March Market Update: Momentum Builds Across the Region

March brought a notable acceleration in transaction volume across Western Montana, North Idaho, and Eastern Washington — a clear sign that buyers who had been waiting on the sidelines are re-entering the market. At the same time, pricing trends remain nuanced: inventory is expanding in several key markets, moderating values even as demand picks up. Here is a county-by-county look at how the region performed last month.

Flathead County

Flathead County posted one of the strongest sales surges in the region, with 128 closings — up 39.1% from March of last year. That acceleration in buyer activity is a significant development, particularly as inventory has grown by nearly a fifth, giving buyers more choices and contributing to some softening in price metrics. The average sale price came in at $891,083 (-9.1%) and the median settled at $583,000 (-14.1%), reflecting a broader mix shift with more mid-market transactions driving the numbers. The average price per square foot was $337, down 7.4%. With 771 homes currently for sale (+18.6%), selection is healthy heading into spring. Encouragingly, the luxury segment held its own, with 27 sales above $1,000,000 (+3.8%) — a sign that high-end demand in the Flathead continues to find its footing even as overall values recalibrate.

Lake County

Lake County recorded 19 sales in March, unchanged from the same month last year — a stable, if modest, performance for one of the region's more boutique markets. What stands out here is the price story: the average sale price rose to $943,198 (+0.8%) and the median climbed to $603,000 (+6.8%), reflecting continued demand for the area's distinctive lakefront and rural properties. The average price per square foot came in at $342, though that figure represents a 16.2% decline year-over-year, suggesting larger homes are transacting relative to last March. Active inventory actually contracted slightly to 172 homes (-3.4%), keeping supply tight. The luxury tier saw 4 sales above $1,000,000, consistent with last year. Lake County's stability in both transaction count and price appreciation speaks to the enduring appeal of life along Flathead Lake.

Missoula County

Missoula County had a strong March, recording 78 sales — up 25.8% from a year ago. The market showed a notable consistency in pricing: both the average and median sale price landed at $542,000 (+1.9%), a meaningful alignment that suggests a balanced distribution of sales across price bands. The average price per square foot was $340 (+1.5%), confirming that per-unit value is holding steady. The most significant headline in Missoula, however, is inventory: 332 homes are currently for sale, a dramatic 70.3% increase year-over-year. That expansion in supply gives buyers meaningfully more options than they've had in recent years and will be an important factor to watch as the spring season unfolds. The luxury segment saw 5 sales above $1,000,000, flat compared to last March.

Ravalli County

Ravalli County recorded 34 sales in March, a modest 3% increase from last year, but the pricing data tells a more dynamic story. The average sale price jumped to $728,485 (+29.3%), while the median rose to $574,000 (+4.6%) — a divergence that points to higher-priced properties pulling the average upward. The average price per square foot was $356 (+9.5%), among the highest in the region. Active inventory surged to 321 homes (+59.7%), and the luxury segment saw a remarkable acceleration with 7 sales above $1,000,000, up 133.3% year-over-year. The Bitterroot Valley continues to attract buyers seeking land, space, and proximity to both Missoula and outdoor recreation — and that appetite is increasingly reaching into the upper price tiers.

Lewis & Clark County

Lewis & Clark County turned in the most dramatic volume increase in the region, with 86 sales — up 83% from March 2025. While that figure reflects in part a softer comparable period last year, the rebound is meaningful and suggests Helena's market is gaining real momentum. The average sale price was $481,600 (+3.6%), while the median came in at $421,000 (-7.5%), pointing to increased activity at the entry and mid-level price points. The average price per square foot was $272 (+10.1%), indicating that per-square-foot value is firming even as median prices moderate. 207 homes are currently active (+14.4%), providing a reasonable level of selection. The luxury tier doubled year-over-year, with 2 sales above $1,000,000 — a small but notable signal for a market that has historically been more affordable than its western Montana neighbors.

Lincoln County

Lincoln County saw 23 sales in March, up 35.3% from last year, reflecting a pickup in activity in the Libby and Eureka corridors. Pricing, however, softened considerably: the average sale price fell to $390,130 (-22.7%) and the median dropped to $285,000 (-25.7%), while the average price per square foot declined to $242 (-16.3%). These figures suggest that the mix of homes selling skewed toward more affordable properties this month, rather than indicating broad-based depreciation. Active inventory stands at 205 homes (+2.5%), essentially flat — a relatively balanced supply picture. One luxury sale above $1,000,000 closed in March, consistent with last year. Lincoln County remains one of the most affordable entry points in the Western Frontier region, and the uptick in sales volume suggests buyers are taking notice.

Kootenai County

Kootenai County — anchored by Coeur d'Alene — continued to demonstrate the kind of resilience that has defined North Idaho's real estate market in recent years. 251 sales closed in March (+3.7%), with an average sale price of $720,104 (+15.8%) and a median of $545,000 (+0.9%). Those price figures, particularly the jump in average sale price, reflect continued strength at the higher end of the market. There are 754 active listings on the market, a notable decline of 18.1% from last year, tightening available supply even as demand holds firm. Pending sales stand at 334 (+7.1%), a forward-looking indicator suggesting continued closing activity in April. New listings in March totaled 511 (-3%), meaning fresh supply coming to market is slightly constrained — a dynamic that should continue to support pricing through the spring season.

Spokane County

Spokane County, the largest market in this report, recorded 589 sales in March — essentially flat compared to last year (-0.2%) — demonstrating the stability of Eastern Washington's largest metro. The median sale price was $400,000 (-2.4%), a modest dip that reflects both affordability pressures and a broader normalization following years of rapid appreciation. The median price per square foot held steady at $217 (0%), confirming that per-unit value is largely unchanged. The most notable dynamic in Spokane is the pace of the market: median days on market came in at just 16 days — though that figure is up 60% from last year's exceptionally fast pace, suggesting the market is finding a more sustainable rhythm. Active inventory has grown to 2,577 homes (+15.9%), and new listings in March totaled 1,491 (+13.6%) — both signs that supply is returning to the market in a more meaningful way, offering buyers greater opportunity heading into spring.

Looking Ahead

Across the Western Frontier region, March's data tells a consistent story: buyers are active, transaction volume is up in nearly every market, and spring is arriving with real momentum. The increase in inventory across most counties is a healthy development — one that supports more balanced conditions after years of historically tight supply. Pricing remains varied by market, with some areas seeing appreciation and others experiencing modest corrections as supply and demand find new equilibrium. As always, local conditions matter enormously, and the right strategy depends on the specific community, price point, and property type. Our advisors are here to help you navigate this evolving landscape with clarity and confidence.