Home Sales Drop 15% in Yakima in May 2026 Compared to Last Year

After a busy start to 2026, the Yakima real estate market saw a slowdown in May.
Home sales declined by 15.1% compared to May 2025, with 152 homes sold this month versus 179 last year.

MORE PEOPLE BECOMING NEW NEIGHBORS

Cory Bemis, owner of Yakima's John L. Scott Realty says despite the monthly decrease, the year-to-date figures tell a more positive story: total homes sold so far in 2026 have increased by 2.7% compared to the same period last year, reaching 673 homes sold. The median sale price has also risen by 3.84%, now standing at $379,000, up from $365,000 in 2025.

READ MORE: GAS PRICES DOWN FOR 4TH WEEK IN YAKIMA

WHILE SALES ARE UP THE MEDIAN SALES PRICE IS DOWN

The median sales price in May 2026 showed a slight decrease of 3.5% compared to May 2025, reflecting a cooling trend after a busy spring. Bemis expects these figures to stabilize and remain relatively consistent as the year continues, with the typical mid to late summer surge likely to boost sales. He says the Yakima market continues to favor sellers for homes priced below $400,000, which currently have an inventory of just 2.9 months—showing a strong seller’s market. However, for higher-priced homes above $500,000, the market has shifted in favor of buyers, with a higher inventory of 7.2 months.

Feverpitched

INTEREST RATES ARE STILL HIGH

While higher interest rates—averaging 6.68% for a 30-year fixed mortgage as of June 8th—present some challenges for buyers, Bemis says the current market conditions may represent one of the best opportunities in recent years to purchase higher-end homes.
Mortgage rates, though higher than in recent years, are showing signs of stabilizing.
Bemis says the market will continue to see steady demand and increased inventory. The combination of these factors indicates a promising outlook for the remainder of 2026.