Seattle home prices have cooled year over year, while forecasts still point to only modest appreciation through 2026. For buyers, that makes this less a story about chasing a surge and more about understanding how current price trends, inventory, and competition may affect timing and affordability.
Recent housing market trends and forecasts for Seattle, Washington suggest that housing prices could rise modestly throughout 2026. Below, we look at what the latest market signals may mean for buyers.
Related: Forecast: Washington Housing Market to See Slow Gains 2026
Typical Seattle home values were down 2.2% year over year as of 2026-06-30, according to Zillow. Zillows typical home value for Seattle was $856,052 at that time.
Inventory increased significantly in parts of the market, giving buyers more choices and putting downward pressure on prices for some property types. Affordability challenges and rising inventory slowed price acceleration compared with previous years of strong gains. Sellers increasingly offered concessions and pricing flexibility, another sign of cooling conditions.
Most housing analysts expect Seattle home prices to rise modestly. Expectations generally call for only limited appreciation rather than a rapid upswing.
Whats behind this moderate growth?
Pro Tip: Use a mortgage calculator to estimate your loan costs.
The supply situation in Seattle has been rather tight over the past few years along with the high level of demand in the area, which is what has largely contributed to the rapid price gains in the area.
Seattle remains competitive, with homes receiving 3 offers on average and selling in around 11 days, according to Redfin.
As of the period ending 2026-07-31, homes in Seattle had a median 12 days on market, according to Redfin.
Listings are expected to continue rising slowly, giving buyers more choices than the tight markets of past years, but supply will likely remain below long-term normal levels.
A housing forecast can be useful, but it should be treated as one input rather than a timing signal on its own. If you are considering buying soon, focus first on whether the monthly payment works for your budget and whether current inventory gives you enough options. If you are thinking about waiting, the key question is whether a modest price change would matter more than changes in rates, available listings, or negotiating leverage. In a market like Seattle, slightly higher inventory can improve buyer choice and room to negotiate even if prices do not fall dramatically. Your time horizon matters too: buyers planning to stay put longer may care less about short-term price movement than buyers who may need flexibility in the next few years.
Whether this is a good time to buy in Seattle depends more on your finances and goals than on any single forecast. Buying now may make sense if you have found a home that fits your needs, the payment is manageable, and current inventory gives you better selection or negotiating room than you would have had in a tighter market.
Waiting may make more sense if todays payment is stretching your budget, if you want to compare more listings as inventory builds, or if you expect your finances or down payment position to improve over time. Even if prices rise modestly, affordability can still hinge more on mortgage rates, taxes, insurance, and the specific home you choose.
For many buyers, the most practical approach is to weigh all three together: payment affordability, competition in the homes you are targeting, and how long you expect to stay in the property.
Related: Seattle Home Buyer Guide
Disclaimer: This story contains real estate trends and housing predictions for Seattle, Washington, extending into 2026. These statements and projections were made by third parties not associated with our company. We have compiled them here as a service to our blog readers.
Sammamish Mortgage can help. We serve clients across Washington, Idaho, Colorado, Oregon, and California. Since 1992, we’ve been providing several mortgage programs and products with flexible qualification criteria to borrowers across the Pacific Northwest. Visit our website to get an instant rate quote or to use our online mortgage calculator. Or, reach out to us if you are ready to get pre-approved for a mortgage.
Seattle home prices are expected to rise modestly in 2026, with forecasts generally calling for low single-digit appreciation.
Yes. Typical home values in Seattle were down 2.2% year over year.
The typical Seattle home value mentioned is $856,052.
Moderate price growth may be supported by strong local employment, limited housing supply, and steady buyer demand as mortgage rates ease.
Inventory has improved in parts of the market, but supply still appears relatively tight compared with demand. Redfin reported that homes were receiving 3 offers on average and selling in around 11 days.
For the period ending 2026-07-31, homes in Seattle had a median 12 days on market.
Seattle appears to be moving toward a more balanced market, though limited inventory still supports sellers in many areas.
Yes. Rising inventory in parts of the market is giving buyers more choices than during the tightest periods of recent years.
Yes. If mortgage rates decline, financing may become more affordable and help support buyer demand in Seattle.
It may be a good time to buy if the monthly payment fits your budget, the available inventory gives you enough options, and the home matches your longer-term plans.
Our loan officers are ready and waiting to help you apply for your home loan.
Learn more about the people behind Sammamish Mortgage
Whether you’re buying a home or ready to refinance, our professionals can help.
Mortgage Support — 24/7
No Obligation and transparency 24/7. Instantly compare live rates and costs from our network of lenders across the country. Real-time accurate rates and closing costs for a variety of loan programs custom to your specific situation.
Adjust the parameters based on what you want to track
