Welcome to October, where the leaves are changing, pumpkin patches are busy, and homeowners everywhere are debating whether it's time to turn on the heat. As the seasons shift, the real estate market continues to create opportunities for buyers, sellers, and investors across our community.
This month, I'm sharing highlights from the West Fargo Lions Club's first meat raffle and vision screening of the season, along with tips for making dark rooms feel brighter and more inviting. You'll also find insights on property disclosures every buyer should understand and what sellers can do when their home has been on the market longer than expected.
As always, you'll find market updates, featured listings, and practical advice designed to make real estate a little less overwhelming and a lot more approachable.
Whether you're thinking about buying, selling, investing, or just trying to squeeze in one more home project before winter arrives, I'm always happy to help. Reach out anytime for a tour, complimentary market analysis, or a conversation about your real estate goals this season.
♥ - Shari
Season of Service Kicks Off for the West Fargo Lions Club!

This month, we kicked off our community impact efforts by conducting our first vision screening of the season, the first of five elementary schools we'll visit this fall. By the time our screenings are complete, we'll have helped screen the vision of more than 2,000 local students, supporting early detection and healthy learning. In addition to our screenings, we're continuing our commitment to student wellness by providing healthy snacks to each school we visit, helping fuel young minds for success in the classroom.
We also hosted the first of seven upcoming meat raffles, bringing neighbors together for a fun evening while raising funds that support local service projects and community needs throughout the year.
As we continue serving our community, stay tuned for another favorite Lions tradition: our Holiday Cash Calendar Raffle. You'll soon have the opportunity to purchase a calendar, support local Lions initiatives, and enjoy the chance to win cash prizes each day of January.
Together, we're making a difference right here in West Fargo, one act of service at a time.
At first glance, the Fargo-Moorhead market looks incredibly strong. Average sales prices are up 5%, closed sales have increased, and sellers are still receiving an average of 100.1% of their original list price.
But as someone who's in the trenches every day, I can tell you there is more happening beneath the surface.
While inventory remains low at 2.72 months, buyers are gaining something they haven't had much of in recent years: time. Average days on market have increased to 85 days, and I'm seeing price reductions every single day, even in some of our most active and affordable price ranges. Buyers are taking a more thoughtful approach, comparing options, and waiting for the right fit instead of rushing into decisions.
That 100.1% list-to-sale price ratio is also worth a closer look. While many homes are still selling at or above asking price, sellers are increasingly offering incentives such as seller-paid closing costs, rate buy-downs, and other concessions that don't show up in the final sales price statistic. In other words, the market isn't quite as straightforward as a single number might suggest.
For Sellers: Buyers are still out there, and homes are selling, but today's market rewards realistic pricing, great presentation, and a strong marketing strategy more than ever before.
For Buyers: More inventory, longer market times, and increased seller flexibility are creating opportunities that simply weren't available a few years ago.
The best way I'd describe today's market? It's becoming a more balanced playing field. Neither buyers nor sellers can rely on yesterday's strategies. Success comes from understanding what's happening beyond the headlines and adjusting accordingly.
Whether you’re planning a move this fall or just keeping an eye on trends, I’m here to help you navigate with clarity, confidence, and guidance backed by 20 years of experience.

Looking for a new place to call home? Check out this month's featured listings!
Visit www.ShariZimbelman.com for a complete list of available homes and upcoming open houses!
| $183,500 |
$223,000 |
$509,900 |
| Homeowners | Home Buyers | Home Sellers |
|
|
![]() |
![]() |
| Easy Ways to Make a Dark Room Feel Brighter | What Buyers Should Know About Property Disclosures | Your House has Been on the Market Longer Than Expected, Now What? |
Your Realtor,

SHARI ZIMBELMAN | REALTOR
Broker Associate | Dakota Plains Realty
ABR | CRS | GRI | SFR | C2EX
Cell: 701.200.2608 | Office: 701.566.7080