Buying • January 19, 2026

The Top Questions Every Buyer Should Ask Their Real Estate Agent

by Windermere Staff

Buying a home is a major milestone, and it comes with a lot of decisions, details, and moving parts. While online searches and market headlines can offer helpful context, there’s no substitute for having a knowledgeable real estate professional by your side.

The right agent does more than show homes. They help you understand the market, weigh opportunities, and make informed choices at every stage of the process. Asking thoughtful questions early on can set the tone for a smoother, more confident homebuying experience.

Here are some of the most important questions every buyer should ask their real estate agent, and why they matter.

Ask Them About Themselves

Choosing a real estate agent is about more than credentials and experience; it’s also about fit. Before deciding who to work with, take time to get to know your agent as a person.

Ask them about their background, how they work, and what drew them to real estate. Having an agent with a similar communication style, lifestyle, or understanding of your priorities makes the process feel more comfortable and collaborative. At the end of the day, this is someone you’ll be working closely with during one of the most important life decisions, so feeling aligned and understood matters.

What Services Do You Provide Me as My Agent?

Real estate agents offer a wide range of services, and not all approaches look the same. That’s why it’s essential to understand exactly how an agent will support you throughout the buying process.

Ask what services they provide from start to finish–such as market research, property tours, negotiation, inspection, and coordination through closing. You may also want to ask what tools or resources they use, and how involved they are at each stage.

In addition, it’s helpful to ask whether your agent can recommend trusted service providers—such as lenders, inspectors, contractors, or other professionals who can assist with financing, repairs, and other tasks that come up before closing. Having access to a reliable network can help streamline the process and reduce stress.

What’s Happening in the Market Right Now?

Real estate markets are constantly evolving, and what’s happening nationally doesn’t always reflect what’s happening locally. Ask your agent:

How is the market performing in the areas I’m considering?
Are homes selling quickly, or are buyers taking more time to decide?
What trends should I be aware of at my price point?
What strategies are working well for buyers right now?

A strong agent will provide local insight and context, helping you understand not just the numbers, but what they mean for you as a buyer.

How Should I Prepare Financially Before I Start Making Offers?

Being financially prepared goes well beyond getting pre-approved. While your lender will guide you through financing specifics, your real estate agent plays a key role in helping you understand how those details shape your overall buying strategy.

Your agent should help you think through what sellers are typically looking for in an offer, how loan terms, contingencies, and timelines can influence negotiations, and how to plan for additional costs before, during, and after the purchase.

What Should I Prioritize and Where Can I Be Flexible?

Most buyers begin their search with a list of wants and needs, but flexibility can often open the door to better opportunities.

A knowledgeable agent can help you identify which features are essential and which are optional, understand how factors like location, layout, and condition affect a home’s value, and balance your lifestyle preferences with long-term considerations. An experienced agent brings perspective, helping you see the bigger picture while keeping your goals front and center throughout the process.

What’s Your Approach to Pricing and Making an Offer?

Every offer should be strategic and tailored to the situation. Your agent should be able to clearly explain how they evaluate pricing and market value, what factors influence offer terms beyond price, and how inspections, contingencies, and timing play a role in negotiations.

Having this conversation early helps ensure you’re aligned and confident when it’s time to move forward, with a clear understanding of how your agent will advocate for you in a competitive and nuanced market.

How Will We Communicate Throughout the Process?

Clear communication is essential during a home purchase. Be sure to ask:

How often can I expect updates?
What’s the best way to reach you with questions?
How do you handle time-sensitive situations?

You should also ask what will be included in your written buyer agreement so you can have a clear understanding of roles and responsibilities. The right agent will set expectations early and make sure you feel informed and supported at every stage, from start to finish.

What Should I Know About a Home Before Making a Decision?

Once you’ve found a home you’re excited about, your agent’s guidance becomes even more important. They should help you understand:

How the home compares to similar properties.
What to expect during inspections.
Any potential considerations that could impact your decision.

This step isn’t about creating doubt; it’s about ensuring clarity, confidence, and peace of mind.

If you’re considering buying a home, start with a conversation. Asking the right questions and working with an experienced real estate agent can help you navigate the homebuying process with confidence.

Connect with an agent today.

Market News • January 14, 2026

Numbers to Know 1/14/26: Mortgage Rates Are Moving, Here’s What to Know

by Windermere Economics

This is the latest in a series of videos with Windermere Principal Economist Jeff Tucker, where he delivers the key economic numbers to follow to keep you well-informed about what’s going on in the real estate market.

2026 is already proving to be a busy news year for the housing market, starting with our first number to know:

$200 billion

That’s the total value of mortgage-backed securities that President Trump announced on January 8^th he’s directed “his Representatives” to purchase, with a stated goal of reducing mortgage interest rates. A big new buyer of mortgages will tend to bid their prices up, which – for bonds – means pushing interest rates down.

For the last 3 years, mortgage rates have been unusually high relative to the benchmark 10-year Treasury rate, which has been gradually compressing back to a normal range, and this buying spree, evidently by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, should accelerate that process of shrinking the spread.

Markets have taken this announcement quite seriously. In just the first day of trading after Trump’s announcement, mortgage rates dropped 15 basis points, bringing us to our second number to know right now:

6.06%

That was Mortgage News Daily’s average 30-year mortgage rate on Friday, January 9^th, and that marks the lowest mortgage rate they’ve reported in almost 3 years. Now – trading has been unusually volatile, and there are still a lot of unanswered questions about this new program, but there’s no doubt that in the short term, it has begun moving markets, and I think SOME highly qualified buyers and sellers who start to see mortgage rates in the 5% range will be more motivated to transact this spring.

Another number to know right now:

56,000

That’s the number of jobs lost on net over the fourth quarter of 2025, capping a year of slowing, and finally shrinking, payrolls in the U.S. economy. Now, other data shows economic activity held up fine in the fourth quarter, so this is not the beginning of a recession, but slowing job growth could help explain why home purchases disappointed in the fourth quarter, despite lower mortgage rates than in late 2024.

Speaking of housing, 2025 ended with the housing market still just shy of an important benchmark I’ve been watching: the moment when active inventory recovers to its pre-pandemic, 2019 levels. The year ended with just under a million active listings, vs just over a million 6 years ago on the eve of the Covid pandemic.

That is still up substantially from this time last year, but the trend of year-over-year listing growth clearly slowed over the course of 2025. That helps explain why 2025 went down as the year of cooling and normalization, but NOT anything like a fire sale or glut of unsold homes. Rather, it’s a market that made a lot of progress back toward normalcy, foretelling a healthy, balanced market in the year ahead.

Selling • January 12, 2026

Refinance or Sell? Making the Right Move for Your Home

by Windermere Staff

Homeownership isn’t a one-size-fits-all, and neither are the financial decisions that come with it. At some point, many homeowners reach a familiar fork in the road: Should I refinance my mortgage, or is it time to sell?

The right answer depends on a mix of factors, including your financial health, today’s interest rate environment, your home’s equity, and where you see yourself and your household in the next few years. Let’s walk through both options so you can decide what makes the most sense for you, not just on paper, but in real life.

Refinancing vs. Selling

If your current mortgage no longer feels like the right fit, you generally have two paths forward: refinancing or selling. Refinancing your home allows you to renegotiate the terms of your existing loan, potentially changing your interest rate, loan term, or monthly payment. Selling, on the other hand, can free up equity and open the door to your next chapter. So, how do you decide between the two? The key is to understand what each one offers and what it requires so you can move forward with confidence.

Refinancing Your Home

There are a few reasons homeowners typically refinance their mortgages, the most common being falling interest rates. Lower interest rates after a mortgage reassessment translate into lower monthly payments and significant savings over the life of the loan. If your finances have improved since you initially secured your mortgage—for example, your debt-to-income ratio has improved, or you’ve bumped up your credit score—you may be able to lock in a better rate with your lender. Refinancing your home could also put cash in your pocket. “Cash-out refinancing” allows you to accept a mortgage for more than your principal balance and use the extra money at your discretion. Typically, homeowners will use such funds for significant expenses, such as a major renovation or home improvement project.

Homeowners with Adjustable-Rate Mortgages (ARMs) often refinance into a Fixed-Rate Mortgage to lock in a stable rate for the remainder of the loan term.

Refinancing can also change the length of your loan. Moving from a 30-year mortgage to a 15-year term may reduce the total interest you pay over time, while extending a loan term can lower monthly payments if cash flow is a concern. As with most financial decisions, it’s about balance and knowing the tradeoffs.

Keep in mind that refinancing your home involves getting a new mortgage, so you’ll have to go through the qualification process again. Assess your financial health and equity before you apply. Once you’re ready to move forward, your Windermere agent can recommend a few trusted lenders or mortgage brokers to provide you with a quote.

Selling Your Home

Selling your home is a bigger shift—but sometimes it’s the right one. If your home no longer fits your lifestyle, or if you’re sitting on significant equity, selling can provide financial flexibility to move forward on your terms. Your agent will start by conducting a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) to determine your home’s value, taking into account current market conditions, location, seasonality, and your home’s unique features.

Although you stand to receive a lump-sum cash payment, selling your home comes with its own set of costs. Paying for repairs, home inspections, staging expenses, agent commissions, not to mention buying or renting your next home, as well as moving fees. This can add up, so it’s important to budget appropriately. Selling your home also means you’ll be uprooting the life you and your household have established there, so it’s necessary to have a plan for your next steps before the “For Sale” sign goes in the ground.

For personalized guidance on selling or refinancing, connect with a Windermere agent today:

More • Windermere Foundation • December 15, 2025

Comedy for a Cause: Windermere Foundation Comedy Events Raise Nearly $1 Million for Local Nonprofits

by Windermere Foundation

This fall, two cities, two stages, and hundreds of supporters of the Windermere Foundation came together for one incredible purpose: to raise funds and awareness for youth and families experiencing housing instability and hardships in our communities.

In both Portland and Seattle, Windermere agents, clients, partners, and guests gathered for evenings filled with laughter, heartfelt stories, and a shared mission to give back. With standout performances, powerful testimonials, and an outpour of generosity, the 24^th annual Steve Allen Comedy Show and the 3^rd annual Windermere Foundation Comedy Night raised a combined total of nearly $1 million in support of local New Avenues for Youth and the YMCA of Greater Seattle.

24 Years of Laughter and Legacy in Portland, Oregon

For more than two decades, the Steve Allen Comedy Show, founded by Windermere Real Estate, has been a beloved tradition in Portland. This year marked the 24^th annual event, once again benefitting New Avenues for Youth, a nonprofit committed to preventing and ending youth homelessness through housing, education, job training, and wraparound services.

More than 520 guests gathered at the Portland Art Museum on October 28^th for an unforgettable evening starring Emmy- and Oscar-nominated actor and comedian Kumail Nanjiani. Known for his roles in Silicon Valley, Only Murderers in the Building, and Welcome to Chippendales, Kumail brought the house down with his signature mix of sharp wit and relatable storytelling.

Windermere agents and their guests helped raise $580,000 in support of New Avenues for Youth and its vital work helping young people experiencing homelessness overcome the many barriers to stability, well-being, and success.

3rd Annual Windermere Foundation Comedy Night in Seattle, Washington

Back for its 3^rd year, the Windermere Foundation Comedy Night in Seattle brought together 350 guests at Fremont Studios on November 7^th for an evening that blended humor, heart, and high-impact giving.

The night began with cocktails and a silent auction, followed by a warm welcome from emcee and auctioneer Nelson Jay, who kept the energy high and the giving spirit alive throughout the program. Guests enjoyed a festive dinner, cheered during the paddle raise, and shared plenty of laughs thanks to a hilarious live performance from Kevin Nealon—all while raising more than $415,000 for the Windermere Foundation and the YMCA of Greater Seattle.

These unforgettable nights did more than just entertain—they helped strengthen the work of New Avenues for Youth and the YMCA of Greater Seattle by expanding access to housing, stability, and life-changing resources. Thanks to the generosity of our community, the impact of these events will be felt long after the final curtain call.

A huge thank you to all the sponsors for making these events possible:

24^th Annual Steve Allen Comedy Show Sponsors

Windermere Foundation, US Bank, Joan & Brian Allen, Lucky Transportation, Mitch & Elisa Hornecker, The Greenbrier Companies, Ashley & Matt Semler, The Standard, Propel Insurance, TMT Development, Paul & Lory Utz, Ferguson Wellman Capital Management, Casparian, Colas Construction, Legacy Health, Washington Trust Bank, KGW8, Howard S. Wright, Perkins & Co., Bill Kehman & Kari Nelsestuen, Alan Cahn Consulting

3^rd Annual Windermere Foundation Comedy Night Sponsors

Stone Insulation, Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management, Seabrook WA, Sentry Computing, Miller Nash LLP, Wilson Tile, Symetra, Healthy Paws, NWMLS, Albert Lee, Generations Home Loans, Moreland Insurance, Move Forward Financial, XpressDocs, Gentle Giants Moving Company, Clarity Northwest, SignPros, and Fremont Studios

To support the Windermere Foundation, click the donate button below and help continue our ongoing mission to help low-income and homeless families in need.

Donate to the Windermere Foundation.

Market News • December 10, 2025

Local Look Western Washington Housing Update 12/10/25

by Windermere Economics

Hi. I’m Jeff Tucker, principal economist at Windermere Real Estate, and this is a Local Look at the November 2025 data from the Northwest MLS.

This November, the Washington housing market continued with its normal seasonal cooldown. And compared to last year, this month looked particularly cool, because 2024 featured an especially strong fourth quarter, which has NOT been repeated this year.

Across the Northwest MLS, closed home sales came in 10% below last November’s total. And pending sales, which give some signal about next month’s sales, actually inched up by 3% from the same time last year.

On the supply side, the flow of new listings was almost identical, or down just 1%, from last November’s pace. Finally, the month ended with 26% more active listings than last November, swinging negotiating power in buyers’ favor .

Those higher inventory levels are starting to put some downward pressure on prices, which dipped by $15,000, to a median of $650,000 for a residential home sale in November.

Now I’ll turn to a closer look at the four counties encompassing the greater Seattle area.

Closed sales dropped by 13% from last November, and none of the four counties was spared from double-digit declines, led by an 18% drop in Kitsap County.

Median sale prices showed roughly no gains around the region: 1% lower in King; 8% higher in Kitsap; 1% higher in Pierce, and 4% lower in Snohomish County. It seems clear now that inventory growth this year has dragged price appreciation down to about 0 for the time being.

Looking ahead, pending sales dipped only 2% across the region in November, thanks mainly to Snohomish’s 6% decline, while the other 3 counties were nearly flat.

On the supply side, the 4-county greater Seattle area had 30% more active listings than at the end of November 2024. I’ve highlighted before that this pace of growth is decelerating, but that deceleration itself may have stalled out: October had a nearly identical 31% growth rate of inventory.

This continues to bode well for buyers, who are now set up to approach the new year with more inventory and bargaining power than they’ve seen in years. For anyone who can squeeze house hunting in between their holiday gift shopping this month, they’ll be well-positioned to find a bargain, even now that Black Friday deals are gone from the stores!

Market News • More • December 2, 2025

Six Predictions for 2026

by Windermere Economics

The following is a summary of Windermere Principal Economist Jeff Tucker’s six predictions for the U.S. housing market and economy in 2026. He goes into more detail about his predictions in the video below.

1. Existing Home Sales Will Pick Up (Barely)

Home sales have hovered near generational lows for three years. While a sharp rebound is unlikely, conditions point to a modest uptick in 2026. Inventory levels are higher than they’ve been since 2019, and mortgage rates are lower than they’ve been since 2022. Together, those factors should lift existing home sales—but not by much.

2. Home Prices Will Be Roughly Flat

Home prices are likely to remain flat in 2026, largely due to higher inventory putting downward pressure on values. The Case-Shiller Home Price Index showed small declines last summer, though that trend faded by fall. Sellers have been highly responsive to market shifts, often de-listing when offers fall short or holding off on listing altogether. That restraint has kept prices from falling further despite growing supply

3. Inventory Will Climb to Pre-Pandemic Levels

The number of homes for sale will likely return to pre-pandemic levels in 2026, possibly as early as spring. Inventory rose sharply in 2025, and a “shadow supply” of homes—those whose owners are waiting for better conditions—remains in the wings. Many “discretionary sellers” will continue testing the market, holding out for the right price. That behavior should extend average time on market and boost total listings, giving buyers more options and negotiating power.

4. The Homeownership Rate Will Decline

At current prices and interest rates, homeownership remains out of reach for many middle-class Americans who would have bought in different conditions. Slower rent growth has also reduced urgency among would-be buyers, encouraging them to stay put. More renters are opting for single-family homes to enjoy the space and lifestyle of ownership without a mortgage, a shift that will help push the overall homeownership rate slightly lower.

5. Mortgage Rates Will Decline Slightly

Mortgage rates should remain below 6.25% for most of 2026 and could briefly dip under 6%. The Fed’s rate cuts and slower growth have brought 10-year Treasury yields near 4%, while the spread between Treasuries and mortgage rates has narrowed toward its normal range of 2% or less. That trend is expected to continue as refinance risk on mortgage-backed securities gradually fades, but much of the improvement is already reflected in current rates, so significant declines are unlikely.

6. We Will Avoid a Recession in 2026

The U.S. economy weathered several shocks in 2025 but avoided a downturn. Payroll gains have slowed, though more due to shrinking labor supply than weak demand, and unemployment claims have remained stable. After early trade policy turbulence, corporate earnings rebounded strongly, and tariff concerns have faded as court challenges and new trade deals rolled back some of the costliest restrictions.

Design • November 24, 2025

Behr 2026 Color of the Year: How to Style Your Home with Behr’s Hidden Gem

by KeeleyShaye Hill

Color has a way of reshaping the way a home feels, and for 2026, Behr has introduced a shade that truly sets the tone. Hidden Gem N430-6A, a smoky jade with an air of quiet confidence, is rich, refined, and just mysterious enough to keep your rooms interesting long after the paint dries.

As homes continue shifting toward more personal, expressive spaces, this jewel-toned green blue arrives right on cue. Whether you’re updating a single room or planning a top-to-bottom refresh, here’s how to embrace Behr’s Hidden Gem and blend it seamlessly into 2026’s biggest interior design trends.

Behr Color of the Year: Hidden Gem

Each year, Behr’s color experts look to lifestyle trends, design movements, and cultural moods to select a single shade that reflects how people want to live. For 2026, the demand is clear: homeowners are craving comfort, character, and a stronger connection to the natural world. Hidden Gem brings all three into perfect balance, offering a sophisticated, versatile tone that feels intentional without overpowering a space.

With its deep teal base and soft smoky undertones, it offers a calm, eye-catching depth that shifts effortlessly with the light, perfect for layering with the color and design trends shaping homes in 2026.

Source: Behr 2026 Color of the Year – Hidden Gem

Balancing Hidden Gem with 2026 Color Trends

Color forecasters agree that 2026 will be defined by rich, soothing, nature-inspired hues that help homes feel more grounded and expressive. Hidden Gem fits neatly into this movement, especially as tranquil teals rise in popularity.

This year’s trend reports also point to the growing appeal of warm blacks and mellow reds. These deeper tones bring drama and intimacy into a space, particularly in small rooms or architectural moments. Hidden Gem pairs beautifully with warm blacks like Behr’s Cracked Pepper and earthy reds such as Terra Cotta Urn, creating a thoughtful contrast that feels modern and moody.

Uplifting yellows and soft neutrals will also remain strong throughout 2026. Subtle creams and warm whites help brighten teal-based palettes, while tones like Wheat Bread provide a soft foundation that allows Hidden Gem’s depth to shine. Pairing it with sunny tones like Beehive or 2025’s butter-yellow trend adds a fresh lift, keeping the look balanced and inviting.

Just like Pantone’s color stories, Behr’s 2026 palette is designed to influence cohesive, livable color combinations around its Color of the Year. And the good news? Hidden Gem is unusually flexible. If you are looking for more combinations, explore Behr’s full list of 2026 color trends for additional inspiration.

Source: Behr 2026 Color Trends

How to Align Hidden Gem with Other 2026 Home Trends

Beyond color, the home trends emerging in 2026 offer even more ways to weave Hidden Gem into a refreshed modern space.

Color Drenching and Moody Palettes

One of the biggest design shifts heading into 2026 is the rise of color drenching, where a single shade covers the walls, trim, ceiling, and sometimes even furniture in a room. The look creates a fully immersive, moody atmosphere that feels polished and cohesive. Hidden Gem is especially well-suited for this approach because of its depth and richness.

Alongside this trend, deeper, moodier palettes are also becoming more popular. Saturated hues like greens, ochres, burgundies, and tobacco-inspired tones are appearing more often in homes, reflecting a growing desire for warm color and expressive style.

Personalized Spaces and Self-Care at Home

Design is becoming more personal, and many homeowners are carving out spaces meant for calm, comfort, and everyday wellness. Cozy reading nooks, spa-inspired bathrooms, and small restorative spaces continue to rise in popularity, offering a way to slow down within the home.

Hidden Gem’s serene, smoky character makes it an ideal backdrop for these spaces. It brings a quiet sense of balance to reading nooks when paired with warm wood or soft, textured fabrics. In bathrooms, it complements natural materials and warm metals, creating the same soothing quality you’d expect from a spa.

Sustainability Remains a Priority

Sustainability continues to influence how people design and renovate their homes. From natural materials to energy-efficient upgrades and EV-friendly features, homeowners are seeking ways to make their spaces both stylish and environmentally conscious.

Hidden Gem’s nature-inspired tone fits comfortably within these choices. It pairs effortlessly with organic textures like stone, linen, clay, and reclaimed wood, creating a look that feels grounded and connected to the environment.

With Hidden Gem leading the way, 2026 offers endless opportunities to create a home that feels expressive, grounded, and beautifully your own.

Market News • November 19, 2025

The Latest Numbers to Know 11/19/25: Jobs, Housing, & Rates

by Windermere Economics

The first number to know this week: 4%. That is how much higher unemployment claims are than this time last year. We don’t actually know the unemployment rate due to the government shutdown, which suspended collection of the household survey it’s based on, so instead economists have turned to state-level data sources. Labor economist Guy Berger shared this chart comparing continuing unemployment claims in 2025, in blue, to the last two years, showing a consistent, gradual 4% year-over-year increase. That’s not great news, but it still doesn’t indicate a sudden breakdown in economic growth. We’ll get a better picture of the economy as the Bureau of Labor Statistics resumes publishing data in the remainder of 2025.

Turning to the housing market: Realtor.com reported almost exactly 1.1 million active listings for sale at the end of October, for the third month in a row. One interesting trend this chart makes clear is that, since 2020, sellers have been more willing to keep listings up later into the fall than they tended to in 2019. That means we are closer now to 2019 inventory levels than at any other time since the pandemic began.

But for the fifth month in a row, the pace of growth of inventory has fallen yet again, now down to just 15% year-over-year. The big growth of active listings this spring and summer helped throw some cold water on price appreciation, pushing it down near to 0, but that inventory growth has slowed down enough that nationally, prices look most likely to flatline next year rather than plunge into negative territory.

That brings me to the next number to know: 1.5%. That’s the most recent year-over-year change in the Case-Shiller Home Price Index, and the slowest pace of home price appreciation since early 2023.

The other puzzle piece for home purchase affordability took a little step in the wrong direction last month: Mortgage rates rebounded from below 6.25% to more like 6 and 3/8, according to Mortgage News Daily. That’s still lower than they were last winter, and it just goes to show that mortgage rates rarely stick to the script and follow a predictable long-term trend.

That is all for this month; I look forward to more economic data in December, and thanks as always for watching!

Buying • November 10, 2025

What is a Buyer-Agency Agreement and Why Does it Matter?

by Windermere Staff

In today’s evolving real estate landscape, one of the biggest changes buyers will encounter is the relatively new requirement to sign a Buyer Agency Agreement. While this added step may sound formal, it’s actually designed to make the home-buying process more transparent, secure, and ultimately more beneficial for everyone involved.

What is a Buyer-Agency Agreement?

At its core, a Buyer Agency Agreement is a written contract between you and your real estate agent. It outlines your working relationship, defining the agent’s responsibilities, the services they’ll provide, the duration of your partnership, and how their compensation will be handled. Think of it as the roadmap for your home-buying journey, ensuring everyone starts on the same page, with mutual understanding and trust.

Starting in mid-2024, the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) began requiring agents to have a signed buyer agency agreement before showing homes to clients. This change stems from a nationwide settlement designed to bring greater transparency and accountability to real estate transactions by ensuring all agent-buyer relationships are clearly defined in writing. In some markets, this requirement isn’t new; states like Washington, Idaho, and Utah have long recognized the importance of formalizing this relationship. But for many buyers, this will be their first time signing such an agreement, and understanding its purpose can make all the difference.

So, why does it matter?

Transparency and Trust

This agreement ensures clarity around both compensation and representation. It spells out how your agent is paid—whether by the seller, by the buyer, or by both—so there are no surprises later. With these details defined upfront, you can move forward with confidence, knowing your agent’s focus is squarely on your best interests.

Defined Roles and Responsibilities

A Buyer Agency Agreement clearly outlines what your agent will do for you: from helping you navigate listings and compare neighborhoods to guiding you through offers, inspections, and closing. It also defines your responsibilities as a buyer, such as communicating openly and working exclusively with your chosen agent throughout the duration of the agreement. Together, these expectations create a smoother, more collaborative experience.

Protection and Professionalism

Buying a home is one of life’s biggest investments, and having a written agreement in place protects both you and your agent by setting clear parameters for your working relationship. It ensures your agent is committed to advocating for your needs, maintaining confidentiality, and acting in your best interest throughout the process.

While some may see the Buyer Agency Agreement as an extra step, it’s really a safeguard, one that reinforces the professionalism and dedication that define Windermere Real Estate agents. It turns a handshake of trust into a documented commitment, empowering buyers to make confident, informed decisions at every stage of the journey.

Connect with a Windermere agent today to learn more about how we can help you navigate your home search with confidence.

Market News • November 6, 2025

Local Look Western Washington Housing Update 11/6/2025

by Windermere Economics

Hi. I’m Jeff Tucker, principal economist at Windermere Real Estate, and this is a Local Look at the October 2025 data from the Northwest MLS.

This October, the Washington housing market began its usual seasonal shift into the cooler 4^th quarter. Compared to last year, it looked particularly cool, because last October saw a sudden burst of buying activity in the wake of the Fed finally beginning to cut interest rates.

Across the Northwest MLS, closed home sales came in 4% below last October’s total. MLS. Pending sales, which give some signal about next month’s sales, were down 6% from the same time last year.

On the supply side, the flow of new listings remains roughly even with last year’s, or just 4% higher. Finally, the month ended with 29% more active listings than last October, continuing a slowdown in inventory growth but still leaving buyers with more options than they had last year or the year before.

Those higher inventory levels are starting to put some downward pressure on prices, which dipped 2%, to a median of $660,000 for a residential home sale in October.

Now I’ll turn to a closer look at the four counties encompassing the greater Seattle area.

Closed sales stepped down by 8% from last October, although that month last year had unusually high sales, especially in King County, where 2024’s sales were a whopping 33% higher than in 2023.

Median sale prices were split: 4% higher in King; 9% higher in Kitsap; but 2% lower in Pierce, and 5% lower in Snohomish County. That may represent a continued trend of demand retrenching toward the employment center of the region, around Seattle and Bellevue, as new return-to-office policies come into effect.

Looking ahead, pending sales fell 9% across the region, although again King County’s sales drop looks a bit like mean reversion after a standout 2024 number.

On the supply side, the 4-county greater Seattle area had 31% more active listings than at the end of October 2024. That continues the moderation of inventory growth we’ve seen since May, when this metric peaked at 45% year-over-year growth.

Looking ahead, we are entering one of the best times of the year for savvy buyers and their agents to find a bargain, and with much more inventory than even this time in the last two years. Whether they jump at the opportunity will be revealed in next month’s data!

Ask Them About Themselves

What Services Do You Provide Me as My Agent?

What’s Happening in the Market Right Now?

How Should I Prepare Financially Before I Start Making Offers?

What Should I Prioritize and Where Can I Be Flexible?

What’s Your Approach to Pricing and Making an Offer?

How Will We Communicate Throughout the Process?

What Should I Know About a Home Before Making a Decision?

$200 billion

6.06%

56,000

Refinancing vs. Selling

Refinancing Your Home

Selling Your Home

24 Years of Laughter and Legacy in Portland, Oregon

3rd Annual Windermere Foundation Comedy Night in Seattle, Washington

24th Annual Steve Allen Comedy Show Sponsors

3rd Annual Windermere Foundation Comedy Night Sponsors

1. Existing Home Sales Will Pick Up (Barely)

2. Home Prices Will Be Roughly Flat

3. Inventory Will Climb to Pre-Pandemic Levels

4. The Homeownership Rate Will Decline

5. Mortgage Rates Will Decline Slightly

6. We Will Avoid a Recession in 2026

Behr Color of the Year: Hidden Gem

Balancing Hidden Gem with 2026 Color Trends

How to Align Hidden Gem with Other 2026 Home Trends

Color Drenching and Moody Palettes

Personalized Spaces and Self-Care at Home

Sustainability Remains a Priority

What is a Buyer-Agency Agreement?

Transparency and Trust

Defined Roles and Responsibilities

Protection and Professionalism

24^th Annual Steve Allen Comedy Show Sponsors

3^rd Annual Windermere Foundation Comedy Night Sponsors