Here in the Pacific Northwest, our market entered 2026 with meaningfully higher inventory with King, Snohomish, Pierce, and Thurston counties which all posted double-digit increases in available homes compared to last January. What's particularly notable is that improved supply hasn't dampened demand.
Pending sales are running ahead of last year across King, Pierce, Whatcom, Thurston, Island, and Kitsap counties. Week-over-week data from the second full week of January confirms momentum is building, with pending sales surging across nearly every county as buyer activity returns in force after the holiday reset.
We're watching a market transition from the constrained conditions of 2025 toward something more balanced. More inventory gives buyers breathing room to make thoughtful decisions, while sustained buyer engagement despite increased supply suggests demand remains real rather than artificially inflated by scarcity. The national data reminds us to stay watchful, but locally, the fundamentals point to a more resilient market structure than we've seen in recent years. And that's meaningful information for anyone planning a move in 2026.
