Market News 2026 First Quarter Regional Real Estate Report This is a recurring series of blog posts taking a closer look at the U.S. economy and several major regional markets in Windermere’s nine-state footprint. Updates will be released on a quarterly basis. Economic Overview At the end of February, the spring housing market appeared poised for a rebound. Mortgage rates dipped below 6% for […]
Selling What to Fix Before Selling Your Home Preparing your home for the market can feel stressful, especially when you start noticing every small imperfection. The good news is that not every issue needs to be addressed before listing. A few thoughtful updates can go a long way toward helping your home show well, attract buyers, and maximize your sale price. In this […]
Market News Numbers to Know 4/13/26: Global Tensions Drive Rates & Market Shifts 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. The first number to know this month: $115. That was the level that price of a barrel of […]
Market News Numbers to Know 3/23/26: Why Mortgage Rates Are Rising Again 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. The first news this week is that the Federal Reserve did not cut interest rates at their meeting […]
Living The Housing Market Works Best in the Open. Washington Just Proved It. When Washington State Governor Bob Ferguson signed Senate Bill 6091 into law today, banning the marketing of residential properties to exclusive groups of buyers or brokers, he sent a clear message: transparency matters. This bill didn’t emerge from political theory or academic debate. It arose from a real tension in the real estate industry: whether openness […]
Buying How Long do Appliances and Household Fixtures Last? Nothing in life lasts forever – and the same can be said for your home. From the roof to the furnace, every component of your home has a life span, so it’s a good idea to know approximately how many years of service you can expect from them. This information can help when buying or selling your home, budgeting for improvements, and deciding between repairing or replacing when problems arise.
Market News Local Look Western Washington Housing Update 3/11/26 Hi. I’m Jeff Tucker, principal economist at Windermere Real Estate, and this is a Local Look at the February 2026 data from the Northwest MLS. We are now on the cusp of the busy spring selling season, and the data so far in 2026 point to a market that’s relatively balanced for buyers … for […]
Design What is American Country Interior Design? How to Create a Warm, Timeless Home American Country style captures something many homeowners are craving: warmth, authenticity, and a sense of home that feels both personal and timeless. Rooted in rural American heritage, this design aesthetic celebrates simplicity, functionality, and craftsmanship. It’s cozy without feeling cluttered, nostalgic without feeling dated, and welcoming in a way that instantly puts guests at ease. […]
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Selling The Power of a 30-Second First Impression: Why Reels Are the New Curb Appeal In real estate, we all know how important first impressions are. For decades, curb appeal has been the gold standard for catching a buyer’s attention—but today, those first impressions are happening online, often in under 30 seconds. As more buyers scroll listings on their phones or stumble across homes on social media, video has become […]
Market News Numbers to Know 2/18/26: The Latest Economic & Housing Update 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. I’ll start with some bad news and some good news from the latest jobs report. The first number […]
Buying Small Town Revival: Why Everyone’s Moving Back to Main Street After decades of city living being the goal, a fresh trend is emerging. More and more people—especially young adults—are reimagining what “home” looks like, and that picture is starting to look a lot like small-town life. From coast to coast, smaller communities are seeing new life as individuals and families seek more space, deeper connections, […]
Living Top Home Design Trends to Know in 2026 Design trends have always reflected more than style. They reflect how people want to live. And as we move into 2026, home design continues to shift away from one-size-fits-all aesthetics and toward spaces that feel intentional, expressive, and more personal. After several years shaped by minimalism, fast trends, and highly curated interiors, homeowners are now […]
Market News Local Look Western Washington Housing Update 2/4/26 Hi. I’m Jeff Tucker, principal economist at Windermere Real Estate, and this is a Local Look at the January 2026 data from the Northwest MLS. So far in 2026, the housing market is still in the grips of a winter slowdown. Across the Northwest MLS, there were 7% fewer closed home sales than in January […]
Architecture What Is Foursquare Architecture? A Guide to Prairie Box Homes If you’ve ever walked through an older neighborhood and felt drawn to a home that looks balanced, practical, and quietly confident, you were likely looking at an American Foursquare. Sometimes called a Prairie Box or Prairie Cube, this architectural style is one of the most straightforward designs in the American architectural tradition, and one of […]
Market News Fourth Quarter Regional Real Estate Report This is a recurring series of blog posts taking a closer look at the U.S. economy and several major regional markets in Windermere’s nine-state footprint. Updates will be released on a quarterly basis. Economic Overview Last year did not deliver the hoped-for breakout from the low-sales housing market that has persisted since interest rates skyrocketed […]
Buying The Top Questions Every Buyer Should Ask Their Real Estate Agent 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 News Numbers to Know 1/14/26: Mortgage Rates Are Moving, Here’s What to Know 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 […]
Selling Refinance or Sell? Making the Right Move for Your Home 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 […]
More Comedy for a Cause: Windermere Foundation Comedy Events Raise Nearly $1 Million for Local Nonprofits 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 […]
Market News Local Look Western Washington Housing Update 12/10/25 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, […]