With the most fruitful home-selling season in full swing, we're checking out the market. WHY IT MATTERS: NWA home prices have soared by more than 100% in the past decade, making it

harder for lower- to middle-wage earners to find homes. BY THE NUMBERS: As of May, the median home price in all of NWA was $380,000. * That's well below the U.S. median of nearly

$440,000. YES, BUT: The average selling price for a single-family home during the second half of 2023 in Benton County was $420,144, and $386,695 in Washington County, according to the

latest Arvest Skyline Report. * Those prices are down slightly from the previous six months. WHAT'S NEXT: Elevated mortgage rates, which are dampening the appeal and affordability of