April 2026 Newsletter

April 2026 Newsletter

PIONEER TITLE COMPANY
April 2026 Newsletter

Distributed Monthly to Over 5,000 Real Estate Professionals and Community Members

Catch up on previous editions:

March 2026 Newsletter

February 2026 Newsletter

March in Context: NCW vs. the Nation and Washington State

March brought a clear seasonal pickup, but the national and state backdrop stayed mixed. Across the country, the National Association of REALTORS® reported existing-home salesdown 7.9% year over yearin March, with the national median price climbing to a record $408,800 — up 1.4% and the 33rd straight month of annual gains. In Washington State, the Northwest MLS reported closed sales essentially flat at+0.2% year over year(5,417 transactions), even as active inventory jumped 29.3% to 15,049 listings and the statewide median eased 1.5% to $640,000. Mortgage rates ran near 6.3% through March before drifting higher;as of late June the 30-year fixed sits at about 6.49%(Freddie Mac, June 25, 2026), still roughly a quarter point below where it stood a year ago.

Against that backdrop, Chelan and Douglas counties outperformed the nation on units and added dollar volume:113 single-family transactionsin March, down 3.4% from 117 a year ago, while dollar volume rose to$71.04 million, up 1.9%from $69.70 million in March 2025. The local market is holding up better than the national pace, with financed activity carrying the gains as buyers adjust to a rate environment that remains friendlier than it was last spring.

Looking deeper than the headline numbers, average price per square foot held up at the lower and middle of the Chelan/Douglas market but softened at the top. While the national median price rose 1.4% year over year, locally the under-$500,000 and $500,000–$699,000 bands were essentially flat to higher — but homes priced$700,000 to $999,000 fell to $322.89 per square footin the first quarter of 2026, down12.1% from the prior quarter and 19.1% year over year. The pullback at the upper end suggests buyers are paying less per foot for larger homes, even as overall dollar volume holds steady.

Chelan/Douglas — Existing Home Sales Average Price Per Sq/Ft

Home Sale Price1st Qtr
2025
2nd Qtr
2025
3rd Qtr
2025
4th Qtr
2025
1st Qtr
2026
Change over
Year
Change over
Quarter
Under $500,000290.37250.91301.22274.90286.45-1.3%4.2%
$500,000 to $699,000309.96319.03322.00322.07325.284.9%1.0%
$700,000 to $999,000399.00356.23363.36367.40322.89-19.1%-12.1%

Rolling 12-Month SFR Dollar Volume by Region

The twelve-month view shows the familiar seasonal cycle: combined Chelan/Douglas dollar volume peaked at $119.9 million in June 2025, troughed at $53.8 million in February, and turned back up to $71.0 million in March as spring activity resumed.

Each sub-market reflects its own conditions. The Wenatchee market climbed to $51.7 million in March, while the Lake Chelan Valley pulled back to $6.9 million after an unusually strong February. The Upper Valley rebounded to $12.0 million after a very quiet start to the year — a welcome turn for a corridor that has been hampered since the Highway 2 closure and washout disrupted access late last year.

Chelan/Douglas Counties

March’s headline is a story of momentum returning. Unit sales eased slightly year over year — 113 transactions versus 117 in March 2025, a3.4% decline— while dollar volume edged up to$71.04 million, up 1.9%from $69.70 million a year ago.

Cash and financed activity again moved in opposite directions. Cash transactions fell to 18 in March 2026 from 29 a year earlier (-37.9%), while financed transactions rose to 95 from 88 (+8.0%). As a share of all sales,financed deals climbed to 84.1% of the market, up from 75.2% a year ago— a clear shift toward financing as buyers adjust to rates that remain below last year’s levels.

Chelan/Douglas March 2026 vs March 2025

 Mar 2026DealsMar 2026$ Amount% of
Total
Mar 2025DealsMar 2025$ Amount% of
Total
Inc/(Dec)DealsInc/(Dec)$ Amount%Deals%Amount
Under $250K5924,7004.4%111,884,1019.4%(6)(959,401)-54.5%-50.9%
$250K to $500K3815,471,77933.6%5020,947,96342.7%(12)(5,476,184)-24.0%-26.1%
$500K to $750K4124,267,97336.3%3118,368,04126.5%105,899,932+32.3%+32.1%
$750K to $1MM2117,940,84518.6%1512,581,49012.8%65,359,355+40.0%+42.6%
$1MM to $2MM79,512,5006.2%811,574,5006.8%(1)(2,062,000)-12.5%-17.8%
$2MM to $3MM12,925,0000.9%24,343,0001.7%(1)(1,418,000)-50.0%-32.7%
Greater than $3MM000.0%000.0%00
Total Cash1810,806,10015.9%2915,810,27524.8%(11)(5,004,175)-37.9%-31.7%
Total Financed9560,236,69784.1%8853,888,82075.2%76,347,877+8.0%+11.8%
Grand Total11371,042,797100.0%11769,699,095100.0%(4)1,343,702-3.4%+1.9%

Month over month, March came back strongly from February’s seasonal low. Unit count rose from 81 to 113 (+39.5%) and dollar volume climbed from $53.8M to $71.0M (+32.1%). The expansion was broad-based, led by the $500K–$750K and $750K–$1MM tiers as the spring market opened.

Chelan/Douglas March 2026 vs February 2026

 Mar 2026DealsMar 2026$ Amount% of
Total
Feb 2026DealsFeb 2026$ Amount% of
Total
Inc/(Dec)DealsInc/(Dec)$ Amount%Deals%Amount
Under $250K5924,7004.4%101,744,30012.3%(5)(819,600)-50.0%-47.0%
$250K to $500K3815,471,77933.6%2912,636,70035.8%92,835,079+31.0%+22.4%
$500K to $750K4124,267,97336.3%2917,067,16335.8%127,200,810+41.4%+42.2%
$750K to $1MM2117,940,84518.6%86,819,1229.9%1311,121,723+162.5%+163.1%
$1MM to $2MM79,512,5006.2%45,422,0004.9%34,090,500+75.0%+75.4%
$2MM to $3MM12,925,0000.9%000.0%12,925,000
Greater than $3MM000.0%110,075,0001.2%(1)(10,075,000)-100.0%-100.0%
Total Cash1810,806,10015.9%166,247,00019.8%24,559,100+12.5%+73.0%
Total Financed9560,236,69784.1%6547,517,28580.2%3012,719,412+46.2%+26.8%
Grand Total11371,042,797100.0%8153,764,285100.0%3217,278,512+39.5%+32.1%

Year-to-date through March, Chelan and Douglas counties are running ahead of last year: 285 transactions versus 274 (+4.0%) and $180.2 million versus $158.2 million (+13.9%). The dollar-volume lead reflects a richer sales mix and the addition of two sales above $3MM so far in 2026.

Chelan/Douglas March 2026 YTD vs March 2025 YTD

 2026 YTDDeals2026 YTD$ Amount% of
Total
2025 YTDDeals2025 YTD$ Amount% of
Total
Inc/(Dec)DealsInc/(Dec)$ Amount%Deals%Amount
Under $250K183,216,5006.3%234,131,3978.4%(5)(914,897)-21.7%-22.1%
$250K to $500K10543,793,05436.8%11849,860,79343.1%(13)(6,067,739)-11.0%-12.2%
$500K to $750K10059,306,99235.1%8349,933,43830.3%179,373,554+20.5%+18.8%
$750K to $1MM4538,247,81915.8%3226,964,03611.7%1311,283,783+40.6%+41.8%
$1MM to $2MM1419,109,5004.9%1520,347,2855.5%(1)(1,237,785)-6.7%-6.1%
$2MM to $3MM12,925,0000.4%37,009,5001.1%(2)(4,084,500)-66.7%-58.3%
Greater than $3MM213,628,8460.7%000.0%213,628,846
Total Cash6035,052,27721.1%7947,845,53128.8%(19)(12,793,254)-24.1%-26.7%
Total Financed225145,175,43478.9%195110,400,91871.2%3034,774,516+15.4%+31.5%
Grand Total285180,227,711100.0%274158,246,449100.0%1121,981,262+4.0%+13.9%

Other Than Single Family Home Sales

In addition to single-family residential, Chelan and Douglas counties recorded the following non-SFR activity in March 2026:

 Deals$ Amount
Land4212,463,597
Condo146,426,400
Commercial54,878,867
Marina Condo167,851
Time Shares12,000
Rimrock15301,000
Non-SFR Total7824,139,715

Exploring the Dynamic Wenatchee Market: From Entiat to Malaga, Rock Island to Orondo and West to Cashmere

The Wenatchee market extended its strong 2026 in March. Unit sales were up 4.5% year over year (92 versus 88) and dollar volume increased 10.6% ($51.67 million versus $46.73 million), with the gains concentrated in the $500K–$1MM price tiers.

Wenatchee March 2026 vs March 2025

 Mar 2026DealsMar 2026$ Amount% of
Total
Mar 2025DealsMar 2025$ Amount% of
Total
Inc/(Dec)DealsInc/(Dec)$ Amount%Deals%Amount
Under $250K4749,7004.3%51,289,1015.7%(1)(539,401)-20.0%-41.8%
$250K to $500K3414,021,77937.0%4519,127,01551.1%(11)(5,105,236)-24.4%-26.7%
$500K to $750K3721,927,97340.2%2715,843,04130.7%106,084,932+37.0%+38.4%
$750K to $1MM1613,520,84517.4%108,579,99011.4%64,940,855+60.0%+57.6%
$1MM to $2MM11,450,0001.1%11,887,5001.1%0(437,500)+0.0%-23.2%
$2MM to $3MM000.0%000.0%00
Greater than $3MM000.0%000.0%00
Total Cash147,086,10015.2%168,036,32718.2%(2)(950,227)-12.5%-11.8%
Total Financed7844,584,19784.8%7238,690,32081.8%65,893,877+8.3%+15.2%
Grand Total9251,670,297100.0%8846,726,647100.0%44,943,650+4.5%+10.6%

Month over month, the Wenatchee market accelerated out of the winter slowdown: 92 transactions versus 69 in February (+33.3%), with dollar volume up 40.1% from $36.9M to $51.7M. Activity strengthened across nearly every price tier, with the $500K–$1MM bands leading.

Wenatchee March 2026 vs February 2026

 Mar 2026DealsMar 2026$ Amount% of
Total
Feb 2026DealsFeb 2026$ Amount% of
Total
Inc/(Dec)DealsInc/(Dec)$ Amount%Deals%Amount
Under $250K4749,7004.3%71,144,30010.1%(3)(394,600)-42.9%-34.5%
$250K to $500K3414,021,77937.0%2711,807,70039.1%72,214,079+25.9%+18.8%
$500K to $750K3721,927,97340.2%2615,197,26337.7%116,730,710+42.3%+44.3%
$750K to $1MM1613,520,84517.4%65,160,1228.7%108,360,723+166.7%+162.0%
$1MM to $2MM11,450,0001.1%33,560,0004.3%(2)(2,110,000)-66.7%-59.3%
$2MM to $3MM000.0%000.0%00
Greater than $3MM000.0%000.0%00
Total Cash147,086,10015.2%135,367,00018.8%11,719,100+7.7%+32.0%
Total Financed7844,584,19784.8%5631,502,38581.2%2213,081,812+39.3%+41.5%
Grand Total9251,670,297100.0%6936,869,385100.0%2314,800,912+33.3%+40.1%

Year-to-date, the Wenatchee market is well ahead of last year: 231 transactions versus 199 (+16.1%) and $131.4 million versus $104.1 million (+26.2%). Both metrics are running comfortably ahead of last year’s first quarter.

Wenatchee March 2026 YTD vs March 2025 YTD

 2026 YTDDeals2026 YTD$ Amount% of
Total
2025 YTDDeals2025 YTD$ Amount% of
Total
Inc/(Dec)DealsInc/(Dec)$ Amount%Deals%Amount
Under $250K132,194,0005.6%122,494,3976.0%1(300,397)+8.3%-12.0%
$250K to $500K9138,132,50939.4%10143,293,96850.8%(10)(5,161,459)-9.9%-11.9%
$500K to $750K8550,308,34236.8%6337,423,28831.7%2212,885,054+34.9%+34.4%
$750K to $1MM3529,548,81915.2%2016,807,34010.1%1512,741,479+75.0%+75.8%
$1MM to $2MM67,635,0002.6%34,117,5001.5%33,517,500+100.0%+85.4%
$2MM to $3MM000.0%000.0%00
Greater than $3MM13,553,8460.4%000.0%13,553,846
Total Cash4425,415,73219.0%4623,590,84823.1%(2)1,824,884-4.3%+7.7%
Total Financed187105,956,78481.0%15380,545,64576.9%3425,411,139+22.2%+31.5%
Grand Total231131,372,516100.0%199104,136,493100.0%3227,236,023+16.1%+26.2%

The Chelan Market: Encompassing Manson and Stehekin

The Lake Chelan Valley, including Manson and Stehekin, cooled in March after an unusually strong February. Unit sales were down 50.0% (6 transactions versus 12) and dollar volume fell 33.7% — from $10.40 million to $6.89 million. With its smaller monthly volumes, a single quarter’s mix can swing the Valley’s percentages dramatically.

Lake Chelan Valley March 2026 vs March 2025

 Mar 2026DealsMar 2026$ Amount% of
Total
Mar 2025DealsMar 2025$ Amount% of
Total
Inc/(Dec)DealsInc/(Dec)$ Amount%Deals%Amount
Under $250K000.0%1210,0008.3%(1)(210,000)-100.0%-100.0%
$250K to $500K2795,00033.3%31,123,00025.0%(1)(328,000)-33.3%-29.2%
$500K to $750K1525,00016.7%21,235,00016.7%(1)(710,000)-50.0%-57.5%
$750K to $1MM1825,00016.7%21,575,00016.7%(1)(750,000)-50.0%-47.6%
$1MM to $2MM11,820,00016.7%34,005,00025.0%(2)(2,185,000)-66.7%-54.6%
$2MM to $3MM12,925,00016.7%12,250,0008.3%0675,000+0.0%+30.0%
Greater than $3MM000.0%000.0%00
Total Cash22,645,00033.3%42,273,00033.3%(2)372,000-50.0%+16.4%
Total Financed44,245,00066.7%88,125,00066.7%(4)(3,880,000)-50.0%-47.8%
Grand Total66,890,000100.0%1210,398,000100.0%(6)(3,508,000)-50.0%-33.7%

Year-to-date through March, the Lake Chelan Valley matches last year on transaction count — 27 versus 27 — while dollar volume is well ahead at $29.0 million versus $20.7 million (+39.9%). The gap is almost entirely attributable to a single financed sale above $3MM that closed earlier in 2026; backing out that outlier, the underlying market is steady.

Lake Chelan Valley March 2026 YTD vs March 2025 YTD

 2026 YTDDeals2026 YTD$ Amount% of
Total
2025 YTDDeals2025 YTD$ Amount% of
Total
Inc/(Dec)DealsInc/(Dec)$ Amount%Deals%Amount
Under $250K3600,00011.1%41,175,00014.8%(1)(575,000)-25.0%-48.9%
$250K to $500K83,206,54529.6%62,085,00022.2%21,121,545+33.3%+53.8%
$500K to $750K95,268,65033.3%96,025,45033.3%0(756,800)+0.0%-12.6%
$750K to $1MM21,674,0007.4%32,505,00011.1%(1)(831,000)-33.3%-33.2%
$1MM to $2MM35,232,00011.1%34,005,00011.1%01,227,000+0.0%+30.6%
$2MM to $3MM12,925,0003.7%24,916,5007.4%(1)(1,991,500)-50.0%-40.5%
Greater than $3MM110,075,0003.7%000.0%110,075,000
Total Cash95,226,54533.3%107,995,95037.0%(1)(2,769,405)-10.0%-34.6%
Total Financed1823,754,65066.7%1712,716,00063.0%111,038,650+5.9%+86.8%
Grand Total2728,981,195100.0%2720,711,950100.0%08,269,245+0.0%+39.9%

Exploring the Upper Valley Market: Insights from Dryden to Stevens Pass, Including Leavenworth, Lake Wenatchee and Plain

The Upper Valley staged a clear rebound in March after a very quiet start to the year. Thirteen single-family transactions closed across the Leavenworth, Lake Wenatchee and Plain corridor — up 62.5% from 8 a year ago — and dollar volume rose 32.9% to $11.95 million from $9.00 million. It was the corridor’s strongest month since last fall.

The turnaround is encouraging after the prolonged softness that followed the Highway 2 closure and washout, which disrupted access to the corridor late last year. March suggests the area is beginning to thaw, and we will watch April data to confirm the trend.

Upper Valley March 2026 vs March 2025

 Mar 2026DealsMar 2026$ Amount% of
Total
Mar 2025DealsMar 2025$ Amount% of
Total
Inc/(Dec)DealsInc/(Dec)$ Amount%Deals%Amount
Under $250K000.0%000.0%00
$250K to $500K1300,0007.7%000.0%1300,000
$500K to $750K31,815,00023.1%21,290,00025.0%1525,000+50.0%+40.7%
$750K to $1MM43,595,00030.8%32,426,50037.5%11,168,500+33.3%+48.2%
$1MM to $2MM56,242,50038.5%23,187,00025.0%33,055,500+150.0%+95.9%
$2MM to $3MM000.0%12,093,00012.5%(1)(2,093,000)-100.0%-100.0%
Greater than $3MM000.0%000.0%00
Total Cash1900,0007.7%34,678,00037.5%(2)(3,778,000)-66.7%-80.8%
Total Financed1211,052,50092.3%54,318,50062.5%76,734,000+140.0%+155.9%
Grand Total1311,952,500100.0%88,996,500100.0%52,956,000+62.5%+32.9%

Year-to-date, the Upper Valley remains behind last year — 23 transactions versus 32 (-28.1%) and $18.3 million versus $27.5 million (-33.4%) — but March’s rebound narrowed the gap considerably. The early-year deficit was concentrated in the higher price tiers, several of which had no closings in January or February.

Upper Valley March 2026 YTD vs March 2025 YTD

 2026 YTDDeals2026 YTD$ Amount% of
Total
2025 YTDDeals2025 YTD$ Amount% of
Total
Inc/(Dec)DealsInc/(Dec)$ Amount%Deals%Amount
Under $250K1247,5004.3%2342,0006.2%(1)(94,500)-50.0%-27.6%
$250K to $500K41,750,00017.4%52,297,45015.6%(1)(547,450)-20.0%-23.8%
$500K to $750K53,030,00021.7%85,374,70025.0%(3)(2,344,700)-37.5%-43.6%
$750K to $1MM87,025,00034.8%97,651,69628.1%(1)(626,696)-11.1%-8.2%
$1MM to $2MM56,242,50021.7%79,729,78521.9%(2)(3,487,285)-28.6%-35.8%
$2MM to $3MM000.0%12,093,0003.1%(1)(2,093,000)-100.0%-100.0%
Greater than $3MM000.0%000.0%00
Total Cash74,750,00030.4%1615,435,78550.0%(9)(10,685,785)-56.2%-69.2%
Total Financed1613,545,00069.6%1612,052,84650.0%01,492,154+0.0%+12.4%
Grand Total2318,295,000100.0%3227,488,631100.0%(9)(9,193,631)-28.1%-33.4%
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