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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 some chaos and confusion.
When big changes happen, it is a natural reaction to pause and wait for some certainty of how things will land. This happened when the pandemic hit, too. People paused in March and April of 2020 and once May settled in the market went bonkers. I have found that gathering data, whether it’s real-time data or studying historical trends, in order to make sense of it all is incredibly helpful to create clarity and empower strong decisions.
I am committed to studying the data on behalf of my clients and I am also fortunate to have Matthew Gardner, Windermere’s Chief Economist as a source to help guide this research. He speaks to the predictions that were made at the beginning of this year by several industry experts and breaks down their varied theories in this recent article. As a testament to the importance of gathering the data and applying knowledgeable analysis are the now renewed predictions from all of these sources. They are now very much more aligned with one another and in agreement that prices are not headed in a downward spiral, but are in fact on the rise year-over-year. Data is powerful!
Below is a chart I created with hyper-local data reflecting both King and Snohomish counties’ median prices over the last 18 months in relationship to the rising interest rates. While we are off the peak of 2022 when rates were at 5%, we are only slightly lower and up quite significantly from the bottom when rates hit 7%. Proof that the market is sustaining the higher rates is that we have found ourselves back near the 7% this summer and prices have not faltered.
Would the market welcome a drop in the rate? Absolutely! When this happens, which is predicted, we will see buyer demand increase. What we will also see is additional inventory come to market as would-be home sellers will be more comfortable relinquishing their low rate to indulge their need or want for a different home. The high rates are keeping inventory low in a high-rate environment, which is supporting price stabilization and growth. Simply put, the sky is not falling.
The market continues to churn, we are not in a free fall, and prices are stable. If you’ve thought about a move, consider the data and please ask me to help you gain understanding. I can adjust the graph featured here with your local zip code or city to give you an even more thorough look at your investment.
Real estate moves are most often a result of life changes. If you have found yourself questioning whether your four walls currently meet your needs, let’s talk! I will assess your goals and apply the data in an understandable way to help guide the best decision for you today or down the road.
The need for food assistance has never been greater due to the end of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program’s (SNAP) Emergency Allotments and soaring food prices. As a result, more and more families across America are facing hunger. Our food banks are experiencing a surge in visitors and struggling to meet the increased demand.
The good news is that this incredible network of go-givers can do something about it!
Fueled by the collective generosity that Windermere is so well known for, I’m rallying my network to come together to help us towards our goal of raising $50,000.
I would be very grateful if you considered contributing to our campaign through our donation website.
Thank you for your generosity!
