January Market Pulse (with a little football playoff energy)

The December Story (King + Snohomish)

Single-Family Homes: The “Limited Edition” aisle

King County: The median sold price settled at $910,000 (a smidge softer than November, but higher than last December). Inventory tightened to about 1.7 months, and homes took around 45 days to sell—very normal for a cozy end-of-year market. King County residential

Snohomish County: Median sold price was about $749,000 (basically flat month-to-month, down year-over-year). Inventory stayed snug at roughly 1.5 months, with about 42 days on market. snohomish county single family

What that means: Single-family inventory is still scarce in both counties. Buyers are out there, but they’re not impulse-buying like it’s 2021. They’re more “Let’s check the roof, the layout, and the vibe” than “We’ll take it!”

Condos: The “more choices, more opinions” section

King County: Median sold price rose to about $538,000 and inventory dipped to around 3.2 months (still noticeably more breathing room than single-family). Homes averaged about 51 days on market. King County Condos

Snohomish County: Median sold price was about $495,000, inventory around 2.6 months, and days on market near 40. snohomish county condos

What that means: Condos tend to behave a little more like a calm coffee shop line than a Black Friday stampede—especially in King County. More options = buyers compare harder, negotiate more, and notice the little things.

So… what should a homeowner do with all this?

Here are three practical “January moves” that don’t require spreadsheets or stress:

1) Thinking of selling this spring?

Now is the secret prep season. The homes that win early in the year are usually the ones that quietly got ready while everyone else was still recovering from holiday chaos.(Think of it like playoff football: the “easy yards” come from blocking and basics—not miracle throws.)

2) Staying put?

Tight inventory can be a friendly little tailwind for home values over time. Even in slower months, fewer homes for sale usually helps keep the floor from falling out.

3) Own a condo (or considering one)?

Presentation and pricing matter more when buyers have choices. Think: bright, clean, dialed-in, and “I can picture my life here.”

A tiny winter homeowner tip (because water loves mischief)

Before the next cold snap: swap your furnace/heat-pump filter, check that exterior vents are clear, and peek at gutters/downspouts. Most winter home “plot twists” start with water trying to go somewhere it shouldn’t.