Why Home Sales Bounce Back After Presidential Elections With the 2024 Presidential election fast approaching, you might be wondering what impact, if any, it’s having on the housing market. Let’s break it down. Election Years Bring a Temporary Slowdown In any given year, home sales slow down slightly in the fall. It’s a typical, seasonal […]
Read MoreBuyer Representation and Its Importance for Sellers by Cassie Walker Johnson In today’s rapidly changing real estate landscape, understanding the critical role of buyer representation has never been more essential for home sellers. With the pending NAR settlement on the horizon, many sellers may not fully grasp the significant impact these changes will have on […]
Read MoreTop 10 Predictions for Seattle’s Real Estate Market in 2024 1. Still no housing bubble This was number one on the list last year. The reason it’s being called out again is because the market performed better in 2023 than expected. Continued price growth, combined with significantly higher mortgage rates, might suggest to some that […]
Read MoreEffective January 1, 2024: Big Changes Coming to Washington State Significant changes are on the horizon for real estate laws in Washington, coming into effect on January 1, 2024. This marks the most substantial revision to the agency statue since its inception in 1997, addressing the evolving real estate landscape. The revamped pamphlet formerly known […]
Read MorePhoto by Devon Grace Interiors – More kitchen photos Embrace Harmony and Simplicity with Japandi: The Perfect Interior Design Trend for Your Home Step into the world of Japandi, the latest interior design trend that effortlessly blends the timeless elegance of Japanese minimalism with the warm and cozy elements of Scandinavian design. This fusion […]
Read MoreToday we’re diving into an important topic that could make a big difference in the amount of money you net from your home sale. There is no denying that the Seattle real estate market is hot. There are more buyers who need houses than houses for sale. That means your home is in demand and […]
Read MoreA recent survey revealed that many consumers believe there’s a housing bubble beginning to form. That feeling is understandable, as year-over-year home price appreciation is still in the double digits. However, this market is very different than it was during the housing crash 15 years ago. Here are four key reasons why today is nothing […]
Read MoreWe see you out there… the For Sale sign is up in your front yard, people have come and gone to the open house (or maybe the open house had very little traffic which left you feeling defeated). You are seeing neighbors sell their homes after only a few days and wondering why you haven’t […]
Read MoreThe Four Part Plan: 1) FOCUS ON SELLING A LIFESTYLE You’re not just selling a house, you’re selling a lifestyle. Think beyond your “house data” such as square footage and room sizes. Highlight home features that resonate with the lifestyle buyers will get if they purchase your home. Whether that’s entertaining space, smart home tech, […]
Read MoreLet’s be honest, six months ago, none of us imagined we’d be where we are today. While last spring was filled with coping strategies and beliefs that this was all just “temporary,” the new reality is we are in this for the long haul. Here in Seattle, most schools have moved to an online […]
Read MoreEven with COVID restrictions, the Seattle real estate market continues to be very strong. We find that our sellers who follow these 5 steps are more successful in this market, often selling over list price with multiple offers. While your market may be faster, or slower, than Seattle, in the time of COVID, it […]
Read More5 TIPS TO SURVIVING WITH SUCCESS We admit it . . . home ownership isn’t always about pretty paint and home decor. As we pump the water out of our basement for the third time this week, we are reminded that surprises happen (especially in the Seattle rain) that can throw even us for a […]
Read MoreCHANGES COMING JANUARY 1st As of January 1st, 2020, important changes will be made to how the State of Washington charges excise tax as it applies to the sale of a home. Windermere Chief Economist, Matthew Gardner explains:Washington State Excise Tax changes
Read MoreBY: MATHEW GARDNER, CHIEF ECONOMIST, WINDERMERE REAL ESTATE As we head toward the end of the year, it’s time to recap how the U.S. economy and housing markets performed this year and offer my predictions for 2020. U.S. Economy In general, the economy performed pretty much as I expected this year: job growth slowed […]
Read MoreSMART HOME TIPS FROM A POWERHOUSE SEATTLE TECH COUPLE Matt Thomlinson and Dana Hurley are a powerhouse Seattle couple, and one of our most favorite clients (and friends). We are frequently in awe of their ability to fine tune house management while conducting a busy work and travel schedule. As SVP of Security Engineering […]
Read MoreWill a recession affect Seattle’s housing market? “How’s the market?” It’s the number one question we get in any given conversation when people discover we’re in Real Estate. Here is an old question we haven’t been asked in nearly decade, “How do you think the recession will affect Seattle home prices?” The answer is a […]
Read MoreThe following analysis of the Western Washington real estate market is provided by Windermere Real Estate Chief Economist, Matthew Gardner. We hope that this information may assist you with making better-informed real estate decisions. For further information about the housing market in your area, please don’t hesitate to contact us. ECONOMIC OVERVIEW Washington State […]
Read MoreIt’s Fall y’all, therefore it’s time to plan your great pumpkin adventure. So grab your PSL, check out our Pinterest Board for pumpkin carving ideas, and let’s get to it. Here are our Top 5 Picks to Get Your Pumpkins: 1) FOR THE SLACKER PARENTS: We totally get it – busy lives, […]
Read MoreToday is officially the first day of Fall. While letting go of summer in Seattle is indeed challenging, any true Seattleite will be hard pressed to deny how they feel “at home” in Autumn. Curling up on the couch, watching their favorite sitcom, fire set and the rain pouring down outside – all […]
Read MoreToday is Earth Day. For some reason, this year I am more drawn to our planet than before. Perhaps it’s a bit of inspiration from a client who is striving to remodel their house into a passive home. Perhaps it’s watching our 10-year-old daughter become more aware of her own surroundings, and just wanting to […]
Read MoreBy: Mathew Gardner, Windermere Economist The following analysis of the Western Washington real estate market is provided by Windermere Real Estate Chief Economist Matthew Gardner. We hope that this information may assist you with making better-informed real estate decisions. For further information about the housing market in your area, please don’t hesitate to contact […]
Read MoreOur paths first crossed with Aaron and Sarah many years ago when we were all volunteering at Big Brothers Big Sisters. It was then that we began to understand their passion for children, both mentoring and fostering at risk youth. In addition to volunteering as “Bigs,” they were also short term emergency foster parents to […]
Read MoreAuthor: Mathew Gardner, Windermere Economist What a year it has been for both the U.S. economy and the national housing market. After several years of above-average economic and home price growth, 2018 marked the start of a slowdown in the residential real estate market. As the year comes to a close, it’s time for me […]
Read MoreFor years I have proven to be a tried and true novice green thumb, never able to keep a plant alive. But after successfully keeping our human daughter alive for 10 years so far, I decided it was time to graduate to foliage. Like any Seattle native, my comfort zone is in grey. Various shades […]
Read MoreWhidbey Island has long been the go-to weekend destination for the people of the Pacific Northwest. With a short 30 minute ferry line and bountiful beaches, quite a few Seattleites have established second homes around the island. While most day-trippers stop at the town of Langley, heading north just 25 more miles lands you in […]
Read More