February 2026 Market Update - Sidney, Montana

Fewer Sales, Higher Prices, and What Sellers Should Actually Pay Attention To

February’s numbers in Richland County tell an interesting story—one that’s easy to misunderstand if you only look at the headline figures.

At first glance, the number of homes sold appears lower compared to last year. But when we step back and look at pricing, inventory, and contracts currently in motion, the picture becomes much clearer.

Let’s walk through the numbers.

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February 2026 by the Numbers

• 3 homes sold

• Total sales volume: about $1.1 million

• Average sales price: about $368,000

Now let’s compare that to the same month last year.

February 2025

• 9 homes sold

• Total sales volume: about $1.9 million

• Average sales price: about $248,000

At first glance, it looks like sales activity dropped significantly.

But there’s an important detail that changes the interpretation.

Average Prices Jumped Significantly

While fewer homes closed in February 2026, the average sales price increased dramatically.

• February 2026 average price: ~$368,000

• February 2025 average price: ~$248,000

That’s a difference of roughly $120,000 per transaction.

In other words, although there were fewer closings, the homes that did sell were higher priced properties, which pulled the average upward.

This type of shift isn’t uncommon in smaller markets like Richland County where a few transactions can dramatically influence monthly averages.

Current Market Snapshot

Looking at the broader market helps put February’s numbers into better context.

Right now we have:

• 22 active listings

• 13 homes currently under contract

That ratio tells us something important.

Buyer activity is still present. Homes are still going under contract. The pipeline of transactions moving toward closing remains healthy.

In a market our size, it only takes a few delayed closings or contract timelines shifting between months to change what the final monthly numbers look like.

What This Means for Sellers

The biggest takeaway from February is this:

The number of sales alone doesn’t define the strength of a market.

When we look at:

• strong average prices

• consistent inventory levels

• a healthy number of homes currently under contract

…it suggests a market that is active but selective.

Buyers are still purchasing homes, but they are being thoughtful and strategic in their decisions.

For sellers, that means the fundamentals still matter:

• accurate pricing

• strong presentation

• smart marketing exposure

Homes that are positioned well continue to attract serious buyers.

Thinking About Selling This Spring?

As we move closer to the spring market, many homeowners start asking the same question:

“Should I list now or wait?”

The answer depends on:

• your home’s price band

• current competition in your neighborhood

• and how your property compares to the homes currently under contract.

If you’re curious what your home might realistically sell for in today’s market, you can start with my quick seller form below.

👉 Seller Snapshot Form: https://form.jotform.com/252097463941059

Or explore current listings and market updates here: 👉 https://www.406east.com/