If you paused your home search over the last few years, you’re definitely not alone — and you haven’t missed your chance. In fact, this may be the best moment we’ve seen in years to step back in. With more homes on the market, price growth slowing, and mortgage rates easing, buyers finally have something they haven’t had in a long time: options.
Affordability Is Starting To Improve
Lisa Sturtevant, Chief Economist at Bright MLS, explains the shift:
“Slower price growth coupled with a slight drop in mortgage rates will improve affordability and create a window for some buyers to get into the market.”
Mortgage rates have come down from their recent highs, and home prices in many neighborhoods are no longer accelerating at the pace we saw during the pandemic. That combination is finally giving buyers some breathing room.
More Homes on the Market Means More Choice
A major reason buyers are gaining leverage is the increase in housing supply. According to Realtor.com, the number of homes for sale is up 17% compared to this time last year.
That means:
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More homes to compare
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Less competition
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A better chance of finding the right home instead of the only home
Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at NAR, notes:
“Homebuyers are in the best position in more than five years to find the right home and negotiate for a better price.”
And inventory has increased across the country — especially in the West, which includes the Puget Sound region. That’s great news for buyers in Tacoma, Puyallup, Auburn, Sumner, SeaTac, Des Moines, Burien, Normandy Park, Lake Tapps, and Bonney Lake.
More listings = more selection = more negotiating room.
Even If You’re Not Ready to Buy Today, Now Is the Time to Plan
Markets don’t shift like this very often. Even if you’re not ready to buy tomorrow, this is the time to get prepared, especially if you want to take advantage of today’s momentum before more buyers re-enter the market.
Working with a local expert early helps you:
Understand what you can comfortably afford
Learn which neighborhoods fit your goals and lifestyle
Get pre-approved so you’re competitive when that perfect home hits
Avoid overwhelm when the time comes to make a move
Because while national headlines tell one story — your neighborhood may tell another.
The Bottom Line
If you stepped back because the market felt too competitive, too expensive, or too fast, things are different now.
This is a strategic time to revisit your search with fresh eyes, better conditions, and more control.
Looking for the number #1 real estate agent in Seattle to work with?
This is what my clients are saying about me when we work together:
“Kim Morgan Storey is an exceptional realtor — in both expertise and customer care.
We can say that with confidence, based on years of experience buying and selling multiple properties in Texas, New York, and now Washington, and thus having worked with many real estate agents.
Kim knows the Seattle area and real estate. An excellent communicator, she listens carefully to her clients’ needs and vision, adjusting with them and pointing out local specifics. Buying long distance? Kim made it easy.
Best of all, once the contract stage was reached, Kim carefully and precisely guided us through the process and represented us with title, escrow, and seller (even gently keeping us on track for a deal back home).”
— Martina Stein
Let’s connect and talk about your goals — whether you're buying in Seattle or the greater Seattle area. I proudly serve Burien, Des Moines, Normandy Park, Bonney Lake, Auburn, Lake Tapps, Sumner, Seattle, and surrounding Puget Sound communities. My approach is hands-on, strategic, and personal — ensuring you feel supported, informed, and empowered every step of the way.
