The Anton Stetner Podcast

How Seattle’s Housing Turned Into a Luxury Good After the Financial Crisis

Anton Stetner

Seattle was once known for its tech boom, coffee culture, and vibrant communities. But after the Great Financial Crisis, something changed—and it wasn’t just Wall Street that felt the impact. Housing in Seattle began its transformation from an attainable dream to an exclusive luxury, shutting out thousands of families and reshaping the city’s identity.
In this video, we dive deep into the hidden consequence of the 2008 crisis that few people are talking about: how housing became financialized. From hedge funds buying up properties, to developers focusing only on luxury builds, to skyrocketing demand from global investors—Seattle’s housing market was never the same.
We’ll uncover how a city once filled with opportunity became a playground for the wealthy, and what this shift means for everyday people trying to find a place to live. Why did homes stop being homes, and start being investment assets? And more importantly—can this trend ever be reversed?
Stay with us until the end for key data points that reveal the shocking scale of the problem—and a look at what Seattle’s future could hold if nothing changes.