Newsletter – Q2 Gardner Report & Summer Food Drive Recap

by Windermere Real Estate North

At Windermere, we are fortunate to have Matthew Gardner as our Chief Economist. In fact, we are one of the only real estate companies in the country to have such a well-respected expert sitting in this role. Not only is Matthew an asset to Windermere brokers and their clients, but he is a coveted resource within the industry. He is often called upon by major media outlets and industry think tanks for his insights.

Every quarter Matthew produces The Gardner Report which re-caps various statistics and predictions for all of Western Washington. What is so great about this is you can read about where you live and also get a glimpse into other markets that may pique your interest.
Read the full Western Washington report here. Additionally, since Windermere spans the entire Western Region of the United States, he also provides this same report for Washington (Western, Central & Eastern), Oregon, Idaho, California (Southern & Northern), Utah, Colorado, Nevada, and Hawaii (Maui & the Big Island).

There has been a lot of state-to-state moves over the last few years. Many of these moves have been prompted by retirement, second home purchases, and remote working due to COVID changes to the workforce. This is a great way to research other markets you may be interested in. Also, I am connected to the Windermere network of brokers and can easily find you a reputable broker who would be a stellar match for your real estate needs outside of my normal market area.

Further, I am also a part of a national and international network of real estate companies for referrals outside of the Windermere footprint. This is through Windermere’s affiliation with Leading Real Estate Companies of the World. Bottom line, I can help provide information and can help align you with a trusted real estate advisor anywhere in the world. Please reach out of I can help!

Huge thanks to everyone who donated to my office’s Summer Food Drive! Collectively we provided 2,608 meals for our neighbors in need! We presented a check for $3,400 and 888 pounds of food to the Volunteers of America Western Washington food banks last week, and that’s all because of you! Thank you!

Community Events • Living • August 9, 2021

8 Ways to Make Back to School Easier

by Windermere Real Estate North

The first day of school sneaks up so fast… summer is here and then gone in a flash! Whether your child is anxious or excited about the start of a more “normal” school year, here are some practical tips to help start things off on the right foot.

Start talking about it. New teacher, new classmates, new schedules can all create some anxieties with kids. Start talking about school a few weeks before the first day. Talk about practical things like what the new schedule will be like and what the school’s COVID policies are, but also make sure to address their feelings and concerns about the upcoming year.

Go back to school shopping early. Take advantage of your summer schedule to shop while the store isn’t as busy and the supplies haven’t been picked through. Don’t forget to buy extras for homework time or the winter re-stock that inevitably happens in January.

If you have the means to, also consider reaching out to your child’s teacher and ask if they have a Wish List that you can help with. Most teachers have very real material needs that go beyond their classroom supply lists, and now more than ever, our teachers need our kindness, our support and our advocacy.

Determine how your child will get to and from school and practice the route.

Ease back into the scheduled days. When you and your kids are used to lazy mornings and staying up late, shifting to the early morning school bus rush can be incredibly difficult. To ease the transition, start 7-10 days before school starts, and shift bedtimes and wake-up times gradually. Every day, start their bedtime routine 10-15 minutes earlier and wake them up 10-15 minutes earlier until they’re back on track. And don’t forget to readjust your bedtime schedules, too!

Re-set eating habits. When school starts, your student’s eating patterns need to maintain a high level of energy throughout the day. Implementing a routine for breakfast, lunch and snacks is just as important as their sleeping patterns. Begin this transition 7-10 days before school starts as well.

Sync your calendars. Add the school calendar to your personal/family calendar, so important dates like parent-teacher night aren’t missed.

Set rules for after school. After-school time and activities such as TV, video games, play time, and the completion of homework should be well-thought out in advance. Talk about the rules (and consequences) for these before school starts.

Prioritize mental health. Encourage your child to speak up if they are struggling, and remind them that their school counselors are there to help. Remember that often, being proactive with our mental health can be just as important as with our physical health. Setting up a few appointments with a counselor or therapist for the first weeks or months of school might be just the preventative help that your child needs. Or maybe just start looking into outside help options now, so that you are prepared if your child needs it later during the school year.

Quarterly Reports • July 19, 2021

Whatcom County Quarterly Market Reports Q2 2021

by Windermere Real Estate North

The 2021 real estate market continues to be hot! Tight inventory has been a result of intense buyer demand fueled by historically low interest rates and the lucrative tech industry in our area. Also, moves brought about by the COVID effect of remote work options and some people moving towards retirement have brought additional buyers to the marketplace.

New listings are actually up from last year, but buyer demand continues to absorb the selection. This has caused above-average year-over-year price appreciation in the double digits. June had the highest number of new listings year-to-date which provided buyers some relief. We hope to continue this trend as we head into the second half of the year.

If you would like to know more about how today’s real estate market applies to your financial and lifestyle goals, please reach out. It is always my goal to help keep my clients well informed and empower strong decisions.

Quarterly Reports • July 19, 2021