Seattle

WASeattle-Tacoma-Bellevue

Real Estate Market Analysis

Q3 2025 Report
$960,000 (Q1 2025); $856,247 (June 2025 median sold price)
Median Home Price
~750,000 (city); ~4 million (metro area)
Population
~$115,000 (Seattle, 2024 est.)
Median Income
Seattle Public Schools: B+ to A- (Niche 2025)
School District Rating

Market Overview

Property Values

$960,000 (Q1 2025); $856,247 (June 2025 median sold price)
Median Home Price
$580 (Q1 2025); $569 (June 2025); $610 (July 2025 avg.)
Price per Sq Ft
+3.7% to +6% year-over-year (2024-2025)
YoY Change

Market Performance

Days on Market23 days (July 2025 avg.)
Market TypeSlightly favoring sellers, but inventory is rising
Months of Supply2.6 months (July 2025)

Sales Activity

Sales Volume909 homes sold in June 2025; $1.02B total closed sales volume (July 2025)
Metro AreaSeattle-Tacoma-Bellevue
Population~750,000 (city); ~4 million (metro area)

Economic Indicators

Employment & Growth

Unemployment Rate~3.7% (King County, early 2025 estimate)
Job Growth Rate~2% (2024-2025 est.)
Median Household Income~$115,000 (Seattle, 2024 est.)

Major Employers

  • Amazon
  • Microsoft
  • Boeing
  • University of Washington
  • Starbucks
  • Expedia
  • Alaska Airlines

Demographics

~750,000 (city); ~4 million (metro area)
Population
35.2 years
Median Age
~1% annual (2024-2025)
Population Growth
~63% bachelor's degree or higher
Education Level

Family Composition

~40% families; strong presence of singles and young professionals

Key Industries

TechnologyAerospaceHealthcareEducationBiotechMaritime

Education

School District

Seattle Public Schools: B+ to A- (Niche 2025)
District Rating

Top Schools

  • Lakeside School
  • Garfield High School
  • Roosevelt High School
  • Ballard High School

Higher Education

  • University of Washington
  • Seattle University
  • Seattle Pacific University

Infrastructure & Development

Major Projects

  • Sound Transit Light Rail expansions (Lynnwood, Federal Way, Redmond)
  • Waterfront Seattle redevelopment
  • Seattle Convention Center Summit expansion

Transportation

  • Link Light Rail extensions
  • RapidRide bus network expansion
  • SR 520 bridge replacement

Planned Developments

  • Mixed-use projects in South Lake Union, Ballard, and Northgate
  • Affordable housing initiatives citywide

Lifestyle & Amenities

Recreation

  • Discovery Park
  • Green Lake
  • Puget Sound waterfront
  • Skiing in the Cascades

Dining & Entertainment

  • Pike Place Market
  • Capitol Hill nightlife
  • Ballard breweries

Cultural Attractions

  • Seattle Art Museum
  • Museum of Pop Culture
  • Seattle Symphony
  • Seattle Opera

Investment Analysis

Investment Opportunities

  • Rising inventory offers more choices for buyers
  • Strong rental demand in urban neighborhoods
  • New construction in Northgate and Ballard

Growth Outlook

Moderate price growth forecast (+1.5% through mid-2026)

Market Risks

  • Interest rates remain elevated (~6.7%)
  • Affordability constraints for first-time buyers
  • Potential for slower appreciation in 2025-2026

Rental Market

Strong demand, especially for apartments and single-family rentals; rents stable to slightly rising

Marketing Intelligence

Target Demographics

  • Tech professionals (Amazon, Microsoft, startups)
  • Young families
  • Relocators from California and East Coast
  • Investors seeking stable rental returns

Marketing Channels

  • Zillow, Redfin, Realtor.com
  • Social media (Instagram, Facebook)
  • Google search ads
  • Local real estate events

Pricing Strategies

List slightly below recent comps to drive multiple offers in hot neighborhoods; price at or just above comps in slower segments.

Common Objections & Response Strategies

Objection: Homes are too expensive/affordability issues

Response Strategy:

Highlight lower monthly payments with rate buydowns or ARMs; emphasize long-term appreciation and strong job market.

Objection: High interest rates

Response Strategy:

Discuss potential for refinancing when rates drop; show historical context and current rent vs. buy analysis.

Objection: Competition from cash/investor buyers

Response Strategy:

Advise on strong offer strategies (pre-inspections, escalation clauses, flexible closing dates).

Professional Recommendations

1

Educate buyers on creative financing and rate buydown options.

2

Encourage sellers to price competitively and invest in staging.

3

Leverage digital marketing and video tours to reach remote buyers.

4

Monitor inventory trends closely for shifts in market leverage.

5

Highlight Seattle's job growth and lifestyle advantages in all marketing.

Competitive Analysis

Comparable Markets

  • San Francisco Bay Area
  • Portland, OR
  • Denver, CO

Market Positioning

Seattle remains a top-tier West Coast market, less volatile than San Francisco but more expensive than Portland or Denver.

Competitive Advantages

  • Strong tech sector and job growth
  • Desirable lifestyle amenities
  • Robust rental market

Price Comparison

Seattle's median home price is lower than San Francisco ($1.3M+) but higher than Portland ($600K) and Denver ($700K).

Investment Metrics

~4.5% (multifamily, 2025 est.)
Cap Rates
~4% gross yield (single-family rentals)
Rental Yields
~28 (2025 est.)
Price-to-Rent
Positive cash flow possible in select neighborhoods with 25%+ down payment; best in Northgate, Rainier Valley, West Seattle
Cash Flow
+1.5% through mid-2026
Appreciation

Buyer Journey Insights

First-Time Buyers

Face affordability challenges; benefit from down payment assistance and new construction incentives.

Move-Up Buyers

Leverage equity gains from previous sales; seek larger homes or better locations.

Downsizers

Target condos and townhomes in walkable neighborhoods; prioritize low maintenance.

Investors

Focus on neighborhoods with strong rental demand and new construction incentives; watch for cap rate compression.

Relocators

Prioritize proximity to tech employers and transit; often have higher budgets.

This city analysis was generated using comprehensive market data and AI intelligence.

Market conditions change rapidly - consult with local real estate professionals for the most current information.

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