Author: Kevin King

August 2026

If you’ve been watching the King, Snohomish & Skagit County market this year, you’ve probably noticed it doesn’t behave like it did a few years ago. Inventory has been easing up compared to the ultra-tight years, which means buyers finally have a little more room to breathe — more homes to compare, slightly more negotiating room, and fewer of the 10-offer bidding wars that defined 2021 and 2022.

That doesn’t mean it’s a buyer’s market across the board. Well-priced homes in strong school districts — think Bellevue, Sammamish, and parts of Mill Creek — are still moving quickly, sometimes with multiple offers. Meanwhile, homes that are overpriced or need work are sitting longer and seeing price reductions.

For buyers: this is a market where preparation pays off. Getting pre-approved early and knowing exactly what you can offer — and where you can be flexible — still matters even with more inventory to choose from.

For sellers: pricing accurately from day one is more important than ever. Homes priced right for today’s market (not last year’s) are still selling fast and often above asking. Homes priced aspirationally are the ones sitting.

If you’re weighing a move this year, I’m happy to walk through what’s happening in your specific neighborhood — the county-wide numbers only tell part of the story.

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July 2026

Every seller wants the same thing: the highest price, in the shortest time, with the least hassle. Here’s where I’d start.

1. Declutter before you stage. Buyers need to picture themselves in the space, not sort through yours. Clear counters, closets, and garages go a long way.
2. Handle the obvious repairs. A leaky faucet or a sticky door won’t sink a sale, but it plants doubt about what else hasn’t been maintained. Fix the small stuff.
3. Get a pre-listing walkthrough. I’ll walk the home with you and flag anything that’s likely to come up at inspection, so there are no surprises mid-contract.
4. Price with current comps, not old ones. The market shifts month to month. I pull the most recent comparable sales — not last year’s — before we set a number.
5. Plan for showings early. The first two weeks on market get the most traffic. Having the home genuinely show-ready from day one matters more than any showing after that.

Thinking about listing? I’m happy to do a free walkthrough and put together a plan specific to your home.

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June 2026

Buying your first home is exciting — and it’s normal to feel a little overwhelmed. Here are the three mistakes I see most often with first-time buyers, and how we avoid them.

1. Shopping before getting pre-approved. It’s tempting to start touring homes right away, but without a pre-approval you don’t actually know your real budget — or your negotiating power. We start here first.

2. Focusing only on the purchase price. Property taxes, HOA dues, and typical maintenance costs vary a lot by neighborhood. I walk through the full picture so there are no surprises after you move in.

3. Waiving too much, too fast. In a competitive offer, it can feel like you need to waive every contingency to win. Sometimes that’s the right call — but often there’s a smarter way to make your offer competitive without taking on unnecessary risk. That’s where local experience matters.

If you’re getting ready to start your search, let’s grab 30 minutes and talk through your specific situation before you make an offer on anything.

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