10/29/2026
Seattle Real Estate Market 2026: More Homes for Sale Create New Opportunities for Buyers
After years of limited inventory and intense competition, the Seattle-area housing market is giving buyers more options. More homeowners are putting their properties on the market, and recent statistics suggest buyers may have greater flexibility to negotiate price, closing costs, and other terms.
According to the Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS), September 2026 brought significant changes:
24.5% increase in active listings across the NWMLS service area, with 24,965 homes available compared with 20,052 a year earlier.
31.1% more inventory in King County and 44.2% more in Snohomish County year over year.
15.1% decline in pending sales, with 6,231 homes going under contract compared with 7,335 in September 2025.
4.44 months of housing inventory, up from 3.25 months a year earlier.
$625,000 median sale price across the NWMLS service area, down 0.9% year over year. King County's median was $850,000.
Source: NWMLS September 2026 Market Snapshot.
What Does This Mean for Seattle Homebuyers?
More inventory can mean less pressure to make an immediate decision. Buyers may have opportunities to negotiate a lower purchase price, ask sellers to contribute toward closing costs, explore mortgage rate buydowns, or request repairs following an inspection. These terms depend on the property, seller, financing, and competing offers—not every home will offer the same flexibility.
Condos may present particularly interesting opportunities. NWMLS reported 7.05 months of condo inventory in King County, while the median King County condo sale price declined 6% year over year to $496,000. Buyers considering a condo should still review HOA finances, assessments, insurance, and lending requirements carefully.
Source: NWMLS: Home Inventory Reaches Highest Level Since 2014.
What Should Sellers Know?
More competition means sellers may need to price strategically, prepare their homes carefully, and consider the overall terms of an offer—not just the highest price. The market is not the same in every Seattle, Bothell, Kenmore, or Eastside neighborhood, so local comparable sales matter.
At Pajor Scott Realty, we help buyers and sellers understand the numbers and make decisions that support their long-term goals. A changing market can create opportunities, but the best strategy starts with understanding your finances, priorities, and local conditions.
Thinking about buying a home in Seattle, Bothell, Kenmore, or the Eastside? Let's look at the current market and identify opportunities that fit your plans.
