As someone who has spent over 16 years helping buyers and sellers navigate the Seattle and Puget Sound real estate markets, I’ve been keeping a close eye on shifting search patterns. Recent research shows that in spring 2026, about 84% of Seattle home shoppers explored listings outside our metro area—a figure that places Seattle among the top cities nationally for out-of-market home searches. This trend isn’t just a fluke. It mirrors what I hear every day from clients weighing the cost of local homeownership against possibilities farther afield. Affordability remains a key factor behind these broader searches, as buyers thoughtfully compare their options before making a move. The study, which analyzed online listing views, highlights how openness to new locations is becoming more common—an insight that resonates with the careful, strategic approach I encourage in every client interaction. Seattle continues to play a central role in this affordability-driven shift, and I’m committed to providing the guidance and market perspective buyers need, whether their journey keeps them here or leads them to new communities.