New Agency Law Changes: Transparency, Consumer Protection & Commitment

By Brian Hayter | Oct 26, 2023

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 into law requiring adjustments in how brokers operate when working with […]

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QUARTERLY REPORTS Q3 2023

By Brian Hayter | Oct 23, 2023

Tight inventory and buyer demand helped fuel the market in the third quarter of 2023 despite rising interest rates. There have been fewer listings in 2023 than in 2022 which has created price growth since the first of the year. Prices peaked in spring 2022, corrected in the second half of 2022, and then they […]

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The Low Inventory Effect: Nationally & Close to Home

By Brian Hayter | Sep 26, 2023

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 what he has to say about the national trends. […]

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Win-Win: How to Overcome Interest Rate Pressure with Creative Financing

By Brian Hayter | Sep 6, 2023

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 is time for something different. Whatever might be calling someone to make […]

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Should You Stay or Should You Go? Interest Rates Limit Inventory and Stabilize Prices

By Brian Hayter | Aug 15, 2023

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 rates quickly rose by 2% (3.5%-5.5%) over 5 months. It created a price correction in the […]

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Clarity Through Chaos: Using the Data to Guide Decisions.

By Brian Hayter | Jul 25, 2023

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 […]

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QUARTERLY REPORTS Q2 2023

By Brian Hayter | Jul 17, 2023

  The recovery from the 2022 correction continued in Q2 of 2023. Since December 2022, prices have increased at a rapid rate. Inventory remains tight and absorption is steady due to pent-up buyer demand. Shorter days on market and healthy list-to-sale price ratios illustrate when a seller meets the market with appropriate pricing and is […]

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2023 Market Predictions, Fact Checked.

By Brian Hayter | Jun 26, 2023

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 video below. Most of his […]

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Let’s Dance! Prices Stabilize & Even Grow Amidst a Chaotic Interest Rate Market

By Brian Hayter | Jun 7, 2023

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! While it is not all shiny and bright (it never is), there is a pattern […]

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