If you’re wondering whether now is the right time to sell your Queen Anne condo, you’re not alone. In a shifting market, it can feel hard to tell whether you should list soon, wait for rates to improve, or hold out for a stronger season. The good news is that the data gives you a practical roadmap, and the best timing usually comes down to more than just picking a month. Let’s dive in.
What a shifting market means
For Queen Anne condo sellers, a shifting market means buyer demand still exists, but buyers have more choices and less urgency than they did in the tightest seller’s market years. That changes how your timing, pricing, and preparation work together.
According to the NWMLS 2025 annual review, condos made up 13.5% of all NWMLS sales in 2025, and King County accounted for 60.5% of all condo transactions. The same report shows King County’s 2025 median condo price was $560,000, while Seattle condo sales across Seattle map areas closed at a $590,000 median in 2025.
At the neighborhood level, Queen Anne is still active, but it is no longer moving at a frenzy pace. Redfin’s Queen Anne market data reports a median sale price of $840,000 in February 2026, down 18.0% year over year, with homes taking 60 days on market compared with 21 days a year earlier.
That does not mean you cannot sell well. It means buyers are more selective, and your strategy matters more.
Why timing still matters
Even in a more balanced market, timing can affect how many buyers see your condo and how much competition you face. The strongest seasonal pattern in the data still points to spring and early summer as the best window for seller exposure.
The NWMLS annual report shows that in 2025, new listings and pending sales peaked in May, while closed sales peaked in July. It also found that the lowest months of supply across the broader service area was in March, and the highest was in September.
That pattern matters because a lower-supply environment can help your listing stand out. By late summer and early fall, there are often more listings competing for the same buyers.
Best time to sell a Queen Anne condo
If you have flexibility, the strongest listing window is usually late April through June. That timing lines up with rising buyer activity while avoiding some of the heavier inventory that tends to build later.
This conclusion is supported by both annual and monthly condo trends. In King County’s April 2025 condo recap, the market had 1,809 active condo listings, 565 pending sales, and 3.60 months of inventory. In May 2025, active listings rose to 2,064, pendings increased to 656, and months of inventory edged up to 3.95.
By comparison, the September 2025 condo recap data cited in the research shows inventory remained elevated at 2,043 active listings, while pendings fell to 547 and months of inventory rose to 4.40. In other words, spring offered more momentum, while fall brought more competition and slower absorption.
There is no single perfect week to list. Still, if your goal is to maximize exposure in a market that is no longer overheated, late spring is usually your best bet.
Watch inventory, not just the calendar
The calendar helps, but inventory is just as important. In a shifting market, you want to know how many similar condos buyers can choose from when your home hits the market.
The NWMLS February 2026 condo recap shows 1,639 active condo listings, 493 pending sales, 346 closed sales, and 4.74 months of inventory in King County. NWMLS describes 4 to 6 months of inventory as a balanced market, which means sellers no longer have the same advantage they had when supply was tighter.
For you, that means waiting is not automatically better. If inventory is rising while buyer demand stays steady or softens, more competition can make it harder to stand out later.
Price matters more than it used to
In a shifting market, strong pricing is often more important than trying to chase a future peak. Buyers today are more payment-sensitive, and they are comparing your condo against more options.
NWMLS reported in its 2025 market update that active listings rose by 34.4% on average compared with 2024, while total sales were basically flat year over year. The same report noted the average 30-year mortgage rate was 6.60% in 2025, only slightly below 6.72% in 2024, which kept affordability under pressure.
That softer affordability picture is showing up in condo data. In February 2026 King County condo statistics, the median condo price was $545,000, down from $612,500 in February 2025.
On the ground in Queen Anne, Redfin reports that over the last three months, homes sold for about 1% below list price and went pending in around 36 days. That is a good reminder that buyers are still buying, but overpricing is more likely to cost you time.
When waiting could make sense
There are times when waiting is reasonable, especially if your condo needs work, your building has several competing listings, or mortgage rates are spiking sharply. In those cases, a short delay to improve presentation or avoid a crowded launch can be smart.
Mortgage rates are still a wild card. Freddie Mac’s PMMS archive shows the 30-year fixed rate was 6.11% on March 12, 2026, then 6.38% on March 26, 2026. That kind of movement can affect buyer confidence and monthly payments quickly.
Still, waiting for lower rates alone is risky. Rates may improve, but if inventory climbs at the same time, that benefit can be offset by more competition.
Three signs you may be ready to list
If you are trying to decide whether to sell now or wait, focus on these three factors:
Seasonal demand is rising
Late spring and early summer usually bring stronger buyer activity than late summer, fall, or winter.Your building-level competition is manageable
Fewer comparable units on the market can help your condo attract more attention.Rates are relatively steady
Buyers tend to feel more comfortable making decisions when financing costs are not moving sharply week to week.
When those factors line up, your odds improve. If one factor is weaker, pricing and preparation become even more important.
How to sell well in this market
A shifting market rewards sellers who are realistic, prepared, and strategic. If you are planning a Queen Anne condo sale, these steps can help:
Prepare before you list
Small improvements can matter more when buyers have options. Clean presentation, repairs, and thoughtful design updates can help your condo feel move-in ready and justify your asking price.
Milaina West Group’s seller approach includes renovation and design consultation, along with contractor coordination support. That can be especially helpful if you want to improve marketability without over-improving.
Study the competition
Not all competition is neighborhood-wide. For condos, your closest competitors may be in the same building or in nearby buildings with similar dues, amenities, and views.
A broader Queen Anne trend can guide your timing, but your list strategy should also reflect what buyers are comparing side by side.
Price for today’s buyers
In a balanced market, the best first price is often your best chance to generate serious interest. Chasing the market downward through price reductions can cost you momentum.
With Queen Anne homes taking longer to sell than they did a year ago, a realistic launch price matters more than ever.
The bottom line on timing
So, when should you sell a Queen Anne condo in a shifting market? If you have flexibility, late April through June is usually the strongest seasonal window based on recent regional and county condo trends. But timing alone will not do all the work for you.
In today’s market, the best results usually come when you combine decent timing with accurate pricing, strong presentation, and a close look at your real competition. If you are thinking about your next move, Milaina West Group can help you build a timing and prep plan that fits your condo, your building, and your goals.
FAQs
When is the best month to sell a Queen Anne condo?
- Based on NWMLS seasonal trends, late spring and early summer, especially late April through June, are usually the strongest times to list because buyer activity is rising before later-summer inventory builds.
Is Queen Anne still a competitive market for condo sellers?
- Yes, but it is more measured than it was in past seller-heavy periods. Redfin shows Queen Anne remains somewhat competitive, with homes going pending in around 36 days over the last three months.
Should I wait for lower mortgage rates before selling my Queen Anne condo?
- Waiting only for rate relief can be risky because rates are volatile and more inventory could arrive while you wait. A strong pricing and preparation strategy is usually more reliable than trying to time rates perfectly.
How important is pricing for a Queen Anne condo sale right now?
- Pricing is very important in the current market. With more inventory and buyers watching affordability closely, an accurate list price can help you attract interest sooner and avoid a longer time on market.
What market data should Queen Anne condo sellers watch?
- The most useful indicators are seasonal demand, King County condo inventory, mortgage rate movement, and the number of competing units in your building or nearby comparable buildings.
