The headlines are swirling about the real estate market. The environment is shifting from a seller’s market to a balanced market, creating opportunities for buyers and holding sellers to exacting standards. The primary factors affecting this shift are inventory levels, interest rates, and consumer confidence. These are the same factors that commonly influence the market conditions, and for the first time since 2018, months of inventory have reached their highest peak. Interest rates have remained stubborn, hovering around 7% for the last six months, and the stock market drama in April took a toll on consumer sentiment.

The good news is that the stock market has fully recovered from the April decline; however, the residual effects are likely to have some lasting impact on consumer confidence as they plan their financial decisions. Other good news for buyers is the increase in selection, which allows for more negotiations and can provide the option of a buyer credit. In King County, there were 62% more homes for sale in May compared to the same month last year, and 33% more than in April.  In Snohomish County, there were 48% more homes for sale in May compared to the same month last year, and 32% more than in April.  It is also important to note that each sub-market, established by price point, location, and property type, can vary.  We are currently seeing a mix of sellers’, balanced, and buyers’ markets across the region as inventory increases.

We surveyed our office’s pending sales over the last two months, and one in three transactions had a buyer credit, with an average credit of $14,000. This is where a credit to the buyer from the seller is baked into the contract. Often, this accompanies a full-price offer (from the list price), and sometimes the offer is below the list price. These credits are used to offset the buyer’s closing costs, which leaves more money in the buyer’s pocket post-closing for improvements, a larger down payment, or savings. We are also seeing savvy buyers use these credits to buy down their interest rate, thereby saving on their monthly payment.

A permanent rate buydown requires approximately 3% of the purchase price to lower the rate by one point for the 30-year term of the loan. A good rule of thumb to remember is that every 1-point decrease in rate equals a 10% increase in buying power. For example, if the rate is 7% and you are qualified for a home at $800,000, and the rate were to decrease by 1 point to 6%, you could now afford $880,000 with a very similar payment. Another way to look at this is simply the monthly payment itself. An $800,000 purchase with 20% down and a 6% interest rate would save a buyer $420.82 a month compared to the payment at 7%.

A permanent buydown is a valuable tool, as is a temporary buydown. It is one of the most powerful tools in today’s market. It costs far less than a permanent buy-down. Here is an example: let’s say you are shopping for a house and have an $800,000 budget, along with a 20% down payment (btw, this works for any down payment amount), given today’s interest rate of 7%. The monthly principal and interest payment would be $4,257.94. You could do a 2-1 buydown (2 points lower in year one and 1 point lower in year 2), which would have your payment in year one be based on an interest rate of 5% with a monthly principal and interest payment of $3,435.66 – a savings of $822.28 a month. For year two, the monthly principal and interest would be based on 6%, resulting in a monthly payment of $3,837.12, a $420.82 savings. The total savings in monthly payments with the 2-1 buy-down over the two years would be $14,917.18.

The roughly $15,000 in monthly payment savings is paid upfront at closing and can be provided as a buyer credit by the seller. The buyer still needs to qualify based on the 7% interest rate, as the payments will be converted to those based on the 7% rate in year three and moving forward. The buyer may never have to pay the 7% amount if rates decrease and they can refinance within the two years, permanently locking in a rate below 7%. A bonus is that if the entire $15,000 credit has not been used yet, in some cases, those unused funds can be applied towards the refinance.  The latest expert rate predictions are below.  While we don’t have a crystal ball to predict when this will happen, I do know that when it does, there will be more buyer competition in the market, which will affect negotiations.

A peculiar aspect of consumer sentiment is that when there is more inventory and the market becomes more balanced, as opposed to a tight market where buyers are competing for limited choices, it confuses buyers. They tend to slow down and think something may be wrong. Savvy buyers will zero in on a house they want and use this time to negotiate better terms for due diligence and possible credits, rather than escalating prices and accepting no contingencies that often occur in a seller’s market. Another benefit to a balanced market is the return of home sale contingencies. This balance of inventory is necessary to introduce this option, and it has been quite a while since we’ve seen this happen. Although they are not commonplace, they are on the rise. This enables the buyer to purchase contingent on the successful sale and closing of their current home. It was how real estate used to be done, and a great option if all lines up.

Now, how does this increase in inventory affect sellers? As mentioned above, it raises the bar on property preparation, accurate price positioning, and overall appeal. When there are more choices, you need to stand out! That is why homes that meet these criteria continue to sell for more than their list price and receive multiple offers. Homes that are brought to market, neutralized, staged, free of deferred maintenance, and appropriately priced are selling quickly. If a home has modern improvements, that helps too, as many buyers prefer move-in condition as they are often using the bulk of their savings for a down payment to create the lowest possible monthly payment.

So, what is appropriate price positioning? I will start with the big picture first.  Sellers must maintain a long-term perspective and assess their equity growth during their ownership. Single-family residential prices in King County have increased by 91% over the past decade and by 44% over the past five years. Single-family residential prices in Snohomish County have increased by 113% over the past decade and by 52% over the past five years. Sellers have made remarkable gains, and success should not be measured by the froth of a seller’s market, but by the gains of a sale in any market. The big-picture approach often leads to a smooth and profitable transition from one house to the next.

Now, back to the tactics of price positioning.  Annual prices typically peak in the spring, and after reviewing the latest May 2025 figures, it appears we have hit the peak for the year. This is about 30-45 days earlier than in 2024 and previous years. Additionally, year-over-year prices are flat and slightly down from 2024, so sellers should consider this when choosing their price with their broker. This, along with the increase in selection, means that sellers need to determine the value point at which a buyer is willing to make an offer when they have more choices. They cannot price based on last year’s market, which had different environmental factors.

One thing we can always count on in life is change. The real estate market is no different. In the case of our local real estate market, this change sits on the shoulders of monumental growth.  There is always an opportunity within the change, and staying close to the data helps unearth this. I’m encouraged by the balance in the market and look forward to helping my clients navigate their life transitions in the most effective way possible. Research, data, and listening to my client’s goals are the backbone of my approach. If you or someone you know is experiencing significant life changes that a move could help with, please reach out. We can discuss the big picture, apply the data, and chart a custom plan together. It is always my goal to help keep my clients well-informed and empower them to make strong decisions.

Last week, our office hosted a panel discussion on the hot topic of homeowners insurance. In the wake of several natural disasters, supply chain issues, and inflation on building materials, homeowners insurance is currently experiencing a “hard market”. Non-renewal and cancellation rates are rising, some carriers are leaving certain states, and specific aspects of a home, like wood-shake roofs, are being more scrutinized. This has caused coverage to increase in cost and, in some cases, not be available. We assembled this panel to get this critical real-time information in front of our clients, so they can adequately care for their home(s).

As your trusted real estate advisors who help you transact when it is time for a move, we also see it as our role to help you protect your asset through education. While we are not insurance experts, the esteemed panel of insurance professionals we invited to discuss the state of the homeowners insurance market is an example of a trusted advisor in the homeowners insurance field. Below are our top takeaways from the hour-long guided discussion. You can also access the event recording below, which also includes 30 minutes of Q&A from the audience.

What is RCV (Replacement Cost Value), and why is it important?
RCV is the dollar amount established to determine the cost of rebuilding your home to its pre-damage condition. This is different from market value, which includes the land and location premiums. RCV estimates the cost of materials and labor to restore or rebuild your home at today’s prices. This number is critical, and that is why it is important to always let your carrier know when you have made changes or improvements to your home. NOTE: Some carriers use ACV (Actual Cost Value), but this is not preferred as it takes into account depreciation.

Request an annual review of your policy with your carrier.
Most carriers have some built-in annual coverage adjustments, but they are often insufficient. The homeowner is responsible for reporting upgrades, additions, and improvements to their carrier so the increase in investment translates to coverage. Record-keeping of invoices and receipts helps establish accurate replacement value. Notifying your carrier of these changes will capture the appropriate coverage.

Request and review the Declaration Page in your policy.
The declaration page in your policy provides a detailed overview of your coverage. It lists what is covered, the RCV, notes additional riders, and outlines your premiums and deductibles. This is a valuable tool for helping you understand your policy and ensure that everything you have done to your home is included. You can easily request this from your carrier, and it should lead the discussion at your annual review.

Coverage vs. cost matters!
Carriers often advertise and try to appeal to customers based on the affordability of their rates. While no one wants to overpay for insurance, you must analyze the cost-benefit of adequate and complete coverage over the cheapest policy. Oftentimes, the cheapest premiums will lead to your home being underinsured.

Consider adding specific riders for additional coverage.
Unfortunately, earthquake and water backup riders are not included in your basic policy. However, you can purchase these specific riders to add them to your policy and be covered should damage be caused by an earthquake or your sewer line backing up into your home and causing a flood. Adding riders for personal property, such as fine jewelry, is common. These will be listed on your declaration page for an easy accounting of your coverage.  Make sure you ask your insurance professional what other rider options are available, so you don’t miss something you would like covered.

Align your deductible with your claim tolerance.
You want to analyze at what point you would make a claim if something happened to your home.  The theory of only making a claim if the repair or replacement amount is catastrophic is a good rule of thumb to ensure your policy is not dropped, non-renewed, or wildly increased in premium. What is catastrophic for one person may not be for another, so it is a personal preference around your financial comfort. What you don’t want to have happen is to make a claim on something you could handle on your own, and then have something big happen and no longer be covered. Always consult your insurance professional off-the-record before contacting the carrier directly, so your decision-making is not misconstrued as a claims risk.

Maintain your home to protect your premium.
Due to the industry’s tight margins, many carriers are visiting properties and performing drive-by and/or drone inspections to help determine their risk exposure. They are also accessing Google Earth to make these determinations. Homes that do not appear well-maintained are penalized with premium increases and sometimes dropped by their carriers. This is also why opening and reading all mail from your insurance carrier is essential.

The home and the human are considered in the coverage.
The home’s condition will play into the coverage and premiums, as will the human who is purchasing the policy. Carriers will examine a person’s claims history to help determine their risk exposure. It is common to look back 36 months, and if a person has multiple claims in that timeframe, they will have higher premiums and, in some cases, not be able to purchase coverage.

Have a good relationship with your insurance professional.
Whether working with an insurance broker or a captive company, having a consistent relationship with your provider is valuable. They should be available to answer questions, help you decide whether to make a claim, and review your policy and riders annually. You should never call the carrier directly without first contacting your insurance professional. They can help you navigate important decisions that will keep your coverage intact and your premiums manageable.

We hope you found this information useful—we know we did! It drove home our responsibility of managing our policies and ensuring we are adequately insured through communication with our insurance professionals. Much like real estate, having a trusted advisor regarding homeowners insurance is crucial. After all, our home is often our largest asset and most prized possession. Protecting it is critical!  Click HERE to access the recording (Passcode: E+gmk9V*) to watch the panel discussion.

As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns about your property, and we can help guide you to the right answers. We have reputable referrals to multiple insurance professionals that can help you should you need additional contacts. Our goal is always to help keep our clients informed and empower them to make strong decisions.

Last month, our office invited a panel of insurance professionals to discuss the volatility of the Homeowner’s Insurance (HOI) market so we could learn the latest to best inform our clients. In the wake of several natural disasters, the LA Fires is one of the most recent, HOI companies have become much more scrutinous and expensive. The increase in natural disasters such as flooding, wildfires, hurricanes, earthquakes, landslides, tornadoes, and extreme cold snaps have accelerated losses and depleted their recovery funds. This has caused carriers to increase premiums, limit coverage, and, in some cases, cancel policies.

Hearing of the neighborhoods in the Palisades Fires that were canceled or not renewed by their carriers just weeks before the fires, motivated us to want to learn more to help educate our clients so they are equipped to be protected. After all, we help people secure their most significant asset; we want to empower them to protect it adequately as well. On the evening of May 7th at 6:30 pm, our office is hosting a virtual webinar event for our clients featuring the same panel of insurance professionals (see the link below to register; registration closes on May 4th). There will be two insurance brokers and one captive company agent from Allstate who will spend an hour answering questions about the current market.

For an hour, they will be led by a moderator to provide tips to ensure you are properly insured, highlight what to look for in your carrier’s contracts, explain which riders to a contract are most effective, and go over when it is appropriate to make an HOI claim and when you should not. All of this will help educate homeowners so they are empowered to make informed decisions about their coverage and costs and hopefully not find themselves in a situation like the victims of the LA Fires. We will then open it up for 30 minutes of Q&A and provide follow-up materials. We hope you can make it! Registering is easy with the link below, and you can also contact us directly to talk about the event and the topic overall.

In the meantime, here are a few things you can do now to evaluate your current coverage:

• Make an appointment with your insurance agent/broker to review your policy. This should be done annually.
• Reevaluate your policy after making any upgrades to your home.
• Add an inflation endorsement to your policy.
• Build a relationship with your agent/broker.

Here are a few important elements to focus on to ensure adequate coverage:

• Replacement Cost Value (RCV): The amount of money needed to repair your home at today’s prices of building supplies or to replace your belongings at today’s cost of a similar or like item. It is important to discuss replacement costs with your insurance agent/broker when purchasing your policy. This is the figure that dictates the completeness of your coverage.
• The cheapest policy is not always the best policy. Often, the most inexpensive policies lack the coverage you desire. Make sure to dig deep into the details and evaluate your RCV and deductible.
• What exclusions are in your policy contract? You don’t want to find out after making a claim that you are not covered because of an exclusion. You may need to add specific riders to expand your coverage.
• Be aware of what activities would void your coverage. For example, leaving your home vacant for more than 30 days often voids coverage without a vacancy rider. Snowbirds who winter in the sunshine should be keenly aware of this.
• Understand the balance between your deductible and a claim amount. Making a claim could increase your premium or even get you canceled. Analyzing the impact of a claim and weighing the cost/benefit is key. If you can afford to pay for the repair on your own, it might make sense not to make the claim.
• If you are a renter or own a condo, what policies should you have to protect your belongings? Renters need a renter’s policy to cover their personal belongings should something happen to the structure such as a fire. Additionally, condominium associations have a master policy that covers common areas and exterior elements. Condo owners should have personal policies to cover what the master policy doesn’t cover, along with their personal belongings.

These are just a few things to get you started on an HOI audit. If you need any referrals to reputable insurance agents or brokers, please let us know. While HOI is not our direct area of expertise, we’re happy to connect you with professionals to help you better. We hope you can attend the virtual panel event on May 7th so you can learn even more. It will provide you with useful insights and create value for your investment. It is always our goal to help you stay informed about the value of your home, market trends, and how to protect your home. You can click on the link below to register or reach out to us directly and we will get you the link to attend.

Reflecting on the joy of the holiday season always brings with it gratitude. One of the most important pieces of our business is working with an office that always makes it a priority to come together as a team throughout the year to lift up our neighbors in need and give back to our communities. Our collective gratitude runs deep, and spreading some love and support within our community is the best way we can celebrate everything we are thankful for.

This year our holiday food drive brought in $1,372 and 1,422 pounds of food for Volunteers of America Western Washington food banks. These numbers are all thanks to friends and clients like you. Thank you for your generosity! The current need in our area is high, and our local food banks need all the help they can get.

Next, we had the absolute joy of helping bring some Christmas magic to homeless/housing-insecure youth in our area. We partnered again this year with Washington Kids in Transition, who work with social workers in Edmonds School District schools (includes the communities of Edmonds, Lynnwood, Brier & Mountlake Terrace) to collect wish lists from homeless/housing insecure students living in shelters, tents, cars, transitional housing or other temporary housing and partners with the community to fulfill those wishes. The brokers in our office all came together and we adopted the wish lists of 24 local youth, who would have otherwise gone without this holiday season.

The rest of the year, Washington Kids in Transition provides emergency closets (coats, diapers, toiletries, etc.), hotel vouchers, utility assistance, rental deposits, and recently started a teen mentorship program. This new program is in high demand, but does not yet have reliable funding, so we decided to also raise funds for that as well over the holiday. We raised a total of $3,815 for this new program, which helps teens learn basic life skills as well as have fun activities they otherwise wouldn’t have access to.

Another holiday staple at our office is putting together volunteer groups at Christmas House and also Holly House this year. Both organizations are local non-profits (100% volunteer-run) that provide opportunities for qualifying, low-income parents to select free holiday gifts for their children. This is always an amazing time helping families in need have a joyful Christmas.

You can access any of the links above to learn more about these organizations or to donate yourself.  As we head into 2025, our commitment to giving back to the community that we serve will remain a cornerstone of our business. Here’s to a happy, healthy, and heartwarming 2025 and beyond.