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Blogs Q4 2022 By the Numbers – Matthew Gardner Report Q4 2022 Western Washington Real Estate Market Update by Matthew Gardner The following analysis of select counties of the Western Washington real estate market is provided by Windermere Real Estate Chief Economist Matthew Gardner. We hope that this information may assist you with making better-informed real estate decisions. For further information about the housing market […]
Blogs Top 10 predictions for 2023 – Matthew Gardner
Blogs House vs. Townhouse vs. Condo House vs. Townhouse vs. Condo Image sources: House, Townhouse, Condo: Canva — Question marks: Shutterstock   Deciding between a house, townhouse, and condominium can be a difficult process. Knowing how their characteristics align with your life and goals as a homeowner will help guide you to the right choice.   What differentiates houses, townhouses, and […]
Blogs Finding Your New Home in Four Steps   Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or you currently own and are looking for a new home, the ideas below will help you better navigate that all-important first step: Finding a property that is both appealing and affordable.   The search for a new home always starts out with a lot of excitement. But if […]
Blogs The Housing Market in 2019 (Video) The last time we saw a balanced market was late 1990s, meaning many sellers and buyers have never seen a normal housing market. Windermere Real Estate’s Chief Economist Matthew Gardner looks at more longer-term averages, what does he see for the future of the housing market?  
Blogs Find a New Home in Four Steps   Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or a current owner looking for a bigger home, the ideas below will help you better navigate that all-important first step: Finding a property that you like (and can afford).   The search for a new home always starts out with a lot of excitement. But if you haven’t […]
Blogs Are You Better Off Paying Your Mortgage Earlier or Investing Your Money? Photo Credit: Rawpixel via Unsplash Few topics cause more division among economists than the age-old debate of whether you’re better off paying off your mortgage earlier, or investing that money instead. And there’s a good reason why that debate continues; both sides make compelling arguments. For many people, their mortgage is the largest expense they […]
Blogs 2018 4th Quarter Market Report
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Blogs 2019 Economic and Housing Forecast Posted in Market News by Matthew Gardner, Chief Economist, Windermere Real Estate What a year it has been for both the U.S. economy and the national housing market. After several years of above-average economic and home price growth, 2018 marked the start of a slowdown in the residential real estate market. As the year comes […]
Blogs 5 Dangers of Overpricing a Home   It is still a great time to be a seller, but in much of the Western U.S., the local real estate market has begun to soften. With significant increases in inventory, buyers now have more choices and less sense of urgency. If you are thinking about selling your home, pricing it correctly the first […]
Blogs How to Acquire the Right Appraisal for Your Home Appraisals are designed to protect buyers, sellers, and lending institutions. They provide a reliable, independent valuation of a tract of land and the structure on it, whether it’s a house or a skyscraper. Below, you will find information about the appraisal process, what goes into them, their benefits and some tips on how to help […]
Blogs Avoiding the Pitfalls of Home Addition Construction   When dissatisfaction with your current home strikes, it can be exciting to launch into a plan for a new addition. A new living room, bedroom, or more can add value to your home while improving your quality of life. On the other hand, even a modest addition can turn into a major construction project, […]
Blogs A Beginner’s Guide to Securing a Mortgage Loan   Entering into debt is a concept I grew up diametrically opposed to. I was raised, like many with frugal family members, to understand that anything you couldn’t pay for on the spot was something you couldn’t afford. But as we age we learn the pathway to financial growth requires a commitment beyond what many […]
Blogs The Value of Homeowners Insurance Can’t Be Overstated   In addition to providing shelter and comfort, our home is often our single greatest asset. It’s important that we protect that precious investment. Most homeowners realize the importance of homeowners insurance in safeguarding the value of a home. However, what they may not know is that about two-thirds of all homeowners are under-insured. According […]
Blogs Three Deck Design Ideas to Get Your Yard Ready for Summer A delightfully warm spring in many parts of the Western U.S. has many folks brushing off their summer clothing early. While this is exciting for all who love the outdoors, public spaces like parks and beaches may be overcrowded. What better time, then, to focus on ways to maximize the space you have in your […]
Blogs How to Get Started in Real Estate Investing Investing in real estate is one of the world’s most venerable pathways to building wealth. When properly managed, income from renting or real estate investment trusts can provide you with the financial security to plan out the rest of your life. The conclusion is easy to envision, but knowing where to begin can be overwhelming, […]
Blogs Start Moving in the Right Direction Moving is stressful, whether it’s across town or cross-country.  Once you’ve closed on your house, the reality of packing, moving, and setting up a new home can become overwhelming. While no list can make a move “stress-free”, planning ahead and staying organized can help make your move a little smoother.  Here is our list of […]
Blogs How Tax Reform Affects Homeowners   New tax legislation was signed into law at the end of 2017, and it included some significant changes for homeowners. These changes took effect in 2018 and do not influence your 2017 taxes.  Here’s a brief overview of this year’s tax changes and how they may affect you*.   The amount of mortgage interest […]
Blogs 8 Laundry Room Updates to Fit Any Budget Hoping to transform your tired laundry room into a sparkling clean, efficiently working space, but without the major costs of a full remodel? By not changing the layout or adding square feet, you can bring costs down while still making meaningful changes to your space. Use this guide to help you decide what to prioritize […]
Blogs February Home Maintenance Checklist   It’s February – winter’s not over yet, but spring is right around the corner. If you have cabin fever from being inside, cleaning and freshening up your house can help you get through this last month of winter and be ready to get outside when spring arrives. Once you check these items off your […]