By John Klassen, Licensed REALTOR® | The Klassen Group at Salina Homes | August 25, 2026

Quick Answer: Nationally, yes, conditions are shifting toward buyers: existing-home sales slipped 1.7% in July, active listings have climbed for seven straight weeks, and inventory nationally sits around 4.6 months' supply. But Saline County is moving in the opposite direction. Local inventory is down 16.5% year-over-year, supply sits at just 1.4 months, and homes are selling in a median of 3 days at full asking price.

Amber, Keith, and I have had the same conversation with buyers and sellers several times over just the last couple of weeks: someone reads a national headline about buyers gaining leverage and assumes it applies here. It doesn't, at least not yet. Part of what we do for every client is separate what's happening nationally from what's actually happening on the ground in Saline County, and right now those two stories don't match at all.

1.4 vs 4.6
months' supply in Saline County versus the national average as of this summer

What the national headlines are actually saying

The national story this August is one of gradual rebalancing. According to the National Association of REALTORS®, existing-home sales slipped 1.7% in July, and Realtor.com has reported active listings climbing for seven consecutive weeks. The Census Bureau and HUD also reported a sharp 12.4% drop in housing starts. Nationally, inventory sits around a 4.6 month supply, which is close to the level many economists consider balanced between buyers and sellers. Mortgage rates, meanwhile, have held in the mid-6% range, with Freddie Mac's survey putting the 30-year fixed at 6.69% in early August.

Put together, most national coverage describes 2026 as a market handing buyers more room to negotiate: more homes to choose from, slower price growth, and sellers who increasingly need to price correctly from the start.

Worth remembering: National real estate data is an average of hundreds of very different local markets. A national trend toward balance can be true overall while individual counties, including this one, move in the exact opposite direction.

What's actually happening in Saline County

Saline County's July numbers, published by South Central Kansas MLS, tell a different story entirely. Active listings ended July at 81 units, down 16.5% from 97 a year earlier. That represents just 1.4 months' supply, well below the 4.6 months seen nationally and far below the 5 to 6 months usually considered balanced. Homes that sold in July went under contract in a median of just 3 days, down from 7 days a year ago, and closed at a median of 100% of list price.

Measure National (Aug 2026) Saline County (July 2026)
Months' supply ~4.6 months 1.4 months
Existing-home sales trend Down 1.7% (July) Up 3.1% (July, YoY)
Active listings trend Rising, 7 straight weeks Down 16.5% YoY
Median sale price change (YoY) Modest, low single digits Up 26.6%
Typical days on market (sold) Longer, more negotiating room 3 days median
Bottom line: If you're a buyer waiting for Saline County to loosen up the way national headlines describe, the local data doesn't support that plan right now. If you're a seller wondering whether you've missed the peak, the numbers say otherwise.

What this means depending on which side of the deal you're on

  • Buyers: Come in with financing ready and be prepared to move within days on anything priced correctly. Waiting for national trends to reach Saline County is a real risk to your timeline.
  • Sellers: This remains a strong window. Low supply and fast sales are still working in your favor, even as national coverage suggests otherwise.
  • Both: Local data should drive your decisions, not national headlines. That's exactly why we track the South Central Kansas MLS numbers every month rather than relying on national averages.

Not sure how the headlines apply to your specific situation? Amber, Keith, and I can walk you through what's actually happening in your price range and neighborhood right now.

Call or text 785-201-4341 or contact us here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it a buyer's market right now?
Nationally, conditions are shifting toward buyers, with inventory around 4.6 months' supply. In Saline County specifically, it remains a seller's market with just 1.4 months' supply as of July.

Why does Saline County look different from national trends?
Real estate moves locally. Saline County's active listings are down 16.5% year-over-year while national listings are climbing, which is why local supply and demand can move in the opposite direction of national averages.

Are home prices dropping nationally?
Nationally, price growth has slowed to modest, low single-digit increases. Saline County's median sale price rose 26.6% year-over-year in July, well above the national trend.

Should I wait for the national market shift to reach Salina?
There's no guarantee it will, at least not on any predictable timeline. Buyers waiting for national trends to show up locally risk missing homes in a market that is still moving quickly.

What is months' supply and why does it matter?
Months' supply estimates how long it would take to sell all current inventory at the current sales pace. Around 5 to 6 months is typically considered balanced; below that favors sellers, and above that favors buyers.

John Klassen is a Licensed REALTOR® and co-founder of The Klassen Group at Salina Homes, serving buyers and sellers in Salina and Saline County, Kansas. Reach John at 785-201-4341 or through salinaliving.com/contact.

Sources: South Central Kansas MLS, Saline County Housing Report, July 2026 (WSU Center for Real Estate, courtesy of the Kansas Association of REALTORS®); National Association of REALTORS®; Realtor.com; U.S. Census Bureau and HUD; Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey.