Seattle 's housing market is experiencing a 19 % spike in house prices , the fastest increase in the city since 2006 , according to the Seattle Times . The record – in 2013 for the fastest rise in prices in the region – is thanks to an influx of Chinese investors , who entered Seattle after authorities slapped a 15 % tax on foreign real estate sales . The move seemingly worked as it resulted in a staggering and immediate 96% drop in foreign buyers (see: Around 80 % of Chinese buyers of Seattle property do so for investment purposes , according to Chinese home - buying website Juwai.com , .
Seattle 's housing market is experiencing a 19 % spike in house prices , the fastest increase in the city since 2006 , according to the Seattle Times . The record – in 2013 for the fastest rise in prices in the region – is thanks to an influx of Chinese investors , who entered Seattle after authorities slapped a 15 % tax on foreign real estate sales . Around 80 % of Chinese buyers of Seattle property do so for investment purposes , according to Chinese home - buying website Juwai.com , .