Lake Stevens Housing Market Report May 2026

By: Brandice Raybourn

Quick Take:

Lake Stevens looks really clean on paper right now.

Homes are going under contract fast and sellers are getting what they asked for.

But that is not happening across the board.

There are still homes sitting. There are still homes expiring or getting canceled. And those sellers are having a completely different experience than what these numbers show.

So what you’re really seeing right now is a split market.

The homes that are priced right and show well are moving quickly.

The ones that miss the mark are getting passed over.

Want my take on your specific situation in Lake Stevens? Request your personalized Lake Stevens Snapshot here

Prefer a quick breakdown? Here’s the short version of what’s happening this month:

Whole City Overview

This is one of those months where the numbers look better than the full story.

Yes, homes are going under contract in about two weeks. Yes, sellers are getting 100 percent of their list price.

But that does not mean every seller is having that experience.

What it actually means is the homes that are selling are doing really well, and they’re pulling the averages up.

Meanwhile, there is still inventory sitting that buyers are just not connecting with.

So if you’re a seller, this is not a “list it and it sells” market. You still have to hit the mark.

New Construction

New Construction is still struggling compared to resale.

And honestly it makes sense.

Buyers can still go out and find a really solid resale home, usually on a better lot, for less money

So they’re choosing that instead.

That’s why you’re seeing new construction sit longer and not perform the same way.

It’s not that buyers disappeared. They’re just being picky about where they see value.

If you’re even thinking about new construction, just make sure you’re going in with representation. Most builders pay for your buyer’s agent. So bring one with you on your first visit. If you don’t have one yet… call me 😉 425-367-3881

Beyond the Blog: Your Real-Time Market Snapshot

Everything above is based on what already closed.

But the market is moving every day.

I’m watching what is going pending, what is sitting, and what is adjusting in real time, and it can look very different depending on your price point.

You don’t need another blog. You need to know what is happening in your situation right now.

If you would rather just reach out directly, you can email me anytime. brandice@snohomesbybrandice.com

Every situation is different. I’ll tailor this to your goals, timing, and what you’re actually trying to decide.

Condos

Condos are still moving pretty well.

Buyers here are comparing options, paying attention to HOA dues, and not rushing into anything.

This is a slower decision process, but not a stalled one

Townhomes

This one needs a reality check.

Yes, it shows over list price.

But that came from one sale.

That one home went under contract in two days and basically skewed the numbers.

At the same time, there are still other townhomes sitting.

So this isn’t a trend. It’s one standout property doing really well while others are still waiting.

Residential Resale by Price Point

Buyers are not rushing anymore. They’re choosing.

Under $599K

This range is getting really tight.

here just aren’t many options here anymore, especially for detached homes, and honestly I’ll probably need to adjust this range soon because there isn’t enough data to really compare.

The few homes that did sell moved fast.

Buyers were decisive and it didn’t take many showings to get them under contract.

Even though they came in a little under list price, the speed tells you everything. When something hits this price point and makes sense, buyers are jumping on it.

$600K – $749K

This is still where most of the inventory is right now.

And you can feel it.

Buyers have more options here, so they’re slowing down and comparing.

This is where sellers start competing with each other.

You can’t just show up and expect it to sell. You have to actually stand out in this range.

$750K – $949K

This one looks slower, but there’s a reason.

A couple homes sat longer before finally finding the right buyer

Overall though, it’s still moving.

It just feels a little uneven.

Some homes go quick, some take time, and it really comes down to how well they’re priced and how they compare to everything else sitting.

$950K Plus

I had to combine this range this month because there just wasn’t enough data to break it out further.

What’s interesting here is how much it improved from last month.

Homes that sold actually moved in under a month, which is a big shift.

But the buyer pool is smaller. Noticeably smaller. You can see that in the showing activity.

It’s not taking many buyers to get a home under contract because there just aren’t that many buyers in this price range right now.

So when the right buyer shows up, it moves.

But there aren’t a lot of them.

Brandice’s Final Thoughts

This is one of those markets where the results look really strong, but they are not evenly spread across every home.

Some sellers are hitting the market and getting exactly what they wanted almost right away.

Others are sitting, making price adjustments, or pulling their homes off altogether.

That gap matters.

Because right now in Lake Stevens, understanding the market really comes down to this.

You’re either the home buyers want… or the one they’re skipping.

And most of that comes down to price, condition, and how your home stacks up...

If you get that part right, things move.

If you miss it, buyers keep scrolling.

Buyer Tip

Pay attention to the homes that have been sitting.

Not everything is flying off the market right now, and that creates opportunity. If a home has been overlooked, there is usually a reason, but sometimes that reason is something you can work with.

This is where you can slow down a little, ask better questions, and potentially negotiate in a way you cannot on the homes everyone is chasing.

Seller Tip

Do not price based on what you hope will happen.

Price based on what buyers are actually choosing right now.

The homes that are winning are the ones that immediately feel like the best option

If your home does not clearly stand out, it will get grouped in with everything else that is sitting.

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.

I also keep a Lake Stevens market Q&A section updated with answers based on what is happening right now:
Lake Stevens Market Questions

Brandice Raybourn
Coldwell Banker Danforth
Sno-King County Real Estate Broker
brandice@snohomesbybrandice.com

425-367-3881

Relocating to Lake Stevens? Check out my community page here:
https://lakestevens.snohomesbybrandice.com/home

Recent Lake Stevens Market Reports

If you want to follow how the Lake Stevens market has been shifting over the last few months, here are the most recent updates:

• Lake Stevens Housing Market Report April 2026 with Resale Price Point Breakdown
• Lake Stevens Housing Market Report — March 2026

Compare to Last Year: Lake Stevens Housing Market Report — April 2025

Explore More Market Reports

If you want to compare Lake Stevens to nearby cities or browse more of my monthly market updates, you can find all of my reports here:

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