My Blog

UPDATE: Global influences on the Housing Market & Interest Rates

By Andrea Wetzel | Mar 9, 2022

  A lot has happened in our world since the first of the year, specifically the rise in inflation and the recent Russian invasion of Ukraine. These factors can influence consumers and affect the housing and financial markets. Additionally, global unrest has had a clear influence on interest rates, driving them back down after a […]

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With seller equity at an all-time high, it is still important who you align with to get the best results

By Andrea Wetzel | Feb 15, 2022

2022 has had an incredibly eventful start in our local real estate market. In January, the average list-to-sale price ratio (the percentage a house sells for in comparison to the list price) in King County was 105% and in Snohomish County it was 106%. This is in conjunction with complete year-over-year median price appreciation (the […]

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Matthew Gardner’s 2022 Predictions for the Local Economy & Real Estate Market

By Andrea Wetzel | Jan 24, 2022

Last week, my office hosted our 14th annual Economic Forecast Event with Matthew Gardner, Windermere’s Chief Economist. It was an hour-long presentation followed by lively Q & A that was packed with useful information to help guide us as we start the new year. Matthew journeyed the audience through a macro to micro approach, reflecting […]

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QUARTERLY REPORTS Q4 2021

By Andrea Wetzel | Jan 17, 2022

2021 was a year that will go down in infamy in regards to the real estate market. Tight inventory levels, historically low interest rates and increased buyer demand influenced by pandemic lifestyle shifts made for an eventful year! 2021 price appreciation is on top of the strong price growth we also saw in 2020. Seller equity is […]

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Is your home Windermere Ready? Home improvements with no upfront costs leads to profitable seller returns.

By Andrea Wetzel | Dec 23, 2021

How a home is prepared for the market has a direct economic effect on the results a seller will have in the marketplace. Making home updates to match today’s trends, repairing deferred maintenance items, deep cleaning, and home staging all help contribute to a higher return for home sellers and less time on the market. According to […]

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2022 Predictions for the Real Estate Market

By Andrea Wetzel | Dec 6, 2021

At Windermere, we have the benefit of being expertly guided by our Chief Economist, Matthew Gardner. Every year he shares his predictions for the US Economy and Housing Market. I have included a list of highlights below along with a link to a video where he spells it all out. Matthew’s Forecast for the US […]

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The Zillow Algorithm vs The Human Algorithm: What is best for the consumer?

By Andrea Wetzel | Nov 19, 2021

The recent news of Zillow’s plan to shut down their iBuyer program due to a $328 million loss in the third quarter has heads spinning in the real estate world and on Wall Street.  Sadly, Zillow plans to eliminate 25% of its workforce because of its decision to move away from the practice of purchasing […]

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Finding Buyer Success in a Seller’s Market: The Triangle of Buyer Clarity

By Andrea Wetzel | Oct 19, 2021

Embarking on a home purchase in a seller’s market can be intimidating, but it can be done. Long-term price growth confirms that owning a home is a key element to building household wealth. Home equity gained over time is typically the largest asset that contributes to a household’s net worth. Homeownership is not only an investment, but also […]

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QUARTERLY REPORTS Q3 2021

By Andrea Wetzel | Oct 18, 2021

As we start the fourth quarter of 2021, homeowners are sitting on top of a heap of appreciation. Annual median price growth has been unprecedented. Pandemic-driven moves, historically low interest rates, and limited inventory have all played into this phenomenon.   The third quarter saw price growth start to level out as many sellers have stair-stepped […]

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