Real Estate - Keeping it Simple

Happy Fall! Yes we are seeing more homes going on the market as well as homes staying on the market longer, which creates more opportunties for buyers with more options in their home search.  As a seller, pricing is the driving force on selling your home sooner than later. My advice - do your best to get your asking price inline with the marketplace. As a buyer, make sure you are pre-approved for financing before you start your home search.

Inventory has increased a little, with King County leading the way with a little over 4 months of inventory, yet we are seeing some homes sale in less than a week, but still a very good time to be a buyer!

 Effective September 4, 2026, the NWMLS will have in place the new "First Look" option for sellers. This program will provide Universal Broker Access, will help expand marketing your home during the listing preparation, provide you with an option to allow real estate agent showings or not. This program will allow you, the seller/owner, much more control on how you want your home/property marketed. 

Be sure to ask your real estate agent about this! 

Appears we are in a "typical" Seattle area market where homes stay on the market longer due to less buyer activity during the summer months plus the challenges of home loan interest rates being over 6% for a 30 year fixed interest rate. Great time to be a buyer as you have more choices in finding a home.

The new Washington State law, effective June 11 2026, strictly bans the traditional use of "pocket listings" to exclusive real estate networks. (Wash State Bill 6091)

A licensed real estate broker CANNOT market the sale or lease of residential real estate to a limited or exclusive group of buyers or agents unless the home or property is concurrently marketed to the general public and all other brokers.

Not too much of a shift on months of inventory from May 2026 - homes are selling yet it is taking a much longer time on the market before they sell. Contrary to popular belief home prices are not crashing down as the year to year comparison is showing very little movement in the median home prices. Yes some home sellers are selling for less than the intial asking price but that does not mean that home prices are going down, just means that the seller had high expectations and once those expectations fell to the "market place" values then the homes sold. 

Yes, we are seeing a small increase of inventory, historically we see more inventory in the summner months so we will see if that trend continues this year. I have heard of a few multiple offer situations with homes selling for over their asking price but 98% of all homes are staying on the market over 90+ days - Great time to be a buyer!

Yes, we are seeing a little more inventory on the market (about 3 months of inventory) but still not a "balanced" market. Condominums are remaining on the market longer in all 3 counties (King, Snohomish, and Pierce). Average market times for all residential properties is close to 90 days, with several longer and a few selling in less than a week.

We have seen an uptick on homes/condos coming on the market but the sales have not followed. The inventory still remains low at about 2 months of inventory in ALL 3 counties. We are also seeing longer times on the marekt and prices holding steady

...could be a great time to be a home buyer! Keep in mind that we are seeing some homes and condos sell in less than a week so get loan apporval and be ready for competition when you make your offers