Thurston County, WA Housing Market Update — April 2026

The Thurston County housing market in April 2026 is showing clear signs of a shift in favor of buyers. With inventory running high and homes taking longer to sell, homeowners in the Olympia area and surrounding communities need to go in with realistic expectations — and a solid strategy — if they're planning to list this spring.

What Homes Are Selling For

Over the past 30 days, 353 homes closed in Thurston County. The median sold price came in at $532,000, while the average sold price was slightly higher at $563,366 — a gap that reflects a handful of higher-end sales pulling the average up. The full price range ran from $25,000 to $1,900,000, showing just how diverse the local market really is.

On a per-square-foot basis, sellers are getting a median of $280 per square foot, with an average of $299. That figure is a useful benchmark if you're trying to get a quick sense of where your home might land before you talk to an agent or request an offer.

Property Type Breakdown

• Single-family homes: 271 sales (the dominant category)
• Mobile homes: 35 sales
• Townhomes: 13 sales
• Multi-family: 10 sales
• Condos: 9 sales

Single-family homes clearly drove the bulk of activity, but there's meaningful transaction volume across other property types as well — a good sign for sellers outside the traditional detached home category.

How Fast Are Homes Selling

This is where the market tells its most important story right now. The average days on market is 94 days, and the median sits at 60 days. In plain terms: the typical home in Thurston County is sitting on the market for about two months before going under contract — and many are taking considerably longer than that.

For sellers, this means the "list it and watch the offers pour in" dynamic that defined earlier years has cooled considerably. Pricing accurately from day one matters more than ever. Overpriced homes aren't just sitting — they're accumulating market time that can actually hurt your final sale price as buyers grow skeptical.

Current Inventory

There are currently 1,397 active listings in Thurston County, with a median list price of $529,000 and an average list price of $588,195. The fact that active list prices are running close to — and in some cases above — recent sold prices is another signal worth paying attention to. Buyers have options, and they know it.

With over 1,300 homes competing for attention at any given time, standing out requires more than just putting a sign in the yard. Presentation, pricing, and timing all matter more in a market like this one.

Market Outlook

Based on the current data, Thurston County is firmly in strong buyer's market territory. That means buyers have the upper hand in negotiations — they can afford to be selective, ask for concessions, and take their time. For sellers, this doesn't mean it's a bad time to sell, but it does mean you need to come in prepared.

Expect continued pressure on pricing, longer listing timelines, and buyers who are more likely to negotiate on repairs, closing costs, and contingencies. Sellers who price realistically and present their home well are still closing — the data shows 353 transactions in the last 30 days alone.

What This Means If You're Thinking About Selling

If you're a Thurston County homeowner considering a sale this spring, here's what the data suggests you keep in mind:

• Price it right from the start. With 60+ days as the median time on market, overpricing early costs you time and leverage.
• Expect negotiations. Buyers in this market are more likely to push back on price, ask for repairs, or request seller-paid closing costs.
• Consider all your options. A traditional listing isn't the only path — especially if you need to sell quickly, want to skip repairs, or prefer a certain close date.
• Know your competition. Nearly 1,400 active listings means your home is competing hard for buyer attention.

Thinking About a Faster, Simpler Sale?

If the idea of 60 to 90+ days on market, open houses, negotiations, and repair requests doesn't appeal to you, there's another option worth exploring. KDS Homebuyers works directly with Thurston County homeowners to make fair cash offers — no listings, no commissions, no waiting. Whether your home is in Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, or anywhere else in the county, we'd be glad to take a look and give you a no-obligation offer so you can make the most informed decision possible. Reach out anytime to start the conversation.