Buying Homes

Buying Homes New Year, New Laws! What This Means for Consumers Moving Forward. Effective January 1, 2024, the statute in Washington that governs real estate brokerage relationships (RCW 18.86) otherwise known as the “Agency Law” – was significantly revised. The revisions modernize the 25-year-old law, provide additional transparency and consumer protections, and acknowledge the importance of buyer representation. KEY REVISIONSFor decades, real estate brokerage firms were only required […]
Buying Homes Top 10 Housing Market Predictions for 2024 As Chief Economist for Windermere Real Estate, Matthew Gardner is responsible for analyzing and interpreting economic data. With over 30 years of professional experience, he provides valuable insights into the real estate industry and housing market, including quarterly regional reports, monthly videos, and timely analysis of the latest trends. Below the Top 10, you will find […]
Buying Homes Now or Later: When Interest Rates Drop… The question that many potential buyers are asking themselves right now is: should I wait for rates to drop before I buy? Higher interest rates have certainly made monthly payments higher and challenged overall affordability, however it is important to consider creative financing options and what the impact on prices will be once rates lower. Experts […]
Buying Homes New Agency Law Changes: Transparency, Consumer Protection, & Commitment New Agency Law Changes: Transparency, Consumer Protection, & Commitment On January 1, 2024, major changes to the Law of Agency will go into effect. These changes result from the real estate industry in the state of Washington wanting to elevate the level of transparency and consumer protection surrounding buyer representation. Senate Bill 5191 was voted […]
Buying Homes The Low Inventory Effect: Nationally and Close to Home The Low Inventory Effect: Nationally and Close to Home The video below from Matthew Gardner, Windermere’s Chief Economist, refers to the effects of constricted inventory levels on the national housing market in a higher interest rate environment. Review the localized numbers that I gathered that pertain to King and Snohomish Counties and then check out […]
Buying Homes Win-Win: How to Overcome Interest Rate Pressure with Creative Financing Win-Win: How to Overcome Interest Rate Pressure with Creative Financing Lately we have talked about life changes leading to real estate moves. Sometimes moves are brought on by joyful advancements in life and sometimes they are motivated by hardship. Then there are times when your actual house just doesn’t fit your life anymore and it […]
Buying Homes Should You Stay or Should You Go? Should You Stay or Should You Go? Interest Rates Limit Inventory and Stabilize Prices There has always been a direct correlation between interest rates and home prices. The rule of thumb has always been when rates go up prices go down, and vice versa. This was temporarily proven true in the summer of 2022 when […]
Buying Homes Clarity Through Chaos: Using the Data to Guide Decisions Clarity Through Chaos Using the Data to Guide Decisions I think we can all agree that we have been on a bit of a wild ride over the last 12 months in the real estate market. When the Fed decided to change its trajectory on interest rates in mid-2022, it created chaos and confusion. During […]
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Buying Homes 2023 Market Predictions, Fact Checked. 2023 Market Predictions, Fact Checked. One of the reasons why we are fortunate to have Matthew Gardener as our Chief Economist at Windermere is his transparency. Every year, Matthew makes predictions for the coming year based on his monumental research and years of experience. Just this week, he reviewed his 2023 predictions and recorded the […]
Buying Homes Let’s Dance! Prices Stabilize & Even Grow Amidst a Chaotic Interest Rate Market Let’s Dance! Prices Stabilize & Even Grow Amidst a Chaotic Interest Rate Market If we let the media determine the mood regarding the housing market, it would be time to shut the party down and call it a night. I’m here to report that we are still dancing and there is a lot to celebrate! […]
Buying Homes 10 Bills Passed That Will Affect Housing in Our State A Busy Legislative Session for Housing: 10 Bills Passed That Will Affect Housing in Our State On April 23rd the Washington State Legislature adjourned after passing 10 new bills that will affect housing. Some of the bills are geared toward creating more transparency around brokerage transactions, some are intended to institute more opportunities for building […]
Buying Homes The Difference Between Long-Term & Short-Term Interest Rates The Difference Between Long-Term & Short-Term Interest Rates It is very important that consumers understand the difference between long-term interest rates and short-term interest rates. Long-term rates involve home mortgages such as conventional 30-year fixed, Jumbo, FHA, and VA loans. Short-term rates involve car loans, credit cards, and Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOCs). While […]
Buying Homes Housing Absorption Trends, Interest Rates Hovering, and Inventory Constricting Housing Absorption Trends, Interest Rates Hovering, and Inventory Constricting Three key elements to pay attention to when assessing prices and the real estate market. As we round out the first quarter of 2023, three real-time trends to pay close attention to in order to truly understand what is happening in the real estate market are […]
Buying Homes Which is Better, Renting or Buying? Which is Better, Renting or Buying? The Financial Benefits of Owning Real Estate Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, looking to purchase a second home, or considering assisting your adult children in buying a home, owning real estate can offer significant long-term financial benefits. While renting may be a more immediate and accessible option, the benefits […]
Buying Homes Holy Shift, Again! Most of the Market Correction Behind Us & Growth Ahead! Holy Shift, Again! Most of the Market Correction Behind Us & Growth Ahead! Markets change fast! We experienced a substantial shift in 2022 with the first half of the year feeling like a completely different market than the second half of the year. A 3-point increase in interest rate was the main culprit along with inflation and […]
Buying Homes An Economic & Housing Forecast for 2023 by Economist Matthew Gardner An Economic & Housing Forecast for 2023 by Economist Matthew Gardner Last week, my office had the pleasure of hosting Windermere’s Chief Economist, Matthew Gardner for his 2023 Economic and Housing Forecast. During this jam-packed hour of insightful delivery, he reported on the U.S. and local economies along with the U.S. and local housing markets specific […]
Buying Homes December is for Giving at Windermere North!   Between holiday parties, family obligations, work, and the pressure of finding the perfect gift, this time of year can come and go in a flash. At Windermere North, we never want this season to go by without coming together to lift up our community and give back in meaningful ways. Our office-wide annual holiday […]
Buying Homes Key Factors to Note as the Market Recalibrates in the New Year Key Factors to Note as the Market Recalibrates in the New Year 2022 has been an eventful year in the real estate market and the economy. After 2 years of pandemic-fueled demand and historically low interest rates, we experienced a shift. The Fed quickly raised rates (by 2 points) from April to October to combat inflation, […]
Buying Homes Matthew Gardner’s Top 10 Predictions for 2023                 Matthew Gardner’s Top 10 Predictions for 2023 1 There Is No Housing Bubble Mortgage rates rose steeply in 2022 which, when coupled with the massive run-up in home prices, has some suggesting that we are recreating the housing bubble of 2007. But that could not be further […]
Buying Homes Returning to Normal: Buyer Affordability Dictates the Market While Sellers Retain Equity             There is no doubt that 2022 has been one of the most eventful years in real estate. This is saying a lot coming off the record-breaking years of the pandemic. We will probably never see anything like 2020 and 2021 again. During this time the market responded to a […]