Architectural Styles: Listing Date and Market Trends for the Seattle Area

Craftsman – 111,207 Homes Sold
The Pacific Northwest’s top choice. Craftsman homes are beloved for their character: low-pitched gabled roofs, deep eaves, wide porches framed by tapered columns, and detailed interior woodwork like built-in shelving and crown molding.
Year | Craftsman Houses Sold | Median Price |
---|---|---|
2014 | 8,638 | $395,000 |
2015 | 9,986 | $407,000 |
2016 | 11,170 | $424,250 |
2017 | 11,709 | $469,900 |
2018 | 11,147 | $499,950 |
2019 | 11,739 | $505,500 |
2020 | 11,595 | $559,950 |
2021 | 12,042 | $675,000 |
2022 | 8,733 | $750,000 |
2023 | 6,982 | $701,828 |
2024 | 7,466 | $739,250 |

Traditional – 69,704 Homes Sold
Classic and elegant, Traditional homes feature timeless elements such as brick exteriors, covered porches, and steep rooflines—blending comfort with curb appeal.
Year | Traditional Houses Sold | Median Price |
---|---|---|
2014 | 4,990 | $316,000 |
2015 | 5,989 | $340,000 |
2016 | 6,543 | $352,000 |
2017 | 6,821 | $378,000 |
2018 | 6,783 | $411,500 |
2019 | 7,023 | $430,000 |
2020 | 6,858 | $485,000 |
2021 | 7,796 | $590,000 |
2022 | 6,217 | $628,000 |
2023 | 5,184 | $618,500 |
2024 | 5,500 | $650,000 |

Northwest Contemporary – 67,445 Homes Sold
This regional favorite blends architecture with nature. Expect natural wood or stone exteriors, open spaces, high wood-beamed ceilings, skylights, and large windows designed to bring in natural light.
Year | NW Contemporary Houses Sold | Median Price |
---|---|---|
2014 | 4,445 | $380,000 |
2015 | 5,483 | $396,000 |
2016 | 6,312 | $429,963 |
2017 | 6,723 | $470,000 |
2018 | 6,875 | $500,000 |
2019 | 6,714 | $534,125 |
2020 | 7,038 | $590,000 |
2021 | 7,599 | $711,000 |
2022 | 6,112 | $769,925 |
2023 | 4,934 | $765,000 |
2024 | 5,210 | $825,000 |
The best of the rest! Here’s how the other architectural styles stacked up over the last 10 years from most to least popular:
Contemporary – 60,550
Contemporary homes often have natural and/or sustainable elements, an open floor plan and may be irregular in shape.
Modern – 22,645
Modern homes usually have open living spaces and clean geometric lines. These homes are often constructed using new materials such as iron, concrete, steel, and glass.
Cabin – 7,157
Cabins are usually simple in design and constructed with round logs or natural, hand-worked wood rather than cut boards. Cabins are often located in wooded or secluded areas.
Cape Cod – 7,137
Cape Cod homes are characterized by a one and a half story design with a steep, gabled roof. The upper floor is usually a finished “attic” with full-height ceilings only in the middle of the floor and sloping ceiling walls to the sides of the rooms. These homes often have a large central chimney, dormer windows and little external ornamentation.
Tudor – 3,693
Tudors have decorative half-timbering on bay windows and upper floors, and steep cross gables. They often have tall, narrow windows with small window panes. Large chimneys with decorative chimney pots are also common.
Colonial – 2,146
Colonial homes have a symmetrical, two-story design. These homes often have decorative crown molding, shutters and pillars.
Victorian – 1,856
Victorian style architecture includes decorative details such as patterned shingles, curved towers, and spindled porches.
A-Frame/Dome – 1,601
A-Frame and Dome designs carry a common thread of being outside traditional architectural. A-Frame homes have steep pitched roofs while domes are sphere-like and usually comprised of a complex network of triangles.
Spanish/Southwest – 766
Spanish or Southwest style homes are inspired by the architecture of Spain and Latin America, emphasizing their rich stylistic details. These homes often have a low-pitched roof, little or no eave overhang, a red tiled roof, a prominent arch over the front door, window, or porch, stucco wall surfaces and asymmetrical façade
Data for all reported MLS residential sales from 2014 – 2024 in Washington state.
Compliments of NWMLS
Ready to buy a home in Seattle? Interested in novelty or vernacular Seattle Architecture? Love historic homes? Visit Historic Seattle to learn and read about Seattle history. Like Mid-Century Modern Homes? Check out DocoMomo-WeWa for modern architecture.