Our local real estate market took some interesting turns in 2018, as the frenetic conditions of the first half of the year gave way to a more balanced environment in the third quarter. Data for the fourth quarter of 2018 has arrived, so before we turn our attention to the new year and what lies ahead, let’s take a look at the market trends that closed out 2018.
Read MoreUntil recently, the Seattle real estate market headlines didn’t seem to change much, each remarking upon the area’s unprecedented home price growth and highly competitive climate for buyers. The past few months, however, have given way to a slightly different narrative, as increasing inventory and a less frenetic environment have pushed the market closer to a neutral one (though still decidedly in favor of sellers). Below we’ve outlined how these new market trends are playing out in the local real estate market with a look at Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty’s recently released market report for the third quarter of 2018.
Read MoreWith the recent security breaches and increasingly evolving methods of fraud, it’s more important than ever to be vigilant about your personal credit and identity theft. You may remember that recently, after some larger security breaches, the three main credit bureaus, Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian, all were offer credit freezes for a fee. Well, soon, consumers will be able to freeze their accounts without a charge.
Read MoreAs stated recently in a Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty (RSIR) blog, “The main cause of Seattle’s urban evolution is, first and foremost, that people want to live here.” That fact is reflected in the constant stream of people moving into the city. Earlier this year, The Seattle Times reported that Seattle grew 18.7 percent in the last decade, gaining 114,000 people and ranking as the fastest growing city in the nation. That growth is expected to continue through the next several decades; and by 2035 the expected population of Seattle will gain another 120,000 residents (and another 115,000 jobs).
Read MoreAn international organization of high profile property professionals, The Counselors of Real Estate® (CRE), recently published a report detailing the most pressing trends and issues affecting real estate. The “Top Ten Issues Affecting Real Estate™ 2018-2019” highlights five short-term and five long-term national and global topics that are having a direct impact on the real estate market. In a quick summary, we wanted to share the issues they thought were most pressing.
Read MoreWhile it's true that home prices have continued to rise throughout the Seattle-Metro area, there are also some new and interesting statistics to go along with rising median prices. Realogics Sotheby's International Realty recently released their second-quarter market trends report for 2018 and we wanted to share a few statistics that jumped out at us.
Read MoreThe record high housing prices in Seattle have been in the news for over a year and a half now. "Seattle's median home price of $830,000 is up 14 percent from a year ago and sets a record after holding steady at the previous high of $819,000 in March and April" states The Seattle Times. Despite new and increased inventory in May, single-family home prices continued to increase further, still - arriving at the current $830,000 median.
Read MoreSo, you've got the stable job and feel like finally settling into a place that feels more like your own. You probably have an idea of how purchasing real estate might work but maybe aren't sure this is the right time for you to buy. Here are a few indicators that you're ready to take the next step.
Read MoreThe first quarter housing market numbers reveal an interesting story about Seattle and the Eastside. Despite a slower season for home sales in Seattle, prices gained ground and rose to staggering heights for both areas.
Read MoreThe home values in the Seattle area are at an all time high. The median price for a single-family home in Seattle is $777,000 and $950,000 on the Eastside. The Seattle Times recently reported that "Both Seattle and the Eastside have smashed home-price records as the region's market continues to be brutal for homebuyers even before the peak spring season kicks off."
Read MoreWhile the S&P CoreLogics Case-Shiller Home Price Index showed San Francisco and San Diego starting to catch up to Seattle for single-family home prices in the months of September and October 2017, our Puget Sound region ended the 2017 calendar year at a 16th consecutive month leading the nation. "In December, Seattle led the way with a 12.7 percent year-over-year increase," states The S&P Dow Jones official report.
Read MoreWinter in real estate is notorious for lower inventory, and often lower prices, but it may just be one of the better times of year to buy. Most real estate news during the winter is akin to lowering median prices, a slow in construction, and a dip in overall housing inventory. However, even with all of these things popping up in news headlines across the nation; Seattle's housing market continues to come out on top.
Read MoreRealogics Sotheby’s International Realty presents a look at the housing market trends for the fourth quarter of 2017 throughout the Puget Sound region.
Read MoreThough many people have probably heard of Bitcoin by now, there are now several types of cryptocurrency. New types you may start hearing more about include: bitcoin cash, ZCash, Monero, Ripple, and Ethereum. They essentially all function the same way; and act as digital funds that are produced in limited quantities and without involvement of a bank or governmental regulations.
Read MoreIn December of 2017 the current administration passed a new tax bill, the biggest overhaul since 1986, and many changes were made that will have a direct impact on the housing market. Here is a brief look at what the new bill will mean for homeowners, buyers, and sellers.
Read MoreIt's no secret that the Seattle-Metro area housing market has been at, or near, the top of the nation's list for some time now (13 months to be exact). However, as typical with the winter months, that trend seems to be slipping just a bit
Read MoreIn their annual report, The Urban Land Institute (ULI), predicts trends and shifts in the real estate market for the upcoming year.
Read MoreThe real estate world is full of unofficial rules that many older generations love to pass on to new first-time homebuyers as words of wisdom. However, the housing market has gone through so many dramatic changes in the last 10 to 15 years that many of these "rules" have now become obsolete.
Read More
