Last Tuesday, you probably saw the headlines: Amazon cuts 16,000 jobs. 2,100 in Washington State alone.
If you're thinking about buying or selling a home right now, those headlines likely triggered a question you didn't want to ask out loud:
Should I wait?
You're not alone. We saw it happen in real time.
What We Watched Happen
Two weeks ago, we listed a home in Seattle. Showing traffic was strong. Buyer feedback was enthusiastic. Based on everything we were seeing, we expected seven offers by review day.
On January 27th, the day the layoffs were announced, we received zero.
Every agent told us the same thing: "My buyers got scared."
Not scared of the house. Not scared of the price. Scared of the uncertainty.
If you've felt that same pit in your stomach wondering whether now is the wrong time to make a move, we get it. The noise is loud right now.
But noise and reality aren't the same thing.
What's Actually Happening
Let's look at what the Amazon layoffs actually mean for Seattle:
- 16,000 corporate roles were cut nationally
- 2,100 were in Washington: 1,700 in Seattle, 400 in Bellevue
- That brings total local cuts since October to roughly 5,400 jobs
Here's the context that matters: Amazon employs nearly 64,000 corporate workers in our region. These layoffs represent about 2% of their local workforce.
That means 62,000+ Amazon employees are still here. Still employed. Still part of the buyer pool. The economic engine of the region took a hit but it's running. And other companies are hiring right now, especially those in the AI space.
The Real Market Picture
The numbers tell a different story than the headlines. We're not watching a market collapse—we're watching a market recalibrate while buyers catch their breath.
As shown in the graph above, from February 2025 to today the median home price in Bellevue declined by approximately 20%, Sammamish declined by about 27%, and Edmonds declined by roughly 19%. Over the same period, Seattle’s median price has remained relatively flat with no meaningful year over year change.
A one year drop can feel especially painful when viewed in isolation. But as the saying goes, don’t wait to buy real estate. Buy real estate and wait.
Looking at the longer term tells a very different story. Since February 2021, the median home price in Bellevue has increased by 22%, averaging about 4.4% per year. Sammamish is up 26%, or roughly 6.5% annually. Edmonds has increased by 14%, averaging 2.8% per year. Seattle is up 19% over the same period, or about 3.8% per year.
While these returns don’t match what we’ve seen in the S&P, they highlight something equally important. When you purchase a home, you gain shelter and a place to belong, a space you can improve and personalize over time, and the opportunity to recapture your down payment along with the equity you build.
The Real Risk Right Now
Here's what concerns us more than the layoffs: good opportunities passing by while people wait for a clarity that may never come.
Fear has a way of masquerading as wisdom. "I'll wait until things settle down" feels responsible. But markets don't send announcements when uncertainty ends. By the time everyone feels confident again, competition is back.
The buyers who pulled back from our Seattle listing? They didn't dodge a bad deal. They removed themselves from a good one.
We're not saying throw caution to the wind. We're saying don't let headlines make your decisions for you.
A Clear Path Forward
Whether you're buying or selling, here's how we'd approach the next few months:
If you're buying:
- Get crystal clear on your finances. Know exactly what you qualify for and what you're comfortable spending—not just the maximum, but your real number.
- Watch for hesitation in other buyers. Homes that would have sparked bidding wars a month ago may now be approachable. Less competition means more negotiating room.
- Move decisively when you find the right home. The window of reduced competition won't last forever.
If you're selling:
- Price it right from day one. Cautious buyers won't stretch for an overpriced home. They'll wait—or move on.
- Prepare your home like it matters—because it does. In a market where buyers have options, presentation separates the homes that sell from the ones that sit.
- Don't mistake a pause for a collapse. Buyers are still active. They're just being more selective.
What's at Stake
A 2020 Penn State study found that 91% of the things people worry about never happen. Of the small percentage that do come true, a third turn out better than expected.
We spend so much energy bracing for disasters that rarely arrive—and in the process, we miss what's right in front of us.
The families who buy their first home this spring won't remember the headlines. They'll remember the moment they got the keys.
The sellers who position themselves well won't look back and think about Amazon layoffs. They'll think about the next chapter they funded.
The risk isn't the market. The risk is letting fear make your decisions.
Let's Talk About Your Situation
Your circumstances aren't a headline. They're specific to you—your job, your timeline, your goals, your family.
That's exactly the kind of conversation we're here for. Whether you're just starting to think about a move or you're ready to take action, let's look at the real numbers and figure out what makes sense for you.
Let's connect and make a plan together
Sources
- “How Often Do Your Worries Actually Come True?” – Psychology Today summary of the research showing about 91% of worries never happen and that outcomes are often better than feared. Psychology Today: 91% of Worries Are False Alarms
- Scientific study on worry outcomes – Penn State–related research showing 91.4% of worries did not come true in tracked participant journals. Exposing Worry’s Deceit (Penn State data)
- AP News: Amazon cuts about 16,000 corporate jobs – Official report on the corporate layoffs announced Jan. 27‑28, 2026. AP News: Amazon cuts 16,000 jobs
- Fox13 Seattle: Amazon confirms 16,000 jobs cut – Local Washington state coverage confirming the layoffs. Fox13 Seattle: Amazon to cut 16,000 jobs
- GeekWire: regional impact in Washington – Early reporting on layoffs in the Seattle/Bellevue region. GeekWire: Amazon job cuts in Seattle area
