Author: Emily Cressey

Selling a Parent’s House Full of Stuff in Seattle

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Seattle Probate & Estate Guide Selling a Parent’s House Full of Stuff in Seattle A practical way to handle decades of belongings, figure out who has authority to act, and move from an overwhelming house to a manageable plan for selling. By Emily Cressey | August 31, 2026 Quick Answer You do not have to … Continued

Condos vs. Houses by Seattle Neighborhood: Where Each Makes Sense

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Seattle Neighborhood Buying Guide Condos vs. Houses by Seattle Neighborhood: Where Each Makes Sense When buyers compare condos vs houses in Seattle, the answer changes dramatically by neighborhood. In some areas, condos are the dominant way to buy into the location. In others, detached homes, townhomes, and small-lot houses make up a much larger share … Continued

Do You Pay Capital Gains Tax When Selling a House in Washington?

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Washington Home Seller Tax Guide • Updated 2026 Do You Pay Capital Gains Tax Selling a House in Washington? The answer depends on three different tax rules. Here is how the federal home-sale exclusion, Washington capital gains tax, and real estate excise tax work together. By Emily Cressey | Updated August 24, 2026 Quick Answer … Continued

Sell First or Buy First in Seattle? (2026 Guide)

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Sell First or Buy First in Seattle? (2026 Guide) Quick Answer: In the Greater Seattle market of 2026, most move-up owners should sell first, then buy, because inventory sits near a 14-year high and homes take longer to sell. Buying first and carrying two mortgages is far riskier now than it was two years ago. … Continued

How Much Income to Buy a $1M Seattle Home (2026)?

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Quick Answer: To comfortably buy a $1,000,000 home in the Greater Seattle area using the assumptions in this article, a household may need roughly $259,000 to $303,000 in annual gross income, depending largely on the down payment. With 20% down and a 6.66% mortgage rate, the estimated monthly PITI, including principal, interest, property taxes, and … Continued

Should You Buy in Seattle Now or Wait for Prices to Drop?

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Should You Buy in Seattle Now or Wait for Prices to Drop? Greater Seattle inventory has climbed to its highest level in years, giving buyers real negotiating room. Quick Answer: Buying in Seattle now can make sense even as prices soften, if the home fits your life and your budget. Inventory sits near a multi-year … Continued

What Does It Cost to Sell a House in Seattle in 2026?

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Selling a house in the Seattle area in 2026 usually costs about 7 to 9 percent of the sale price once you total everything up. On a $900,000 King County home, plan for roughly $68,000 in selling costs: agent commission (still the biggest line, and now openly negotiable), Washington’s real estate excise tax, escrow and … Continued

Summer 2026: Should I Sell My Eastside Luxury Home Now?

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Should I sell my Eastside luxury home now? If you plan to sell within the next 18 months, moving sooner is the stronger position. Eastside months of supply recently hit a 15-year high and the median price has slipped about 4% year over year, which means every quarter you wait adds competition rather than removing … Continued

Is Now a Good Time to Buy a House in Seattle?

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Is now a good time to buy a house in Seattle? For many buyers, yes. Seattle median sale prices are down roughly 5% year over year and inventory has reached a 14-year high, giving buyers leverage they have not had in over a decade. But the answer depends heavily on what you are buying and … Continued