Blog – Real Estate News

The National Association of Realtors’ most recent Existing Home Sales Report revealed that home sales were up rather dramatically over last year in five of the six price ranges they measure. Only those homes priced under $100,000 showed a decline (-4.6%). The decline in this price range points to the lower inventory of distressed properties available for sale and speaks to the strength of the...

The price of any item is determined by the supply of that item, and the market demand. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) recently released their latest Existing Home Sales Report which gives insight into today’s market conditions. Inventory Levels & Demand Sales of existing homes rose 5.1% month-over-month in March and are 1.5% higher than this time last year. Sales rose in all four...

KIRKLAND, Washington (May 5, 2016) - Northwest Multiple Listing Service reported strong gains in the volume of new listings its members added during April (up 13.6 percent from March), but inventory remained well below the supply needed for a more balanced market. MLS leaders say the lopsided market is prompting some anxious buyers to take ill-advised risks. Prices showed some signs of moderating...

With Tony as our guide the home selling and purchase process we experienced clean, crisp, expedient and patient counsel for each and every question that arose along the way. His expert advice and network of resources for preparation, staging and marketing of our property led to a rapid sale with no hassle. Throughout our purchase experience he greatly simplified the maze of writing up the offer, home...

A survey by Ipsos found that the American public is still somewhat confused about what is actually necessary to qualify for a home mortgage loan in today’s housing market. The study pointed out two major misconceptions that we want to address today.  1. Down Payment The survey revealed that consumers overestimate the down payment funds needed to qualify for a home loan. According to the report,...

In today’s market, where demand is outpacing supply in many regions of the country, pricing a house is one of the biggest challenges real estate professionals face. Sellers often want to price their home higher than recommended, and many agents go along with the idea to keep their clients happy. However, the best agents realize that telling the homeowner the truth is more important than getting the...

Home values continue to climb and are projected to increase by about 5% over the next twelve months. That is great news for anyone who owns a home. However, it could present a challenge for a family trying to sell their house. If prices are surging, it is difficult for appraisers to find adequate, comparable sales (similar houses in the neighborhood that closed recently) to defend the sales price...

The housing market is really heating up and buyer demand is dramatically increasing as we enter the spring season. However, one challenge to the current market is a major shortage of inventory. Below are a few comments made in the last month by industry experts. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist of NAR “Looking ahead, the key for sustained momentum and more sales than last spring is a continuous stream...

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 actually show that the range is an average of 5% less expensive in Orange County (CA) all the way up to 46% in Houston (TX), and 36% Nationwide! Other interesting...

If you thought about selling your house this year, now may be the time to do it. The inventory of homes for sale is well below historic norms and buyer demand is skyrocketing. We were still in high school when we learned the concept of supply and demand: the best time to sell something is when supply of that item is low and demand for that item is high. That defines today’s real estate...

In a study conducted by Builder.com, researchers determined that nationwide, it would take “nearly eight years” for a first-time buyer to save enough for a down payment on their dream home. Depending on where you live, median rents, incomes and home prices all vary. By determining the percentage of income a renter spends on housing in each state, and the amount needed for a 10% down payment,...

Some Highlights: 24% of all recent home buyers were single at the time of purchase. 47% of single men cite the desire to own a home of their own as the primary reason to buy. 18% of first-time buyers were single...

How Housing Matters is a joint project of the Urban Land Institute and the MacArthur Foundation. It is “an online resource for the most rigorous research and practical information on how a quality, stable, affordable home in a vibrant community contributes to individual and community success”. A recent story they published, The First Rung on the Ladder to Economic Opportunity Is Housing,...

Selling a home is as stressful and hectic a time as you can ask for, but thanks to Tony, the sale of our home went more smoothly than we could have imagined! Tony's knowledge, demeanor and communication kept us informed and at ease throughout the process. No detail went unchecked. Tony is a true professional. Thanks! -Chan and Cynthia...

A few weeks ago, Jonathan Smoke, the Chief Economist at realtor.com, exclaimed: “All indicators point to this spring being the busiest since 2006.” Now, Freddie Mac has doubled down on that claim and is saying that 2016 will be the best year that the real estate industry has seen in a decade. In their March Housing Outlook Report,Freddie Mac explained: “Despite the challenges facing the...

There are some renters that have not yet purchased a home because they are uncomfortable taking on the obligation of a mortgage. Everyone should realize that, unless you are living with your parents rent free, you are paying a mortgage - either your mortgage or your landlord’s. As The Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University explains: “Households must consume housing whether...

Now that the housing market has stabilized, more and more homeowners are considering moving up to the home they have always dreamed of. Prices are still below those of a few years ago and interest rates have stayed near historic lows. Sellers should realize that waiting to make the move when mortgage rates are projected to increase probably doesn’t make sense. As rates increase, the price of the...

Some Highlights: Harvard University's Joint Center of Housing Studies recently released the top financial & emotional reasons to own a home. Owning is a good way to build up wealth that can be passed along to your family as it is usually a form of "forced savings." Whether you rent or own, you are paying a mortgage. Yours when you own, your landlord's when you...

This is a not a sellers market. As a seller agent, it's important that he has a vision on how the market goes so he can help the seller to set a price to sell. Tony watches the market and knows the neighborhood really well. He advised me on setting a price that was appealing to the buyer and at the same time, I could make as much profit as possible. When we had different perspectives, he could work with...

Some of the housing headlines are causing concern for some consumers who are in the process of either buying or selling a home. Pundits are concerned over the lack of new construction or the month-over-month sales numbers. Let’s set the record straight; 2015 was a good year for residential real estate in the United States and 2016 is starting out stronger. Here is a graph of total homes sold (new...

KIRKLAND, Washington (April 4, 2016) - Traffic isn't the only thing that is gridlocked around many Puget Sound communities. "We're experiencing gridlock in the Puget Sound housing market," suggested J. Lennox Scott in reaction to the latest statistics from Northwest Multiple Listing Service. MLS figures show pending sales across the 23 counties it serves dropped about 4.5 percent in March compared...

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) just announced that the February Pending Home Sales Index reached its highest reading since July 2015. What is the Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI)? NAR’s PHSI is “a forward-looking indicator based on contract signings”. The higher the Pending Home Sales Index number, the more contracts have been signed by buyers that will soon translate to sales....

We were completely satisfied with Tony's service. I particularly appreciated that Tony was willing to work with us, since we live in Japan.  This meant that all of the documents had to be signed electronically and he was able to make this process work well and patiently explain when we did not understand.  He responded to all of our inquiries in a timely and thoroughly professional way.  It was a...

We have used several agents over the past few years for Real Estate transactions and were always left in the end with questions left unanswered and a lot to be desired in terms of the "value add" these agents were able to provide. We had our house listed for a couple of months and it did not sell even in an extremely seller friendly Seattle market. That's when we interviewed Tony. We were extremely...

If you are looking for a well informed, organized and innovative real estate agent then Tony Meier is the agent I would recommend. Tony is well versed on all of the nuances, intricacies and aspects of a real estate transaction. He is clear on what needs to be done to make the sale or purchase of your home seamless and easy to maneuver through. I would recommend Tony to anyone looking to buy or sell and...

I had the privilege of working with Tony as my realtor when selling my home recently.  Tony possesses all the attributes necessary to be an excellent broker: he knows his market extremely well; he is diligent, responsive and very patient with his clients.  Tony is both very professional and personable.  He emanates a sense of trust-worthiness that makes you feel very secure, puts his clients...

Working with Tony on the sale of our home and purchase of a new one was a pleasure. He is  extremely knowledgeable about real estate matters, accommodating, and was very sensitive to our needs every step of the way. Tony is a real "Pro" and we highly recommend him. Diane and Walt Freytag - Sold in Redmond (English Hill) and Purchased in Redmond (Trilogy)  -...

I am very satisfied with the support I got from Tony and his team. The pre-sale of the home and how best to position it for sale, was instrumental in the success we had at closing. I would recommend Tony and Windermere to anyone looking to buy/sell a home in the English Hill area. Mike Hemphill - Sold in Redmond -...

CoreLogic’s latest Equity Report revealed that one million borrowers regained equity in their homes in 2015. The outlook for 2016 remains positive as well, as an additional 850,000 properties would regain equity if home prices rose another 5% this year.  The study also revealed: 95% of homes valued over $200,000 now have a positive equity position 87% of homes valued under $200,000 have...

In school we all learned the Theory of Supply and Demand. When the demand for an item is greater than the supply of that item, the price will surely rise. SUPPLY The National Association of Realtors (NAR) recently reported that the inventory of homes for sale stands at a 4.4-month supply. This is considerably lower than the 6-month inventory necessary for a normal market. DEMAND Every month...

When a homeowner decides to sell their house, they obviously want the best possible price with the least amount of hassles. However, for the vast majority of sellers, the most important result is to actually get the home sold. In order to accomplish all three goals, a seller should realize the importance of using a real estate professional. We realize that technology has changed the purchaser’s...

Some Highlights: Many buyers are purchasing a home with a down payment as little as 3%. You may already qualify for a loan, even if you don't have perfect credit. Take advantage of the knowledge of your local professionals who are there to help you determine how much you can...

Going into the 2016 spring market, the biggest challenge the real estate industry has is the lack of available housing inventory for sale. Here are a few experts and their thoughts on the subject: David Crowe, Chief Economist for the National Association of Home Builders: “Many sellers may not have an absolute decision as to whether to buy an existing home or a new home. So the low inventory of...

In today’s housing market, where supply is very low and demand is very high, home values are increasing rapidly. One major challenge in such a market is the bank appraisal. If prices are surging, it is difficult for appraisers to find adequate, comparable sales (similar houses in the neighborhood that closed recently) to defend the price when performing the appraisal for the bank. Every month,...

As a seller, you will be most concerned about ‘short term price’ – where home values are headed over the next six months. As either a first-time or repeat buyer, you must not be concerned only about price but also about the ‘long term cost’ of the home. Let us explain. There are many factors that influence the ‘cost’ of a home. Two of the major ones are the home’s appreciation...

We recently reported that home prices are continuing to rise across most of the nation. This has created concern in some pundits that a housing bubble, like we saw ten years ago, is forming again. We want to explain why these concerns are unfounded. The current increase in home values can be easily explained by the theory of supply and demand. Right now, the number of families looking to purchase a...

According to the latest Beracha, Hardin & Johnson Buy vs. Rent (BH&J) Index homeownership is a better way to produce greater wealth, on average, than renting. The BH&J Index is a quarterly report that attempts to answer the question: Is it better to rent or buy a home in today’s housing market? The index examines the entire US housing market and then isolates 23 major markets for...

There are many young people debating whether they should renew the lease on their apartment or sign a contract to purchase their first home. As we have said before, mortgage interest rates are still near historic lows and rents continue to rise. Housing Cost & Net Worth Whether you rent or buy, you have a monthly housing cost. As a buyer, you are contributing to YOUR net worth. Every mortgage...

Some Highlights: The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) recently released their latest Quarterly Home Price Index report. In the report, home prices are compared both regionally and by state. Based on the latest numbers, waiting to move may end up costing you...

Yesterday, we discussed the reasons why homeownership makes sense, financially. Today we wanted to touch on the emotional or ‘real’ reasons that many Americans strive to become homeowners.  The Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University performs a study every year surveying participants for the reasons that American’s feel are most important in regards to...

In a recent blog post on Marginal Revolution, economist Alex Tabarrok discussed homeownership as an investment. Here is what Mr. Tabarrok had to say: “Housing is overrated as a financial investment. First, it’s not good to have a significant share of your wealth locked into a single asset. Diversification is better and it’s easier to diversify with stocks. Second, unless you are renting the...

There are some homeowners that have been waiting for months to get a price they hoped for when they originally listed their house for sale. The only thing they might want to consider is... If it hasn't sold yet, maybe it's not priced properly. After all 14,986 houses sold yesterday, 14,986 will sell today and 14,986 will sell tomorrow. 14,986! That is the average number of homes that sell each and...

KIRKLAND, Washington (March 7, 2016) - Home prices in King County hit new highs in February as buyers tried to outbid each other for the sparse inventory in much of Western Washington. "We're in for another crazy spring real estate market," predicts J. Lennox Scott, chairman and CEO of John L. Scott, Inc. With the number of single family homes for sale in King County down nearly 30 percent from a...

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) released their latest Quarterly Metro Home Pricereport earlier this month. The report revealed that home prices are not only continuing to rise but that the increases are accelerating. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at NAR, discussed the impact of low inventory on buyers in the report: "Without a significant ramp-up in new home construction and more homeowners...

I am keenly aware of how my role has evolved for our sellers over the last few years. Creating a compelling presentation for our client's homes has always been important. However, in the market we have had since 2013, extracting value from competing offers is where the real money is made for our clients! As illustrated in one of our recent articles... "Instead of the seller trying to ‘win’ the...

Every homeowner wants to make sure they maximize their financial reward when selling their home. But how do you guarantee that you receive maximum value for your house? Here are two keys to ensuring you get the highest price possible. 1. Price it a LITTLE LOW This may seem counterintuitive. However, let’s look at this concept for a moment. Many homeowners think that pricing their home a little OVER...

  Just two weeks ago, we posted an article discussing where mortgage interest rates may be heading over the next twelve months. We quoted projections from Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, the Mortgage Bankers’ Association and the National Association of Realtors. Each predicted that rates would begin to rise slowly and steadily throughout 2016. However, shaky economic news and a volatile stock...

With spring right around the corner, you may be wondering if you should wait to enter the housing market. Here are four great reasons to consider buying a home today instead of waiting. Prices Will Continue to Rise CoreLogic’s latest Home Price Index reports that home prices have appreciated by 6.3% over the last 12 months. The same report predicts that prices will continue to increase at...

Today, many real estate conversations center on housing prices and where they may be headed. That is why we like the Home Price Expectation Survey. Every quarter, Pulsenomics surveys a nationwide panel of over one hundred economists, real estate experts and investment & market strategists about where they believe prices are headed over the next five years. They then average the projections of...

During the recession, many young adults graduating from college were forced to move back in with their parents. This caused new household formations to drop dramatically from the long term average of 1.2 million formations annually to half that number. However, this may be the year this turns back around. According to the Urban Land Institute’s report, Emerging Trends in Real Estate, household...

We had two goals to sell our home quickly and do so from out of state. Tony was key in helping us achieve these goals. The process was seamless and we highly recommend him. Dana Trujillo & Doug Lombardi - Sold in Redmond -...

Tony is an outstanding real estate professional. He offers a great deal of experience and local knowledge as it pertains to the east side. Overall we had two great experiences with Tony. He represented us as a Buyer's agent, a Seller's agent was an asset to us on both sides of the table and can be characterized as the following: - Extremely prepared: was prompt at every meeting and always came prepared...

CoreLogic’s latest Equity Report revealed that 256,000 properties regained equity in the third quarter of 2015. This is great news for the country, as 92% of all mortgaged properties are now in a positive equity situation. Price Appreciation = Good News For Homeowners Frank Nothaft, CoreLogic’s Chief Economist, explains: “Home price growth continued to lift borrower equity positions and...

You’ve decided to sell your house. You begin to interview potential real estate agents to help you through the process. You need someone you trust enough to: Set the market value on possibly the largest asset your family owns (your home) Set the time schedule for the successful liquidation of that asset Set the fee for the services required to liquidate that asset An agent must be...

According to the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) Existing Home Sales Report, homes were on market for an average of 58 days in December. This was slightly longer than the 54 days in November, but still better than the 66 days experienced in December 2014.  32% of homes across the country were on the market for less than a month! Colorado, Utah and Delaware led all states as homes are...

Some Highlights: For the 4th year in a row the Northeast saw a concentration of High Outbound activity. Oregon held on to the top stop of High Inbound states for the 3rd year in a row. Much of this Outbound activity can be attributed to Boomers relocating to warmer climates after...

KIRKLAND, Washington (February 4, 2016) - Depleted inventory is contributing to "overwhelming" traffic at open houses, shifts in strategies for both buyers and sellers, and escalating prices, according to officials with the Northwest Multiple Listing Service. Dick Beeson, a former chairman of the MLS board, said the lack of inventory in almost every county is, "without question, a 2016 game...

First American Title issues a quarterly report, the Real Estate Sentiment Index (RESI), which“measures title agent sentiment on a variety of key market metrics and industry issues”. Their 2015 4th Quarter Edition revealed some interesting information regarding possible challenges with appraisal values as we head into 2016. “The fourth quarter RESI found that title agents continue to believe that...

Is spring closer than we think? Depending on which Groundhog you witnessed today, you may have less time than you think to get your home on the market before the busy spring season. Many sellers feel that the spring is the best time to place their home on the market as buyer demand traditionally increases at that time of year. However, the next six weeks before spring hits also have their own...

It is common knowledge that a large number of homes sell during the spring-buying season. For that reason, many homeowners hold off on putting their home on the market until then. The question is whether or not that will be a good strategy this year. The other listings that do come out in the spring will represent increased competition to any seller. Do a greater number of homes actually come to the...

TransUnion recently released the results of a new study titled “The Bubble, the Burst and Now - What Happened to the Consumer?” The study revealed that 1.5 million homeowners that were negatively impacted by the housing crisis could re-enter the housing market in the next three years. TransUnion defined “negatively impacted” as… “…those who were 60+ days past due on a mortgage loan,...

Fannie Mae recently released their “What do consumers know about the Mortgage Qualification Criteria?” Study. The study revealed that Americans are misinformed about what is required to qualify for a mortgage when purchasing a home. Here are three takeaways: 59% of Americans either don’t know (54%) or are misinformed (5%) about what FICO score is necessary 86% of Americans either don’t...

KIRKLAND, Wash. (Jan. 21, 2016) – Members of Northwest Multiple Listing Service reported 88,331 closed sales during 2015, outgaining the prior year’s volume of 77,276 transactions for a 14.3 percent increase. Measured by dollars, last year’s sales of single family homes and condominiums were valued at more than $34 billion. Compared to 2014, that dollar volume represents a gain of nearly 23...

Tony—you were GREAT! You were patient, met with us often, hung around with us while we hemmed and hawed about the Kirkland house, worked closely with us so we understood the dynamics of the current housing market, and so much more! What really struck me was how you stayed at the house while the inspection was being done. You did everything you could to make the negotiations successful, the purchase...

There are many people sitting on the sidelines trying to decide if they should purchase a home or sign a rental lease. Some might wonder if it makes sense to purchase a house before they are married and have a family. Others may think they are too young. And still others might think their current income would never enable them to qualify for a mortgage. We want to share what the typical first time...

The National Economic Forecast 1.The U.S. will continue to expand with real GDP growth of 2.3% in 2016. Although a positive number, the forecasted rate of growth suggests that we will be modestly underperforming in 2016.  On a positive note, oil prices are likely to remain well below long-term averages, which puts more money into consumers’ pockets in terms of disposable incomes.  However, I...

KIRKLAND, Washington (January 6, 2016) - Home prices have "clearly recovered" in King County and a few other areas served by Northwest Multiple Listing Service. Many member-brokers say prices are likely to keep rising as a backlog of buyers competes for depleted inventory. Those were among reactions from brokers upon reviewing the December statistics from the MLS. The latest report shows the year...

If you are debating listing your house for sale this year, here is the #1 reason not to wait! Buyer Demand Continues to Outpace the Supply of Homes For Sale The National Association of REALTORS’ (NAR) Chief Economist, Lawrence Yun recently commented on the inventory shortage: “While feedback from REALTORS® continues to suggest healthy levels of buyer interest, available listings that are...

Some Highlights: Happy New Year! If you plan to buy your dream home or sell your house in 2016, resolve to use a real estate professional! Real Estate Professionals are there for you through the entire process to help with paperwork, negotiations, pricing, and so much more! Let's get together to discuss the difference having a professional in your corner can...

I initially had reservations as to how Tony took over the total selling of our home, like a bull in a china shop. He told us what needed to be done, to get out of his way, he made his famous video, got the house on the market, and sold it in a very little time. We hardly lifted a finger. I'd have no reservations having him sell our home the next time. Neal Schwartz Sold in Redmond...

In a recent study conducted by Builder.com, researchers determined that nationwide it would take“nearly eight years” for a first-time buyer to save enough for a down payment on their dream home. Depending on where you live, median rents, incomes and home prices all vary. By determining the percentage a renter spends on housing in each state and the amount needed for a 10% down payment, they were...

In today's market, with homes selling quickly and prices rising, some homeowners might consider trying to sell their home on their own, known in the industry as a For Sale by Owner (FSBO). There are several reasons this might not be a good idea for the vast majority of sellers. Here are five of those reasons: 1. There Are Too Many People to Negotiate With Here is a list of some of the people with...

As a seller, you will be most concerned about ‘short term price’ – where home values are headed over the next six months. As a buyer, you must be concerned not about price but instead about the ‘long term cost’ of the home. The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), the National Association of Realtors, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac all projected that mortgage interest rates will increase by...

  Some Highlights: Foreclosure Inventory has dropped year-over-year for the last 4 years (48 months). Only 3.4% of US homes are in serious delinquency. 29 states have a foreclosure inventory rate lower than the national average. For more information you can download the full report...

CoreLogic released their most current Home Price Index last week. In the report, they revealed home appreciation in three categories: percentage appreciation over the last year, over the last month and projected over the next twelve months. Here are state maps for each category: The Past – home appreciation over the last 12 months The Present – home appreciation over the last month The...

A recent survey by Ipsos found that the American public is still somewhat confused about what is actually necessary to qualify for a home mortgage loan in today’s housing market. The study pointed out two major misconceptions that we want to address today. 1. Down Payment The survey revealed that consumers overestimate the down payment funds needed to qualify for a home loan. According to the...

Tony helped me through the experience of selling my home with patience, great suggestions and good contacts. As I live on the east coast this was a long distance transaction, plus I’m a house selling novice. He suggested improvements that made sense to me to get the most for my money and was very good about telling me which ideas wouldn’t maximize my profit. He acted almost like a general contractor,...

We all realize that the best time to sell anything is when demand is high and the supply of that item is limited. The last two major reports issued by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) revealed information that suggests that now is a great time to sell your house. Let’s look at the data covered by the latest Pending Home Sales Report and Existing Home Sales Report. THE PENDING HOME...

KIRKLAND, Washington (December 4, 2015) - Inventory remains "critically low," but there are fewer house-hunters in the hunt during this holiday season so motivated sellers and buyers are seeing success, according to brokers with Northwest Multiple Listing Service. Its just-released statistics for November show year-over-year gains in pending sales, closed sales, and prices, but a steep decline in...

The monthly mortgage payment on a home is determined by two elements: the price of the house and the interest rate you pay on your mortgage. Recently released reports are revealing that the experts expect both elements to increase in 2016. HOME PRICES CoreLogic has projected a nationwide 5.2% home value appreciation for the next twelve months. Here is their breakdown by state: MORTGAGE INTEREST...

Last week, an article in the Washington Post discussed a new ‘threat’ homebuyers will soon be facing: higher mortgage rates. The article revealed: “The Mortgage Bankers Association expects that rates on 30-year loans could reach 4.8 percent by the end of next year, topping 5 percent in 2017. Rates haven’t been that high since the recession.” How can this impact the housing market? The...

There are some people that have not purchased a home because they are uncomfortable taking on the obligation of a mortgage. Everyone should realize that, unless you are living with your parents rent free, you are paying a mortgage - either your mortgage or your landlord’s. As The Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University explains: “Households must consume housing whether they own...

Some Highlights: The annual adjusted sales are currently at a 5.36 million pace. 14,684 homes sell every day in the United States. October marked the 44th consecutive month of price...

The knowledge of the Market and ability to take excellent pictures and the video were awesome.  My experience working with you on the sale of my home was next to flawless. The experience you brought about the market and the homes values and sales in the area, allowed me to have my home listed at the lower amount for the listing with the hope and should I say expectation that the interest in the home...

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) just released their Existing Home Sales Report revealing that distressed property sales accounted for 6% of sales in October. This is down from 9% in 2014 and the lowest figure since NAR began tracking distressed sales in October 2008. Below is a graph that shows just how far the market has come since January 2012 when distressed sales accounted for 35% of...

In a recent article by the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, it was revealed that some Millennials are not looking to purchase a home simply because they don’t believe they can qualify for a mortgage. The article quoted Jessica Lautz, the National Association of Realtors’ Managing Director of Survey Research, as saying that there is a significant population that does...

There are many reasons, both financial and non-financial, that homeownership remains an important part of the American Dream. One of the biggest reasons is the fact that it helps build family wealth. Recently, Freddie Mac wrote about the power of home equity. They explained: “In the simplest terms, equity is the difference between how much your home is worth and how much you owe on your mortgage....

Some Highlights:  24% of all recent home buyers were single at the time of purchase 47% of single men cite the desire to own a home of their own as the primary reason to buy 18% of first-time buyers were single...

Every homeowner wants to make sure they maximize the financial reward when selling their home. But, how do you guarantee that you receive maximum value for your house? Here are two keys to insuring you get the highest price possible. 1. Price it a LITTLE LOW This may seem counterintuitive. However, let’s look at this concept for a moment. Many homeowners think that pricing their home a little OVER...

When a homeowner decides to sell their house, they obviously want the best possible price with the least amount of hassles. However, for the vast majority of sellers, the most important result is to actually get the home sold. In order to accomplish all three goals, a seller should realize the importance of using a real estate professional. We realize that technology has changed the purchaser’s...

The most recent Housing Pulse Survey released by the National Association of Realtors revealed that the two major reasons Americans prefer owning their own home instead of renting are: They want the opportunity to build equity. They want a stable and safe environment. Building Equity In a recent article, John Taylor, CEO of the National Community Reinvestment Coalition, explained that those...

The interest rate you pay on your home mortgage has a direct impact on your monthly payment. The higher the rate the greater the payment will be. That is why it is important to look at where rates are headed when deciding to buy now or wait until next year. Below is a chart created using Freddie Mac’s October 2015 U.S. Economic & Housing Marketing Outlook. As you can see interest rates are...

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Every year at this time, many homeowners decide to wait until after the holidays to put their home on the market for the first time. Others who already have their home on the market decide to take it off the market until after the holidays. Here are six great reasons not to wait: 1. Relocation buyers are out there. Companies are not concerned with holiday time and if the buyers have kids, they want...

//    Website   |   About Tony   |   Client References   |    Blog    |    Search Listings   |   Featured Listings  The Eastside Home Report November 2015 Edition  Western Washington Market ReportAnother Client's Succes Story! October 2015 NWMLS Market Report: With holidays approaching, real estate brokers usually expect a slowdown..."Today we have one of the best markets we've ever...

Here are the latest market charts from the MLS. Click on each image below for a larger version. Active Listings vs. Sold Listings Number of Pending Listings Median Sales Price For more information our the Seattle and Eastside Real Estate Market contact Tony Meier...

KIRKLAND, Washington (November 5, 2015) - With holidays approaching, real estate brokers usually expect a slowdown as buyers and sellers shift their attention elsewhere. "This year is different," say some industry leaders. "Today we have one of the best markets we've ever seen for sellers," observed Ken Anderson, managing broker and owner at Coldwell Banker Evergreen in Olympia. "Buyers are still...

The residential housing market has been hot. Home sales have bounced back solidly and are now at their second highest pace since February 2007. Demand remains strong going into the winter. Many real estate professionals are reporting that multiple offers are occurring regularly and listings are actually selling above listing price. What about your house? If your house hasn’t sold, it is probably the...

Within the next five years, Baby Boomers are projected to have the largest household growth of any other generation during that same time period, according to the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard. Let’s take a look at why…In a recent Merrill Lynch study, “Home in Retirement: More Freedom, New Choices” they surveyed nearly 6,000 adults ages 21 and older about housing.  Crossing...

There have been some who have voiced doubt as to whether or not the younger generations still consider buying a home as being part of the “American Dream”. A study by Merrill Lynch puts that doubt to rest. According to their research, every living generation still maintains that owning a home is in fact important. Here are the numbers: This should not surprise us as many studies have...

According to a joint study released by Google and the National Association of Realtors, 2 of 3 people searching for a prospective real estate professional research them “extensively online prior to working with them". And, that number is probably increasing every day. Are social media channels such as Facebook really a good place to gather information about an agent before using them? If so, what...

Every Hour in the US Housing Market:  634 Homes Sell 347 Homes Regain Positive Equity Median Home Values Go Up...

The Mortgage Bankers’ Association (MBA) recently released a report: ‘Housing Demand: Demographics And The Numbers Behind The Coming Multi-Million Increase In Households’. In this study, the MBA“utilized a comprehensive analysis of data from 1976 to 2014, a period encompassing several market and housing cycles, to provide a projection of much stronger housing demand over the next...

Many people wonder whether they should hire a real estate professional to assist them in buying their dream home or if they should first try to go it on their own. In today’s market: you need an experienced professional! You Need an Expert Guide if you are Traveling a Dangerous Path The field of real estate is loaded with land mines. You need a true expert to guide you through the dangerous...

Some Highlights: 36% of Americans think they need a 20% down payment to buy a home. 44% of Millennials who purchased a home this year have put down less than 10%. 71% of loan applications were approved last month The average credit score of approved loans was 723 in September (the lowest recorded score since Ellie Mae began tracking in August...

  Every three years the Federal Reserve conducts a Survey of Consumer Finances in which they collect data across all economic and social groups. The latest survey, which includes data from 2010-2013, reports that a homeowner’s net worth is 36 times greater than that of a renter ($194,500 vs. $5,400). In a recent Forbes article the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) Chief Economist...

Many have been wondering when the much anticipated move by Millennials’ into homeownership would actually take place. We know the belief in owning a home is there. According to a recent Merrill Lynch study, eighty one percent of Millennials believe “homeownership is an important part of the American Dream”. This compares favorably to previous generations.     The...

I was very pleased with my experience selling my house with Tony. What I most appreciated was that he: - Acted as my advocate, guiding me through the process and making recommendations that were in my best interest. - Was honest--giving me lots of facts and advice that wasn't always the easiest path. - Responded quickly to every communication from me and others involved in the transaction. Tony has...

With residential real estate values rising quite substantially in most parts of the country over the last few years, many homeowners are seeing a major increase in their family’s wealth as equity continues to build in their house. A recent study by the Joint Center of Housing Studies at Harvard University revealed that home equity grew nicely last year and has grown dramatically over the last five...

"We have used Tony's services for many years and we keep going back to him. We first ran into Tony when he was the selling agent of a luxury house we bought. We were so impressed with his work from a distance that we asked him to sell our original house right away. He helped us sell it at a great price with multiple competing offers in a week. This was in 2008 when the market was going south! He...

  In the latest Rent vs. Buy Report from Trulia, they explained that home ownership remains cheaper than renting with a traditional 30-year fixed rate mortgage throughout the 100 largest metro areas in the United States. The updated numbers actually show that the range is from an average of 16% in Honolulu (HI), all the way to 55% in Sarasota (FL), and 35% Nationwide! The other...

According to the latest report from the US Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, newly constructed home sales jumped 5.7% month-over-month and 21.6% year-over-year to an annual pace of 552,000. Many buyers are looking to the new homes market to make up for the lack of existing home sales inventory. National Association of Home Builders Chief Economist David Crowe...

(Tim and Tam with the 3 offers we generated on their home) We highly recommend Tony Meier to fill your real estate needs. He blazed the trail for us with the prep work, created a professional promotional video of our home, hired an outstanding home inspector so that all the clients had access to the results, and followed through with an open house as well as six days of showings. In the end, he let those...

    It's that time of year; the seasons are changing and with them bring thoughts of the upcoming holidays, family get-togethers, and planning for a new year. Those who are on the fence about whether now is the right time to buy don't have to look much farther to find four great reasons to consider buying a home now, instead of waiting. 1. Prices Will Continue to Rise The Home Price...

We often promote homeownership over renting when a family is ready, willing and able to purchase. There are both financial and non-financial benefits to owning a home of your own. Based on the headlines below, many news outlets agreed with us after they reviewed a recent report from the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies and Enterprise Community Partners. The study states that the number of...

Some Highlights: The median price of a newly constructed home is currently $292,700. Sales are up 5.7% month-over-month and 21.6% year-over-year. Many buyers are looking to new homes as an option due to the lack of inventory of existing homes for...

A recent study by Edelman Berland revealed that of homeowners who are contemplating selling their house in the near future 33% plan to scale down. Let’s look at a few reasons why that would make sense to many Americans. In a recent blog post, Dave Ramsey, the financial guru, discussed the advantages of selling your current house and downsizing into a smaller home that better serves your current...

CoreLogic recently released their 2015 2nd Quarter Equity Report which revealed that 759,000 properties had regained equity in the last quarter. That means that 91% of all mortgaged properties(approximately 45.9 million) are now in a positive equity position. Anand Nallathambi, president and CEO of CoreLogic, reported: “For much of the country, the negative equity epidemic is lifting. The biggest...

The National Association of Realtors’ most recent Existing Home Sales Report revealed that home sales were up rather dramatically over last year in five of the six price ranges they measure. Only those homes priced under $100,000 showed a decline (-7.7%). The decline in this price range points to the lower inventory of distressed properties available for sale and speaks to the strength of the...

  //   Website  |  About Tony  |  Client References  |   RE News   |   Search Listings  |  Featured Listings The Eastside Home Report  October 2015 Edition Western Washington Market Report Another Client's Succes Story! September 2015 NWMLS Market Report: Housing market slowdown expected, but...

The National Association of REALTORS’ just released the results of their latest Pending Home Sales Index, which showed a small 1.4% decline in signed contracts in August. Pending sales remain strong year-over-year as they were 6.1% higher than August ’14 and have now risen for 12 consecutive months.  What is the Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI)? NAR’s PHSI is “a forward-looking indicator...

If you are debating listing your house for sale this year or even early next year, here is the #1 reason not to wait! Buyer Demand Continues to Outpace the Supply of Homes For Sale According to the National Association of REALTORS’ (NAR) Foot Traffic report, there are more buyers out in the market right now than at any other time in the past three years. The graph below shows the significant...

Some Highlights: The National Association of REALTORS® surveyed their members for their Confidence Index The REALTORS® Confidence Index is a key indicator of housing market strength based on a monthly survey sent to over 50,000 real estate practitioners. Practitioners are asked about their expectations for home sales, prices and market conditions. Homes sold in less than 60 days in...

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...

There has been a lot of talk about how difficult it is to get a home mortgage in today’s lending environment. However, three recent reports have revealed that lending standards are beginning to ease. This is great news for both first time buyers and current homeowners looking to move or buy a second vacation/retirement home. Let’s look at the three reports: The MBA’s Mortgage Credit Availability...

According to the latest Beracha, Hardin & Johnson Buy vs. Rent (BH&J) Index homeownership is a better way to produce greater wealth, on average, than renting. The BH&J Index is a quarterly report that attempts to answer the question: Is it better to rent or buy a home in today’s housing market? The index examines that entire US housing market and then isolates 23 major markets for...

Your level of service was outstanding.  We appreciated your experience and honesty.  The home sold in 6 days, I couldn’t be more excited. Getting a pre-sale Inspection was something I had not heard of before, but really helped sell our townhome. I can’t believe how many business cards were placed on the kitchen counter.  Tony really listened to us and understood our situation and his level of...

You and your family have decided to sell your house. It is now time to choose a real estate professional to help with the process. One of the major attributes this agent must possess is trustworthiness. To what degree do you need to trust them? You must have enough trust in them that you feel comfortable they will accomplish all four things below: 1. Sell possibly the largest asset your family...

Last month, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported that housing inventory was down 4.7% from the same time last year and that the month’s inventory of homes for sale stood at 4.8 - far below the six months necessary for a normal housing market. Why is there such a shortage of inventory? The recently released Homeowner Sentiment Survey suggests that the American homeowner may not be...

  The National Association of Realtors (NAR) recently released their July edition of the Housing Affordability Index. 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 level based on the most recent price and income data. NAR looks at the monthly mortgage payment (principal & interest) which is...

Some Highlights: Hiring a Real Estate Professional to buy your dream home, or sell your current house is one of the most 'educated' decisions you can make! A Real Estate Professional has the experience needed to help you through the entire process. Make sure that you hire someone who knows current market conditions & can simply & effectively explain them to you & your...

Thank you so much for helping us purchase our home! We love it. You are so easy to work with and we are grateful we found you. Brian and Shannon Taylor - Purchased in Duvall -...

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...

A recent survey by Ipsos found that the American public is still somewhat confused about what is actually necessary to qualify for a home mortgage loan in today’s housing market. The study pointed out two major misconceptions that we want to address today. 1. Down Payment The survey revealed that consumers overestimate the down payment funds needed to qualify for a home loan. According to the...

The first word that come to mind when I think of our experience with Tony is integrity. My husband and I have tended not to trust real estate agents. But Tony is professional, ethical, honest and an expert negotiator. He seems to love that part of the job and it shows. In addition, he is very experienced, detail-oriented, calm and an excellent photographer. My advice would be to hire Tony as soon as...

Here are the latest market charts from the MLS. Click on each image below for a larger version. Active Listings vs. Sold Listings Number of Pending Listings Median Sales Price For more information our the Seattle and Eastside Real Estate Market contact Tony Meier...

There are some homeowners that have been waiting for months to get a price they hoped for when they originally listed their house for sale. The only thing they might want to consider is... If it hasn't sold yet, maybe it's not priced properly. After all 15,315 houses sold yesterday, 15,315 will sell today and 15,315 will sell tomorrow. 15,315! That is the average number of homes that sell each and...

According to the recently released BMO Harris Bank Home Buying Report, 52% of Americans say they are likely to buy a home in the next five years. Americans surveyed for the report said they would be willing to pay an average of $296,000 for a home and would average a 21% down payment. The report also had other interesting revelations. Those Looking to Buy 74% of those looking to buy a new home...

Some experts are advising that first time and move-up buyers wait until they save up 20% before they move forward with their decision to purchase a home. One of the main reasons they suggest waiting is that a buyer must purchase private mortgage insurance if they have less than the 20%. That increases the monthly payment the buyer will be responsible for. In a recent article, Freddie...

You’ve decided to sell your house. You begin to interview potential real estate agents to help you through the process. You need someone you trust enough to: Set the market value on possibly the largest asset your family owns (your home) Set the time schedule for the successful liquidation of that asset Set the fee for the services required to liquidate that asset An agent must be...

Some Highlights: The national median home price for Q2 is up 8.2% to $229,400 The income needed to afford the median home in each region is directly impacted by the amount of the down payment. The larger the down payment the lower the income needed to pay the monthly mortgage payment. The West led the way with the highest median home price at...

Digital Risk recently polled Millennials about the housing market. Among their findings was the fact that nearly two-thirds of the generation who have recently purchased a home, have done so with less than 20% down; with 36% putting down less than 5%! Here is a graph detailing the results: This means that more and more American’s between the ages of 18 and 34 stopped paying their...

Today, many real estate conversations center on housing prices and where they may be headed. That is why we like the Home Price Expectation Survey. Every quarter, Pulsenomics surveys a nationwide panel of over one hundred economists, real estate experts and investment & market strategists about where prices are headed over the next five years. They then average the projections of all 100+...

We often talk about the financial reasons why buying a home makes sense. But often, the emotional reasons are the more powerful, or compelling reasons. The Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University performs a study every year surveying participants for the reasons that American’s feel are most important in regards to homeownership. The top 4 reasons to own a home cited by...

Some Highlights: The number of homes in the US in some stage of foreclosure is down 28.9% to 472,000. Only 3.5% of homes in the US are currently in serious delinquency. Foreclosure Inventory levels hit the lowest level since January 2008 at 1.2% of all homes with a...

This year, both Freddie Mac & Fannie Mae have introduced new programs that only require a 3% down payment on a mortgage in order to purchase a home. Earlier this month, the Mortgage Bankers’ Association reported that adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) may be making a slow comeback as the share of ARMs increased to 7.4 percent of total mortgage applications. Some see this loosening of lending...

People often ask whether or not now is a good time to buy a home. No one ever asks when a good time to rent is. However, we want to make certain that everyone understands that today is NOT a good time to rent. The Census Bureau just released their second quarter median rent numbers. Here is a graph showing rent increases from 1988 until today: At the same time, a report by Axiometrics...

If you're thinking of selling your home in the English Hill area, Tony Meier is the first person you should meet with. As you then meet with other brokers, you'll quickly realize that no one is as in-touch with the English Hill real estate market as Tony is. Tony recently guided us through the sale of our home and we couldn't be more pleased. Tony's thorough knowledge of the English Hill real estate market...

Now that the housing market has stabilized, more and more homeowners are considering moving up to their dream home. With interest rates still near 4% and home values on the rise, now may be a great time to make a move. Sellers should realize that waiting while mortgage rates are increasing probably doesn’t make sense. As rates increase, the price of the house you can afford will decrease if you...

Here are the latest market charts from the MLS. Click on each image below for a larger version. Active Listings vs. Sold Listings Number of Pending Listings Median Sales Price For more information our the Seattle and Eastside Real Estate Market contact Tony Meier...

Tony came highly recommended by a neighbor and co-worker, and with good reason.  His overall performance as a listing agent was excellent and he was very easy to work with.  Both referrals had used Tony for multiple transactions. - It's often expected an agent will provide a list of things to do to make a place more marketable.  Tony did this thoughtfully, offering suggestions on things that...

Some Highlights: The National Association of REALTORS® surveyed their members for their Confidence Index The REALTORS® Confidence Index is a key indicator of housing market strength based on a monthly survey sent to over 50,000 real estate practitioners. Practitioners are asked about their expectations for home sales, prices and market conditions. Homes sold in 60 days or less in 35 out of...

The Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University recently released their 2015 State of the Nation’s Housing report. The report concentrated on the challenges renters in this country are facing because of the diminishing supply of quality rental units and dramatically escalating rents. However, there was also information buried within the report that revealed that now is definitely the time...

Suji & I were extremely satisfied with your level of service. We are repeat clients remember! And for good reason. Right from the start you gave us a good feel for the market. You obviously know it well! This helped us develop the right strategy for the sale. Your idea of getting a pre-inspection done was the best - saving us a lot of effort (post sale). We are also very appreciative of your...

There has been much talk about homeownership and whether it is a true vehicle for building wealth. A new report looks at the impact owning a home has on the financial wellbeing of people closing in on their retirement years (ages 55-64). In recently released study by the Hamilton Project, Ten Economic Facts about Financial Well-Being in Retirement, it was revealed that: 1. Middle-class households...

The results of Fannie Mae’s June 2015 National Housing Survey, were just released showing that more and more homeowners are warming up to the idea that now may be a great time to sell their home. The amount of respondents that stated that now is a good time to sell rose three percentage points to a survey high of 52%; which may translate to a healthier market as more homes are listed in the...

Some Highlights: What is a Boomerang Buyer? A former homeowner who has gone thru a “short sale”, “foreclosure” or “bankruptcy” in the past few years and has been saving for a down payment in preparation of the expiration of the waiting period, in order to qualify once again for a mortgage. According to NAR: Up to 1 Million consumers have already restored their credit and qualify to...

There seems to be a growing chasm between what the public believes to be needed and what is actually needed to qualify for a residential home loan. A recent survey by Ipsos reported that: Two-thirds of those surveyed believe they need a very good credit score to buy a home, with 45 percent thinking a “good credit score” is over 780. Consumers overestimate the down payment funds needed to...

There has been much conversation regarding the lack of first time home buyers in today’s real estate market. However, three recent reports seem to suggest that they are now entering the market in increasing numbers. The most recent Existing Home Sales Report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported that: “The percent share of first-time buyers rose to 32 percent in May, up from...

Here are the latest market charts from the MLS. Click on each image below for a larger version. Active Listings vs. Sold Listings Number of Pending Listings Median Sales Price For more information our the Seattle and Eastside Real Estate Market contact Tony Meier...

KIRKLAND, Washington (July 6, 2015) - Temperatures around Western Washington were not the only thing sizzling during June. Northwest Multiple Listing Service members reported 11,453 pending sales last month, the highest volume since August 2005 when members notched 11,546 mutually accepted offers. Last month also marked the fourth consecutive month of 11,000-plus pending transactions. MLS members...

The spring and summer months have always been known as a very popular time for homebuyers to start the search for their dream home. This year is no different! We all learned in school that when selling anything, you will get the most money if the demand for that item is high and the inventory of that item is low. It is the well-known Theory of Supply & Demand. If you are thinking of selling your...

At the end of June, in every region of the country, hundreds of homeowners have a tough decision to make. The ‘listing for sale agreement’ on their house is about to expire and they now must decide to either take their house off the market (OTM), For Sale by Owner (FSBO) or list it again with the same agent or a different agent. Let’s assume you or someone you know is in this situation and...

The National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) latest Existing Home Sales Report revealed that first time homebuyers made up 32% of all sales in the month of May; marking the highest share since September 2012 and up from 27% the same time last year. NAR’s Chief Economist, Lawrence Yun, cited “strong job gains among young adults, less expensive mortgage insurance and lenders offering low down...

I have not been involved with a house sale of this type in the past but the processes Tony Meier had in place provided an environment that exceeded my expectations. At my first meeting with Tony he explained his role in the sale process and the current market condition.  Two items were important to me 1) a quick sale and 2) once a price was given to the public it would not be lowered.  To support...

Last week, mortgage interest rates jumped over the 4% mark for the first time this year according to Freddie Mac’s Mortgage Market Survey. In an article in Housing Wire, a Bankrate analyst explained: “Mortgage rates rocketed higher following a stronger than expected monthly employment report. The good news on the job front further solidifies the notion that the Federal Reserve will likely begin...

There really isn’t enough room here to explain what a great process we had from you working for and with us Tony. You were very responsive to our concerns and you professionally, tactfully, and skillfully negotiated our sale while protecting our interests for the best possible result. We would recommend you without hesitation to anyone wanting the very best customer service possible. In addition, to...

  The National Association of Realtors’ most recent Existing Home Sales Report revealed that home sales were up rather dramatically over last year in five of the six price ranges they measure. Only those homes priced under $100,000 showed a decline (-10.1%). The decline in this price range points to the lower inventory of distressed properties available for sale and speaks to the strength...

Home buyers are in "full sprint" mode while sellers are stalling, according to brokers from Northwest Multiple Listing Service. As a result, MLS members are juggling severe inventory shortages and multiple offers in many Seattle neighborhoods and beyond. MLS figures for May show double-digit drops in inventory compared to a year ago and double-digit gains in both sales and prices. Commenting on the...

After the housing market bust we experienced across the country in 2008, many experts have been quick to warn that a new bubble may be forming in some areas of the country. The quickest and easiest way to show how far we’ve come and how far we still need to go in regards to the ‘Peak’ is to share CoreLogic’s Price & Time Since Peak figures, used to create the map below. Many...

The inaugural Opportunity Cost Report was released recently by realtor.com. The report explained that “with interest rates and home prices expected to climb in the next year, the financial penalties of delaying or forgoing a home purchase in today's market have become very steep”. The report estimates that, based on today's dollars, the average purchaser would accumulate $217,726 in increased...

One of the biggest questions plaguing the current housing market is where mortgage interest rates will be at this time next year. Over the last two months, rates have begun to creep up (see chart). Though we don’t like to project rates moving forward, we do want you and your family to have the information you need in order to decide whether to wait before buying your first house or moving up to...

Some Highlights: 30-year mortgage rates are projected to increase by a full percentage point in 2016 Rates are still well below the past four decade averages The interest rate at which you borrow the funds to purchase your dream home makes a huge difference on your monthly...

Here are the latest market charts from the MLS. Click on each image below for a larger version. Active Listings vs. Sold Listings Number of Pending Listings Median Sales Price For more information our the Seattle and Eastside Real Estate Market contact Tony Meier...

People often ask whether they should buy a home now or wait. Recently released data suggests that waiting may not make sense as prices seem to again be on the rise. Let’s take a look at some of the data and commentary on the subject: Ed Stansfield, chief property economist at Capital Economics: “The current tightness of supply conditions would normally be consistent with much faster price...

Modern town houses of brick and glass on urban street Each month, many people are faced with the decision of renewing their rental lease for another year or purchasing their first home. One of the questions that must be answered before they make a decision is – “Where are rents headed?” The Wall Street Journal recently wrote an article on this issue. Their conclusion: “Apartment rental...

National Homeownership Month actually started as a week-long celebration of homeownership during the Clinton administration in 1995. In 2002, President George W. Bush proclaimed June as the National Homeownership Month. Here is an excerpt from his proclamation: “Homeownership is an important part of the American Dream…A home provides shelter and a safe place where families can prosper and children...

If you thought about selling your house this year, now may be the time to do it. The inventory of homes for sale is well below historic norms and buyer demand is skyrocketing. We were still in high school when we learned the concept of supply and demand: the best time to sell something is when supply of that item is low and demand for that item is high. That defines today’s real estate...

We can't thank you enough for your help selling the house in Kent.  It was a daunting prospect at first glance when we made the decision to sell because we live out of town and weren't sure about a "long distance" situation. You made it so easy for us because you told us immediately upon inspection of the home what we realistically needed to do to get the house ready to sell.  We did not have a lot...

As recently posted on the results from the latest Home Price Expectation Survey (HPES) showing where residential home prices are headed over the next five years. Today, we want to show you what the results of the report could mean to you. A good portion of every family’s wealth comes from the equity in the home they live in. As the value of their home (an asset) increases so does their equity....

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) recently released the results of their Existing Home Sales Report. Despite the fact that properties are selling faster than they have at any other time since July of 2013, existing home sales declined 3.3% from March. NAR’s Chief Economist Lawrence Yun explained the main reason for the slow: "April's setback is the result of lagging supply relative to...

If you are planning on selling your home over the next two years, now may be the time to act. Demand is high, supply is low and many homeowners are benefiting from an almost auction atmosphere with several buyers fighting for their house in the current multi-bid environment. Higher prices and less stringent contingencies are making it easier for the seller and their family. However, there may be more...

A recent post by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) revealed that in the months of December 2014 through February 2015, there was an increase in the number of first-time buyers making a down payment of 6% or less as compared to last year: 2014: 61% of first time home buyers 2015: 66% of first time home buyers While the number of small down payments is lower than it was in 2009 when...

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 throughout the 100 largest metro areas in the United States. The updated numbers actually show that the range is from an average of 16% in Honolulu (HI), all the way to 55% in Sarasota (FL), and 35% Nationwide! The other interesting findings...

Earlier this week, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) released their latest quarterly report. The report covered three important aspects of the housing market: Buyer Demand Supply of Housing Inventory Single Family Residential Prices Today, we want to break down the highlights of the report along with several quotes from Lawrence Yun, the Chief Economist at NAR. Buyer Demand Total...

We recently reported that investment purchases in 2014 fell 7.4% for the year, that combined with a diminished supply of distressed inventory allowing for big profits, has real estate investors looking for a new way to make more money in 2015. So if they don’t have new properties to buy… how would they make more money? Easy… they are going to raise your rent! A recent article from Bloomberg...

We have reported many times that the American Dream of homeownership is alive and well. The personal reasons to own differ for each buyer, with many basic similarities. Eric Belsky, the Managing Director of the Joint Center of Housing Studies at Harvard University expanded on the top 5 financial benefits of homeownership his paper - The Dream Lives On: the Future of Homeownership in America. Here...

Some Highlights: Historically the Percentage of your income needed to afford a home vs. renting was a much closer margin. Making renting make sense. Now... Renting will cost you 30.1% of your income compared to buying a median home at 15.3% of your income. Either way you're paying a mortgage... why not have it be...

Four recent news articles confirmed that most Americans still see real estate as a great long term investment. The Gallup organization polled the American people and discovered that they believe that real estate is a better long term investment than stocks/mutual funds, gold, savings or bonds: A second survey was done by Edelman Berland which showed that: At the same time, Tim Rood,...

The Census recently released their 2015 Q1 Homeownership Statistics, and many began to worry that Americans have taken a step back from the notion of homeownership. The national homeownership rate (Americans who owned vs. rented their primary residence) increased significantly during the housing boom, reaching its peak of 69.2% in 2004. The Census Bureau just reported the first quarter of 2015 ended...

  Website   |   About Tony   |   Client References   |    Blog    |    Search Listings   |   Featured Listings The Eastside Home Report May 2015 Edition Western Washington Market Report Another Happy Client shares their Story! Pent-up demand triggering record pace of home sales around Western Washington Northwest...

Here are the latest market charts from the MLS. Click on each image below for a larger version. Active Listings vs. Sold Listings Number of Pending Listings Median Sales Price For more information our the Seattle and Eastside Real Estate Market contact Tony Meier...

First of all I would like to say thank you for making the buying process smooth and exciting! The thing that I appreciated the most is that I had the feeling that you were really working for me! You listened to what I wanted and tried to get the best deal for me and did not try to convince me otherwise. In my past experiences I had the feeling that the realtor wanted to make sure that there would...

May 5th, 2015 Northwest Multiple Listing Service members notched a record high level of pending sales during April, surpassing the year-ago volume by nearly 1,800 transactions. Both closed sales and prices also surged last month as the spring market kicked into high gear. Buyer confidence and buyer ability to purchase are fueling activity, suggested Ken Anderson, the managing broker and owner of...

The first quarter of the year acted more like a spring real estate market, and it came in like a lion. Rising employment, low mortgage rates and very tight inventory created a buying frenzy. Homes sold within days of being listed — often for over asking price — frustrating buyers who faced a serious lack of homes to choose from. Further adding to the problem, many current homeowners were reluctant to...

Spring is in full force; the summer months are right around the corner. If you are debating moving up to your dream home, here are four great reasons to consider buying today instead of waiting. 1.) Buyer Demand is High & Inventory Is Low Recent numbers show that buyer demand is at the highest peak experienced in years, and inventory for sale is at a 4.6 months supply, which is still markedly...

Some Highlights From The Report: •80% of all pre-retirees in the South Atlantic region plan to stay there in retirement •4 out of 10 pre-retirees plan to relocate in retirement •Retirees in the South Central Region are most satisfied with their Cost of...

If you have not bought or sold a home in a few years (or maybe decades) it is likely that there are more than a few new trends in real estate that you will encounter as you begin to interview real estate agents. One particular trend now common among many real estate brokerage firms is called the practice of “going paperless.” This can be a bit scary for some people, especially senior adults who...

Last month, we reported that billionaire John Paulson believes in the financial advantages of homeownership. He has often repeated: "I think, from an individual perspective, the best deal investment you can make is to buy a primary residence that you're the owner-occupier of.” However, he has not been the only billionaire to give such advice. As a matter of fact, that same advice has been given by...

Recently, Freddie Mac published a blog post titled Mortgage Rates: Still the Deal of the Century. They explained that, if you are planning to purchase a home, now may be the time: “If you are in the market to buy a home, today's average mortgage rates are something to celebrate compared to almost any year since 1971.” And they let their readers know that there is no guarantee that rates will...