By: Brandice Raybourn
This Bellevue housing market update reflects January 2026 activity using NWMLS data. What stands out this month is not a sudden shift in direction, but a clear change in how the market feels to participate in.
Inventory is up, days on market are longer, and buyers are taking more time almost across the board. Homes are still selling, but the urgency that carried the market through late 2025 has softened. This is no longer a momentum-driven market. It is a selection-based one.
Across Bellevue, behavior now depends heavily on housing type and price point.
Citywide inventory increased meaningfully, and median days on market stretched to over 40 days. That combination alone changes buyer behavior. Buyers feel less pressure to act quickly and more confidence walking away when something does not feel right.
This does not mean demand disappeared. It means buyers are exercising choice. Sellers can still sell, but only when pricing and condition align with what buyers now expect.
This is what a balanced market looks like when inventory starts to rebuild.

New construction inventory remains elevated relative to how many homes are going under contract. Buyers are comparing builders, locations, layouts, and incentives carefully.
Pricing has largely held, but incentives are doing more of the work. Homes that clearly stand out still move. Homes that feel interchangeable sit longer. This category reflects patience, not weakness.

Condos are one of the clearest examples of the shift happening this month. With high inventory and median days on market pushing past 70 days, buyers are firmly in control of the timeline.
Buyers are comparing buildings, HOA structures, parking, and long-term costs closely. Condos that feel priced ahead of their value are being ignored. Sellers who do not adjust are sitting.
This is a noticeable softening from last month and one of the biggest changes in the data.

Townhomes are also taking longer to sell, with days on market now similar to condos. Buyers are cautious and selective, especially in developments with multiple similar units available.
Turnkey townhomes still sell. Anything that requires compromise feels the drag immediately. Sellers in this category are competing directly with each other now, not buyers.

This report shows last month. If you're making a move today, the market has already shifted.
I track what’s happening in real time using the last 14 days of NWMLS activity so you can see exactly what buyers and sellers are doing in your price range right now.
You don’t need another report. You need to know what’s happening before you make a move.
Prefer to reach out directly? Email me here.
Every situation is different. I’ll tailor this to your goals, timing, and what you’re trying to decide.
I always start with the lowest price range because this is where most buyers have to begin when looking for a starter home in Bellevue. Once you limit the data to residential resale only, options become very limited very quickly.
Inventory remains extremely limited, but buyer behavior has shifted. Days on market are longer, price retention dropped, and showing activity is lighter than last month.
This range is no longer driven purely by scarcity. Buyers want value. Homes that feel dated or overpriced are being passed over, even with limited options.
There are still no detached single-family homes actively for sale in this range, but buyers are no longer stretching just to get into Bellevue.

This range remains active, but buyers are more deliberate. Homes are still moving in a reasonable timeframe, yet pricing discipline matters more than it did a month ago.
This is still a key entry point for buyers looking to move up into a detached home, but it no longer feels automatic.

This is still one of the stronger ranges in Bellevue right now, but it is more selective than the headline numbers suggest.
Homes that are well priced, well located, and move-in ready are selling quickly and holding strong price retention. That is what’s driving the low median days on market. At the same time, there is meaningful inventory in this range that has been sitting for months, including a few homes that have been on the market for over a year.
The takeaway here is not that everything is moving fast. It is that buyers are acting decisively on quality and ignoring the rest. Pricing and presentation matter more than the average suggests, and sellers who miss the mark are being left behind.

Inventory is limited, but buyers are thoughtful. Days on market are longer than the strongest mid-range, and showing counts suggest buyers are selective.
Homes that are priced right still sell. Homes that assume demand are sitting.

Luxury inventory continues to stack. This range now holds the highest number of active listings, longer timelines, and more negotiation.
Buyers have leverage here. Sellers are competing against each other, not racing buyers. Accurate pricing and strong positioning matter more than ever in this range.

This is where the market slows down and becomes more selective. Inventory is up, homes are taking longer to sell, and buyers are no longer rushing into decisions. The urgency that carried the market through the end of last year has clearly softened, and now buyers are focusing more on value, condition, and overall fit.
• Buyer Tip
You have more room to think right now. Use it. Pay attention to how long homes have been sitting and do not be afraid to walk away if something does not feel right. There is more opportunity here than there was just a few months ago.
• Seller Tip
This is no longer a momentum driven market. Buyers are paying attention and comparing everything. If your home is not priced correctly or does not stand out, it will sit longer than you expect.
Citywide averages hide what actually changed this month. When you break Bellevue down by housing type and price point, the shifts become obvious.
I use this same data-driven approach to help buyers and sellers understand where leverage exists right now and how to adjust expectations, pricing, and timing accordingly.
If you want to talk through how these changes affect your specific price range, I’m happy to help.

Brandice Raybourn
Coldwell Banker Danforth
brandice@snohomesbybrandice.com
425-367-3881
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Data sourced from NWMLS and updated monthly.
February 2026
January 2026
Under $1.149M
December 2025 Full Series
December 2025 Luxury Hot Take
December 2025 Price Point Report