March brought a noticeable shift in the Washington County housing market. It was not a full-blown surge, but it was enough to get people’s attention. Pricing improved, homes moved faster than they did in February, and the sold-to-list ratio pushed higher again, all signs that buyers got a little more active as spring approached.
According to the latest market summary, the median sold price rose to $545,000 in March, up from $533,105 in March of last year. The average sold price reached $708,339, up 4.74% year over year. Active inventory increased to 1,913 homes, which means buyers still have options, but the better listings are starting to get more traction. What changed in March?
One of the biggest changes was in market pace. The chart shows average days on market dropping from the February spike back down to March levels, and the sold-to-list ratio also improved from the softer winter stretch. At the same time, absorption moved to 5.31 months, which still points to a market with inventory, but not one that feels as loose as it did just a few weeks earlier.
New listings came in at 564, down 11.6% year over year, while sold listings were 321, down 14.6% from last March. Pending listings were also a little lower at 430. In other words, this is not a market exploding with demand, but it is a market where the right homes are getting noticed again.
What this means for buyers
Buyers still have room to be selective. Inventory is healthier than it was in tighter markets, and not every seller is in a position of strength. But March was a good reminder that waiting too long on the right property can still cost you. If a home is priced well, in a strong neighborhood, and checks the boxes buyers care about, it can still move quickly.
What this means for sellers
For sellers, March was encouraging. Higher median and average sale prices, better sold-to-list ratio movement, and improved days on market all suggest that serious buyers are back in the mix. That does not mean you can throw any number at the wall and hope it sticks. It does mean well-priced homes have a better shot at a strong result heading into spring.
The bottom line
The Washington area market still has some balance to it, but March showed more strength than February. Pricing improved, homes moved faster, and buyers looked a little more willing to step up for the right property. If that trend continues into April and May, spring could be more active than it looked just a few weeks ago.
If you want to talk through your neighborhood, price range, or timing, contact Lance Clifford. I’m happy to give you the local read without the sugar coating.