NW Coast Real Estate

04/13/2026

This recommendation illustrates one of the reasons why I love my job.

See more: https://www.realsatisfied.com/Robin-Downey

03/26/2026

This update on current market conditions just in from my brokerage, Skyline Properties:

INVENTORY IS UP — AND THAT'S GOOD NEWS

Washington's housing inventory rose approximately 13.7% year-over-year heading into 2026. After years of extreme scarcity, buyers have a few more options and sellers need to price strategically. This creates real opportunities for brokers who know how to position listings and counsel clients through a more balanced environment.

COMMISSION STRUCTURES ARE EVOLVING

The 2026 landscape requires greater transparency in how commissions are communicated and structured. Clients are asking more questions. Which means your ability to clearly articulate your value is more important than ever. Skyline's training and manager support are here to help you navigate these conversations with confidence.

ADU OPPORTUNITIES ARE GROWING

Washington's middle housing push, including expanded ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) regulations across King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties, is creating new investment and listing opportunities. Brokers who understand ADU potential are adding real value for both buyers and sellers right now.

SUSTAINABILITY IS A SELLING POINT

Energy efficiency features, solar-ready infrastructure, updated insulation, and smart home systems, are increasingly influencing buyer decisions across the Puget Sound region. Knowing how to identify and communicate these features positions you as a knowledgeable, consultative resource for buyers.

MARKET NUMBERS AT A GLANCE

Projected Price Appreciation (2026): 2–4% moderate growth

Current Mortgage Rate Range: 30-Year Fixed. APR 5.78% ; 15-Year Fixed. APR 5.33%

Average Days on Market: 15–35 days

Inventory Change (YoY): +13.7%

Population Growth: 50,000+ new residents annually

Get Detailed Market Reports:

https://skylineproperties.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=175270ab937cd5dac9a97b963&id=5fb3d314e3&e=e1fe6b41d4

03/20/2026

This comports with my activity (or lack thereof) since the beginning of the year. I don't doubt that the state of world affairs is having an impact on buyers and sellers willingness to enter the market.

Key takeawaysNew U.S. home sales registered their weakest reading since 2022, hurt by winter storms and cautious buyers.High prices, elevated mortgage

03/20/2026

This comports with my lack luster beginning to 2026. I'm seeing buyer interest and sales starting to pick up, but there's no doubt that the state of world affairs is having a dampening effect on both buyers and sellers.

Key takeawaysNew U.S. home sales registered their weakest reading since 2022, hurt by winter storms and cautious buyers.High prices, elevated mortgage

03/16/2026

Great words of advice: This is from an article in Better Homes and Gardens Magazine written by seasoned California real estate agent Doug Shepherd. I could not agree more!

What Is the Biggest Mistake First-Time Homebuyers Make?
It's the same story over the last 40 years of my career—everybody's waiting for a better market, and as they do, they price themselves out of markets; they lose ground. That is the number one mistake, just waiting for better rates and prices.

There are three things that would have to happen to have better, more affordable pricing for anybody. Rates would have to fall to 3 percent to get back to where we were a few years ago, meaning they'd have to be cut by half. Or your income would have to go up by 100%, or home prices would have to drop by 30%. None of that is likely to happen. By waiting, whether rates go up or down, you're just standing by, watching the market play out without being a part of it.

The advice I would give my clients is to just get into homeownership as fast as possible. If the rates do come down significantly, I have many customers refinancing. If home prices come down a little bit, it doesn't matter until you sell it.

I would love to own all the homes that I didn't buy in 2005 that I thought were "overpriced." In 2005, it was said that houses were way too expensive. Today, those are great bargains. In 2005, you paid too much; in 2010, they were worth less; in 2015, you were a genius to buy them. So, if you're a first-time buyer, just get into home ownership as soon as possible.

03/13/2026

This is a surprising statistic! First time homebuyers made up the highest share of home purchasers over the past year!

Key takeawaysFirst‑time buyers accounted for 34% of existing‑home purchases in February, the highest share since April 2025.Existing‑home sales rose

03/03/2026

It’s completely normal to want everything to line up just right before making a move. But the market doesn’t always wait for perfect conditions, and neither do opportunities. Sometimes the better question isn’t “Is this the perfect time?” but “Does this make sense for my goals right now?” 🏡✨ If you’ve been sitting on the sidelines and wondering what your options look like, let’s talk it through — send me a message and we’ll figure it out together.

01/13/2026

Interesting how the most wonderful clients also have nice things to say!

See more: https://www.realsatisfied.com/Robin-Downey

12/15/2025

Blessed with a break in the rain for our Christmas tree hunt!

12/05/2025

https://www.homes.com/news/mortgage-rates-fall-again-averages-are-half-a-point-lower-than-a-year-ago/544052516/?utm_source=sfmc&utm_campaign=Newsletter_Agent_Breaking&utm_medium=email&utm_content=cta

Mortgage rates are back near 2025 lows — falling for the second week in a row.The 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage average dropped to 6.19% in the week

11/11/2025

THIS JUST IN: Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS) S stats show
MORE LISTINGS and LOWER INTEREST RATES

Market Recap

Mortgage interest rates continued to trend lower in October, ending the month at 6.17% for 30-year fixed-rate loans, the lowest level since early October 2024. Across NWMLS counties, the number of sales and median prices fell year-over-year by 4% and 1.5%, respectively, while active listings jumped 27%, giving buyers more options in the market despite ongoing affordability challenges. Compared to September, both sales and median prices increased modestly, by about 1% and 1.5%, following declines in the previous month.

“The year-over-year numbers suggest that potential buyers continue to be constrained by high interest rates. While it might be tempting, it would be overreaching to attribute the latest month-over-month changes to lower interest rates. One month of data does not constitute a trend, and it is very difficult to predict whether the current moderating trend will continue,” said Steven Bourassa, Director of the Washington Center for Real Estate Research at the University of Washington.

October 2025 Key Takeaways
Active Listings

There was a 27% increase in the total number of properties listed for sale year-over-year, with 18,791 active listings on the market at the end of October 2025, compared to 14,795 at the end of October 2024. When compared to the previous month, active inventory decreased by 1,261 listings (-6.3%), down from 20,052 in September 2025.
The number of homes for sale year-over-year increased in all of NWMLS’s coverage area, with 24 out of 27 counties seeing a double-digit year-over-year increase. The six counties with the highest year-over-year increases in active inventory for sale were Thurston (+49%), Snohomish (+42.2%), Jefferson (+37.4%), Clallam (+37.2%), Ferry (+35.7%), and Okanogan (+34%)

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