July 2026 NWMLS Activity

Inventory continued to expand across the Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS) service area in July, providing buyers with more options than they had one year ago. While sellers remain active, higher mortgage rates continue to influence buyer demand, affordability, and overall market pace.

Agents of the Northwest Multiple Listing Service reported 11,517 new listings in July, an increase of 10.55% from July 2025, when 10,418 new listings came to market. Total active inventory at month end stood at 24,888 listings, up 19.76% from July 2025, when there were 20,781 active listings. Twenty-five of the 27 counties in the NWMLS service area experienced year-over-year inventory growth, continuing the market’s gradual shift toward more balanced conditions.

Locally, King County reported 4,124 new listings and 7,836 active listings, an increase of 23.65% year-over-year. Snohomish County recorded 1,589 new listings and 2,878 active listings, up 34.74% from a year ago. Pierce County added 1,602 new listings and finished the month with 3,174 active listings, up 17.17% year-over-year.

Pending sales, or mutually accepted agreements, totaled 7,205 in July, down 7.20% from July 2025. King County pending sales declined 13.49%, Snohomish County was down 3.73%, and Pierce County fell 4.80% year-over-year. While buyers are clearly still shopping, the number of homes going under contract has not kept pace with the growth in available inventory.

Closed sales totaled 6,649 transactions in July, a decrease of 3.17% from the year-ago number of 6,867. King County closed sales were down 11.93%, while Snohomish County actually increased 3.80% and Pierce County remained essentially flat, up 0.29% from July 2025. The total dollar value of closed sales across residential homes and condominiums was approximately $5.36 billion.

Median prices softened slightly as higher inventory and affordability constraints continued to influence the market. The area-wide median sales price for residential homes and condominiums was $640,000, down 1.54% from July 2025, when the median was $650,000. King County’s median price was $879,500, up slightly at 0.51% year-over-year. Snohomish County’s median was $719,000, down 6.01%, while Pierce County increased 1.74% to $575,000.

Months of inventory increased to 3.74 months area-wide, another sign the market is continuing to move toward balance. King County finished July at 3.88 months, Snohomish County at 3.01 months, and Pierce County at 3.04 months. While still not an oversupplied market in every price range, buyers now have more selection and more breathing room than they have had in recent years.

Consumer and broker activity showed that buyers are still engaged, even if they are being selective. Keyboxes were accessed 166,504 times in July, down 1.4% from a year ago. Scheduled property showings totaled 120,963, down 4.2% year-over-year. However, 26,826 listings received at least one showing during the month, up 10.8% compared to last year, indicating buyers are touring a broader range of available homes.

A total of 25,553 listings were eligible for the NWMLS Down Payment Resource program in July, an increase of 17.8% from July 2025. Overall, 74.1% of listings in the NWMLS database qualified for some form of down payment assistance, providing additional opportunities for buyers navigating today’s affordability challenges.

The challenge continues to be interest rates. Mortgage rates averaged above 6.5% during July, slightly higher than the prior month, and the Federal Reserve held short-term rates steady due to continued inflation pressure. Elevated rates continue to discourage some buyers, even as seller activity and available inventory expand.

Bottom line: July brought buyers more choices, more negotiating room, and a market that continues to move away from the frenzy of the past few years. Sellers can still succeed, but pricing, condition, presentation, and strategy matter more than ever. Buyers who are financially prepared may find opportunity in the increased selection, especially before any future rate movement changes demand again.

If you would like help understanding what these numbers mean for your neighborhood, price range, or real estate goals, reach out to Hewitt Property Group at 425-481-8889 or expert@kw.com.

June 2026 NWMLS Activity

Inventory Continues to Grow While Buyers Remain Active

Housing inventory continued to expand across the Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS) in June, giving buyers the greatest selection of homes available so far in 2026. Active listings climbed to 23,088 homes, up 16.4% year over year and 8.0% from May, marking another step toward a healthier, more balanced housing market. While buyers now have significantly more options than they did just a year ago, well-priced homes in desirable locations continue to attract strong interest.

Despite mortgage rates rising throughout June and affordability remaining a challenge for many households, buyer demand proved remarkably resilient. Closed sales increased 2.3% compared to June 2025 and 10.2% over May, as many buyers continued moving forward with their homeownership plans during the busy summer season. Pending sales dipped modestly, suggesting some buyers paused as borrowing costs increased, but overall market activity remained healthy.

Home prices also demonstrated continued stability. The median sales price remained at $650,000 for the second consecutive month, although it was 3.0% below June 2025’s median of $670,000. This moderation in pricing, combined with expanding inventory, is providing buyers with greater negotiating power than we’ve experienced over the past several years while still preserving strong equity for homeowners.

Consumer activity reflected a typical seasonal pattern following the peak spring market. Keybox accesses declined 9.0% from May, while scheduled showings fell 9.3%. Even so, 25,583 listings received at least one showing during June, an 8.7% increase from one year ago, indicating buyers are exploring a broader range of available properties. Additionally, nearly 74% of listings qualified for down payment assistance programs, continuing to improve affordability opportunities for qualified purchasers.

Steven Bourassa, Director of the Washington Center for Real Estate Research, noted that mortgage rates reached 5.98% in late February before geopolitical events and renewed inflationary pressures pushed rates back to 6.49% by the end of June. As expected, higher borrowing costs tempered price growth and buyer activity, although sales continued to outpace many economists’ expectations given current market conditions.

County Highlights

King County

King County remained the state’s highest-priced major market with a median sales price of $889,000. Inventory expanded significantly, increasing 16.9% year over year to 7,405 active listings. Closed sales totaled 2,183 homes, down 6.4% from last year, reflecting the continued impact of higher financing costs on the region’s most expensive market.

Snohomish County

Snohomish County continued to be one of the strongest-performing markets in Washington. Active inventory surged 29.2% year over year, one of the largest increases statewide, while the median sales price settled at $725,500. Pending sales increased 8.2%, demonstrating continued buyer confidence despite higher mortgage rates, although closed sales were essentially unchanged from a year ago.

Pierce County

Pierce County continued its steady performance with 14.6% more active listings than one year ago. Closed sales increased 14.0% year over year, one of the strongest gains among the larger counties, while the median sales price climbed to $595,000, a 2.8% increase from June 2025. Buyers continue to find relative affordability in Pierce County compared to neighboring King and Snohomish counties.

What This Means for Buyers and Sellers

The June market reinforces the gradual transition toward more balanced conditions across Western Washington. Buyers now enjoy substantially more choices than they have seen in recent years, while sellers who price their homes accurately and prepare them well continue to achieve successful outcomes.

As we move through the remainder of the summer, inventory levels, mortgage rate movements, and buyer confidence will remain the key factors shaping our local housing market. Whether you’re considering buying, selling, or simply curious about your home’s current value, understanding these evolving market dynamics is more important than ever.

If you’d like to discuss how these trends affect your specific neighborhood or real estate goals, I’d be happy to help…contact Hewitt Property Group at 425-481-8889 or expert@kw.com.

April 2026 NWMLS Activity

April’s numbers show the spring market in full swing—more homes hitting the market, more activity in the field, and prices holding steady year-over-year. Inventory expanded dramatically, giving buyers far more choice than last year, even as affordability (and elevated mortgage rates) kept demand from fully matching the supply surge.

Agents of the Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS) reported 12,155 new listings in April, up 11.94% from April 2025 (10,858). Total active inventory at month end stood at 18,563 listings, up 28.38% year-over-year (14,459) and up sharply from March. Locally, King County posted 4,414 new listings and 6,163 active listings (+29.97% YoY), while Snohomish County recorded 1,582 new listings and 2,094 active listings (+58.04% YoY). Pierce County added 1,691 new listings with 2,278 active (+29.80% YoY).

Pending sales (mutually accepted agreements) came in at 7,584, up 2.00% from a year ago (7,435). King County pending sales were down 4.28% YoY (2,416 vs. 2,524), Snohomish was essentially flat (-0.68% YoY, 1,020 vs. 1,027), while Pierce County rose 11.47% YoY (1,263 vs. 1,133). Closed sales totaled 5,674, down 3.62% YoY (5,887), but up from March as typical spring momentum continued. King closed sales were 2,053 (-3.48% YoY), Snohomish 716 (-14.76% YoY), and Pierce 903 (essentially flat, -0.55% YoY).

Median prices reflected a market with more options but still rate-sensitive buyers. The area-wide median held at $650,000—unchanged year-over-year—and up modestly from March. County medians: King $859,000 (down from $907,000, -5.29% YoY), Snohomish $750,000 (-0.73% YoY), and Pierce $580,000 (+4.50% YoY). Months of inventory across the NWMLS area measured 3.27, signaling a more balanced pace than the peak years and meaning buyers have more breathing room than they did even 12 months ago.

On-the-ground activity confirmed the spring shift: keybox accesses rose to 162,421 and scheduled showings climbed to 123,324, both higher than March and higher than April of last year. Buyers are absolutely out looking—but elevated rates and uncertainty are keeping many cautious, which is why inventory can surge while closed sales remain slightly behind last year’s pace.

Bottom line: April is a market of more selection and steady activity, but still restrained by affordability. Sellers can absolutely win in this environment, but it takes intentional pricing, strong presentation, and smart positioning to stand out in a growing sea of listings. Buyers benefit from choice and negotiating room—and for many, the strategy remains: buy the right home at the right price, then refinance if/when rates ease.

👉 For a strategy tailored to your neighborhood and price point, reach out to Hewitt Property Group at 425-481-8889 or expert@kw.com.