For pet owners, it’s hard to imagine their home without a furry friend. However, when it comes time to sell, showcasing the qualities of a home should take precedence over the pets that live in it. This creates additional steps in the process of preparing your home for sale, but it makes all the difference in the minds of buyers.
Selling a Home with Pets
Staging Your Home
A well-staged home makes it appealing to the widest variety of buyers and has significant ROI potential when it hits the market. However, having a pet can complicate the staging process. Buyers may lose interest in the home if they see traces of pets, so it’s a good idea to hide any signs of their presence.
It’s especially important to hide evidence of your pet in marketing photos. Prepare for your home’s listing photos by cleaning and vacuuming, making sure all pet stains are gone and any pet-related damage is repaired. Stow any pet carriers, cages, toys, food bowls, and other supplies that may hinder the photographer’s ability to capture the essence of a room.
Showing Your Home
Before inviting potential buyers inside, it’s best to give your home a deep clean to improve your home’s air quality and to rid your carpets, flooring, and surfaces of pet odors and any dirt they may have tracked in over time. Provided you’re using your own furniture, vacuum and clean everything to extract as much fur and pet dander as possible. Talk to your agent to see if it’s a better idea to stage your home with rented furniture. If your pets have caused any damage in the home, make repairs or replacements as needed. After tending to your home’s interior, don’t forget to clean up after your pets in your yard as well. Fill in any holes in the lawn, freshen up your flower beds, and tidy up any areas of the landscaping where your pets may have dug.
After you’ve prepared your home for showings, there’s the question of what to do with your pets once buyers start taking tours. Ask a family member, friend, pet sitter, or neighbor to watch your pets while the showings take place. If you’re not able to find someone to watch them, form a strategy to temporarily relocate your pets during showings. If they must stay in the home, garage, or backyard during tours, it’s best to give buyers advanced notice that there are pets on the property. Talk to your agent about posting signage communicating their presence so that there are no surprises as guests make their way through the house.
Taking all these precautions will help to present your home in the best light without deterring certain buyers, for whom the signs of a pet may cause them to lose interest. On the other hand, if any buyers inquire about how the home can accommodate their pet, you and your agent will be more than ready to answer any questions they may have.
Selling Your Home
For more information on the process of selling your home, visit the Selling Page on our blog. To get an idea of what your home is worth, try our free home value calculator below:
Hi. I’m Jeff Tucker, principal economist at Windermere Real Estate, and this is a Local Look at the June 2025 data from the Northwest MLS.
Here are the four key metrics I watch to track supply and demand in the market: closed and pending sales, which tell us a lot about demand; and listings – new and active – which tell us a lot about supply.
Last month I highlighted the year-over-year decline in closed sales in May, as fallout from the stock market dip and economic turmoil in April; now I’m happy to share that like the stock market, the housing market has rebounded after that speed bump in May. Closed residential sales across the Northwest MLS in June were almost exactly the same as their year-ago level. Pending sales of single-family homes climbed 3% year-over-year.
On the supply side, about 12% more new listings hit the market this June, and the tally of active listings ended the month 37% higher than June 2024’s inventory. That’s a lot more inventory, but the pace of year-over-year growth is slightly slower than the 39% we saw last month.
Finally: the median price for closed single-family home sales actually climbed 3% from last year, to $695,000. That reverses the 1% decline in May, and actually sets a new high-water mark for the year, above the $680,000 price level in April.
So putting it all together, buyers around Washington came back to the table in June after stepping away in May, and they helped drive more sales and higher prices. Looking ahead, the high level of inventory we’ve got on the market at the midpoint of the year suggests that buyers will get more negotiating power later this summer.
Now I’ll dig into details for the four counties encompassing the greater Seattle area.
Residential closed sales dipped by just half of one percent year over year here in the 4-county region, thanks to a 3% gain in King County mostly offsetting some small declines in the other counties. That gain for King County was especially notable after it posted a whopping 14% year-over-year decline in May, suggesting that some buyers got back into the market after pressing “pause” earlier this spring.
Similarly, King County saw the biggest gain in median sale price, climbing 7% from a year ago and now back over a million dollars. Kitsap and Pierce saw prices climb 4% and 5%, while prices dipped 2% in Snohomish County.
Looking ahead, pending sales returned to modest year-over-year increases, totaling 3% across the region, led by 11% more in Pierce and 4% more in King County, offset somewhat by declines of 4% in Kitsap and 5% in Snohomish County.
On the supply side, the 4-county greater Seattle area had almost 9,000 active listings at the end of June, or 40% more than the same time last year. Still, if that sounds dramatic, it’s a small percentage gain than the 45% year-on-year growth in May, suggesting that the inventory buildup is decelerating.
All in all, this report confirmed that greater-Seattle-region buyers came back to the table in June – not in huge numbers, but more like a return to the new normal of sales activity, after many buyers had pressed “pause” in April. Now, the usual seasonal cooldown in demand is likely to begin, just as summer heats up. That will help swing the pendulum in favor of the buyers who keep house-hunting into the second half of the year, and I expect that higher inventory will also start to put some competitive pressure on sellers who haven’t yet gotten an offer.
Since 1984, Windermere offices have closed their doors for one special day each June to roll up their sleeves and give back. Community Service Day unites agents, staff, and franchise owners across our network in a shared mission: to support the places we live and work through hands-on projects that strengthen communities and bring people together.
This year marked Windermere’s 41st annual Community Service Day, and our teams came out in full force. From painting barns and tuning bikes to organizing diapers and digging garden beds, each office contributed something meaningful and close to their hearts.
Here’s a look at how a few of our offices showed up this Community Service Day.
Community Service Day 2025
California
Windermere Signature Properties,formerly Lyon Real Estate, got a jump start on Community Service Day this year, kicking things off in April and setting the tone for what was to come. It was their first year taking part in this cherished Windermere tradition, they embraced it wholeheartedly, bringing the energy, care, and community spirit to every project. From park cleanups and food banks to care packages and foster youth support, their impact spanned the entire Sacramento area.
Davis
Auburn
Fair Oaks
In Auburn, agents took to the Auburn Recreation District, where they painted benches, tended the rose garden, and brought new life to the local park. The Davis / Woodland office partnered with the local YOLO Diaper Bank to assemble and organize donations and presented a $5,000 Windermere Foundation check to support families facing diaper insecurity. Meanwhile, the Roseville / Granite Bay and Fair Oaks offices teamed up with All About Hope, helping put together “Hope Boxes” filled with art supplies and creativity tools for children facing trauma and hospitalization. And at Compassionate Planet in Rocklin, the West Roseville / Rocklin team helped transform the organization’s new barn workshop—a space designed to provide job training and life skills to aged-out foster youth and at-risk young adults.
Whether they were painting, packing, or planting, Windermere Signature Properties made a memorable debut, bringing our Community Service Day values to life through meaningful, hands-on work that reflects the true spirit of Windermere.
Oregon
Windermere offices across Oregon made a significant impact this year, taking on a wide variety of projects that reflect their deep roots in the communities they serve. In Salem, agents and staff from Windermere Pacific West Properties spent their second year in a row volunteering with Marion Polk Food Share at the organization’s Youth Farm. This year, they helped replant rows of peppers, eggplants, and other fresh produce that will later be harvested and distributed to local food pantries and partnering health clinics. Marion Polk Food Share plays a vital role in the region’s hunger relief efforts, supporting over 70 local partner agencies and distributing millions of meals each year. With the rising cost of groceries and ongoing challenges around food access, this kind of work remains essential in communities of every size.
Pacific West Properties
Heritage
Bend
Also in Salem, the team from Windermere Heritage spent their day caring for Minto-Brown Island Park, one of the city’s most treasured outdoor spaces. Their efforts focused on preserving the park’s natural beauty, removing invasive plants, clearing pathways, and maintaining the surrounding green space to ensure it remains a safe, accessible place for the community to gather, explore, and connect with nature.
In Bend, the Windermere Realty Trust team dedicated their Community Service Day to The Giving Plate, a local nonprofit committed to providing food assistance with dignity and compassion, because how people are treated matters just as much as the help they receive. After a tour of the nonprofit’s Community Store, volunteers got to work restocking shelves and preparing the space for open hours so that every guest would experience a welcoming, well-stocked, and thoughtfully presented environment.
Montana
In Montana, Windermere offices brought their A-game, showing just how powerful small-town care and collaboration can be. From Bozeman to Missoula to Hamilton, agents teamed up with local nonprofits to make a lasting difference for their neighbors.
Bozeman
Missoula
Hamilton
In Bozeman, agents, owners, and staff from the Windermere Great Divide office partnered with the HRDC and Gallatin Valley Food Bank to support the Story Mill Learning Garden, a public access garden designed to foster food security, sustainability, and education. They filled the day by tending to garden beds and replanting fresh produce that is open to all and serves as both a vital fresh food source and a hands-on learning environment for the community.
The Windermere Missoula team headed over to the YWCA of Missoula, a global nonprofit dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and advancing justice and dignity for all. With paintbrushes and tools in hand, they built a new storage shed and stained the surrounding fences—improvements that help create a more welcoming and functional environment for women and families seeking shelter and support services.
A bit farther south in Hamilton, participants from Windermere Hamilton showed up for the Haven House Food Bank, where they tackled a landscaping project at the request of the organization’s board. Originally planning to repaint the interior, the team quickly shifted gears to address the overgrown shrubbery, clearing and cleaning up the exterior to improve the property’s appearance and accessibility. They also helped relocate food donations that had been delivered to the wrong location, proving that a little flexibility and a lot of heart can go a long way for a nonprofit that relies on community support.
Utah
Utah
Heading East to Utah, Windermere offices carried the same spirit of service into a new setting, coming together to support a local initiative that blends education, agriculture, and community into one impactful mission. Windermere’s Utah offices united for a meaningful day of service at Roots Charter High Schoolin West Valley City, a one-of-a-kind, farm-based school where students care for animals, grow food, and gain hands-on life skills through agricultural learning. Agents and staff spent the day weeding garden beds, feeding chickens, and painting the school’s interior. The day was made even more memorable by a visit from the West Valley City Mayor Karen Lang, who stopped by to thank volunteers and show her support. As Utah Foundation Director Amy Dobbs shared, “While our work in real estate can indeed change financial trajectories, Community Service Day is a profound reminder that our greatest investment is in people.” The work completed that day left a lasting impression, not just on the school, but on every volunteer who walked away, reminded of what it means to be rooted in community.
Idaho
Across Idaho, Windermere offices showed up in ways that were thoughtful, hands-on, and deeply connected to the local communities they serve. From outdoor spaces to food banks and free bike tune-ups, these powerhouse teams took on projects that reflect the everyday needs and outdoor lifestyle of their communities.
In Coeur d’Alene, agents spent the day at Canopy Village, a trauma-responsive safe haven for children and families who have experienced abuse, neglect, or crisis. The team humped into painting, weeding, planting flowers, and repairing bikes, bringing warmth and care to a space that plays a vital role in helping children and families feel safe, supported, and full of hope. After their hard work, volunteers were treated to lunch and a presentation from the Canopy Village staff about the organization’s mission and the growing impact of its programs.
Clickhereto watch Windermere Coeur d’Alene in action!
Lewiston
Sun Valley
Over south in Lewiston, the Windermere Lewiston / Divide Property Management office joined forces with the Idaho Food Bank to help provide nourishment to families across the region. Volunteers bagged oatmeal and oranges for distribution, working side by side in a fast-paced assembly line that made the hours fly by. With every bag sealed and sorted, they moved one step closer to helping local families put food on the table.
In Sun Valley, agents continued their annual Bike Tune Week, a much-anticipated partnership with the Black Tie Ski and Bike Shop. Together, they offered free bike maintenance for clients and community members alike. In a place where biking is practically a way of life, this tradition blends practically with generosity, making it easier for locals to ride safely, confidently, and stay connected to the community all season long.
Washington
Throughout Washington, Windermere agents and staff leaned into what matters most: showing up for their neighbors and investing time, energy, and care into the places they call home.
Whatcom
Mount Baker
Bellevue Commons
Lori Gill & Associates
Over in the north, Windermere Whatcom lent a hand at Lions Camp Horizon, a nonprofit offering a summer camp experience for teens and adults with developmental disabilities. During their time at the camp, volunteers power-washed, painted, landscaped, and tidied up the grounds to help ensure campers are welcomed into a secure, clean, and joyful environment where they can feel safe to step outside of their comfort zones.
In Seattle, the Mount Baker office partnered with Wellspring Family Servicesfor a neighborhood cleanup, walking nearby streets to collect litter and debris. With homelessness being a cause close to the hearts of many Windermere agents, supporting an organization that works to end family homelessness through early intervention and prevention made Mount Baker’s project all the more meaningful.
On the Eastside, the Bellevue Commons office carried on one of Windermere’s longest-running Community Service Day traditions, volunteering for the 24th year at the Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center. From cleaning horse paddocks and prepping for upcoming events to painting and gardening, the team’s efforts supported a nonprofit that provides equine-assisted therapy for individuals with disabilities. It’s a partnership that is rooted in care, consistency, and a deep connection to the community.
And in Renton, the Lori Gill & Associates team spent the day serving at Vision House, an organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of homelessness for families in need. Supporting families and youth facing housing insecurity is a mission that deeply resonates with Windermere’s values, and the team’s impact was tangible, completing nearly three weeks’ worth of work in just one afternoon by gardening, spreading mulch, and making the outdoor spaces more welcoming and beautiful for the residents.
Read more about Windermere’s philanthropic efforts, past Community Service Day events, the Windermere Foundation, and more on our blog: Windermere Blog.
This is the latest in a series of videos with Windermere Principal Economist Jeff Tucker where he delivers the key economic numbers to follow to keep you well-informed about what’s going on in the real estate market.
I’ll be starting this month by checking in on one of the most important numbers for the real estate industry: existing-home sales.
They actually surprised slightly to the upside in May, when closed sales ran at an annualized rate of 4.03 million. That is ever so slightly higher than April’s figure, and ever so slightly lower than in May of 2024, but in both cases it’s less than a percentage point difference – let’s just call it roughly flat. And “flat” pretty much sums up existing-home sales for the last couple of years: outside of some seasonal outperformance this past Q4, we’ve just been bouncing around an annual sales rate of about 4 million.
Zooming out to the last 30 years puts that in perspective: 4 million existing home sales puts us right around the lowest lows of home sales in the Great Recession. This lack of turnover is being driven by affordability challenges for buyers and the lock-in effect for sellers, as well as the aging of the US homeowner population: older folks just don’t move and sell as much as younger households.
But that doesn’t mean no one is trying to sell. The month of May ended with over a million active listings on the market according to Realtor dot com’s data, bringing the market very close to pre-pandemic inventory norms. In fact, the National Association of Realtors reported that when they measure inventory in terms of Months of Supply, it actually exceeds its May 2019 level.
Pending sales ticked up by just under 3% in May, year-over-year. That’s an early indication we may see some modest year-over-year gains for closed sales in June, but the market is still looking quite sluggish.
Turning to the macroeconomy, we got another good, surprisingly cool CPI inflation report for the month of May. The annualized monthly growth rate of prices was almost exactly 1%, and the year-over-year change in CPI from last May was only 2.35%. This metric has been inching down closer and closer to the Fed’s goal of a 2% inflation rate, which is part of its dual mandate along with pursuing “maximum employment.”
Finally, it’s another pretty quiet month for mortgage rates, which are once again stuck in a range between 6 and ¾, and 7%. It’s been a busy news month, but mortgage rates mostly took it in stride, drifting down slightly in the last couple weeks to end up basically where they were at this time last month. The Federal Reserve declined to change its overnight Federal Funds Rate at its June meeting, but there is growing pressure to resume cutting rates soon, if inflation remains as muted as it has been this spring. Personally, I still think the Fed will wait till clearer signs of labor market deterioration before cutting; moreover, a growth slowdown is probably what bond traders need to see before long-term yields like mortgage rates fall substantially.
Thinking about buying a home can be daunting, especially if it’s your first time. What should be an exciting milestone can feel overwhelming without a clearly defined roadmap, and diving in headfirst without a solid plan can lead to unnecessary stress, financial surprises, and missed opportunities. However, by establishing a timeline and breaking the process down into manageable steps, you can move forward with confidence and clarity.
Here is your month-by-month guide to preparing for a successful home purchase in the following year.
12 – 10 Months Out
Know Your Why
Understand your motivation for buying. Are you relocating, growing your household, or ready to invest in your future? Clearly defining your “why” will help shape your search criteria and influence your budget, location, and timeline.
Set Clear Goals
Start to think about what you want in your new home. Create a list of your wants versus must-haves, including location, budget, size, and style of home. These goals will act as a compass throughout your search. Be sure to include your ideal timeline and what you hope to get out of the overall experience.
Find an Agent That Prioritizes Your Goals and Timeline
A trusted real estate agentis more than just a facilitator; they’re a guide, negotiator, and advocate. Look for someone who understands your timeline and long-term vision and is familiar with the local market. Ask them to provide a first-time buyer’s guide or checklist to help you get started. Building this relationship early allows your agent to understand your needs and preferences in advance, setting the stage for a smoother process when you’re ready to make your move.
9 – 7 Months Out
Assess Your Finances
Take a close look at your income, debt, and spending habits. Use this time to create a monthly budget that includes future mortgage payments, utilities, insurance, taxes, and home maintenance. Many experts recommend spending no more than 28% of your gross monthly income on housing costs.
Boost Your Credit
Your credit score has a significant impact on yourbuying power, including your mortgage rate and loan approval. Take the next few months to pay down high-interest debt, stay current on all payments, and avoid opening new credit accounts. Check your credit report for errors and work on improving your score if needed.
Start Saving
You’ll want to have enough set aside not only for a down payment, which is typically 3% to 20% of the purchase price, but also for closing costs, moving expenses, and initial home repairs or furnishings.During this time, try to avoid nonessential major purchases and think about setting up a dedicated home savings account to stay consistent.
6 – 4 Months Out
Talk to a Financial Advisor
A financial advisor can help you align your financial goals with your homebuying plans. They can offer advice on what you can realistically afford and help identify areas to strengthen your financial readiness. You can also use tools like anonline mortgage calculatorto get a clearer idea of what your future monthly payments might look like.
Start browsing homes and monitoring prices in the neighborhoods you’re interested in. Learn whether your local market is currentlyfavoring buyers or sellers and what that could mean for your strategy.
Meet with a Lender and Get Pre-Approved
Meeting with a lender andgetting pre-approvedcan help give you a clear picture of how much you can borrow and what price range to shop within. It also shows sellers that you’re a serious buyer when the time comes to make an offer. Your realtor can recommend trusted lenders to work with and assist you through this process.
Start Your Home Search
Now that you have your list of wants and needs and know your price range, you’re ready to start searching for your dream home.Use online property research tools to filter by location, features, and price to see what’s available in the locations you like. Narrow down your top homes and start scheduling showings and comparing listings.
1 Month Out
Make an Offer
Once you find “the one,” your agent will help you craft a competitive offer, negotiate terms, and guide you through contingencies.
Closing On Your New Home You’ve made it! During closing, you’ll sign paperwork, pay final costs, and receive the keys to your new home. Your agent and lender will walk you through the final steps to ensure everything goes smoothly.
Buying a home may seem like a big leap, but with a solid 12-month plan and the right support, it can be an extremely rewarding experience. Take it one step at a time and know that a trusted agent is here to helpwhenever you’re ready.
Pueblo Revival architectureis one of the most distinctive and enduring styles in the American Southwest. With its warm stucco walls, rounded edges, and earthy materials, it’s a look that’s both culturally significant and inviting. Rooted in Indigenous andSpanish colonialtraditions, this style has evolved over time while remaining closely tied to the landscape and climate it was originally built for. Today, Pueblo Revival homes continue to charm homeowners with a timeless design and unmistakable Southwestern character.
Origins and Historical Significance
Pueblo Revival architecture has roots that run deep, drawing inspiration from the Indigenous Puebloan communities and early Spanish settlers of the Southwest. This blend of cultures creates structures that reflect a centuries-old tradition of building in harmony with the environment. Built to thrive in arid climates, these homes feature thick walls made from adobe or stucco, which helps keep interiors cool during the day and warm at night.
It’s a design ideally suited for the desert, where water isn’t abundant, and staying comfortable means working with, not against, the elements. Spanish influences brought the use of wood, while the earthy colors mirror the atmosphere. Today, you’ll find Pueblo Revival homes across Arizona, New Mexico, California, and beyond, each one a testament to Southwestern living.
Key Features and Design Elements
Pueblo Revival design, also known as Santa Fe and Southwestern, is easy to spot and even easier to love. Here are some hallmark elements:
Walls are typically built with adobe, stucco, or sun-dried mud.
Flat or low-pitched roofs with parapets.
Rounded corners and soft edges create a gentle, organic feel.
Neutral and earthy color palettes inspired by the desert landscape.
Large Spanish-inspired wooden doors, exposed beams, and vigas add warmth and texture.
Small, deep-set windows.
Porch posts and covered patios provide shade from the desert sun.
Modern Interpretations and Living Spaces
Today, Pueblo Revival homes continue to evolve, embracing modern conveniences while staying true to their roots. Many still feature signature elements like exposed wood beams, earth-toned exteriors, and textured finishes. Thoughtful landscapingand eco-friendly materials continue to help these homes blend seamlessly with the surrounding desert environment.
Inside, you’ll often find interiors that echo the home’s Southwestern heritage in subtle and loud ways. Handcrafted pottery, cactus plants, woven textiles, and other nods to regional artistry bring warmth and character to the space. Rich desert-inspired hues like terracotta, sunset red, adobe orange, and golden yellow are often paired with earthy neutrals to create depth. Vibrant accent colors like turquoise or deep blue add a touch of contrast, reflecting the natural beauty of the landscape. The result is a space that feels grounded, soulful, and full of life.
Pueblo revival homes are a celebration of history, craftsmanship, and natural beauty. Whether you’re captivated by their timeless charm or drawn to their modern interpretations, these homes offer a well-balanced, organic lifestyle that’s always in style.
Selling your home is a collaborative effort between you and your real estate agent. As you prepare to sell your home, it’scrucial to find an agent who not only can answer your questions throughout the sellingprocess but also understands your unique goals and values the happiness of you and your household.
Before You Begin Your Agent Search
Once you’ve decided to sell, there are some things to consider before selecting an agent to work with.
Communicate Your Reason for Selling
Behind every homeowner who decides to sell their home, there’s a story, and every story is unique. In the early stages of working together, your agent will be processing a lot of information about your timeline and financial goals. Having these details ironed out and ready to communicate will help them understand your motives and guide the process effectively.
Think About Selling Strategy
Part of a real estate agent’s expertise is knowing the optimal selling strategy to pursue, but no one knows your home better than you. Putting time and effort into thinking about things like how your home will be marketed and how showings will be conducted will help inform your agent’s strategic advice.
Finding the Right Agent for You
You and your agent will be communicating throughout the process of selling your home. You’ll be relying on them for updates and information each step of the way. Though your goal in working together is ultimately the sale of your home, your agent’s ability to connect with you on a human level through the emotional ups and downs of the selling process is just as important as their professional attributes. Accordingly, you’ll want to consider what qualities you’re looking for in an agent.
To set yourself up for identifying good candidates, talk to people you trust who know your personality and goals. Get referrals from your family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors. If they recommend someone, follow up with that agent to see if they are a good fit for you.
Searching for an Agent
To give yourself the best pool of potential agents, conduct your search both online and in person. Exploring an agent’s social media profiles and reading reviews online can help assess whether they’re someone you want to work with. If in-person showings and open houses are occurring in your market, consider dropping by to get a chance to interact with the agent first-hand. After you have narrowed your agent search, ask for client references to get more insights into what it’s like to work with them.
Agent Certifications
Some agents choose to earn additional certifications or designations that showcase their commitment to further training, coursework, and learning, helping them specialize and advance their capabilities. Depending on your specific needs, certain designations may appeal to you as you go about finding the right agent to sell your home. The National Association of REALTORS® offers the largest number of professional designations. Explore them here: NAR Designations and Certifications.
For help finding the right agent for you, we’re happy to connect you with an agent below:
Hi. I’m Jeff Tucker, principal economist at Windermere Real Estate, and this is a Local Look at the March 2025 data from the Northwest MLS.
Last month, we saw a sudden pullback in pending sales, and those chickens came home to roost with fewer closed sales in May.
Many of these impacted closed sales originated from the weeks in April following Trump’s “Liberation Day”, when the stock market had dropped sharply, and a lot of buyers paused their home searches. Now, we saw the stock market fully recover by May, and while it’s still a little too early to tell, there are indications that the housing market is also getting back on track.
Here are the four key metrics I watch to track supply and demand in the market: closed and pending sales, which tell us a lot about demand; and listings – new and active – which tell us a lot about supply.
Across the Northwest MLS, closed sales of single-family homes fell 3% in May from their year-ago levels, after growing 1% in April. Pending sales, which are more of a real-time demand indicator, were flat from last year, a promising rebound after falling 4% year-on-year in April.
On the supply side, about 13% more new listings hit the market this May, and the tally of active listings ended the month 39% higher than May 2024’s inventory. Buyers are still seeing a lot more options than they had last spring, but one little glimmer of an inflection point here is that year-over-year inventory growth has stopped accelerating higher.
Finally: the median price for those closed single-family home sales fell 1% from last year, to $677,500. The extra inventory and cautious buyers have brought price appreciation to a halt for now.
Putting it all together: closed sales, and home prices, stepped down slightly from last year at this time, which we were expecting after the weak demand signals in April’s data. But the pending sales data suggest that buyers started coming back in May.
Now I’ll dig into details for the four counties encompassing the greater Seattle area.
Residential closed sales dipped 7% year over year here in the 4-county region, led by a 14% drop in King County. Closed sales dipped 2% in Kitsap County; climbed 2% in Pierce County, including Tacoma; and climbed 1% in Snohomish County, including Everett. The 3 counties other than King held up surprisingly well, given that all 4 counties had seen sizeable pending sales declines in April. Maybe some buyers came back and closed quickly in May!
Similarly, King County saw the only median sale price decline, by 1.2%, back down just below a million dollars, while median prices kept climbing modestly in Kitsap and Pierce Counties, and just barely climbed in Snohomish County.
Looking ahead, pending sales dropped only 0.8% in the 4-county area: 0.8% in King, down 4% in Kitsap, down 0.7% in Pierce, and up 0.8% in Snohomish County. That’s a strong indication that local market activity has rebounded a bit after the shock in April around new tariff announcements.
On the supply side, the 4-county greater Seattle area had just over 8,100 active listings at the end of May, up 45% from the same time last year. Just like in April, the inventory growth is especially dramatic in King and Snohomish Counties, where listings are up 58% and 54% respectively. Kitsap inventory is only up 8% year-over-year.
All in all, this report confirmed that greater-Seattle-region buyers stepped back in April, but gave some promising indications that buyers returned at nearly year-ago levels in May. Economic uncertainty is still the watchword, and mortgage rates have unfortunately settled in at a higher range of around 7%. But buyers shopping now will definitely benefit from the most inventory in years, helping them find the perfect fit, all while facing less competition from other buyers than we’ve seen in recent spring selling seasons.
For centuries, Morocco has captivated people from around the world with its rich tapestry of culture, art, and unmatched design. From the lively souks of Marrakech to the serene riads of Fes, Moroccan interiors tell a story of intricate craftsmanship, vibrant colors, and a blend of tradition and global influence.
In this post, we’ll look at the influences behind Moroccan design and explore how you can bring its distinct style into your home.
Influences of Moroccan Design
Moroccan interior design is rooted in ancient tradition and draws from various cultural influences, including Berber, Arab, Mediterranean, and Moorish. This fusion creates a warm, layered aesthetic that pairs detailed patterns with earthy textures and natural materials. You’ll often find colorful tilework, bold textiles, and handmade pieces that reflect centuries of artistry and heritage. And though this style is steeped in history, it remains timeless, seamlessly blending into modern homes while adding warmth, character, and a global touch to any space.
Key Elements of Moroccan Interior Design
Vibrant Colors
Moroccan design is synonymous with a vibrant and expressive color palette. Think of the dazzling blues of Chefchaouen, the rich reds and oranges of Marrakech, or the natural greens found in traditional gardens. Don’t be afraid to experiment with jewel tones like emerald green, sapphire blue, and ruby red, which you can balance with more neutral tones like terracotta, cream, and black to create a harmonious blend that pops. Even the most muted Moroccan room will feature a splash of something bold, whether in the tiles, lanterns, or layers of fabric.
Layered Textures
From olefine and wool rugs to carved wooden furniture and hand-woven baskets, texture is everywhere in Moroccan interiors. Plush, overstuffed cushions and floor pillows bring comfort to seating areas, while airy curtains soften windows and doorways. The thoughtful use of natural materials like clay, metal, leather, and stone gives each space a grounded, organic feel. This layered approach, combined with the intricate patterns and ornate detailing, provides a richness and depth that defines Moroccan design.
Mosaic Tilework
One of the most recognizable elements of Moroccan design is its stunning mosaic tilework, known as zellige. These hand-cut, geometric tiles are meticulously arranged to form intricate patterns that adorn walls, floors, and fountains. Each zellige piece is a testament to centuries-old craftsmanship, bringing a unique sense of artistry and a cool, refreshing feel to any space. Tiled floors are frequently layered with Persian or Berber rugs. At the same time, fireplaces, kitchen backsplashes, and bathroom walls may feature elaborate tilework that feels artistic and architectural. Incorporating zellige in your home, whether as a subtle accent or a vibrant statement, can instantly infuse an authentic touch of Moroccan design.
Riads and Courtyards
The word “riad” means “garden” in Arabic. In Moroccan architecture, a riad refers to a traditional home built around a peaceful interior courtyard. These courtyards are often the heart of the home, featuring tiled fountains, lush greenery, and shaded sitting areas. To replicate this feeling, consider making a designated “courtyard” area in your home by incorporating a small water feature, a collection of plants, and comfortable seating that fosters a sense of tranquility and connection to the outdoors.
Artisan Accessories
No Moroccan interior is complete without a variety of handcrafted accessories. From ornate brass lanterns and pierced-metal sconces to hand-thrown pottery and embroidered pillows, each piece tells a story that celebrates Morocco’s deep tradition of craftsmanship, giving your space a layered, lived-in feel that reflects both style and soul.
By bringing these 5 key elements into your home, you can create a space that feels soulful, timeless, and uniquely yours. For more design inspiration, tips, and trends, visit the design section of our blog.
This is the latest in a series of videos with Windermere Principal Economist Jeff Tucker where he delivers the key economic numbers to follow to keep you well-informed about what’s going on in the real estate market.
This week I’m jumping right back in to check on the elephant in the room this spring: tariffs. The first number to know is
17.8%
The new average effective tariff rate on US imports, which is down sharply from 27% last month, but still the highest since 1934, and still about 5 times the level prevailing at the start of this year. That’s according to the Yale Budget Lab’s latest estimates as of the week of May 12.
This smaller tariff hike will still be expected to reduce real GDP in the United States. The Yale Budget Lab’s model predicts a decline in real GDP of 0.36 percentage points in the long run, after a deeper short-run negative shock. But like the tariffs themselves, that impact has shrunk by almost half from what was projected under the much harsher tariffs last month.
Just as important as the reduction in proposed tariffs, is the sense that investors are getting that this means more walkbacks are on their way.
The stock market in particular has now fully regained all its losses, and has now risen slightly year-to-date, or about 20% from its early April trough. That suggests to me that investors have concluded we won’t actually see a major hit to growth of US companies’ profits, and US economic output, after all this year.
The tariffs that have gone into effect are still not passing through much of a price shock to consumers. April inflation data came in about as expected, without a spike in goods prices yet, so year-over-year inflation ticked down again, now to 2.3%.
Turning to the national housing market, we reached a major milestone of seeing more active listings at the end of April than the same month in 2020 – the first time that has happened since the inventory plunge began that spring. Many parts of the country now have inventory even above 2019 levels, including the Pacific Northwest. Active listings ended the month of April 31% higher than the same time last year.
Pending sales actually ticked up slightly year-over-year in April, by 2.2%. This was surprisingly upbeat, given the negative turn in consumer sentiment last month, and I think it masks a lot of regional variation, like a 12.7% year-over-year decline in the Seattle metro area this April.
Finally, I’ll end by checking in with the USUAL elephant in the room: mortgage rates, which are still stuck in a range between 6 and ¾, and 7%. It seems like the bond market just can’t catch a break this year, because even after the stock market recovered from the tariff turmoil, the falling fear of a recession, and rising expectations for an explosion in the deficit based on Congressional budget drafts now circulating, are conspiring to keep bond yields and mortgage rates high for the foreseeable future.
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