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A mortgage prequalification is typically an early estimate based on information you provide. A preapproval usually involves a more detailed lender review of credit, income, assets and debts. Neither guarantees final approval, but a current, well-supported preapproval is generally more useful when a West Michigan buyer is ready to make an offer.
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Should You Waive a Home Inspection to Win a House in 2026?
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Should You Wait for Mortgage Rates to Drop Before Buying?
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Kent County Housing Market Update.
Kent County Housing Market Update: What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know | August 3, 2026
Weekly Market Brief · Kent County, MI
Kent County Housing Market Report: August 2026
Published August 3, 2026 · Sam Avila, Avila Home Group
Kent County remains competitive: prices are holding firm, well-positioned homes are moving quickly, and mortgage rates have climbed for four straight weeks. Here’s what matters—and how to use it when planning your next move.
The Numbers
$335,000
▲ 3.1% YoY
Kent County median sale price
|
13 days
Median days on market
|
99.0%
Sale-to-list price ratio
|
1.2 mo
Months of supply — still well below a balanced market
|
6.66%
▲ 0.08 pt WoW
30-year fixed mortgage rate, national avg.
|
+13%
Regional home sales volume, 2025 vs. 2024 (still 15% below 2019–2020 levels)
|
For Buyers
- Good listings can still move quickly. With roughly 1.2 months of supply, buyers should be fully underwritten and clear on their priorities before the right home appears—especially in popular price ranges.
- Rates deserve a strategy, not a panic button. Freddie Mac’s national weekly average reached 6.66% on July 30. On a $300,000, 30-year loan, the principal-and-interest payment is roughly $92 more per month than at 6.20%.
- Price still matters. A 99% sale-to-list ratio suggests most successful offers are landing near asking price, but property condition, competition, concessions, and neighborhood activity can change the playbook.
For Sellers
- Price growth is positive, not automatic. The latest local snapshot puts Kent County’s median sale price near $335,000, up about 3.1% year over year. That supports sellers, but it does not rescue an aggressive list price.
- Preparation creates leverage. A 13-day median means buyers make decisions quickly. Strong presentation, accurate pricing, and a clear launch plan help a home earn attention before the listing becomes yesterday’s news.
- The market rewards precision. Regional sales volume improved in 2025 but remained below 2019–2020 levels. Today’s seller advantage is real, yet execution still separates the standouts from the sitters.
If you’re considering a move this fall—or simply trying to understand your current equity—I’m happy to prepare a neighborhood-specific review. No generic estimate, no pressure, and no crystal ball wearing a name badge.
Have a question about what these numbers mean for your street, your equity, or your next move? Call or text 616-229-5082, request a personalized home-value review, or schedule a conversation.

