The National Association of REALTORS’® Pending Home Sales Index rose 6.9% in March, compared to economists’ expectations of a smaller 1% gain.

Many of the priciest new listings this month are waterfront properties, including a $5.7 million home floating in Lake Union and a $4.3 million condo houseboat at Roanoke Reef.

The pace of sales rose 7.4% compared to February, topping analyst estimates by a large margin.

Prominent real estate economist Matthew Gardner shares insights on the first quarter of 2025 — including his takes on tariffs, immigration, brokerage acquisitions, mortgage rates and more.

Given the city’s median annual household income of $208,630 for married couples, they have to spend 52% of their yearly earnings on mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance and other related costs.

The surprisingly large decline in the pace of housing starts comes as builder sentiment remains depressed by tariff worries and high prices. 

The average apartment completed between 2015 and 2024 in Seattle is only 649 square feet. That’s about 57 square feet smaller than units built pre-2015.

The Seattle suburbs are home to all 10 of the most expensive properties sold last month, led by a $13.1 million estate on Mercer Island.

A majority of millennial home buyers would choose a smaller home if it offered better amenities, according to a new report from National Association of Home Builders.

“Each interaction indicates buyer interest in that home, and listings with higher engagement levels tend to sell faster and at or above the list price,” Zillow Senior Economist Kara Ng explained.

Affordability constraints were partially eased for many buyers as the 30-year mortgage rate fell from 6.76% to 6.65%.

“In a plot twist, baby boomers have overtaken millennials — the largest U.S. population — to become the top generation of homebuyers,” said Jessica Lautz, NAR’s deputy chief economist and vice president of research.

The annual report surveyed agents in the Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate network to find out how they’re helping clients get their homes ready to list. 

Meanwhile, purchase applications showed their strongest increase in almost two months, rising 7% year over year.

The National Association of REALTORS’® Pending Home Sales Index rose 2% month over month in February, topping an expected 0.9% gain. 

Young homeowners are the most likely to regret their home purchases: 94% of Gen Z and 86% of Millennial sellers acknowledged buying mistakes, compared to 48% of baby boomers.