily more urgency.

Zillow also notes that regional inventory differences are creating very different conditions across the country. That qualification is especially important when applying a national forecast to Spokane or Coeur d’Alene.

What could this mean for Spokane and Coeur d’Alene?

National numbers provide context, but they are not a local price prediction. The Inland Northwest has its own mixture of limited housing supply, changing affordability, population movement, and wide differences among neighborhoods and price ranges.

A buyer looking for an attainable single-family home may encounter more competition than someone shopping at a higher price point. Likewise, a properly priced home in good condition may attract attention quickly, while another home nearby can remain available if buyers believe its price does not match its condition or location.

That is why broad descriptions such as “buyer’s market” or “seller’s market” are often less useful than they appear. The better question is what buyers are doing within the specific segment where a home will compete.

A more measured opportunity for buyers

A nearly flat national price forecast does not necessarily suggest that buyers should wait for a large correction. It may instead create a period in which buyers have enough time to compare options, complete careful inspections, and evaluate whether the payment fits comfortably.

Some homes will still receive multiple offers, particularly where inventory remains limited. Others may offer room to negotiate on price, repairs, closing costs, or timing.

The opportunity may be found in the details of an individual property rather than in a dramatic change across the entire market.

Pricing becomes even more important for sellers

For sellers, a more balanced environment places greater weight on the initial asking price. Buyers can recognize the difference between a home that reflects current conditions and one that is priced according to an earlier market.

This does not mean sellers need to underprice their homes. It means recent comparable sales, current competition, condition, and buyer response should guide the strategy.

When price growth is limited, buyers are less likely to overlook a gap between price and value because they assume the market will quickly catch up.

The local market will tell the fuller story

Zillow’s forecast does not point toward a housing boom or a collapse. It suggests a slower adjustment in which affordability improves somewhat, sales recover modestly, and regional differences remain important.

For Spokane and Coeur d’Alene buyers and sellers, that may make the second half of 2026 less about predicting the next major market turn and more about understanding the conditions immediately in front of them.

The national numbers can set the stage. The local inventory, recent sales, and buyer activity will tell us what is actually happening.

Source: Zillow Research, July 2026 Housing Forecast

More movement and little price change may define the rest of the 2026 housing market.

Spokane Real Estate • July 20, 2026

Motivation Monday: Sometimes the Best Thing to Do Is Begin

by Josiah Boone

Sometimes the best way forward is simply to begin.

“The most effective way to do it, is to do it.”
Amelia Earhart

I like this quote because it does not leave much room for hiding.

It is simple, direct, and a little uncomfortable in the best way.

There are times when I can spend more energy thinking about something than actually doing it. I can turn a task over in my mind, wait for a better moment, or convince myself I need just a little more clarity before I begin. Sometimes that is wisdom. Sometimes it is just hesitation dressed up to look more respectable.

This week, I’m trying to remember that progress usually begins when I stop hovering and start moving.

Not perfectly. Not all at once. Just honestly.

There is something freeing about that. The pressure eases when the goal is no longer to have everything figured out before I begin. The goal becomes simpler. Start where I am. Do what is in front of me. Let the next step come after that.

A lot of life works this way.

Momentum often comes after the start, not before it. Clarity often shows up after we begin, not while we are still standing still. The beginning may feel small, but it changes something. It breaks the spell of delay.

That is the reminder I’m carrying into this week.

If there is something in front of you that needs attention, maybe today is a good day to begin. Not because everything is lined up perfectly, but because starting is often what opens the door to what comes next.

Sometimes the most effective way to do it really is to do it.

A Motivation Monday reflection on Amelia Earhart’s quote, “The most effective way to do it, is to do it,” and the value of taking the first step instead of overthinking.

Spokane Real Estate • July 14, 2026

Summer Might Be Offering More Opportunity Than You Think

by Josiah Boone

Beautiful Spokane area home at sunset illustrating summer home buying opportunities as inventory increases and buyers gain more choices.

Every season has its own personality in real estate.

Spring often brings excitement as new listings begin appearing, while summer tends to offer something many buyers have been waiting for: more choices.

According to recent housing data from the National Association of REALTORS®, inventory typically increases during the summer months, giving buyers additional opportunities to compare homes before the market begins slowing toward fall. While every local market behaves differently, this seasonal pattern is common across many areas.

For buyers, an increase in available homes doesn’t necessarily mean prices are dropping dramatically. Instead, it often means there are simply more options to consider. Rather than feeling pressure to make a decision after seeing only one or two homes, buyers may have the opportunity to compare neighborhoods, layouts, and features before writing an offer.

For sellers, this isn’t a signal to become discouraged.

Well-maintained homes that are priced appropriately and marketed professionally continue to attract serious buyers. In fact, increased inventory often means motivated buyers have become more active because they finally have enough homes to evaluate.

https://www.nar.realtor/news/economists-outlook/the-market-dynamics-of-july-sales-inventory-and-buyer-trends?utm_

A slight increase in available homes can create new opportunities for buyers while well-prepared sellers continue to attract strong interest.

Here in the Spokane and Coeur d’Alene area, local market conditions can differ significantly from national trends. School schedules, neighborhood demand, inventory levels, and pricing all influence how quickly homes sell and how buyers respond.

That’s why it’s helpful to look beyond national headlines and understand what’s happening in your own community.

Whether you’re planning to buy this summer, sell later this year, or simply stay informed, understanding seasonal patterns can help you make decisions with greater confidence.

Real estate isn’t just about timing the market perfectly. It’s about recognizing opportunities when they fit your goals.

If you’re wondering how today’s market compares with your neighborhood, I’d be happy to share what I’m seeing locally and answer any questions you have.

Spokane Real Estate • July 13, 2026

Little by Little

by Josiah Boone

Motivation Monday quote over a warm neighborhood sidewalk at sunrise encouraging steady progress through small daily actions.

Every Monday feels like a fresh starting line.

As this week begins, one thing I’m reminding myself is that progress doesn’t always announce itself. Most of the time, it arrives quietly.

It’s another conversation. Another morning when you decide to keep going. Another opportunity to improve something just a little more than yesterday.

Looking back, it’s interesting how many things that once felt out of reach eventually became part of everyday life. Not because of one extraordinary moment, but because of countless ordinary ones that slowly accumulated over time.

That’s what I hope to remember this week.

“Little by little, a little becomes a lot.”

Whether you’re chasing a personal goal, learning a new skill, building a business, or simply trying to become a better version of yourself, I hope this week gives you one more small step in the right direction.

Sometimes that’s all we need.

Have a wonderful week.

Little by little, a little becomes a lot.

Fewer Homes Are Selling. Why Aren’t Home Prices Falling?

Fewer Homes Are Selling. Why Aren’t Home Prices Falling?

Fewer Sales Don’t Automatically Mean Lower Prices

The Northwest Makes the Story More Interesting

There Really Isn’t One “Housing Market”

What Should Buyers and Sellers Watch?

Motivation Monday: Pay Attention to What Excites You

Are National Housing Headlines Telling the Whole Story?

Four questions to ask about national housing headlines

Compare the homes that compete with yours

Give the numbers a job

Motivation Monday: Today Still Counts

Spokane Homeownership Opportunities | Why Housing Choice Matters

Motivation Monday: Start Today

More Movement, Little Price Change: The Housing Outlook for the Rest of 2026

A market can move without making a dramatic turn

What could this mean for Spokane and Coeur d’Alene?

A more measured opportunity for buyers

Pricing becomes even more important for sellers

The local market will tell the fuller story

Motivation Monday: Sometimes the Best Thing to Do Is Begin

Summer Might Be Offering More Opportunity Than You Think

Little by Little

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