As a home buyer<\/strong><\/em>, you must find the right house at the right price and in your desired neighborhood. Once you have accomplished this cumbersome task, you must m<\/span>anage the maze of financial, legal, procedural, and related matters that involve five entities in each real estate transaction. Of course, you also must be able to comprehend and fully control each aspect throughout. <\/span>When you find the right home, you must act decisively. Buyers face even more complexities and challenges in today’s volatile mortgage lending rates.<\/p>\n Real estate transactions are not just about buying or selling a property. This intricate process brings together five dynamic industries working together. Real Estate, Lender, Title, Escrow, and Home Inspection. Each plays a vital role in making your real estate dreams a reality.<\/p>\n Please read on for the latest month’s update and statistics. NWMLS’s monthly market snapshot helps you stay better informed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Here are the latest statistics for all counties serviced by NWMLS. If you require data for a specific county, please contact us.<\/p>\n Active Listings<\/strong> New Listings<\/strong> Pending Sales<\/strong> Closed Sales<\/strong> Median Price<\/strong> <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Here are the latest statistics for all counties serviced by NWMLS. If you require data for a specific county, please contact us.<\/p>\n Median Price<\/strong> Active Listings<\/strong> New Listings<\/strong> Pending Sales<\/strong> Closed Sales<\/strong> <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n In August, we witnessed a notable shift in the housing market, with both active listings and home sales declining from July\u2014by 2.7% and 7.7%, respectively\u2014across the 27 counties serviced by the Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS). This slowdown stems largely from a decrease in activity in the key markets of King and Snohomish counties. While listings have surged by an impressive 30.8% compared to last year, sales have unfortunately dipped by 5.7%, reflecting a persistent challenge in buyer demand. On a brighter note, median home prices have remained consistent.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Active Listings<\/strong><\/p>\n There were 20,219 active listings on the market at the end of August, compared with 15,453 from a year ago. This number represents a 30.8% increase in properties listed for sale. When compared to the previous month, active inventory decreased by 562 listings, a reduction of 2.7%, down from July 2025, when it stood at 20,781.<\/p>\n On a year-over-year basis, the number of homes for sale increased throughout the NWMLS coverage area. All but\u00a0counties experienced a\u00a0double-digit increase.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n New Listings<\/strong><\/p>\n There were a total of 8,730 new listings, compared to 8,941 in the same period last year. This is indicative of some sellers still waiting for things to turn in their favor, despite no evidence to support this thinking.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Closed Sales<\/strong><\/p>\n The number of closed sales was 6,341, compared to 6,727 the previous year, representing a 5.7% decrease. Compared to the last month, the number of closed sales decreased by 7.7%, down from 6,867 sales in July 2025.<\/p>\n Fifteen out of 27 counties experienced a decrease in the number of closed sales year-over-year, while nine saw an increase, and three showed no change. The six counties with the most significant gains were Clallam (+16.3%), Okanogan (+16.1%), Grant (+11.5%), Lewis (+8.3%), Island (+7.9%), and Douglas (+5.1%).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n In July, we witnessed another strong indicator that we are firmly in a Buyer’s Market. While the median prices remained consistent with July 2024 prices, the growth in listings relative to a year earlier was much greater. Home sales remain sluggish because the 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.72% at the end of July 2025, virtually the same as the average rate over the past year.<\/p>\n The Federal Reserve Bank kept the federal funds rate unchanged at its July 30 meeting, reflecting ongoing concerns about inflation. Even though the federal funds rate is not directly related to mortgage rates, this decision is a strong indication that there is unlikely to be any improvement in mortgage rates in the near future.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Active Listings<\/strong><\/p>\n 20,781 active listings\u00a0on the market at the end of July 2025, compared to 15,122 at the end of July 2024 represented a\u00a037.42%\u00a0increase\u00a0in the total number of properties listed for sale year-over-year, with\u00a020,781 active listings\u00a0on the market at the end of July 2025, compared to 15,122 at the end of July 2024. When compared to the previous month,\u00a0active inventory increased by 944 listings (+4.76%),\u00a0up from 19,837 in June 2025. <\/p>\n New Listings<\/strong><\/p>\n NWMLS brokers added\u00a010,418 new listings\u00a0to the database in July 2025, a\u00a0year-over-year increase of 12.25%\u00a0compared to July 2024 (9,281). When compared to the previous month (June 2025), new listings decreased by 4.99%, with 10,965 listings added to the NWMLS database. <\/p>\n Closed Sales<\/strong><\/p>\n The\u00a0number of closed sales increased by 3.81% year-over-year\u00a0(6,867 in July 2025 compared to 6,615 in July 2024). When compared to the previous month, the number of closed sales increased by 2.58%, up from 6,694 sales in June 2025. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n In April of this year, I declared that we are in a Buyer’s Market. Now, Fannie Mae has confirmed that and pointed out another alarming trend. Last week, Fannie Mae reported that its measure of home purchase sentiment decreased to 69.8 in June, marking the end of a three-month streak of gains. I will write more about that in a separate article. Even though the inventory is increasing rapidly, giving buyers more choices, the buyers have lost confidence in the real estate market. The NWMLS press release’s headline was “Available inventory in all NWMLS areas experiences highest growth since 2022.”\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>The buying activity was very sluggish. According to Fannie Mae’s findings, homebuyers are actually feeling worse about the housing market. That’s largely due to economic and geopolitical conditions, especially as confidence in survey categories, such as income and the job market, fell in June. I wrote about this phenomenon earlier this year. In my opinion, geopolitical and economic uncertainties, coupled with current mortgage lending rates, are hurting both buyers and sellers. None of these is a short-term issue.<\/p>\n The number of active listings reached 19,837<\/strong>, marking the first time since September 2022 <\/strong>that all 27 counties<\/strong> in the NWMLS service area experienced double-digit, year-over-year increases<\/strong> in inventory. In addition, the median home price remained relatively stable from May 2025 (increasing 1.52% from $660,000 to $670,000 in June 2025) and increased just 3.08% year-over-year from June 2024\u2019s median price of $650,000.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Active Listings<\/strong><\/p>\n The total number of properties listed for sale in the NWMLS service area experienced a 38.82% increase year-over-year from 14,393 in June 2024 to 19,837 active listings in June 2025. When compared to May 2025, June saw an 8.34% increase in listings, from 18,310 to 19,800. All 27 counties in the NWMLS service area experienced double-digit, year-over-year increases in active listings. The six counties with the highest increases in active inventory were Columbia (+70%), Grant (+61.59%), Snohomish (+50.96%), Whatcom (+49.02%), King (+46.69%) and Adams (+46.51%).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Closed Sales and Months of Inventory<\/strong><\/p>\n The number of closed sales increased by 1.01% year-over-year, up from 6,627 in June 2024 to 6,694 in June 2025. When compared to the previous month, the number of closed sales increased by 3.51%, up from 6,467 sales in May 2025. 13 out of 27 counties saw an increase in the number of closed sales year-over-year. The six counties with the largest increases were Adams (+55.56%), Columbia (+33.33%), Lewis (+29.73%), Kittitas (+17.53%), Douglas (+10.87%) and Mason (+7.37%).\u00a0The six counties with the lowest months of inventory in June 2025 were Kitsap (2.05), Snohomish (2.12), Thurston (2.19), Pierce (2.65), King (2.72) and Skagit (2.9).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Median Sales Price and Total Dollar Value<\/strong><\/p>\n Overall, the median price for residential homes and condominiums sold in June 2025 was $670,000, representing a 3.08% increase from June 2024 ($650,000). When compared to last month, the median price increased 1.52% from $660,000 in May 2025. The three counties with the highest median sale prices were San Juan ($1,035,000), King ($913,563) and Snohomish ($775,000), and the three counties with the lowest median sale prices were Columbia ($275,000), Adams ($320,000) and Ferry ($340,000). The total dollar value of closed sales in June 2025 for residential homes was $5,165,615,491, and it was $561,482,665 for condominiums ($5,727,098,155 in total).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n We have been heading there for a few months now. The most recent post by Realtor.com confirmed it.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n However, the news is better in the Greater Seattle area, specifically, on the Eastside. In May 2025, the number of active listings reached the highest level of inventory since September 2018, a good sign for buyers. Especially when coupled with the median home price declining 1% year-over-year. It edged up less than 1% from April, indicating a slowdown in price growth. Prudent sellers will recognize that waiting for the market to turn around is a false hope; we can expect to see inventory levels increase in the coming months.<\/p>\n Consumer activity reflected the renewed interest. Keyboxes at listed properties were accessed 179,613 times, representing a 16.7% increase from April and a 9.9% year-over-year increase. Scheduled showings also rose, up 13.9% from the previous month and 2.8% from May 2024, based on appointments made through NWMLS-provided software. Market stats are crucial to understanding the real estate market. The most important factor is the real experience of buyers and sellers.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Active Listings<\/strong><\/p>\n There was a 42.63% increase year-over-year in the total number of properties listed for sale in the NWMLS service area, from 12,837 in May 2024 to 18,310 active listings in May 2025, and a 26.6% increase from 14,459 active listings in April 2025. <\/p>\n Closed Sales and Months of Inventory<\/strong><\/p>\n The number of closed sales decreased by 3.3% year-over-year, down from 6,689 in May 2024 to 6,467 in May 2025. When compared to the previous month, the number of closed sales increased by 9.9%, up from 5,887 sales in April 2025. <\/p>\n Median Sales Price and Total Dollar Value<\/strong><\/p>\n Overall, the median price for residential homes and condominiums sold in May 2025 was $654,995, a 0.8% decrease from May 2024 ($660,000). When compared to last month, the median price slightly increased ($650,000 in April 2025). <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n During April 2025, the median sales price for residential and condominium sales stayed virtually unchanged from March 2025. Even though mortgage lending rates also remained close to the previous month’s levels, and the number of active listings showed double-digit year-over-year increases in most counties compared to April 2024, sales remain sluggish. Market stats are crucial to understanding the real estate market. The most important factor is the real experience of buyers and sellers. Sellers have finally begun to come to terms with the current realities, but they still have a ways to go. Buyers, for their part, are eager to purchase a home, but they are cautious. And justifiably so. There are legitimate and serious concerns about the adverse effects of tariffs, economic matters, interest rates, and, most importantly, the impact on their jobs. These reasons made April 2025 a humdrum month in the Washington State real estate market.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Active Listings<\/strong><\/p>\n The total number of properties listed for sale in the NWMLS service area at the end of April 2025 was \u00a047.4% higher than at the end of April 2024. <\/p>\n Closed Sales and Months of Inventory<\/strong><\/p>\n There was less than a one percent increase in closed sales year-over-year. However, closed sales were up by 8.9% compared to the previous month. <\/p>\n Median Sales Price and Total Dollar Value<\/strong><\/p>\n Overall, the median price for residential homes and condominiums sold in April 2025 decreased by 0.2% compared to April 2024. Compared to last month, the median price was virtually unchanged ($649,999 in March 2025). <\/p>\n An imbalance between buyers and sellers persisted in March. As we approached spring, seasonal growth was expected; however, some anomalies were observed. \u00a0The 30-year mortgage rates moved erratically as various geo-socio-political events played out. If you haven’t heard about the unforeseen volatility in the stock market in recent weeks, you must be living under a rock. The mortgage lending rate dropped to 6.65% briefly and then moved back up. This seesaw of mortgage rates (I have written extensively about it) does little to help buyers. Sellers must accept that we are no longer in the golden age of selling homes well above their justifiable value.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Active Inventory for Sale<\/strong><\/p>\n The number of homes for sale on the market increased substantially, up nearly 44% year-over-year from March 2024. Still, extreme economic uncertainty and the affordability challenge prevented this long-awaited move from offering the relief it was expected to. Sellers and buyers alike will have to contend with rising prices that impact the market and the volatility of mortgage lending rates. The median price for residential homes and condominiums rose 3.2% from $630,000 in February 2025 to $649,999 in March 2025. But here is another anomaly. A substantial number of condos for sale remain on the market for extended periods.<\/p>\n There was a 43.7% increase year-over-year in the total number of properties listed for sale in the NWMLS service area. There were 11,640 active listings on the market at the end of March 2025, with 21 out of 26 counties seeing a double-digit increase compared to March 2024. Compared to the previous month, active inventory increased by 1,192 listings (+11.4%), up from 10,448 in February 2025.<\/p>\n The six counties with the highest increases in active inventory were Snohomish (+83.1%), Whatcom (+63.1%), King (+59.8%), Cowlitz +(51.7%), Kittitas (+48.3%) and Grant (+43.8%). <\/p>\n Closed Sales<\/strong><\/p>\n There were 5,406 closed sales in March 2025, representing a 4.7% year-over-year increase from 5,165 in March 2024. The number of closed sales increased by 26.7% compared to February 2025, up from 4,268 sales. The total dollar value of closed sales in March 2025 for residential homes was $3,907,557,990, and $531,478,809 for condominiums ($4,439,036,799 in total), representing a 7% year-over-year increase compared to March 2024.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Median Sales Price<\/strong><\/p>\n Overall, the median price for residential homes and condominiums sold in March 2025 was $649,999, representing a 2.6% increase from March 2024 ($633,717). The three counties with the highest median sale prices were San Juan ($870,000), King ($855,000), and Snohomish ($755,000), and the three counties with the lowest median sale prices were Columbia ($220,000), Ferry ($268,725), and Grays Harbor ($335,100).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n
October 2025 Highlights and Stats:<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
\nThe total number of properties listed for sale\u00a0increased by 27% year-over-year. Compared to the previous month, active inventory decreased by\u00a06.3%. The number of homes for sale year-over-year increased in all of NWMLS\u2019s coverage area, with\u00a024 out of 27\u00a0counties seeing a\u00a0double-digit year-over-year increase.<\/p>\n
\n7,991 new listings were added to the market in October 2025, which reflects a 3.4% increase on a year-over-year basis. Compared to the previous month (September 2025), new listings decreased by 13.1%. When looking at the 27 individual counties in NWMLS\u2019s primary service area, the number of new listings increased year-over-year in 20 counties and decreased year-over-year in 7 counties.<\/p>\n
\nThere were\u00a06,739\u00a0residential and condo units under contract in October 2025, representing a\u00a06.4%\u00a0decrease compared to October 2024. When compared to the previous month, the number of pending listings\u00a0decreased by 8.1%.<\/p>\n
\nThe number of closed sales\u00a0decreased by 4%\u00a0year-over-year, compared to the previous month. The number of closed sales\u00a0increased slightly by .8%, up from September 2025.<\/p>\n
\nThe median sales price for residential homes and condominiums sold in October 2025 decreased by 1.5% to\u00a0$640,000, compared to a slight decrease of 1.5%\u00a0in October 2024. There was a 1.5% increase relative to the previous month.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/zentricstudio.smtgamma.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1025-Stats-1.png\")
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September 2025 Highlights and Stats:<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
\nIn September 2025, the median sales price for residential homes and condos was $630,700, down 0.7% from $635,000 in September 2024. The highest median prices were in San Juan ($1,050,000), King ($850,000), and Snohomish ($722,525). The lowest were in Columbia ($290,000), Pacific ($330,000), and Ferry ($335,000).<\/p>\n
\nActive listings increased by 27.3% year-over-year, totaling 20,052 at the end of September 2025, up from 15,748 in September 2024. However, this represented a decrease of 167 listings (-0.8%) from August 2025.<\/p>\n
\nIn NWMLS’s service area, 23 out of 27 counties saw a year-over-year increase in new listings, with 17 counties showing positive growth.<\/p>\n
\nThere were 7,335 residential and condo units under contract in September 2025, a 2.4% increase from September 2024. Month-over-month, pending listings dropped by 3.7% from August.<\/p>\n
\nClosed sales rose by 5.9% year-over-year, totaling 6,170 in September 2025 compared to 5,828 in September 2024. There was a 2.7% decline from August 2025. Significant increases in closed sales were noted in counties such as Lewis (+68.2%) and Okanogan (+48.2%). The total closed sales dollar value for September 2025 was $ 4.9 billion, or $ 4,904,701,489.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\nAugust 2025 Highlights and Stats:<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
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July 2025 Highlights and Stats:<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
\n26 out of 27 counties experienced a double-digit year-over-year increase. The six counties with the highest year-over-year increase in active inventory for sale were Ferry (+60%), Snohomish (+53.56%), Clallam (+52.91%), Columbia (+52.17%), Thurston (+46.86%), and Grant (+44.51%).<\/p>\n
\nThe\u00a0number of new listings increased year-over-year in 23 of 27 counties. The six counties with the most significant year-over-year increases were Clallam (+55.96%), Ferry (+50%), Island (+27.27%), Jefferson (+26.56%), Thurston (+26.25%), and Lewis (+26.02%).<\/p>\n
\n19 out of 27 counties saw an increase in the number of closed sales year-over-year.\u00a0The six counties with the most significant increases were San Juan (+100%), Adams (+75%), Pacific (+71.43%), Ferry (+66.67%), Clallam (+47.56%), and Grant (+30%).\u00a0 The total dollar value of closed sales in July 2025 for residential homes was $5,174,046,115, and it was $517,348,303 for condominiums ($5,691,394,418 in total).
\nMedian Sales Price and Total Dollar Value
\nThe median sales price for residential homes and condominiums sold in July 2025 was\u00a0$650,000\u00a0\u2014 unchanged from July 2024. Compared to the previous month, the median price declined 2.99%, down from $670,000 in June 2025.
\nThe three counties with the\u00a0highest median sale prices\u00a0were San Juan ($906,250), King ($875,000), and Snohomish ($765,000), and the three counties with the lowest median sale prices were Columbia ($257,250), Ferry ($275,000), and Adams ($349,999).<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/h2>\n
June 2025 Highlights and Stats:<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\nMay 2025 Highlights and Stats:<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
Yes, we are in a Buyer’s market.<\/h3>\n
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\nThe number of homes for sale year-over-year increased throughout the NWMLS coverage area, with 24 out of 26 counties seeing a double-digit year-over-year increase. The six counties with the highest increases in active inventory were Clallam (+72.5%), Snohomish (+64.1%), Ferry (+59.1%), King (+57.7%), Grant (+53.3%) and Adams (+52.3%).<\/p>\n
\nThe five counties with the largest increases were Jefferson (+48.4%), Cowlitz (+47.8%), San Juan (+27.8%), Adams (+20%) and Skagit (+17.5%).<\/p>\n
\nThe three counties with the highest median sale prices were King ($865,000), San Juan ($831,000) and Snohomish ($785,000), and the three counties with the lowest median sale prices were Ferry ($138,000), Columbia ($256,000) and Pacific ($323,000).
\nThe total dollar value of closed sales in May 2025 for residential homes was $4,732,782,810, and was $546,957,344 for condominiums ($5,279,740,154 in total).<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\nApril 2025 Highlights and Stats:<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
We are in a Buyer’s market:<\/h3>\n
\nWhen compared to the previous month, active inventory\u00a0increased by 24.2%.
\nThe number of homes for sale year-over-year increased throughout the NWMLS coverage area. 24 out of 26 counties saw a\u00a0double-digit year-over-year increase. The six counties with the highest increases in active inventory were Snohomish (+84.8%), Columbia (+76.9%), King (+71.3%), Clallam (+70.7%), Whatcom (+68.1%) and Grant (+59.8%).<\/p>\n
\nThe five counties with the most significant increases were Grays Harbor (+54%), Kittitas (+44.9%), Island (+29.9%), Chelan (+28.9%) and Skagit (+23.5%).<\/p>\n
\nThe three counties with the highest median sale prices were King ($907,000), Snohomish ($755,500) and San Juan ($665,000), and the three counties with the lowest median sale prices were Okanogan ($289,000), Columbia ($305,000) and Adams ($310,000).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n
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March 2025 Highlights and Stats:<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
\nNWMLS brokers added 9,161 new listings in March 2025, a year-over-year increase of 14.1% compared to March 2024 (8,028). When compared to February 2025, new listings increased by 44.4%, with 6,346 listings added.<\/p>\n