Seattle Housing Commentary: More Inventory, Cooling Prices, and a Reviving Downtown

Let's dive into the latest headlines shaping Seattle’s real estate landscape—and what they mean for you right now.

1. Home Prices Dip; Affordability Still Feels Out of Reach

Recent data shows Seattle’s median home price dropped 0.7% year-over-year to about $760,000 in July 2025. Condos saw even steeper declines, down nearly 7%. Yet, with mortgage payments up nearly $2,000 compared to pre-pandemic, affordability remains a major barrier for buyers.
Despite slipping to 35th place in annual price growth among major metros, Seattle remains expensive.Axios

What This Means: For buyers, this is a chance to enter the market—but preparation is key. For sellers, expect fewer frenzy-driven offers; strategy wins over speed.

2. Downtown Is Coming Back to Life

The Downtown Seattle Association reports June’s foot traffic, hotel stays, and apartment leasing are nearly back to pre-pandemic levels—152,000 daily weekday workers now in the core. Major events like Bite of Seattle and the Torchlight Parade are fueling renewed activity.Axios

Takeaway for Sellers and Investors: If your property is near downtown, its lifestyle appeal is rising again—especially as local businesses and event-driven tourism return.

3. Seattle Among Top Cities with Rising Housing Inventory

Realtor.com and Investopedia highlight Seattle as one of the few metro areas where inventory has not only rebounded but surpassed pre-pandemic levels. This follows years of tight supply. Despite this, the national market remains undersupplied.New York Post Investopedia

For Buyers: More choices mean better negotiation opportunities.

For Sellers: Standing out with great pricing and presentation is more important than ever.

Thinking about how these trends align with your real estate goals?
Contact us today for tailored insights, whether you're buying, selling, or simply watching the market.