Welcome to the May/June 2026 issue of our newsletter! In this issue, we share our latest Market Update, featured articles from the E&V network, a preview of our upcoming playbook, and a selection of local events and happenings and more. You will also find a Summer 2026 playlist. See “In This Issue” for a quick preview.
Thank you for your continued support of our team! |
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| - Market Update
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At Home with E&V
- Coming Soon: Homeowner’s Living Trust Playbook
- Selected Local Events and Happenings
- Etcetera
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Buyers and Sellers Continue Adapting to Higher Rates
After several years of highly unusual market conditions, many buyers and sellers across the Puget Sound region appear to be increasingly adapting to a “higher-for-longer” interest rate environment. While affordability remains a challenge for some households, we are continuing to see meaningful activity from buyers who are moving forward based on employment transitions, growing families, downsizing decisions, and long-term housing needs such as multigenerational living rather than attempting to time the market perfectly.
Inventory Levels Continue to Improve Recent Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS) data reflects this evolving environment. Active listings across the NWMLS service area increased substantially during the first quarter of 2026. King County alone had more than 6,100 active listings in April 2026, compared to approximately 4,700 a year earlier.
At the same time, pricing across much of the region has remained relatively stable despite increased inventory and affordability pressures. NWMLS reported that the median sales price for residential homes and condominiums sold across its service area in April 2026 remained unchanged year-over-year at $650,000. Long-Term Fundamentals Continue to Support the Market
While mortgage rates and broader economic and geopolitical uncertainty continue to influence market activity, the Seattle-area housing market remains supported by long-term housing supply constraints, a diverse regional economy, and continued demand for well-located housing throughout the region.
Looking ahead, many market participants will continue watching interest rate trends closely, but there is also growing recognition that real estate decisions often cannot remain on hold indefinitely. Source: NWMLS Market Snapshots, March-April 2026 |
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| Commercial Sidebar:
What We Are Seeing Signs of Renewed Momentum in the Regional Market
Recent commercial real estate announcements across the Puget Sound region have provided several encouraging signs for the market, particularly in Bellevue and other premium submarkets. In recent months, several major technology companies, including OpenAI, xAI, Zoom and CoreWeave, have announced or expanded Bellevue office operations, adding to the continued long-term commitments of companies such as Amazon, ByteDance/TikTok, and Snowflake on the Eastside. Continued development activity, expanding light rail infrastructure, and growing demand for highly amenitized Class A office environments are reinforcing Bellevue’s position as one of the region’s strongest office markets.
Here Comes the 2026 FIFA World Cup
The upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup is also expected to bring increased tourism, infrastructure investment, and international attention to the Seattle region, with potential benefits across hospitality, retail, mixed-use, and broader commercial real estate sectors. Regional leaders and businesses are continuing preparations for significant visitor activity associated with the event.
While the ultimate economic and real estate impacts will likely take years to assess fully, the World Cup is widely viewed as a potentially significant moment for the Seattle region on the international stage. |
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Closing Thoughts
The broader Seattle-area market continues evolving, creating both opportunities and new considerations for homeowners, investors, businesses, and families throughout the region. At the same time, many Washington residents and property owners are evaluating how recent state tax and regulatory changes may affect affordability, tax liability, estate planning considerations, and long-term real estate values. Thoughtful planning, good information, and a long-term perspective remain important. As always, we are happy to discuss market conditions, answer questions, and help you evaluate your next real estate move. Julie & Robert |
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Coming Soon: Homeowner’s Living Trust Playbook Our next playbook focuses on a subject that many homeowners encounter as they think about long-term planning for their families and homes. |
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The Homeowner’s Living Trust Playbook is designed as a practical and easy-to-understand resource covering common questions homeowners often have regarding living trusts, including planning considerations, ownership issues, family coordination, and future property transitions.
Our goal is to provide a straightforward overview that helps homeowners become more informed as they evaluate estate planning and real estate decisions with their professional advisors. |
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If you would like to receive a copy once it is available or learn more about our Trusts & Estates Property Advisory, please feel free to contact us. The playbook will also be available on our website. |
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SELECTED LOCAL EVENTS & HAPPENINGS |
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Read our most recent past newsletters here: |
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Thank you for reading! Julie Fontanez and Robert Laing |
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