Sierra Nevada Realtors released its 2026’s third-quarter residential real estate market report Monday covering Carson City, Churchill, Douglas, Lyon, Storey and Washoe counties (excluding Incline Village). The data is drawn from the Northern Nevada Regional MLS and analyzed through Domus Analytics.

This quarterly report provides a broader view of Northern Nevada’s housing market by examining three months of residential sales activity. Looking at quarterly trends offers a more comprehensive analysis of pricing, transaction volume and buyer demand, while highlighting how market conditions vary across the six counties Sierra Nevada Realtors (SNR) serves.

Overarching themes across the Northern Nevada housing market this past quarter include:

  • Homes are moving faster. In five of the six counties the median days to contract decreased compared to Q3 2025 which is a clear indication of continued buyer activity throughout much of the region. Carson City had the biggest improvement with median days to contract down to 17 from 41 last year. 
  • Sales activity is still growing. Closed sales went up in five of the six counties, with Carson City and Douglas County showing the biggest increases. Even though home prices are rising in some areas, buyers are still looking to purchase homes across Northern Nevada.
  • Home prices are going up in all six counties, though the rate of increase is different in each one. This shows why it’s important for buyers and sellers to understand their local market when thinking about prices and affordability. 

“While home prices are still going up throughout Northern Nevada we are also seeing some positive signs in terms of buyer activity with more homes selling and the time on the market decreasing,” said Garrett Lepire, 2026 president of Sierra Nevada Realtors. “The story varies a little from county to county but what the numbers tell us is that buyers are still finding ways to get into the market. For sellers, getting the price right is still paramount and for buyers, working with a local Realtors is a great way to get a better sense of what’s available in the current market.”

About the numbers:

For purposes of these market statistics, “residential property” refers to the full range of housing types available across Northern Nevada, including single-family residences, townhomes, condominiums and manufactured homes. While these property types differ in ownership structure and construction, they all represent housing options within the region’s residential market.

SNR reports on “residential properties” to provide a more holistic view of the Northern Nevada housing market. Residential property statistics include all applicable residential units across the six-county region, with data broken out by property type when available. Land-only properties are not included.

Let’s take a deeper look at the region SNR serves in Northern Nevada. Numbers compare data from Q3 of 2025 to Q3 of 2026. 

WASHOE COUNTY 

  • Median Sales Price: $540K → $575K
  • Median $/SqFt: $314 → $327 
  • Closed Sales: 1,564 → 1,628
  • New Listings: 1,879 → 1,882
  • Median Days to Contract: 33 → 25
  • Listing Price Received: 98.4% → 98.8%

Washoe County led the region in sales volume, with 64 more homes sold than in the same quarter last year. The median sales price rose by $35,000, and homes sold eight days faster. Since new listings stayed about the same, the higher sales show steady buyer demand in the area’s largest housing market, even as prices keep rising.

CARSON CITY 

  • Median Sales Price: $497K → $500K 
  • Median $/SqFt: $308 → $309 
  • Closed Sales: 174 → 227
  • New Listings: 181 → 235
  • Median Days to Contract: 41 → 17
  • Listing Price Received: 98.3% → 98.9%

Carson City saw one of the biggest jumps in market activity this quarter. Closed sales went up by over 30%, and the median time to contract dropped from 41 days to just 17. Even with more buyers, the median sales price stayed about the same at $500,000. More homes came on the market and sold faster, so Carson City had stronger sales without a big price increase.

CHURCHILL COUNTY 

  • Median Sales Price: $380K → $437.5K 
  • Median $/SqFt: $246 → $246 
  • Closed Sales: 85 → 76
  • New Listings: 102 → 101
  • Median Days to Contract: 32 → 30
  • Listing Price Received: 97.7% → 97.7%

Churchill County’s median sales price went up by $57,500 compared to last year. Closed sales dropped a bit, and both new listings and the price per square foot stayed about the same. Homes sold two days faster, which shows buyers are still interested but overall sales were lower than in other counties. The gap between the higher median price and the steady price per square foot could mean different types or sizes of homes were sold this year.

DOUGLAS COUNTY 

  • Median Sales Price: $660K → $695K 
  • Median $/SqFt: $368 → $368 
  • Closed Sales: 243 → 280
  • New Listings: 328 → 350
  • Median Days to Contract: 40 → 31
  • Listing Price Received: 96.8% → 98%

Douglas County had more sales this quarter, with 37 more homes sold and 22 more listings than in Q3 2025. The median sales price went up by $35,000, and homes sold nine days faster. Sellers also got a higher percentage of their asking price, showing better conditions for sellers and steady interest from buyers.

LYON COUNTY 

  • Median Sales Price: $405K → $424K 
  • Median $/SqFt: $248 → $254 
  • Closed Sales: 303 → 313
  • New Listings: 384 → 382
  • Median Days to Contract: 33 → 22
  • Listing Price Received: 98.9% → 98.9%

Lyon County kept growing steadily, with higher median sales prices and more closed sales. Homes sold 11 days faster than last year, and new listings stayed about the same. Sellers still received nearly 99% of their asking price, which shows steady buyer demand and that well-priced homes are getting attention.

STOREY COUNTY 

  • Median Sales Price: $367.5K → $537.5K 
  • Median $/SqFt: $266 → $280 
  • Closed Sales: 16 → 22
  • New Listings: 35 → 24
  • Median Days to Contract: 33 → 33
  • Listing Price Received: 98.7% → 99.6%

Storey County had the biggest percentage jump in median sales price, going from $367,500 to $537,500. Closed sales also went up, but new listings dropped and the median time to contract stayed the same. Since there were only 22 closed sales this quarter, each sale can have a bigger impact on the county’s overall numbers. It’s important to keep this in mind when looking at the year-over-year changes.

Across Northern Nevada, Q3 of this year has shown that buyers are still active. Five out of the six counties had more closed sales and faster sales times. Median sales prices went up everywhere, but the speed of growth and market activity was different in each county. These trends mean buyers are still in the market, even with affordability challenges, and sellers are benefiting if their homes are priced right. As things keep changing, it’s important for anyone buying or selling to understand local prices and trends.

Buyers and sellers can access SNR’s Homebuyer and Home Seller Guides, available in English and Spanish, for valuable market education. These guides are for informational purposes only and do not intend to alter any existing NAR policy. 

Visit https://snr.realtor to connect with a realtor and begin your home journey.