If you have been asking yourself whether to list this fall or hold out for 2027, you are not alone. It is the question Alina hears most often over coffee in downtown Bothell, on the sidelines of local fall events, and in her inbox every week.
Here is the honest answer: the right time to sell is rarely about guessing where the market goes next. It is about where you are going next, and whether today’s numbers support that move. Alina Araujo, a 14-year veteran real estate agent and REALTOR at Windermere Real Estate, has guided sellers through rising markets, cooling markets, and everything in between since 2013. The pattern she sees again and again: sellers who plan win, and sellers who wait for a perfect moment often wait too long.
The Market Right Now: What the Numbers Say
Is the Seattle market still favoring sellers in 2026?
It is closer to balanced than it has been in years. According to Northwest MLS data, King County’s average sales price was about $1.07 million in September 2026, down from roughly $1.10 million a year earlier, with about 4.3 months of inventory. Homes averaged about 40 days on market and were still selling at roughly 99% of list price.
What does that mean for you? Buyers have more choices, but well-prepared homes are still selling close to asking. The home values in Seattle Washington have softened slightly, not collapsed.
Are prices expected to rise in 2027?
Nobody can promise that, and anyone who does is selling you something. Prices respond to mortgage rates, local hiring, and how many neighbors decide to list at the same time. If rates ease, more buyers return, but so do more sellers. Waiting a year for a few percentage points of potential appreciation also means another year of carrying costs, maintenance, and property taxes.
Reasons to Sell This Fall
Why list in October or November instead of spring?
Fall buyers are serious buyers. They are often relocating for work, facing a lease end, or ready to settle before the holidays. There are fewer casual browsers, and your home faces fewer competing listings than it will when spring inventory arrives.
In Bothell and across Snohomish County, fall also shows off what makes this area special: mature trees, crisp mornings on the Sammamish River Trail, and neighborhoods busy with the fall events Bothell Seattle Washington 2026 has brought to Main Street. A thoughtfully presented home in October can feel warm and inviting in a way a spring listing sometimes cannot.
Does selling now make sense if I am moving up or rightsizing?
Often, yes. If you are buying your next home in the same market, a softer price environment helps you on the purchase side. You may give up a little on your sale, but you gain negotiating room on your next home. If you are considering a simpler lifestyle, explore Alina’s rightsizing resources to see how the math works.
Reasons Waiting Might Make Sense
When should I hold off?
Waiting can be the right call if:
- You have a low mortgage rate and no reason to move in the next 12 months
- Your home needs significant repairs you can complete over the winter
- Your next home is not yet clear, and you would be selling without a plan
The key is to wait on purpose, with a plan, rather than waiting because the decision feels uncomfortable.
What is the cost of waiting a year?
Add up a year of mortgage interest, property taxes, insurance, and upkeep. Then compare that against a realistic appreciation estimate for your neighborhood. For many sellers, the carrying costs alone equal or exceed the gain they are hoping for.
How to Decide What Is Right for You
What information should I gather before deciding?
Start with three numbers: what your home is likely to sell for today, what you owe, and what your next home will cost. Alina Araujo, who has helped clients with over 200 homes sold, builds this side-by-side comparison for every seller she meets. It turns a stressful guess into a clear decision.
You can also browse current Seattle Washington homes for sale to see what your home would be competing against. Pay attention to listings near you in Bothell, Kenmore, and Woodinville, since those are the homes buyers will compare against yours.
Why work with a local agent on timing?
Because timing is hyper-local. A street in Canyon Park can behave differently from a cul-de-sac near Saint Edward State Park. Alina’s 66 Google 5-star reviews come largely from sellers who appreciated an honest read on timing, even when the answer was “not yet.” Backed by the Windermere Real Estate Seattle Washington network, she pairs neighborhood-level data with a clear strategy.
The Bottom Line
The Seattle Washington Bothell 2026 market rewards preparation over prediction. If your next chapter is ready, today’s balanced conditions give you a fair shot at a strong result. If it is not, a thoughtful plan for 2027 is just as valuable.
Either way, the best first step is a conversation, not a commitment. That is the thinking behind every Alina Araujo Bothell strategy session: the right timing starts with the right information.
Contact Alina Araujo at Windermere Real Estate | 206-353-2290 | https://alinaaraujo.com/ for a FREE 2026 Market Strategy Session
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