Seattle Housing Market Update December 2025: King County and Snohomish County Trends
The Seattle housing market continues to shift as we move deeper into winter, with declining inventory and steady interest rates shaping buyer and seller behavior across King County and Snohomish County. As of mid-December 2025, mortgage rates are holding around 6.27%, nearly unchanged from late November, providing some stability despite seasonal slowdowns. Inventory remains the dominant story, with fewer new listings coming to market and more homes going pending or selling, a trend that is increasing competition on well-priced properties.
King County Housing Market Snapshot
Over the past week, King County and Snohomish County combined saw 209 new listings, similar to late November levels, while price reductions continued with 196 homes adjusting prices. Pending listings jumped significantly to 548, up from 444 at the end of November, and sold listings increased to 458 compared to 373 previously. In King County specifically, the median pending sales price for the first two weeks of December reached $810,000, while homes are now selling at an average of 99% of list price, up from 96% just weeks earlier. Competition is clearly rising, with 23% of pending sales involving multiple offers compared to 16% previously, and escalation clauses increasing to 6% of offers. Financing and inspection contingencies remain common, with 76% of offers including financing addendums and 57% including inspections, signaling a balanced but competitive market.
Snohomish County Housing Market Snapshot
Snohomish County is showing similar momentum. The median sales price rose to $725,000 in early December, up from $715,000 at the end of November. Homes are selling at roughly 98% of list price, and competition is increasing, with 19% of offers receiving multiple bids compared to just 8% around Thanksgiving. Escalation clauses appeared in 6% of offers, while financing addendums were present in 82% of transactions. Inspection contingencies declined slightly to 51%, reflecting buyer confidence on well-positioned listings.
Seattle Market Outlook Heading Into 2026
Across the greater Seattle area, the consistent theme is shrinking inventory paired with steady buyer demand. With Christmas and New Year’s approaching, new listings are expected to slow even further, setting the stage for a lower-inventory winter and potentially heightened competition as we move toward early spring. Overall, while pricing remains relatively stable, buyers should be prepared for competitive situations on desirable homes, and sellers may benefit from limited supply if their homes are priced correctly. This December 2025 Seattle housing market update shows a market that is calm on the surface but tightening underneath, making strategic timing and local insight more important than ever.