Monthly Market Update
September 2026 Seattle Market Update
At a Glance
A Quick Summary
Seattle stayed in a neutral market in September, with 3.0 months of inventory, up from 2.1 a year ago.
Active listings rose 25% and pending sales fell 10%, while the median closed price held close to last year at $960,000.
Over half of sales closed within 15 days at full original list, and 24% sold above list.
Written by Colin Dalrymple, Managing Broker, Windermere Real Estate.
Last updated . Figures checked against the source Northwest MLS export before publishing.
Seattle at a glance
- Median closed price
- $960,000
- Down 2% from $975,000 in September 2025
- Months of inventory
- 3.0
- Neutral market (2 to 4). Was 2.1 a year ago
- Active listings
- 1,671
- Up 25% year over year
- Pending sales
- 564
- Down 10% from 627
Balanced, but the best homes still compete.
How homes sold
Every September sale, sorted by how it closed against its asking price.
- 24%
Sold above list
95 homes, average 5 days on market, median 4% over list
- 20%
Sold at list
80 homes, average 10 days on market
- 18%
Sold below list
69 homes, average 20 days, median 3% under list
- 38%
Price change or relist first
152 homes, average 81 days on market
Time on market has a cost
Median sale price as a share of the first asking price, by total market time.
| Market time | % of first list | % of sales |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 15 days | 100.0% | 51.3% |
| 16 to 30 days | 96.8% | 11.4% |
| 31 to 60 days | 94.1% | 16.2% |
| 61 to 90 days | 90.9% | 8.1% |
| 91+ days | 88.5% | 13.1% |
A year later: at the median price with a 6.86% rate (versus 6.35%), principal and interest runs about $6,299 a month, compared with $6,069 last September. That is $230 more per month.
If you are selling
- Seattle still rewards a strong launch: 51.3% of sales closed in the first 15 days at 100% of original list.
- Homes that needed a price change averaged 81 days on market, so the first price matters most.
- One in four homes sold above list. Preparation and presentation are what put a home in that group.
If you are buying
- Prices are nearly flat year over year, but a higher rate puts the typical payment about $230 higher.
- With 25% more listings, you can be selective, especially with homes that have been on the market a month or more.
- Expect competition on fresh, well-presented homes. Have your approval and terms ready.
A note from Colin
Seattle in September was a two-speed market. Well-priced homes still drew strong offers in the first two weeks, while homes that missed spent months adjusting. Knowing which kind of home you are looking at is the whole game.
Source: Windermere/East residential-only report (residential including manufactured homes on owned land). Data courtesy of Northwest Multiple Listing Service as distributed by MLS Grid, as of November 1, 2026 for periods through September 2026. 30-year fixed rate per Freddie Mac PMMS, monthly average. Figures are revised as late-reported sales are recorded.