July 2025
Inflation and unemployment concerns prompted the Federal Reserve to maintain the federal funds rate at its current level, “giving a general indication of trends that may affect mortgage rates,” said Steven Bourassa, director of the Washington Center for Real Estate Research (WCRER). Mortgage rates remain stubbornly high at 6.77%, making affordability a challenge for prospective buyers. “The continued anticipation of inflation and concerns about increasing government debt suggests that mortgage interest rates are not likely to go down any time soon,” continued Bourassa.
However, June did show some positive signs for future buyers. The number of active listings reached 19,837, marking the first time since September 2022 that all 27 counties in the NWMLS service area experienced double-digit, year-over-year increases in inventory. In addition, the median home price remained relatively stable from May 2025 (increasing 1.52% from $660,000 to $670,000 in June 2025) and increased just 3.08% year-over-year from June 2024’s median price of $650,000.
Selma Hepp of Cotality indicated that though mortgage rates may be daunting, the “increase in the availability of homes for sale and the softening of home prices” indicates the NWMLS service area “is experiencing a re-balancing of housing market trends.”
“As prices moderate, opportunities open up for buyers who have been priced out, which may help stabilize the home market,” continued Hepp
June 2025 Key Takeaways
Active Listings
There was a 38.82% increase year-over-year in the total number of properties listed for sale in the NWMLS service area, from 14,393 in June 2024 to 19,837 active listings in June 2025. When compared to May 2025, June experienced an 8.34% increase from 18,310 listings.
All 27 counties in the NWMLS service area experienced double-digit, year-over-year increases in active listings.
The six counties with the highest increases in active inventory were Columbia (+70%), Grant (+61.59%), Snohomish (+50.96%), Whatcom (+49.02%), King (+46.69%) and Adams (+46.51%).