The number of homes worth at least $1 million has tripled in the last four years across the Seattle metro area.
In fact the median price for a single-family home sold in Seattle last month reached $637,250, which is up from $425,000 four years prior, according to the Northwest […]
As a past or present Seattle renter, you’ve probably thought to yourself, at one point or another, “What a waste it is to throw my money into something I don’t own.”
Whether it be updates, decor for a small space or even just the rent check itself.
This recent article by Curbed Seattle highlights just how up and down this current Seattle renter’s market is.
Surprisingly, the most dramatic increase from this research can be seen in the pricing for studio apartments.
Start to plan for a future writing checks for an investment …instead of to a landlord!
Feeling like an outsider in your own neighborhood can be intimidating whether you are new to the area or thinking of branching out. You might be moving from a close knit community into an undiscovered one, leaving you feeling down in the dumps.
Sunset released an article that shares creative ways to help establish a community or contribute to an already existing one.
No matter your situation, if you become active in your neighborhood, you are sure to be appreciated and more connected.
We had a great time during our annual event to help some of the most vulnerable people in Seattle, those without a place to all home. We named it the 500 Bags Project this year. Who knows, maybe it will be 5000 Bags next year!
We are so thankful to have received some great media coverage and hope that it helps increase the donations for next year. Will keep you posted when we are ready to start collecting!
KIRO 7 interviewed me for a feature about the homeless problem in Seattle and our project. And KING 5 caught some tap of Jennifer Nelson. Great stuff!
Visit our Metropolist FB page if you ever want to check in on what we are up to and see if you can join in on the fun.
If you are hoping to start off the New Year with a Seattle home purchase, make sure to do your research. With rising mortgage rates and still record low numbers of listings available, our market is as competitive than ever before.
The region was just ranked as the housing market with the fastest rising prices in the country, according to the Case-Shiller home price index.
Seattle Times released an article that helps break down the recent changes and further explain trends of both seller and buyer.
They’ve even provided an interactive graphic that breaks down the housing sub-market by providing median price, percentage change over the last year, and number of homes sold. This is a great resource in your exploration.
In this sellers market, many sellers are wanting to see just how high they can push their list price. The conversation goes something like this, “because my neighbors put their house on the market for $400,000 and received $50,000 over asking, I want to list my house for $450,000”. It is extremely tempting to push the market; that is, price your home at the tippy top of what you think is possible in this market. This graph below from the National Association of Realtors shows the percentage of buyers who will look at your house if it is priced at market, below market and above market.
Buyers still want to see prices reflect market value and then decide if they are willing to pay more to compete. When it is obvious the house is overpriced or pushing the envelope, they pass it up and will likely go pay just as much for another house around the corner that used a smarter pricing strategy. Pricing, as always, is paramount. Metropolist agents are skilled and educated to help you price your home to get the most money – and perhaps even more importantly the best contract terms – in this market. If you have been thinking of selling, or know someone who is, give us a call!
To my current clients & former clients, friends, family and colleagues,
I hope you dig me too.
This is my love letter to you and to the Seattle real estate market. It’s back baby! So, is it good time to buy? Sell? Simply peek around? Of course! Please read on.
The past few years were rough.But you hung in there and now housing prices are perking up like my Lola’s ears when I near the fridge. For Sale inventories today are near all time lows.
Homeowners who were under water are making it back to the surface.
A seller’s market can be a great time to buy if you have a good negotiator on your side. Someone like me!
2013: Don’t Lose It, Lease It
This year, many homeowners are moving onward and upward while turning their current homes into rental properties.
Why?
There are more qualified renters than there are available homes. Rental income can offset mortgage payments while your home equity continues to rebuild.
Interested in buying without selling?
I’ll show you how!
This house was like a date from hell. Looks like marriage material, but once you get to know it — total nightmare!
I recently helped a buyer score a beautiful house built in the 1980’s despite competing buyers.
Good thing Seattle Digs keeps the champagne on ice until the inspection is complete.
Reis Pearson of Inside Out Building Inspection discovered the siding trim was not properly installed,
causing 30 years of unseen water damage and infestation below the surface.
Estimated repair bill: $150,000.
My buyers were able to walk away without leaving their hearts — or their deposit — behind.
Seattle Digs is an easier, less stressful, more fun way to buy a home.
Learn more about Seattle Digs’ fresh approach to real estate at the
I’m looking for Ladies. Gents. Families too. If your friends, family and neighbors are thinking about transplanting this year — don’t send them to Google, send them to me!
I will help them get where they want to go.
In case you haven’t already been there, check out the…
All-New Seattle Digs Website!
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If homebuilders may be considered a leading indicator of market direction, up or down, then consider the following good news from John Burns, a real estate industry consultant in the Northwest.
Seattle is starting to show some signs of recovery at least among new construction and planned community home sites. Visiting nearly 50 residential projects, including regional master planned communities like Issaquah Highlands and Snoqualmie Ridge, as well as stand-alone projects in Southeast King County the data speaks for itself.
Here are a few of the interesting trends observed that suggest Seattle is postioned for a comeback:
Additionally, Seattle ranks 6th for commercial and multifamily investments among the nations top 50 markets. According to the Price Waterhouse Coopers report’s author, “Seattle is retaining it’s position as an up-and-coming gobal gateway.” He also says that apartments will be the only sector to see significant new construction in the region for 2011.
The bottom line?
Home prices, and particularly price per square foot, appear to be showing some new strength as home designs are reconfigured for the evolving market. Seattle is still a market with some barriers to entry, but the strongest local and national builders are finding opportunities in today’s enviornment.
Sincerely,
Domenica
Windermere Real Estate
One result of the last few years for most of us is a change in our perspective about spending, and saving, habits. Personal savings rates have increased significantly in the US compared to 5 years ago, from -0.5% in 2005 to 5% in September of 2010. That’s a start. The idea of saving for the future, from that occasional “rainy day” to the dream of someday retiring, is something most people are taking much more seriously these days.
This recent article from U.S. News places Washington State as a great place to build a “nest egg” for the future. U.S. News created an index to measure which states are the best for Americans who are saving for retirement and Washington ranked #4! Home prices here are expected to surge by 6.6% per year between 2010 and 2013, according to Moody’s Analytics, providing residents who are downsizing for retirement with opportunities to put away some extra cash.
As always I appreciate the opportunity to help you build your nest egg over the long-term and continue to endeavor to provide you with useful information to help you make sound decisions along the way.
Warm Regards,
Domenica
Windermere Real Estate
