Summer might be the best time to buy!

The “Summer Divergence”: Why Buyers Slow Down While Choice Stays High

When we start out, one thing we think about is: When is the best time to buy a house in King & Snohomish County? When looking at the actual market data, we see a fascinating trend: while the “frenzy” of buyers often cools down late-spring, the number of homes available for you to choose from remains remarkably steady. This is what I call the Summer Opportunity Gap.

1. The Supply Stays, but the “Sold” Sprints Slow Down

According to the latest TrendGraphix metrics, we are seeing a significant 33.2% drop in Sold properties month-over-month as we move out of the initial spring rush. However, the For Sale inventory is actually increasing by 4.2%. So, When is the best time to buy a house in King & Snohomish County?

• The Interpretation: The “For Sale” line (the options you have) is climbing, while the “Sold” line (your competition taking homes off the market) is dipping. For the first time in months, supply is outpacing the immediate demand.

2. Moving from a “Seller’s Sprint” to a “Neutral Market”

The report officially classifies the current market as “Neutral.” This is a huge shift from the “Seller’s Market” of previous years.

• The Benefit to You: In a neutral market, you have Time. You aren’t forced to waive inspections or make a decision in 4 hours. With more “For Sale” inventory staying on the market longer, you have the leverage to negotiate.

3. The “Pended” Reality Check

While “Pending” sales (homes going under contract) show a seasonal uptick of 46% as buyers re-enter the market in spring, they are still down 20.1% from six months ago. * What this means: There is a “ceiling” on the competition. Even though more people are looking than in the dead of winter, the overall volume of competing buyers is significantly lower than the historical peaks.

I‘ve seen this cycle repeat itself for over a decade. The ‘smart money’ moves when the Sold line dips but the Inventory line stays green. That is exactly what we see during the summer months (April to August). If you find yourself asking, When is the best time to buy? and your not looking to be in a rush and not have to deal with multiple offers on a property, this might be the best time for you to start.

Call me today to set you up for success!

Alicia Ewbank, CCS
Windermere Real Estate East, Inc,
Founder of Sellmycondo.org
aliciae@windermere.com
(206)446-1952
aliciaewbank.withwre.com
sellmycondo.org