communitygiving back June 8, 2016

Community Service Day 2016

comserv group

For this year's Community Service Day, the brokers at Windermere Bellevue South helped Mountains to Sound Greenway clean up Lake Sammamish State Park. The Mountains to Sound Greenway brings together the urban and rural landscape connecting the 1.5 million acres surrounding Interstate 90. Their mission is to lead and inspire action to "conserve and enhance the landscape from Seattle across the Cascade Mountains to Central Washington, ensuring a long-term balance between people and nature."

Everyone at Windermere Bellevue South enjoyed the day, supporting the restoration of the Sunset Beach area at Lake Sammamish State Park. We moved and spread mulch to support the health of 2000 plants recently added to the Sunset Beach area at the Park.  I worked in the Native Plant Nursery on site weeding and organizing.

Comserv weeding

Check out more online with Mountains to Sound Greenway and Lake Sammamish State Park to see how you can help!
MTSGlogo

economymarket trendsstatistics May 31, 2016

Seattle / Eastside Market Update – May 2016

The supply of homes for sale in April was up over March, indicating that more sellers are deciding to list their homes. But with less than a month of inventory available in the area, it’s still a seller’s market. While prices were up over last year, the increases aren’t as lofty as they were in the first quarter of this year. Buyers looking for affordable housing continue to push their search outside the more expensive urban cores.

Eastside

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Click image to view full report.

At $730,000, the median price of a home on the Eastside was up 11 percent over last year. That figure was down slightly from February and March, suggesting that prices may be moderating. Competition for homes has not moderated. Brokers continue to report homes on the Eastside selling very quickly and often for over asking price.

King County

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Click image to view full report.

After breaking records for home prices in February and March, King County reached a new record-high in April. The median price of a single-family home was $540,000, a 12 percent increase over the same time last year. The more affordable areas in the south and north ends of the county saw the greatest increases, with home prices climbing almost 20 percent in these outlying areas.

Seattle

Click image to view full report.

Click image to view full report.

Seattle continues to have the tightest inventory of homes in King County. An influx of young, well-paid technology workers has fueled demand for homes close to the city. The median price of a single-family home increased 15 percent over a year ago to $637,250. But like the Eastside, that number was down slightly from February and March.

Snohomish County

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Click image to view full report.

Snohomish County posted more moderate price gains than King County. The price of a single-family home increased just 4 percent over last year to $375,000, down from a median of $385,000 last month. With prices here a third less than in King County, some buyers are willing to trade a longer commute for a more affordable home.

communitygiving backpreparing your homeservice providers May 26, 2016

Free Recycling Event

Recycling Event

Time for Spring Cleaning.  Bring all your recyclable items (working or not) to the event. This Saturday, May 28th to Windermere Bellevue South.

ALL RECYCLING SERVICES ARE FREE!

Items to Bring:  Any electronics working or non, whole or parts – 

Computers & Parts, Printers, Fax Machines, Phones, Record Players, Speakers, Radios, Game Systems, VCRs, Christmas Tree Lights, Appliances (any size, no limit), Car Batteries, Computer Batteries, Medical Equipment, Ink Toner & Cartridges.

Do not Bring:  Please no TVs, Wood, Glass, Chemicals, Paint, Household Alkaline Batteries or Light Bulbs.

Let me know if you will be coming or if I can help in transporting items.

economyinterest ratesmarket trendsreal estatestatistics May 23, 2016

Housing Economics 101 – Q1 2016

Historically low inventory levels, how we got here, and what to expect in the coming year

The housing market is performing remarkably well, with the exception of incredibly low inventory levels in many areas throughout the country. Why is this happening? Windermere’s Chief Economist, Matthew Gardner, explains why and offers his predictions for what we can expect in the future. 

economyinterest ratesmarket trendsreal estatestatistics April 12, 2016

4 Reasons to Sell Your House Now

Blank Real Estate Sign & New Home

 

1) Sale prices are at all-time highs.

Home prices in King County hit new highs last month. The median price of a single family home sold in King County in February was $514,975, a whopping 20% increase over a year ago. The median price in Seattle was up 24% to $644,950. The Eastside’s median price was up 20% to $739,975. You may be surprised at how much your home is worth today.

home-prices-high

2) Competition among buyers is driving prices even higher.

Despite increasing prices, there is intense competition among buyers because inventory is at all-time lows. That means multiple offer and bidding wars, increasing the likelihood that your home will sell above your asking price.

3) Homes are selling fast.

With such limited inventory, homes in King County are selling rapidly – sometimes in days. If you list your house now, chances are you’ll get a buyer quickly.

4) You can make the sale work to your needs.

With competition for homes so fierce, you have the freedom to make the deal that works best for you. Many buyers are paying cash. They’ll also make concessions. Do you want stay in the home a few months after the sale? Want a large earnest money payment? You’re in the driver’s seat, and many buyers are willing to do what it takes to get the home they want.

It’s a seller’s market.
Are you ready to take advantage of it?

real estate March 31, 2016

Seattle / Eastside Market Update – March 2016

A severe lack of inventory has led home prices to reach an all-time high. With the supply of properties at its lowest level since 2003, the market is in dire need of more homes to meet buyer demand. That is excellent news for those thinking about selling their home. Sellers can expect a quick sale, favorable terms and a historically high sale price. Buyers will need patience and a strategy for competing with multiple offers.

Eastside

Click image to view full report.
Click image to view full report.

The Eastside, already the most expensive area in King County, saw home prices set a new record in February. The median price soared 20 percent over last year to $739,975. Inventory here is particularly tight, and the area remains a very strong market for sellers. Homes are selling quickly, even at the higher end. A $3.2 million home in Yarrow Point sold last month in just 14 days.

King County

Click image to view full report.
Click image to view full report.

The median price of a single-family home sold in February hit an all-time high of $514,975, a whopping 20 percent increase over the same time last year. The number of homes sold exceeded the number that were listed, depleting inventory at a rate that is unsustainable. For the market to remain healthy, more people need to make the decision to list their homes.

Seattle

Click image to view full report.
Click image to view full report.

The continued boom in tech company hiring helped propel home prices to peak levels in Seattle. The median price of a single-family home jumped 24 percent over a year ago to $644,950, a new high. Inventory is at critical levels. In the hot Ballard neighborhood there are currently only 17 homes on the market.

Snohomish County

Click image to view full report.
Click image to view full report.

Snohomish County remains a haven of affordability for those sticker-shocked by King County prices. The median price for a single-family home sold in February was $359,000, a moderate increase of 9 percent over the same time last year. However, Snohomish County is struggling with the same historic shortage of homes as King County. With less than a month’s supply, experts expect home prices to continue to increase.

community March 12, 2016

spring ahead

communitygiving back March 8, 2016

Windermere Foundation Infographic

If you’ve bought or sold a home through Windermere Real Estate, you’re a part of the Windermere Foundation, and you’ve helped make a positive difference in the lives of your neighbors in need. The following infographic shows the types of services funded by the Windermere Foundation, and illustrates how even a small amount can make a big difference for low-income and homeless children and their families.

The Windermere Foundation had a goal to reach $30 million in total donations by the end of 2015. Thanks to the generosity of Windermere owners, agents, staff, and our community partners, we reached that goal three months early! Because of this we were able to fulfill 636 grants and help 409 organizations that provide goods and services to those in need in our communities.

If you’d like to help support programs in your community, please click here.

To learn more about the Windermere Foundation, visit http://www.windermere.com/foundation.

foundationinfog2015

This blog was originally posted on the Windermere Blog.

real estatewords to live by February 29, 2016

happy leap day

real estate February 14, 2016

Seattle / Eastside Market Update – February 2016

 

Record low inventory has placed the area in an extreme seller’s market. 70 percent of homes sell in the first 30 days. With 30 percent less inventory than a year ago, multiple offers are all but guaranteed. If you’re selling, you can name your terms. For those looking to buy, it’s critical to work with a broker to arrange for financing, and create a strategy for escalation clauses and back-up offers.

Eastside

Click image to view full report.

 

 

 

Click image to view full report.

The supply of homes on the Eastside has reached a critical point with just one month of available inventory. To put that in perspective, there are currently fewer than 100 single family homes on the market in the City of Bellevue. And 80 percent of those listings are priced above the Eastside median sale price of $697,500. With the median price of a single family home sold in January up 12 percent over a year ago, sellers can count on making excellent gains if they decide to list their home.

King County

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