On March 3, the Windermere Foundation and the YMCA will participate in the annual Husky Hoops free-throw fundraiser.
Since 2006, the Windermere Foundation has partnered with the YMCA to create Windermere Kids: a tuition-assistance and volunteer program that provides low-income children with quality after-school enrichment programs and the all-important summer camp experience.
The Windermere Foundation has dedicated over 1.2 million dollars to this important cause—helping hundreds of kids through our first network-wide program. This unique partnership provides the YMCA with much-needed funds, as well as support from Windermere agents, who volunteer their time to assist with the summer camps and other kids’ activities.
On Sunday, four YMCA youth will all have a chance to raise funds for the University Family YMCA. The Foundation will donate $100 for each free-throw made during the half-time special (with a minimum $1,000 donation).
Windermere Real Estate is proud to partner with Gardner Economics on this analysis of the Western Washington real estate market. This report is designed to offer insight into the realities of the housing market. Numbers alone do not always give an accurate picture of local economic conditions; therefore our goal is to provide an explanation of what the statistics mean and how they impact the Western Washington housing economy. We hope that this information may assist you with making an informed real estate decision. For further information about the real estate market in your area, please contact your Windermere agent.
Regional economics
One of the best-known lines in George Orwell’s famous book Animal Farm was the statement that, “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.” The same can pretty much be said about the counties contained within this report when it comes to economic growth.
With the exception of just three counties, all of the areas considered within this report showed job growth in 2012. In aggregate, the 16 counties added a total of 45,420 new jobs, measuring at a healthy 2.1%.
On an annual basis, the figures look quite good. The drop in employment that was seen between the second and third quarters has since turned around, with the market adding 5,290 new jobs.
However, when looking closely at the data, it is clear there are some counties that are experiencing a majority of the job growth and others that, although still expanding, are not faring as well as I would have hoped.
Year-over-year, San Juan County (+14.2%) grew at the greatest rate—it is a small county but its service industry appears to be reviving quite nicely. This was followed by Skagit (3.9%), Snohomish (+3.3%), Mason (+2.7%), and King (+2.4%) Counties. Job losses were modest, and included Kitsap (-1.1%), Jefferson (-0.3%), and Kittitas (-0.2%) Counties. Total employment in these three counties contracted by just 950 jobs.
Unsurprisingly, the majority of jobs gained in the market occurred in the central Puget Sound region that encompasses King, Snohomish, and Pierce Counties. Between them, they accounted for 89% of total job gains.
When we look at the unemployment rate across the region, all the counties reviewed saw rates drop from a year ago. Several counties did see their unemployment rates rise between the third and fourth quarters, but this was mainly due to increases in the labor force and not a cause for concern.
The latest data is positive and a turnaround from the third quarter, when I suggested that employment growth appeared to be losing some steam. As a result, I am going to give the economy a “B+” grade—up from the “B” I gave it in the third quarter.
Inasmuch as the economy appears to be on a stable footing, there are still headwinds. Many, including myself, had hoped that the confirmation of a new president would be enough to stimulate the economy and signal a faster expansion in jobs. Unfortunately however, fiscal cliffs, debt ceilings, and sequesters continue to act as anchors on our economic potential. I remain hopeful that we will get through these issues, but until we do, our economic vitality may well be muted.
Regional real estate
The market registered 40,270 transactions of resale housing units in 2012— an impressive increase of 15.7% over the number of transactions seen in 2011. In the fourth quarter, there were close to 13,740 transactions completed, which is also a very impressive figure.
With a clear level of optimism in the market, all but one county exhibited improved home sales in 2012 when compared to the previous year.
The solitary county where there were fewer sales recorded, Grays Harbor, remains an anomaly; the area is small and the decline in sales was measured at just five units.
Of the fifteen counties that saw higher sales, a full 80% reported doubledigit improvements in transactional volumes in 2012 when compared to 2011. The greatest increases were seen in the notoriously volatile San Juan County, where the market sold 106 more units in 2012 than in the prior year.
The area did see a slowdown in sales in the fourth quarter, but that is not surprising as we always see a seasonal slowdown at this time of year. That said, a contraction of just 11% in total sales between the third and fourth quarters is not bad at all.
Regular readers will be aware that through 2012 I have been waiting for an increase in the number of homes for sale. Unfortunately, my wishes have not been granted. There have also been many who have been waiting for a veritable tidal wave of foreclosed homes to flood the market and that, too, has not occurred.
I believe that we will see more bank-owned units come to market in 2013, but not at a level that is likely to negatively impact home prices in our area. In fact, I welcome any additions to the available stock as it is clear to me that there are more buyers than sellers in our region.
As is shown in the chart, 14 counties saw the average sales prices at levels above that seen a year ago—up one from my last report. In aggregate, the average price of homes sold in the counties analyzed was 19% higher at the end of 2012 than in December of 2011. I should note that the area saw home values reduce by 1.4% between the end of the September and the end of the year, likely due to seasonality as well as the lack of inventory in the marketplace.
Of the counties that saw appreciation, the most pronounced gains were seen in Kittitas (+56.9%), San Juan (+39.7%), Jefferson (+35.2), and Lewis (+23.7%). I am not surprised by this, as they are all markets that are fairly modest in size and, therefore, subject to some wild fluctuations. The declines that were seen were limited to Clallam (12.2%) and Thurston (-2.3%) Counties. The fairly substantial drop in values in Clallam County was again a function of small market size.
I continue to be pleased to see that several counties are now exhibiting sales prices that are above those seen two years ago. As was discussed in my last report, this is important, as the early summer of 2010 represented the end of the First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit that functioned to artificially (but temporarily) increase home prices. While we’re not close to seeing the prices that were achieved during the peak of the market five years ago, it is clear to me that the trend is clearly upward and I anticipate this to continue as we enter 2013.
As stated previously, I do worry about the lack of homes for sale. If we do not see a fairly dramatic increase in inventory, I fear that the market will be forced to give some of its recent gains back— albeit temporarily. Because of this fact, and regardless of the solid price growth that we are witnessing, I am still unable to raise my grade above the “C” that I gave it last quarter.
Conclusions
I remain in somewhat befuddled awe when I think of the resiliency of the United States economy and how we, as a nation, are emerging from this recession bruised but, for the better part, intact. Inasmuch as the government has tried, hopefully unwittingly, to hinder our growth with various budgetary issues and the like, we are doing our best to adapt to our environment and grow the economy.
I started out this piece with a quote from George Orwell which inferred that our job recovery, although occurring across the geographic board, will be unequal. I certainly expect that the power centers that accommodate a majority of our businesses in the state will expand at a faster rate than counties that are more removed. That said, the overall picture is a positive one and I expect that 2013 will be another year in which our regional economy outperforms the nation as a whole.
From a real estate standpoint, it is clear that we are now well removed from the days when home prices were hemorrhaging. Home values have stabilized and a recovery in values is underway. The credit markets have thawed and getting a mortgage is easier now than it has been since the housing “bubble” exploded. Interest rates remain at historic lows, and although I believe that they will rise in 2013, the increase should be modest.
The outlook is getting clearer. Home values will appreciate in 2013, but not all markets are created equal and some will fare better than others.
About Matthew Gardner
Mr. Gardner is a land use economist and principal with Gardner Economics and is considered by many to be one of the foremost real estate analysts in the Pacific Northwest.
In addition to managing his consulting practice, Mr. Gardner is a member of the Pacific Real Estate Institute; chairs the Board of Trustees for the Washington State Center for Real Estate Research; the Urban Land Institutes Technical Assistance Panel; and represents the Master Builders Association as an in-house economist.
He has appeared on CNN, NBC and NPR news services to discuss real estate issues, and is regularly cited in the Wall Street Journal and all local media.
Rarely does a day go by that I don’t get asked if this is a good time to buy and/or sell a home. Some people might think that my response is always an emphatic “YES!” because I work in real estate. But in truth, there is no right or wrong answer. Every person’s circumstances are unique, so in some cases the answer might be yes, but for others it might make more sense to wait. Allow me to explain.
The good news is that we’re finally coming out of the housing slump of the past five-plus years. Housing is a major driving factor of the U.S. economy, so regardless of whether or not one owns a home, a stronger housing market is good for everyone. For some would-be home sellers, this positive momentum, combined with a rise in home prices and buyer activity, is enough to compel them to list their home. And right now the statistics appear to be on their side.
According to the most recent findings from the National Association of REALTORS®, total housing inventory has fallen for the past several months, settling at just under two million existing homes on the market that are available to buyers. This represents about a four-month-supply of homes throughout the U.S. This is the lowest housing supply the nation has seen since May of 2005 – during the peak of the housing boom.
“Months supply” basically means that if existing homes were to continue selling at the current rate, the inventory of homes would be sold by that many months. A “normal” market usually has around six months of supply; therefore lower numbers mean a shortage of inventory. If demand is greater than supply, this often leads to competition amongst buyers – and rising prices – as we’ve seen in many markets throughout the Western U.S.
Here are the current inventory levels in key markets along the West Coast, all of which fall below six months of supply and report strong competition among buyers.
· Seattle: 1.4 months
· Portland: 4.2 months
· San Francisco: 1.8 months
· Las Vegas: 3.8 months
· Palm Springs: 2.5 months
The following graph demonstrates the downward trend in the overall U.S. month’s supply of homes which is currently at about 4.4 months:
So what does this mean for buyers and sellers? It means as long as inventory levels remain low, competition amongst buyers will remain high, and home prices should continue to steadily rise – albeit at a healthy rate – not like what we saw during the housing boom. As evidence of this, in the recent Home Price Expectation Survey, 105 leading housing analysts called for a 3.1 percent increase in home values by the end of 2013. And in a recent report by the National Association of REALTORS®, median home prices last quarter showed the strongest year-over-year increase in seven years.
Another thing that buyers and sellers need to keep their eye on is interest rates and their impact on affordability. Interest rates have been at such historical lows for so long that it’s easy to take them for granted. But the truth is that several lending institutions, including Freddie Mac and the Mortgage Bankers Association, project that interest rates will rise from 3.4 to 4.4 percent by the end of 2013. A full point increase can have a significant impact on the amount of your mortgage over the long term.
I’ll explain:
Assuming a 30-year-mortgage at a 3.4 percent interest rate, a home valued at $360,000 in today’s market would have a monthly payment of $1,596.53. If prices rise by 3.1 percent and interest rates rise to 4.4 percent, as both have been predicted to do in the coming year, that same home would be worth $371,160 and have a monthly payment of $1,858.62 (see chart below). This is a difference of $262.09 per month – $3,145.08 annually – and $94,352.40 over the life of the loan. That’s not chump change.
With these types of projections, one might wonder why there isn’t a flood of homes coming on the market. The biggest concern I hear from many would-be sellers is that they’re going to lose money because their home is worth less today than when they bought it. A valid concern, to be sure, but not necessarily the case for many folks. Remember, you’re buying and selling in the same market conditions, so if your home has lost value in recent years, it is highly likely that the next home you buy has as well.
I recently spoke to a friend of mine who wanted to sell but was afraid of losing money. He bought his Seattle-area home back in 2002 for $275,000. Over the next five years the market boomed and by 2007 his home was worth about $430,000. During that time, homes in many areas around Seattle appreciated by over 55 percent. Then the housing market crashed – and with it so did home prices. In my friend’s mind he lost $155,000 and now he thinks he should wait to sell until he can gain all that loss back.
Today, my friend’s home is worth about $327,000 – a gain of $52,000 over what he paid in 2002. If experts are right about an annual gain of three percent in the coming years, he will have to wait 10 years before his home is worth what it was during the peak of the market in 2007. My advice to him? If it’s the right time to move and you can afford to do it, go for it, but don’t base your decision on numbers that were the result of an artificially inflated market.
It goes without saying that nobody wants to sell at the bottom of the market, yet at the same time, everybody wants to buy at the bottom. Obviously these two scenarios can’t exist at the same time, but I hope the information in this blog shows there are definitely opportunities to be had by both buyers and sellers that are worth considering.
As president of Windermere Real Estate, OB Jacobi brings a second generation of leadership to the company that his father founded in 1972. For more information, please visit www.windermere.com.
In March, Windermere real estate agents will be answering your questions about home design on the Windermere Blog and Facebook page. What do you want to know about getting your home ready to sell, designing your new space, home remodeling, architecture, and gardening?
Happy 2013 – hope this New Year is off to a great start! We have many stories (and raves!) to share with you about how your support of the Windermere Foundation translated into meaningful and necessary help for so many struggling families in 2012. Collectively, we raised an impressive $1,359,032. This is up 13% from 2011. And for the thirteenth consecutive year, over-and-above contributions have exceeded transaction fee income, with 35 percent coming from transaction fee revenue, and over-and-above revenue at 65 percent. But, equally astonishing is how much has been raised since 1989. We’ve reached an impressive milestone with over 25 million dollars raised, allowing us to help thousands of low-income and homeless families with the most basic of needs.
New to our newsletter is a rave section. We asked many of you to send us a rave about someone going above and beyond in your office and have received a great response. Please keep them coming as we will continue to share these in our Quarterly Foundation Reports.
Please remember to read our blog posts as they include more in-depth stories about what offices are doing throughout the year. Facebook is also a great resource for upcoming events, and shorter posts about our offices’ involvement in their local communities.
RAVE:
“Sharon Harriss has been an active member of the Snohomish County Realtor Food Drive for many years. She is our “number one” cheerleader and Chairman for the event. She is so encouraging to all and is so humble making sure all the credit goes to the individual office team leaders. Peter Paterno, SCCAR President elect and a Windermere Broker, said, Sharon is so committed to this cause and enthusiastic, we simply wouldn’t have a successful food drive without her.”
-Meribeth Hutchings, Lake Stevens
Cronin and Caplan Realty Groupdonated $114,000 to 35 organizations in 2012. Following is a quote from one of our Foundation Reps describing what it means to give back.
“2012 was a year of hardship for many families. I smile when I think about how we bought eye glasses for a little boy that had none; that we helped a mother in need with rent money; that some children whose families are without resources will take a
backpack full of food home for the weekend. A favorite quote by Arthur Ashe
captures all of this, ‘From what we get, we can make a living: what we give, however, makes a life.’”
—Teri Beatty, Portland Heights Foundation Representative
Windermere Real Estate Company donates a holiday party to Sibling House, a foster care organization.
Every year, Sibling House sponsors a holiday party where foster children and their caregivers get together to celebrate the season. Sibling House creates a store where foster parents can shop for food, clothing, and toys for the children in their care.
RAVE:
Marcy Farris has served as a Board Member for the Nevada Windermere Foundation Committee and Community Service Day Committee for five years. Marcy has helped at the Las Vegas Mission Soup Kitchen serving dinners to homeless men and women; she leads our Windermere Wednesday’s after school program at our YMCA adopted school, Twin Lakes Elementary, helping students with homework and playing games; and every year Marcy helps stuff Christmas Stockings for the Blue Star Mothers, an organization of Mothers with daughters in the Military.
Marcy is so passionate about helping the homeless that she randomly sports brown bag night. She invites her friends over, they make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and with a piece of fruit creates a brown bag lunch! Then they all jump in the car and drive the streets of Las Vegas randomly giving a brown bag lunch to homeless men, women and children they find on the streets. Marcy also does this with blankets and jackets. Marcy calls upon her friends and says “It’s time, I need all your extra blankets and jackets!” She collects them, and again, Marcy and her friends jump in the car and drive the streets where they feel the most needed individuals are that could use a blanket or a jacket.
We would like to send in our RAVE for Marcy Farris, as she is truly a “giver” to human kind, helping those in need, giving of herself on her own time! Marcy is making a difference to our homeless here in the Las Vegas Valley and an inspiration for all to follow!
-Deb Shields, Las Vegas – Henderson
RAVE:
“Karen Hayes is a long time Foundation Rep for the Windermere Northwest office. Karen has found a groove as the rep and over the years has found creative ways to involve the entire office, such as “Pig Dollars”, which are collected at every office meeting. We deposit dollar bills or IOUs in gratitude for recent events or for good karma, but this is no little amount of work in dealing with the bookkeeping alone. Karen works very hard, but makes it look incredibly easy and fun.”
BIG Thank You!
Thank you to all of the offices who held fundraisers to benefit the Windermere Foundation in 2012. I realize they are a lot of work, so please know your efforts are appreciated not only by the Foundation, but by the families and children who benefit from your hard work.
As always, thank you for your continuing support of the Windermere Foundation. Many low-income families are receiving basic necessities because of your commitment to helping others.
The baby boomer generation, which is currently estimated to be aged between 48 and 67 years old, comprises almost one-third of the nation’s population. The demand that this lucrative segment of the population has on housing is causing homebuilders to rethink how they design homes. In fact, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has a 50+ Housing Council which focuses entirely on the housing needs of aging baby boomers.
A study commissioned by the NAHB suggests that baby boomers and older homebuyers want a maintenance-free lifestyle that frees them up to travel, socialize, and pursue other activities. Perhaps this is why real estate professionals report an increase in the number of baby boomers who are interested in condominiums and townhomes. There is also growing popularity for luxury units because they appeal to empty-nester baby boomers who no longer want the maintenance of a single family home, but don’t want to scale back on certain features and amenities either.
Homes that are specifically designed for aging clientele often incorporate what is known as “universal design” which allows anyone to function within the home, whether it’s children, an elderly person, or someone who is wheelchair bound. Universal design compensates for a reduced range of motion that often times comes with aging homeowners. For example, electrical switches and thermostats should be placed no higher than 48 inches above the floor and outlets no more than 27 inches—this puts them within the reach of virtually anyone. Likewise, the use of Lazy Susans, rolling carts under counters, pull-out shelves, and height-adjustable shelves make items more accessible. The height of counter tops must be within reach of all household members sitting or standing. Other features might include installing fold down benches in the shower, dual handrails, and raised toilets to compensate for decreased balance and coordination.
Universal design compensates for reduced strength by adjusting tension to assist with opening/closing windows and doors. Installing C or D shaped loop handles on drawers and cabinets and using easy gliding hardware for drawers also assists weaker individuals. Berms, ramps, and wider doorways with lower thresholds help with mobility and agility. Single-story homes also offer increased accessibility for aging homeowners—in fact, builders say that 75 percent of the homes they build for the 50+ market are single story.
The end goal for organizations like the NAHB’s 50+ Housing Council is to encourage the construction of more homes that can be adjusted over time to homeowners’ needs, so that they can live comfortably, safely, and independently as they age.
In many parts of the country it is still too early to start thinking about gardening. After a chilly winter, adding some green to your home’s interior may be just what the doctor (or decorator) ordered. Consider an indoor garden to liven up your home with color and clean air. There are many ways to introduce houseplants into your home décor, from edible to ornamental. Here are some tips to get you started:
Cultivate herbs or fungi on your windowsill.
Create or find an indoor greenhouse:
Or maximize your space with a hydroponic tower:
Plant a lemon tree, or a whole orchard:
Make a statement with a hanging garden:
Keep your houseplants in unexpected rooms:
If you have young children or pets, you will want to consider the toxicity of some of your plant choices.
Indoor plants have their benefits, including cleaning the air you breathe. Some plants are more effective at recycling the CO2 in your home than others.
We’d love to hear your tips for adding indoor plants and gardens.
The new year is upon us, and with it comes the chance for a fresh start with infinite possibilities. As the saying goes, “out with the old, in with the new”. Historically, January is believed to be a pretty powerful month from which predictions about the rest of the year can be made. For example, there’s something called the “January Barometer” which suggests that the performance of the S& P500 in January predicts its performance for the rest of the year. Apparently this indicator has had an 88.5% accuracy ratio since 1950. It’s hard to argue with that.
This got us thinking about our own predictions for the year ahead. We can’t guarantee an 88.5% ratio of accuracy, but this is how we see things today:
Supply and demand: The number of homes for sale has steadily declined over the past year, resulting in stiff competition amongst buyers – too much demand, not enough supply. This trend should start to turn around as would-be home sellers gain confidence in the market and decide to jump off the fence.
Rising prices: There is a broad consensus amongst real estate professionals that prices will steadily rise in 2013. We’ve already seen the start of this trend locally in recent months, with reports of strong gains in many neighborhoods.
Interest rates: Given that interest rates are already at all-time lows, it’s difficult to believe they will go any lower in 2013. Conversely, the state of the current economy also makes it unlikely that rates will move significantly higher in the coming year.
Investors: This segment of home buyers is usually a sign that the market is turning around for the better. Last year saw a spike in investors and we expect this trend to continue in 2013.
Distressed properties: Much has been said about the “shadow inventory” that could flood the market and cause prices to sink again. While there is still a hefty supply of foreclosures, it’s highly unlikely banks will list them en masse. The market needs homes to buy, and there are certainly more buyers than sellers right now, so distressed inventory could actually play an important part in housing recovery.
Our region continues to outperform most West Coast markets, as well as the United States as a whole. The headwinds that do exist, mainly in the form of low inventory levels, are likely to be temporary. So, while it’s important to keep an eye on the past, our focus is firmly on the future – and we are seeing good things to come.
During the holiday season, Windermere offices throughout the Western U.S. worked with some outstanding organizations to provide assistance and services to low-income and homeless families. Thank you to all who helped make this season brighter for those in need in our local communities. Here is a recap of some of the Windermere Foundation activities that took place in December.
Windermere Marysville – Christmas House
On December 5, agents with the Windermere Marysville office spent the day helping low income families “shop” at Christmas House—the donation store at the Everett Boys and Girls Club. Christmas House is a 100% volunteer, non-profit organization in Everett, Washington that provides an opportunity for qualifying, low-income, Snohomish County parents to select free holiday gifts for their children. Windermere Marysville agents have been volunteering at this event for the last seven years.
“Christmas was always a very special time when I was young, and I just cannot imagine a child not getting a present,” said Windermere agent Connie Redden. “Volunteering at Christmas house is both fun and rewarding. We have the opportunity to put a smile on the face of a truly grateful parent who now has gifts to put under the tree for their children.”
“Having never participated at Christmas House, I had no idea what to expect,” said Windermere agent Judie Chambers. “The first family I assisted had ten children. What a rewarding experience it was helping so many families. Thank goodness for all those who donated toys and clothing to such a worthy cause.”
“Christmas House to me represents the true meaning of Christmas,” said Windermere agent Laurie McKenzie. “It was such a blessing to serve and assist others in making a difference in their lives.”
“This was my first year with Christmas House,” said Windermere agent Rose Morrison. “I had the most gratifying experience working with this wonderful program for families in need.”
Windermere Real Estate/East, Inc. – Target for Kids Event
On December 1, instead of having a company holiday party, the Windermere Real Estate/East, Inc. offices participated in their “Target for Kids” event. This event gave children in need an opportunity to shop for gifts for their families for the holidays. The children were selected by working with schools and/or charitable organizations located in east King County. Agents accompanied each child while they shopped and took photos with Santa. All gifts were wrapped on-site by agents, for the children to bring home.
Windermere Mount Baker – Toy Drive for Treehouse
Each year, during November and December, agents at the Windermere Mount Baker office raise money for their toy drive for Treehouse. This was their tenth year working with Treehouse, and this year agents donated over $1,900, which consisted of a check for $1,000, four gift cards to Old Navy, and $900 in clothes, art sets, toys, makeup, boots and two snow boards, which were delivered to Treehouse at their holiday luncheon.
Windermere Woodinville – The Forgotten Children’s Fund
The Windermere Woodinville office hosted their annual holiday party for the community on December 7, where they collected donations for The Forgotten Children’s Fund. They provided live holiday music, treats, beverages, and free photos with Santa (pets were welcomed, too!).
Windermere Professional Partners offices – Multicare Treehouse
On Saturday, December 8, agents from the three Windermere Professional Partners offices in Tacoma volunteered to cook and serve dinner at Multicare Treehouse, a housing facility for families to stay when their children are sick or receiving care at Multicare’s Mary Bridge’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit or Tacoma Generals Neonatal ICU. This saves the family the pain and expense of having to commute to the hospital over long distances or pay for a hotel room. The agents had a wonderful time making sure families at Treehouse had a great dinner and delicious Christmas treats!
Windermere West Seattle – Santa Paws Event and Coats for Kids Coat Drive
The Windermere West Seattle office held their annual Santa Paws event on December 8, providing free photos with Santa for members of the community and their pets. They also kicked-off their Coats for Kids Coat Drive for the children of West Seattle and Concord Elementary—collecting new or gently used warm winter coats.
Windermere Alderwood – Clothing Drive for St. Vincent de Paul
During the months of November and early December, the agents at the Windermere Alderwood office held a clothing drive for St. Vincent de Paul. The office wanted to encourage a healthy competition, so agents and staff split into three teams. Over the course of the month, the teams competed to collect the most clothing by cleaning out their own closets and engaging the community and their clients. Their drive was so successful; they filled an entire donation truck with items.
Windermere Monroe – Winter Clothing Drive for “Take the Next Step”
During the month of December, the Windermere Monroe office held its second annual winter clothing drive for Take the Next Step – a drop-in and networking center for homeless and those in need of assistance in the Snohomish Valley area. The items they collected included coats, gloves, hats, tents, tarps, non-perishable food, socks, diapers, and personal hygiene items.
Windermere Mukilteo – Holiday Family Drive
For the past 11 years, agents in the Windermere Mukilteo office have celebrated the holidays by donating money to their annual Holiday Family Drive. Through their work with the Mukilteo Food Bank and representatives of the Mukilteo Schools, two families are selected every year to receive gifts and a gift card for groceries. This year, $815 was donated by the agents and $100 was donated from the recipient family of last year’s Holiday Family Drive. The Snohomish County Windermere Foundation also matched the funds with a $500 donation. Once all the funds are collected, agents shopped for the gifts, and wrapped them and delivered them. It’s a wonderful tradition that the agents look forward to each year.
Windermere Ballard – Salvation Army Toy ‘N Joy Drive
In December, the Windermere Ballard office participated in the local Salvation Army’s Toy ‘N Joy Drive. Through their efforts, they were able to donate over 150 toys, and a large number of gift cards to various local grocery stores, to very deserving families.
Walla Walla – Toys for Tots Drive
In December, the Windermere Walla Walla office collected donations for the Walla Walla Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Sixth Annual Toys for Tots Drive. Through the collective efforts of local businesses and organizations, they were able to provide toys to 996 local children in Walla Walla and Columbia County.
Windermere Seattle-Lakeview – Holiday Drive for YouthCare
In December, the Windermere Seattle-Lakeview office held a holiday drive for YouthCare to collect clothing and other necessities like toiletries, sheet sets and towels, and bus tickets. YouthCare’s mission is to build confidence and self-sufficiency for homeless youth by providing a continuum of care that includes outreach, basic services, emergency shelter, housing, counseling, education, and employment training.
Whether you’re starting a family, moving for your job, getting ready to retire or embarking on a new chapter in your life, when your home no longer suits your current situation, it’s time to think about selling it. Although this can be a bit complicated, with the help of your agent, you can minimize the hassles, get the best possible price, and shorten the distance between “For Sale” and “Sold”.
Price it right
If you want to get the best possible price for your home and minimize the time it stays on market, you need to price it correctly from the beginning. Your agent can give you a clear picture of your particular market and can provide you with a comparative market analysis (CMA). A CMA contains detailed information on comparable homes in your area, including square footage, date built, number of bedrooms, lot size and more. It lists pending sales and houses sold in your area in the past six months, along with their actual sale prices.
By comparing your home to similar homes in your neighborhood and reviewing their list prices and actual selling prices, your agent can help you arrive at a fact-based assessment of your home’s market price.
Prepping your house for sale
You want to make a positive first impression when you list your home for sale. Here are some tips on how to enhance your home’s best features:
Work on your curb appeal
Get rid of moss on your roof. Power wash your front walk, porch, deck and patio. Mow the lawn, trim the hedges, weed the flowerbeds and add spots of color with container plants. Clean all the windows inside and out and repair them if they don’t open and close easily.
Refresh, repair and repaint
This goes for interiors and exteriors. If you see peeling paint, add a fresh coat. If your living room is bright lime green, consider painting it a more neutral shade. Make necessary repairs. You don’t want to turn off a buyer with a dripping faucet, a broken doorbell, a clogged downspout or a cracked windowpane.
Deep-clean, from floor to ceiling
Clean rugs, drapes and blinds and steam-clean carpeting. Get rid of any stains or odors. Make sure kitchen appliances, cupboards and counters are spotless and that bathrooms shine.
Declutter and depersonalize
Clean, light-filled, expansive rooms sell houses. So be sure to downsize clutter everywhere in your home, including cupboards, closets and counters. You might also consider storing some furniture or personal items to make rooms look more spacious. Take advantage of views and natural light by keeping drapes and blinds open.
Make an impact on the market
If you want to sell your home, you need to go where the buyers are, and today they’re on the Internet. According to the National Association of REALTORS®, in 2012 90 percent of homebuyers used the Internet as an information source, and for 41 percent of homebuyers it was the first step in the home-buying process.
By working with your agent, you can list your home on Windermere.com and other relevant websites. He or she will put together a listing with attractive photos, an appealing description and all the information a potential buyer needs. Your agent will also market your house, which may include advertising, direct mail and open houses.
Show your house
After you’ve taken care of all the repairs and cleaning tasks outlined above, your home is ready for its close-up: an open house. It’s actually best for you and your family to leave when potential buyers are present so they can ask your agent questions. But before you go, you might want to:
· Take your pets with you
· Open the shades and turn on the lights
· Light a fire in the gas fireplace
· Bake cookies
· Keep money, valuables and prescription drugs out of sight
Be flexible in negotiating
If you get offers below your asking price, there are a number of strategies you can try in your counteroffer. You could ask for full price and throw in major appliances that were not originally included in the asking price, offer to pay some of the buyer’s fees, or pay for the inspection. You could also counter with a lower price and not include the appliances. If you receive multiple offers, you can simply make a full-price counter.
Your agent can suggest other strategies as well and help you negotiate the final price.
If your house doesn’t sell or you’ve received only lowball offers, ask your agent to find out what these prospective buyers are saying about your house. It might reveal something you can consider changing to make your house more appealing in the future.
Breeze through your inspection
When a buyer makes an offer on your home, it’s usually contingent on a professional inspection. A standard inspection includes heating and cooling, interior plumbing and electrical systems; the roof, attic and visible insulation; walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors; and the foundation, basement and visible structure. The inspector will be looking for cracks in cement walls, water stains and wood rot.
You can always opt for having an inspection done prior to putting your house on the market, so you can address any potential problems in advance. Your agent can give you several recommendations for qualified inspectors in your area.
Close with confidence
Whether this is your first time or your tenth, your agent can help guide you though the complex process of selling a home. Moreover, he or she can answer any questions you may have about legal documents, settlement costs and the status of your sale.
Your agent’s expertise, resources and extensive network also work for you when you’re buying your next house. Even if you’re moving out of the area, your agent can refer you to a professional agent in your new community.
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About Matthew Gardner
As president of Windermere Real Estate, OB Jacobi brings a second generation of leadership to the company that his father founded in 1972. For more information, please visit 
