Hi neighbors! The Northwest Multiple Listing Service released its October numbers on November 5, and I wanted to walk you through them while they're fresh. If you've been wondering whether this winter is a good time to make a move, the short answer is that the market has shifted, and that shift looks different depending on which side of the table you're on.
No long report here. Just the highlights for King, Snohomish and Skagit counties, and what I'd keep in mind this season.
The Big Picture: More Homes, Slower Sales
Across the whole NWMLS service area, there were 23,519 active listings at the end of October. That's up 25.2% from a year ago. At the same time, closed sales dropped 14.3%, from 6,222 last October to 5,332 this October.
Put those together and you get 4.41 months of inventory. In plain English, that's roughly how long it would take to sell every home on the market if nothing new were listed. According to coverage of the report, it's the highest October level since at least 2014.
The region-wide median sales price for homes and condos came in at $620,000, down 3.1% from $640,000 a year ago.
Mortgage rates are a big part of this story. Freddie Mac's 30-year fixed average reached 7.4% in mid-October, the highest in more than a year, before easing for three straight weeks to 7.18% on November 5. That's still well above the roughly 6.2% we saw this time last year, and it has some buyers moving more carefully.
King, Snohomish and Skagit County Numbers
Here's how our three local counties looked in October, compared with October 2025:
King County
Median sales price (homes and condos): $851,250, down 4.1% from $887,300
Active listings: 7,592, up 32.8%
Closed sales: 1,756, down from 2,144
Months of inventory: 4.32
A few details stood out. The single-family median in King County was $925,000, down 7.2%, and the King County condo median was $465,000, down 15.5%. Condo buyers in King County had about seven months of inventory to choose from, which is a lot of selection compared with recent years.
Snohomish County
Median sales price: $699,250, down 5.4% from $739,500
Active listings: 2,848, up 41.7%
Closed sales: 692, down from 840
Months of inventory: 4.12
Skagit County
Median sales price: $602,500, down 2.2% from $616,000
Active listings: 518, up from 427
Closed sales: 112, down from 136
Pending sales: 137, up from 129
Months of inventory: 4.63
Skagit is a smaller market, so the numbers can swing more from month to month. Still, it was nice to see pending sales tick up a bit there, even as they fell in King and Snohomish.
Information and statistics compiled and reported by the Northwest Multiple Listing Service.
What This Means If You're Buying This Winter
More inventory means more choice and, in many cases, more room to talk. With homes sitting a little longer, it's more common right now to see sellers open to price adjustments, help with closing costs, or a longer timeline that works for you.
A few things I'd keep in mind:
Get your financing lined up first. With rates moving week to week, a conversation with a local lender helps you understand your monthly payment and what range is comfortable. They can also explain options like rate locks or buydowns and whether they make sense for you.
Look at the whole picture, not just the price. Commute, HOA dues, property taxes and the condition of the home all affect what you'll actually spend.
Don't skip the inspection. A slower market gives you more time to do your homework, so use it.
Winter house hunting has a quiet upside, too. You get to see how a home handles our rain, how the driveway drains, and how much light comes in on a short gray day.
What This Means If You're Selling
Sellers are facing more competition than they have in years, so the homes that sell are the ones that are priced thoughtfully and show well from day one.
Price to today's market. Last spring's comps may not reflect where buyers are now. Recent sales and current competition in your specific neighborhood matter most.
Prep goes a long way. Fresh paint, good lighting, clean gutters and a tidy entry make a big difference when it's dark by 4:30.
Be ready to negotiate. Buyers have options, so closing-cost credits or flexible timing can help your home stand out.
The good news is that serious buyers are still out there. People relocate for work, plans change, and life doesn't wait for spring. Listing in winter also means you're not competing with the spring rush.
Let's Talk About Your Neighborhood
Countywide numbers are a helpful starting point, but every neighborhood and price range has its own story. Bellevue, Everett, Bothell and Mount Vernon can all look very different in the same month.
If you'd like to know what's happening on your street, or you're curious what your home might be worth in today's market, reach out any time. The ZorichWolfe Team is always happy to pull the local numbers and talk it through, no pressure.
Anna Wolfe | Broker, SpireOne Realty / ZorichWolfe Team
425.299.1344 | anna@zorichwolfeteam.com
This post is for general information only and isn't legal, tax or financial advice. Please talk with a lender, CPA or attorney about your specific situation.
