What To Know If You Want To Buy or Sell in Billings Before 2026

As I’m writing this, it’s only August, but you know as well as I do that once schools start back, the year starts flying by. Soon it will be Labor Day, then Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, which means life will get busier and suddenly we’re flipping the calendar over to another year. 

But if you’re like many, you might have a few moves you want to make before 2026… like literal moves. 😏🚚📦🔑

And you still have plenty of time to make it happen! 

As we head into the last few months of 2025, the Billings real estate market is showing signs of movement that both buyers and sellers should pay attention to.

Average home prices are dipping slightly, interest rates are ticking down, and days on market are shortening.

All of these factors are creating an environment where buyers are ready to act quickly and sellers who prepare well are seeing major results!

So, whether you’re planning to buy or sell before the end of the year, understanding how to navigate this current market will make all the difference and that’s what this blog post is all about. 

A Brief Look at the Billings Real Estate Market (August 2025)

Since the market changes so often, we prefer to send our market updates each month via email so that you’re receiving real time data and updates!

(If you’d like to get the next market update straight to your inbox, make sure you’re subscribed here!)

But to help you better understand what we’re seeing in the Billings real estate market before moving into a few tangible tips and strategies you can implement when buying or selling, here’s a quick snapshot of what we’re seeing locally:

💸 Average prices are decreasing a bit, giving buyers more confidence
📈 Sales are on the rise, showing that buyers are out there and ready.
📉 Interest rates continue to trend down, making affordability a little easier.
🏡 Days on market are slightly down, meaning homes that are priced and prepped well are moving faster.
This combination creates a market that’s active, but also competitive!

Overall, buyers want to jump on opportunities, and sellers who position their homes strategically are seeing the payoff.

How To Stand Out and Attract Offers When Selling Your Home in Billings, MT in 2025

Let’s start with the sellers!

If you’re considering listing your home in Billings before the end of 2025, the key is to understand today’s buyer mindset.

Here’s a peek into the strategy that’s been working insanely well for us:

Strategic Pricing

This probably comes at no surprise, but the biggest thing we’re seeing work right now is listing homes just under market value. And trust me, I know that as a seller that doesn’t sound super exciting, but just hear me out!

I’m not talking about listing your home thousands of dollars under the market value – sometimes it’s just $5,000 under. 

That small difference can make your home look more attractive compared to others and spark immediate interest, because remember: buyers are motivated. When they see a home that’s well-priced and move-in ready, they act fast.

In fact, this is exactly what we’ve seen with multiple sellers recently when using this strategy. 

We underpriced the home ever so slightly, received multiple offers, and the home sold in less than a week! Talk about a WIN. 🏆

Thorough Home Prep

Listen, I’ve always been big on making sure my sellers thoroughly prep their home and I humbly believe we have it down to a science. (I talk more about our home prep process for sellers here!)

But it’s more important NOW than ever. The buyers that are out there aren’t just browsing for fun. They are looking for the one.

That means your home presentation matters soooo much. I’m talking deep clean, declutter, add fresh paint, tidy your landscaping, and stage where you can.

All of these things majorly contribute to how buyers perceive your home and can make or break their decision!

Prepare for Negotiation

I’ll just be honest with you and tell you that the buyers out there right now have the tendency to be aggressive and as a real estate agent here in Billings, I have to do my fair share of helping them understand that this should be viewed as a partnership – both of you are working toward the same finish line: getting to the closing table. 

But with that, as a seller it’s important to know and prepare for negotiation!

Some buyers may ask for rent-back agreements, longer close dates, or other creative negotiations to help their specific situation. 

Being aware that these things might come up can help ease some of the shock for you as a seller and gives you a chance to discuss these things with your Realtor and create a plan to strategically navigate them so that you can experience a win/win situation.

How To Approach the Billings Real Estate Market as a Buyer in 2025

Now for the buyers!

If you’re looking to buy a home in Billings, MT before the end of the year, now is an opportune time, but your mindset going into it is just as important as the tangible steps you’re taking before entering the market. 

Here’s what I mean:

View Buying as a Marathon, Not a Sprint 

Here’s the thing: buying a home is rarely straightforward. Sure, some transactions move faster and more seamlessly than others, but generally speaking there are some hurdles you have to jump through along the way. 

From inspections to appraisals to lender approvals, there’s a lot going on from the time you make an offer to the time you’re sitting at the closing table. 

And the reason I bring this up is because in the current market, I’m seeing buyers coming in pretty aggressive and while that’s sometimes okay, I want my buyers to view the sellers as people who are on the same team. 

For example, let’s say your lender needs a little extra time to finalize paperwork or an inspection turns up a minor repair – a cooperative seller will be more willing to work with you if you’ve treated the process respectfully from the start.

We can get to the end goal much more quickly if you understand that buying your home is a process that requires certain strategic steps that your agent can help you effectively walk through.

Negotiate Respectfully 

As a buyer, it can be tempting to come in strong and try to win every point, but trust me when I say that real estate works best when both parties feel like they’re walking away with something. 

Attempting to strong-arm the other side often backfires, so instead lean on your agent to help you recognize when it’s time to be assertive and when it’s better to compromise!

Stay Ready to Move Quickly 

With days on market going down in Billings, well-priced homes don’t linger, which means that as a buyer you need to be ready to move quickly at all times!

In order for that to happen, however, you have to do the work upfront to make sure you’re pre-approved and you have your finances in order, as well as knowing your must-haves in a home so that your agent can help you move when it’s time.

For a closer look at the first steps to take before you start house hunting, click here!

Ready to buy or sell in Billings before 2026?

Overall, navigating the Billings real estate market in the last half of 2025 is about timing, strategy, and relationships and that’s where your agent comes in.

Your Realtor’s role isn’t just to open doors and write contracts – it’s to guide you through the hurdles of the home buying or selling process and help you know when to push harder and when to step back.

They’ll help you stay competitive while keeping the transaction respectful and on track, no matter which side of the table you’re on.

So, if you’re looking to buy or sell before the calendar flips to 2026, I’m here to help. 👋 The Billings real estate market is active, competitive, and full of opportunity and I’d love to be your trusted source to navigate the process – CLICK HERE to connect and I’ll help you get started on the right foot!