April has arrived with a noticeable shift in the market. What we are seeing right now is a more balanced environment than we have experienced in years. Inventory is rising, buyers are re-engaging, and well-positioned homes are still moving quickly.

Across the greater Seattle metro area:

What this means:

MLS: 2484241
1516 170th Pl SE, Bothell
3 Bed | 2.5 Bath | 2,583 SqFt

This home represented exactly what today’s market rewards: thoughtful preparation, strong positioning, and precise pricing. Despite rising inventory, we were able to successfully bring this home to market and secure a sale in a competitive environment. We had multiple offers, and went pending after only two days on market!

Well-prepared and well-priced homes continue to stand out and command strong attention, even as buyers gain more options.

MLS: 2494289
21108 1st Ave, Des Moines
3 Bed | 2.5 Bath | 1,910 SqFt

On the buy side, we are seeing something equally important: opportunity.

With more inventory and less intense bidding pressure than in recent years, buyers are stepping back into the market with greater confidence. This transaction is a great example of how timing, patience, and negotiation strategy can align to create a strong outcome.

Three key trends are shaping this spring market:

1. Inventory is rising
From the Madrona Group, new listings have increased significantly year over year, giving buyers more selection and reducing the urgency we saw during peak pandemic conditions.

2. Prices are stabilizing
According to Norada Real Estate, we are seeing modest softening in some segments, but overall pricing remains remarkably resilient given higher borrowing costs.

3. Buyer behavior is shifting
Homes are still selling, but buyers are more selective. Well-priced homes move quickly. Overpriced homes sit.

One of the unexpected pleasures of this month… a fantastic, everyday wine find.

The Paul Buisse Cabernet Franc 2023, picked up at Safeway for just $13.99, is remarkably expressive for the price. Bright red cherry, a touch of raspberry, and that classic Cabernet Franc hint of earthiness and soft pepper make it incredibly easy to enjoy. Light to medium bodied, fresh, and versatile.

Cheese pairing:
Go with a creamy, bloomy rind cheese like Brie or Camembert. The richness of the cheese softens the wine’s acidity while letting the fruit come forward beautifully. Add a simple baguette and you have something quietly perfect.

For April, something luminous, reflective, and quietly awe-inspiring:

Clair de Lune by Claude Debussy

This piece has always carried a sense of distance and stillness, but this year, it feels especially resonant.

Just days ago, NASA’s Artemis II mission sent astronauts on a historic journey around the Moon, the first human voyage beyond Earth orbit in over 50 years. During their lunar flyby, they captured extraordinary images of Earth rising over the Moon and even witnessed a solar eclipse from deep space.

There’s something striking about pairing that moment with Debussy.

Clair de Lune feels like a quiet reflection of that same perspective, a reminder of how small, beautiful, and interconnected everything is when viewed from a distance. Soft, impressionistic, and suspended in time, it mirrors the stillness of space and the gentle return of light that defines spring.

A perfect companion to a glass of wine, a calm evening, and a moment to look up.

April is one of my favorite times of year to reconnect.

If you have purchased a home in the past, this is an ideal moment to:

This is simply a conversation designed to give you clarity and insight into your real estate position.

If you have been thinking about making a move, or just want to better understand where you stand, I am always here as a resource.

Jeremy Briggs

Global Real Estate Advisor

Engel & Völkers Seattle Downtown

1208 4th Avenue I Seattle I WA 98101

(206)247-5058

jeremy.briggs@evrealestate.com I BriggsHomesPNW.com

Lic#: 134661