More homes. A different pace.

What October’s numbers mean for buyers and sellers.

October’s numbers are in, and buyers across King, Snohomish and Pierce counties have more homes to choose from than they did a year ago. Homes are still selling, but the pace varies by property type and location.

For buyers, that creates more room to compare options and think through the full cost of a purchase. For sellers, it makes pricing, preparation and realistic expectations especially important.

More choices for buyers

According to NWMLS, the number of homes for sale—including residential homes and condominiums—increased across all three counties compared with October 2025:

That increase doesn’t mean a flood of new sellers entered the market. Across the NWMLS service area, new listings were unchanged from a year earlier. Slower sales allowed available inventory to build.

Buyers have more to compare, and sellers need to understand how their home stacks up against those choices.

For buyers: use the extra breathing room thoughtfully

Start with the things that will matter long after closing: location, layout, condition and a monthly payment you can comfortably manage. More selection gives you a chance to be intentional about those priorities.

When a home fits, look at the entire offer. Depending on the property and seller’s circumstances, it may be worth discussing closing-cost assistance, repair credits or a mortgage rate buydown.

Those options solve different problems. A lower price reduces the purchase amount. A closing-cost credit may help preserve cash. A temporary buydown offers payment relief for a limited period, so you still need to be comfortable with the payment afterward. Have your lender compare the actual numbers and confirm what your loan allows.

More inventory doesn’t mean every seller will accept a large discount. We recommend evaluating the home’s competition, pricing history and condition before deciding what to offer.

For sellers: homes are selling, but timelines aren’t one-size-fits-all

October’s NWMLS InfoSparks figures show why it helps to look at both median and average days on market.

The median is the midpoint: half the homes took less time, and half took more. The average can be pulled higher by homes that take longer to sell. Together, they give sellers a fuller picture.

Residential homes

Condominiums

For sellers, the takeaway is to build flexibility into your moving timeline. Some homes find a buyer quickly; others need more time. These figures provide context, not a deadline for your home.

Price against the alternatives buyers can tour today, alongside recent comparable sales. Make showings easy, address distractions that could cause hesitation and listen for patterns in the feedback.

If activity is limited, revisit the strategy together. That might mean improving presentation, adjusting the price or considering a buyer incentive. The goal is to respond thoughtfully to what the market is telling you.

Your neighborhood matters more than the headline

A condo, an updated rambler and a larger home needing work can attract very different buyer responses—even within the same city.

For buyers, we want to understand where there is a worthwhile opportunity. For sellers, we want to identify what will help your home stand out and what timeline is reasonable.

Curious how these changes apply to your neighborhood or your next move? Reach out. We’re happy to walk through the nearby competition and help you put the numbers in context.

Kim + Joel
JR Group | Heaton Dainard

Sources: Northwest Multiple Listing Service October 2026 market report; inventory changes compare October 2026 with October 2025 and include residential homes and condominiums. Days on market: NWMLS InfoSparks, October 2026 monthly figures, with residential and condominium categories reported separately.