Real Estate News & Information • January 20, 2026

Local Market Update – January 2026

by Don Koonce

As 2025 came to a close, December delivered a steadier-than-expected finish for the local real estate market. Inventory remained higher than a year ago, providing added options for buyers and easing prices. With December’s results closely aligned with October and November, the market’s long-term direction may hinge on whether active listings continue to grow as we move into spring.

KING COUNTY

In King County, December’s single-family home values remained resilient, with the median price rising 3% year over year to $899,950. Active inventory stayed elevated, finishing 35% higher than last December, giving buyers more choice than they had a year ago. Sales activity held relatively steady year over year, suggesting buyer engagement remained intact despite shifting affordability and inventory dynamics. In the condo market, the median sold price inched up 1% from last year to $530,000, while active listings increased 14%.

SEATTLE

Sales activity in Seattle softened at year-end, with closed sales down 10% year over year and declining further from November, as expected during the holiday season. Active listings were 28% higher than last December, contributing to a more balanced market environment. Pricing held relatively steady amid these shifts, with the median residential sold price up 2% year over year to $914,000. Seattle’s condo market also saw modest gains, with the median price rising 1% year over year to $555,000, while active listings grew 14%.

EASTSIDE

The Eastside closed December with a 3% year-over-year decrease in the median residential sold price, settling at $1,500,000. Closed sales activity showed renewed momentum, rising 29% compared to last year. Inventory continued to be the most pronounced shift in the Eastside market, with active listings 65% higher year over year, creating more balanced conditions than buyers experienced last winter. The Eastside condo market also posted gains, with the median price up 7% year over year to $741,250, alongside a 29% increase in active listings.

SNOHOMISH COUNTY

Snohomish County continued its shift to a more balanced market as the year ended. Inventory remained elevated, with active listings up 40% year over year, giving buyers increased leverage and reducing the urgency that defined earlier market conditions. Sales activity slowed compared to last year, with pending sales down 12% and closed sales declining 3%. Pricing adjusted alongside these shifts, as the median single-family home price fell 4% year over year to $760,000. In the condo segment, prices declined 8% year over year to $505,000, while inventory rose 30%.

As we settle into a new year, rising inventory continues to reshape the playing field—impacting buyer demand, pricing strategies, and overall market dynamics. The real test will come this spring, when increased selection meets peak buying season. In a rapidly evolving marketplace, having the up-to-the-minute insights and expert guidance of a trusted Windermere advisor is more important than ever.

7 Tips for Sustainable Living at Home

by Don Koonce

There’s always room for improvement in a household’s quest to go green. From how you use your appliances to the way you consume and dispose of food, every lifestyle choice you make at home presents an opportunity to be more eco-friendly. Adopting more sustainable practices has obvious environmental benefits and helps to improve quality of life, but it can also increase your home value and in some cases may generate extra cash.

7 Tips for Sustainable Living at Home

1. Create a Sustainable Kitchen

The kitchen is responsible for a decent portion of your home’s energy output. Choosing energy-efficient appliances can help to improve your household’s sustainability by using less energy. Reusable materials go a long way in the kitchen as well. Even seemingly small changes like switching from single use to reusable grocery bags and eliminating paper towels can make an impact. Using natural cleaning products will keep your kitchen cleaner longer while improving your home’s air quality, and being mindful about water usage can save on utility bills.

5 Ways to Create a Sustainable Kitchen

2. Plant an Herb Garden

To further improve your home’s sustainability, consider planting an herb garden. This helps to cut down on repeatedly buying spices and seasonings at the grocery store while cultivating a natural ambience in your home. (And they’re fun to cook with, too!) Do indoor plants need sunlight? Of course, so be sure to position your indoor garden in an area where your plants have direct access. Once you’ve picked out a spot, decide which herbs you’d like to grow. Some of the most common herbs are easy to grow and will pair well with whatever’s on the menu—basil, thyme, cilantro, parsley, oregano, etc.

How to Plant an Herb Garden

3. Tips for a More Energy Efficient Home

The first step in becoming more energy efficient at home is understanding your energy output. Once you understand your household’s habits, you can identify which cutbacks will help you chart a more sustainable path forward. Energy-efficient lightbulbs can help you save on utility bills. Because they use less energy that standard lightbulbs, they typically last longer as well. Make sure your home is properly insulated and your windows’ caulking and weatherstripping is in good condition. Air leaks and poor insulation waste energy and will cause spikes in your utility bills.

8 Tips for a More Energy Efficient Home

Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: Nattakorn Maneerat

4. Reduce Waste at Home

Every household produces some sort of waste, but it’s how that waste is treated that makes all the difference for the environment. Clean your recycling to make it easier to process and do your best to only buy what you plan to eat. Start a compost bin for extra food scraps or consider other agricultural solutions for disposing of it. Consider buying items like shampoo, conditioner, moisturizers, and the like in bulk to cut down on packaging waste. Reusable glass containers or jars will help you portion out meals and provide a useful way to store bulk items like rice and beans.

A Guide to Going Low-to-Zero Waste

5. Use Solar Energy

Yes, making the switch to solar energy comes with significant upfront costs. But an investment in solar is not just an investment in the health of the planet, it can increase your home value as well. The energy savings you’ll generate in the long-term will depend on your household’s level of consumption and the power generated by your solar panels. And if you’re generating more power than you’re consuming, you may be able to sell the surplus energy back to the grid. For more information on solar-based incentives and tax breaks by state, visit DSIRE (Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency®).

Your Guide to Going Solar

Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: ArtistGNDphotography

6. Sustainable Gardening Best Practices

Even for the green thumbs, there’s opportunity to go greener at home. A garden is only as healthy as its soil. Mulching is vital to soil health and helps to reduce weed growth. Animal manure also has the power to enrich garden soil, both as a fertilizer and conditioner. Organic weed killers made with natural ingredients will maintain your garden’s health while keeping unwanted weeds at bay. Apply this same organic mindset to dealing with slugs as well. Certain types of slug bait may possess certain chemicals that do more harm than good, especially if you have farm animals on your property like chickens or goats.

10 Tips for Sustainable Gardening

7. Sustainable Laundry Room Tips

Before you begin your next cycle in the laundry room, consider some methods of reducing energy. Because the heating of water is responsible for a majority of the energy generated by doing laundry, using cold water can help you save on energy costs. Cold water is also gentler on clothing. Clean the dryer vent and filter regularly to keep it unclogged and running efficiently. Consider hang-drying when possible, and in warmer months, air dry your clothes to save a dryer cycle.

Saving in the Laundry Room

For more information on sustainable living, helpful advice on home upgrades, plus tips on DIY home projects and more, visit the Living section of our blog.

Windermere Blog – Living

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Buyers • January 13, 2026

To Buy New or Old, That is the Question

by Don Koonce

If you’re shopping for a new home, there are a number of factors you need to consider in order to narrow down your search criteria. Because before you can get too deep into your home search, you need to identify your needs, figure out your wants, and decide if there are any deal breakers that don’t work for you, such as the age, style, and location of your dream house. As you weigh the option between a new build or an older resale, here are six differences to note.

The Neighborhood

Surprisingly, one of the biggest factors in choosing a new home isn’t the property itself, but rather the surrounding neighborhood. While new homes occasionally spring up in established communities, most are built in new developments. The settings are quite different, each with their own unique benefits.

Older neighborhoods often feature tree-lined streets; larger property lots; a wide array of architectural styles; easy access to mass transportation, restaurants, and local shops; and more established relationships among neighbors.

New developments are better known for wider streets and quiet cul-de-sacs; controlled development; fewer above ground utilities; more parks; and often newer public facilities (schools, libraries, pools, etc.).

Consider your daily work commute, too. While not always true, older neighborhoods tend to be closer to major employment centers, mass transportation, and multiple car routes (neighborhood arterials, highways, and freeways), and new construction homes are usually found on the outskirts of city limits where there’s more land available for the development. The main exception being new townhouses on lots in the middle of established neighborhoods.

Design and Layout

If you like Victorian, Craftsman, or Cape Cod style homes, it used to be that you would have to buy an older home from the appropriate era. But with new-home builders now offering modern takes on those classic designs, that’s no longer the case. There are even modern log homes available.

Have you given much thought to what type of floor plan you want? If you have your heart set on an open-concept layout with an entertainment kitchen, spacious primary suite, and walk-in closets, you’ll likely want to buy a newer home—or plan to do some heavy remodeling of an older home. Unless they’ve already been remodeled, most older homes feature more closed floor plans with structural separation between rooms.

If you have a specific home décor style in mind, you’ll want to take that into consideration, as well. Professional designers say it’s typically best if the style and era of your furnishings match the style and era of your house. But if you are willing to adapt, then the options are wide open.

Materials and Craftsmanship

Homes built before material and labor costs spiked in the late 1950s have a reputation for higher-grade lumber and old-world craftsmanship like hardwood floors, old-growth timber supports, ornate siding, artistic molding, etc.

However, newer homes have the benefit of modern materials and more advanced building codes, such as copper or polyurethane plumbing, better insulation, double-pane windows, modern electrical wiring, earthquake/ windstorm supports, and so on.

Current Condition

The condition of a home for sale is a top consideration for any buyer, whether you plan to do a little work or not. However, age is a factor here, as well. For example, if the exterior of a newer home needs repainting, it’s a relatively easy task to determine the cost. But if it’s a home built before the 1970s, you have to also consider the fact that the underlying paint is most likely lead-based, and that the wood siding may have rot or other structural issues that need to be addressed before it can be re-coated.

On the flip side, the mechanicals in older homes (lights, heating systems, sump pump, etc.) tend to be better built and last longer.

Regardless of the age of the home or the apparent condition, it’s important to get a home inspection from a professional.

Outdoor Space

One of the great things about older homes is that they usually come with mature trees and bushes already in place. Buyers of new homes may have to wait years for ornamental trees, fruit trees, roses, ferns, and other long-term vegetation to fill in a yard, create shade, provide privacy, and develop into an inviting outdoor space. However, maybe you have the patience and interest in building the yard you want, or you’re one of the many homeowners who prefer the wide-open, low-maintenance benefits of a lightly planted yard.

Car Considerations

Like it or not, most of us are dependent on our cars for daily transportation. And here again, you’ll find a big difference between newer and older homes.

Newer homes in developments almost always feature ample off-street parking: usually a two-car garage and a wide driveway. Some new construction even includes electric vehicle charging stations as electric and hybrid cars become more mainstream. An older home, depending on just how old it is, may not offer a garage—and if it does, there’s often only enough space for one small or mid-sized car. For people who don’t want to leave their car on the street, this alone can be a determining factor.

Finalizing Your Decision

While the differences between older and newer homes are striking, there’s certainly no right or wrong answer. It is a matter of personal taste, and what is available in your desired area. To quickly determine which direction your taste trends, use the information above to make a list of your most desired features, then categorize those according to the type of house in which they’re most likely to be found. The results can often be telling.

Design • January 8, 2026

What is a Rambler House? 5 Features of Ranch-Style Architecture

by Don Koonce

The distinct rambler architectural style is known by several names: rambler, ranch house, California ranch, and more. Whatever you call it, it has played an important role in the evolution of the American home. From its spacious interior to its welcoming layout, these homes are tailor-made for a comfortable home life.

History of the Rambler House

It wasn’t until the 1950s and 1960s that the rambler became a staple of domestic American life as the suburban boom reached new heights. The intention behind the architecture was simple: design the perfect post-war American home. The term “rambler” was a reference to the way the single-story design sprawled—or rambled—across the landscape. This home design mirrored the landscape of the American West and allowed for expansive views of surrounding land on a level plain.

Over time, the rambler style began to take on elements of modern design and eventually evolved into split-level homes, creating variants such as “raised ranch style,” “suburban ranch style,” and “storybook rambler.” To this day, these homes are found in great numbers across the country.

Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: pbk-pg

5 Features of Ranch-Style Rambler Homes

1. Low-Pitched Roof and Eaves

Similar to the Craftsman style home, it’s common for ranch-style homes to have low-pitched roofs and overhanging eaves. These architectural features help to give ranch-style homes their distinct sprawling look.

2. Open Floorplan

Ramblers are known for their open interiors that allow for easy movement throughout the home’s horizontal spaces. The spacious layout is often anchored by a central area which creates a feeling a continuity between rooms, a concept that was influenced by modern architecture.

3. One-Story Buildings

Though their wide layouts make for large footprints, the majority of rambler homes are one-story structures. The terms “rambler” and “ranch house” are used interchangeably. However, raised ranch houses and split-level ranch houses will often have a basement, whereas the classic rambler home is a one-story building with a ground-level entry.

4. Attached Garage

This was one of the first architectural styles to incorporate an attached garage into the home design. This evolution in home design perfectly suited the needs of the modern American family in the 1950s and 1960s.

5. Connection to the Outdoors

In another nod to modernist homes, ramblers often prioritized outdoor spaces for entertaining and gathering. This connection to the outdoors is reinforced by large windows and easy access to back patios to create a connection between nature and the home itself.

For more information on different home designs, check out our Architectural Styles page.

Featured Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: JohnnyGreig

Buyers • January 6, 2026

8 Costs of Renting a Home

by Don Koonce

If you’re not quite ready to buy a house, it may be better to rent for the time being. Though renting can be the more affordable option, being a tenant in someone else’s home still comes with its own unique set of costs. Here are eight common costs you should be aware of before signing a lease.

Should I rent or buy a house?

8 Costs of Renting

1. Renting Application Fee

One of the first costs you’ll run into is the application fee. Landlords want to make sure you’re a good candidate for signing onto their lease, so they’ll go through a process to verify the information listed on your application including your employment, financial history, credit score, past tenancy, etc. The application fee covers the clerical work required to verify this info.

2. Security Deposit

Similar to making a down payment on a house, a security deposit is a large upfront expense that solidifies your application. Security deposits vary based on the terms of the agreement. They can be a flat fee but are more often equal to one month’s rent, and sometimes more. Fortunately, they are usually refundable when you move out, as long as you have taken good care of the property and have adhered to the terms of your lease. You must account for the security deposit when renting, since you’re essentially paying double a normal month’s rent to move in.

3. Pet Deposit and Pet Fee

Finding a place that allows pets will be your first challenge as a renter. Some landlords forbid pets altogether, while others typically require that you pay a pet deposit and/or an additional monthly pet fee on top of your rent. These fees vary based on the number, type, and size of your pet(s). Keep in mind that renting with pets will most likely cost you extra.

4. Rent

The renting equivalent of a monthly mortgage payment, your rent will be the largest slice in your pie chart of monthly renting expenses. The general rule of thumb is that your rent should not exceed 30% of your monthly income. If it’s higher, you’ll have less money to cover other important living expenses. And if your rent increases—which is beyond your control—things can get unaffordable in a hurry.

Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: sturti

5. Parking

Your parking arrangement will vary depending on your living situation. If you live in a condo or apartment building, you may be able to pay an additional fee in exchange for your own parking spot on-site. For those who live in densely populated areas or places where the endeavor of trying to find available parking is a daily nightmare, the value of having your own parking space often outweighs the extra cost.

6. Homeowners Association (HOA) Dues

Landlords will typically include Homeowners Association (HOA) fees in your rent if applicable. HOA fees go toward maintaining the community’s properties and help pay for shared amenities. If you plan to live in an HOA community as a renter, the dues you’re paying will help to ensure the property stays well maintained.

7. Utilities

Utilities are another significant chunk of your recurring expenses as a renter. Your utilities costs will vary depending on how much energy you use at home. For example, your heating costs will likely be higher during the winter. If your bills are too high, audit your energy consumption to find more affordable ways of using it. 7 Tips for Sustainable Living at Home

8. Renters Insurance

Not only is obtaining renters insurance vital to protecting yourself as a renter, but it’s also usually required by landlords and property management companies. Renters insurance protects you against unexpected events that may occur at home. Fortunately for you, renters insurance policies are very affordable, usually around $15 to $20 a month.

Learn more about the pros and cons of renting vs. buying a house:

Renting vs. Buying: Which is Better for You?

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Living • December 30, 2025

The Benefits of Adding a Catio to Your Home

by Don Koonce

Cat owners are often faced with many considerations as they fill their homes with toys and cat trees to appease the kings and queens of the household. One such consideration is how to best use the space. Adding a catio to your home will help keep your cat entertained and safe and can be easily customized to fit the needs of any living space.

Buying with Your Pets in Mind

The Benefits of Adding a Catio to Your Home

A catio can offer a wide range of benefits for you and your cat, including daily enrichment opportunities. Catios provide easy access to the outdoors where they can stimulate their senses. By providing this connection to the outside world, cats can independently spend their days as they please with a wide variety of options to choose from.

Catios also keep your feline friends safe from the dangers that lurk outside. While they’re able to enjoy the outdoors, the enclosed space keeps them nearby while keeping predators out. This prevents accidents with cars on a busy street and run-ins with potentially harmful animals found in residential areas such as raccoons, and in certain areas, coyotes. It also keeps out other cats, preventing exposure to diseases and accidental pregnancies.

Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: ahloch

In addition to the benefits catios provide for your furry friend, you will also improve the livability of your home by reducing the damage to your furniture and rugs or carpet. When your cats can enjoy that space, they are less likely to exert their pent-up energy on your carpeted and upholstered pieces.

For those cats who act on their hunting instincts, a catio is also a great way to keep local wildlife out of your home. From their perch in their enclosure, they will get to smell and watch birds, mice, and rabbits, but they won’t have the opportunity to hunt them. Saving these lives helps your neighborhood’s ecosystem and saves you from having to clean up the mess afterwards.

Providing a litter box outside can also improve your indoor air quality by reducing smells, chemicals, and bacteria associated with cat litter. Of course, it’s not wise to replace an indoor litter box with an outdoor one, but by adding another one that’s nearby, your cat will use the indoor box less.

What Can You Do with a Catio?

The simple answer: anything you want. Catios are customizable for your space and your cat’s interests. Answering these two questions will help you start the process of designing or choosing a design to build.

How much space can you offer to the enclosure?
How will the cat(s) enter the enclosure from the house?

You may also want to consider what kind of exposure to the elements you’re comfortable with, whether it’s open air or if you need a little more protection from the elements with a solid exterior. While in some areas wire fencing might be all that’s needed, regions with harsher climates may require a more robust setup, such as insulated windows.

Catio Options

If you have a smaller space, you may consider a catio attached to a window, which won’t take up any additional square footage. Much like a garden box, you can attach a small shelf-like enclosure just outside your window and stretch it as far out as desired. The entry point can be the window, making it easy to open and close.

Image Source: Shutterstock – Image Credit: SvetMedvedeva

Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: ahloch

If you have a yard, you can give your cat a tunnel. A simple addition to the home, attach an elongated box that juts out into the yard for your cat to explore and get a 360-degree view of the elements. You can attach this to an existing cat door or add a cat door on an exterior wall.

For those with a larger space, or if you already have a patio set up, you can build out a catio like an extension on your home. Attach the large enclosure to the exterior and use either a window or cat door for entry. Use the structure to offer a multitude of options on the outermost walls, like shelves, ramps, and hammocks. Customize it with your cat’s favorite things, like scratching posts and pet-safe plants. You can even add a chair for yourself in there if you want!

For more ideas on caring for your pets, home maintenance, and more, visit the Living category of our blog:

Windermere Blog – Living

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Design • December 22, 2025

5 Ways to Incorporate Feng Shui into Your Home

by Don Koonce

Feng Shui, an ancient Chinese practice, is not just about creating a calming and aesthetic space. It’s about creating a space that resonates with your energy and promotes well-being. By balancing the world’s five natural elements : water, fire, earth, metal, and wood, you can transform your living space into an environment of serenity and positivity. And the best part? It doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. If you’re looking to find new ways to rearrange furniture, declutter your area, or introduce natural elements into your space, Feng Shui might just be the missing piece! Here are five simple ways to embrace the elements of Feng Shui in your home.

1. Create Depth with Water

Each element in Feng Shui carries a unique meaning. By integrating these elements in a balanced way, you can create a space that is not just aesthetically pleasing but also promotes well-being. For instance, water is believed to bring prosperity and wisdom into your life. To incorporate water into your home, add dark blue or black accents like hand towels, artwork, and small area rugs. Reflective surfaces or mirrors can also be used to symbolize the fluidity and reflection of water. Feng Shui experts believe that purposefully placed water features both within and outside of a home will bring about positive energy and good luck.

2. Transform Energy with Fire

Fire, a symbol of passion, energy, and transformation in Feng Shui, can be a powerful addition to your home. You can start by strategically placing and lighting a few candles, which is a simple way to introduce the fire element. But, if you are looking for a more intense effect, consider incorporating an indoor or outdoor fireplace to encourage gatherings and create a warm, inviting ambiance. You can also add design accents to your home using reds and oranges which will add more dynamic fire energy.

3. Establish Stability with Earth

In Feng Shui, the earth element can be associated with stability and different grounding forces. When we think of the various aspects of earth within a home, we tend to gravitate towards the more natural features like stone counters, wooden furniture, and clay accents. However, the earth element in Feng Shui goes even further than just aesthetics. More ways to incorporate this element into your home include decluttering and organizing to create flow, inviting nature in with more houseplants and natural light, and utilizing earthy tones like browns and beiges. You can also enhance these earth-centered qualities by repositioning your furniture to create more harmonious spaces.

4. Promote Precision with Metal

According to Feng Shui principles, metal is a strong symbol of precision, wealth, and efficiency. There are plenty of ways to integrate metal into your home beyond mere stainless-steel appliances. Copper, bronze, brass, and nickel accents add warmth to kitchens and living spaces. When incorporating these metals, consider using decorative features like cabinet hardware, lighting fixtures, and other metal accent furniture.

5. Embrace Vitality with Wood

Wood, which symbolizes growth, vitality, and new beginnings, is the final core element in Feng Shui. Consider using natural materials like bamboo, rattan, or reclaimed wood when designing with this element in your home. There are a number of ways you can harness the energy of wood, such as through furniture, flooring, or even smaller wooden accents like coasters and photo frames.

Homeownership • December 18, 2025

Home Security for the Holidays

by Don Koonce

The holiday season can bring joy and peace, but it can also bring package thieves and burglary. Stay safe this winter by taking a few precautions with your home security. From old-school security tricks to new digital home monitoring tools, there are many options when it comes to keeping our homes safe and preserving that sensibility.

Upgrade your locks:
A poorly installed deadbolt can make it easy for an intruder to kick in your door. Start by making sure that your door frames are in good condition and then look into getting a higher quality deadbolt. You’ll find everything from classic models with keys, or digital options that require passcodes or a fingerprint.

It’s also a good idea to check all the locks on your windows. Some older models are easy to jimmy open with a little wiggling. For ground floor windows, you may want to consider double locks. It goes without saying, leaving windows open during the summer is a bad idea – especially those that can be easily accessed.

Exterior and interior home lighting:
Having your exterior lights on timers or motion sensors is a good way to deter nighttime snoopers. Add sensor lights to key entry points on your home, including the front door, back door, and/or basement entries. If you have an unused side yard, consider lighting there too. Keeping your home lit makes unwanted visitors weary of being seen.

If you will be gone from your home for an extended period, consider using timed lighting options in your home to make it appear someone is around. You can select timers for bedrooms or living areas. Also, you can program a radio to turn on and off for sound.

Alarm systems:
If you are considering an alarm, you have an array of options that vary from self-install motion detection kits to full-service home security systems.

If you choose to do-it-yourself, you will want to install motion detectors on doors and windows – especially those that can be easily accessed on the ground floor. In most cases, these kits also offer a 24-hour call service for an extra fee.

Full-service security systems can include everything from an alarm system and panic buttons to and integration with your smoke detectors/ fire prevention system. These services are expensive up front but usually have a reasonable monthly rate. And keep in mind, having a home security system installed can also reduce your insurance rates.

If installing an alarm system is cost-prohibitive or does not fit your lifestyle, consider purchasing stickers and a sign that state that your home is monitored by a trusted security system, and place them so they are visible at every entrance.

Security cameras:
Security cameras are readily available for home installation. You can install these in prominently viewed places to deter burglars. There are do-it-yourself install options and professional systems that come along with monitoring services. There are even options that will work with your smartphone.

If the cost of security cameras is too steep for your budget, you can purchase fake cameras to act as a visible deterrent for intruders.

Build your community:
Programs like Neighborhood Watch are very successful in some communities, by creating an environment where everyone is looking out for each other. Building close-knit relationships with your neighbors can go a long way in making you feel safe at home. Whether this is through a formalized program, or a shared agreement with your community, developing relationships with your neighbors is a great way to keep your home safe.

Photo by Chad Madden on Unsplash

Real Estate News & Information • December 16, 2025

Is the Average Homebuyer Really 40 Years Old?

by Don Koonce

A recent wave of headlines suggested that the average first-time homebuyer is now 40 years old. It is an eye-catching statistic, especially in a market defined by high prices, elevated interest rates, and limited inventory. Millennials are now well into their prime homebuying years, so the idea that many are just now purchasing at 40 resonated widely. The full picture, however, is more complex. Yes, some buyers are entering the market later, but broader national data shows that the median age has been far more stable than the headlines imply.

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) reports a steady rise in the average age of first-time buyers. According to its survey, buyers averaged 28 years old in 1991. The age rose gradually to 33 in 2019, then to 36 in 2022, 38 in 2024, and now 40. Researchers reviewing larger datasets are not seeing the same trend, though. Census Bureau data shows that the median age of first-time buyers has held at 33 from 2014 through 2023. Mortgage data also shows very little change. Adults ages 25 to 34 continue to make up roughly 42 to 45 percent of all first-time mortgage borrowers.

One explanation for the opposing results is that NAR’s survey captures a narrower slice of the market. It measures only first-time buyers who are purchasing primary residences. Younger adults who buy rental properties in more affordable areas do not appear in the results. With fewer millennials able to purchase homes overall, the percentage that can skew older than in past generations.

Many factors are influencing purchasing power of millennials, including a drastic decline in supply. Millennials are currently between 29 and 44 years old, the same stage of life when previous generations typically bought homes. But today, fewer homes are on the market. In 2003, more than 7 million people purchased homes with mortgages. In 2023, a little over 3 million did, which is the lowest figure since the Great Recession. Many current homeowners are staying put because they hold mortgage rates below 3 percent from the pandemic era, which keeps inventory low and competition high. New construction has not filled the gap.

Affordability remains a major barrier. The median U.S. home price is more than $410,000 nationwide, more than $530,000 in the West, and nearly $800,000 in the Northeast. Prices have climbed by almost $100,000 in the past five years. When paired with interest rates in the 6% range, the cost of buying has pushed many younger buyers to delay purchasing altogether.

Lifestyle trends play a role as well. Young adults today marry later, spend more years in school, and take longer to settle into permanent careers. These shifts may delay first-time buying slightly, but economists note that they do not fully explain the market pressures that younger buyers are facing.

So is the average first-time buyer really 40? The answer depends on which dataset is used. NAR’s survey suggests a meaningful rise in age, while larger national datasets show that the median age has changed very little. What both views reinforce is that the path to homeownership has become slower and more difficult. Younger buyers are still entering the market, just in fewer numbers and often with more strategic planning and wider search parameters.

Even in a challenging environment, opportunities remain. Buyers who prepare early, stay flexible, and understand current market dynamics are still finding ways to purchase their first homes. The journey may be longer than it was for previous generations, but it is not out of reach.

This post was based on information found in The Seattle Times.

Real Estate News & Information • December 11, 2025

Local Market Update – December 2025

by Don Koonce

In November, all four of our regions saw year-over-year growth and month-over-month declines in the number of active listings. While a seasonal dip is normal for this time of year, the annual increases in inventory levels are notable. Rising supply is playing a central role in moderating prices and creating a more balanced market environment. Ultimately, the long-term impact of this added housing stock will depend on whether buyers are able to overcome the still-high prices and re-engage the market.

KING COUNTY

Last month, King County’s median price for a single-family home fell 1% year over year, from $925,000 to $915,000. Compared to November 2024, the number of active listings jumped 35%. Closed sales didn’t keep pace with inventory levels, declining 13% from last year and 24% since October. For King County condos, the median sold price dropped 10% to $507,880, and active listings grew 16%.

SEATTLE

Seattle was the only one of our four markets to experience a year-over-year price increase, albeit a modest one. The city’s median residential sold price inched up 1% in November, from $968,000 to $973,500. Active listings advanced 32% year over year but saw a typical seasonal drop of 19% month over month. Closed sales dipped 11% compared to 2024. Seattle’s median condo price remained flat at $573,500, while active listings increased 21%.

EASTSIDE

On the Eastside, the median price for a single-family home decreased 7% year over year, from $1,537,312 to $1,430,000. Active listings were 73% higher than last November. Although more homes were on the market, the increase in supply wasn’t matched by sales activity. Pending sales rose 10% year over year, but closed sales sank 17%. Condos, a more affordable alternative to the Eastside’s seven-figure single-family home prices, saw annual price growth of 9% to $750,000, as buyers continued to look for lower-cost options.

SNOHOMISH COUNTY

In Snohomish County, the median residential sold price edged down 4% to $750,000 in November, dropping from $784,975 a year earlier. Active listings increased 39%. Despite more supply, buyer activity softened: closed sales fell 16% year over year, and pending sales dipped 6%. In the county’s condo market, the median price contracted 9% year over year to $485,000 and active listings climbed 51%.

As the holidays get underway, the real estate market is settling into a state of balance. Year-over-year gains in supply are influencing pricing and giving fresh options for the buyers still out there. The combination of seasonal patterns and shifting conditions ahead of the busy spring market may create opportunities for both buyers and sellers. In a continually evolving real estate landscape, the expert guidance of a Windermere agent remains essential.