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If you are looking to buy a home in the Evergreen State, or are thinking of taking on an investment property in 2026, we’ve outlined some of the trends for you to consider as you research where you might want to buy, and, if you are looking for a second home or rental property, a few factors that you may want to weigh.
We’ve included top agent insights and statistics about location and home type, in this rundown of Washington real estate news.
As of early 2026, the Seattle housing market is showing signs of moderation rather than runaway price growth.
Inventory has surged significantly compared with last year, giving buyers more options and slightly easing competitive pressure. Median home prices have softened year‑over‑year, with some reports showing modest declines or flat pricing in key segments.
Buyers are benefiting from more listings, longer market time, and improving affordability with mortgage rates dipping below 6%, even as overall prices remain elevated compared with national averages.
Sales activity varies by neighborhood and property type, with demand stronger for well‑priced homes and less intense in some condo markets.
In March 2026, the median home value in Seattle is $837,193.
Pro Tip: Check out our 2026 Conforming Loan Limits and FHA Loan Limits pages to help you understand how much you can borrow with a specific mortgage program.
While the Seattle housing market may be the first place that you think of when it comes to the Pacific Northwest, there are other cities worth considering. You may find better returns for your investment if you look elsewhere.
According to Zillow, the median price of a home in Washington State is $585,669 as of March 2026. That’s a decrease of 0.5% from the same month last year. That said, home prices in the state – as well as the cities within it, like Tacoma, Federal Way, and Kent – are expected to inch up very modestly throughout 2026.
Many buyers who want to be close to the action but don’t want to pay the sky-high prices in Seattle are turning to nearby communities for more affordable housing. This is driving up demand in these cities, and therefore driving up prices, too.
Pro Tip: Consider all loan options, including 15-year fixed-rate mortgages, 30-year fixed-rate mortgages, and adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs), before applying for a home loan that best suits your needs.
With King County being the most expensive county with an average price of $841,346, more and more people are heading to nearby centers, as mentioned previously. But in addition to Federal Way and Kent – which are both in King County – people are also flocking to Kitsap and Skagit Counties.
In Kitsap County, the median home price in March 2026 was $565,258, which is 1.5% higher than a year ago. To the north in Skagit County, demand was just as great. In March, the median home price increased to $567,272, a 1.4% increase.
In Pierce County, the median home price in March 2026 dipped to $555,694, representing a 0.6% year-over-year decrease. Pierce County’s relatively large supply of affordable homes are becoming more attractive to priced-out buyers from Seattle and King County. However, buyers should be aware that the Tacoma-to-Seattle commute can add two to three hours a day.
There are many reasons why you might want to consider buying a condo, either as your primary or secondary residence, or as a rental property. And if a condo is what you are after, then you’ll want to examine these trends.
The condo market in Seattle is somewhat healthy right now. Median condo prices in the city increased 4% over the past year and now rangebetween roughly $573,500 to $628,000.
If you are looking to buy a condo to rent out as a source of income you may want to research city rules first. A recent report from the University of Washington found that nearly 40% of Seattle owners who rent out their condos have sold or planned to sell them, because of frustrations about regulations.
Rent across many centers in Washington State is very expensive. For renters, this will obviously be bad news. But landlords can take advantage of high rent prices to provide them with a sound stream of income.
In Seattle, the median rental across all properties in March 2026 was $1,979, according to Zumper.com. In Bellevue, median rent sits at $2,710, in the same period.
The key takeaway is that the market in Washington is constantly shifting and if you are looking to buy, it’s best to keep an eye on the trends to be sure that you are making an educated investment for the future.
Will you need mortgage financing to buy a home in Washington? We can help. Sammamish Mortgage has been serving buyers across the Pacific Northwest since 1992. We offer a wide variety of mortgage programs with flexible qualification criteria in Washington, Oregon, Colorado, California, and Idaho, including our Diamond Homebuyer Program, Cash Buyer Program, and Bridge Loans, among others. Visit our website to get an instant rate quote or to use our online mortgage calculator. Please contact us if you have any questions or are ready to get pre-approved for a mortgage.
Whether you’re buying a home or ready to refinance, our professionals can help.
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