Nationwide headlines are screaming “housing crisis,” “bubble burst,” and “market crash”… but what’s really going on in Northwest Arkansas?
As your local real estate expert here in Benton County, my goal is simple: to help you make the most informed decision possible—whether you’re planning to buy, sell, or simply stay put. While many markets across the U.S. are seeing significant downturns, Benton County tells a very different story.
Let’s dig into the latest numbers, trends, and facts that define our local housing market as of Q2 2025.
📊 Total Home Sales: Steady and Resilient
In Q2 2025, 1,789 homes sold in Benton County, with 615 of them (34%) being new construction. Despite concerns of a downturn, this number holds steady compared to previous years like 2018, 2019, and 2023.
Key Takeaway: Unlike many markets seeing transaction volume fall, we’re holding strong here in Northwest Arkansas.
🏗️ New Construction Is Booming
New builds continue to make up a significant portion of our market. In 2023, 40% of sales were new construction, and in Q2 2025, we’re at 34%. That demand is driven by continued growth in the region as more people relocate here.
May 2025, in particular, saw 642 total sales, with 235 (36%) being new construction—most priced between $250K–$350K in towns like Pea Ridge, Gentry, and Gravette.
💰 Home Prices Continue to Rise
Here’s a breakdown of the average sale price in Benton County for the first half of 2025:
- January: $458,012
- March: ~$475,000
- June: $503,049
While May dipped slightly, that’s largely due to a spike in affordable new construction. Price per square foot also rose from $214 in January to $229 in June.
Key Insight: Home values are still appreciating here, even as many U.S. markets are seeing declines.
🏡 Luxury Market is Expanding
High-end homes are gaining traction. In Q2 2025 alone, 87 homes sold for over $1 million, a significant jump from just 56 last year—and fewer than 10 a decade ago.
🕰️ Days on Market and Days to Contract
We’re not seeing homes linger unsold like in other markets.
- Average Days on Market: ~94–98
- Days to Contract (June): 37 days – the fastest pace since 2023
Why is this important? It shows demand is still strong—especially for well-priced and move-in-ready homes.
📉 Are Price Reductions and Expired Listings Increasing?
Yes—but it’s seasonal and expected.
By mid-2025, we saw 118 expired listings, compared to 92 in 2024. Most of these are from overambitious pricing or homes listed earlier in the year that missed the spring window.
But… foreclosures and short sales remain almost non-existent. We’ve only had 7 distressed sales in Benton County so far in 2025.
🔍 Pending Sales and Active Listings
As of today, there are:
- 1,036 homes pending in Benton County (55% new construction)
- Average price: $533,590
- Price/SqFt: $233
- 166 homes currently active for sale
- Average price: $646,056 (skewed upward by luxury homes)
- 31 new construction homes priced over $1M
📉 Is a Housing Crash Coming to Northwest Arkansas?
Let’s revisit the five key indicators of a housing market shift:
- Inventory Spike: We’re at ~3 months of supply—still a seller’s market (balanced is 4–6 months).
- Price Reductions: Seasonally normal. Sellers adjusting pre-school year.
- Days on Market Increase: Holding steady; demand remains high.
- Cancellations & Appraisal Gaps: Minimal impact. Only 1 of my 26 sales this year required price renegotiation.
- Economic Shocks: Yes, Walmart recently laid off ~1,500 employees, but many are rehired or repositioned. No massive impact on housing demand yet.
🏁 Final Thoughts
Yes, some parts of the U.S. are experiencing a real estate correction or even a crash. But here in Benton County, the data shows:
✅ Steady demand
✅ Stable (and rising) home values
✅ A healthy balance of supply
✅ Continued population growth
We may see a softening this summer—we always do in July—but I don’t foresee a major correction here like in 2008–2012. This is still one of the top inbound growth markets in the country.
If you’re looking to buy, sell, or relocate to Northwest Arkansas, don’t let national headlines cloud your view. Instead, trust the local data—and your local broker.
📲 Ready to Explore Bentonville?
Whether you’re still dreaming or ready to pack boxes, I’m here to help.
I’m Anthony Mosley, your local guide to all things Bentonville real estate and relocation in Northwest Arkansas.
👉 Contact me today for a free consultation or home search:
📧 anthony@ignwa.com
📞 479 319-7229
🌐 anthonymosleyrealestate.com
📞 Let’s Connect
Let’s talk about your goals, budget, and timeline so we can make your move a smooth and successful one. Whether you’re headed to Bentonville, Rogers, Springdale, or anywhere in Northwest Arkansas, I’m here to help.
Have questions or thinking about making a move to Bentonville or Northwest Arkansas?
Reach out anytime—or watch the full video for visuals and charts on my YouTube Channel.
— Anthony Mosley, Real Estate Broker, Bentonville, Arkansas