What I’m telling Buyers and Sellers, looking ahead towards the back half of 2026

For Buyers: Patience and Product Sub-Type Selection

• Target the condo segment for deals: Inventory for condos within the Park City limits has grown, and days on market are ticking up. Sellers are currently receiving roughly 95.6% of their list price, granting buyers real negotiation leverage for the first time in years. 

• Look East for new Construction: If you want new infrastructure, look outside the historic core. 48% of condo listings and 75% of single-family listings in the Jordanelle area are brand new inventory, largely buoyed by the ongoing expansion of the Deer Valley East Village and Heber area. 

• Factor in carrying costs: Remind buyers that local fire risk reclassifications have driven up homeowner insurance premiums in Summit and Wasatch counties. Buyers must budget for higher carrying costs early in the underwriting process. 

• Are you willing to take on a project? Older dated properties (in the right location) are where you will be able to find equity, so roll up your sleeves and make sure you have a good list of vendors to work with (that’s another reason to hire a knowledgeable realtor, contacts mean everything).

For Sellers: Precision Positioning over Hype

• Pandemic pricing mindset will sting: The market has officially normalized. Sellers cannot choose to simply list at a price that is higher than the last highest sale in their neighborhood. 

• Buyers are making highly strategic and thoughtful moves: Homes that are overpriced sit immediately, while correctly priced homes trade at 97.6% of list price in under a month.

• Design is Driving Velocity: Buyers in the luxury bracket are prioritizing move-in-ready, emotionally effortless properties. Timeless, clean mountain aesthetics move quickly, while outdated layouts require aggressive price corrections to compete.

• Capitalize on Micro-Market Spikes: Neighborhoods all around Jordanelle are having a major moment. Sellers in hot pockets can hold leverage if they choose to position their property to capture demand from buyers who want the Park City lifestyle at a more accessible price point.

Real estate in the Wasatch Back is highly segmented and nuanced: values shift from neighborhood to neighborhood and property to property based on condition, amenities, views, location, and so much more. For accurate, current insight on your area of interest, connect with Liza Story, Summit Sotheby’s International Realty at 435.901.1280 or [email protected]