October was a slower month in Salem and Keizer, which is normal for this time of year. According to WVMLS data compiled by HomeStar Brokers, 175 homes closed in October, down from 209 in September. New listings fell to 233 from 266, and the median sale price was $437,900, down from $463,000.
Below, we walk through October’s numbers, what we think they mean for sellers and buyers, and a few options worth weighing. These are totals for Salem and Keizer together, so your neighborhood and price range may look different.
October at a glance
- 175 closed sales, down from 209 in September (34 fewer, or 16.3%)
- 233 new listings, down from 266 in September (33 fewer, or 12.4%)
- 732 active listings listed by October 31, down from 785 in September (53 fewer, or 6.8%)
- $437,900 median sale price, down from $463,000 in September ($25,100 less, or 5.4%)
- $267 median price per square foot, about flat with $266 in September
- 89 days, the median days on market for homes that closed, up from 71
- 4.2 months of supply, up from 3.8 in September
- 145 new pending sales with an October contract date, down from 189
A few notes on reading these numbers. One month is not a trend, and October often slows as the season changes, so we treat these changes as a description, not a forecast. The median sale price moves with the mix of homes that sell in a given month. Because price per square foot held about flat, the lower median looks more like a shift toward smaller or lower-priced homes selling than a broad drop in values, though one month can’t confirm that. The active-listing count comes from a November 4 export, so it leaves out homes that went pending or sold between November 1 and 4 and may run slightly low.
What sellers should know
Buyers are still buying. 145 homes went under contract in October, and homes that sold got 98.5% of their final list price overall. That suggests a home priced in line with the market is still getting close to its asking price.
Buyers are taking more time, though. The median home that closed in October spent 89 days on the market, up from 71 in September. Supply rose to 4.2 months because closings fell faster than inventory, so a new listing now has a bit more competition for each buyer’s attention. We wrote about pricing in a slower market in why so many Salem homes are reducing their price.
If you’re thinking about selling, here are the options we’d weigh with you:
- Price from recent sales and current competition from day one. With more homes to choose from, a first price that lines up with nearby sales can help you avoid a later cut.
- If you’re already listed and showings are slow, review price and presentation early instead of waiting out the holidays.
- If your timing is flexible, compare listing now, while fewer new homes are coming on, with waiting until after the new year.
What buyers should know
With 732 active listings and 4.2 months of supply, you have more room to compare than you did in September. Homes are also sitting longer, which can give you time to look carefully.
Price history matters. Many higher-priced listings have already been reduced, and a home that has sat for a while is a different situation from a new listing priced close to recent sales. Both can be good options, and they may call for different offer approaches.
If you’re starting to look, a few practical steps help:
- Get pre-approved before you tour so you know your price range.
- Set up a saved search so new listings and price changes in your range come to you.
- Ask for each home’s history, including days on market and any price changes, before you write an offer.
Common questions
Did Salem-Keizer home prices drop in October?
The median sale price fell to $437,900 from $463,000 in September. Median price per square foot held about flat at $267, so the lower median may reflect which homes sold more than a drop in values. One month isn’t enough to call a trend.
How long are homes taking to sell in Salem and Keizer?
Homes that closed in October had a median of 89 days on market, up from 71 in September. Your home’s price, condition and location will shape how long it takes.
What does 4.2 months of supply mean?
It’s how long the 732 active listings would last at October’s pace of 175 sales a month if no new homes were listed. It rose from 3.8 in September because sales fell faster than inventory.
If you want to know what this month’s numbers mean for your home or neighborhood, ask a HomeStar Brokers agent for a local market review.
Source: WVMLS data compiled by HomeStar Brokers. Residential listings with City recorded as Salem or Keizer. Closings and new listings Oct 1–31, 2026; active listings as of the Nov 4, 2026 export, listed on or before Oct 31.
Prices and days on market are medians. Months of supply is active listings divided by the month’s closed sales. New pending sales count homes with an October contract date that were still pending or had closed by October 31. Statistics may change as listing records are updated. Data deemed reliable but not guaranteed. This information is general and is not a guarantee of future results.
