Seattle, Washington, prices are up nearly 5 percent from this time last year -- a result of more buyers than sellers in the market at this time, report local experts.

Despite this, sales are still down -- about 12.5 percent from last year.

Local Expert, Ricklie Stone, notes that Seattle is infact a buyers market at this time, with the S&P/Case-Shiller Home price Index showing Seattle as one of the hottest areas in the U.S. at this time.

Inventory is up almost 50 percent from a year ago.

Ricklie notes, "Buyers are no longer feeling pressured to pull the trigger quickly and are slow to do unless the home they find is a winning combination of location, price and condition."

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Published: December 7, 2007

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