WINDERMERE NORTH BLOG

As we experience the fall equinox, when the length of a day is equal to the night, we are also experiencing a similar balance in the real estate market. We define a balanced market to have 2-4 months of available inventory. This means that if no new homes came to market, we would be sold […]

As we continue to examine the shift in the market, we must take a moment to take a deep dive into interest rates. Since the first of the year, long-term interest rates have increased 2.7% from 3.11% on 12/30/21 to the peak of 5.81% on 6/23/22, but have started to level out. On 8/4/22 rates […]

There is an old adage in real estate: location, location, location. Where a property is located has the biggest influence on its value.  Through the pandemic years, we saw a shift in how the location was valued. Before remote working became more common, homes located in neighborhoods that were closer to job centers such as Seattle were […]

As we head into the second half of 2022, we are experiencing a shift in the real estate market. The market is starting to balance out after two years of an intense seller’s market. Q1 this year had the lowest amount of inventory we have ever seen, which put upward pressure on prices. With the […]

Every year since 1984, Windermere has designated one day to help make a positive difference in the communities where we work and live. 2022 is the 7th year that my office has spent this day working to put fresh produce on the tables of local families who need a little help. On June 10th, my […]

“How’s the market?” is a question I am asked all the time. It is a common segue in casual conversation over the neighbor’s fence, at a party or family gathering. Now more than ever, the answer to this question is critical and detailed. You see, our market is experiencing a shift, a slowing down of price growth, if […]

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 […]

The 2022 real estate market started with a bang! We started the year with the lowest amount of available inventory we’ve ever seen coupled with interest rates a point lower than they are now, along with a plentiful buyer pool due to a strong job market and work-from-home influenced moves. The combination of supply and […]

As we round out the first quarter of 2022 and head into the notorious Spring Market there are a handful of factors that should be considered whether you are a buyer or a seller. Paying attention to the anticipated increase in housing supply, monitoring buyer demand, and assessing the effects of rising interest rates on the […]

  A lot has happened in our world since the first of the year, specifically the rise in inflation and the recent Russian invasion of Ukraine. These factors can influence consumers and affect the housing and financial markets. Additionally, global unrest has had a clear influence on interest rates, driving them back down after a […]

  2022 has had an incredibly eventful start in our local real estate market. In January, the average list-to-sale price ratio (the percentage a house sells for in comparison to the list price) in King County was 105% and in Snohomish County it was 106%. This is in conjunction with complete year-over-year median price appreciation […]

  Last week, my office hosted our 14th annual Economic Forecast Event with Matthew Gardner, Windermere’s Chief Economist. It was an hour-long presentation followed by lively Q & A that was packed with useful information to help guide us as we start the new year. Matthew journeyed the audience through a macro to micro approach, […]

2021 was a year that will go down in infamy in regards to the real estate market. Tight inventory levels, historically low interest rates and increased buyer demand influenced by pandemic lifestyle shifts made for an eventful year! 2021 price appreciation is on top of the strong price growth we also saw in 2020. Seller equity is […]

Video URL:   How a home is prepared for the market has a direct economic effect on the results a seller will have in the marketplace. Making home updates to match today’s trends, repairing deferred maintenance items, deep cleaning, and home staging all help contribute to a higher return for home sellers and less time on […]

At Windermere, we have the benefit of being expertly guided by our Chief Economist, Matthew Gardner. Every year he shares his predictions for the US Economy and Housing Market. I have included a list of highlights below along with a link to a video where he spells it all out. Matthew’s Forecast for the US […]

The recent news of Zillow’s plan to shut down their iBuyer program due to a $328 million loss in the third quarter has heads spinning in the real estate world and on Wall Street.  Sadly, Zillow plans to eliminate 25% of its workforce because of its decision to move away from the practice of purchasing […]

Embarking on a home purchase in a seller’s market can be intimidating, but it can be done. Long-term price growth confirms that owning a home is a key element to building household wealth. Home equity gained over time is typically the largest asset that contributes to a household’s net worth. Homeownership is not only an investment, but also […]

QUARTERLY REPORTS Q3 2021 As we start the fourth quarter of 2021, homeowners are sitting on top of a heap of appreciation. Annual median price growth has been unprecedented. Pandemic-driven moves, historically low interest rates, and limited inventory have all played into this phenomenon. The third quarter saw price growth start to level out as many […]

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, the 2021 real estate market has been a head-turner! In the second half of 2020, once we started to emerge from the COVID lockdown, the real estate market started to bustle with activity. 2020 ended up being a robust real estate year driven by low interest […]

Nothing feels more like fall than pumpkin picking, hay rides and corn mazes. Get your latte in hand and head out to any one of these great, local farms to have some harvest fun and find that perfect jack-o-lantern to light up your porch. Please be sure to verify and take note of each farm’s […]

  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 […]

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, […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]