3 minutes read
The first-time homebuyer market share decreased to a historic low of 24% (down from 32% last year)
KB
07/12/2025
From 1984 to 2024, home prices in Washington State have increased by 828%, making it the state with the largest home price gain in the U.S. That figure alone sets the stage for just how challenging the housing market in Washington State has become.
📉 First-time buyer share in 2024 fell to 24%, a historic low, compared to 32% the year before.
🧓 Average homebuyer age is now 56 (up from 49 in 2023). The first-time buyer age in Washington is 38, and repeat buyers average 61.
These stats are a signal of just how difficult homeownership has become not just for young buyers, but even for those with more experience and resources.
Here’s a comparison of Q4 2024 average home values across the 10 most expensive states in the U.S.: Compare that to the U.S. national average of around $412,000, and it becomes clear: Washington’s real estate prices are on a completely different level.
(Source: The Motley Fool)
The skyrocketing Washington State home values are driven by a combination of economic, demographic, and geographic factors:
(Source: [Redfin], [Zillow], [WA OFM])
Despite a minor cooldown in 2023, home prices in Washington rebounded again in 2024articularly in King, Snohomish, and Clark counties.
With the combination of:
…Washington’s housing market has become increasingly unattainable, especially for first-time buyers.
It’s not just Seattle either. Cities like Tacoma, Bellingham, and Spokane are all seeing price spikes and demand pressures.
At WithJoy.AI, our mission is to make buying a home in Washington State more affordable—no matter the market conditions.
We do this by giving you 70% of the buyer agent’s commission back. Yes, 70%.
Say you buy a home in Bellevue for $900,000. If the seller offers a 2.5% buyer agent commission, that’s $22,500.
At WithJoy.AI, you keep 70% of that or $15,750 in your pocket.
✅ Use this rebate to cover:
It’s your money. We help you keep it.
Want more expert insights on the Washington housing market, first-time buyer programs, and saving strategies?
Until there’s massive housing reform or a drop in buyer demand, the housing market in Washington will remain expensive.
But that doesn’t mean you have to overpay.
With tools like WithJoy.AI, you can turn one of the most expensive housing markets into an opportunity for major savings.
Start your home search with WithJoy.AI, tour homes with a real agent, and save big when you close.
First-time homebuyers in Washington state, have you checked out these programs yet?
KB
03/11/2025
The average real estate commission in WA is 5.18%—why not keep more for yourself?
KB
02/16/2025
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KB
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