Real Estate

Real estate news, updates, and helpful tips for home sellers and buyers in Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Issaquah, Sammamish, Mercer Island, Woodinville, Duvall, Carnation, Fall City, North Bend, Snoqualmie, Renton, Bothell, Kenmore, Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, and throughout the greater Seattle-Eastside area.

Real Estate

Adding an ADU? Here’s a Guide to Permits & Regulations…

ADUs and DADUs are increasingly popular among homeowners looking to maximize their property value. For many cities in Washington State, the recent enactment of House Bill 1337 has made it easier for homeowners to add an ADU/DADU by loosening restrictions on them in residential areas. Other states have enacted similar laws as municipalities across the […]
Market Updates, Real Estate

How’s the Market? Q2 2025 Review of Seattle Area Real Estate

The end of our spring market quieted down significantly as warm weather, graduations, and vacations distracted buyers and kicked off our typical summer slowdown. Despite this, Seattle posted modest year-over-year growth in both sales activity and median sales prices. The Eastside saw slight dips in sales prices and activity compared to last spring, but choice […]
Selling, Tips, Trends & Living

Remodeling Impact Report: Projects That Bring Joy & ROI

Is your home ready for a refresh? Whether it’s for their own enjoyment or to prep their houses for sale, Americans are investing more and more money into remodeling each year. According to a recent report by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), the demand for top-condition homes is going up among buyers as well. […]
Real Estate, Selling

How to Price Your Home for Sale

The right listing price is absolutely critical to a successful home sale. Price too high and you will miss your shot to generate interest with a sense of urgency for buyers—often, overpriced listings languish on the market and end up selling for less than they would have if they’d been priced more competitively from the […]

Real Estate Adding an ADU? Here’s a Guide to Permits & Regulations… ADUs and DADUs are increasingly popular among homeowners looking to maximize their property value. For many cities in Washington State, the recent enactment of House Bill 1337 has made it easier for homeowners to add an ADU/DADU by loosening restrictions on them in residential areas. Other states have enacted similar laws as municipalities across the […]

Market Updates How’s the Market? Q2 2025 Review of Seattle Area Real Estate The end of our spring market quieted down significantly as warm weather, graduations, and vacations distracted buyers and kicked off our typical summer slowdown. Despite this, Seattle posted modest year-over-year growth in both sales activity and median sales prices. The Eastside saw slight dips in sales prices and activity compared to last spring, but choice […]

Selling Remodeling Impact Report: Projects That Bring Joy & ROI Is your home ready for a refresh? Whether it’s for their own enjoyment or to prep their houses for sale, Americans are investing more and more money into remodeling each year. According to a recent report by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), the demand for top-condition homes is going up among buyers as well. […]

Real Estate How to Price Your Home for Sale The right listing price is absolutely critical to a successful home sale. Price too high and you will miss your shot to generate interest with a sense of urgency for buyers—often, overpriced listings languish on the market and end up selling for less than they would have if they’d been priced more competitively from the […]

Real Estate A Consumer’s Guide to Homeowners Insurance If you’re a homeowner or looking to buy a home, insuring your property is critical to protecting your investment—and if you’re getting a mortgage, it’s a must. It can be daunting trying to navigate the many options available to you. What does your policy cover…and what isn’t covered? What does the insurance company provide if […]

Market Updates How’s the Market? Q1 2025 Review of Seattle Area Real Estate Q1 started the year off strong for Seattle-area real estate with the majority of homes selling in the first 10 days on the market and for at or above their listed prices. Median sales prices were also up compared to Q1 of last year. Buyers enjoyed more choice with new listings outpacing sales, steadily increasing […]

Buying Is Downsizing Right for You? Here’s How to Decide Choosing to downsize is more than just moving into a smaller space, it’s about curating a simpler lifestyle that fits your current needs. Whether you’re retiring, looking for an eco-friendly, low-maintenance home, or wanting a fresh start after your children have moved away, downsizing might be the best option for you. Before making the move, […]

Selling Should You Sell Your Home Off-Market? In today’s real estate market, sellers are often presented with different strategies for selling their homes. One of the most debated topics is whether to list a home on the open market or to sell it off-market through private channels. While there may be rare instances where an off-market sale makes sense, the reality is […]

Real Estate Are You Paying Too Much for Property Taxes? OK nobody panic, but it’s almost…TAX TIME. For Washington State homeowners, this means you’ve probably received a little postcard letting you know your property’s assessed value and taxes due for 2025. Those with a mortgage on their home may be tempted to file this away and let the bank take care of it (after all, […]

Market Updates How’s the Market? Annual Real Estate Review for the Seattle Area Happy New Year! Whew, we made it! With 2024 now in the books, we’re looking back fondly on a real estate market that showed positive signs of growth in virtually every sector. Median sales prices posted strong double-digit gains on the Eastside along with a healthy 8% rise in Seattle. Listings also rose, easing the […]

Real Estate Selling Your Home: 5 Common Myths Selling your home is a crash course in real estate education. My clients learn a LOT as we work together to find a buyer and sell at the right price. As you prepare to sell, it’s important to remember that that not everything you’ve heard is true. There are several common myths that can lead […]

Market Updates How’s the Market? Q3 2024 Review of Seattle Area Real Estate While Q3’s summertime market slowed a bit from the frenetic spring pace of Q2 (we call this the “Summer Slump”), median home values are up across the region compared to this time last year. Most homes still sold at or above their listed prices in the first 10 days on market. However, buyers had more […]

Real Estate Buying a Fixer-Upper For some homebuyers, a fixer-upper is their idea of a dream home. However, the process of buying a fixer-upper comes with additional responsibilities compared to properties in better condition or new construction homes. Preparing for the process comes down to creating a remodeling plan, knowing what to look for when searching for listings, and understanding […]

Selling Understanding Contingent Offers: A Seller’s Guide With the market shifting toward balance between buyers & sellers, “contingent” is a word sellers will be seeing more of. It’s important to understand the difference between a “contingent offer” and one with “contingencies.” Contingent offers allow the buyer time to sell their current home first before they complete the purchase. On the other hand, […]

Market Updates How’s the Market? Q2 2024 Review of Seattle Area Real Estate Median sales prices were up across the region in Q2 of 2024 compared to this time last year, with the Eastside posting the highest year-over-year appreciation. What should you know that the numbers don’t show? We’re back to a typical PNW seasonal market. Higher temps typically lead buyers to lose focus. There is still quality […]

Buying Why Buyer Representation Matters So Much to Sellers In today’s rapidly changing real estate landscape, understanding the critical role of buyer representation has never been more essential for home sellers. With the pending NAR settlement on the horizon, many sellers may not fully grasp the significant impact these changes will have on their transactions. The urgency to adapt is real, and overlooking the […]

Buying What You Need to Know about the Washington State Seller Property Disclosure – Form 17 Washington State requires sellers of residential real property to thoroughly disclose material facts on a form called the Residential Real Property Disclosure Statement (often referred to as Form 17). Unless the buyer has expressly waived their rights, the seller must deliver this completed disclosure within 5 days after mutual acceptance. The buyer then has a […]

Market Updates How’s the Market? Q1 2024 Review of Seattle Area Real Estate The Seattle/Eastside real estate market is hot and the Q1 stats support the claim; most homes sold in the first 10 days and either at or above their listed prices. Eastside median sales prices saw double-digit gains of 14% compared to this time last year, while Seattle was close behind with a 9% price bump. […]

Buying Moving Day: Checklists & Tips to Stress Less Ah, moving day…that magical mix of excitement, chaos, and occasional panic. Whether it is across town or cross-country, the reality of packing, moving, and setting up a new home can become overwhelming. No list can make a move “stress free,” BUT planning ahead and staying organized can help make your move a little smoother. […]

Selling Remodeling Projects to Avoid When Selling Your Home It’s common for homeowners to feel compelled to remodel their homes before they sell. Renovating the spaces in your home can increase its value and help you compete with comparable listings in your area. However, some remodeling projects are more beneficial than others as you get ready to hit the market. Always talk to […]