Northwest MLS is the central system where thousands of brokers in the Pacific Northwest share and update listings. That means your broker can show you everything that’s available—not just what one app or website chooses to display.

Why it matters:

• You won’t miss out. Your broker can guide you through all available options, with nothing missed or overlooked.
• You see the full picture. Listing information is verified, up-to-date, and sourced from the entire market.
• You can move faster. With nothing left out, your broker can zero in on the right options, right away.

The post Everything on the Market, All in One Place: Count on it appeared first on Northwest Multiple Listing Service.

Electric Vehicles Are Driving Demand for EV-Ready Homes

Electric vehicles (EVs) have shifted from niche to mainstream, thanks to expanding model options, improved range, and growing environmental awareness. Washington ranks among the top states for EV adoption, fueled by both consumer demand and the region’s commitment to clean energy. For homeowners, this means one thing: properties with EV charging stations aren’t just convenient—they’re valuable.

Looking for a Pacific Northwest Home with a Charging Station?

An electric car charging station isn’t just a convenience—it’s a smart investment. More homebuyers today want properties that support their eco-friendly lifestyle and fit seamlessly into their daily routines. For sellers, a charging station can help a home stand out in a competitive market.

In 2024, NWMLS brokers sold 3,964 homes and 364 condominiums equipped with EV charging stations, reflecting the growing demand for homes ready for the next generation of transportation.

Residential Homes

• Seattle led with 1,030 home sales featuring EV charging. On the Eastside, homes with this feature typically sold at higher price points, reflecting strong demand among high-end buyers.
• More affordable options were found in Tacoma ($565,900) and Puyallup ($699,950), proving that sustainability isn’t limited to luxury listings.

Condominiums

• Condos with EV charging were most common in Seattle, where 221 units sold with a median price of $798,000. In comparison, Bellevue ($1,225,000) and Kirkland ($1,539,950) had higher prices, attracting buyers seeking upscale, tech-ready living.
• Outside the metro core, cities like Poulsbo, Long Beach and Olympia offered more affordable entry points, with median prices under $300,000.

NWMLS Brokers Can Help You Find the Perfect Match

Northwest MLS brokers can list and search homes based on a variety of amenities—including electric car charging stations. This helps eco-conscious buyers find properties that fit their lifestyle and helps sellers showcase an increasingly valuable home feature.

Whether you’re buying a home to charge your EV or selling one that appeals to today’s eco-minded market, NWMLS brokers have the tools and expertise to make the perfect connection.

Data for all reported MLS residential & condominium sales during 2024 in Washington state.

The post Find (or List!) Your Perfect EV-Ready Home with a Northwest MLS Broker appeared first on Northwest Multiple Listing Service.

For many buyers, finding the right home is about more than square footage, it’s about lifestyle. Washington offers a diverse selection of 55+ communities designed for active adults who value low-maintenance living and easy access to recreation and amenities. Whether you’re drawn to vibrant cities, peaceful suburbs, or coastal retreats, there’s a community to match your pace and priorities.

We’ve taken a look at the NWMLS database (which contains hundreds of thousands of listings, dating back to the 1990s) to check out different kinds 55+ homes and where to find them.

Why Choose a Home in a 55+ Community?

Accessibility and Comfort: Homes often feature single-level layouts and modern designs tailored to active adults.

Low-maintenance Living: Many communities manage landscaping and exterior upkeep, freeing residents to focus on leisure and wellness.

Community and Convenience: Many 55+ neighborhoods feature clubhouses, fitness centers, organized activities, and proximity to shopping, healthcare, and parks.

Built-in Social Networks: Shared amenities and activities create opportunities for connection and engagement.

55+ Manufactured Home Communities: Affordable & Active Living

Manufactured home communities tailored to those aged 55 and older offer vibrant, affordable, and low-maintenance living, where nature, lifestyle, and community converge.

In 2024, NWMLS brokers sold 1,207 manufactured homes in 55+ communities. The cities below saw the most activity:

• Puyallup, Auburn, and Everett lead in volume, showing strong demand for affordable homes that are close to amenities.
• Sequim and Bothell stand out with higher median prices, reflecting premium settings in popular retirement destinations.

Residential 55+ Communities: Comfort, Style & Convenience

For those seeking the feeling of a traditional neighborhood or resort-style amenities, Washington’s 55+ communities deliver a blend of comfort, convenience, and connection.

In 2024, NWMLS brokers sold 531 homes in site-built 55+ neighborhoods.

• Redmond saw the most sales and the highest prices indicating a strong interest in luxury options with easy access to trails, shopping, and dining.
• Bothell & Maple Valley offer a balance of affordability and access to the Seattle metro area while Sedro-Woolley, Mount Vernon, & Oak Harbor provide smaller communities that offer tranquility and a natural setting.

55+ Condominium Communities: Turnkey & Worry Free

For those seeking turnkey living with maximum convenience, 55+ condos offer maintenance-free ownership, walkable locations, and a sense of community—all without the upkeep of a traditional home.

In 2024, NWMLS brokers sold 267 condos in 55+ communities across Washington.

• The most expensive 55+ condo market, with a median sale price of $724,112, Redmond appeals to buyers seeking luxury finishes, prime locations, and vibrant urban amenities.
• Among the most affordable, with a median sale price of $173,500, Puyallup offers budget-friendly living and community-focused convenience, ideal for retirees prioritizing value and low-maintenance living.

Taking the Next Step

Interested in buying or selling a home in a 55+ community? Northwest MLS is the central system where thousands of brokers in the Pacific Northwest share and update listings. As a buyer, that means you never miss a listing that fits your criteria. As a seller, this means your home gets more exposure from qualified buyers. Whether you’re downsizing, relocating, or starting a new chapter, a Northwest MLS broker can help you explore 55+ communities across Washington—both manufactured and site-built.

Data for all reported MLS residential, condominium & manufactured home sales during 2024 in Washington state.

The post Where to Retire in Washington: 55+ Communities appeared first on Northwest Multiple Listing Service.

In today’s competitive real estate landscape, clients look to their brokers for more than just listings, they rely on trusted advisors who understand the local market inside and out. NWMLS brokers have a powerful advantage: access to InfoSparks, an interactive market statistics tool designed to transform data into meaningful insights.

Why Market Knowledge Matters

Being able to speak confidently about pricing trends, inventory levels, and days on market builds credibility with clients. Whether preparing a listing presentation, advising a buyer, or publishing a market update, InfoSparks helps you translate complex data into clear, visual stories that establish your expertise.

Explore Local Trends with Ease

InfoSparks allows brokers to:

• Compare markets – Easily chart trends across counties, cities, ZIP codes, or MLS areas.
• Customize charts – Select time frames, price ranges, property types, and more to focus on what matters most to clients.
• Share insights – Embed charts on websites or blogs, or post them to social media to keep audiences informed and engaged.

With just a few clicks, brokers can identify emerging trends, highlight neighborhood differences, and back up recommendations with real-time data, all in a clean, professional format that clients can understand.

Additional InfoSparks Tools

FastStats

Need quick, print-ready reports? FastStats delivers one-page local market summaries that can be downloaded or emailed directly to clients. These snapshots are perfect for open houses, listing appointments, and neighborhood updates.

MarketView

Take research a step further with MarketView, a module that ranks brokers, offices, and firms by sales volume or market share. Evaluate an individual broker’s performance or a firm’s, analyze competitors, and explore market share by geography or price range.

InfoSparks, FastStats, and MarketView, helps NWMLS brokers turn raw data into meaningful insight—empowering them to make informed decisions, deliver exceptional client guidance, and stand out as trusted market experts.

The post Turn Data Into Expertise with InfoSparks appeared first on Northwest Multiple Listing Service.

When it comes to standing out in today’s real estate market, knowledge is power — and Northwest MLS brokers have access to some of the most advanced tools in the industry. One of those tools, MarketView, helps brokers analyze the marketplace, evaluate performance, and uncover opportunities.

See the Market from Every Angle

MarketView is a powerful ranking and research module built into InfoSparks, and it’s designed to give NWMLS brokers an instant snapshot of the competitive landscape. With MarketView, brokers can:

• Rank brokers, offices, and firms by sales volume or market share
• Highlight and compare specific brokers or firms against the local market
• Refine results by geography, price range, or property characteristics
• Generate professional reports to share or reference in business planning

Whether you’re benchmarking your own performance, identifying top producers, or exploring new areas of opportunity, MarketView puts the data right at your fingertips.

Real Data. Real Results.

MarketView uses verified sold property data from across the Pacific Northwest, ensuring every report is accurate, up-to-date, and rooted in real transactions. Refine rankings by city, ZIP code, county, or MLS area, or even apply custom locations created in “My Areas.” With multiple ways to filter and compare, it’s easy to gain clarity on where your business stands and where it can grow.

From customizable ranking reports to shareable PDFs, MarketView is more than a research tool, it’s a way to showcase your professionalism, prepare for client conversations, and stay informed on local trends.

The post Gain a Competitive Edge with InfoSparks & MarketView appeared first on Northwest Multiple Listing Service.

Reliable Market Data Behind Every Decision

Northwest MLS gives your broker a complete and accurate view of the market. That includes real-time local insights you won’t find on public sites—like showing activity, offer trends, and property history. From brand-new listings to price changes, your broker has the latest information at their fingertips—so you never miss an opportunity.

Connect with the Right Broker

When you’re ready to buy or sell a home, the next step is finding the right real estate professional to guide you through the process. On the Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS) website, use the ‘Find a Broker’ button at the bottom of the homepage to search for licensed NWMLS brokers by name or location. Once you find a broker, you can contact them directly or submit a referral request form, which sends a message straight to the broker to start the conversation. When browsing listings through the ‘Find a Home’ search, the broker’s photo and contact details appear alongside each property, making it easy to connect quickly.

Powerful Tools That Work for You

NWMLS brokers have a variety of innovative tools designed to make your home search, or sale, more efficient and effective, including:

• Access to a comprehensive marketplace with every property listing, so you can see the full picture whether you’re buying or selling.
• Down Payment Resource integration to find homes eligible for financial assistance programs and make homeownership more affordable and accessible.
• Detailed market reports and statistics that help you understand local trends and pricing, giving you the competitive edge you need.
• Advanced tools that make it easy to collaborate, share, compare, and track listings with your broker.
• Count on it – our guarantee for an open, fair and transparent market.

Your broker can harness these tools to tailor the search to your needs, uncover opportunities you might miss elsewhere, and give you a competitive edge in a fast-moving market.

Your Real Estate Journey Starts Here

Working with a Northwest MLS broker means more than just browsing homes—it means having a trusted partner with the tools and insights to help you buy or sell with confidence.

The post Start Your Real Estate Journey with Confidence appeared first on Northwest Multiple Listing Service.

Northwest MLS brokers have access to the Down Payment Resource (DPR) program, which connects homebuyers with various down payment assistance programs to help them purchase homes.

What is Down Payment Resource?

Down Payment Resource is an online tool that matches homebuyers with state and local assistance programs—grants, second mortgages, and tax credits—that can help cover the cost of a down payment or even closing costs. These programs are often tailored to first-time buyers, veterans, teachers, and others who meet certain income or location requirements.

Fully Integrated & Easy to Use

This program is integrated into the Northwest MLS database, making it easy for NWMLS brokers to see if listings are eligible for financial assistance. Buyers working with NWMLS brokers can also quickly see if a property is eligible for down payment assistance programs within their personal OneHome client portal.

Number of DPR Eligible Listings in 2024

We’ve taken a look in the NWMLS database (which contains hundreds of thousands of listings, dating back to the 1990s) to see how many houses and condos were eligible for down payment assistance in 2024, and where to find them.

Of the 60,562 houses sold by NWMLS brokers in 2024, 44,165 were eligible for down payment assistance – that’s over 72 percent! Even more condominiums were eligible for down payment assistance. Out of a total of 9,358 condos sold by NWMLS brokers in 2024, 8,185 were eligible, representing 87 percent!

Median Sale Prices for DPR Eligible Listings in 2024

The Median Sale Price for all homes sold by NWMLS brokers in 2024 was $665,000, while the Median Sale Price for homes that were eligible for down payment assistance was quite a bit lower at $570,000. The Median Sale Price for all condominiums sold by NWMLS brokers was $500,000 compared to $460,000 for condos that were eligible for down payment assistance.

Counties with the Most DPR Eligible Listings

The most DPR-eligible houses and condos in 2024 were found in King County, with 10,117 homes sold and 4,749 condos sold.

Cities with the Most DPR Eligible Listings

The city with the most DPR-eligible houses and condos sold in 2024 was Seattle with 3,705 homes and 2,063 condos.

Data for all reported MLS residential & condo sales during 2024 in Washington state.

The post Homes Eligible for the Down Payment Resource Program: Listing Data & Market Trends appeared first on Northwest Multiple Listing Service.

Exclusive Safety Tools for NWMLS Members

NWMLS brokers have access to a suite of safety features designed to keep them secure while showing properties:

• NWMLS Safety and Alerts Webpage
  Stay informed about potential security issues in your area. This member-only resource provides real-time alerts on scams, suspicious activity, and safety tips to help you stay vigilant.
• Showing Beacon in the ShowingTime App
  This feature allows brokers to set a safety timer before a showing. If the timer expires without being manually ended, a designated contact is alerted—adding a layer of protection when you’re out in the field.
• SupraKey Safety Alert
  SupraKey includes a discreet alert function that lets brokers notify emergency contacts if they feel unsafe during a showing. It’s a simple but powerful tool that can make a big difference.

Safety in Real Estate Workshop (Members Only)

To help brokers make the most of these tools, NWMLS offers a Safety in Real Estate Workshop. This session walks through the Safety and Alerts webpage, the Showing Beacon, and SupraKey features in detail—giving brokers practical strategies to stay safe and secure. Register for the Safety in Real Estate Workshop
Note: This workshop is available exclusively to NWMLS members

Why Non-Members Should Consider Joining NWMLS

If you’re not yet a member, these safety features—and the training that supports them—are just one reason to consider joining NWMLS. Membership gives you access to:

• Industry-leading tools and technology.
• A network of over 30,000 brokers across Washington and Oregon.
• Ongoing education and support (7 days a week!) to help you grow your business safely and successfully. Learn more.

Safety Is Not Optional—It’s Essential

In real estate, your safety is as important as your sales. NWMLS equips its brokers with the tools, alerts, and training they need to navigate the field with confidence. If you’re already a member, take advantage of these resources. If you’re not, now’s the time to explore what NWMLS membership can do for you.

The post Safety First: Why NWMLS Brokers Have a Powerful Advantage in the Field appeared first on Northwest Multiple Listing Service.

We’ve taken a look at the NWMLS database (which contains hundreds of thousands of listings, dating back to the 1990s) to check out different kinds of waterfront homes and where to find them.

Cities with the Most Waterfront Homes

NWMLS listing data showed that Olympia was the city with the most waterfront houses sold in 2024, with a median price of $847,500. Seattle had the most waterfront condos with a median price of $667,500. If you are looking for a waterfront home, but don’t want to break the bank, head out to Ocean Shores where the median sale price in 2024 was $515,000 for houses, while Chelan was the place to find affordable condos with a median sales price of $99,750.

Top Types of Waterfront Homes

Of the huge variety of waterfront types found throughout Washington, houses that featured a creek had the most sales in 2024, while the most condos sold were located lakeside. Houses set on the Puget Sound were the priciest while condos with no bank waterfront commanded the highest prices.

Data for all reported MLS residential & condo sales during 2024 in Washington state. (Excluded waterfront types – Beach Rights, Jetty, Tideland Rights, and Strait).

The post Waterfront Homes: Listing Data & Market Trends appeared first on Northwest Multiple Listing Service.

Basements may not always be the showstoppers in a home listing, but in Washington state, they’re quietly invaluable. Whether you’re browsing homes in Seattle, Yakima, or Bellevue, there’s a good chance you’ll come across a flight of stairs leading to a space that’s more than just “extra.” In many parts of the state, basements are a smart and versatile feature — one shaped by geography, history, and lifestyle.

Why Do So Many Washington Homes Have Basements?

In colder climates, building codes require home foundations to be set below the frost line to prevent damage from freezing and thawing. Once that deep excavation is done, it’s practical to make use of the space — which is how many of Washington’s basements came to be.

Originally, basements were utility zones — housing furnaces, water heaters, and storage. But over time, homeowners began transforming them into functional living areas: rec rooms, offices, guest suites, or even separate rental units. With square footage at a premium in many Washington cities, that extra space matters.

Basements Reflect the Landscape

Washington’s diverse geography also plays a role in how basements are built. In inland areas and neighborhoods with sloped lots, daylight basements — partially above-ground spaces with windows or doors leading to the backyard — are common. These layouts bring in natural light and offer exterior access, making the basement feel more like part of the main home.

In contrast, some areas—especially coastal regions with high water tables—see fewer basements due to soil and drainage concerns. In newer developments, rising construction costs have also led to more homes being built on slabs rather than with basements.

Basement Types & Search Tools

But, basements aren’t one-size-fits-all. NWMLS brokers can list and search for homes by a variety of basement types to help clients find the right fit:

• Daylight – Partially above ground with windows and/or exterior access
• Fully Finished – Complete living space, ready to use
• Partially Finished – Some living space, with unfinished areas
• Roughed In – Framed and ready for finishing
• Unfinished – A blank slate for future projects

This flexibility in search filters helps buyers narrow in on homes that meet their space, lifestyle, and investment needs.

Where Are Basements Most Common?

In 2024, homes with basements made up 24% of all residential sales, and were most commonly found in older neighborhoods. Here’s a look at cities where the most homes with basements were sold in 2024 and how much they cost compared to homes that lack a basement:

Basements Add Real Value

Beyond storage or hobby space, basements can add significant value to a home — especially when finished or partially finished. In fact, NWMLS data from 2024 shows that homes with finished or daylight basements commanded notably higher prices:

A Smart Space with Loads of Potential

Basements in Washington aren’t just about architecture — they’re a reflection of climate, terrain, and lifestyle. Whether you’re looking for a cozy movie den, a private guest suite, or a future income-generating ADU, a basement offers options.

NWMLS brokers are equipped with tools to help you find homes that offer these valuable features. From finished daylight basements to blank-slate spaces ready for transformation, the right home might be just a staircase away.

Data for all reported MLS residential sales during 2024 in Washington state.

The post Deep Dive into Washington Basements: Listing Data & Market Trends appeared first on Northwest Multiple Listing Service.