Ephrata’s Desert Plains development growing slowly but steadily

EPHRATA — A neighborhood in the northeast corner of Ephrata isn’t growing fast, but it’s growing steadily. 

“We have built and sold roughly 40 homes, and we’ve got another 10 to go in the first phase,” said Realtor Tyson Mollotte, who’s handling sales for the Desert Plains development. “They’ll be starting phase two later in the year.” 

Desert Plains is about the right size for Ephrata, said Raybern Homes Chief Development Officer Austin Crawford.  “For a market the size of Ephrata, I think we’re feeling pretty good about how it’s been going,” Crawford said. “It’s not a booming market by any means; it’s got a little bit of growth here and there, but it’s still Ephrata.” 

Between 2020 and 2025, Ephrata’s population grew by 438 people, according to the Washington State Office of Financial management, an increase of 5.17%. In the same time span, Moses Lake’s population jumped by 9.5% in Moses Lake and Quincy’s by 10.43%. Still, those 438 people had to live somewhere, and small builders like Raybern are providing that place. 

Homes in the Desert Plains development start around $320,000, Mollotte said, and run up to about $450,000. According to the Northwest Multiple Listing Service, the median home price in Ephrata was $355,000, and that includes both new construction and existing homes. 

Floor plans start around 1,200 square feet, according to the Raybern Homes website. 

The homes have a few extra features, Mollotte said, like black windows, stucco exteriors and nine-foot ceilings with eight-foot doors.  

“I’ve been in real estate for eight years, and I’ve sold a lot of new construction,” Mollotte said. “I’ve been most impressed with the quality of these (homes)” 

“They’re lower-priced homes,” Crawford said, “that people can enjoy and feel like they get a lot of value out of.” 

The builder is both customer- and Realtor-friendly, Mollotte added. “(Raybern) has the end buyer in mind to get the best bang they can for their buck and be in a nice home that they can easily resell in five or 10 years when they're ready to upgrade,” he said. “Every home's going to have issues, warranty issues and things like that, and they've handled those professionally. As a Realtor, you put a lot of weight in that. It makes the experience much better for everybody.” 

    This 1,.806-square-foot Raybern home in Ephrata has nine-foot ceilings and eight-foot doors.
  

    There are still some homes available in the current phase of Raybern Homes’ Desert Plains development in Ephrata.
  

    A kitchen in one of Raybern Homes’ recent constructions.