September brought a steady close to the summer season in Northwest Montana, with buyer activity picking up and inventory continuing to grow compared to a year ago.

Pending sales for all residential properties were up 12.3% compared to September 2025, while closed sales were down 5.3%. Year-to-date, closed sales remain up 7.7%, and pending sales are up 12.2%, showing that overall activity is still running ahead of last year.

Home prices saw a notable jump this month. The median sales price for all residential properties reached $687,341, a 7.6% increase from last September. Single-family homes led the way with a median sales price of $712,000, up 10.1%, while townhomes and condos saw a dip to $500,900, down 8.9% from a year ago.

Buyers continue to have more options, with 1,339 homes for sale, a 14.2% increase from last year. Homes also sold a bit faster overall, averaging 113 days on market compared to 121 days last September. Sellers received an average of 96.6% of their asking price, up slightly from 96.2% a year ago, showing that well-priced homes are still drawing strong interest.

Overall, September's numbers point to a market with growing inventory, active buyers, and rising prices for single-family homes across Northwest Montana. With mortgage rates moving above 7% in late September, it will be worth watching how buyers respond as we head into the cooler months.

Want to explore the numbers in more detail? Visit the NMAR Market Stats page for local market reports and housing data, and check out the full September 2026 Montana Regional MLS report for a deeper look at the market across Flathead, Lincoln, and Lake Counties.