The smartest move is preparation, not action. Positioning yourself early gives you leverage, clarity, and options when the market shifts. Whether you plan to buy, sell, or both in 2026, the choices you make now can directly impact your price, timing, and stress level. REALTOR® Marie‑Noelle Metseye helps clients prepare strategically so they enter 2026 informed, confident, and ready.

Most people try to time the market. Experienced buyers and sellers position themselves instead. In Snohomish and King County, where demand, inventory, and interest rates fluctuate, preparation often matters more than the exact month you transact.

Early positioning helps you:

• Avoid rushed decisions

• Respond quickly when opportunities appear

• Protect equity and negotiating power

• Reduce emotional and financial stress

Many sellers think preparation starts with fixing things. In reality, it starts with clarity. Before spending money or energy, you need to understand your goals and your home’s true market position.

Key questions to answer now:

• Do you value price, timing, or convenience most?

• Are you planning a traditional sale or an as‑is strategy?

• Will you sell before or after you buy?

• What life changes are driving the move?

Online estimates don’t account for seasonal demand, buyer behavior, or local competition. A 2026 strategy requires a forward‑looking market analysis, not a generic number.

A proper valuation considers:

• Recent Snohomish and King County sales

• Expected early‑ and mid‑2026 inventory levels

• Your home’s condition and layout

• Neighborhood‑specific demand

The strongest buyers in 2026 will be the ones who prepared in advance. That doesn’t mean locking into a loan now, it means building flexibility and leverage.

Smart buyer positioning includes:

• Reviewing credit and financial readiness

• Understanding realistic price ranges

• Learning which neighborhoods fit your lifestyle

• Identifying deal‑breakers vs. nice‑to‑haves

Buying and selling in the same year adds complexity, but also opportunity. The right sequence can protect equity and reduce risk.

Early planning helps determine:

• Whether to sell first or buy first

• How bridge financing or rent‑backs may help

• How to align timelines without pressure

• Backup plans if the market shifts

Positioning yourself now does not mean signing contracts or setting dates. It means gathering information and creating options.

That often includes:

• A no‑pressure strategy conversation

• A clear picture of market value

• A rough timeline for 2026

• Knowing what to do, and what not to do, before the year begins

In Snohomish and King County, buyers and sellers who prepare early often gain an advantage. Areas like Bothell, Lynnwood, Everett, Shoreline, Seattle, Renton, Mill Creek, and the Eastside consistently reward well‑positioned clients.

If 2026 is your year to buy or sell, the best thing you can do right now is prepare, calmly and intentionally. You don’t need urgency. You need clarity.

REALTOR® Marie‑Noelle Metseye helps Snohomish and King County clients position themselves early, so when the right moment arrives, decisions feel confident instead of rushed.