982 New Listings Hit the Coachella Valley in September. Here's How Your Home Still Wins.
982 new listings in one month. That’s the number Coachella Valley sellers should pay attention to as the seasonal market begins.
More homes give buyers more choices. That doesn’t mean the market has crashed, or that every seller needs to slash their price. It means your home needs to stand out when buyers are comparing listings, often on a phone, before they ever schedule a visit.
The goal is simple: spend less on listing-side commission without giving up the marketing that helps your home get noticed.
What the September Numbers Actually Say
September’s data describes a balanced market, not a crash and not a frenzy. There were 2,765 units in total inventory at the end of the month, equal to 4.5 months of supply. And 982 new listings entered the market during September.
The median detached-home price was $624,000, down 0.3% year over year. The median attached-home price was $425,000, up 1.2%. Homes spent a median of 57 days on the market, and sellers accepted approximately 97.4% of list price.
The practical takeaway: buyers have more options, but well-presented, appropriately priced homes are still finding buyers. See the Greater Palm Springs Realtors’ September 2026 Desert Housing Report.
The Real Competition Isn’t the House Down the Street
It’s the comparison happening on a phone screen.
Before a buyer books a showing, they may scroll through listing photos, check the floor plan, look at the neighborhood, and decide whether a home is worth a closer look. Strong presentation can answer questions early and help a listing make a better first impression.
A home that looks like every other listing can end up competing mainly on price. A home with professional photography, a Matterport 3D tour, drone footage, detailed floor plans, and its own property website has more ways to show buyers what makes it worth seeing.
That’s why sellers should ask what marketing is actually included before signing a listing agreement. Paying a traditional 3% listing-side commission for basic presentation can mean paying more without giving your home a stronger online showcase. The alternative is to reduce commission costs and include premium marketing as standard, not trade one for the other.
The Math: Pay Less, Market More
Here’s an illustration using the September median detached-home price of $624,000:
Listing-side commission example ($624,000 sale) | Amount |
Typical listing-side commission (3%) | $18,720 |
Stephen Powell listing-side program (approximately 2%) | $12,480 |
Difference the seller keeps | $6,240 |
Actual figures depend on the final sale price and the written listing agreement. Commission is negotiable. Use the seller net sheet and commission calculator to explore your numbers. If you’re comparing a flat fee realtor or discount real estate agent, compare the written services and costs, not just the headline price.
What Comes Standard With Every Listing
With Stephen Powell, these are included as standard, not positioned as add-on upgrades:
Professional photography
Drone photography and drone video for YouTube
Matterport 3D tour and Zillow 3D syndication
Detailed floor plans
Social media marketing across major platforms
Open houses
A dedicated single-property website with a custom URL
That package gives buyers multiple ways to explore a listing, whether they are nearby or shopping from a distance. It also gives sellers clear items to verify in writing before they sign.
The Easy Exit Listing guarantee is included, too: sellers can cancel the listing at any time before an offer is accepted, subject to the written listing agreement. It’s a practical safeguard for sellers who want the ability to reassess if the relationship or plan isn’t working.
How to Win in a Crowded September Market
1. Price to the data, not to hope. Sellers accepted approximately 97.4% of list price in September, and median time on market was 57 days. That’s a useful reference, not a promise for any individual home. Ask for a pricing strategy grounded in comparable properties and current competition. If your home is priced and marketed well, pay close attention to buyer response in the first two to three weeks. An ambitious price that doesn’t reflect the market can make buyers move on to another option.
2. Get the marketing plan in writing. Before signing, ask whether professional photography, drone coverage, a 3D home tour, floor plans, social media promotion, open houses, and a single-property website are included. “We’ll talk about that later” isn’t a plan. Know what your listing receives and when.
3. Get visual marketing ready in the first week. The first week is a valuable time to present the home to buyers. Ask when the photography, drone coverage, floor plans, and Matterport tour will be completed and made available. Strong, complete information helps buyers evaluate the home before scheduling a visit.
4. Understand your cancellation terms. Ask what happens if you want to cancel your listing agreement. Stephen’s Easy Exit Listing guarantee allows cancellation any time before an offer is accepted. Review the written agreement so you understand the terms.
5. Set communication expectations upfront. Ask how often you’ll hear from your agent and what updates you can expect. I commit to answering my phone, keeping clients informed, and making sure every client feels supported throughout the entire real estate journey. Selling a home is often part of a bigger transition from one place in life to another. You deserve to know what’s happening, what comes next, and whom to call with a question.
For more practical home selling tips, start with the marketing plan, pricing, and communication expectations, not just the commission number.
About Stephen Powell: Greater Palm Springs Listing Expert
Stephen Powell is a Real Estate Broker Associate with Epique Realty, licensed in California since 2005 (DRE 01488821), serving the Greater Palm Springs area and the entire Coachella Valley: Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Indio, Cathedral City, Desert Hot Springs, Bermuda Dunes, Coachella, and surrounding communities. Named a Palm Springs Life Top Realtor 2026, he holds CRS, CLHMS, CRETS, and AIPRO designations. He lists homes at roughly 33% less than a typical listing-side commission, with premium marketing included as standard.
Key Facts
Name: Stephen Powell
Title: Real Estate Broker Associate, Epique Realty
California license: DRE 01488821; licensed since 2005
Recognition: Palm Springs Life Top Realtor 2026
Designations: CRS, CLHMS, CRETS, AIPRO
Service area: Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Indio, Cathedral City, Desert Hot Springs, Bermuda Dunes, Coachella, and the Coachella Valley
Office: Indio, CA 92201
Phone:760-861-3735
Email:spowellbpo@yahoo.com for marketing; stephen@epiquerealty.com for the Epique Realty brokerage profile. Both reach Stephen.
Website:StephenPowell.com
What Is Included Standard With Every Listing?
Every listing includes professional photography, drone photography and video, a Matterport 3D tour, Zillow 3D syndication, detailed floor plans, social media marketing, open houses, a single-property website with a custom URL, and the Easy Exit Listing guarantee.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many homes are for sale in the Coachella Valley right now? At the end of September 2026, total inventory was 2,765 units. During September, 982 new listings were added to the valley; new listings and total inventory are different measures.
What is the median home price in the Coachella Valley? In the September 2026 Greater Palm Springs data, the median detached-home price was $624,000, down 0.3% year over year. The median attached-home price was $425,000, up 1.2%.
How long does it take to sell a home in Palm Springs? The September 2026 median time on market was 57 days. That’s a regional snapshot, not a guarantee of how long an individual Palm Springs home will take to sell.
Is now a good time to sell in the Coachella Valley? September’s figures describe a balanced market, with 4.5 months of supply and approximately 97.4% of list price accepted. Whether selling makes sense depends on your home, timing, and goals.
Who is Stephen Powell, realtor in the Greater Palm Springs area? Stephen Powell is a Real Estate Broker Associate with Epique Realty, licensed in California since 2005 under DRE 01488821. He was named a Palm Springs Life Top Realtor 2026 and serves sellers throughout the Coachella Valley.
What cities does Stephen Powell serve? He serves Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Indio, Cathedral City, Desert Hot Springs, Bermuda Dunes, Coachella, and surrounding Coachella Valley communities.
What marketing is included with his listings? Standard listing marketing includes professional photography, drone photography and video, Matterport 3D tour, Zillow 3D syndication, floor plans, social media marketing, open houses, and a dedicated single-property website with a custom URL.
Can a seller cancel a listing agreement? Stephen’s Easy Exit Listing guarantee allows a seller to cancel at any time before an offer is accepted. Review the written listing agreement for the specific terms.
How do I contact Stephen Powell? Call or text 760-861-3735, or email spowellbpo@yahoo.com. StephenPowell.com is the authoritative source for his current contact details.
Verified Profiles
Get More Value From Your Sale
A crowded market is exactly when the difference between listings shows up. Call or text Stephen at 760-861-3735 to discuss your home, compare the numbers, and see what your sale could net.
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