April 2026
And just like that, Lake Stevens shifted again.
Homes are still selling, but it is not automatic anymore.
We are seeing:
Sellers getting close to their price, but not all of it
Buyers showing up, but taking their time
New construction continuing to sit and negotiate
Lower price points getting harder and harder to find
And higher-end homes moving, but only when the right buyer shows up
What stands out this month is how different everything feels depending on price, condition, and even the type of home.
Some homes are moving fast. Others are sitting. And both are happening at the same time.
Context matters this month. A lot.
Let’s break it down.
The whole city actually looks pretty healthy right now.
Homes are selling in a little over two weeks, which tells you buyers are still out there and willing to act. But at the same time, sellers are not getting what they originally asked for. Most are landing just under that number.
What this feels like in real life is pretty simple. Buyers are showing up, but they are not blindly agreeing to price anymore. They are paying attention, comparing options, and pushing back a bit when something feels off.
Short on time? You can request a personalized breakdown here.

Source: NWMLS | Analysis by Brandice Raybourn | Broker
New construction is still struggling compared to the rest of the market.
Homes are sitting longer, and builders are not getting their original price. There is clearly some negotiation happening here, with many homes closing about 5% to 6% under where they started.
One thing that stands out is the price difference. New construction is coming in at nearly a third higher than the overall market. That creates a gap buyers really feel when they start comparing options.
What this looks like in real life is buyers walking into new construction, liking it, but hesitating. They are weighing whether it is worth the premium, and many are negotiating or walking away if it does not feel justified.
And remember, most builders pay for your buyer’s agent. Bring one with you on your first visit. If you don’t have one yet… call me 😉

Source: NWMLS | Analysis by Brandice Raybourn | Broker
Condos are moving, but without urgency.
Buyers have options here and are taking their time. They are comparing multiple units, looking closely at HOA dues, and not feeling pressure to jump quickly.
For sellers, this means pricing and condition matter. Buyers are being practical.

Source: NWMLS | Analysis by Brandice Raybourn | Broker
Townhomes feel similar, but slightly tighter than condos.
There is less inventory overall, so when a well-priced, clean townhome hits the market, it can still move relatively quickly. But buyers are still cautious and not rushing unless it checks all the boxes.
This part of the market sits right in the middle. Not slow, not overly competitive, just steady.

Source: NWMLS | Analysis by Brandice Raybourn | Broker
Every situation is different. I’ll tailor this to your goals, timing, and what you’re trying to figure out.
This is where things get interesting.
Inventory in this range is getting harder and harder to find, especially for true single family homes. At some point, this range is going to have to shift upward because there just is not much left here.
The most interesting part is what buyer activity used to look like. Just last year, sellers were seeing around 109 buyers walk through their homes before going under contract. That is a completely different environment.
Now you are seeing closer to 14 showings before a home goes pending. That is a massive shift in behavior.
This tells you buyers are still active, but they are far more intentional. Less traffic, but more serious people.

Source: NWMLS | Analysis by Brandice Raybourn | Broker
This is the most active part of the market right now.
It has the most inventory and the most homes selling, which makes it the range to watch. But even here, it is not one-size-fits-all.
When you look at what actually sold, some homes went over list and some went well under. Just because this range looks strong does not mean every seller is having the same experience.
This comes down to competition, location, and what actually stands out to a buyer when they walk in the door.
From a showing perspective, this feels like buyers are ready, but they are choosing carefully.

Source: NWMLS | Analysis by Brandice Raybourn | Broker
This range is active, but more selective.
Buyers are not chasing everything. The homes that look good, feel right, and are priced correctly move. The ones that miss on any of those sit.
This is where the gap between a well-prepared home and an average one really starts to show.

Source: NWMLS | Analysis by Brandice Raybourn | Broker
This range had a noticeable shift from last month, but context matters here.
Only two homes sold, and one of them was a very niche property in the Frontier Air Park aviation community. That kind of home naturally takes longer to find the right buyer and often sells for less than original expectations because of how specific it is.
Because of that, the numbers look a little off, but it does not represent the entire range.
If you own a unique or niche property, this is something to pay attention to. Those homes can take longer because the buyer pool is smaller.

Source: NWMLS | Analysis by Brandice Raybourn | Broker
This range saw a big shift from last month.
Days on market dropped significantly, and the six homes that sold moved much faster than what we saw previously. Sellers also ended up with stronger outcomes compared to February.
At the same time, those homes saw fewer buyers before going under contract.
This tells you something important. It is not about how many people walk through the home. It is about getting the right buyer in the door.

Source: NWMLS | Analysis by Brandice Raybourn | Broker
This is not one market.
Lower price points are tight and harder to find. Mid-range is the most active but still varies property by property. Higher-end depends heavily on the type of home and the buyer it attracts.
That is why context matters so much right now.
I do this every month because raw numbers alone do not tell you what it feels like on the ground.
I want you to understand what buyers are actually doing, how sellers are responding, and where leverage truly exists.
As a local Lake Stevens real estate broker, When I sit down with clients, we are not just looking at what sold.. We are looking at what went pending, what expired, what canceled, and what is still sitting. Every scenario has a strategy.
If you are buying and want to understand what your budget range actually feels like right now, let’s walk through it.
If you own a home in Lake Stevens and considering selling and want to understand how this market impacts your specific position, request your free personalized Lake Stevens Snapshot here.
View nearby market reports:
Marysville WA Housing Market Update April 2026 with Resale Price Point Breakdown
Bothell Housing Market Update April 2026 with Resale Price Point Breakdown
Everett Housing Market Update April 2026 With Resale Price Point Breakdown
Bellevue Housing Market April 2026 Resale Price Point Breakdown
Lynnwood Housing Market Update April 2026 With Resale Price Point Breakdown
View Previous Lake Stevens Report:
Lake Stevens Housing Market Report — March 2026
Compare to last year:
Lake Stevens Housing Market Report — April 2025

Brandice Raybourn
Coldwell Banker Danforth
Everett Real Estate Broker
brandice@snohomesbybrandice.com
Relocating to Lake Stevens? Check out my community page here:
https://lakestevens.snohomesbybrandice.com/home
It depends on your price point and the type of home you have.
If you are under $750K, especially in that $600K to $749K range, this is still a strong window. Buyers are active, homes are moving quickly, and well-positioned homes are still getting solid results.
But that does not mean every seller is winning the same way. We are seeing homes sell at or slightly under list in many cases, which tells you buyers are paying attention and not just accepting pricing.
If you are in the higher price ranges or have a more unique home, it may take longer and require more strategy. The right buyer is still out there, but they are not rushing.
Yes, but it depends on how you approach it.
Buyers have more leverage now than they did a year ago. There are fewer people walking through homes, which means less competition overall and more room to negotiate in certain situations.
That said, not every price range feels the same. If you are shopping under $750K, you still need to be ready to move quickly when the right home comes up because inventory is tight.
In the higher price points and new construction, buyers have more breathing room. This is where you can slow down, compare options, and potentially negotiate better terms.
Because this is not one market.
Homes that are priced right, updated, and easy for buyers to understand are still moving quickly. You can see that clearly in the $600K to $749K range where homes are going pending in just a few days.
On the other hand, homes that are overpriced, need work, or are more unique are sitting longer. Buyers are more selective right now and are not chasing every option.
It comes down to competition. Buyers are comparing everything, and the homes that stand out are the ones that win.
It depends on what matters most to you.
New construction in Lake Stevens is taking longer to sell right now, and builders are not getting their original price. That tells you buyers are negotiating more in this space than they are in other parts of the market.
So if you are a buyer, this can actually work in your favor.
You may have more room to negotiate on price, closing costs, or rate buy-downs compared to resale homes, especially in the lower and mid price ranges where things are still moving quickly.
But here is the tradeoff.
New construction is coming in at a much higher price point than the rest of the market. When you compare it to resale, you are often paying a premium.
So the real question becomes what you value more.
If you want something brand new, low maintenance, and move-in ready, and you are okay paying more for that, this can be a good opportunity to negotiate and get better terms than you would have even a year ago.
If your priority is getting the most house for your money, resale may offer more options right now, especially in the $600K to $749K range where homes are still moving quickly and priced more competitively.
This is one of those moments where buyers actually have a choice.
You just need to decide what matters more to you.
Yes, inventory is up overall, but it is not spread evenly across the market.
Most of the available homes are in the $750K and above range and in new construction. That is where buyers have the most options right now.
Lower price points are still tight, especially under $600K, where inventory is very limited.
So while it may look like there are more homes for sale, it does not feel that way for every buyer. It depends entirely on the price range you are shopping in.