Buyers A Guide to VA Loans Image source: Shutterstock   VA loans provide a path toward homeownership for active service and veteran personnel and their families. The following serves as a guide to understanding what they are, who they are available to, and what types of loans are available to them. VA loans can be confusing, so talk with your Windermere […]
Buyers House vs. Townhouse vs. Condo Image sources: House, Townhouse, Condo: Canva — Question marks: Shutterstock Deciding between a house, townhouse, and condominium can be a difficult process. Knowing how their characteristics align with your life and goals as a homeowner will help guide you to the right choice. What differentiates houses, townhouses, and condominiums?  House:  Detached houses offer the most […]
Regional Market Updates Local Market Update – November 2020 The number of people who can work remotely may be changing the way we view our homes, but one trend has not changed. The local housing market in October remained unseasonably hot. And that doesn’t show signs of changing any time soon. October saw continued low inventory and record-level sales, with the number of sales […]
Matthew Gardner Report The Gardner Report – Third Quarter 2020 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 reach out anytime. REGIONAL ECONOMIC OVERVIEW Employment numbers in Western […]
Homeowners The Remote Worker’s Home Buying Process Image Source: Getty Images   The pandemic’s influences on home life are far-ranging, prompting buyers to look at home ownership through a new lens. Remote work has created a paradigm shift in the wants and needs of homebuyers. Here’s what the remote worker should keep in mind when looking to buy. Location The location, location, […]
Regional Market Updates LOCAL MARKET UPDATE – OCTOBER 2020 While daily life may seem unpredictable, the local real estate market remains extremely stable. Activity in September acted more like the traditional peak spring market with home sales soaring and prices hitting record highs. Inventory remains very tight and new listings are selling quickly in every price range. There just aren’t enough homes on the […]
Sellers 10 Steps to Selling Your Home Image source: Shutterstock   Navigating everything involved with selling your home can seem intimidating. Breaking the process down step by step will keep you organized and ready to work towards a successful home sale. 1. Choose an agent A lot goes into choosing the right agent. If you’re unsure where to start, get referrals from […]
Buyers Buying a Fixer-Upper Image Source: Shutterstock For some home buyers, a fixer-upper is their idea of a dream home. Preparing for the process comes down to creating a plan, knowing what to look for, and understanding what financing options are available.   Create a plan  Fixer-uppers require a future-oriented mindset. Knowing the magnitude of the project you and […]
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Regional Market Updates LOCAL MARKET UPDATE – SEPTEMBER 2020 August saw the lowest number of homes for sale in more than 20 years and the lowest mortgage rates on record. Sparse inventory and high demand pushed home prices to new highs. With pending sales outpacing new listings, inventory continues to shrink. King and Snohomish counties each have about a two-week supply of available homes.  […]
Living Preparing for the School Year at Home Image source: Shutterstock   For those whose children will be taking classes online or participating in remote learning this school year, keeping the following tips in mind will help create an at-home learning environment that prioritizes health and learning, while being able to adjust to this year’s unknowns. A home cannot fully replace all that […]
Buyers WINDERMERE INSIGHTS: SECOND HOME PURCHASES ON SOME BUYERS’ MINDS With COVID-related economic stressors mounting for those in the local hospitality and tourism industries among other impacted sectors, many area residents are wondering about the sustainability of their current rent or mortgage. In conjunction with this, mortgage brokers are experiencing a deluge of refinance applications for homeowners looking to lower their monthly overhead and take […]
Homeowners Your Guide to Going Solar Image Source: Canva For homeowners looking to reduce their home’s carbon footprint, increase its sustainability, and add value to their property, going solar is an obvious choice. Understanding how solar works and how to maximize its benefits are key first steps in your journey to becoming a solar energy-producing household. How does solar work? The […]
Regional Market Updates LOCAL MARKET UPDATE – AUGUST 2020 While the pace of daily life may seem slow right now, the local real estate market has had an unusually busy summer. The number of new listings in July was up, sales increased, and home prices followed suit. • While overall inventory is at historic lows, more sellers put their homes on the market. New […]
Living Setting Up Your Home Gym Image Source: Canva   As the stay-at-home hours add up, setting up a home gym is not only physically beneficial, but can bring some added mental wellness to the new normal many of us find ourselves in. In comparison to a gym membership, even with the up-front investment of purchasing equipment, an at-home gym can […]
Matthew Gardner Report Western Washington Real Estate Market Update Q2   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 reach out anytime!   REGIONAL ECONOMIC OVERVIEW It appears […]
Market News LOCAL MARKET UPDATE – JULY 2020 While our lives are very different than they were a year ago, the local real estate market has recovered to 2019 levels. Record low interest rates are helping spur demand. Sales were up, home prices increased and multiple offers were common. The number of pending sales, a measure of current demand, was higher in June than for […]
Market News WINDERMERE INSIGHTS: HOW LOW INVENTORY IS INFLUENCING THE MARKET The local real estate market is recovering so well from the statewide shutdown that it may soon have a hard time keeping up with itself. While active listings are being snapped up by assertive buyers, new inventory is being added at a relative snail’s pace. May and June have seen so much homebuyer demand that […]
Market News REOPENING REAL ESTATE, THE RIGHT WAY As King County enters Phase 2 of reopening, residential real estate services providers must follow a strict set of rules. These control how brokers may conduct business inside and outside their offices and homes for sale (listings). Windermere has developed protocols for reopening that meet or exceed all of the state requirements. From the beginning […]
Regional Market Updates LOCAL MARKET UPDATE – JUNE 2020 As we move to the next phase of reopening, life feels like it’s slowly inching back towards normal.  The same is true in real estate. Statistics on home sales in May provided the first true picture of the effects of COVID-19. Those reports confirmed the incredible strength and stability of the local real estate market. […]
Market News A Guide to Mortgage Assistance During COVID-19 Image Source: Shutterstock   For some homeowners who have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a high level of concern about paying their mortgage. Fortunately, there are options to aid struggling homeowners from governments, financial institutions, and loan providers. The following information is intended to provide clarity on which financial relief options are […]