Newsletter

I was born in Seattle but spent most of my youth living elsewhere. I always loved coming “home” to visit family, and when I turned 19, I moved back for good and planted my roots. I have been around the world, and still think Seattle is one of the most cities. I am so glad that the recent World Cup games gave the world a close up view of our fair city. Have you ever noticed how misleading headlines can be? It’s a great time for a little real estate fact checking brought to you by Lake & Company Real Estate.

A June 29 report published by a national real estate company reported that “19% of House Hunters Are Looking to Relocate…”. The report listed the “Top 10 Metros House Hunters Are Leaving,” ranking Seattle #2 with a “net outflow” of -26,349 people.

What’s bizarre is that their numbers are based on the search activity of users on that company’s website—not on actual migration, census data, or population estimates. It measures where prospective home buyers are
SEARCHING, not where people ultimately move.

Let’s look at actual numbers from the Washington State
Office of Financial Management (OFM):

2024 Seattle population: 797,700

2025 Seattle population: 816,600

Population increase: 18,900 people.

(2025 was significant as it was the first time Seattle’s
population exceeded 800,000.)

This has been a consistent trend since 2022. The population
change in Seattle in recent years has been:

2022 762,000 +3.4%

2023 780,000 +2.4%

2024 797,700 +2.3%

2025 816,600 +2.4%

Despite more online home searches directed toward other
markets, Seattle added nearly 19,000 residents in 2025 and has experienced steady population growth for four consecutive years. Search behavior can provide insight into consumer interest, but it should not be confused with
actual migration trends or mistaken for evidence that Seattle is losing population.

Homebuyers across Washington had more options in June than at any point this year, as the number of homes for sale continued to grow. Active listings across the Northwest MLS increased 16.4% from a year ago and 8.0% from May, giving buyers access to more than 23,000 homes, about 1,700 more listings than just one month earlier.

Despite mortgage rates remaining near 6.5%, buyers continue to move forward when life circumstances require a move. Closed home sales increased 2.3% compared to June 2025 and were up more than 10% from May, showing that demand remains steady even in a higher interest rate environment. Meanwhile, the median home price across the NWMLS service area remained at $650,000 for the second consecutive month, about 3% lower than a year ago.

Today’s market looks very different compared to recent years. The increased inventory is helping create a healthier, more balanced market. Some buyers are finding they have more time to compare homes, negotiate terms, and make thoughtful decisions than they did during the highly competitive markets of recent years.

Sellers, however, can still achieve excellent results by pricing their homes appropriately, preparing them well, and marketing them effectively. Well-presented, accurately priced homes continue to attract strong interest and sell successfully.

While mortgage rates remain an important part of the affordability equation, the Washington housing market continues to demonstrate that people buy and sell homes because of life’s milestones—new jobs, growing families, downsizing, retirement, and other personal changes—not simply because interest rates move up or down.

Clients have been asking thoughtful questions lately about where the market may be heading. One of the biggest takeaways is that while uncertainty continues to shape headlines, most experts are not expecting dramatic shifts like a major price crash, a flood of inventory, or significantly lower mortgage rates anytime soon. Instead, the market is continuing to normalize into a more balanced environment, where buyers have more choices than they did a year ago and well-prepared homes are still attracting strong interest and holding their value. It’s not uncommon to have 1 house sell with multiple offers over asking price and another to languish for weeks on the market. Meanwhile, the condo and town house markets are experiencing an abundance of inventory, creating longer market time and decreasing values.

This title makes me think of a popular song from my youth:

Should I stay or should I go?

I appreciate how thoughtfully this piece approaches the conversation around staying in your home versus making a move later in life.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer, and what matters most is having the
opportunity to think through your options before a decision feels rushed or
overwhelming. For some homeowners, that may mean updating a current home to better support long-term living, while for others it may mean simplifying, downsizing, or moving closer to family, community, or amenities that better fit the next life chapter. These are conversations I am having more often with client these days and I always believe the best decisions come from planning ahead with clarity rather than reacting under pressure.

https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2026/04/29/stay-or-sell-how-to-make-the-right-call-as-you-age/?utm_campaign=may-2026-newsletter-approved-quick-send&utm_content=learn-more&utm_medium=email&utm_source=activepipe

Join me as we celebrate the beauty of spring, great relationships, and 40 incredible years in real estate! This year-long milestone is truly about gratitude — for the clients, friends, and referrals who have made this journey so meaningful.

Enjoy a fun, relaxed spring gathering with a “Spring Has Sprung / Cherry Blossom” vibe to welcome the season of new beginnings. Think fresh flowers, brunch bites, and a little bubbly to toast the season and the amazing people who have supported my business over four decades.

Whether you’re just curious about the market, want a quick
real estate update, or simply want to stop by and say hello, I would love to see you there.

Come celebrate roots, growth, and new opportunities —
because great homes and great relationships both take time to grow.

Please reply to this email or text to RSVP and the get the address and more details.

A surge in inventory and rising mortgage rates shaped Washington’s housing market in March. Across the Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS) property listings jumped while sales stayed flat.

“Washington continues to mirror national trends by adding listings at a rate that is far outpacing any growth in sales,” said Steven Bourassa, director of the Washington Center for Real Estate Research. “Active listings in the NWMLS service area in March 2026 increased 29% year over year, while the number of sales remained unchanged.

In a nutshell, sellers have decided that they need to get on with their lives in spite of the fact that many would be giving up low-interest-rate mortgages. However, potential purchasers cannot afford to buy.”Bourassa noted that rising global uncertainty—including the conflict with Iran—pushed mortgage rates back up to 6.38% by late March, after briefly dipping below 6% in February. Rates have continued climbing, recently reaching 6.46%, driven by higher energy prices and inflation concerns tied to the conflict.

The uncertainty is also weighing on the broader U.S. economy as the job market shows signs of slowing, potentially causing another point of concern for buyers.Despite the reasons for concern, it seems Buyer activity is gaining some strong momentum heading into spring. Showing activity across the NWMLS market rose 19% month over month reflecting growing engagement from active buyers.

While activity is still slightly below last year’s peak levels, the sharp month-over-month increases point to renewed energy in the market and a solid start to the spring buying season.

Spring traditionally brings more listings — and more competition.

Right now we’re seeing:

Buyers who are serious and financially prepared

Sellers who are pricing more strategically

Continued demand for well-maintained, move-in-ready homes

The biggest difference this year? Preparation matters more
than ever. Homes that are thoughtfully prepped and correctly priced are still
generating strong interest.

If you’re curious what your home might realistically sell
for in today’s market (not last year’s headlines), I’m happy to run a
customized valuation for you.

Open the windows on the first sunny day.

It’s amazing what fresh air can do for a home — and for us.