If you have been watching the Southern Utah market and feeling unsure which way it is heading, the May numbers give a clear answer. We have more homes for sale, homes are selling a little quicker, and prices are still moving up. That is a healthier and more balanced market than we have seen in a while, and it gives both buyers and sellers something to work with.
Here is my honest read on what the Washington County residential numbers actually mean for you this month.
Inventory keeps climbing
Active listings reached 2,043 in May, up almost 11 percent from a year ago. For most of the past few years buyers had to fight over a thin pool of homes. That pressure has eased. There are more choices now across nearly every price band, from the entry level under $300,000 up through the luxury tier above $1 million.
More inventory is the single biggest shift, and it changes how a smart buyer should approach a purchase. You have a little more time to compare homes and a little more room to ask for things in a negotiation than you did last spring.
Homes are selling a touch faster
You might expect more inventory to mean slower sales, but the opposite happened. Average days on market dropped to 74, down from 76 a year ago. Buyers are out there and they are active. The takeaway is that good homes are not piling up. The well priced, well presented ones are still getting picked up quickly.
Prices are still climbing
The median sold price hit $532,000 in May, up about 2.3 percent from a year ago. The average sold price climbed to $656,986, up nearly 8 percent. Over the last 12 months the median has bounced in a fairly tight range and is now near the top of that band. Values in Washington County are holding firm and growing, not falling.
The number I am watching most: the sold to list ratio has climbed to roughly 96 percent, up from about 95 percent in February. In plain terms, sellers are getting very close to their asking price right now. That is a meaningful jump in a short window, and it tells me demand is strong even as more homes come on the market.
What this means if you are buying
This is a good stretch to be a buyer, but it rewards people who are prepared. With prices still rising and homes selling close to ask, the deals are not sitting around. Here is how to put yourself in a strong position:
- Get fully pre-approved before you tour, not after. Knowing your real number lets you act the same day you find the right home.
- Use the extra inventory to compare carefully, then move decisively once you find the one.
- Lean on negotiation where the data supports it, on homes that have been sitting or are priced above the comps.
You can start by browsing current St. George homes for sale or running an advanced search built around your must haves.
What this means if you are selling
Prices are up and buyers are paying close to ask, so this is a strong window to sell. The one thing to keep in mind is that inventory is rising, which means more competition for the same buyers in the months ahead. The homes that win are the ones priced accurately from day one and presented well in photos and in person. Overpricing in a market with growing options is the fastest way to sit.
If you have wondered what your home would bring in today's market, I can pull a real valuation based on what is actually selling around you. No pressure, just a clear and honest number.
Want the full picture for your situation? Whether you are buying, selling, or just keeping an eye on the market, I am happy to walk you through what the numbers mean for your specific neighborhood and price range.
Call 435-200-5508 or contact Lance Clifford here on the site.
For the deeper dive, you can always check the latest figures on my St. George market summary page, updated as new data comes in.
Common Questions
How much inventory is on the St. George market in May 2026?
Active listings reached 2,043 in May, up almost 11 percent from a year ago. There are more choices now across nearly every price band, from entry level under $300,000 to the luxury tier above $1 million.
Is May 2026 a good time to sell in Washington County?
Prices are up and buyers are paying close to ask, so it is a strong window to sell. Just price accurately from day one, because rising inventory means more competition for the same buyers.
What does more inventory mean for buyers?
You have a little more time to compare homes and a little more room to ask for things in a negotiation than you did last spring.