Seattle-area housing prices are falling, and inventory is rising faster than anywhere else in the U.S., further evidence that the region's once red-hot market may be cooling.

Why it matters: This rapid shift marks a sharp reversal from the region's pandemic-era bidding wars, soaring prices and limited inventory.

By the numbers: Seattle-area single-family home prices fell 2.5% year over year in March, the largest decline among major metros tracked by the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Index.

• Active inventory in the Seattle metro rose 39% from a year earlier in April — the largest year-over-year increase among U.S. metros, according to the latest REMAX National Housing Report.

Between the lines: "The Seattle market started late this year compared to typical seasonal trends," John Manning, managing broker at REMAX Gateway, told Axios. He added that higher interest rates have helped cool prices, even as inventory has grown.

What they're saying: More homes are hitting the market than buyers are willing to absorb at current prices, according to Seattle-area real estate agent Chris Reis of Pacific Northwest Residences at Compass.

• "Buyers are still buying. They're just no longer willing to overpay," Reis told Realtor.com.

Zoom in: The trend is even more pronounced in some parts of King County with active listings on the Eastside jumping about 43% year over year in April and prices dropping 3.78%, according to Northwest Multiple Listing Service data.

The big picture: America's housing market is increasingly a tale of two markets.

• National home prices rose 0.7% year over year in March, according to the Case-Shiller Index.
• But more than half of the 20 major metros tracked posted annual price declines, a sign of a "broadening and deepening housing slowdown," according to Nicholas Godec of S&P Dow Jones Indices.

Yes, but: Despite the drop, the Seattle metro remains the country's fourth-priciest housing market, with a median home sale price of $735,375, per REMAX's April housing report.

The bottom line: Seattle's housing market is becoming less frenzied, even if it's still out of reach for many buyers.

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Seattle Sounders star Cristian Roldan will give local fans a hometown reason to cheer during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Why it matters: Roldan was named to the U.S. Men's National Team's final 26-player World Cup roster last week.

Context: Roldan, 30, is headed to his second consecutive World Cup after also making the U.S. squad in 2022.

• Drafted by Seattle in 2015, Roldan has become one of the club's all-time greats, making more than 400 appearances and helping the Sounders win four major trophies, according to Sounders FC.

State of play: The U.S. faces Australia at noon on June 19 at Seattle Stadium (also known as Lumen Field), one of Seattle's six World Cup matches.

• Roldan had two assists against Australia in a U.S. win last year.

How to watch: Resale tickets, starting at $1,229, were available Friday. The U.S. group-stage matches will air on FOX, with streaming available on Peacock and Telemundo.

Tell a fan

🌎 A Seattle-based scientist is working on technology designed to detect earthquakes faster, aiming to improve early warning and reduce damage in the Pacific Northwest. (Seattle Met)

⚾️ The Mariners swept Arizona yesterday with a 10th-inning walk-off, extending their winning streak to six games and strengthening their hold on first place in the AL West. (Seattle Times)

🚧 Seattle removed homemade street barricades built to deter gun violence in neighborhoods near Aurora Avenue North, replacing them with city-approved barriers. (KIRO 7)

🏗️ A proposed warehouse project in Federal Way would demolish the Wild Waves theme park, which is already slated to close after this season. (KING 5)

Even if you put aside rising gas prices, car ownership in Washington has gotten a lot more expensive in recent years.

Driving the news: The average monthly car payment for a new vehicle in Washington is now $772, according to new data from car research site Edmunds.

• For a used car, the average monthly payment in the state is $541.

Higher interest rates are one factor driving higher monthly payments, Axios' Joann Muller reported.

• Higher sticker prices are another contributor, with many popular car models now costing thousands of dollars more than they did a few years ago.
• Insurance premiums and repair costs are also up, per the National Automobile Dealers Association.

Overall, car ownership costs have risen 47% since 2020 — outpacing inflation and wage growth, according to Navy Federal Credit Union.

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You flooded our inboxes with recommendations for the best bánh mì in the Seattle area, making it clear the region is full of great versions of the classic Vietnamese sandwich.

Now, it's time for your favorites to duke it out in our ultimate Seattle-area bánh mì bracket.

The 16 contenders are the spots readers recommended most often.

How it works: Vote here for your first-round picks. The polls will remain open until 2pm tomorrow.

We'll announce the first-round winners Wednesday, then continue to narrow the pool. The ultimate champion will be revealed late next week.

Best of luck to your favorite sandwich!

Cast your vote