Is Now a Good Time to Buy a House in Seattle in 2026? 

If you’ve been wondering whether now is a good time to buy a home in the Seattle area, you’re not alone. “Is it a good time to buy a house?” has been one of the most searched real estate questions in the U.S. over the past year, especially as buyers try to make sense of interest rates, home prices, and changing inventory.

In a market like Seattle, buying decisions are less about chasing the lowest possible price and more about aligning housing with life plans. Buyers who focus on how a home supports their day-to-day life — while also building equity over time — are often better positioned to live well and build wealth, even in higher-rate environments.

This post breaks down what actually happened in 2025 — nationally and locally — and how to think clearly about buying in 2026.

In this article, you’ll learn:

• What happened in the U.S. housing market in 2025

• How Seattle and King County performed over the full year

• What changed on the Eastside (Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond)

• How to decide if buying in 2026 makes sense for you

The 2025 U.S. Housing Market: A Year of Normalization, Not a Crash

Nationally, 2025 was a year of normalization. After the extreme volatility of 2020–2022, the housing market cooled into something closer to historical norms. 

According to data from the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR):

• The U.S. median existing-home price ended 2025 around $409,000, up roughly 1–2% year-over-year.

• About 77% of U.S. metro areas still saw price increases in Q3 2025, with only a small share experiencing meaningful declines.

• Inventory rebuilt modestly, with active listings up 6–11% year-over-year and months of supply around 4.0–4.2 months, near a balanced market.

• The typical home spent 50–60 days on market, longer than the frenzy years but consistent with pre-pandemic conditions.

Key takeaway: 2025 cooled the market without triggering a nationwide decline. Prices rose modestly, inventory improved, and buyer choice increased — but affordability remained constrained by mortgage rates.

King County Housing Market: 2025 Full-Year Snapshot

While national conditions normalized, King County remained tighter and more expensive than the U.S. average, supported by employment concentration, high incomes, and limited land supply.

According to Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS) data:

King County (Residential + Condos)

• Full-year median sale price: ~$808,500

• Year-over-year change: +1.06%

• Residential median (single-family + townhomes): high-$800Ks to just under $900K

• December 2025 residential median: ~$899,950 (+2.85% YoY)

• Active residential listings (Dec 2025): 9,702 (up ~25% from 2024)

• Residential closings: ~4,361 (+5.6% YoY)

• Months of inventory: ~2.2 months

Key takeaway: 2025 brought more inventory and modest price growth — not a downturn.

Seattle Housing Market: Slower, But Still Competitive

Seattle’s city market cooled from peak frenzy but remained structurally tight.

Based on NWMLS and Redfin data:

• Seattle median price (ResCondo): low-to-mid $800Ks in 2025

• December median: ~$782,250

• Many Seattle neighborhoods closed 2025 between $700K–$900K.

• Months of inventory: typically 2–3 months throughout the year.

Seattle buyers experienced less competition than in 2021–2022, but inventory remained below balanced-market thresholds.

Eastside Housing Market: Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond

The Eastside continued to function as King County’s premium submarket, with pricing and demand more resilient than the broader county.

According to NWMLS:

• Typical residential medians: ~$1.3M–$1.6M

• Broader Eastside year-end median: ~$1.5M

• Months of inventory: ~1.6–2.0 months in many Eastside areas

• Several submarkets saw double-digit inventory increases, while prices held relatively steady.

This reflects sustained demand driven by proximity to major employers, school quality, infrastructure investment, and constrained housing supply.

What 2025 Data Suggests for Buying in 2026

Most major forecasters — including Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) — expect:

• Mortgage rates averaging near 6% in 2026, with potential volatility but no return to sub-4% levels.

• National home prices growing modestly, generally in the low single digits.

• Gradual increases in transaction volume as households adjust to the new rate environment.

Locally, 2025 data indicates:

• Seattle and the Eastside are unlikely to see sharp price declines absent a major economic shock.

• Inventory levels of 2–3 months give buyers more leverage than recent years.

• Slower price growth reduces urgency — but waiting for a crash has not been rewarded historically in this market.

“Seattle doesn’t require rapid appreciation to reward buyers. Historically, modest price growth combined with loan amortization and long holding periods has driven wealth creation.”

— Emily Gothmann, Seattle Real Estate Advisor & Investor

Is 2026 a Good Time to Buy in Seattle?

There is no universal answer — only alignment between market conditions and personal readiness.

Market reality:

• 2025 normalized inventory and pricing.

• King County posted modest appreciation, not declines.

• Buyers have more choice and less competition than peak years.

Personal readiness matters more than timing:

1. Are you planning to stay 5+ years?

Longer holding periods historically smooth out short-term volatility (FHFA).

2. Are you financially prepared at current rates?

That includes stable income, post-closing reserves, and comfort with payments at ~6% — not relying on speculative refinancing.

If those conditions are met, 2026 can be a rational entry point, particularly with improved selection and negotiation leverage.

Key Takeaways (2025–2026 Seattle Housing Market)

• 2025 was a normalization year, not a housing crash

• King County prices rose modestly despite higher inventory

• Seattle and the Eastside remain supply-constrained

• 2026 favors prepared buyers over market timers

The Seattle housing market did not crash in 2025 — it recalibrated. That recalibration creates opportunity for buyers who use data, not headlines, to guide decisions.

If you’d like a neighborhood-specific analysis or a personalized buying strategy, I’m happy to help.

About the Author: Emily Gothmann

Emily Gothmann is a top Seattle-based real estate advisor and investor specializing in King County and Eastside residential markets. She helps clients live well and build wealth through thoughtful, data-driven real estate decisions.