Seattle, United States
Property insights and suburb guides
Seattle property market (early 2026): a transition to a balanced market with neighborhood dispersion. Median home values roughly $775k–$860k; strongest opportunity near light rail, Eastside job centers and family neighborhoods. Read neighborhood highlights, transport, schools, investment outlook and practical buyer tips.
Tips for Buyers
- 1.Prioritize transit access if commute and rentability are key — target Link stations and frequent bus corridors.
- 2.For lower entry and upside, evaluate near‑transit edges (select South Seattle pockets, Northgate/NE Seattle micro‑markets).
- 3.Check zoning and ADU rules (One Seattle Plan changes implemented in late‑2025/early‑2026) before assessing redevelopment potential.
- 4.If buying a condo, review HOA reserves, insurance costs and recent special assessments.
- 5.Use a local agent who tracks station‑area plans, permitting timelines and hyperlocal comps — neighborhood dispersion is large.
- 6.Factor mortgage rates into affordability: rates have stabilized above pandemic lows and will affect buying power.
Common Property Types
- • Single‑family homes (family neighborhoods, higher resilience)
- • Condos (downtown/SLU/Belltown; mixed performance)
- • Townhomes (Ballard, NE Seattle)
- • Multifamily/infill (opportunity with One Seattle Plan zoning)
- • ADUs and owner‑builder conversions (increasingly feasible)
Who Lives Here
Diverse buyer mix: young professionals and tech workers in SLU/Capitol Hill/downtown; growing families in Queen Anne, Ballard and West Seattle; students and investors in University District; Eastside attracts high‑income tech employees and families seeking top schools.
Transport
- • Sound Transit Link light rail (Northgate, University District, Capitol Hill, downtown, SLU; East Link expansions opening in 2026)
- • King County Metro and Sound Transit express buses (broad coverage and 2026 service adjustments)
- • Sea‑Tac Airport (linked by light rail and ST Express)
- • Washington State Ferries (regional water connections)
Schools
- • University of Washington (major research university, U District anchor)
- • Garfield High School (Central Area)
- • Roosevelt High School (Northeast Seattle)
- • Ballard High School (Ballard)
Amenities
- • Pike Place Market and waterfront attractions
- • Seattle Center, museums and cultural venues
- • Green Lake, Discovery Park and easy access to Puget Sound and Lake Washington
- • Ballard Locks and waterfront dining/brewery scene
Modest, low‑single‑digit appreciation expected metro‑wide for 2026. Outperformance likely near light rail stations and Eastside tech/job clusters. Zoning reforms (One Seattle Plan) open new redevelopment and missing‑middle opportunities but weigh permitting, tenant protections and financing risks before committing.
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