🏡 Washington Housing Market: Buyers Have More Choices in 2026
Washington’s housing market is showing signs of becoming more balanced as inventory continues to grow and home prices ease from a year ago.
According to the latest Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS) data for August 2026, active listings across the NWMLS service area increased 22% year over year, giving buyers more than 4,400 additional properties to consider. At the same time, the median sales price for residential homes and condominiums declined 2.3% to $635,000.
More Homes Are Available
There were 24,675 active listings at the end of August, compared with 20,219 in August 2025.
New listings also increased, with 9,546 properties added during August—up 9.3% from the same month last year. Inventory increased in 25 of the 27 counties covered by NWMLS.
This gives buyers more opportunities to compare properties and may reduce some of the urgency seen during periods of tighter inventory.
Prices Vary by County
Market conditions continue to differ significantly from one county to another.
NWMLS reported August median sales prices of:
- King County: $845,000
- Snohomish County: $724,500
- Pierce County: $635,000
These figures demonstrate why buyers and sellers should look at local market data rather than relying only on statewide averages.
Sales Activity Has Slowed
While more homes are coming onto the market, buyer activity has not increased at the same pace.
NWMLS recorded 5,861 closed transactions in August, down 7.6% from August 2025. Pending sales also declined 6.5% year over year. The service area had approximately 4.21 months of inventory, compared with 3.19 months a year earlier.
What This Means for Buyers
More inventory can give buyers additional time to compare homes, conduct inspections, review financing, and negotiate terms.
Getting pre-approved for a mortgage before making an offer can still help buyers move quickly when they find the right property.
What This Means for Sellers
Sellers should pay close attention to recent comparable sales and competing listings when setting a price.
With buyers having more options, homes that are well-maintained, appropriately priced, and marketed effectively may have an advantage.
Looking Ahead
Washington’s housing market is becoming more