As a real estate broker in Northwest Arkansas, one of the most common questions I get is:
“Anthony, how’s the market?”
It’s a fair question — and it deserves a detailed answer backed by facts, statistics, and local expertise. In this Benton County market update, we’ll break down average home prices, price per square foot, new construction trends, and what all of this means for buyers and sellers in today’s real estate landscape.
Understanding the Northwest Arkansas Housing Market
Before we dive into the data, let’s set the scene.
When we talk about Benton County, we’re referring strictly to single-family homes — not condos or townhomes. Benton County tends to be more expensive and has more new construction than neighboring Washington or Madison Counties.
Simply put:
- Benton County = higher prices, more new builds
- Washington County = more affordable, fewer new builds
- Madison County = smaller market activity
Current Market Overview: Is Now a Good Time to Buy or Sell?
If you’re a buyer looking to move to Benton County, the data shows that now is an excellent time to buy. Prices have softened since midyear, interest rates are stabilizing, and inventory levels have increased — creating more negotiating power for buyers.
If you’re a seller, don’t panic. The market isn’t crashing. Instead, it’s correcting — slightly favoring buyers but still offering strong opportunities for well-priced homes.
Benton County Real Estate by the Numbers (2025)
Average Sale Price Trends
At the start of the year, Benton County home prices climbed sharply — peaking in June 2025, then gradually softening through July, August, and September.
This pattern mirrors seasonal shifts but also reflects the broader cooling trend across the housing market.
Factors influencing this include:
- Interest rate fluctuations
- Tariffs and construction costs
- Shifts in buyer demand and affordability
Despite the softening, the market remains strong compared to national averages.
New Construction Sales in Benton County
New construction continues to shape our local housing market.
- Q1: 38% of home sales were new builds
- Q2: 34%
- Q3: 32.12%
That’s a gradual 4–6% decline each quarter — a sign that builders are slowing production slightly due to demand shifts.
However, compared to years past (when new builds made up only 16% of sales), Benton County is still heavily influenced by new construction projects — especially in Rogers, Bentonville, and Centerton.
Price Per Square Foot
Price per square foot also peaked in June 2025, then started trending downward.
We’re now averaging around $226–$228 per square foot, with projections suggesting a potential dip closer to $214–$215 by year’s end.
This supports the notion of a softening, not collapsing, market.
Market Volume and Sales Activity
In Q3 2025, Benton County recorded 1,678 total home sales, a figure consistent with pre-pandemic years (2016–2018).
What’s different today is the higher percentage of new builds, indicating sustained development even in a cooling market.
Historically, Q3 is the hottest quarter for home sales. However, in 2025, we’ve seen a decline since midyear — highlighting a shift toward a more balanced market.
Verifying the Data: Skyline Report vs. MLS Data
Many in the industry reference the Arvest Skyline Report — a well-respected source for Northwest Arkansas real estate data. While it provides great insight, it only offers two data points per year (midyear and year-end), which can leave gaps in real-time market understanding.
That’s why I dive deeper, cross-checking against MLS data to ensure accuracy.
For example:
- Rogers: Skyline Report shows $560,000 average; MLS shows $542,000
- Centerton: Skyline shows $475,000; MLS shows $499,000
- Bentonville: Skyline shows $660,000; MLS shows $638,000
Small discrepancies matter when you’re buying or selling a $500K–$1M+ home. That’s why I track and verify all numbers personally — so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.
Million-Dollar Home Sales on the Rise
Luxury real estate is booming in Benton County.
Here’s the five-year trend of homes sold over $1M:
- 2020: 19
- 2021: 36
- 2022: 56
- 2023: 81
- 2025 (so far): 105
That’s more than a 4x increase in just five years — highlighting the region’s continued growth and desirability, especially in Bentonville, Rogers, and Bella Vista.
Active Listings, Pending Homes & Months of Supply
- Current Active Listings (Q3 2025): 1,952 total
- 683 of those (35%) are new construction
- Pending Sales: 926 total
- 509 (55%) are new builds
- Months of Supply: 3.37 months — up slightly from 3.27 last quarter
This increase in supply means more options for buyers and more competition for sellers, emphasizing the importance of accurate pricing and strong marketing exposure.
List-to-Sale Ratio & Market Softening
Since June, the list-to-sale ratio has declined slightly from 98.9% → 98.4%, showing that homes are selling for just a bit less than list price on average.
That’s a minor adjustment, but an important one — a sign of balanced negotiations returning to the market.
Foreclosures & Market Health
Despite headlines elsewhere, foreclosures remain extremely low in Benton County:
- 2025 YTD: 8 total REO sales
- Most homeowners still have strong equity positions
This supports a key point:
👉 A market correction does not equal a housing crisis.
What This Means for Buyers and Sellers
If You’re Selling:
- Price matters. Homes that are overpriced linger on the market.
- Exposure matters. Partner with a broker who can market across all platforms — digital, video, and local networks.
- Expect a more patient market. Homes are taking longer to sell, but well-priced listings are still moving.
If You’re Buying:
- Now is a great time to buy. Interest rates are the lowest they’ve been in a year.
- More inventory = more choices and leverage.
- Sellers are offering concessions and flexibility — even accepting contingent offers again.
Interest Rate Trends: What’s Next?
When the Federal Reserve lowered rates in September, mortgage rates briefly ticked up due to anticipatory movement. However, they’ve since settled, and as of Q3 2025, mortgage rates are the lowest they’ve been in 12 months.
If you’re waiting for “the perfect rate,” you may miss your ideal home.
Final Thoughts: The State of Benton County Real Estate
The Northwest Arkansas real estate market isn’t crashing — it’s stabilizing after years of rapid growth.
Home prices are correcting slightly, inventory is up, and opportunities are emerging for savvy buyers and sellers alike.
Whether you’re buying a home in Bentonville, selling in Rogers, or simply curious about Northwest Arkansas housing trends, one thing remains true:
📊 Numbers don’t lie — unless you lie about the numbers.
And that’s why I’ll always bring you transparent, data-driven market updates so you can make the most informed real estate decisions possible.
Ready to Buy or Sell in Northwest Arkansas?
📞 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