Seattle Real Estate Market: A Closer Look at Fall 2026 Trends

There’s a lot of noise out there about Seattle real estate right now. So it’s time for a market update! We are here to cut through the noise and the rumors and provide some clarity with what we’re seeing in the actual numbers, but also IRL with our clients!

A lot of the headlines out there right now would suggest that real estate in Seattle is in dark times.Luckily, these stories typically only last a few weeks until cooler heads prevail. However, it can definitely be confusing to see all of the news out there—which stories should you believe? We’re here to shed some light on it all. 

One big thing to keep in mind right now: this year is an election year. The closer we get to midterms (this year election day is November 3, 2026), the less likely people are to make moves in real estate. But the cycle is almost always the same: After the election, the real estate market will start popping off again and people will be making moves! 

Is it true that the Seattle real estate market is down and prices are dropping? Yes and no. Prices are coming down, BUT prices are following the exact same trend that’s been in place for the past three years. So yes, the info making headlines right now may be technically correct, but the reality is a lot more balanced (phew). We’re going to dive into the numbers that show this trend in a moment (keep scrolling). 

TL;DR:

• If you need to sell a home, try to wait for Q1 2027. It’s not that your home is necessarily going to sell for higher price, but it means it might sell in 1-2 weeks vs. 1-2 months (and remember, there is extra cost and stress to have your listing sit longer)
• There are great opportunities for buyers right now. If you want to buy, do it in Q4!
• If you want to SELL your home and BUY your next one, I would buy in Q4 2026 and list in Q1 2027.
• Everyone’s situation is unique and there is a lot of nuance, especially right now! The best next step is for us to talk through your specific situation.

At the “end” of the Covid pandemic (which we are saying is early 2023), the market started to follow a pattern:

Q1: The market typically starts strong, with motivated buyers, increased showings, and limited inventory as many sellers wait until spring. This supply-and-demand imbalance often drives the fastest price increases of the year.

Q2: More homes hit the market, and buyer activity often cools. In Seattle, Q1 earnings reports and tech stock performance can also influence buyer confidence, particularly for those relying on RSUs. Homes may take longer to sell, creating new opportunities for buyers.

Q3: The market generally continues to cool gradually, although particularly desirable homes can still outperform.

Q4: The holidays, school schedules, and other distractions tend to slow activity before buyers return with renewed energy in the new year. This has been the general pattern since 2023, and we expect a similar cycle in 2027 unless something significant disrupts the market.

Here are the numbers behind the trends we have been cycling through for the past three years:

Seattle Real Estate Market

Residential - All styles of homes, including townhomes (no condos)

September 2026 median sales price: $920,000

That means Seattle prices are currently:

• $70,000 higher than January 2026 (+8.2%)

• $80,000 below the May 2026 peak (-8.0%)

King County Real Estate Market

Residential – All styles of homes, including townhomes (no condos)

September 2026 Median Sales Price: $950,000

• $97,472 higher than January 2026 (+11.4%) 

• $40,000  below the July 2026 peak(-4.0%)

If you'd like to talk through what these stats mean for your unique situation, we’re always happy to chat and dive into the details! Whether you want to buy or sell a home next month or next year, it is truly never too early to make a plan.