There are a number of factors leading to Kingfisher having a strong housing market.

Margaret Phillips, a local realtor for 22 years, laid out some of those realities during a talk Thursday with the Kingfisher Lions Club members.

Phillips, a broker and associate with Kay Mueggenborg Realty, was the civic group’s guest speaker.

“Our market has always been stable,” she said. “Our supply and demand has remained fairly equal, but there is usually a bit of a shortage.

“That tends to keep our prices here a little higher than some other places.”

Despite the recent growth, Phillips said Kingfisher’s market has remained strong because it never tried to grow too fast too soon.

She said updated homes in Kingfisher currently go for about $112 to $115 per square foot. That compares to a number in the 80s when she began her career.

Phillips said people looking to relocate here from Oklahoma City note they can build in places like Yukon and Mustang for less than $100 per square foot.

“But I let them know we’ve got a different, better quality of life here,” she noted. “It’s different than in those larger cities.”

Phillips said the market right now is especially tough for first-time buyers. Only two current properties in Kingfisher are listed under $140,000.

“There’s a huge demand right now for first-time buyers here, but it’s tough,” she said.

Once a house is purchased, Phillips recommends owners not become stagnant.

“I always encourage my homeowners to put back into their homes,” she said. “I tell them to do a project every year. You can’t do nothing for 10 to 15 years and expect it to bring $112 to $115 a square foot when it comes time to sell.”

Homes here average about 45 days on the market, she said.

Land sales, she added, are also strong right now. On top of larger plots being sold, home lots are costing about $60,000 to $70,000, she said.

“There’s also a lot of commercial activity going on,” she said. “Obviously the oilfield has helped with that.”

Whether helping the first-time buyer, a seller or a company looking for office space, Phillips said she’s eager to help.

“I love doing what I do,” she said. “These are exciting times for Kingfisher; there’s a lot of positive growth.”