Winter 2026 Market Update

Residential Update:

We hope this message finds you well. As we move toward spring, we wanted to share a fresh look at our local real estate market and what we’ve been seeing across the region over the past several months.

Seasonal slowdowns are normal this time of year, and the latest High Country MLS reports reflect that pattern, with fewer closings and tighter inventory as winter progressed from December into February. Harsh winter weather this year contributed to this as well.  Even so, values have remained relatively resilient across our market, which continues to speak to the lasting appeal of the High Country as a place to live, invest, and enjoy.

For buyers, inventory is still not abundant by historical standards, but buyers are seeing more opportunities to be selective, take a breath, and possibly negotiate. At the same time, well-prepared homes in desirable locations continue to stand out. Properties that are move-in ready, thoughtfully updated, or offer exceptional views, privacy, or convenience are still drawing strong interest when priced appropriately.

For sellers, the message remains positive. While today’s market may require a bit more strategy than in recent years, pricing has generally held firm, and serious buyers are still active.

Affordability is a buzzword for 2026.  Many would-be sellers that are locked in on low interest rates from pre-2022 have created a national shortage of homes for sale.  The High Country is no exception, as this has affected our market and the supply of affordable homes are hard to come by. 

Many are hoping for lower rates in 2026.  Reports also point to improving affordability trends nationally as rates eased from earlier highs, which may help bring additional buyers into the market as we head into spring. In our area, that could be especially meaningful as second-home buyers, retirees, and full-time residents all continue to watch for the right opportunity.

Looking ahead, spring should bring renewed activity. January and February both showed fresh listing activity coming into the market, even while overall inventory remained relatively contained. That is often the first sign of a more active selling season ahead. If you’ve been considering a move, a purchase, or simply want to better understand how your property fits into the current market, this is a very good time to start planning. 
 

Land Update:

The land market continues to offer some of the most interesting opportunities in the High Country. Compared with residential real estate, land inventory remains much more plentiful, which gives buyers more room to explore, compare, and think long term. At the same time, the land market is far from stagnant. Winter reports showed steady land activity across the four-county area, with a large amount of available inventory but continued interest from buyers seeking everything from estate tracts and recreational acreage to neighborhood homesites and future build opportunities.

We continue to see land appeal to a broad mix of buyers. Some are looking for privacy, usable acreage, and flexibility outside of traditional neighborhoods. Others are focused on buildable lots in established communities where they can create a custom home rather than compete for limited move-in-ready inventory. For many buyers, land remains one of the best ways to secure the location, view, and setting they want, even if the timeline to build comes later.

As we move toward warmer weather, we expect both residential and land activity to continue growing. The High Country remains a special market with a wide range of property types, lifestyles, and buyer motivations. Whether someone is searching for a full-time home, mountain getaway, investment property, or land to build on in the future, interest in our area remains steady—and so does our optimism about the seasons ahead.

Edit: Since we published this update, uncertainty regarding the War in Iran has curtailed interest rate projections.  This has caused some buyer activity to move at a slower pace as people wait to see how this plays out.  However, as we get into peak selling season (late spring through fall), we still expect to see renewed demand for the area.  Spring has already brought renewed interest and we think the trend will continue.  

Source: https://www.highcountryrealtors.org/market-data-reports/