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Washington State NWMLS Market Update for February 2026


Market Recap

Inventory continued to expand across the region in February, providing buyers with significantly more options than a year ago. Active listings increased nearly 28% year over year to 13,341 properties, with 19 of 27 counties posting double-digit gains. Compared to January, inventory rose 7.8%, signaling continued seller participation heading into the spring market.

Closed sales totaled 4,139 transactions, down 3% from February 2025 but up 19.5% from January. The median sales price for residential homes and condominiums reached $620,000, down 1.6% from last year while rising 4.2% compared to the prior month.

Key Takeaways

Active Listings

  • The total number of properties listed for sale increased nearly 28% year over year, with 13,341 active listings on the market at the end of February 2026, compared to 10,448 at the end of February 2025. Month over month, active inventory increased by 7.8%, up from 12,376 in January 2026.

Closed Sales

  • Closed sales decreased 3% year over year, with 4,139 sales in February 2026 compared to 4,268 in February 2025. Month over month, sales increased 19.5%, up from 3,465 in January 2026.

Median Sales Price

  • The median sales price for residential homes and condominiums sold in February 2026 was $620,000, a 1.6% decrease from February 2025 ($630,000). Month over month, the median price increased 4.2% from $595,000 in January 2026.

Source: NWMLS 3/4/26

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Open Shelves in Kitchens Remain Popular


Open shelving remains a popular kitchen design trend in 2026, despite predictions of it falling out of favor. The trend offers affordability and adaptability, making it a practical choice for a range of kitchen layouts. Read more…

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New Rule for Non-Financed Transactions

A new federal residential real estate rule aimed at cracking down on money laundering went into effect March 1st. It impacts transactions involving buyer entities or trusts where the purchase is not financed, such as all-cash sales and sales involving non-regulated lenders. Here’s what you need to know…

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Tips to Avoid Burnout in Real Estate

Did you know that 80% of real estate agents burnout in their first two years? From finding suitable properties to pricing them to market demand and listing them, working in real estate is taxing. The constant need for a fresh set of ideas and solutions can be draining.

The lack of routine and a schedule combined with a constant high-pressure state can make even the most optimistic agents feel fatigued. The business is set up so that if you don’t take intentional care of yourself, burnout is almost inevitable. The best way to avoid burnout is to make sure you’re taking care of yourself and your business in a way that’s sustainable and prioritizes your needs.

Read the tips…

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National Housing Snapshot for January 2026


Existing-home sales decreased by 8.4% in January, according to the National Association of REALTORS® Existing-Home Sales Report.

Month-over-month and year-over-year sales fell in all regions.

“The decrease in sales is disappointing. The below-normal temperatures and above-normal precipitation this January make it harder than usual to assess the underlying driver of the decrease and determine if this month’s numbers are an aberration,” said NAR Chief Economist Dr. Lawrence Yun. “Affordability conditions are improving, with NAR’s Housing Affordability Index showing that housing is the most affordable it’s been since March 2022. This is due to wage gains outpacing home price growth and mortgage rates being lower than a year ago. However, supply has not kept pace and remains quite low.”

“Due to low supply, the median home price reached a new high for the month of January,” Yun added. “Homeowners are in a financially comfortable position as a result. Since January 2020, a typical homeowner would have accumulated $130,500 in housing wealth.”

Affordability improved for the seventh consecutive month, according to NAR’s Housing Affordability Index—increasing to 116.5 in January from 111.6 in December and 102 a year ago.

Total Existing-Home Sales

  • 8.4% decrease in existing-home sales month over month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.91 million.
  • 4.4% decrease in sales year over year.

Inventory

  • 1.22 million units: Total housing inventory, down 0.8% from December and up 3.4% from January 2025 (1.18 million).
  • 3.7-month supply of unsold inventory, up from 3.5 months in December and one year ago.

Median Sales Price

  • $396,800: Median existing-home price for all housing types, up 0.9% from one year ago ($393,400) – the 31st consecutive month of year-over-year price increases.

Read more details, including regional data, here…

Source: National Association of REALTORS® 2/12/26

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22613 132nd Pl SE, Kent, WA 98042


$679,950

3 bedrooms + large loft; 2.5 bathrooms; 2,090 square feet

Beautifully maintained former model home offered for sale for the first time! This spacious residence features a bright, open floor plan with generous room sizes, abundant storage, and thoughtfully designed living spaces throughout. The kitchen includes some stainless steel appliances, a double oven, double sink, center island, eating area, and a large pantry — ideal for everyday living and entertaining! All appliances stay, including washer and dryer. The versatile layout offers 3 bedrooms plus a large loft that can serve as a family room, office, or flexible bonus space. The primary suite includes a bathroom with a wide soaking tub for relaxation. Energy-efficient gas furnace and water heater add comfort and efficiency. Enjoy outdoor living with a patio, fully fenced yard featuring a gate, sprinkler system, and access from the 3-car garage, where all shelving is included for added storage. Two security systems are installed — one monitoring doors and windows and another with cameras. Located in the Fern Crest community, residents enjoy two parks with playgrounds, including one with a sport court and expansive open space. Conveniently situated on Kent’s East Hill near shopping, dining, and the scenic Soos Creek Trail!

A link to more details, photos, floor plan and the 360 degree tour on my website…

Sold 5/29/26

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Washington State NWMLS Market Update for January 2026


Market Recap

January housing market data shows a continuation of recent trends, with growing inventory outpacing buyer demand across much of Washington state. Active listings increased nearly 21% year over year, while closed sales declined 7% and median prices fell 3%.

“Substantial year-over-year growth in active listings continues to be accompanied by much slower, even negative growth in sales and median prices,” said Steven Bourassa, director of the Washington Center for Real Estate Research at the University of Washington.

Compared to December, inventory rose nearly 6% in January, while closed sales dropped 31% and median prices declined about 3%. The data suggests more homeowners are willing to sell, while affordability constraints continue to limit buyer participation.

Key Takeaways

Active Listings

  • The total number of properties listed for sale increased 20.9% year over year, with 12,376 active listings on the market at the end of January 2026, compared to 10,241 at the end of January 2025. Month over month, active inventory increased by 5.6%, up from 11,718 in December 2025.

Closed Sales

  • Closed sales decreased 7% year over year, with 3,465 transactions in January 2026 compared to 3,727 in January 2025. Month over month, sales decreased 30.8% from 5,010 in December 2025.

Median Sales Price

  • The median sales price for residential homes and condominiums sold in January 2026 was $595,000, down 3.25% from January 2025 ($615,000). Month over month, the median price declined 2.8% from $612,250 in December 2025.
  • The counties with the highest median sales prices were San Juan ($969,000), King ($770,000), and Snohomish ($678,500), while the lowest median prices were recorded in Columbia ($265,000), Okanogan ($330,000), and Grant ($339,900).

Source: NWMLS 2/4/26

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Tips to Make Small Spaces Feel Bigger


Interior designers offer tips to make small homes feel more spacious, including maximizing natural light with wall mirrors, using soft paint colors to reflect more light and choosing appropriately scaled furniture. They also recommend multifunctional furniture for added storage, utilizing vertical space for storage and shelving, and installing curtains close to the ceiling to create the illusion of height.

Read more…

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Washington REALTORS® Legislative Priorities for the 2026 Session

I’m in Olympia today, meeting with Legislators in my district, as well as others, to advocate for these Legislative Priorities.

I’m especially excited to advocate for Ensuring Public Marketing of Residential Housing Opportunities. The proposed legislation would require all listings to be marketed publicly and be available to all brokers. If passed, this legislation will promote transparency, fairness, and equal access in the residential real estate market.

For info about all of the Washington REALTORS® Legislative Priorities: https://www.warealtor.org/advocacy-legal/government-affairs/legislation

For more info about Ensuring Public Marketing: https://www.warealtor.org/advocacy-legal/government-affairs/legislation/2026-legislative-session/ensuring-public-listings

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National Housing Snapshot for December 2025



Existing-home sales increased by 5.1% in December, according to the National Association of REALTORS® Existing-Home Sales Report. Month-over-month sales increased in all regions. Year-over-year sales increased in the South, remained flat in the Midwest and West, and decreased in the Northeast.

Total Existing-Home Sales for December

  • 5.1% increase in existing-home sales month over month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.35 million.
  • 1.4% increase in sales year over year.

Inventory in December

  • 1.18 million units: Total housing inventory, down 18.1% from November and up 3.5% from December 2024 (1.14 million).
  • 3.3-month supply of unsold inventory, down from 4.2 months in November and up from 3.2 months in December 2024.

Median Sales Price in December

  • $405,400: Median existing-home price for all housing types, up 0.4% from one year ago ($403,700) – the 30th consecutive month of year-over-year price increases.

Read more details, including regional data, here…

Source: National Association of REALTORS® 1/14/26