Listed at $1,090,000
Click Here For Full Details, Dozens of Photos, 3D and 4K Video Tour at the Property Website

The charming, 1,682 s.f. floorplan includes 3 bedrooms, 2.25 baths, formal living room, large back yard with patio, bath off primary bedroom, and spacious family room. Special features include: Kitchen with maple cabinets, stainless steel appliances, new carpet, fresh paint, new vanities and quartz counters in upstairs baths.

Inviting entry opens into the light-filled formal living room, with cozy fireplace and large bay window. Dining room surrounded with natural light features bay window and decorative light fixture. Kitchen with solid surface counters, ample maple cabinetry and stainless steel appliances. Light-filled nook with bar seating area and large slider with access to patio – perfect for BBQing or entertaining!

Delightful Primary Suite with elegant bay windows featuring built-in seating and walk-in-closet. Primary 3/4 Bath includes new vanity, quartz countertop, updated fixtures and white tile flooring. Two additional spacious bedrooms on the upper level for your guests. Adjacent full bath with tile flooring, new vanity, quartz countertop, new fixtures, built-in linen storage and shower over tub. 

Lower level includes gorgeous family room with durable and stylish laminate flooring, daylight windows and garage access. The adjacent Laundry room includes a stackable washer and dryer! The updated half-bath features maple cabinetry and solid surface counters and is perfect for guests.

At nearly a quarter acre, the peaceful back yard includes… entertaining patio with custom cedar seating and planter beds. Large lawn for play. Cute shed featuring Dutch door entry. Attached oversized two car garage with ample work space and built-in storage cabinetry.

Northshore schools – Sunrise Elementary, Timbercrest Middle School & Woodinville High School.

Listed at $1,100,000
Click Here For Full Details, Dozens of Photos, 3D and 4K Video Tour at the Property Website

The light-filled 2,010 s.f. floorplan features 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths on private & lush 7,507 s.f. lot. Special features include: Spacious kitchen with huge breakfast bar peninsula, refinished hardwood floors, newer carpet & laminate flooring, and covered front patio and courtyard entry!

Stunning light-filled entry with gorgeous laminate floors offers beauty and function, with connectivity to all areas of the home. Bright and open formal living room with decorative tray ceiling, large windows, and ample space for entertaining. Formal dining room with soaring ceiling just off the kitchen. Large kitchen with solid surface counters, beautiful oak cabinetry, tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, oversized breakfast bar peninsula, and additional eating area. Family room with ample space and slider access to the back yard. Powder room on main floor, perfect for guests! 

Gorgeous primary suite with vaulted ceiling and spacious primary bath. Large primary bath features double vanity with solid surface counters, shower over tub, and spacious walk-in closet. Two additional spacious bedrooms upstairs filled with natural light. Adjacent hall bathroom with updated laminate floors. 

Fully fenced, private yard with ample space to relax, entertain or play! Laundry located on main level leading out to garage, washer & dryer included!  Attached two-car garage with storage.

Northshore schools – Sunrise Elementary, Timbercrest Middle School & Woodinville High. School.

Listed at $1,200,000
Click Here For Full Details, Dozens of Photos, 3D and 4K Video Tour at the Property Website

The light-filled 2,100 s.f. floorplan features 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths on a well-manicured 7,851 s.f. lot. Special features include: Remodeled kitchen, refinished hardwood floors, remodeled primary bath with shower over jetted tub, additional play room above garage, outdoor firepit, & oversized deck for entertaining! Adjacent to greenbelt trail system leading to Sunrise Elementary!

Inviting, light-filled entry with beautiful hardwood floors. Bright and open formal living room with large windows, and ample space for entertaining. Connected formal dining room with hardwood floors off kitchen. Remodeled kitchen with granite counters, beautiful maple cabinetry, tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances including gas range, breakfast bar peninsula, and additional eating area. Family room with soaring ceiling, ample light and wood burning fireplace. Updated guest bathroom on main floor.

Gorgeous primary suite and remodeled primary bath. Large, updated primary bath features double vanity with beautiful granite counters, tile wrapped shower over jetted tub, and spacious walk-in closet with custom built shelving. Three additional spacious bedrooms upstairs filled with natural light. Additional playroom off 4th bedroom above garage! Adjacent, updated hall bathroom with new vanity & granite countertop, and shower over tub with tile walls.

Fully fenced, private yard with lush plantings, large deck for entertaining, outdoor “catio”, firepit, play set, and storage shed. Ample space to relax, entertain or play! Attached two-car garage with storage.

Northshore schools – Sunrise Elementary, Timbercrest Middle School & Woodinville High. School.

Listed at $997,800
Click Here For Full Details, Dozens of Photos, 3D and 4K Video Tour at the Property Website

The exceptional 3,221 s.f. floorplan features 4 bedrooms, 3.25 baths on a lush 11,326 s.f. lot. Special features include: Large kitchen with stainless steel appliances, new carpet, 3-car garage, and huge downstairs bonus room.

Inviting, open entry with beautiful hardwood floors. Spacious living and dining room includes: large windows, soaring ceilings, and ample space for entertaining. Open kitchen with stainless steel appliances features gas range, quartz counters, large center island & breakfast bar with granite countertop. Tasteful family room with gas fireplace just off the kitchen and slider access to the large back deck – perfect for outdoor dining or entertainment. The main floor also includes updated powder room, laundry room with storage space, and den that can be used for home office or 5th bedroom.

Delightful primary suite with large window, vaulted ceiling and spacious 5-piece bath. Primary bath features tile counters, walk-in shower with tile walls, separate soaking tub, and walk-in closet with built in storage. Two additional spacious bedrooms upstairs filled with natural light. Adjacent, updated hall bathroom with quartz counters, double vanity and walk-in shower.

The lower level boasts a huge bonus room with pool table included, massive 4th bedroom and full bath nearby, wet bar, and slider access to back yard. This area is perfect for a game room, entertainment, or can be used as M.I.L. or teen suite!

Private yard backs to a greenbelt for added privacy, with ground-level covered patio and elevated deck. Ample lawn space to relax, entertain or play! Lower level with terraced planting area and firepit too! Attached three car garage with storage above.

Mukilteo Schools – Serene Lake Elementary, Olympic View Middle School & Kamiak High School.

Freddie Mac recently released a report entitled, “Perceptions of Down Payment Consumer Research.” Their research revealed that,

“For many prospective homebuyers, saving for a down payment is the largest barrier to achieving the goal of homeownership. Part of the challenge for those planning to purchase a home is their perception of how much they will need to save for the down payment…

…Based on our recent survey of individuals planning to purchase a home in the next three years, nearly a third think they need to put more than 20% down.”

Myth #1: “I Need a 20% Down Payment”

Buyers often overestimate the funds needed to qualify for a home loan. According to the same report:

22% of renters and 31% of homeowners believe lenders require 20% or more of a home’s sale price as a down payment for a typical mortgage today. And,

“If a 20% down payment was required, 70% of those who were planning to buy a home in the next three years said it would delay them from purchasing and nearly 30% indicated they would never be able to afford a home.”  

While many believe at least 20% down is necessary to buy the home of their dreams, they do not realize programs are available which permit as little as 3%. Many renters may actually be able to enter the housing market sooner than they ever imagined!

Myth #2: “I Need a 780 FICO® Score or Higher to Buy”

Many either don’t know or are misinformed concerning the FICO® score necessary to qualify, believing a ‘good’ credit score is 780 or higher.

To debunk this myth, let’s take a look at Ellie Mae’s latest Origination Insight Report, which focuses on recently closed (approved) loans.

As indicated in the chart above, 52.4% of approved mortgages had a credit score of 600-749.

Bottom Line

Whether buying your first home or moving up to your dream home, knowing your options will make the mortgage process easier. Your dream home may already be within your reach.

There have been many headlines decrying an “affordability crisis” in the residential real estate market. While it is true that buying a home is less affordable than it had been over the last ten years, we need to understand why and what that means.

On a monthly basis, the National Association of Realtors (NAR), produces a Housing Affordability Index. According to NAR, the index…

“…measures whether or not a typical family earns enough income to qualify for a mortgage loan on a typical home at the national and regional levels based on the most recent price and income data.”

Their methodology states:

“To interpret the indices, a value of 100 means that a family with the median income has exactly enough income to qualify for a mortgage on a median-priced home. An index above 100 signifies that family earning the median income has more than enough income to qualify for a mortgage loan on a median-priced home, assuming a 20 percent down payment.”

So, the higher the index, the more affordable it is to purchase a home. Here is a graph of the index going back to 1990:

It is true that the index is lower today than any year from 2009 to 2017. However, we must realize the main reason homes were more affordable. That period of time immediately followed a housing crash and there were large numbers of distressed properties (foreclosures and short sales). Those properties were sold at large discounts.

Today, the index is higher than any year from 1990 to 2008. Based on historic home affordability data, that means homes are more affordable right now than any other time besides the time following the housing crisis.

With mortgage rates remaining low and wages finally increasing, we can see that it is MORE AFFORDABLE to purchase a home today than it was last year!

Bottom Line

With wages increasing, price appreciation moderating, and mortgage rates remaining near all-time lows, purchasing a home is a great move based on historic affordability numbers.

Some Highlights:

• Buyer demand continues to outpace the supply of homes for sale which means that buyers are often competing with one another for the few listings that are available!
• Housing inventory is still under the 6-month supply needed to sustain a normal housing market.
• Perhaps the time has come for you and your family to move on and start living the life you desire.

In the latest Rent vs. Buy Report from Trulia, they explained that homeownership remains cheaper than renting with a traditional 30-year fixed rate mortgage in the 100 largest metro areas in the United States.

The updated numbers show that the range is an average of 3.5% less expensive in San Jose (CA), all the way up to 50.1% less expensive in Baton Rouge (LA), and 33.1% nationwide!

A study by GoBankingRates looked at the cost of renting vs. owning a home at the state level and concluded that in 39 states, it is actually ‘a little’ or ‘a lot’ cheaper to own (represented by the two shades of blue in the map below).

One of the main reasons owning a home has remained significantly cheaper than renting is the fact that interest rates have remained at or near historic lows. Freddie Mac reports that the current interest rate on a 30-year fixed rate mortgage is 3.91%.

Nationally, rates would have to reach 9.1%, a 128% increase over today’s average of 4.0%, for renting to be cheaper than buying. Rates haven’t been that high since January of 1995, according to Freddie Mac.

Bottom Line

Buying a home makes sense socially and financially. If you are one of the many renters who would like to evaluate your ability to buy this year, let’s get together and find you your dream home.

Sold for $375,000

Click Here for Details

Great opportunity  for a first time home buyer or investor! This rambler is 997 s.f and features 3 bedrooms, 2 baths on a 14,810 s.f lot. Recent updates include vinyl double pane windows and high quality roof.

Bright, open living room includes bay window and fireplace with wood stove insert. Formal dining room with slider to back deck and yard – perfect for BBQing or entertaining! Generous kitchen with skylight, ample cabinetry, and pantry closet – all appliances included! Master bedroom with attached full bath. Two additional bedrooms and full main bath with skylight.

Private, well manicured yard, is flat with huge lawn for play, shed and greenhouse! Attached two car garage with laundry area – washer and dryer included. Great Edmonds school – Brier Elementary, Brier Terrace Middle School, Mountlake Terrace High School. Easy access to parks, shopping, and entertainment

KIRKLAND, Washington (October 5, 2015) – Scarce inventory, new rules for mortgage closings and affordability concerns will likely slow home sales around Western Washington during the remaining months of 2015 and into early 2016, according to spokespersons from Northwest Multiple Listing Service.

The latest statistics from the MLS show a double-digit drop in inventory, a double-digit jump in closed sales, and a near double-digit increase in prices from a year ago, prompting one industry leader to say the trends aren’t sustainable. “We simply can’t sustain double-digit increases in sales when inventory levels continue to drop every month,” remarked OB Jacobi, president of Windermere Real Estate. “We’re on the cusp of a housing market slowdown,” he predicts.

Northwest MLS director Darin Stenvers also expects a slowdown, pointing to new rules for mortgage closings and rising interest rates as culprits.

“With the introduction of the new TRID(1) banking and closing disclosure requirements we will see longer closing timeframes for the foreseeable future. This will lead to a slowdown in closings and thus may slow the market until early or mid-2016,” explained Stenvers, the office managing broker at John L. Scott in Bellingham. Layoffs and the possibility of higher interest rates result in unpredictability for both buyers and sellers, he suggested.

Despite an expected slowdown, closed sales through the first nine months of this year are running 16.6 percent ahead of the same period a year ago, with median prices up 9.2 percent.

The MLS report for September shows pending sales continue to outnumber new listings, resulting in inventory declines in most of the 23 counties in its service area. That imbalance leads to rising prices.

Northwest MLS members reported 9,574 pending sales (mutually accepted offers) in September for a 7.9 percent increase from the year-ago figure of 8,875. Compared to August, pending sales fell 9.7 percent.

Closed sales jumped 17.5 percent, with year-over-year sales rising from 7,020 finished transactions to 8,245. Twenty of the 23 counties reported double-digit gains from a year ago.

Prices showed more variation. Area-wide, the median price on last month’s closed sales of single family homes and condos was $312,000. That’s up nearly 9.5 percent from the year-ago figure of $285,000, but down slightly from August.

Compared to the system-wide gain, prices rose at more modest rates in three of the four counties in the Puget Sound region, with Pierce County being the exception. Year-over-year prices there jumped 11 percent. Prices in Kitsap County were up only 4 percent from a year ago; in King County the gain was about 4.8 percent and in Snohomish County it was about 7.5 percent.

Single family home prices across the 23 counties in the MLS report rose nearly 7.6 percent from a year ago, from $297,500 to $320,000. Single family homes in King County commanded the highest median price at $490,250, up 6.6 percent from the year-ago figure of $460,000, but down from June’s high of $500,000.

The condo market remained hot with both sales and prices up by double digits. Members reported 1,183 closed sales during September for a gain of nearly 30 percent from a year ago. Prices on last month’s sales jumped 13 percent, from $230,000 to $260,000.

“We’re coming off one of the hottest summer housing markets on record, and the second-best September on record for sales activity in the four-county area,” said J. Lennox Scott, chairman and CEO of John L. Scott. He attributes part of the surge to an interest rates drop in May, and the anticipation of rates increasing in the near future.

Dwindling inventory continues to be a drag on activity, but some brokers believe new construction activity is encouraging. Stenvers said new housing starts could help boost inventory in many markets during the coming months.

For now, new listings are drawing “quick action” when they come on the market, said Scott, adding, “We are virtually sold out of inventory.”

MLS members added 8,772 new listings during September, down slightly from the year ago total of 8,878. At month end, there were 19,724 active listings in the database, down 23.3 percent from the same time a year ago when inventory totaled 25,717 properties.

“We’re selling everything before buyers can turn around,” commented Dick Beeson, principal managing broker at RE/MAX Professionals in Tacoma and a member of the Northwest MLS board of directors. Figures showing the ratio of listings to sales, known as months of supply, tend to support his belief.

For September, the MLS reported 2.39 months of supply system-wide, about the same as the figure for August. The shortages were most acute in King County, with about 1.4 months of supply, and Snohomish County, with about 1.9 months of supply. Industry experts use a range of four-to-six months as an indicator of a balanced market.

“The frenzied market on the Seattle side is taking a toll on Kitsap home prices,” said MLS chairman Frank Wilson, the branch managing broker at John L. Scott in Poulsbo. Prices there rose 4 percent from a year ago. He reported good traffic at open houses in Kitsap County, quick acting buyers when a new listing appears, many multiple offer situations, and an increase in investor interest.

“Since new listings coming to market usually slow during the fourth quarter, we are looking at a severe shortage of inventory heading in to the spring market of 2016,” Wilson remarked. Like others on the MLS board, he said serious buyers need to be prepared to take immediate action when they find a home they like.

“In preparation, buyers need to meet with a lender, find an inspector, check with their insurance agent, and get their financial house in order so they can move aggressively,” Wilson advised.

Scott said house-hunters who procrastinate may be disappointed. “If you’re looking for a home this winter, the number of listings coming on the market each month will drop approximately 50 percent every 30 days compared to spring and summer months,” he predicts.

Brokers say opportunities still exist for buyers who have missed out on homes during multiple offer situations.

Some buyers who are weary of bidding wars are looking in areas where multiple offers are less common, said MLS director George Moorhead. Also, buyers who consider homes that have been on the market more than 120 days are negotiating much better terms without the competition of other buyers,” he reported.

Scott also recommended alternatives for frustrated buyers. “There are still opportunities to take advantage of low interest rates by taking a second look at homes that have been on the market for more than a month. If you don’t mind doing some fix up, you can negotiate the price and avoid multiple offer scenarios,” he stated.

Beeson suggested inventory shortages could be eased if expired listings are re-listed. Not every home sells once it’s listed, he noted. His analysis shows more than 2,600 listings have expired in the tri-county area so far this year. “These are sellers who need coaching on pricing,” he believes.

Even though they’ll face longer commutes, Moorhead said buyers who are feeling squeezed by the lack of inventory are extending their search areas farther than before in hopes of finding a home at an affordable price. These buyers hope to sell the home in the outlying area within five years and purchase another home closer in. “This calculated move hasn’t really been a conversation in the past,” said Moorhead, the designated broker and owner at Bentley Properties in Bothell.

Bobbie Chipman, principal managing broker at John L. Scott’s Puyallup office, said statistics strongly indicate buyers must be strategic in the current market in order to be successful. “If buyers have a home to sell in order to purchase, they should consider selling, then prepare to live in temporary housing while looking for the right home to purchase,” she suggested.

Buyers without a home to sell may be better positioned to have their offer accepted, believes Chipman, a member of the Northwest MLS board of directors. “These buyers should look at both active status listings and contingent listings to expand their choices,” she explained.

Northwest Multiple Listing Service, owned by its member real estate firms, is the largest full-service MLS in the Northwest. Its membership includes more than 23,000 real estate brokers. The organization, based in Kirkland, Wash., currently serves 23 counties in Washington state.

(1) TRID is the TILA RESPA Integrated Disclosure rule that became effective 10/3/15. New forms are required for any transaction involving a mortgage. See: TRID.

KIRKLAND, Washington (September 3, 2015) – Some brokers from Northwest Multiple Listing Service detected a slowdown in housing activity during August, “but nowhere near what is typical,” according to one industry veteran. Among MLS leaders who commented on the service’s latest report, expectations for the remainder of 2015 ranged from one who predicted “we’re on the cusp of a slowdown,” to others describing activity as “torrid” and saying “sales will continue at a fast pace.”

Newly released statistics show solid gains for several indicators used to track activity, including pending sales, closed sales, and median prices.

For the fifth month this year, pending sales system-wide outpaced the number of new listings added to the inventory. During August, members reported 10,603 mutually accepted transactions and 9,921 new listings. That new listing total for the 23 counties in the MLS service area was the lowest level since February.

“The velocity of sales activity continues at a very fast pace with pending sales eclipsing new listing inventory. This sales activity is keeping the selection of available properties at historic lows,” commented John Deely, principal managing broker at Coldwell Banker Bain. He said the low listing inventory continues to impact some sub-markets, including Seattle’s where multiple offers and escalation clauses are “the rule rather than the exception.”

Like new listings, total inventory also declined. At the end of August, Northwest MLS members reported 20,749 total active listings in its database. That reflects a slight drop from July’s total selection of 21,069, but a 23.3 percent decline from the year-ago inventory when there were 27,060 homes for sale.

Supply, as measured by months of inventory, showed slight improvement in August, inching up to 2.38 months overall. That’s up from July’s figure of 2.24 months. In King and Snohomish counties, supply remained well under two months. Many industry analysts use a range of four-to-six months as an indicator of a balanced market.

“The biggest challenges our buyers face are the lack of inventory and the quality of homes to choose from,” said MLS director George Moorhead. Sellers who have been “pushing the pricing envelope too hard are experiencing pushback from buyers as their homes sit on the market,” according to Moorhead, the designated broker and owner at Bentley Properties.

Commenting on prices, which showed year-over-year gains in most areas, Moorhead reported mixed outcomes. “We have been seeing price reductions more frequently during the normal slower market times of summer, but well-priced homes in desirable areas are still drawing multiple offers and offers above the listing price,” he explained.

MLS figures show last month’s closed sales of single family homes and condominiums had a median selling price of $315,000 area-wide for a 9.6 percent increase from a year ago. Ten counties reported double-digit gains, including King County where the median price was $450,700. That translates to a 13.2 percent increase from the year-ago figure of $398,000.

The volume of completed sales, numbering 8,718, jumped more than 12 percent from the year-ago total of 7,775 closings. Single family homes accounted for more than 85 percent of the total transactions.

Single family homes in King County sold for a median price of $499,950, just below the figure of $500,000 the MLS reported in June, believed to be an all-time high for the monthly reports. Year-over-year prices for this segment jumped 14.4 percent.

For condos, both the volume of sales and selling prices showed sizable gains from a year ago. The overall number of condo sales rose from 1,026 to 1,248 for a 21.6 percent gain. Condo prices surged 17 percent, rising from $221,000 to $258,750.

In King County, where 60 percent of condo sales occurred, the volume was up nearly 21.7 percent. Median prices increased 19.7 percent from a year ago, rising from $249,950 to $299,250.

“I don’t think any real estate market/economy can sustain steadily increasing prices like we’ve seen without a leveling or a drop-off of sorts,” cautioned Gary O’Leyar, designated broker/owner at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Signature Properties and a past chairman of the Northwest MLS board.

“As Seattle home prices reach (and in some cases exceed) the 2007 peak, I believe more potential sellers will gradually consider selling,” O’Leyar stated, adding, “Since the post-2007 recovery period I think many property owners have been waiting to recapture lost equity. If that has been the obstacle for some sellers to enter the market, we are reaching that point of value/equity recovery.”

Another industry leader also commented on a possible leveling of activity.

“Given the seasonality of real estate and low inventory levels, I think we’re on the cusp of a slowdown in the housing market,” stated OB Jacobi, president of Windermere Real Estate. “The continued double digit increases in home sales simply cannot be sustained unless we see inventory growth,” he emphasized. That is unlikely, he suggested, “since we’re entering the time of year when fewer people list their homes.

Brokers in Snohomish County were mostly upbeat about the market.

“There were slight slowdowns but nowhere near what is typical,” remarked Diedre Haines, whose experience in the industry dates to 1976. “Multiple offers continue, interest rates are still low, economic forecasts for Snohomish County remain strong and inventory is still needed,” she reported.

“Recent volatility in the stock market has had little if any negative impact on our local real estate activity,” stated Haines, Coldwell Banker Bain’s principal managing broker for South Snohomish County. More and more investors are returning to real estate as being the best investment they can make, she noted. Commenting on a clause from the preamble to the Realtor® Code of Ethics, which states “Under all is the land” she added, “As we all know, it is impossible to create more of it!”

David Maider, owner/broker at Windermere Real Estate in Everett, said the market in Snohomish County “continues at its torrid pace,” bolstering his observation by citing MLS data. The latest numbers show pending sales in that county increased more than 17 percent from a year ago, with closed sales jumping nearly 24 percent.

Maider, a member of the Northwest MLS board of directors, said the primary market drivers include a general lack of supply across all price points (less than two months worth of inventory), historically attractive interest rates, and a very tight rental market. “Multiple offers are commonplace,” he reported, suggesting buyers should be prepared to be decisive and to propose compelling terms to the seller. “This is not a market for sitting on the fence,” he emphasized, adding, “We are seeing a very active market, even in higher price points.”

Dick Beeson and J. Lennox Scott echoed the optimism.

“The number of buyers in the market place today leaves little doubt that third quarter sales will continue at a fast pace,” stated Beeson, principal managing broker at RE/MAX Professionals in Tacoma.

“Conditions are optimal for the home buying surge in the Puget Sound Region to continue, due to job growth and historically low interest rates,” suggested J. Lennox Scott, chairman and CEO of John L. Scott. “We can also expect the severe shortage of homes for sale close to job centers, and in the more affordable and mid-price ranges in all Puget Sound markets, to persist,” he added.

Scott suggests the fall season will create new challenges for home buyers. He expects price appreciation to remain consistent as inventory continues to decrease, noting new listing inventory historically drops about 50 percent in the winter months.

Northwest MLS brokers continue to remind sellers about the consequences of overpricing and to caution would-be buyers about the pitfalls of overextending themselves.

“Accurate pricing remains critical,” emphasized Deely, a director with Northwest MLS. “The market is reacting quickly to accurately priced listings but overpriced ones are sitting with little activity.”
Looser lending criteria is one such pitfall. “One trend we are seeing, sadly enough, is a return to some of the ‘no doc/low-doc’ programs with insufficient verification of a borrowers’ income, assets or employment.
“Yes, these programs may help less qualified buyers attain the dream of homeownership, but they could also be their downfall if they stretch too far without enough foundation to maintain financial security,” he suggested.

Buyers, sellers and brokers are expressing some frustration with the fast-paced market.
Getting offers accepted, and then getting the transactions to close can be frustrating, according to Haines. She expects forthcoming changes affecting mortgage lending will offer “more positives than negatives.”
“Finding a buyer for a property remains the easy part. Getting a sale to closing remains very difficult,” said Beeson. “More often than not, lenders, appraisers, inspectors and new Federal RESPA (Real Estate Settle Procedures Act) regulations appear at times to do all they can to ensure closing doesn’t occur. Brokers sometimes overcome tremendous obstacles to help the buyers and sellers get to closing. . . Success comes after a lot of hard work,” he added.
Speculation around the direction of interest rates may also be fueling activity, according to some brokers.

“With the Federal Reserve reticent about raising rates due to international instability, U.S. homeowners will enjoy the benefit of continued low single-digit rates,” said Beeson.
“There is a general conversation — and expectation — that interest rates will be on the rise, and that is spurring buyers even more to find the perfect home before rates go up,” said Moorhead. He expects interest rates will be one percent higher a year from now. “That will continue to push buyers to aggressively find the right home which will continue to push inventory levels downward.”

Some potential purchasers may be retreating to the sidelines in hopes the competition will ease.

“Some buyers are becoming discouraged and calling it quits after losing in the multiple offer market. However, positive housing news like dropping mortgage rates continues to bring new prospective home buyers and sellers into the market,” reported Deely.

Northwest Multiple Listing Service, owned by its member real estate firms, is the largest full-service MLS in the Northwest. Its membership includes more than 23,000 real estate brokers. The organization, based in Kirkland, Wash., currently serves 23 counties in Washington state.

Perennials • Vegetable Starts • Shrubs • Crafts • Planters

Hard to Find Plants

Garden Related Yard Sale and Raffle Items

Plant Professionals On-site

Saturday, May 9th, 2015 from 8:00am to 3:00pm

Sale location:
17212 NE 144th St.
Redmond, Washington 98052

www.redmondgardenclub.com

Download a copy of the sale flyer here:
2015 Redmond Garden Club Sale Flyer

Follow the signs along NE 124th/NE 128th, Avondale, or Redmond-Woodinville Rd

[mappress mapid=”15″]

Listed for $395,000 – Click here for more details

Welcoming home in the desirable Kingsgate Neighborhood. The spacious floorplan features 4 bedrooms, 1.75 baths, and approximately 2,089 s.f. on a private cul-de-sac lot. Huge living room features a brick fireplace with wood stove insert and big windows overlooking the front yard. Formal dining room with slider to the deck – perfect for BBQing or entertaining! Big kitchen with ample cabinets and countertop space – nook space too. Generous master bedroom with “his & hers” closets and attached 3/4 bath. Three additional bedrooms upstairs are also spacious. You will also find a full bath in the hall for your guests. Oversized family room with brick wrapped fireplace, built-in bookcases & newer carpet. The family room also includes a projector and 116 inch screen for the perfect home movie night! Laundry room has extra storage cabinets, a utility sink and is plumbed for a toilet. Two car attached garage with workbench and room for extra storage. The private rear yard features a deck, and large, entertainment sized patio. There is a child’s play structure, ample room for gardening and a basketball hoop too. The neighborhood dues include access to the swim club for great summer fun. Outstanding Northshore schools – Woodmore Elementary, Northshore Junior High and Inglemoor High. Easy access to local freeways, shopping and Woodinville Wine District.