A look back at the 2020s housing frenzy, the rate-driven slowdown, and what a more balanced Seattle-area real estate market means in 2026.

A clear look at 2026 housing market predictions from Realtor.com, Redfin, Zillow, and Compass—rates, prices, sales, and what it means locally.

Why housing feels slower than the data suggests. Exploring the vibecession and what recent prices, inventory, and rates mean in King County.

Seattle’s housing market is cooling but not crashing. September data shows more homes hitting the market and a slight dip in prices, signaling a return to balance after years of wild swings. The median single-family home price in Seattle fell to $975,000, down 7% since June but still up about 2% year-over-year. Overall, the Seattle real estate market is finding its footing. After several years of extreme ups and downs, we’re seeing the early signs of a healthy, sustainable recovery.

Seattle’s housing market cooled in August as prices, inventory, and mortgage rates all dipped while homes took longer to sell. The median King County home price came in at $992,500, still up 2% year-over-year despite the month-to-month slowdown. Active listings totaled 4,113, 39% higher than last year, while average days on market rose from 10 to 14. Mortgage rates briefly fell to 6.1% before rising again after the Fed’s rate cut, highlighting how closely housing costs follow the 10-year Treasury. Seasonal shifts are in play, but Seattle’s housing market remains competitive and active heading into fall.

After two years in Colorado, we've decided it's time to return to the Pacific Northwest. We're thrilled to be back.

Leaving Colorado is bittersweet.

Bitter because we’re leaving some of the most important people in our lives—cousins and grandparents, new friends and old ones. And of course, the skiing. 😭

Sweet because Seattle is home. We’ve missed so many of the friends and family we left behind.

Mortgage interest rates fell in November and have hovered around 6.5% for several weeks now. The rate volatility we experienced during the fall has subsided for now, and recent housing data suggests we may be close to finding a bottom for the floundering housing market, which went into shock this spring when rates rose from all-time lows.

The housing market is struggling to find its footing as high home prices collide with rising mortgage rates. As of today, the rate on a 30-year mortgage is above 7% after starting 2022 at 3.4%.

Ten years after the market bottomed out during the Great Financial Crisis, the housing boom has ended.