Latest News

Hi, I’m Doron Weisbarth with Weisbarth & Associates, and welcome to my January 2026 Market Update! Once a year — and only once a year — I attempt to predict the future. It’s a form of self-torture, I suppose,  but the good news is that so far no one has come to tar and feather me for my bad predictions. So here I go again — stepping up to the ledge for 2026. Before we look forward in time, let’s set the stage and take a quick peek backwards in time. If you take a look at this chart, you’ll see that for all the craziness in 2025, and there was plenty of it — high interest rates, inflation, economic uncertainty, high tariffs, low tariffs, high tariffs, low tariffs, global conflict, to name just a few — the real estate market in our area was remarkably… unremarkable. Median prices went up. Maybe not dramatically, but they did. And market activity has stayed about the same since 2023, back when high inflation and high rates first hit. In other words, the seasonal rhythm that has become almost endemic in our area, survived just fine through thick and thin. And that’s a good thing. First, because it allows me to make “good enough” predictions so I won’t end up with egg all over my face. But more importantly, based on those patterns we can now chart a course for anyone who’s looking to buy and/or sell a home in the coming year. By the way, if you want to look at this data and read the full report at your own pace and leisure, you’ll find everything in my January newsletter, available online and for download, for free, at Weisbarth.com/newsletter — that’s Weisbarth.com/newsletter . Alright! The moment we’ve all been waiting for, least of all me — prediction time! One thing that has been true in our area for many, many years is that the level of buyer demand still far exceeds the number of homes for sale. So even when uncertainty shows up — as it did throughout 2025 — that demand doesn’t disappear. It retracts, it waits, it simmers… but it never goes away. If you’ve heard me refer to the ‘pent-up demand’ before — that’s exactly what helps build it. Buyers who, on the one hand, are eager to find a good, stable home for themselves and their families, and yet are temporarily holding back. Remember — buying a home is an emotional act, and that means that it’s fraught with emotions high and low. You probably also heard me quote that old saying that a confused mind will do nothing. It just sits there and waits for more clarity — a brighter day, a clear path, a sign from the universe… something! Anything! Well guess what — that sign from the universe just arrived, delivered by a horse-drawn carriage. Interest rates have been steadily dropping recently. They’d been hovering just over the 6% mark and even crossed into the upper 5% territory. Of course that’s an average rate, so if your credit score is better and you’re putting down a large enough down payment, your rate might be lower than that average. And this all creates the perfect lure to bring those buyers out. So my prediction is that we’ll see a lot of buyers enter — or re-enter — the market. And this year’s buyers — especially the ones in the mid- to higher-end — may have extra fuel from their very strong 2025 stock market gains. With those earnings, they’ll feel good and confident to make larger down payments, compete harder, and push prices up more quickly. But it gets even better (well… for sellers). Historically, those buyers show up en masse at the beginning of the year — exactly when inventory levels are at their lowest. That mismatch of high demand with low supply creates competition, multiple offers, and upward price pressure. Let me put that chart back up again for a second, because it’s always easier to spot the pattern visually than to describe it in words. So, as you can see from past years’ data, I expect that the early part of 2026 will be very favorable for sellers. If you’re a buyer watching this, what this means is that, yes, competition will be stronger, and if you’re worried, ask me about our proven 3-step system for buyers that helps dramatically change the odds in your favor. Now, by mid-year, we’ll likely see a leveling off in home prices and market activity. Then we enter the usual summer slowdown as buyers and sellers choose sun and travel over open houses. And then a second fall surge before the market finally taps the brakes again heading into the holidays. So that’s the playbook I’m betting on for 2026. Now, I know what you’re thinking:“This isn’t much of a prediction — it’s just a description of past patterns.”Yep. You’re right. Not much of a walk on the ledge here. The big question is this: how big will that spring surge be? Now that’s the part no one can predict. And of course, we don’t know what national or global surprises are in store for us this year, and notice I didn’t say “if”… But if 2025 taught us anything, it’s that this market is stubbornly resilient, even when the world is doing somersaults. So, if you — or someone you know — has a New Year’s resolution that includes buying and/or selling a home this year, my team and I would love the referral. We’ve perfected our 5-step system for sellers and our 3-step system for buyers, and we’ve got the numbers to prove how well they work. Combined with our engineering-level analysis, we know how to track market trends, and based on that, adjust our strategies to meet them. And remember — when you work with us, you’re also helping support Akin, an amazing nonprofit helping kids and families in need thrive. Your business and referrals make a real difference in the community, and we’re incredibly proud to be a part of that mission. For a no-obligation consultation — or if you just want to explore your options or bounce around some ideas — reach out by email, text, or, my favorite, a good old-fashioned phone call at 206-779-9808. That’s 206-779-9808. We are always happy to help! Thanks for watching! Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and follow for more updates — and be sure to check out the full January newsletter at Weisbarth.com/newsletter . I’m Doron Weisbarth with Weisbarth & Associates — Happy New Year, and I’ll see you next month!

December 2025 Vlog  Hi, I’m Doron Weisbarth with Weisbarth & Associates, and welcome to my December 2025 Market Update! Let’s talk about 2025 — a year that was about as exciting as lukewarm cup of tea. Yes, home prices in the Seattle area did end higher than they started, but overall? The year felt pretty flat. And that modest price bump? It hides a much bigger story: this market did not  treat all price points equally. Homes at or above the median price did fairly well. Lower-priced homes? Not so much.And condos… well… let’s just say 2025 was not their comeback tour. In fact, it may have been their toughest year in more than a decade. But here’s the part that’s actually fascinating. Despite everything happening in the world — elections, global tension, inflation, tech jitters, and the occasional “AI is taking over” headline — one thing stayed remarkably consistent: our market’s seasonal rhythm. Every year we see the same pattern: Q4 activity drops,  then Q1 activity bounces right back up and with a vengeance.  And this year? Same dance, different music.The slowdown happening right now is seasonal, not structural. The market isn’t collapsing. It’s simply doing what it always does at this time of year — taking a holiday nap. By the way, if you want to see the full chart and read the full report at your own pace, you’ll find everything in my December newsletter—available online and for download, for free, at Weisbarth.com/newsletter . That’s Weisbarth.com/newsletter . So What Happens Next? Well, if history is any guide, we should start seeing the first signs of life again in late January or early February. And here’s the part that I think is really  interesting: For the last few years, that bounce back hasn’t been gentle — it’s been more like a slingshot.A sharp burst in buyer activity.A quick jump in prices.A wave of offers that suddenly appears out of nowhere. Why?Because buying a home is deeply emotional. When people feel uncertain — about interest rates, the economy, global events — they freeze. But life doesn’t wait for things to “feel safe.” People still get married, divorced, have babies, need office space, want a yard for their dog, or finally decide they’re done with walking up three flights of stairs with groceries. That demand builds — quietly — until eventually, it bursts. And Here’s the Big Fuel for 2026 Interest rates just hit their lowest levels in almost three years .That is exactly  the kind of jolt that has the potential to wakes up hesitant buyers. Now, will it be a huge surge? A moderate wave? Or a “just enough to make things interesting” kind of bump? We’ll know a lot more by the end of January — so definitely tune in for the February update. So are you or someone you know thinking of selling? Right now, in December, the window for selling successfully is basically… closed. Buyers are busy with holidays, family, and pretending they’re not procrastinating on their shopping. BUT — if you want to sell in early 2026? This is exactly  the moment to get ready. Because that Q1 surge — when it arrives — is one of the best opportunities of the year to sell fast, for top dollar, and with the least amount of hassle. My team and I can help you get your home prepared, fine-tune your strategy, and make sure you hit the ground running when buyers re-enter the market. We offer a no-obligation consultation. We use our proven 5-step system that outperforms our competitors and we have the numbers to prove it. So if you’re thinking of making a move, email, text or call directly at 206-779-9808, that’s 206-779-9808 . We’ll map out a smart plan so you’re ready the moment the market wakes up.  And remember—when you work with us, you’re also supporting Akin, an amazing nonprofit helping kids and families in need thrive. Your business and referrals make a real difference in our community, and we’re incredibly proud to be part of that mission. Thanks for watching! Remember to like, subscribe, and follow for more updates. And be sure to check out the full December newsletter at Weisbarth.com/newsletter . I’m Doron Weisbarth with Weisbarth & Associates — stay warm, Happy Holidays, Happy New Year, and I’ll see you next year!

Hi, I’m Doron Weisbarth with Weisbarth & Associates, and welcome to my November 2025 Market Update! With everything going on in the world right now—from political upheaval to tech layoffs, AI disruptions, wars, and Cal Raleigh coming in second on the MVP list—you might think the real estate market would be more jittery than a squirrel at a rave. Normally, you’d expect that kind of uncertainty to make buyers hit pause and sellers second-guess their timing. But that’s not what’s happening. And that’s exactly why I always caution against relying too heavily on year-over-year comparisons. The world today is not the same as it was a year ago—economically, socially, or emotionally. And if you’re trying to make decisions about buying or selling a home, you need to know what’s happening right now.  So let’s take a look at the charts.  For the past six months, King County’s real estate market has been remarkably steady. The number of pending and closed sales has held a consistent pace since May. Even inventory—the number of homes for sale—has stayed steady, albeit at levels higher than we’ve seen since mid-2022.  And prices? With higher supply and lower demand you’d expect prices to take a sharp turn downward. But they too have been mostly steady, in places even inching up a bit. Not dramatically, but enough to notice. And just to be clear, while I use King County’s data to illustrate my points, the same trends apply to the other local counties as well.  Now, in most years, the fourth quarter brings a noticeable slowdown. But this year? Not so much—at least not yet. October held firm across the board, defying the usual seasonal dip. By the way, if you’d like to review this graph and explore all the data in more detail, you can find it in my November newsletter—available online and for download, for free, at Weisbarth.com/newsletter . That’s Weisbarth.com/newsletter . So, what does this mean if you’re planning to sell? Typically, the fourth quarter can be a tougher time for sellers. But 2025 has been the exception—a steady year in an otherwise volatile world. The real question is: what happens after the first of the year? If the trend of the past 15 plus years will hold again, then the market activity will reset starting in early January and we will see a surge of new buyers hit the market, just as the inventory level will hit it’s lowest point of the year.  Now, if you’re hoping to sell before the end of this year, the good news is that the window hasn’t closed—yet. The market is still active, and with the right strategy, you can absolutely make a successful sale this season. But if you’re flexible, waiting until the first quarter might be the stronger play, since that’s when buyer activity typically surges. Either way, the key is having a plan that fits your goals—and that’s where my team and I come in. We’ll help you fine-tune your pricing, prep, and marketing to make sure you’re set up for success. So, if you’re thinking about buying or selling—or you know someone who is—let’s talk. You can reach me directly at 206-779-9808 —that’s 206-779-9808 —or by text or email, or click on the link below. And remember, when you work with us, you’re also helping support Akin , an incredible nonprofit that helps kids and families in need thrive. Your real estate decisions make a real difference in our community, and that’s something we’re very proud of. Thanks for watching! Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and follow for more updates—and be sure to check out the full November newsletter at Weisbarth.com/newsletter . I’m Doron Weisbarth with Weisbarth & Associates—stay warm and enjoy your Thanksgiving, and I’ll see you next month!