MONTHLY BAKKEN READ

Williston Inventory Is Up

rates stayed high

What Buyers Should Do

August closed as the strongest month our team has recorded in five years, and we did it in a higher rate market than the one that set our old record.

Nothing got easier. People bought anyway. Here is what changed, and what to do with it before the snow:

01	The Month August closed with 30+ pending transactions and $25 million+ in pending volume, our best month by that measure since 2021. Inventory is up across Williston and Watford City in residential, commercial, industrial, and land.

02	The Leverage More listings means leverage, not panic. The same repair credit ask that ended a negotiation in 2024 gets you a counter this fall. But the selection lasts weeks, not months, and unsold listings get pulled before the snow.

03	Shop Condos Four shop condo units at 313 60th Ave W went under contract after Saturday's open house, faster than we projected. Ownership starts at $225 per square foot against $16 to $20 per square foot per year plus NNN to lease comparable space.

04	Selling This Fall Your first two weeks on market matter more than they have all year. An aggressive list price buys days on market, not room to negotiate.

05	On Rates Run the payment on a real address. You can refinance a rate. You cannot refinance a house.

After 30+ pendings and $25M+ in volume through August, my read is simple: a strong month at these rates tells you demand is real. Inventory being up tells you the leverage is real. What you do with both is decided in October, not January.

The part I put in the letter that I would never put in an ad: there are three specific situations where waiting or renting is the right call, and I name all three.

Read the September Letter →

Want a straight read on your own timing before the end of the year? I'm at (701) 369-3949.

Erik Peterson
Broker/Owner, Proven Realty brokered by eXp
(701) 369-3949
[email protected]

What a Saturday at the Williston Shop Condos!

Huge thank you to everyone who came out, toured the units, enjoyed the food, and spent time with the teams from Schauer Construction and Proven Realty. We had an incredible turnout and loved getting to talk with so many of you!

More Info about the Shop Condos

Bakken Market Snapshot

WILLISTON

MEDIAN LIST

$459,900

▼ from $482,000

ACTIVE LISTINGS

75

▲ from 65

DAYS ON MARKET

71

▼ from 68

Prices softened as inventory built through August. Buyers stayed active on right-priced listings.

WATFORD CITY

MEDIAN LIST

$468,320

— steady near $470K

ACTIVE LISTINGS

32

— flat

DAYS ON MARKET

63

▲ from 45

Prices held all month but homes are taking notably longer to move now than they did in July.

DICKINSON

MEDIAN LIST

$382,450

▼ from $390,000

ACTIVE LISTINGS

74

▼ from 76

DAYS ON MARKET

126

▼ from 127

Prices continued to drift lower through August. Dickinson remains the slowest Bakken market by a wide margin.

THE TAKEAWAY · MONTHLY VIEW

August was the reset month across the Bakken. Williston led the pullback with prices dropping from $488K to $460K as inventory grew from 62 to 75 homes. Watford City held its price floor near $470K all month but days on market nearly doubled from July highs. Dickinson stayed the softest with prices continuing their slow drift lower. What we're seeing on the ground: buyers have leverage they haven't had in months, and sellers who priced ahead of the trend are the ones closing. Heading into fall, expect this pace to hold. Sellers listing now need to price to today's market, not July's peaks. This is a market that rewards precision, and that's exactly where local execution beats national narrative.

Get the Full Report Here →

August 2026 Sales Update

August closed with 10 transactions and over $11.3 million in volume, bringing year-to-date totals to 152 closings and nearly $58 million. To every client who trusted this team in August, thank you. That kind of volume reflects real decisions made by real people, and we do not take that lightly.

Join Our Growing Team!

At Proven Realty, our vision is to be the leading real estate company in North Dakota and Eastern Montana, known for our exceptional customer service, deep local expertise, and unwavering commitment to our clients. We believe that our impact extends beyond transactions; we are dedicated to changing the lives of our clients, as well as our agents and employees

Learn More About Us!

In the Channel

SEPTEMBER IS HERE. THE NUMBERS ARE SPEAKING.

The Bakken isn’t slowing down — and neither is Proven Realty.

As we head into September, our 2026 production continues to climb, with strong activity across Western North Dakota.

Watch the Full Video on Youtube

Featured Properties

313 60th Ave W, Hwy 2, Williston

61 Premium Shop Condominiums

Built for contractors, business owners, investors, and serious hobbyists. 1,500 to 2,280 square feet, 16 foot sidewalls, and an association that handles the exterior so you can handle your business. Pricing starts at $225 per square foot.

More Info

13355 Prairie Meadows St, Wiliiston

Modern 2,341 SF Office Building in Williston, ND

A well-maintained 2,341 SF built in 2014 in a prime Williston location. Contemporary design, move-in ready, and set up for a range of office or professional uses. A clean, straightforward commercial asset in one of western North Dakota's most active markets.

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3805 129F Ave SW, Belfield

15,631 SF Industrial Shop & Office on 8+ Acres Near Davis Refinery

Built in 2014 on 8.34 acres just south of I-94 near the Davis Refinery, this 15,631 SF facility pairs a 10,368 SF steel-frame shop with over 5,000 SF of professional office space. Four drive-through bays, eight 18x18 overhead doors, a 90-foot craneway, radiant floor heat, and a wash bay with sand and oil separator. Sixteen private offices, conference room, and reception area on the office side. Available for sale or lease.

More Info