US Purchase Activity up 21% Yearly

Purchase applications recently ↑1% and were ↑21% yearly, showing buyers are moving forward as inventory conditions look more favorable nationally for many shoppers.
Total mortgage application volume recently ↓1.6% seasonally adjusted, after a prior ↑7.9%, while unadjusted activity ↓1%, tracking overall loan demand across programs.
The 30-yr fixed rate sat in the mid-6% range, and refinance volume ↓4%, shifting more attention toward purchase demand for market watchers.
An economist said potential buyers resumed forward movement after a brief pause, using improved inventory conditions across most parts of the country.
Application mix shifted: refinance share ↓42.5% from 44.2%, ARM share reached 8.3%, while government-backed loan shares varied across programs in recent activity.

Seattle Home Sale: How Fast in Early 2026?

Seattle median DOM: 56 in early 2026.
46.7% of Seattle homes sell within 2 weeks; median sale price is $758,000.
Seattle’s avg sale-to-list ratio is 98.5%.
Nationwide median days on market is 66, with 28.6% selling within 2 weeks.
Nationwide median sale price is $422,921; avg sale-to-list ratio is 97.9%.

Happy Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day celebrates the love, strength, and sacrifices of moms everywhere, with their guidance, care, and inspiration across cultures worldwide.

Celebrating amazing moms! Your strength, kindness, and care inspire everyone around you—today we honor you and all that you do.

Enjoy pampering, hugs, and smiles, knowing your love and dedication make the world a better place.

Wishing you a joyful Mother’s Day! 🌸 May your heart be filled with love, laughter, and sweet memories with your family today.

Late April Gives Sellers Best Edge

Across the US, homes listed in late April had the strongest odds of selling fast and above asking, making it the top seller window.
Late-April listings were ↑18% more likely to sell above asking, with median sale prices ↑4% versus the yearly avg., the biggest premium of the year.
Homes listed then were ↑17% more likely to sell within 2 weeks and spent ~9% fewer days on market than the yearly avg.
Sellers also faced less competition: late-April inventory was typically ↓8% from the late-summer peak, even as buyer demand stayed strong.
Timing varied by market. West Coast and Texas sellers often did best earlier, while Northeast and Rust Belt markets tended to favor later spring.
For buyers, late spring brought the most new listings, mid-summer offered the biggest fresh selection, and late summer into early fall brought better deals.

NWMLS: Housing Inventory Surges 28%

Slide 1:
NWMLS active listings jumped 28% to 13,341, giving buyers significantly more choices heading into spring.

Slide 2:
Median home price hit $620,000 as mortgage rates dipped below 6%, supporting buyer opportunities.

Buy now, benefit now: How builder incentives are reshaping real estate seasons

New home construction buyers benefit from year-round opportunities as builders offer incentives and price cuts to maintain sales amid affordability challenges. About 40% of builders are lowering prices, and 65% use incentives like rate buydowns and closing cost assistance, providing buyers more negotiating power outside the traditional spring surge. Buyers should focus on readiness, local market conditions, and total costs rather than seasonal timing.

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SB 6091 Benefits Washington Home Buyers, Sellers

Bill aims to protect open access to real estate listings, backed by bipartisan, nearly unanimous legislative support.
It requires that when a broker markets a home, it’s visible to the public and all brokers simultaneously.
Only exception: limited marketing allowed when needed for health or safety concerns.
Supporters say private listing networks create “manufactured scarcity,” narrowing buyer pools and hurting sellers’ best offers.
Washington is positioned as a national leader in pro-consumer real estate protections.

Could 2026 in Seattle Be a Buyer’s Window?

Buyer/seller confidence is set to return in 2026, making browsing turn into buying.

Seattle listings may increase gradually, giving buyers more choices and less competition

Forecasters see modest price appreciation, roughly 1–2% metro‑wide, not runaway spikes.

Mortgage rates drifting into low‑6% range make Seattle payments feel easier.

What NOT To Do Before Closing on a House

First-time home buyers should avoid several common mistakes after mortgage pre-approval to ensure a smooth closing process. Key actions to avoid include changing jobs, purchasing a new car, making late payments, and opening new bank accounts. It's also crucial not to spend down payment funds, offer more than the appraised value for a home, close debt accounts, co-sign new loans, skip home inspections, or ignore lender requests. Maintaining financial stability and consistency is essential until the loan is finalized.

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Are You Ready for a Property Inspection?

Hire an inspector and review the report to catch any costly issues before buying.
Be cautious about waiving inspections in competitive situations — consider a home warranty instead.