NWMLS Market Snapshot December 2017
This represents activity for the entire NWMLS region.
Blog
Benefits of Home Ownership go Beyond Financial
Homeownership is a major part of the American Dream. As evidence of that, 91% of Americans believe that owning a home is either essential (43%) or important (48%) to achieving that “dream.” In a market where some people may be unsure about the benefits and possibilities of buying a home, it is important that we remember this. Homeownership is … Continue reading Benefits of Home Ownership go Beyond Financial
Why Getting PreApproved is the First Step to Buying
In many markets across the country, the number of buyers searching for their dream homes greatly outnumbers the number of homes for sale. This has led to a competitive marketplace where buyers often need to stand out. One way to show you are serious about buying your dream home is to get pre-qualified or pre-approved … Continue reading Why Getting PreApproved is the First Step to Buying
3 Reasons the Housing Market is Not in a Bubble
With housing prices appreciating at levels that far exceed historical norms, some are fearful that the market is heading for another bubble. To alleviate that fear, we just need to look back at the reasons that caused the bubble ten years ago. Last decade, demand for housing was artificially propped up because mortgage lending … Continue reading 3 Reasons the Housing Market is Not in a Bubble
Facts about PMI
When it comes to buying a home, whether it is your first time or your fifth, it is always important to know all the facts. With the large number of mortgage programs available that allow buyers to purchase a home with a down payment below 20%, you can never have too much information about Private Mortgage Insurance … Continue reading Facts about PMI
Consumer Confidence in Housing is Soaring
The success of the housing market is strongly tied to the consumer’s confidence in the overall economy. For that reason, we believe 2017 will be a great year for real estate. Here is just a touch of the news coverage on the subject. HousingWire: “Consumers’ faith in the housing market is stronger than it’s … Continue reading Consumer Confidence in Housing is Soaring
Do You Need to Have 20% Down to Buy a Home This Spring?
Do You Need to Have 20% Down to Buy a Home This Spring? Great article today in the KCM Blog thought I’d share! A survey by Ipsos found that the American public is still somewhat confused about what is required to qualify for a home mortgage loan in today’s housing market. There are two major misconceptions that … Continue reading Do You Need to Have 20% Down to Buy a Home This Spring?
Is it OK to Use the Bathroom When You’re Touring a House? (and 4 Other Questions You’re Afraid to Ask
Is It OK to Use the Bathroom When You’re Touring a House? (and 4 Other Questions You’re Afraid to Ask) By: Stacey Freed It’s a marathon house-hunting day. As you check out listing No. 5’s brand new windows, it suddenly hits you: “Oh man, I have to go to the bathroom.” Should you, or shouldn’t … Continue reading Is it OK to Use the Bathroom When You’re Touring a House? (and 4 Other Questions You’re Afraid to Ask
Selling the Homestead | Another Home Story
Whether you’ve been following my #homesalestories series, or if this is your first one, you’ll understand why this one was so special to me. A young couple buys a few acres early in their marriage. They build a solid single level home, … Continue reading Selling the Homestead | Another Home Story
Guy Does Good
When I turned 30, I told my husband, “I’m a grown woman, I’ve been waiting for my own horse since I was 12! I can do this if I want to….” And that’s how we came to own “Sunny” our 6 year old Quarter Horse mare in 1993. We women have a way of getting … Continue reading Guy Does Good
How Much Money Do You Need to Buy Your First Home?
How Much Money Do You Need to Buy Your First Home? This is a question I’m asked, usually pretty early in the process, when someone is just beginning to think about buying real estate. My answer is always the same: “It depends” And this is why. There are three areas, for lack of a better phrase, where … Continue reading How Much Money Do You Need to Buy Your First Home?
July 4th Reflections
I’m a history buff. There’s a name for that, I just have no idea which “phile” category it technically falls within so I still say “buff”, although that, in today’s terminology … definitely doesn’t apply to moi. July 4th is one of my favorite holidays for the aforementioned reason. I was lucky to have spent … Continue reading July 4th Reflections
How do You Live?
One of the more important parts of my job is to bring super excited buyers back to earth by reminding them of their original goals while looking for a new home. It’s easy to get wrapped up in the emotion of a really gorgeous house or a screamingly hot deal, but as with anything new, … Continue reading How do You Live?
5 Points to Keep in Mind when Considering Muliple Offers on Your Home
Low inventory and attractive interest rates are fueling multiple offer scenarios for many Home Sellers today. Well priced listings attract buyers, even during the holiday season. So, assuming all offers are similar in price, how do you decide which offer to accept? I counsel clients to keep the big picture and closing process in mind … Continue reading 5 Points to Keep in Mind when Considering Muliple Offers on Your Home
The Slightest Adjustment
I took my very first “real” golf lesson last week. The instructor, Jodi, at Renton’s MapleWood Golf Course couldn’t have been nicer or more patient with me. Like any good instructor, she didn’t talk too much, only stopping me when she had suggestions and constructive criticism. That works well for me…I’m a give me the … Continue reading The Slightest Adjustment
I Did a Bad Bad Thing
In my book of real estate rules… there are rules that can be stretched, some that can be overlooked (given the right set of circumstances) and others I have kept inviolate for two decades. I’m not talking about MLS, State or Board rules & regs, I’m talking about my personal business standards. Example of a stretched rule? Taking the cutest dog … Continue reading I Did a Bad Bad Thing
Feeling 10 Feet Tall
It was a gorgeous day weather-wise here in Seattle yesterday. On the first day of Spring 2010, we had temperatures near 70 degrees and sunshine all day long. My morning consisted of reviewing an offer, presenting another offer and reaching mutual acceptance on a listing I’ve been marketing on and off for about 18 months. … Continue reading Feeling 10 Feet Tall
The Smallest Patch of Green
“The smallest patch of green to arrest the monotony of asphalt and concrete is as important to the value of real estate as streets, sewers and convenient shopping.”-James Felt If you’re among the lucky ones who are ready and able to buy your first or next home now or in the near future you’re likely … Continue reading The Smallest Patch of Green
Real Estate Scars
The fallout from the mortgage meltdown and housing crisis across the country has not left the Puget Sound real estate industry unscathed. Even though many articles, “experts” (yes, I was one of them) and prognosticators thought our local economy was too resilient to undergo a housing correction, here we are. A t first it was … Continue reading Real Estate Scars
What’s Your Style?
Early in my real estate career my design style was easily influenced by the last beautiful house I’d shown, sold or previewed. I’d come home from a day of showing new construction (ever been in a model home? UGH!) and want to throw everything out and start over from scratch. But since my market’s inventory … Continue reading What’s Your Style?