Best time to buy in ➡️ Washington
Buying a house in Seattle can be stressful, but you can make it easier by starting the home-buying process at the right time.
The best time to buy a house in Seattle depends on your priorities and situation. This article examines listing prices, housing inventory, and mortgage rate trends in Seattle so that you can make an informed decision.
An experienced real estate agent can help you navigate the Washington real estate market, achieve your home-buying goals, and leave the stress behind.
⚡Get expert support: Match with a top Seattle real estate agent near you.
The best month for low listing prices in Seattle
🔎 Key takeways
- 🏅 Best month for low listing price: January
- 🚫 Worst month for low listing price: July
- 💵 Median listing price: $635,521
- 📈 Listing prices are down 0.33% from last month[1]
If finding a house for a low listing price is your priority, the best time to buy a house in Seattle is January.
In recent years, prices for homes in Seattle have been the lowest in January. On average, homes are $35,796 less expensive than the median listing price of $635,521.
In January, buyers may find fewer homes on the market, which can cause sellers to list their homes for less. You’ll likely have fewer options to choose from, but you have the chance to score a great deal.
In July — the month with the highest listing prices — the listing prices were $14,479 more than the median listing price. Buyers may have better luck negotiating the listing price during this time, since housing inventory will likely be higher and the market is more competitive.
Keep in mind that price trends can vary from neighborhood to neighborhood. If you want to find the best time to buy a house in Seattle, we recommend connecting with a local realtor. They'll help you navigate the ins and outs of the Seattle housing market, compare interest rates, and find a deal that works for you.
The best month for housing inventory in Seattle
🔎 Key takeways
- 🏅 Best month for housing inventory: September
- 🚫 Worst month for housing inventory: March
- 🏠 Average housing inventory in Seattle: 6,764
- 📈 Housing inventory is up 67.9% from last year[1]
If having a wide selection of houses to choose from is your priority, then the best time to buy a house in Seattle is September.
You’ll likely find the highest number of listed homes in September and might have better luck negotiating the price of a property during this month when there are more houses on the market.
In Seattle, you’ll find the fewest available listings in March. During this season, sellers might list their homes due to financial desperation or immediate need. You're more likely to find as-is listings and fixer-uppers during this time. That said, you could still find some great houses on the market for a low price.
When looking at housing inventory, you’ll also want to check how many days the listings have been on the market. Days on market (DOM) can indicate how competitive the market is and how much time you have to make an offer on a home.
In Seattle, listings have a DOM average of 38 days. In January, listings are on the market the longest, for an average of 59 days. You’ll likely have a better chance of negotiating the listing price during this month.
In May, listings are on the market for the least amount of time — an average of 21 days — which indicates the market is more competitive and it could be harder to make a successful bid.
The best month for mortgage rates in Seattle
🔎 Key takeways
- 🏅 Best month for mortgage rates: September
- 🚫 Worst month for mortgage rates: October
- 💵 Average mortgage rate: 6.32%
- 📈 Mortgage rates are up 1.9% from last month[2]
If scoring a low mortgage rate is your top goal, the best time to buy a house (and take out a loan) is September.
In the past year, mortgage rates have been lowest in September, with an average mortgage rate of 6.08% on $591,888 home (average home value in Seattle)[3]. When mortgage rates are low, buyers can usually expect more demand and higher listing prices.
Mortgage rates have been historically higher in October, with an average mortgage rate of 7.8% on $591,888 home. During this month, listing prices could take a dip since buyers are less motivated to take out a loan due to high interest rates.
Before you start touring houses, it’s helpful to have your mortgage pre-approval letter secured. This shows that you’re financially qualified to make an offer and sets you apart from buyers who don’t have one. Most Seattle home sellers will require a pre-approval letter before showing you their home.
No matter when you decide to buy, remember to compare interest rates and pre-approval amounts from several lenders to make sure you're getting the absolute best rate and terms when you buy your house in Seattle.
Where should you buy in Washington? Start here.
How to find a great real estate agent in Seattle
When you’re in the planning stage of buying a home, the best step you can take is to connect with a great local buyer’s agent.
You can start your search by looking up a brokerage or realty, but don't stop there. Take the time to research and interview multiple real estate agents, paying attention to their:
- Years of experience (the median is 8 years)
- Number of home buyers helped in the last year
- Expertise in your target neighborhood and price range
- Online reviews and complaints
- Licensing and certifications, such as an Accredited Buyer's Representative[4]
- Membership in local real estate boards, such as the Seattle King County REALTORS®[5]
An experienced Seattle real estate agent can help you find the best time to buy a house in Seattle and make the most of your situation, even if it's a seller's market. Economic conditions can change quickly, and a knowledgeable realtor can give you up-to-the-minute information on where and when to buy based on your priorities.
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Why trust us
Data sources
Our Research Team uses real estate data from reputable sources, such as Zillow, Realtor.com, and FreddieMac, to determine the best and worst months to buy a house in Seattle. We analyze monthly trends for listing prices, housing inventory, and mortgage rates and refresh that data on our pages as the primary sources update.
About Clever Real Estate
Clever Real Estate is a free agent-matching service that has helped more than 82,000 people buy and sell homes. We partner with over 3,800 top-performing agents nationwide at national brokers including Keller Williams, RE/MAX, Century 21, and more. We also help buyers save money with cash back after closing — no strings attached.
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Our team of industry-leading researchers is committed to making homeownership more accessible by educating buyers through guides like this one. We've spent thousands of hours analyzing publicly available data, surveying consumers, and interviewing industry experts. Our research has been featured in The New York Times, Business Insider, Inman, Housing Wire, and many more.
