Kari's BlogReal Estate Market Updates & Insight March 1, 2022

February 2022 Real Estate Market Update

What’s Happening in the Market

In this February 2022 real estate market update, we see that the local market in January looked a bit like the calm before the storm. Home prices took a pause from the frantic surges of last year, but if the sales we’ve seen in the last few weeks are any indication, the market looks like it’s heating up again. Inventory inched up in January but remains far short of buyer demand. Homes are selling fast, and for well over the asking price. Expect this spring, traditionally the busiest season of the year for home sales, to be hotter than ever.

Reason for Concern?

Concerns about future mortgage interest hikes appear to have added fuel to an already overheated market, further depleting already meager inventory. The number of homes for sale was lower than any January on record, according to Matthew Gardner, Windermere’s chief economist. There were 59% fewer homes on the market in King County than at the same time last year. Snohomish County’s inventory was down 35%. Based on current demand, it would take less than two weeks to sell all the properties on the market in both counties. Buyers competing for scant inventory snapped up available homes quickly. In King County, 72% of the homes sold in January were on the market less than two weeks. On the Eastside, 81% of homes sold in less than two weeks, as did 61% of homes in Seattle, and 76% of homes in Snohomish County.

Home Price Trends

Homes prices continued to trend upward compared to the same time last year. In January, the median price of a single-family home in King County rose 7% year-over-year to $775,000. Home prices on the Eastside jumped 32% over a year ago to $1,515,000, virtually unchanged from the all-time high of $1,529,500 set in December. With 71% of homes on the Eastside selling for over asking price, the market is expected to stay very competitive. Prices in Seattle have been fairly level for the past few months. The January median home price of $790,000 is flat compared to a year ago. In Snohomish County, the $715,000 median home price was up 19% over the prior year.

While January’s statistics (which reflect sales that closed in December) hinted that the market may be easing off, the housing activity we’re seeing today indicates that buyers are stepping on the gas. Expect even more competition for homes in the coming months.

Expectations for the Future

Despite the pandemic and remote work, large companies continue to hire new workers and invest in large office projects in the area. Matthew Gardner weighed in on how he sees that affecting the housing market for this February 2022 real estate update. “One of the biggest questions for 2022 is how the market will be further impacted by the work-from-home paradigm given that many companies have postponed their long-term WFH plans. This is likely holding back sellers during a time when we desperately need additional inventory, as well as buyers who are concerned about rising mortgage rates.” Gardner expects more sellers will list their homes and more buyers will start their searches once they know how often they need to commute to work, which may result in a busier spring market than expected.

If your plans for 2022 include buying or selling a house, we’re here to help. Get in touch and we can get started.

 


EASTSIDE

February Market Update
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KING COUNTY

February Market Update
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SEATTLE

February Market Update
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SNOHOMISH COUNTY

February Market Update

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This post originally appeared on GetTheWReport.com.

Kari's BlogReal Estate Market Updates & Insight January 24, 2022

January 2021 Real Estate Market Update

What’s Happening in the Market

In this January 2021 real estate update we see record-low temperatures combined with record-low inventory put a chill on housing activity in December. With very few homes available to buy, sales were down. Lack of supply and high demand continued to push prices up. Since the winter months historically bring the smallest number of new listings, buyers should not expect relief anytime soon.

December Results

While up from a year ago, home prices in general were relatively flat from November to December. In King County, the median single-family home price rose 9% from last December to $810,000. Despite high demand and low inventory, prices in Seattle continue to level off. While down slightly from November, the median price increased a modest 5% over a year ago to $839,000. The Eastside was again the outlier. After breaking price records in October and November, home prices soared 37% year-over-year to set yet another all-time high of $1,529,500 in December. That represents a 7% increase from November. In further evidence of just how hot the Eastside market is, 75% of the properties there sold for over list price. Prices in Snohomish County continued to inch closer to King County. The median home price there jumped 22% to $700,000.

The driving force affecting affordability is lack of inventory. In both Snohomish and King counties it would take less than a week to sell the homes that are currently on the market. At the end of December, Snohomish County has just 210 single-family homes for sale in the entire county. Seattle had only 167 homes for sale; the Eastside just 55. That represented 70% less inventory for both Seattle and the Eastside as compared to a year ago. To give some historical perspective, the ten-year average inventory for the end of December is 545 homes in Seattle and 743 homes on the Eastside.

Matthew Gardner, Chief Economist at Windermere, registered his concern. “The Puget Sound region is in dire need of more housing units which would function to slow price growth of the area’s existing housing,” he said. “However, costs continue to limit building activity, and that is unlikely to change significantly this year.”

The demand side of the equation isn’t expected to wane any time soon either. With millions of square feet of new office space and new light rail developments in the works, the area continues to be a draw for employers – and more potential homebuyers.

2022 Predictions

What’s ahead for 2022? Matthew Gardner expects the market to continue to be strong, but believes the pace of appreciation will slow significantly from this year. “I predict single family prices will increase by around 8% in King and Snohomish counties. Affordability issues and modestly rising interest rates will take some of the steam out of the market in 2022.”

From working remotely to finally retiring, life events often trigger housing decisions. If you find yourself looking to buy or sell a property, we’re here to help.

 


EASTSIDE

January Market Update
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KING COUNTY

January Market Update
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SEATTLE

January Market Update
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SNOHOMISH COUNTY

January Market Update

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This post originally appeared on GetTheWReport.com.

Real Estate Market Updates & Insight December 14, 2021

December 2021 Real Estate Market Update

What’s Happening in the Market

While the housing market typically slows down in the winter, fewer buyers are taking a break this year. High demand and scant inventory still favor sellers, who continue to see multiple offers. In one bright spot for buyers, home prices – while up from over a year ago – appear to be evening out in most of the region. Potential home sellers who’ve been sitting on the fence may want to consider taking a leap into the market now.

November Results

With the exception of the Eastside, Puget Sound median home prices were essentially flat in November compared to the previous month. However, prices increased by double-digits in most areas from last year. In King County, the median single-family home price rose 12% from last November to $820,000. Home prices in Seattle continue to level off, with the median price of $850,000 up just 4% from a year earlier. The Eastside maintained its strong appreciation, with prices soaring 35% from a year ago to a new record. The median home price there of $1,428,000 topped the previous all-time high price of $1,365,000 set in October. Prices in Snohomish County jumped as well, rising 23% to $695,000.

Despite the traditional winter slowdown, the supply of homes for sale just isn’t budging. Snohomish County has just three weeks of inventory. In King County it would take just over a week to sell through all the homes for sale. Inventory is at an all-time low on the Eastside, where there are only 100 single-family homes for sale in the entire area, which stretches from Issaquah to Woodinville. Homes there are snapped up quickly, with 85% of properties selling within two weeks. With demand at a peak, the inventory crunch is expected to continue. Developers are particularly bullish on the Eastside, where plans are in the works for numerous projects, including a new condo tower in Bellevue, a $500 million transit-oriented development, and over 7,500 new apartment units that are being built in Redmond.

2022 Predictions

What’s ahead for 2022? Matthew Gardner, Chief Economist at Windermere, expects the market to continue to be strong, but believes the pace of appreciation will slow significantly from this year. “I predict single family prices will increase by around 8% in King and Snohomish counties. Affordability issues and modestly rising interest rates will take some of the steam out of the market in 2022.”

Do your New Year’s plans include buying or selling a home? Your broker can keep you up to date on the latest trends and help you create a plan to meet your goals. Let us know how we can help.

 


EASTSIDE

December Local Market Update
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KING COUNTY

December Local Market Update
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SEATTLE

December Local Market Update
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SNOHOMISH COUNTY

December Local Market Update

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This post originally appeared on GetTheWReport.com.

Real Estate Market Updates & Insight November 13, 2021

November 2021 Real Estate Market Update

What’s Happening in the Market

As we head towards the end of the year, the housing market traditionally slows down. As a matter of fact, this year’s activity was even slower than normal, with record-low inventory and correspondingly fewer sales. What’s happening in the market now? At this point, prices aren’t appreciating at the pace they were in the spring, but they continue up as compared to a year ago. While potential home sellers usually wait until after the holiday season to list their homes, those who opt to put their home on the market now can count on strong buyer interest.

With the number of buyers far outstripping supply, inventory is at historic lows. King County as a whole has less than two weeks of inventory. The supply of homes is especially strained on the Eastside where there was just one week of inventory at the end of October – 61% fewer homes were on the market than the same time last year. Snohomish County is starved for supply as well, with just over one week of inventory. The entire county had just 492 single-family homes for sale at the end of October.

Strong buyer demand has kept prices steady, and most areas saw home prices increase from a year ago but remain fairly flat over the past few months. The median price of a single-family home in King County rose 11% from twelve months ago, increasing from $745,000 to $824,270. Within the county, the Eastside experienced the greatest gain. Home prices soared 30% to $1,365,000, inching above the previous all-time high of $1,364,000 set in June of this year. Prices in Seattle registered the smallest gain at 6%, up from $800,000 a year ago to $850,000.

Homes that sold in the North, Southeast, and Southwest parts of the county saw price gains ranging from 16% to 20%. Buyers may find some relief with condominiums. The median price of a condo in King County was $459,970, an increase of 3% from the prior year. Tight inventory kept prices strong in Snohomish County. The median price of a single-family home jumped 20% in October to $695,000. Like most of King County, home prices in Snohomish County have been fairly flat over the past few months.

Have home prices plateaued? Will strong buyer demand continue? After all, the real estate market can change quickly, so whether you’re looking to buy or sell, your broker can provide you with the most current data so you can make the best decision for your situation. Let us know how we can help.

 


EASTSIDE

November Market Update

Local Market Update

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KING COUNTY

November Local Market Update

Local Market Update

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SEATTLE

November Local Market Update

Local Market Update

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SNOHOMISH COUNTY

November Local Market Update

Local Market Update

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This post originally appeared on GetTheWReport.com.

Real Estate Market Updates & Insight October 28, 2021

The Gardner Report – Quarter 3

Quarter 3 report

 

The following analysis of the Western Washington real estate market is provided by Windermere Real Estate Chief Economist Matthew Gardner. We hope that this information may assist you with making better-informed real estate decisions. For further information about the housing market in your area, please don’t hesitate to contact your Windermere Real Estate agent.

REGIONAL ECONOMIC OVERVIEW

The emergence of the of COVID-19 Delta variant had a palpable impact on the region’s economy, which, naturally, impacted job recovery. Employment levels in Western Washington had been picking up steam in the spring but started to slow quite dramatically over the summer. To date, the region has recovered more than 201,000 of the jobs that were lost due to the pandemic, but we appear to be in a bit of a holding pattern. That said, the ending of enhanced unemployment benefits has led many business owners to see more applicants for open positions, so I am hopeful the numbers will pick back up as we move into the winter months. The most recent data (August) shows the region’s unemployment rate at a respectable 5%, but we still have a way to go before we reach the pre-pandemic low of 3.7%. On a county level, the lowest unemployment rate was in Kitsap County (4.4%) and the highest was in Grays Harbor County (6.6%). There are still many hurdles in front of us, but I believe we will continue to add jobs and reach full employment recovery by mid-2022.

WESTERN WASHINGTON HOME SALES

❱ Sales in the third quarter rose 6.4% year over year, with a total of 27,280 homes sold. The increase matched what we saw in the second quarter of this year.

❱ I was pleased to see sales growth continue. This rise was supported by a 28.4% increase in the number of homes for sale. Listings rose the most in Grays Harbor (+62.6%), Lewis (+53.6%), and Skagit (+52.0%) counties.

❱ Sales activity was mixed. Nine counties saw year-over-year growth, but sales slowed in six counties. That said, sales were up in every county other than King and San Juan compared to the second quarter of 2021.

❱ The ratio of pending sales (demand) to active listings (supply) showed pending sales outpacing listings by a factor of 4.6. Even with the increase in the number of new listings, the market is far from balanced.

Quarter 3 report

WESTERN WASHINGTON HOME PRICES

Quarter 3 report

❱ Home prices rose 18.9% compared to a year ago, with an average sale price of $726,168—another all-time record.

❱ When compared to the same period a year ago, price growth was strongest in Clallam, San Juan, and Jefferson counties, but all markets saw prices rise more than 12% from a year ago.

❱ Average sale prices pulled back 1.1% compared to the second quarter of this year. Given the massive increase in value over the past few years, it is not at all surprising. The key indicator has been a softening in list prices and that naturally translates to slower price growth. This is nothing to be worried about. It simply suggests that the market may finally be heading back to some sort of balance.

❱ Relative to the second quarter of this year, all counties except San Juan (-0.1%), Island (-0.5%), and Whatcom (-0.5%) saw higher sale prices.

Quarter 3 report

DAYS ON MARKET

❱ It took an average of 17 days for a home to sell in the third quarter. This was 19 fewer days than in the same quarter of 2020, and 1 fewer day than in the second quarter of this year.

❱ Mirroring the second quarter, Snohomish, Kitsap, Thurston, and Pierce counties were the tightest markets in Western Washington, with homes taking an average of 9 days to sell in Snohomish County and 11 days in the other three counties. The greatest reduction in market time compared to a year ago was in San Juan County where it took 102 fewer days for homes to sell.

❱ All counties contained in this report saw the average time on market drop from the same period a year ago, but eight counties saw market time rise from the second quarter; however, the increases were minimal.

❱ Even with inventory levels increasing in most markets, the region’s housing market remains remarkably tight. That said, I do see some of the heat dissipating and I am hopeful that if inventory levels continue rising, we will start a slow move back toward a balanced market.

Quarter 3 report

CONCLUSIONS

A speedometer graph indicating a seller's market in Western Washington.

This speedometer reflects the state of the region’s real estate market using housing inventory, price gains, home sales, interest rates, and larger economic factors.

Even given the speedbump that hit the region’s economy with the emergence of the Delta variant, the housing market remains remarkably resilient. Demand from buyers continues to be very strong, and modestly increasing inventory levels appear to have—at least for the time being—reduced some of the fever from the market. Mortgage rates remain very favorable, and my current forecast is for them to stay in the low- to mid-3% range until next summer. Rising inventory levels have led price growth to slow and days on market to start increasing, which may be a sign that the market is retreating from a prolonged period of exuberance.

As we move through the balance of the year, I believe demand will remain solid, but we will continue to see price growth soften as more listings compete for the buyers that are out there. That is not to say price growth will turn negative; rather it suggests that we are slowly moving back toward a more balanced market. That said, the market certainly still favors home sellers. As such, I am leaving the needle in the same position as the second quarter. I may move it a little in the direction of buyers next quarter if the current trend continues through the winter months.

ABOUT MATTHEW GARDNER

Matthew Gardner - Chief Economist for Windermere Real Estate

As Chief Economist for Windermere Real Estate, Matthew Gardner is responsible for analyzing and interpreting economic data and its impact on the real estate market on both a local and national level. Matthew has over 30 years of professional experience both in the U.S. and U.K.

In addition to his day-to-day responsibilities, Matthew sits on the Washington State Governors Council of Economic Advisors; chairs the Board of Trustees at the Washington Center for Real Estate Research at the University of Washington; and is an Advisory Board Member at the Runstad Center for Real Estate Studies at the University of Washington where he also lectures in real estate economics.

 

This post originally appeared on the Windermere.com Blog.

Real Estate Market Updates & Insight October 18, 2021

October 2021 Local Real Estate Market Update

What’s Happening in the Market

We had a rise in listings in September, but that didn’t stop the inventory from being tight. With a large buyer demand, shortage of homes for sale, and low interest rates, the prices remained higher than the last year. However, as we head into the holiday season, we tend to see a slow down in the market. This seems to be what’s been happening over the past few months, the home prices seem to be leveling out. We expect the price appreciation to continue through the rest of the year.

Home prices in most of the region continued their pattern from the past few months – up from a year ago but falling slightly from the prior month. The median price of a single-family home in King County in September was $825,600, an increase of 10% from last year, down from the $850,000 median in August. Seattle’s median price rose 4% year-over-year to $850,000, a slight drop from $875,000 last month. The Eastside was the exception to the trend of cooling prices. How hot is the market? 70% of homes sold over the list price, and 86% sold in under two weeks. The median home price on the Eastside soared 26% from a year ago to $1,310,000, basically flat from $1,300,000 in August. Snohomish County’s median price jumped 18% from a year ago to $675,000, down from $694,900 the prior month.

Some of the greatest price increases occurred in areas that have traditionally been more affordable. According to Matthew Gardner, chief economist at Windermere Real Estate, “We continue to see a migration of buyers to suburban markets which has resulted in significant year-over-year price growth in areas such as Shoreline, Auburn, Skyway, Woodinville, and Burien. It’s likely that buyers are drawn to these areas because housing is more affordable than in the urban neighborhoods closer to Seattle and Bellevue.”

More homes were available at the end of September than in August, but low inventory continues to pose challenges for buyers. In King County there were 40% fewer homes on the market than the same time last year. The condo market, which was negatively impacted by COVID-19, has come roaring back as buyers look for more affordable alternatives to single-family homes. Condo sales were up 20% over last year, and inventory is being rapidly depleted. There were 50% fewer condo listings at the end of September than the year prior. In Snohomish County, the tight supply of homes continues. At the end of September there were just 672 single-family homes for sale in the entire county, a supply of just two weeks.

Real estate markets can vary significantly from area to area. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, your broker can provide you with the most current data for your specific area so you can make the best informed decision. Let us know how we can help.

 


EASTSIDE

september market update

Local Market Update

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KING COUNTY

september market update

Local Market Update

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SEATTLE

september market update

Local Market Update

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SNOHOMISH COUNTY

September market update

Local Market Update

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This post originally appeared on GetTheWReport.com.

Real Estate Market Updates & Insight September 22, 2021

September 2021 Local Real Estate Market Update

 

Local Market Update

 September Local Market Update

As the seasons get chiller, according to Windermere Chief Economist, Matthew Gardner, so are the prices in this market with the median listing prices and sales prices in August even the slightest bit lower than in the month prior. In the most recent local market update, Gardner has even said that he believes “that this is because we are hitting a price ceiling and that the rapid pace of home price appreciation will continue to cool as we move through the rest of the year.”

Home Prices, Trends, & More…

While up by double digits year-over-year, home prices in August did cool off slightly throughout the region as compared to July. The median single-family home in King County last month sold for $850,000, up 14% from a year ago. This is a drop from the record-high $871,000 set in July. Seattle saw the median price rise 6% from the same time last year to $875,000, down from $896,500 the prior month. Home prices on the Eastside were up 24% year-over-year to $1,300,000, a dip from the $1,330,563 median price in July. Snohomish County’s median price jumped 25% from a year ago to $694,900, just shy of July’s median of $700,000.

While a slight softening of home prices may be welcome news for buyers, inventory is still a big problem. King County has under three weeks of available homes for sale. The lack of inventory is especially severe on the Eastside. At the end of August there were just 278 homes for sale in the entire area, 62% fewer than the same time a year ago. And 85% of homes sold in less than two weeks. As companies continue to invest in large office projects on the Eastside, demand for homes is expected to continue to rise. Snohomish County reported the smallest supply of homes of any county in Western Washington, about two weeks. The Puget Sound area as a whole remains well below the four-to-six weeks of inventory that is considered a balanced market, favoring neither buyer nor seller.

City-Living 

An uptick in condo sales indicates that in-city living is on the rise again. In King County, the number of closed sales were up 20% in August compared to a year ago. The median condo price on the Eastside rose 14% to $544,000. The supply there remains tight, with just two weeks of inventory. Seattle offers much more choice, with six weeks of inventory available. Condo prices there dropped slightly year-over-year to $480,000. With Amazon looking to hire 12,500 corporate and tech employees in Seattle, demand for in-city living there is predicted to remain strong. As single-family home prices have soared, condo living remains an affordable option for those wanting to live close to urban centers. The King County median condo price is 46% less than that of a single-family home at &460,000.

What’s happening in your neighborhood?

Whether you are thinking of buying or selling — or just curious — the Kari Haas team or your broker can provide you with the latest data about specific neighborhoods and answer any questions you might have about home prices, financing, and strategies to help you meet your goals.

Charts

The charts below provide a brief overview of market activity. Every Monday, Windermere Chief Economist Matthew Gardner provides an update on the US economy and housing market. You can get Matthew’s latest update here.

 


EASTSIDE

Local Market Update Graph
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KING COUNTY

Local Market Update Graph
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SEATTLE

Local Market Update Graph
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SNOHOMISH COUNTYLocal Market Update Graph

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This post originally appeared on GetTheWReport.com.

Real Estate Market Updates & Insight August 27, 2021

August 2021 Local Real Estate Market Update


local market update

Local Market Update

As the temperature went up, so did the number of homes on the market. With more homes and fewer multiple offers in comparison to last year, we’re starting to see even the slightest ease in this competitive market for buyers. While there was a small increase in homes for sale in July, inventory remains very tight. The region as a whole has just about a two-week supply, and demand isn’t likely to ease up any time soon. The economy here is strong, and despite plenty of talk of an urban exodus due to the pandemic and the rise of remote work, our population grew steadily over the past year.

Home Prices, Trends, and more…

The blistering competition may have cooled a bit, but home prices are still heading up. The median single-family home in King County last month sold for a record-high $871,000, up about 20% from last July. In Seattle, the median price jumped 11% from a year ago to $896,500, down from a $919,000 peak in May. Home prices on the Eastside shot up 32% year-over-year to $1,330,563, just shy of the record set in June. Lack of inventory has propelled the particularly steep price hikes, with 90% of homes selling for over list price. At the end of July, there were just 350 single-family homes for sale on the Eastside. Seattle had more than double that amount of inventory.

Additionally, the limited supply of homes in Snohomish County also sent prices soaring. The median home there sold for $700,000, a 22% jump from a year ago, but down slightly from the all-time high in June. Condos remain a more affordable option, and with employers saying that they’ll want employees working in the office at least part-time, an increase in condo sales indicates that buyers are looking at in-city living again. The increase in inventory gives the buyer more options. The Eastside has about three weeks of available condo inventory; Seattle has nearly two months. The median condo price on the Eastside was up 12% over a year ago to $558,000. To summarize, Seattle’s median price was essentially unchanged from last year at $492,000.

What’s happening in your neighborhood?

Whether you are thinking of buying or selling — or just curious — the Kari Haas team or your broker can provide you with the latest data about specific neighborhoods and answer any questions you might have about home prices, financing, and strategies to help you meet your goals.

Charts 

The charts below provide a brief overview of market activity. Every Month, Windermere Chief Economist Matthew Gardner provides an update on the US economy and housing market. You can get Matthew’s latest update here.


EASTSIDE

local market update graph
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KING COUNTY

local market update graph
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SEATTLE

local market update graph
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SNOHOMISH COUNTY

local market update graph
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This post originally appeared on GetTheWReport.com.


Real Estate Market Updates & Insight July 26, 2021

July 2021 Real Estate Update

With the slight spike in the amount of listings in June, it seemed as though there may have been the smallest glimpse of hope for homebuyers. However, it’s still hard to predict whether this trend will continue. Despite the slight spike the inventory is still less than the demand, and our beloved Puget Sound region remains as hot of a market as our Seattle heatwaves.

Despite the uptick in inventory, many homes continue to sell within days and for over asking price. As tech companies like Amazon and Microsoft lease large office spaces and hire thousands of employees, demand for homes in our region isn’t expected to lag any time soon.

With more buyers chasing a limited supply of homes, the market still heavily favors sellers. The median price of a single-family home in King County rose 19% from a year ago to $860,000, down slightly from the all-time high of $869,975 set in May. Seattle saw home prices increase 11% year-over-year to $890,444, also down from May’s record price of $919,000. Home prices on the Eastside, however, continued to trend up. The median home price in June soared 40% over last year to $1,364,000, surpassing the previous high set in March. With inventory the tightest of any area of King County — the Eastside had just 288 homes for sale at the end of June —  prices are expected to remain strong. Snohomish County also hit new records, with the median home price jumping 32% over a year ago to an all-time high of $716,000. The number of homes for sale in the county declined more than 44% from a year ago, leaving it with only about 10 days of inventory, the lowest of all the counties served by Northwest MLS. Much of the demand is being driven by buyers who can continue to work from home, and are opting to buy outside of King County where housing is more affordable.

Condos are another more affordable option for buyers wanting to stay in King County. Condo inventory is relatively more plentiful, and prices aren’t escalating at the same pace as other homes. And the median price of $462,500 is nearly half that of a single-family home. As a result, condo sales here continued to boom, with closed sales up 79% over the same time last year (that compares with a 39% increase in the sale of single-family homes for the same period).

Market shifts can happen quickly, and your best strategy is to be well informed. Whether you are thinking of buying or selling, your broker can provide you with the most up-to-date statistics for your specific neighborhood and price range, and help you create a plan to get the best deal possible for your individual needs.

The charts below provide a brief overview of market activity. Every Monday, Windermere Chief Economist Matthew Gardner provides an update on the US economy and housing market. You can get Matthew’s latest update here.


EASTSIDE

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SNOHOMISH COUNTY


This post originally appeared on GetTheWReport.com.


Real Estate Market Updates & Insight June 30, 2021

June 2021 Real Estate Update

May was a record-breaking month for the real estate market. Inventory hit all-time lows, and home prices reached record highs. With the supply of homes so tight, this sizzling seller’s market is expected to continue throughout the summer.

High demand hammered inventory in May. While the number of new listings increased, homes sold within days, leaving the market with just a few weeks of available inventory. There were 43% fewer homes on the market in King County at the end of May as compared to a year ago. The supply of homes was particularly dire on the Eastside where inventory was down 71%, leaving just 239 single-family homes for sale across the entire area, which stretches from Issaquah to Woodinville. Snohomish County saw the same trend, with inventory down 60% year-over-year. With the local economy remaining strong and population continuing to grow, don’t expect demand to slow down any time soon.

With inventory so scarce, it was yet another record-breaking month for home prices. The median price of a single-family home in King County last month jumped 29% to an all-time high of $869,975. Home prices in Seattle soared 20% to a record $919,000. The Eastside posted a median price of $1,298,475, down slightly from its all-time high, but soaring 37% from a year ago. Slim supply and high demand resulted in 78% of homes on the Eastside selling for over the list price.

A 62% jump in pending condo sales in King County indicates that some buyers are opting for a more affordable home option. At a median price of $459,000, condos look like a relative bargain when compared to single-family homes. Snohomish County home values rocketed up as well. With some of the tightest inventory in the region, home prices there shot up 35% to a record $697,000.

It’s a challenging market for buyers, and it looks like it will continue to be that way for quite some time. Now more than ever, you need a broker who can help you set your priorities, strategize your options and negotiate successfully on your behalf. And sellers need someone who really understands this fast-changing market and who can create a plan to get you the greatest return on your investment.

The charts below provide a brief overview of market activity. Every Monday, Windermere Chief Economist Matthew Gardner provides an update on the US economy and housing market. You can get Matthew’s latest update here. If you are interested in more information, your broker can provide you with a detailed analysis of your specific area.

EASTSIDE

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KING COUNTY

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SEATTLE

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SNOHOMISH COUNTY

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