In September our daylight shrinks about three minutes each day, and it’s hard not to grieve the loss of those long summer days, but let’s give thanks for the consistency of seasonal change and look forward to those crisp days of fall! In the real estate market, we conceive a similar, predictable pattern where properties enter the market as the grass greens and sell sometime before the Thanksgiving turkey is on the table.
In the Polson market this August there were 25 sales with a total dollar volume of $12,763,889. That compares to last year’s 16 sales and $9,752,445 volume, an increase in number of 56 percent and 31 percent in dollar volume.
In the residential market, 13 homes were sold. They break out this way:
| 200-299 | 300-399 | 400-499 | 500-599 | 600-699 | 700-799 | 800-899 | 900-999 | 1m | 2m | 3m | |
| Off Water | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Water Access | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Water Frontage | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
Since the beginning of the year, 80 Polson homes have sold, the exact number sold in the first 8 months of 2024. However, the dollar volume of this year’s sales is 46 percent higher than in the same period in 2024. The median residential sale price has moved as well: from $503,500 in 2024 to $627,500 in 2025. This median encompasses all residential sales including those on and with access to water. The median price this year for a single-family home off water in Polson is $527,500, up 16% over last year.
There have been 16 sales so far on Flathead Lake just in the Polson market. Overall, on Flathead Lake, there have been 44 residential sales since January. Median sales price is $1,675,000. Although, there were half as many sales last year, the year-over-year comparison shows a median sale about 16 percent lower so far in 2025.
On Flathead Lake and elsewhere prices have been adjusting as we shift more into a buyer’s market.
Inventories of homes in the Polson market have improved:
| Low | High | Median List | |
| Off Water | $99,000 | $2.795 m | $539,000 |
| Water Access | $234,999 | $1.998 m | $725,000 |
| Waterfront | $349,000 | $11.9 m | $2.123 m |
Pictured here in March. Sold August 2025
As buyers pause to see if the Fed will finally lower interest rates this fall, we can bask in those dog days of late summer. Neighbors, friends and clients are challenging their tax assessments as that window starts to close (30 days from delivery of the notice). And, don’t forget to apply for the tax rebate for your homestead this month: https://revenue.mt.gov/taxes/property-tax-rebate/ That 6-week window slams shut October first.
Enjoy the transition into fall. If I can help you with your real estate questions, feel free to reach out.
