September 2026 Market Action Report: Portland Metro and Yamhill, Polk and Marion Counties
Summer has officially wrapped, and it was... different. Though the unpredicatbility of the real estate market can be frustrating, once thing is predictable: there are always people buying and selling. And we are here to help buyers and sellers navigate that with clear data and a depth of experience that can make all the difference in an uncertain market. Here is what August's data is telling us, and why it matters as we head into the fall market.
A few things softened from July's pace, and that is normal, seasonal, and to be expected. But the steady growth that we anticipate for spring and summer turned into a mostly flat plane due to market uncertainty regarding sustained high interest rates, prolonged geopolitical tensions, and general afforability. This summer wasn't great, but it didn't implode either. Everything feels like we are just collectively holding our breath.
Here are the numbers:
PORTLAND METRO
August by the Numbers
Closed Sales: 1,902 ▼ 5.9% vs August 2025
Pending Sales: 2,013 ▼ 11.5% vs August 2025
New Listings: 2,440 ▼ 1.5% vs August 2025
Average Sale Price: $607,200 ▼ 2.1% vs August 2025
Median Sale Price: $540,000 ▼ 1.8% vs August 2025
Inventory: 3.8 months ▲ 0.3 vs August 2025
Total Market Time: 57 days ▼ 5 days vs August 2025
The one positive movement was that homes, on average, sold five days faster than they did in August of 2025. The other numbers represent more of a softening than a plummet.
August in real estate is not a verdict, it is a pause. The buyers who move in September and October are often the most serious of the year, and they are shopping into a market with slightly more inventory and slightly less competition. That is a real opportunity for buyers, and for sellers, it simply means that your priceing and positioning strategies need to be strong in order to win.
The rolling 12-month average sale price is +0.2%, or essentially flat. That is the number that smooths out the seasonal swings and shows the actual direction of values over time. It is not dramatic, but it is consistent, and consistent appreciation is what builds long-term equity.
Inventory edged up to 3.8 months, which is the most breathing room buyers have had since winter. That shift is worth paying attention to, particularly for buyers who felt squeezed out earlier this year.
Price band breakdown for August: $400K–$500K led with 408 closings (21.5%), followed by $500K–$600K at 372 (19.6%). The $300K–$400K band also held notable activity at 217 closings. The bulk of this market over 40% of all transactions is happening in the $400K–$600K range, and that has been true all year.
Yamhill County closed 97 homes in August, with an average sale price of $500,400 and a 74-day market time. The rolling average sale price is up 2.0% year-over-year. For buyers who have been watching the county from the sidelines, the fall window is open, and the value story relative to closer-in Portland remains compelling.
POLK & MARION COUNTIES
The August Scorecard
Closed Sales: 192 ▲ 3.2% vs August 2025
Pending Sales: 209 ▼ 12.9% vs August 2025
New Listings: 301 ▲ 13.6% vs August 2025
Average Sale Price: $507,000 ▲ 9.7% vs August 2025
Median Sale Price: $465,800 ▲ 3.8% vs August 2025
Inventory: 4.8 months — Held Steady vs July 2026
Total Market Time: 62 days ▼ 1 day vs July 2026
*Note: RMLS serves as a supplementary MLS for Polk and Marion Counties, so these figures reflect meaningful but not complete market activity.
While Portland Metro navigated a seasonal dip, Polk and Marion Counties came in with a quietly impressive August. Closings rose 3.2% over last year. Average sale prices climbed 9.7% to $507,000, the highest monthly average this market has posted all of 2026. That kind of price performance in a traditionally slower month is worth sitting with.
The average sale price of $507,000 is not a fluke, it reflects a market where quality homes are genuinely appreciated by buyers who know value when they see it. The rolling 12-month average is up 2.6% and the rolling median is up 1.6%. Both trend lines continue to move in the right direction.
New listings jumped 13.6% over last August, bringing more options into the market and keeping inventory steady at 4.8 months. That is a balance worth recognizing, supply came in, buyers absorbed it, and the market held its ground on price. That is not weakness. That is equilibrium.
Market time ticked down one day from July, landing at 62 days. The improvement is modest, but the direction matters. Sellers who priced well and showed well are moving their properties. Those who overreached are contributing to the days-on-market average.
The $500K–$600K band dominated with 86 closings (29.5%), followed by $400K–$500K at 62 (21.2%) and $600K–$700K at 50 (17.1%). The upper half of the price range is increasingly active, and the rolling appreciation data backs it up.
Reading the Room
If You're Thinking About Listing: Fall is not the consolation prize for sellers who missed spring, for the right property, it is prime time. Inventory is seasonally lower, serious buyers are still active, and the competition is thinner. In Portland Metro, the YTD data supports strong seller positioning for well-priced homes. In Polk and Marion, the price story this August is the best argument for listing we have seen all year. Get ahead of the fall wave, not behind it.
If You're Still Searching: August handed buyers something they have not had much of in 2026: options. Inventory is up, motivated sellers are at the table, and we are seeing more willingness to negotiate, particularly on properties with extended days on market. Come prepared, know your numbers, and do not wait for the perfect moment. The fall market rewards decisive buyers.
The Bottom Line: Seasonal softening and market weakness are not the same thing, not even close. Eight months of consistent year-over-year closings gains and two markets with positive rolling price appreciation tell the real story. This is a functioning, healthy market that rewards strategy, preparation, and good representation. Also in this month's blog, if you are buying and selling at the same time, we have some practical tips on how to time your move around your home sale. Worth a read before you start mapping out your timeline.
Your Fall Game Plan Starts Here
The fall market moves on its own timeline, and the buyers and sellers who come in with a clear plan consistently outperform those who are figuring it out as they go. If you want to talk through what this market means for your specific situation, no sales pitch, just a real conversation, we are here for it.
Amy McCormick, Principal Broker
503-310-7803 | amy@thebellacasagroup.com
Catherine Summers, Principal Broker
971-219-9858 | catherine@thebellacasagroup.com
Joni McCreith, Principal Broker
503-310-5613 | joni@thebellacasagroup.com
Molly Barajas, Principal Broker
503-310-4267 | molly@thebellacasagroup.com
Source: RMLS Market Action Report, August 2026 Reporting Period. © RMLS 2026. All Rights Reserved. Statistics are deemed reliable but not guaranteed. RMLS is a supplementary MLS for Polk and Marion Counties; data does not reflect the entire market for those areas.
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