WINDERMERE NORTH BLOG

With so many headlines about the housing market right now, we wanted to give you a clear, local, data-backed update, specifically breaking down what’s happening in King and Snohomish counties. While the national conversation can feel uncertain, the local numbers tell a much more grounded story. The biggest disruption we have experienced so far this year was […]

The start of the 2026 real estate market saw an increase in new listings, creating more inventory for buyers, flat year-over-year price growth, and volatile interest rate fluctuations. As we finished Q1, prices began their seasonal uptick month-over-month, with pending sales also starting to rise. With more selection, the market is favoring well-prepared homes that […]

In today’s market, buyers have more options, and with affordability challenges, they’re more selective than ever. That means first impressions aren’t just important… they’re everything. In fact, as of March 30th, 2026, month-to-date new listings are up in King County by 23% over February 2026, and up 13% over March 2025. In Snohomish County they […]

We are starting to see the normal, seasonal uptick in new listings as winter starts to thaw and the trees start to bud. The good news about this uptick in new inventory is it is up year-over-year, illustrating that more sellers are coming to market. Inventory has been pressured since the rise in interest rates, […]

A New Year always brings new energy to the real estate market, and 2026 is already starting to show signs of growth, more movement, and a return to normalcy. After three years of slower sales due to higher interest rates, homeowners not wanting to give up their historically low interest rates, and prices remaining stable, […]

Last week, our office had the pleasure of hosting esteemed economist Matthew Gardner, who presented his Economic and Housing Market Forecast for 2026. He looked at the national and local (King & Snohomish counties) economies and housing markets and shared his insights. This included a look back at 2025 and a gathering of facts, trends, […]

Today’s market rewards intention over urgency. Throughout 2025, sellers who focused on thoughtful preparation, strategic pricing, and strong presentation continued to achieve solid outcomes—even as buyers became more selective. Home values largely held steady even while homes generally took a bit longer to sell; this reflected more selective buyers, not a lack of demand. Buyers […]

As we head into the New Year and continue analyzing how to overcome affordability challenges in today’s market, we wanted to cover another important topic. In our last newsletter, we discussed house hacking strategies for first time buyers and the importance of remaining realistic about your budget and what to focus on in order to […]

While we are seeing the market show signs of improvement and uptick in activity in Q4 2025, the biggest challenge we see in the real estate market is affordability. Prices in our area have remained stable after many years of appreciation, and interest rates, while improving, are hovering around 6.25%. This combination has monthly payments […]

The recently announced proposal of implementing a 50-year mortgage product had tongues wagging last week. There were countless articles, posts and news stories that jumped on the story. There was lots of debate about whether this type of product would be a smart choice in the long term, even though it provides a lower monthly payment. It […]

As we round out 2025, we wanted to share some aspects of the current real estate market worth celebrating: equity and inventory! Below, you will see a 10-year equity study for Snohomish and King Counties, based on Single-Family Residential and Condos, along with a current assessment of inventory levels and their effects on the climate […]

The market is showing encouraging signs of balance and stability, thanks to increased inventory after years of constriction. While the pace has softened, the market is not faltering; it’s simply resetting after rapid price growth. Even with more homes to choose from, the median sale price remains steady year-over-year, and homeowner equity levels are at […]

The numbers tell us we’re steady, not sinking. Let’s replace uncertainty with perspective and see how stability sets the stage for opportunity and long-term success. After years of rapid appreciation, the market is simply taking a breath. Prices are holding steady, inventory is at its healthiest level in over a decade, and interest rates are […]

Two unique opportunities have lined up for buyers: Lower Interest Rates – With rates down almost three-quarters of a point, a $500,000 mortgage costs $232 less per month than it would have just a short time ago. That’s nearly $84,000 saved over 30 years. More Homes to Choose From – We’re seeing the highest inventory in […]

2025 has been the year of a power shift in the real estate market, as we experience more balance in the market. Increased inventory has provided the biggest advantage for buyers, giving them more selection, which has tempered price growth and aided affordability. In King County, there were 43% more available listings in July 2025 […]

In 2025, we have seen a year-over-year increase in new listings. New listings are up 16% in King County and 10% in Snohomish County, following a 19% increase in King County and an 18% increase in Snohomish County in 2024 compared to 2023. This mounting increase piqued our curiosity, and we began to notice some […]

  The second quarter of 2025 had a significant increase in the number of available homes for sale. Inventory has returned to pre-pandemic levels, which is bringing more balance to the market. This, coupled with the new normal of interest rates, has decelerated home price appreciation to more historical norms compared to the rapid appreciation […]

As market conditions shift and inventory increases, we are seeing that homes brought to market with sound property maintenance and thoughtful improvements are selling the fastest and yielding the highest returns. Inventory is up 62% year-over-year in King County and 48% in Snohomish County, highlighting the importance of standing out amongst the crowd. With interest rates […]

The headlines are swirling about the real estate market. The environment is shifting from a seller’s market to a balanced market, creating opportunities for buyers and holding sellers to exacting standards. The primary factors affecting this shift are inventory levels, interest rates, and consumer confidence. These are the same factors that commonly influence the market conditions, […]

Last week, our office hosted a panel discussion on the hot topic of homeowners insurance. In the wake of several natural disasters, supply chain issues, and inflation on building materials, homeowners insurance is currently experiencing a “hard market”. Non-renewal and cancellation rates are rising, some carriers are leaving certain states, and specific aspects of a home, […]

As your trusted real estate advisors, our service to you is beyond the transaction of buying and selling real estate. Your home is your nest egg and often your most significant financial investment, requiring care and attention to maintain and protect it. An important aspect of protecting your home is your Homeowners Insurance Policy. In […]

Year-to-date 2025, there have been more new listings than in 2024. After two years of tightly constricted inventory, this has been a welcome relief for buyers. Closed sales are trending up despite stubborn interest rates, and it is still a seller’s market with under two months of inventory. The increased selection has tempered the month-over-month […]

As we head into Q2, we wanted to review preliminary Q1 stats in order to report the latest trends in the market. The spring market has sprung, and activity is positive on both the seller and buyer side. The two charts above show key market factors from two points of view, March 2025 over February […]

Last month, our office invited a panel of insurance professionals to discuss the volatility of the Homeowner’s Insurance (HOI) market so we could learn the latest to best inform our clients. In the wake of several natural disasters, the LA Fires is one of the most recent, HOI companies have become much more scrutinous and […]

As we start a new year, we are often asked where home prices are headed.  While we don’t have a crystal ball, we study the market trends and activity closely.  Many aspects affect home prices, such as the overall economy’s health, inventory levels (supply & demand), and interest rates.  Seasonality is also a pattern we […]

On January 22, our office hosted renowned economist and housing market specialist Matthew Gardner, who shared his 2025 Economic & Housing Market Forecast. We spent an hour listening to his keen analysis and insights, which included a look back at 2024, some discussion about what to expect with the new administration, and a look ahead to […]

The 2024 real estate market experienced price growth and stability amongst volatile interest rates and tight inventory. There was a welcomed increase in closed sales in 2024 compared to 2023, which recorded the lowest level of closed sales since 2008. Low inventory levels were driven by the “lock-in effect” from the previous lower interest rates. […]