Happy New Year! 2026 is off to a roaring start with the kids finally back in school and many of us back in the office.

What We’re Seeing on the Ground

The “holiday hangover” is officially over. This week alone:

• Rapid Offers: We’ve already submitted two offers for clients. One was on a loft that had been on the market for a month, but received multiple offers yesterday!?
• Pending Success: Our cool townhome listing went pending
• Listing Prep: We’re currently “in the trenches”, ripping out carpet and painting two upcoming listings to get them market-ready ASAP.

Market Pulse: What’s Different This January

Looking back at the start of 2025, mortgage rates were hovering over 7%. We’re starting 2026 in a much stronger position with rates around 6.2%. Will this get more buyers off the sidelines?

A Tale of Two Strategies

• For Buyers: Expect a surge of new inventory this week; it will be a busier week than any of the weeks in November or December. However, the “main wave” of sellers won’t arrive for another 60 days. Patience is key, but be ready to move fast on the early gems.
• For Sellers: This is your window. While most homeowners are waiting for spring, savvy sellers are listing now. With inventory at seasonal lows and buyers eager to start the year in a new home, listing ASAP means less competition for you.

Community Spotlight: Mary’s Place

A massive thank you to everyone who contributed to our end-of-year fundraiser! Together, including our company match, we raised $3,500 to support families at Mary’s Place.If you missed the window but still want to help, it’s not too late, forward me the receipt.

That’s it for now, headed to the Kraken game!

Noteworthy deals last week

• Most expensive pending: Mercer Island waterfront at $5.5M
• Highest % over asking sale: Shoreline rambler for 9% over
• Most expensive sale: Mercer Island waterfront for $8M
• Least expensive sale: Eastlake condo for $290K
• Most popular Seattle listing on Redfin: Maple Leaf craftsman for $950K

Links

• Seattle’s cost of living trails its suburbs by as much as 30%, studies show (PSBJ)
• Mortgage rates hold at two-month lows (MRD)
• Mercer Island mansion linked to the Niu sisters sells for $8M (PSBJ)

New listings by week

Seattle: 82 new listings last week, up 115.8% w-o-w
Eastside: 37 new listings last week, up 94.7% w-o-w

Homes going pending by week

Seattle: 73 pending last week, down 20.6% w-o-w
Eastside: 40 pending last week, down 37.5% w-o-w

Eye candy

$7.9M downtown condo

$2.2M Portage Bay floating home

Check out last week’s market update, So long 2025!

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