My Blog

QUARTERLY REPORTS Q2 2023

By Andrea Wetzel | 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 in […]

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2023 Market Predictions, Fact Checked.

By Andrea Wetzel | Jun 27, 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 Andrea Wetzel | 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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A Busy Legislative Session for Housing: 10 Bills Passed That Will Affect Housing in Our State

By Andrea Wetzel | May 17, 2023

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 density to provide more affordable housing, and some are more regulatory to help guide and ease […]

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Understanding the Difference Between Long-Term & Short-Term Interest Rates

By Andrea Wetzel | Apr 25, 2023

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 a 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 both types of rates have gone up over the course of […]

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QUARTERLY REPORTS Q1 2023

By Andrea Wetzel | Apr 17, 2023

We are seeing signs of price stabilization and some growth after the market correction of 2022! Illustrated on the front is the up-down-up trajectory that home prices have experienced over the last year. While we are in the midst of measuring the negative difference from the peak prices of the first half of 2022 to […]

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Housing Absorption Trends, Interest Rates Hovering, and Inventory Constricting.

By Andrea Wetzel | Apr 3, 2023

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 absorption data, interest rates, and inventory levels. Right now, we […]

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Which is better, renting or buying?: The financial benefits of owning real estate.

By Andrea Wetzel | Mar 13, 2023

The financial benefits of owning real estate significantly outweigh the option of renting. Renting is certainly a must for some, and is what one may have to do while they build up to becoming a homeowner. Becoming a homeowner requires solid employment, good credit, and some type of down payment. Savings can all be built […]

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Holy Shift, Again! Most of the Market Correction Behind Us & Growth Ahead!

By Andrea Wetzel | Feb 15, 2023

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 affordability for the 2022 market correction we experienced. A market correction is defined […]

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