Western Nevada County just closed out its slowest third quarter in at least a decade, with 321 homes sold between July and September — the fewest in any third quarter since before the pandemic recovery began.
Despite sales bouncing back in August, both July and September fell short of 2025’s pace, leaving the local market with the possibility of not growing beyond the prior year for the first time since the slowdown that followed the pandemic sales frenzy.
Slow and steady growth has been the story in western Nevada County, with year over year growth in sales since 2023. But 2026 sales lead 2025 by just 21 homes through September — a lead that shrank by 22 homes over the third quarter alone. Three years of growth post-2023 recovery could stall in 2026. Whether the streak survives depends on the fourth quarter, and the 89 pending sales at September’s close is not an encouraging indicator.
Higher interest rates, higher cost of fire insurance and higher prices continue to challenge the local market. There were 107 homes sold in September, down 5.3% from August and down 10.8% from the 120 sold in September 2025.
Homes that did sell in September also took a median 53 days before an accepted offer, the highest number of days in any month of the current year — and a 76.7% increase over the median days on market in August.
Along with the sales slowdown, there were 18.5% fewer homes on the market at the end of September than one year ago. Likewise, the 89 pending sales was the lowest monthly total since 80 deals were recorded in escrow last December.
One year ago, there were 130 transactions pending at the end of September.
Brian Hamilton is a Realtor (DRE #02149112) for the Betsy Hamilton Real Estate Team at RE/MAX Gold (DRE #01949144) in Grass Valley. Email him at Brian@BetsyHamilton.com or visit BetsyHamilton.com for more information.