If you're considering buying property in the Pacific Northwest, exploring Seattle homes for sale is an excellent starting point. As a local realtor, I can attest to the appeal of living in this dynamic and scenic city. Seattle offers a rich mix of natural beauty, diverse neighborhoods, and strong economic opportunities that make it one of the most sought-after housing markets in the country.Why Buy a Home in Seattle?Seattle is more than just the home of tech giants and coffee culture—it’s a city built around quality of life. With quick access to Puget Sound, mountain ranges, lush parks, and vibrant city centers, homeowners here enjoy a balance of urban and outdoor living. Whether you're a first-time buyer or relocating for a new opportunity, the Seattle housing market has something to o... 06/27/2025

Seattle Real Estate May MarketThe Northwest Multiple Listing Service, in which Seattle trends closely, is seeing a noticeable shift with more homes hitting the market than we've seen in recent years. In May, total active listings surpassed 18,000 for the first time since 2018. The good news is this gives homebuyers more choices and potentially less competitive pressure. Home prices are essential even from a year ago, with a decline of less than 1% from last year. The NWMLS median sale's price in May was $654,995 compared to $660,000 last May.  In addition, King County, where Seattle real estate is located, the median sales price was $865,000 versus $875,000 the previous year. The amount of NWMLS sales dipped 3.3% compared to last year, but increased 9.9% over April. Nevertheless, the sa... 06/11/2025

Seattle has long been a vibrant hub for innovation, culture, and outdoor living, making it an ideal city for young professionals. If you’re considering buying a home in the Emerald City, choosing the right neighborhood is key to balancing lifestyle, convenience, and investment potential. As a local realtor, I’ve guided many young professionals in finding homes that perfectly fit their dynamic needs. Here’s your comprehensive guide to the best Seattle neighborhoods for young professionals.Why Seattle Appeals to Young ProfessionalsSeattle is home to major employers in tech, healthcare, and creative industries, including Amazon, Microsoft, and Boeing. This economic diversity fuels demand for housing that’s close to work, entertainment, and social scenes. Young professionals often seek neig... 05/28/2025

Moving to Seattle can be an exciting new chapter, whether you're relocating for work, family, or lifestyle. As a local realtor deeply familiar with the Seattle market, I’m here to provide you with a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the move smoothly and confidently.Why Moving to Seattle Is a Great ChoiceSeattle, WA, is known for its stunning natural beauty, thriving economy, and vibrant cultural scene. From the iconic Space Needle and waterfront views to the surrounding mountains and Puget Sound, Seattle offers a unique blend of urban living with easy access to outdoor adventures.Seattle’s diverse neighborhoods offer a variety of housing options—from modern downtown condos to charming family homes in suburban communities. The city also hosts a robust job market, particularly in ... 05/23/2025

What You Need to Know Before MovingSeattle is one of the most dynamic and desirable cities in the United States, attracting professionals, families, and retirees alike. If you’re considering a move here, understanding the Seattle cost of living is critical to making a smart real estate decision. As a local realtor, I often get asked about expenses beyond the home price, so in this post, I’ll break down the key costs that impact daily life in Seattle.Housing Costs: The Largest ExpenseThe biggest factor in Seattle’s cost of living is housing. The median home price currently hovers around $800,000, though this varies widely by neighborhood. Areas like Capitol Hill, Queen Anne, and Ballard are among the priciest, with demand consistently high due to their proximity to downtown and amenities... 05/23/2025

Seattle, Washington, is a city of diverse neighborhoods, each offering a unique atmosphere, lifestyle, and set of amenities. Whether you’re moving to Seattle for work, education, or to embrace the Pacific Northwest lifestyle, understanding the top neighborhoods can be key in finding the perfect place to live. In 2025, the city continues to evolve, with new developments and revitalization projects shaping the landscape. As a local realtor, I’ve highlighted some of the best neighborhoods in Seattle that will attract both home buyers and sellers in 2025.1. Capitol Hill Capitol Hill is one of Seattle’s most iconic neighborhoods, known for its vibrant arts scene, trendy eateries, and bustling nightlife. It's a hub for creative individuals, young professionals, and LGBTQ+ culture. As of 2025,... 04/30/2025

Seattle Real EstateThe trends of Seattle real estate follow closely what happens across the Northwest Multiple Listing Service.  The real estate prices remain strong while inventory continued to increase over last year.  Inventory at the end of February was 10,448 which was up 39.4% from the previous year.  While inventory was up dramatically, sales were up only 1.9%.  Nevertheless, the 4,268 closed sales meant there was only 2.45 months of inventory at the end of the month.  Anything under 4 months is a seller’s market.  Thus, the NWMLS median sale’s price was $630,000 in February which was up from last February ($608,111).  In addition, in the county were Seattle real estate is located, the King County median sales price was $820,000.  Luxury Real Estate Around SeattleLuxury HomesIn K... 03/10/2025

Eastside Seattle is a collection of thriving communities located just east of Lake Washington, offering a mix of urban convenience and suburban tranquility. Known for its top-rated schools, lush green spaces, and strong job market, the Eastside is a prime destination for homebuyers seeking a high quality of life. From luxury waterfront estates to charming suburban enclaves, the area provides diverse housing options that cater to professionals, families, and retirees alike. With easy access to Seattle via the I-90 and SR-520 bridges, Eastside residents enjoy a seamless connection to the city while benefiting from quieter, family-friendly neighborhoods.Real Estate Market in Eastside SeattleThe demand for homes for sale in Eastside Seattle remains strong, driven by the region’s booming tec... 03/05/2025

Is Seattle real estate expensive?  The simple answer is yes.  With limited land (Seattle is surrounded by water) and a strong economy with companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, Starbucks, Costco having a major presence here, Greater Seattle home and condos have a long history of steadily rising prices.  Greater Seattle Home SalesSeattle is more than just the real estate in the city limits.  Seattle is physically small.  For example, Wikipedia ranks it the 137 our of 150 major cities when ranked by square miles.  Thus for Seattle real estate, we will look at county real estate numbers.  In January, 829 homes sold for a median price of $855,000 in King County.  Both these numbers were up from the previous January when 756 sales for a median price of $849,850.  Greater Seattle Condo SalesSe... 02/20/2025

Northwest MLS MarketTransactions across the Northwest MLS, have been down the last two years.  For example, during the 5 years between, 2017 and 2022, the average of number of sales in February was 5,426 .  Furthermore, the least amount of sales transactions during that time was in February 2019 being 5,145.  In contrast, the past two Februarys the number of sales was 4,258 in 2023 and 4,189 in 2024.   Nevertheless, the median price has generally trended up, with 2023 the only year to see a dip from the previous year.  Median price across the NWMLS in February 2017 was $335,515 and now this past February median price was $608,111.Seattle Real Estate MarketSeattle has generally followed similar trends as the overall NWMLS real estate market, but February 2024 bucked the trend of the rece... 03/05/2024

Overall Greater Seattle Real Estate MarketThe Greater Seattle real estate market is part of the Northwest MLS.  Pending Sales in August were down 25% across the NWMLS, but the median price In August was the same as July ($615,000) and actually higher than the previous year ($600,000).  Prices remain strong because of low inventory.  Many current homeowners are locked in at historically low interest rates; thus, are generally choosing to stay put rather than sell.  Only 8,152 new listings were added in August.  Down 18% from the previous August which added 9,914.The Greater Condo MarketThe condo market has also faired well. Median prices in August ($465,000) did dip from July ($480,000), but for the second month in a row they did exceed the previous year’s median price ($450,000 in Augus... 09/14/2023

Is it wise to buy a house in Seattle now?It is a complex question that you really should speak to a Seattle real estate broker about, but...the simple answer is yes!  Prices peaked across the NWMLS (26 counties in WA State) in the May of 2022 (median price of $660,000).  However, as the interest rates continued to increase the real estate market began to fade.  Median prices declined each month, but the prices were still higher than the previous year.  Finally in December 2022 it was the first time that median prices dipped below the previous year.  It was a minor dip (Dec 2022 = $570,000; Dec 2021 = $572,900), but a dip nonetheless. Then 2023 began and while the median price again dipped in January ($557,250), something began to happen.   The median price in Feb ($575,000) not only inc... 06/15/2023

Has the Seattle real estate market improved?  Seattle is part of the NWMLS.  While pending sales across the NWMLS are still down 9% from last January, the market has shown resilience to begin 2023.  For example, pending sales in January are up 44% over December.  In addition, prices in January are up 0.41% when compared with last January. The improved market seems to correlate with the recent interest rate drop.  Interest rates peaked in November with a Freddie Mac U.S. weekly average of over 7%.  Last week, that number was 6.09%.Inventory is up from the historically low numbers from a year ago.  This January ended with 8,220 active listings versus 3.092 a year ago.  Nevertheless, across the NWMLS inventory is only 2.52 months which is still a sellers’ market.  Four to six months is an ... 02/11/2023

2022 started out the year with both historically low interest rates and record low inventory.  This created a very hot (seller’s) market across the NWMLS and the Greater Seattle condo market.  For example, 2021 ended with the Freddie Mac 30 year fixed rate of 3.05% and NWMLS had 0.40 months of housing inventory.  In comparison, at the end of 2022, Freddie Mac 30 year interest rate was 6.42% and inventory was at 2.09 months.  Thus the real estate market changed drastically over the course of the year.  Nevertheless, the condo market had modest increases at year end.  Across the NMWLS, condo prices were up 1.15% in December 2022 compared to December 2021.  In addition, for the year, 2022 median prices finished above the previous year.Looking at the Seattle condo market, where the vast maj... 01/23/2023

How to Rock a Low House Appraisal Value!!!  You found the perfect home... And the seller accepted your offer... And your mortgage application is underway... Until your appraisal comes in low.  What now??? Never mind all the bad advice that swirls around this dilemma.  There are a handful of effective ways to deal with an appraisal value that comes in under your offer price, so if you find yourself in this stressful situation today, get in touch.  Or perhaps you're a Realtor or buyer looking to better understand all of the tactics and tips that you can use to negotiate a low appraisal in today's challenging real estate market.  If so, come as you are and let's learn how to rock a low appraisal value today.   Smells like teen spirit,  Rob SpinosaSVP of Mortgage LendingGuaranteed RateNMLS:... 10/25/2022

How to Rock Adding a Co-Signer on a Mortgage!!!  When your fantasy of owning a home meets the reality of qualifying mortgage, it can sometimes mean that you'll need a little help.  And in more than a few of those cases, the most elegant solution can be a co-signer, technically known as a "non-occupant co-borrower" within the mortgage industry. So, who makes a good co-signer and who's just "bad company?" Let's learn how co-signers can impact, both good and bad, the three most critical elements of any loan approval; income, assets and credit. I won't deny it,  Rob SpinosaSVP of Mortgage LendingGuaranteed RateNMLS: 22343 Cell/Text: 415-367-5959 rob.spinosa@rate.com Marin Office:  324 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., San Anselmo, CA  94960 *The views and opinions expressed on this site about work-r... 08/25/2022

Residential properties across the NWMLS (26 counties) sold for 107.8% over asking price in April.  King County is one of two counties where inventory is down from a year ago.  This is especially true for condos where inventory is down 35%.  Thus King County prices are up nearly 20% for single family homes and 12.6% for condos  Median price in King County for a house is now nearly $1 million ($995,000) and condos are $518,000.  Nevertheless, inventory across the NWMLS is up slightly and with an uptick in interest rates, some think the real estate market will start to calm.  But, so far, the real estate market continues to be brisk and prices have continued to increase. Closed Seattle home transactions are down to 836 sales compared to 1,022 the previous April, Nevertheless, the average p... 05/12/2022

The holiday season is historically slow time in the Seattle real estate market.  During COVID the last two years, the real estate market has not been as affected by  holidays as other years.  This November and last November are nearly identical in the number of transactions.  Both years the number of pending sales were nearly 8,600 and the number of closes sales were within 1.14% (8,976 in 2021 vs 8,875 in 2020). Only 6,455 listings were added this November which was well below the pending sales of nearly 8,600.  This continues the downward trend on inventory in the NWMLS.  Real estate inventory continues to be historically low.   For example, King County inventory is down over 10,000 listings compared to 2010 (see chart). King County Active Listings as of:   Nov 2021   1,149 Active Lis... 12/23/2021

Looking for an excellent new lifestyle or to elevate your home in general?  This is a fantastic floating home!  Elevate beyond your expectations in Portage Bay. Starting from the rooftop deck with two seating areas to soak up the view & fire pit to enjoy year round. Custom extra wide spiral staircase leads you to the covered deck off the main floor living area. Open concept for dining, cooking, and entertaining. Stunning ethanol fireplace, sleek kitchen w/ two eat-in areas, Wolf gas range, & Dekton countertops. Travel down the stairs to the bedroom level. The most beautiful bathroom and primary closet will knock your socks off. We love the breezeway between the two rooms on this level. Go for a dip in the lake or hot tub and take in the lapping water around you. The basement has room fo... 11/27/2021

Across the Northwest Multiple Listing Service inventory is down over 23% and prices are up 15% from last year. Prices in Seattle, while not as impressive, are still up 5.3%.  Other areas of King County have seen large gains. For example, Vashon prices are up 33% and the Eastside is up 17.3%.  The Eastside and even Seattle are luxury real estate markets.  In October, Seattle homes had an average sales price of $1.05 million and sell for an average of 15 days.  On the Eastside, the Bellevue area between Lake Washington and Lake Sammamish had an average sales price of nearly $2.46 million while Mercer Island homes sold for an average of $2.42 million.  Condos have recovered nicely.  Condo sales slowed during the early part of the pandemic, but condo inventory is down 55% from a year ago.  ... 11/10/2021