December 2025 Hi-Desert Real Estate Market Update

Season’s Greetings Fans,

Just a few weeks left this year. We are struggling to close over 850 escrows. I expect the number will come in between 845 and 860. This will be the lowest amount since I have been keeping records (2013).

At this writing, we have 694 active listings in residential. Down from 707 when I wrote this Update. Many of these are very old. One is over three years active. 40 are over a year active. Another 117 are over six months active. Why is this important? Buyers use the Days Active in the MLS (DAM) as a source to negotiate price. The thought process is if you have been on the market for a long time, you must be anxious to sell. I try my best to not let my listings go over eight months to discourage this type of buyer behavior (actually, I try my best to sell the property before time is an issue. It does not always work out that way 🙂

I believe there are a lot of sellers who are tired of trying to keep their home in show ready condition. I expect we will see a major drop in inventory by the end of the year. I expect inventory will drop below 600 and build back up by March.

At the same time, we have a lot of movement on what the experts see for the new year. At this writing, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) is forecasting a big rebound in real estate next year. Time will tell if this helps us locally. I am a firm believer that we need to focus on jobs in our area to push our real estate market. It could be an exciting year for us.

Highlights of this Update include-

• We closed escrow on just 50 homes in November. This is the lowest month I have on my records since 2013.
• The numbers balanced back to normal last month. In October we saw Twentynine Palms account for 50% of closings. This month is more balanced.
• In past months over 70% of sales were below $400,000. Last month this was 64%. We saw a big surge in sales between $400,000 and $500,000.
• Average prices dropped in Yucca and 29 but increased in Joshua Tree.
• Days Active on the Multiple Listing Service (DAM) are really high compared to industry standards. Joshua Tree was at 151 days, and Twentynine Palms came in at 146 days.

For me, it’s Merry Christmas. Whatever you celebrate, I wish you great joy, peace, and happiness. Have a very merry season and a Happy New Year!

Sincerely,

Bob Armstrong
(760) 221-2999
DRE #01275801
GREEN Real Estate Group