April 2026 Hi-Desert Real Estate Market Update
Greetings Real Estate Fans,
No April showers will mean no May flowers for us here in the Hi Desert. Along with the lack of flowers, our real estate market continues to be colorless! March was better than January and February, but still well below a healthy status.
It appears that the hits just keep coming for our local real estate market. As I mentioned last month, interest rates have climbed back up to 2025 rates. Today the average looks around 6.375%. This is down from last month, which was 6.55%, but almost half a point above the low in February. Then we add on the cost of fuel! At this writing it appears gas is averaging around $5.75 per gallon basin wide. This makes buyers from the Low Desert area turn away from us. Our prices have climbed to within around $100,000 of low desert prices. This amount of purchase savings is not enough to entice low desert buyers to commute. It is enough when fuel prices are in the $3 to $4 range. It is traditional in our market when fuel prices spike, real estate sales slow. At this point, I would expect our local market to remain stalled into our fall market.
Add to these two items the fact we have way more inventory than we can support with sales, and we hit our trifecta. The current nationwide average is 63 to 66 days on market. In this April Update, our averages are 127 in Yucca Valley (last month 98), 77 in Joshua Tree (last month 102), and 93 in Twentynine Palms (last month 117). At our current rate of sales, we have over 10 months of inventory. Too much inventory generally favors the buyer.
Highlights of this month’s Update include-
- Inventory is at 725 today. Last year, we were at 827 for the same month.
- Twentynine Palms dropped from 43% of sales (which was unusual) to 24% this month. As I have explained, I think the City was getting local buyers because the price difference in Yucca Valley and Joshua Tree was significant. With the increase in fuel prices, it is not surprising that sales declined.
- The average price per square foot in Twentynine Palms dropped to $195.32 in March. This is the first time in eight months the number has been below $200.
- Days Active in the MLS (same as days on market) increased in Yucca Valley but decreased in Joshua Tree and Twentynine Palms.
As always, we can create a winning plan in almost any market. If you, a family member, or friend, need help navigating this tough real estate market, please contact me.
Have a great month.
Sincerely,
Bob Armstrong
(760) 221-2999
DRE #01275801
GREEN Real Estate Group
Bob Armstrong
