SEATTLE HOUSING MARKET FORECAST

Home Prices, Interest Rates, Real Estate Statistics, Video and Charts

The Seattle Housing Market At a Glance

Seattle housing market update infographic

Click Image For Full Size


3 KEY INDICATORS
Seattle Housing Market

  1. SALES ACTIVITY INTENSITY:
    • 57.7% (SURGE)
  2. INTEREST RATE:
    • 6.71% (MANAGEABLE)
  3. INVENTORY LEVEL:
    • 1.6 Months (SHORTAGE)

THE BIG DEAL

Even with economic uncertainty swirling — job market shifts, tariffs, and stock market jitters — Seattle’s housing market is holding strong. We’re in full Surge Mode, with 57.7% of homes going pending in the first 30 days and just 1.6 months of inventory. Mortgage rates have cooled slightly to 6.71%, and both buyers and sellers are stepping up. Spring’s here, and this market isn’t waiting around

Enjoy Our Seattle Housing Market Report Video


Seattle Housing Market Report: April 2025 – Spring Surge Holds Despite Uncertainty


Seattle’s housing market is charging into April with confidence, even as broader economic uncertainty looms. Buyers are undeterred by headlines and motivated by stabilizing mortgage rates and a fresh wave of new listings. The result? A competitive, high-velocity market that’s already flexing its spring strength.

The average home price climbed to $1,019,569 last month, with 57.7% of listings going pending in the first 30 days — a clear indicator of Surge-level Sales Activity Intensity™. Homes are spending just 29 days on the market, inventory remains tight at 1.6 months, and interest rates, now at 6.71%, are giving buyers just enough breathing room to stay in the game.

Bottom line: Despite the noise, real estate in Seattle is full steam ahead — and this spring market isn’t slowing down anytime soon.

Let’s break it down.


Detailed Explanation of the 3 Key Indicators
  1. Sales Activity Intensity:

    • Definition: This metric reflects the percentage of homes that go under contract within the first 30 days of listing. It's a direct indicator of the market's temperature, showing how quickly homes are moving from listing to pending status.
    • Scale:
          • <25%: Buyer's market – low demand, homes take longer to sell.
          • 25%: Healthy market – balanced demand and supply.
          • 35%: Strong market – increasing demand, sellers have a slight advantage.
          • 45%: Very strong market – high demand, multiple offers are common.
          • 55%: Surge – very high demand, significantly more buyers than available homes.
          • 65%: Frenzy – extreme demand, homes sell extremely quickly, often well above asking price.
          • 75%+: Extreme frenzy – unprecedented demand, highly competitive conditions.
    1. Monthly Inventory Levels:

      • Definition: This measures the number of months it would take to sell all current listings at the current sales pace without any new listings being added. It's a critical indicator of market balance.
      • Scale:
        • 0-1 month: Severe shortage – extremely low inventory, seller's market.
        • 1-2 months: Shortage – low inventory, strong seller's advantage.
        • 2-3 months: Low – less inventory, leaning towards sellers.
        • 3-4 months: Healthy – balanced between buyers and sellers.
        • 4-5 months: Selectability – more options for buyers, slight buyer's advantage.
        • 5+ months: Buyer's market – high inventory, buyers have leverage.
    2. Interest Rates:

      • Definition: This refers to the average mortgage rate available to homebuyers. Interest rates are a significant factor affecting affordability and buyer demand.
      • Scale (not a fixed scale but commonly accepted ranges):
        • 3-4%: Excellent – very favorable for buyers.
        • 5-6%: Good – relatively affordable for most buyers.
        • 7-8%: Uncomfortable – can slow down buyer activity as financing becomes more expensive.
        • 9-10%: Challenging – high rates can lead to decreased demand and slower market activity.

    Each of these indicators plays a crucial role in interpreting the dynamics of the Seattle housing market. By analyzing trends within these metrics, we can better understand the forces at play, predict future movements, and strategize accordingly. Whether you're looking to buy a home, sell one, or simply keep an eye on market developments, these indicators provide the insights needed to navigate the complexities of Seattle's real estate landscape.


    Sales Activity Intensity™

    Current Effect: Seattle’s Sales Activity Intensity™ surged to 57.7% in March, leaping from February’s 39.3% and putting us squarely in Surge territory. Over half of homes are now going under contract within 30 days — a clear signal that spring is here, and buyers are back in force.

    • Average days on market: 29 days (down from 38)

    • Showings per listing: 6.8

    • Showings to pending: 15 — buyers are more decisive and moving faster.

    What This Means:

    📌 For Buyers: You’re officially in a competitive market. Get pre-approved, know your max budget, and be ready to write strong, clean offers fast. Every hour counts.

    📌 For Sellers: The early spring crowd is serious. Price strategically and invest in presentation — the first weekend could be your best shot at top dollar and multiple offers.


    Monthly Inventory Levels

    Current Effect: Seattle’s inventory sits at 1.6 months, tightening even more from February’s 1.8 months. New listings are increasing, but strong demand is keeping supply lean and mean.

    • Total active listings: 1,929

    • Pending sales: 960

    • Closed sales: 788

    What This Means:

    📌 For Buyers: Yes, more listings are hitting the market — but they’re getting snapped up fast. If a home checks most of your boxes, don’t wait for the “perfect” one.

    📌 For Sellers: Inventory is still in your favor. If your home is turnkey and priced right, it won’t be lonely for long.


    Interest Rates

    Current Effect: Mortgage rates averaged 6.71% in March, a welcome dip from February’s 7.05%. It’s not low, but it’s definitely “less painful,” and buyers are adjusting.

    What This Means:

    📌 For Buyers: 6.7% isn’t dreamy, but it’s workable. Lock in early, explore rate buydowns, and look at long-term equity gains versus renting.

    📌 For Sellers: Some buyers are still rate-sensitive — incentives like 2-1 buydowns or covering closing costs can make your listing shine.


    Overall Market Trends

    Seattle’s market is accelerating into spring with confident energy. Sales are up, homes are moving quicker, and buyers sidelined in late 2024 are re-entering with adjusted expectations. Even with rates in the high 6s, the pressure of rising prices is driving urgency.

    Buyers: They’re back and bolder.

    Sellers: You’ve got the edge — for now.


    Key Takeaways

    For Sellers:

    ✔ List now while inventory is still low
    ✔ First impressions count — stage, photograph, and price right
    ✔ Sweeten the pot — a little flexibility can go a long way

    For Buyers:

    ✔ Get pre-approved and stay ready
    ✔ Act quickly on homes that check your boxes
    ✔ Use terms and creativity to win in multiple-offer situations


    Residential Resale Snapshot

    🔹 Avg. Sale Price: $1,019,569

    🔹 Avg. Days on Market: 29

    🔹 Sold-to-List Ratio: 101.7%

    🔹 Total Volume: $803.4M

    🔹 Pending in First 30 Days: 57.7%


    Condos

    🔹 Great option for first-time buyers or those priced out of single-family homes

    🔹 Avg. Price/SqFt: $595

    🔹 HOA dues remain a big factor — budget accordingly


    New Construction

    🔹 Avg. Price: $1,059,482

    🔹 Inventory: 2.7 months — more breathing room

    🔹 Days on Market: 38

    🔹 Sold-to-List Ratio: 99.8%

    🔹 Avg. Price/SqFt: $634

    🔹 Closed Volume: $176.9M

    🔹 Showings to Pending: 11

    What’s Trending:
    📌 Builder incentives like rate buydowns, appliance packages, and closing cost credits
    📌 Energy-efficient features and smart home tech are major draws
    📌 Flexible financing options from builder-affiliated lenders


    The Rent vs. Buy Conversation

    With Seattle’s average 3-bedroom rent hitting $3,825/month, buying a $700K home at today’s rates could result in a similar or even lower monthly payment — plus equity growth. For anyone planning to stay 5+ years, buying still wins the long game.


    The Fed’s Influence

    The Fed is staying cautious, with no major rate cuts expected until late 2025. Inflation is still sticky, so expect rates in the 6–7% range to be the “new normal” for the foreseeable future.

    What This Means:

    📌 Don’t wait for 5% rates — prices may climb faster than rates fall.
    📌 Locking in now could be a better long-term move than waiting.


    Seasonality

    📌 Spring Surge Is Here — competition is ramping up.
    📌 List Early, Shop Early — beat the peak-season crowd and capitalize on early momentum.

    It’s Spring, The Market is Moving!

    In March, the market began anticipating the full momentum of spring’s increased Sales Activity Intensity™, with both sellers and buyers actively preparing. In the past 31 days, we have seen a trend of more listings and more homes going under contract compared to this time last year. Buyers are experiencing better availability and a decrease in interest rates. J Lennox Scott


    LENNOX SCOTT

    CEO of John L. Scott Real Estate


    Lennox Scott
    Seattle Real Estate GRAPHS AND Data

    SALES ACTIVITY AND INVENTORY


    seattle days on market

    Current Effect:

    Seattle’s housing inventory now sits at 1.8 months, up slightly from February’s 1.7 months — but still deep in seller’s market territory. Translation? If no new listings came online, Seattle would run out of homes to sell in just 54 days. For a major metro, that’s extremely tight.

    In March, the market saw:

    • 🏡 1,116 new listings

    • 📈 805 homes went pending

    • 🛒 667 homes sold

    This blend of rising listings and strong pending activity signals a market that’s heating up fast. Buyer confidence is clearly on the rise, boosted by slightly lower interest rates and that unmistakable spring energy. The competition is fiercest in the $500K–$1.25M sweet spot — where 54% of homes are going pending within the first 30 days. That’s strong Sales Activity Intensity™, teetering just below Surge territory.

    Meanwhile, the luxury market ($2M+) is seeing steady — albeit slower — traction. High-end buyers are laser-focused on quality: top school districts, killer views, ADUs, and energy-efficient upgrades are what’s getting attention.


    Why Does Low Inventory Matter?

    📉 Inventory under 3–4 months = low
    📈 Tight supply + strong demand = upward price pressure

    Even with rates around 6.74%, buyer urgency is keeping the pace fast and prices stable — or climbing.


    Key Takeaways:

    📌 For Buyers:
    Speed still wins. While the average days on market is 29–38 days, hot homes in desirable neighborhoods and price bands are getting multiple offers in a flash. Pre-approval, strong terms, and flexibility can help tip the scales in your favor.

    📌 For Sellers:
    You’ve got the edge. With low competition and solid buyer demand, especially under $1.5M, now is the time to list. Homes priced over $2M will need strategic marketing and presentation — but there’s still a strong buyer pool for well-positioned properties.

    MARKET INTENSITY

    Image

    Current Effect:

    In March 2025, 54% of homes in Seattle went pending within the first 30 days — a sharp leap from February’s 39.3%. That officially pushes us into Surge territory, signaling strong demand, fast-moving buyers, and a market shaking off its winter slowdown.

    This acceleration is powered by early spring energy, slightly lower mortgage rates, and a welcome uptick in new listings. Buyers aren’t hesitating — especially in the hot zone of $500K–$1.25M, where competition is fierce and multiple-offer situations are increasingly common.

    In the luxury segment ($1.5M–$2M), around 51% of listings also went pending within 30 days — proof that high-end buyers are still active, particularly in sought-after areas offering great schools, views, and lifestyle perks.

    The takeaway? Buyers are willing to move fast and bid strong — but only for the right home. Well-priced, move-in ready listings are getting scooped up, while homes that miss the mark on price or presentation are sitting longer and facing markdowns.


    Key Takeaways:

    📌 For Buyers:
    Be ready. Half of the homes hitting the market are gone within a month. If you’re shopping in a competitive price range, get pre-approved, monitor new listings closely, and have your offer game tight. The window to act is short — and shrinking.

    📌 For Sellers:
    You’ve got the momentum — if your pricing and prep are on point. Homes with strong curb appeal, smart upgrades, and realistic pricing are moving quickly, sometimes above asking. Even in the luxury bracket, lifestyle-driven features like smart tech, EV charging, and killer outdoor spaces are pulling serious buyer interest. Just don’t get greedy — today’s buyers are sharp, and overpricing will stall momentum fast.

    PRICE

    Current Effect:

    The average sale price for homes in Seattle in March 2025 rose to $1,019,569, up from $965,331 in February — a strong month-over-month gain that reinforces the market’s resilience. Even in a higher interest rate environment, persistently low inventory and strong buyer demand are continuing to apply upward pressure on prices.

    By Property Type:

    • 🏠 Single-Family Homes: $1,164,575

    • 🏢 Condos: $705,492

    Five-Year Appreciation:

    Looking back to March 2020, when the average Seattle home price was $829,693, overall home values have jumped 22.9% over five years — a testament to the market’s durability through economic shifts.

    • 🔹 Single-Family Homes: Up 26.7% (from $919,064 to $1,164,575)

    • 🔹 Condos: Up 27.3% (from $554,065 to $705,492)

    Whether you're a homeowner or hoping to become one, those numbers speak for themselves: Seattle real estate continues to be one of the strongest long-term investments in the region.

    Pricing Dynamics:

    • 💰 List-to-Sale Price Ratio: 101.9% — homes are still selling over asking, especially in that hot $500K–$1.25M range.

    • 📈 Correctly priced, move-in ready homes are drawing multiple offers, while overpriced or outdated listings are lagging behind.


    Key Takeaways:

    📌 For Sellers:
    Seattle’s housing market continues to reward well-positioned properties. With nearly 23% appreciation in five years, your equity gains are real — and growing. For best results, focus on pricing smart, highlighting modern features, and launching with strong marketing from day one.

    📌 For Buyers:
    The market isn’t waiting, and history shows that “time in the market” beats “timing the market” every time. Even with today’s rates, locking in a purchase now means building equity for the future. Bonus: You’re buying into a market with a proven appreciation track record, whether you’re going condo or single-family.

    TIMING

    yearly housing cycles


    Seasonality: Welcome to the Spring Surge Phase

    According to the John L. Scott 6 Phases of the Yearly Housing Cycle, we’re officially shifting out of the New Year Kickoff Phase and stepping full-throttle into the Spring Surge Phase — the busiest, most competitive stretch of the year in Seattle real estate.

    This transition typically brings:

    🌷 A surge in new listings as sellers aim to capitalize on peak buyer demand
    🚪 Increased open house traffic as weather warms and buyers get serious
    ⚔️ Escalating competition — especially in high-demand neighborhoods and price brackets under $1.25M

    And we’re already feeling the heat. March’s numbers show homes going pending faster, tight inventory levels, and energized buyer activity — all signs that spring momentum is already building.


    What This Means:

    📌 For Sellers:
    Now is your moment. Inventory is still tight, and buyers are motivated. Listing in early April could mean fewer competing homes and more leverage at the negotiation table — especially if your home shows well and is priced right.

    📌 For Buyers:
    The clock is ticking. More listings are coming, yes — but so are more buyers. Acting now, while others are still circling or getting pre-approved, could give you a crucial edge. Homes under $1.25M in hot areas? Already seeing bidding wars. And it's only going to intensify.


    JOB AND POPULATION GROWTH


    unemployement rates by county

    WA Employment Security Department

    Where Counties are Growing[Source: U.S. Census Bureau]


    Seattle Market Stats

    STATS PROVIDED BY: INFOSPARK

    RESIDENTAL RESALE

    • $1,019,569  was the average sold price for listings in Seattle.
    • 1,414 new listings went on the market this month.
    • 1,929 homes were for sale during the month.
    • 960 homes went pending in Seattle.
    • 788 homes sold this month
    • 1.6 months of inventory available in Seattle
    • 29 was the average days on market for a home to sell in Seattle
    • 101.7% was the average listing price vs. sales price percentage
    • $592 was the average price per square foot in Seattle
    • $803,420,221 was the total closed sales volume for Seattle
    • 6.71% was the interest rate
    • 57.7% of homes sold in the first 30 days in Seattle
    • 15 Average showings to Pending
    • 6.8 Showings per Listing

    NEW CONSTRUCTION

    • $1,059,482  was the average sold price for new construction in Seattle.
    • 251 new construction listings went on the market this month.
    • 449 new construction homes were for sale during the month.
    • 172 new construction homes went pending in Seattle.
    • 167 new construction homes sold this month
    • 2.7 months of new construction inventory available in Seattle
    • 38 was the average days on market for a new construction to sell in Seattle
    • 99.8% was the average listing price vs. sales price percentage
    • $634 was the average price per square foot in Seattle
    • $176,933,481 was the total closed sales volume for Seattle
    • 6.71% was the interest rate
    • 11 Average showings to Pending
    • 4.2 Showings per Listing

    SEATTLE HOMES FOR SALE



    SEARCH SEATTLE LISTINGS

    SEATTLE HOUSING MARKET Summary


    As we wrap up our analysis of the Seattle housing market for March 2025, one thing is clear — momentum is no longer building, it’s here. We’ve officially entered the Spring Surge Phase, and all signs point to a fast-moving, competitive season ahead.

    • 🕒 Homes are now selling in just 29 days on average — down from 38 in February, and a sharp contrast to the 54-day pace earlier this year.

    • 💰 List-to-sale price ratio: 101.9%, confirming that well-priced homes aren’t just selling — they’re selling above asking.

    • Sales Activity Intensity™ surged to 57.7%, meaning more than half of all homes are going pending in the first 30 days — a jump from February’s 39.3% and solidly in Surge territory.

    • 📉 Inventory remains tight at 1.6 months, despite 1,414 new listings, which still leaves us in a low-supply environment — especially under $1.25M.

    • 📊 Interest rates are holding at 6.71%, down from 7.05%, which is fueling renewed buyer confidence and market engagement.


    Looking Ahead

    📌 For Sellers:
    You’ve got the upper hand — for now. Low inventory and high buyer activity are a winning combo, but only if you price strategically and present your home with care. Buyers are moving fast, but they’re still watching the numbers. Even luxury listings are landing solid offers if they’re well-prepped and marketed to the right audience.

    📌 For Buyers:
    Speed, strategy, and preparation are key. In the under $1.25M market, competition is already intense. Get pre-approved, work with a savvy broker, and be ready to write creative, compelling offers — whether it’s through flexible terms, rate buy-down requests, or inspection adjustments.


    The Big Picture

    The Seattle housing market is entering its most active season with tight inventory, eager buyers, and homes moving quickly. For buyers, acting early in the surge may mean less competition and better leverage before peak-season bidding wars ramp up. For sellers, the next 4–6 weeks represent a prime window to list while buyer energy is high and inventory remains low.

    Whether you’re making your first move or your fifth, understanding these market dynamics — and working with a seasoned local expert — can help you make the most of this powerful spring market.

    Share this post!