September’s housing market didn’t bring big surprises — and that’s part of the story. Activity across the Tri-Cities region held steady as sellers continued adjusting to today’s slower, more deliberate pace of demand.

About 40% of all homes sold last month had at least one price reduction before finding a buyer. The average markdown was $18,500, roughly 7.9% below the original asking price. That’s just under the typical discount seen this year, even as the region’s median list price has inched upward month after month.

Once those homes reached their final asking price, two-thirds of all closings (66%)  settled below the list price, with another average discount of $18,404. That market share, which hasn’t varied since the first of the year, and pattern points to a market where growing inventory and more cautious buyers are working together to reset expectations — a healthy step toward balance after years of intense competition.

Homes are also taking longer to move. The median time on the market climbed to 69 days, up from 61 days a year ago. That stretch isn’t alarming, but it does show that buyers are weighing their options more carefully as affordability pressures and higher mortgage costs shape decisions.

For sellers, the message is clear: pricing strategy matters. Starting closer to realistic market values helps avoid deep price cuts later. For buyers, this is a moment of opportunity — negotiation power is back on the table, especially for listings that have been sitting or have already seen a price trim.

All told, September’s numbers don’t point to a downturn, but rather to a market settling into balance. Well-priced, well-presented homes are still selling, but the frenzy of multiple offers and bidding wars is fading into the rearview.