This month's Builders Bulletin features a new data point, the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI). This is a national and regional indicator that tracks builder perception of current single-family home sales and expectations. It has decreased every month in 2022, reflecting a general bearish outlook towards the housing market amid rising construction costs and high interest rates.

King County’s August median home price of $815,000 stayed relatively flat compared to the previous month, which was $810,000. Snohomish County saw a month-over-month dip in its median home price of single-family homes and condos—from $737,500 in July to $700,000 in August. Year-over-year prices were up 5.6% in King County and 4.9% in Snohomish County.

Data in the latest Builders Bulletin show a mixed bag for building permit activity in the first half of 2022. Separately, the NAHB/Wells-Fargo Housing Market Index, which measures the confidence of single-family builders nationwide, has been falling amid higher interest rates and ongoing supply chain problems.