Are we preserving the homes people are actually looking for?

A recent Seattle Times report on the local housing market makes a point that reaches well beyond real estate listings. The market, it suggests, isn't simply "hot" or "cold" — it's behaving like two very different markets at the same time.

According to local real estate professionals cited in the article, many townhomes and condos are lingering or selling below asking price, while detached single-family homes keep drawing multiple offers — and, in some cases, bidding wars.

That raises a question worth sitting with: are we paying enough attention to what buyers actually want?

The article points to buyers who value detached homes not because they're chasing luxury, but for practical reasons — a small yard, privacy, space for children or pets, flexibility for multigenerational living, and the chance to build long-term equity.

Why this matters in Kirkland

As Kirkland carries out its Comprehensive Plan and meets state housing requirements, the conversation often centers on a single number: how many units we produce. That matters — but it's only part of the picture.

There's a second question we rarely ask: what kinds of homes are we preserving? Across Kirkland, older, smaller detached homes — long the entry point to homeownership — are being replaced by much larger, more expensive houses. At the same time, some newer products, including certain cottage and attached developments, have taken longer to sell.

No housing type is "better" than another. Every type has a role to play. But this isn't really about pitting condos against houses. It's about understanding what people are looking for before we assume one kind of home can simply replace another.

If affordability is the goal, we should be asking not only how many homes we build, but whether we're preserving enough modest, attainable ones that match what households are actually seeking. Good planning isn't just adding supply — it's offering a range of choices that reflect the needs, budgets, and aspirations of the people who live here.

If that matters to you, let the City Council know. It takes about three minutes.

Kirkland City Hall

Originally posted on the Cherish Kirkland Facebook page.