What are the three big housing-market questions you’ll get asked this season, and how should you answer them for the Greater Seattle Area?
In short: inventory is better than it was a year or two ago, financing has gotten a bit easier with lower mortgage rates, and waiting for a “crash” is still a risky bet especially in our micro-markets where well-priced homes move fast.
1) “Will I even be able to find a home if I want to move?”
You have more options than you did in the recent past. Across the NWMLS, active listings this fall ran higher than last year, giving you more selection and a little more breathing room to shop. In plain English: it’s not the frenzy of 2021 anymore, and you can actually compare homes without writing on day one. For hot pockets (think close-in Seattle neighborhoods and desirable Eastside price bands), the good ones still go quickly, so prep matters.
Seattle take: if you’re selling, that same improved selection means you must show up polished: pre-inspection, smart pricing, professional prep. If you’re buying, we map “Plan A/Plan B” neighborhoods so you see primary targets and two alternates with similar lifestyle benefits without drifting into bidding-war land.
2) “Will I ever be able to afford a house?”
Affordability has inched in the right direction. Mortgage rates have eased to some of the lowest levels in over a year, which can lower monthly payments compared to midsummer quotes. That doesn’t mean mortgages are “cheap,” but it does mean your approval and payment math may pencil today when it didn’t a few months back. If rates drift lower later, refinancing is your safety valve.
Seattle take: use today’s rate to lock a home that fits your life, not a headline. We’ll right-size the budget, explore payment buydowns or lender-paid credits when appropriate, and avoid repairs that explode your first-year costs. Your win is a payment you can live with and a home that lives well.
3) “Should I wait for prices to drop?”
Waiting for a bargain can quietly cost you more especially if the home you love is the one that gets away. Nationally, price growth has cooled from the peak pace, but broad “price drops” aren’t the base case many analysts expect; here in the Greater Seattle Area, well-located, move-in-ready homes still command attention. If you’re ready, steadier rates and improved selection make this market more navigable—and you can always refinance if rates dip again.
Seattle take: time the move, not the market. We’ll choose list timing that suits your life, prep for maximum day-one impact, and negotiate terms that protect your timeline and bottom line.
How to Put This to Work (Your Practical Game Plan)
- Sellers: Do a pre-market audit (repairs, paint, lighting, landscaping), price to the market you’re in (not the one you wish for), and insist on strategic launch marketing—not just an MLS upload.
- Buyers: Get fully underwritten (not pre-qualified), stack your offer terms (timelines, reserves, thoughtful contingencies), and focus on value you can control (inspection knowledge, lender options, closing precision).
- Everyone: Build a decision window (e.g., “If the right house appears in 30–45 days, we act; otherwise we pause”). That keeps you proactive versus reactive to headlines.
Final Takeaway
You don’t need to “win the market.” You need to win your move. In Greater Seattle, that means using today’s improved selection, today’s more manageable rates, and a clear plan tailored to your neighborhood and price band. When you’re ready, I’ll help you time, prep, and negotiate like a pro.
Take your next course of action
Ready to talk strategy for your situation? Book a free 15-minute consult with me, Reba Haas of Team Reba, REALTOR®, Greater Seattle Area: https://calendly.com/teamreba/free-15-minute-consultation
