Blog – Real Estate News

That headline might be a little aggressive. However, as the data on the 2015 housing market begins to roll in, we can definitely say one thing: If you are considering selling, IT IS TIME TO LIST YOUR HOME! We realize that existing home sales stumbled in January compared to December. But, if we compare the current September-January time period to the same period a year ago, we can see that existing...

For the last several years, home sellers had to compete with huge inventories of distressed properties (foreclosures and short sales). The great news is that the supply of these properties is falling like a rock in the vast majority of housing markets (only 11% of homes sold in January). Many homeowners are now thinking of selling as the impact of this substantially discounted competition has...

Note: The sellers interviewed two other Brokers (including a well known discount brokerage) and they were told to expect $500,000 to $550,000 at best for the home! Tony recommended a listing price of $575,000 and generated 9 offers on the home with a final sales price of $637,000! The end result was nearly $100,000 more in the seller's bank account!   After meeting with and...

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...

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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 February 2015 U.S. Economic & Housing Marketing Outlook. As you can see interest rates are...

In a recent post, we explained that the supply of homes for sale in December was at its lowest level in over a year. The January National Housing Trend Report from realtor.com now reveals that inventory in January has decreased another 6.7% month over month and 8.7% year over year. This is occurring at the same time that buyer activity (demand) remains strong. This prompted realtor.com’s Chief...

If you are planning on becoming a homeowner, or moving up to the home of your dreams in 2015, here are four great reasons to consider buying a home now, instead of waiting until spring. 1. Prices Will Continue to Rise The Home Price Expectation Survey polls a distinguished panel of over 100 economists, investment strategists, and housing market analysts. Their most recent report projects appreciation...

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 home, here are two graphs that strongly suggest that the time is now. Here is why… DEMAND According to research at the National Association of Realtors...

Many believed that when the housing market crashed, so too would the desire of American’s to own a home again. Many reports have shown that, especially among younger generations, the American Dream of homeownership is still very much alive. Julián Castro, Secretary for HUD, recently summed up what it means to own a home in a speech at the National Press Club. "Homeownership is still the...

According to the latest CoreLogic National Foreclosure Report, “approximately 552,000 homes in the US were in some state of foreclosure as of December 2014”. This figure is down 34.3% from the 840,000 homes in December of 2013. December marked the 38th consecutive month in which there were year-over-year declines. Anand Nallathambl, the President and CEO of CoreLogic, is hopeful for the...

Two recently released reports reveal that the American public is starting to feel much better about the U.S. economy. The University of Michigan’s Surveys of Consumers showed that: “Consumer optimism reached the highest level in the past decade in the January 2015 survey…Consumers judged prospects for the national economy as the best in a decade, with half of all consumers expecting the economic...

Over the last six years, homeownership has lost some of its allure as a financial investment. As homeowners suffered through the housing bust, more and more began to question whether owning a home was truly a good way to build wealth. Every three years the Federal Reserve conducts a Survey of Consumer Finances in which they collect data across all economic and social groups. Some of the findings...

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...

The housing market has taken a great turn toward recovery over the last few years. The opinions of the American public toward real estate took longer to recover, until recently. For the first time since 2006, Americans have an overall positive view of real estate, giving the industry a 12% positive ranking in a Gallup poll. Americans were asked to rate 24 different business sectors and...

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 over...

Tony is the most professional and personal realtor you will find. He supported us throughout a multi-year consideration of whether to sell our home and always gave us 100% of his energy whenever we had questions about the market and the right time to sell. When we finally were ready we knew we were already in the best hands with Tony’s commitment to give us the best possible chance for success. The...

Is spring closer than we think? Depending on which Groundhog you witnessed, 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...

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 13,808 houses sold yesterday, 13,808 will sell today and 13,808 will sell tomorrow. 13,808! That is the average number of homes that sell each and...

The headlines agree mortgage interest rates have dropped substantially below initial projections. Many who are considering purchasing a home, or moving up to their dream home, might think that they should wait to buy, because rates may continue to fall. A recent article on the Economists’ Outlook blog by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) provides insight into one major factor in the...

If you are thinking about purchasing a home right now, you are surely getting a lot of advice. Though your friends and family have your best interests at heart, they may not be fully aware of your needs and what is currently happening in real estate. Let’s look at whether or not now is actually a good time for you to buy a home. There are three questions you should ask before purchasing in...

It is common knowledge that a large number of homes sell during the spring buying season. For that reason, many homeowners hold off 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...

Now that the housing market has stabilized, more and more homeowners are considering moving up to the home they have always dreamed of. In most areas, prices are still below those of a few years ago. Also, interest rates are still near 4%. However, sellers should realize that waiting to make the move while mortgage rates are projected to increase probably doesn’t make sense. As rates increase,...

Every home must be sold TWICE! Once to the buyer, and once to the bank appraiser if a mortgage is involved. The second sale may have just become more difficult. A new program announced by Fannie Mae may slow down the home-sale closing process by causing more disputes over prices between sellers and buyers. In a recent Washington Post article they explained the basics of the program: “Starting...

There are many people out there who debated purchasing a home over the course of the last year, but ultimately did not. Whatever their reasons were for delaying, let’s look at whether the decision to wait to buy made sense. What happened in 2014? The 30 year fixed rate on January 2, 2014 was 4.53% as reported by Freddie Mac. Looking at the chart below, your monthly mortgage payment with principal...

A recently released study revealed that a whopping $441 Billion was spent on rents in the U.S. in 2014. This represents an increase of over $20 Billion from the year before. As shown on the chart below, rents have increased consistently over the last 20+ years. However, the recent increases have been astounding. Why such a jump? Many Millennials have postponed the purchase of their first home...

KIRKLAND, Washington (Jan. 6, 2015) - Real estate brokers around Western Washington reported a strong finish to 2014. December's sales outpaced the same month a year ago by double digits, according to new figures from Northwest Multiple Listing Service. "December was one of the best Decembers on record," observed J. Lennox Scott, chairman and CEO of John L. Scott Real Estate upon reviewing the...

The holiday season is behind us, time to focus on what exciting new experiences 2015 can bring! If you are planning on becoming a homeowner, or moving up to the home of your dreams in 2015, here are four great reasons to consider buying a home now, instead of waiting until spring. 1. Prices Will Continue to Rise The Home Price Expectation Survey polls a distinguished panel of over 100 economists,...

We finished 2014 with the 30 year fixed mortgage rate at 3.87% as per Freddie Mac. This is very close to the historic lows in the spring of 2013. However, the Mortgage Bankers Association projects mortgage rates to be about 5% by the end of 2015. The website Investopedia agrees and gives some perspective on the 5% rate: “Barring another financial and housing market implosion, and if the economy...

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...

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According to Freddie Mac’s latest U.S. Economic & Housing Market Outlook, U.S. home sales in 2015 will show increase to the numbers associated with a normal real estate market. Here is their projection: “We are projecting a 4 percent rise in sales to 5.6 million, which would mark the highest level of annual sales since 2007.” And their optimism was seconded by both the National Association...

Tony is a true pro that supported us from VERY early (couple years before listing) and through the entire process with no business (‘have to sign me up first’) type pressures – THANK YOU!  He always found time to respond in a timely manner and communicate the plan, any updates, and offer general assistance in words an inexperienced seller could understand. He minimized unknowns to us and that made...

Last week, we reported on the financial reasons that the New York Times felt that homeownership was important. 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. There’s No Place Like Home The top 4 reasons to own a home cited by respondents were not...

The New York Times recently published an editorial entitled, “Homeownership and Wealth Creation.” The housing market has made a strong recovery, not only in sales and prices, but also in the confidence of consumers and experts as an investment. The article explains: “Homeownership long has been central to Americans’ ability to amass wealth; even with the substantial decline in wealth after...

Below are the headlines from three separate news releases issued over a one month period: 11/3/2014 - Millions of Potential New Households Waiting Out the Recovery 11/11/2014 - Experts: First-Time Homebuyers' Weak Finances Holding Back Housing Market And then, the contrarian view: 12/2/2014 - In 2015, Millennials Will Be Biggest Home Buying Group It sure seems that the group that...

Yesterday, HousingWire reported that both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac formally announced their 3% down options on home purchases. Fannie Mae’s plan will be effective December 13, 2014 while the Freddie Mac plan will be available March 23, 2015. The HW article quotes FHFA Director Mel Watt: “The new lending guidelines released today by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will enable creditworthy...

The Mortgage Bankers Association, the National Association of Realtors, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are each projecting mortgage interest rates to increase substantially over the next twelve months. What will that mean to the housing market in 2015? Last week, we posted a graph showing that home prices appreciated each of the last four times mortgage interest rates dramatically increased. Today,...

CNBC’s Diana Olick recently reported that rents in the residential housing sector continued to rise in 2014. She interviewed Jed Kolko, Chief Economist at Trulia, who revealed: "Rents are rising because of strong demand that supply hasn't kept up with. Nearly all the new households are renters, and young people moving out of their parents' homes will keep fueling rental demand." Where are rents...

// Post by Tony Meier - EastsideHomes.com - Seattle's Eastside Real Estate...

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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 (Dec. 4, 2014) - Buyer interest remains high and many good values exist for those whose holiday wish list includes a new home, according to brokers with Northwest Multiple Listing Service. A new report from the MLS summarizing November activity shows year-over-year gains in pending sales, closed sales and median prices. The report encompasses 21 counties, mostly in Western...

As we finish 2014, it appears the real estate market is once again on solid footing and ready to advance forward over the next few years. The strength of the market can be viewed using two metrics: projected home values and projected house sales. We recently reported that the Home Price Expectation Survey revealed future home values will continue to appreciate nicely. Today we want to look at...

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When we needed to buy a house, you were our only choice.  We are a repeat customer, since you sold our house in Redmond in 2010. There is nothing you could have done to improve your service level.  You are perfect. Availability - You were always available, even with our crazy schedules, your extreme popularity and the extraordinary volume of houses we wanted to see. Knowledge - You had the excellent...

In a recent video update on the housing market, Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac’s chief economist, stated that with both mortgage interest rates and home prices projected to increase in 2015 buying now makes sense. “If you are planning to buy a home in the next year, it’s better to do it sooner rather than later.” Here are the latest mortgage interest rate projections from four major housing...

As we discussed last week one reason to sell now is demand is still strong. With inventory levels also still below historic numbers, you could be missing out on a great opportunity for your family. 1. There Is Less Competition Now Housing supply just dropped to 5.1 months, which is under the 6 months’ supply that is needed for a normal housing market. This means that, in many areas, there are not...

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...

Most homeowners believe that the winter is not a good time to sell. This belief is based on the fact that historically the number of buyers decreases in the winter and then increases dramatically during the spring buying market. Though this is still true, there is an interesting pattern developing over the last few months. The number of prospective purchasers actively looking at a home (foot...

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+...

Eric Belsky is Managing Director of the Joint Center of Housing Studies at Harvard University. He also currently serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Housing Research and Housing Policy Debate. Last year, he released a paper on homeownership - The Dream Lives On: the Future of Homeownership in America. In his paper, Belsky reveals five financial reasons people should consider buying a...

I was very impressed with Tony’s photography, video, and write up on his Eastside Homes webpage.  The staging looked near perfect, the advertising looked great, and I was very encouraged that after all the hard labor and expense of remodeling we were headed to multiple offers. Marc and Sarah Kramer - Sold in Woodinville -...

Our family has known and worked with Tony Meier, of Windermere R.E. Northwest, Inc., for many years. We have always found him to be a top professional in his field, responsive to our requests, always available when called upon and easy to work with. Recently we listed our home with Tony after he presented a very well thought out and professional marketing plan which addressed all of our questions and...

Whether you are buying or selling a home, it can be quite an adventurous journey. You need an experienced Real Estate Professional to lead you to your ultimate goal. In this world of instant gratification and internet searches, many sellers think that they can For Sale by Owner or FSBO. The 5 Reasons You NEED a Real Estate Professional in your corner haven’t changed, but have rather been...

Tony helped us navigate a very tricky relocation to the West Coast from Boston. He worked tirelessly to show us over a dozen houses in two days, and then helped us negotiate a bid on a property that we loved. As luck would have it, we were then forced into a difficult bidding war with another buyer. Tony was very skillful in putting together a bid package that helped us win the house of our dreams. I...

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 Expectation Survey...

In Trulia’s latest Rent vs. Buy Report, 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 17% in Honolulu, all the way to 63% in Detroit, and 38% Nationwide! This is up from an average of only 5% cheaper in...

Some homeowners may consider trying to sell their home on without the assistance of a real estate professional, known in the industry as a For Sale by Owner (FSBO). We think there are several reasons this might not be a good idea for the vast majority of sellers. Here are five of our reasons 1. There Are Too Many People to Negotiate With Here is a list of some of the people with whom you must be...

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 a paper from the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University explains:  “Households must consume...

Tony, I think you were right on with how you did things.  You were out to sell the house and do it as fast as you could. And you did it!  Plus sold it for more than the asking price.  You were always available to us when we had questions or needed something.  I know I wasn't very excited about the whole thing in general, but that was because I didn't want to move.  It was also hard for me because...

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 (Nov. 5, 2014) - Home buyers are back, and they're savvy and selective, according to officials who commented on the latest statistics from Northwest Multiple Listing Service. For sellers, that means pricing a home correctly at the start is vital, said industry veteran Kathy Estey, a member of the MLS board of directors. The new report summarizing October activity shows...

A recent study by the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University revealed when renters were asked why they do no plan to own in the future, financial constraints were a more common response than the perceived lifestyle benefits they may receive from renting. Today, we want to go over those financial challenges and see if we can put some fears to rest and also clear up some misconceptions....

There is a common misconception that many buyers have regarding the down payment necessary to purchase a home. Multiple studies reveal that 40-50% of Americans believe you need between 15-20% of a down payment to be eligible to purchase a home. This misconception came about as the government just last year debated new guidelines for residential mortgages because of the housing collapse in 2007....

The Gallup organization conducts an annual report entitled the Economy and Personal Finances Poll, which asks Americans to choose the best option for long-term investment. It was no surprise that real estate returned to the top position over other investment categories (gold, stocks/mutual funds, savings accounts/CDs and bonds). Back in 2011, gold was the most popular long-term investment among...

If you are thinking about purchasing a home right now, you are surely getting a lot of advice. Though your friends and family have your best interests at heart, they may not be fully aware of your needs and what is currently happening in real estate. Let’s look at whether or not now is actually a good time for you to buy a home. There are three questions you should ask before purchasing in...

Billionaire money manager John Paulson was interview at the Delivering Alpha Conference presented by CNBC and Institutional Investor. During his session he boldly stated: "I still 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.” Who is John Paulson? Paulson is the person who, back in 2005 & 2006, made a...

We happened to find Tony randomly through an open house. We liked his honesty and straight forward manner.  He let us contact him. When we did decide to proceed, he came to our house and walked us through what we needed to do for our house.   This was a very emotional process for my wife and I and he guided us through the process without being emotionally involved. He followed through, helped us make...

A recent study has concluded that 39% of buyers prefer to rent out their last residence rather than sell it when purchasing their next home. The study cites that many homeowners were able to refinance and “locked in a very low mortgage rate in recent years. That low rate, combined with a strong rental market, means they can charge more in rent than they pay in mortgage each month... so they are...

In real estate there is a difference between COST and PRICE. 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 about price but instead about the ‘long term cost’ of the home. Let us explain. Recently, we reported that a nationwide panel of over one...

Discover Home Loans conducted an interesting survey that revealed how prepared homebuyers are for the actual mortgage process. The survey reported that 94% of prospective buyers believe they are making a good investment decision if they buy a home. The survey also explained that 66% of buyers reach out to real estate agents to help determine whether buying a certain home would be a good...

KIRKLAND, Washington (Oct. 6, 2014) – Pending sales of homes around Western Washington surged more than 13 percent in September compared to a year ago, and listing activity picked up slightly, fueling both broker optimism and words of advice for sellers. Along with increases in the number of mutually accepted offers, the latest report from Northwest Multiple Listing Service shows year-over-year...

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...

Our family has just completed a highly successful sale of my parent's house under Tony Meier's expert guidance. I called him on a tight schedule in the middle of a complicated situation. He responded immediately with great competence and compassion. Tony went out of his way to meet the many deadlines and needs dictated by the health and welfare of my parents. He jumped right into the listing and provided...

Tony did a great job helping us sell our home.  He is very knowledgeable about current market conditions and expertly guided us through the sales process.  Tony helped us set a price, he helped us with presentation suggestions and he helped us with many other details of the sales process.  He put together a very nice walk-through video and a very professional flyer. Tony’s best quality is his...

Thank you for all your help in selling my home. Overall the experience was easy and stress free. I appreciated your timely assistance and your responsiveness to my questions. I will recommend you and Windermere to others in my family in the future. I was particularly pleased that you were explicit about how the house should be shown and what should be done to make it desirable for buyers. I believe that...

In my real estate transaction, there was nothing that Tony Meier could have done to improve my service level or enhancing my Real Estate experience. I was completely satisfied with his level of participation and service while representing our property to other industry Sales Agents and prospective clients. He inspected our property, made some suggestions, took professional digital photographs, which...

We were happy with our choice of Tony Meier to sell our English Hill home.  He is by far the most accomplished realtor in the neighborhood and comes with a wealth of knowledge. Tony was always available for questions and open to suggestions.  He ultimately did exactly what we asked: found a buyer for our home.  We recommend Tony to sell your house. Adam Holcott and Erin Drayer—Sold in...

You did an excellent job! I really liked all the technical information you are able to put out like the web sites and feedback! You handled this tuff situation very well. Over all it was a very positive experience for me. Jason Tauscheck - Sold in Kirkland -...

As far as I'm concerned, there was nothing else you could have done to make this experience any better than it was!  From sitting down with me and providing the information about market trends and meet comps was invaluable.  Listing and showing my home while I was out of town was so convenient. Getting feedback online and the many resources to market my house was impressive. You provided exemplary...

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 Meier was able to help us land a deal on our dream house which probably would not have been possible without his suggestions and ideas. He was attentive to the details and always answered our questions thoroughly and promptly. This was probably our best experience with an agent to date. We have bought 3 houses and sold 2. Tom and Leslie Delorenzi - Purchased in Redmond -...

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...

A recent survey by Zelman & Associates revealed that 38% of those between the ages of 25-29 years old and 42% of those between the ages of 30-34 years old believe that a minimum of 15% is required as a down payment to purchase a home. A recent questionnaire administered by Freddie Mac showed that over 50% of all respondents thought 20% was required as a down payment. In actually, a purchaser may...

Many clients have asked where interest rates are headed over the next several months. While no one has a crystal ball, we did want to share what some experts are saying on the subject. HSH.com “For now, and likely through the summer, we may see data-driven bumps and dips in rates. Although we managed a slight dip presently, a bump is in order before long.” Freddie Mac “In the next few...

This was my fourth transaction with Tony and while home buying/selling is never an easy transaction, Tony certainly makes it very smooth. Tony kept me apprised along all steps of the process and even kept the other agent on his toes. He is a good friend but we'll have to keep our friendship non-business since I plan on staying in this "forever" home! Thanks again Tony! Liz Dodd—Purchased in...

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...

Download a pdf here: Why Now Is a Good Time to Sell For more information on the market and how it applies to you, contact...

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...

Until this year, my husband & I had never been the "sellers" of a house before. We appreciated Tony's straightforward explanations of the process including how the current market could effect our selling price. Tony provided real-time data, specific to our buyer's and we felt confident we had the best realtor at our side. Our result was a thoughtful, well-reasoned plan to sell our house quickly, while...

Tony, I acquired your name through both friends and family members that were very pleased with the services you provided in the sales and purchases of their homes.  Their high praise was well justified. The ageing home you helped me sell was located on a very unique property, with several stumbling blocks.  Your realistic advice proved to be accurate each time.  Though I did not want to spend more...

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...

Housing activity in Western Washington ranges from “red hot” to “slowly healing” KIRKLAND, Wash. (May 6, 2014) – Brokers report some skittishness among both buyers and sellers, but the latest statistics from Northwest Multiple Listing Service indicate the housing market is continuing to rebound. Both the number of pending sales and the number of new listings added to inventory during April...

KIRKLAND, Wash. (April 3, 2014) – Northwest Multiple Listing Service brokers reported rising prices on fewer sales during March compared to a year ago, citing inventory shortages as the main reason. Members of the MLS reported 9,183 pending sales (mutually accepted offers) during the month, about 300 fewer than the same period a year ago for a 3.2 percent drop. Compared to February, pending sales...

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...

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...

The housing market has turned a corner. Two years of solid appreciation in the Seattle area shows that to be true. In addition, the Federal Government is easing their support for the bond market, so the ability to get a loan at a discounted rate is coming to an end. Here is the change seen on the Eastside from 2012 to 2013: What will waiting cost you in 2014? If we take a conservative look at value...

Yes, in fact it is one of the best investments you can make! The graphic above is based upon national numbers, here is what King County looks like: Residential Median Price in 2000 = $250,000 Residential Median Price in 2013 = $415,000 Total Increase = 66% As much as my investment adviser would hate for me to tell you this, the Seattle area's real estate market remains one of the best...

Now that the recession has ended, the divorce rate is back on the rise. The number of Americans getting divorces rose for the third year in a row to about 2.4 million in 2012, according to census data. The divorce rate had plunged to a 40-year low in 2009. "Whatever the social and emotional impact, the broad economic effects of the increase are clear: It is contributing to the formation of new...

DAILY REAL ESTATE NEWS | TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014 Now that the worst of the foreclosure crisis is in the rearview mirror, former home owners who lost their homes to a short sale or foreclosure are re-entering the housing market. They've spent the last few years rebuilding their credit — and they're ready to buy again. "We're about three years past the peak of the foreclosures, and that's...

Investors Target 'Hipster' ZIPs for Flipping DAILY REAL ESTATE NEWS | WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2014 Hipsters usually refers to a subculture of 20-something or 30-something men and women who follow the latest lifestyle trends and fashion. Many hipsters have delayed forming their own households and are living with their parents longer to get more control over their finances and find steadier...

DAILY REAL ESTATE NEWS | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2014 Mortgage delinquencies nationwide have plummeted to their lowest level in more than five years, as more home owners are coming out of the red on their payments, according to credit reporting agency TransUnion. The number of borrowers who are at least two months behind on their mortgage payments dropped to 3.85 percent in the fourth quarter of...

DAILY REAL ESTATE NEWS | WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2014 Strong year-over-year price gains are starting to take a bite into housing affordability, particularly in the West, according to the National Association of REALTORS®’ latest quarterly report. The median single-family home price rose in 73 percent of the markets, or 119 out of 164 metro areas, in the fourth quarter of 2013, with 26...

DAILY REAL ESTATE NEWS | TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014 The spring selling rush may already be under way, as some home owners are already throwing their properties on the market to take advantage of rebounding home prices and improved equity. Paul Reid, a real estate agent in Temecula, Calif., says some sellers are listing properties earlier than usual in anticipation of the spring...

I don’t know of anything that could have been done better, to assist in the closing on our home purchase.  Tony worked numerous days in the research of, and touring 20-30 homes.  He provided invaluable information about areas, neighborhoods, and local environments.  The negotiating process went smoothly, and resulted in a very positive conclusion. Tony took our input for house-interests, and...

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, Wash. (Feb. 5, 2014) – Home sales during January may not have been as super as the Seahawks’ performances, but brokers cite several reasons for optimism during 2014. “We are finally going to be looking at the ‘housing crisis’ in the rear view mirror,” said Mike Gain, CEO and president of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Northwest Real Estate. “In 2014 we are definitely in full...

Advice site Lifehacker.com recently reminded its readers to protect against four different kinds of infestations: spiders; mice, rats, and other rodents; attic critters such as squirrels and raccoons; and bugs that nestle in firewood. A partial solution shared by the first three problems is making sure that all points of entry are sealed, from tiny cracks to holes in the roof. Once that's accomplished,...

If You Want to Flip, Do It Now DAILY REAL ESTATE NEWS | MONDAY, FEBRUARY 03, 2014 In 2013, home flips snagged sellers a tidy profit. But the trend may not continue. RealtyTrac's Home Flipping Report for the fourth quarter of 2013  showed single-family home flips were up 16 percent from 2012 and up 114 percent from 2011. The average gross profit for a home flip—defined as a home being...

Homebuilder Says It's Upbeat Enough to Raise Prices Again DAILY REAL ESTATE NEWS | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2014 D.R. Horton, the largest U.S. home builder by homes sold, announced that strong sales will allow the company to raise prices for an early start of the spring home-selling season. The homebuilder announced a 4 percent increase in sales contracts in the first fiscal quarter ending Dec....

Northwest MLS brokers report nearly $25.5 billion in sales for 2013, outgaining prior year in both number of homes sold and dollar volume! KIRKLAND, Wash. (Jan. 22, 2014) – Members of Northwest Multiple Listing Service reported 75,517 closed sales during 2013, surpassing the 2012 volume by around 11,000 transactions for an increase of nearly 17 percent. Measured by dollars, last year’s sales of...

We chose to go back to Tony when we were ready to sell our townhouse and purchase a house because of his superb performance in helping us find our townhouse.  Tony goes above and beyond and obviously cares very much about his clients and in getting things done in a timely manner.  He is friendly and professional and extremely knowledgeable in his field.  We had many questions about both purchasing and...

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...

Northwest Multiple Listing Service - Kirkland, Wash. (Jan. 6, 2014) – Brokers with Northwest Multiple Listing Service ended 2013 with the best year-over-year improvement in inventory (up 8.4 percent) and a similar gain in closed sales to buoy confidence heading into the new year. December’s pending sales slipped slightly (down about 1.7 percent) compared to the same month a year ago. “Positive job...

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...

When we decided to sell our home, the first thing we needed was to find a realtor we trusted and felt comfortable with. From the initial meeting to the sale of our home Tony had us involved and informed every step of the way. Our home sold quickly at a higher listing price. If you have trepidation about finding a person to help sell your home then I would have you talk to Tony...his success rate speaks for...

Tony was there for us, starting months before the house went on the market, giving us valuable advice on projects that would yield the most bang for the buck.  Before we met Tony we were having a terrible time getting vendors to bid and show up to work on projects.  He generously shared his rolodex of resources for carpeting, handymen, plumbers, roofers, and movers Each recommendation was quick to...

Inventory levels in October remain tight with 1.7 months for single family homes and 1.5 months for condos. Sold prices for homes are up 13% and condos are up 17% as compared to one year ago. The chart below applies to the Greater Eastside, including Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Issaquah, Sammamish, Woodinville and Bothell. For more information on how the changing market applies to you, contact me...

We were very happy with you and our experience. We were impressed with your professionalism and your knowledge of the markets, the inventory, and the selling/purchasing process.  We especially liked you familiarity and use of the technology available these days.  The email alerts we got for new listings were very helpful, and ultimately enabled us to make the offer on our new house as soon as it...

I have had an outstanding experience working with Tony. That isn't a comment I make lightly. Tony provided great and frequent communication on the market and trends, as well as my own house. He was very responsive to my questions... No matter how basic they may have seemed. Given the active market at the time of my house sale, I knew that Tony was very busy. But he always made me feel like I was his only...

Dear Tony, I want to express how very much I appreciate the excellent and professional job you did to help me find the house I’ve recently purchased.  I couldn’t have asked for a better advocate.  You listened to my wish to stay in a certain specific neighborhood and understood my financial situation - but you also “thought out of the box” when you brought to my attention a split level house that...

Hi Tony, as always you were able to guide us through to a successful purchase. This time when we put in our offer I didn't expect it to be accepted. But you encouraged us to go through the process and sure enough we bought a house!  Thanks for all your help and next time we want to buy a house (which I hope will be a while), you'll be our first call. Thanks! Bill and Kay Breslin - Purchased in...

Tony helped us navigate through some challenging waters as we sold one home and bought another in a time crunch as school was about to start for our kids. Because of Tony we ended up in a beautiful home which we really would have thought was beyond our reach. Tony is an expert at what he does, as he guides his clients through local housing markets with a sure-fire perspective and a steady hand. He provides...

When faced with an unexpected family medical emergency, it became apparent that there was a very high probability that we would need to sell my parents home in English Hill – I needed to lay the ground work, from across the country, to have the best real estate broker available to walk us through the process and sell the home as quickly as possible for market value – no games, no discounting. I...

Our family loves the house and are in disbelief at how fortunate we were to have found it! We also feel very fortunate to have met you, as you helped so much in our transition from CA to WA.  From our preliminary visits with you prior to our move, to helpful market information you provided from the start, and follow ups after our first meeting, we knew we wanted to work with you.  You helped us to...

Tony, this is the third house you have sold for us. Could there be any better recommendation?  You are so professional, keeping us informed at every step of the process. You negotiate for us and tell us how to get the property ready for the best possible price in the current market. Your photography is outstanding. The paperwork is so easy with your technical online ability and you explain clearly to all...

You definitely lived up to your reputation as a realtor and we greatly enjoyed working with you. Everything went quickly and smoothly. Even with the short sale, you kept us well informed and explained a lot. We will gladly refer you to anyone we know who is looking to buy or sell a home! Stephen and Amanda...

Tony made the entire process easy. As techies we appreciated that Tony used the latest technology. He took amazing photos of the house, provided a service which logged realtor/customer comments, and had a list of contractors for last minute items. Tony offered an online process to review and sign offers with Authenti-Sign which meant that we could respond to offers and sign the sales agreement despite...

I am very happy with the service from Tony. Tony knows the market well. He is very sharp and efficient in responding to market opportunities. He is very professional and open in communication. I will do business again with Tony. I will recommend Tony to anyone who is interested in buying and selling houses. Lee Weng - Purchased in Kenmore -...

If you demand honesty, enthusiasm, professionalism, market knowledge, positive personality, and a contagious smile, Tony Meier should be your broker. I have known Tony since 2001, when we meet at a business networking organization. I was instantly impressed with Tony's positive personality and smile. I have referred several clients to Tony over the years, and they were all happy with the out-come of their...

We were glad to be referred to you thank you for your efforts in finding our ideal home! Once we gave an outline of requirements for what we wanted in a home, you went to work trying to locate it. With the low inventory, it took some time. However, you were very flexible and accommodating to our time schedule, so we could quickly see any potential contender.  Once we did find the perfect home, we...

Tony is absolutely fantastic! His wealth of knowledge and experience in the real estate business were invaluable tools in helping us find our first home. A very clear communicator, Tony kept us well informed throughout the entire process and was always available to answer any questions, no matter how small they might have seemed. This being our first purchase, Tony was able to offer sound advise along the...

I was very pleased with the work of Tony Meier and his team at Windermere Real Estate. He was there during a time of need and made the process as smooth as possible. Beyond the roles of a professional realtor, Tony exhibited an enormous amount of patience and words of encouragement as we searched for my perfect new beginning. I would recommend his services to others for the tremendous job and time spent...

I have been a Branch Manager at a national bank for over 30 years and I have worked with hundreds of Realtors in my career and I just want to tell you Tony that you did an AWESOME job on selling my house. The pictures that you took and the video that you did on the Internet was outstanding. I cannot believe how fast our house was sold.  Getting 16 offers and selling the house for 11% above the listing...

We had lived in our Kirkland home for 29 years when we decided to downsize and move into a condo. Tony placed our home on the market and in five days we had six offers. Tony skillfully managed the bidding war that developed and we ended up selling for $36,000 more than our asking price.  Thank you Tony!! Steve and Karen Pillitu - Sold in Kirkland -...

In the last few months, Tony Meier has facilitated the sale of my home and purchase of a new property . Both transactions went smoothly and easily, primarily because of Tony's proactive and professional response to all aspects of the sale and purchase. He provided me with the information I needed to make decisions that were in my best interest. During the time I worked with Tony, he was easily reachable...

My wife and I had the unfortunate task of finding a house during a period of very low availability.  It was to our extreme good fortune to select and work with Tony Meier during this process.  Throughout house hunting, Tony provided excellent guidance.  He was completely engaged with our search, learning our likes and dislikes and providing us with suitable homes to review.  Reaction time is...

Meeting Tony has been such a blessing for our family.  Upon meeting Tony we knew right away that he was the perfect broker for us.  He understood our needs as a family and went above and beyond all expectations.  Tony found us our ideal home in English Hill.  We feel that with his extensive knowledge of the area and connections with the community Tony sealed the deal on the house for us.  For us,...

I wanted to send you a letter of thanks as our Realtor on the recent sale of our home. It has been a pleasure working with you from the first appointment, continuing throughout the selling process, and up to your phone call in which you congratulated us that our home was sold. The fact that our home sold on first day was amazing, and I believe that was because of your hard work and friendly and...

Thank you for facilitating the sale of our home in only 3 days on the market and for the asking price! It couldn't have been a smoother process. You helped us understand everything we needed to know to market and show our home at its best. We appreciated that you were available to answer questions and calm our jitters as they arose. Your experience, expertise, and confidence in your craft came through and...

Thanks for all your help and guidance on the project.  We felt you were on the ball, attentive and kept us informed.  Cheers and thanks again. David Cunningham & Jill Shriver - Sold in Redmond...

I am so thankful to have had Tony Meier serve as my agent to sell my home in English Hill and also to purchase my new home in the Woodside area of Renton.  He went above and beyond his call of duty.  He walked me through every step of the way, including referring excellent contractors to take care of some repairs in my home.  Even when I was having some health issues during the process and was feeling a...

Tony, we decided to use you again because the previous sale you handled for us turn out so well. During our latest transaction, there were no disappointments and we were impressed with all the professional support that you continued to give us. We look forward to working with you again. Bill & Kay Breslin - Sold in Redmond -...

We're very glad we called in Tony to get a market appraisal and then signed him on to serve us as a realtor both in buying a new home and in selling our family home of fifteen years. It was a hard thing to leave a home we loved, but we knew we had to do it to fit the current reality in our lives. Tony was very understanding of our emotions, even as he worked with hard numbers and a clear sense of the...

I so appreciated your patient and faithful attention to us as we agreed on a listing price, asked questions about preparing the house, eliminated unpleasant odors late at night (LOL!) and worked through the process of signing papers with Bob and I in different states. To you, selling and buying houses is an every day kind of experience.  To most of your clients I would guess that it's just shy of...

Tony is the best real estate agent we have ever worked with! Whilst out for a coffee we stumbled across a house that seemed perfect for us. We called Tony, who squeezed us into his already hectic day, meeting us at the house we wanted to buy, where he provided instant access to key relevant data that together with Tony’s expert advice enabled us to make a competitive and attractive offer to the seller;...

WOW, Tony - we can’t thank you enough! Our home sold quickly and for more than we hoped! Tony was always there for us, listening to our needs and understanding our desires. He always had our best interest at heart and we always knew where we stood with him. We would recommend Tony whole heartedly to anyone looking to buy or sell. We only wish he were here to help us in Palm Springs with our next...

KIRKLAND, Wash. (May 3, 2012) – Northwest Multiple Listing Service brokers reported double-digit gains in both pending and closed sales during April compared to a year ago, but the most eye-catching number may pertain to prices. For the first time in more than four years (since January 2008) the year-over-year change in selling prices was positive. The price gain was a modest 1.27 percent for last...

The Redmond Garden Club will be having their annual sale May 12th from 8am to 3pm. The sale will be located at 17817 NE 131st Street, Redmond, 98052. Follow the signs along NE 124th/NE 128th, Avondale Road, or Redmond-Woodinville Road All kinds of greenery and goodies including: Perennials Annuals, Vegetable Starts, Shrubs, Crafts, Planters plus garden related yard sale items and much more Come early...

I just purchased my home in January of 2012 and I have got to say that I am so glad I had Tony as my real estate agent!  Not only was he patient with me and my very specific real estate needs but he was really thorough with the negotiations with the bank.  He went over and beyond my expectations for the process and communicated with me every step of the way.  I always felt like I new what was...

NWMLS April 5th, 2012 “Buyer Ready” Home Shoppers Have Edge as Brokers Report Rise in Multiple Offers KIRKLAND, Wash. (April 5, 2012) – The housing market in the Puget Sound region is pointing toward a sustainable recovery, according to several brokers who commented on the March activity report from Northwest Multiple Listing Service. MLS Members reported 9,126 pending sales during March, a...

From the Northwest Multiple Listing Service: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 5, 2012 Washington homebuyers realizing "market may have reached bottom of cycle" KIRKLAND, Wash. (March 5, 2012) – With spring on the horizon and consumer confidence on the rise, members of Northwest Multiple Listing Service are reporting positive gains in activity. Pending sales for February increased more than 27...

Inventory is way down from our peak levels! In 2008 there were nearly 16,000 homes for sale in King County, now we have less than half that!   Inventory is absorbing at levels we have not seen since the market correction began!  Absorption levels in mid-30’s would typically mean the median price is on the rise.   So what does this mean to you and your...

We just loved working with Tony in selling our home.  Everything was handled in a professional manner and the communication was great.  We were never left wondering what was happening during the whole process.  Tony let us know what was happening through the whole process right down to when the final recording of the sale was complete. The online feedback system is very helpful to know what the...

Tony helped us buy our current home and sell our previous one.  Through both transactions, he kept us well informed of all of the various timelines and deadlines and provided sound advise as we progressed from preparing and pricing our home through the offers and negotiations with the buyers/sellers.  He was very responsive to our needs completed the sales quickly and efficiently. He did an...

Tony sold our home this January, in appalling weather, several inches of snow on the ground, in about a week. Buyers never saw the grass until after the deal was signed. We had 2 offers on the same day and he was able to finesse the price very close to our asking. Tony was efficient & responsive on everything, he moved the process along quickly and professionally. Staying in constant touch, was huge...

Repost of a Press Release from http://www.waschoolexcellence.org/ Full text of the Washington State Supreme Court Decision on Jan 5th 2012 can be found here: Education in the New: Washington Supreme Court Decision In a clear win for children, the Washington State Supreme Court ruled unanimously today that the state was violating its constitutional paramount duty to amply fund K-12 education. This is a...

NWMLS KIRKLAND, WA. (Dec. 5, 2011) – Northwest Multiple Listing Service members reported 6,103 pending sales during November, marking the seventh straight month of double-digit year-over-year increases. Last month's total number of mutually accepted offers was 22.4 percent higher than the same month a year ago. It also marked the first month since December 2006 that the number of pending sales...

December 5, 2011 We recently utilized Tony Meier to assist us with the purchase of a rental house. As a real estate professional, Tony has an excellent knowledge of the market and provided us with exceptional service from house search to house closing. As our agent, he was very pro-active, responsive, trustworthy, and diligent. Our purchase offer was accepted the night before we left on vacation to...

Selling your home during the holidays means a few extra things to keep in mind. Below are some tips on how to keep your holiday-themed house buyer friendly and ready to sell! Don’t go overboard with the holiday decorations. They can make your home look cluttered and take attention away from it. Large Christmas trees can make a room look smaller. As can a ton of presents under the tree and too much...

Better times are ahead for the real estate market in the new year, according to several forecasts and recent surveys. Fiserv, a financial information services firm, predicts that 95 percent of the 384 metro areas it tracks will see prices rise in 2012. Many surveys and economists are forecasting a very modest increase for the housing market in the new year, but after several years of dropping prices...

Tony did a great job suggesting the right improvements and great contractors to make our home show best for our market.  He did an excellent job taking photos and building a photo showcase and video to market our home that really made it shine.  He did a great job helping us come to terms with the current market so we could set an appropriate price.  The combination of these helped us generate a...

Thank you so much for all your help in selling our house. The whole experience was fantastic and we will recommend you to all our friends and family. Heather and Merrick Hill - Sold in Bothell -...

The Seattle Times confirms what I see too.... It is an incredible opportunity to buy a home today! "Thanks to declining prices and record-low interest rates, houses in King County are more affordable now than they've been in at least 17 years, a new score card says." For their complete story, click here. Tony Meier Making Real Estate Easy, Fun & Profitable! Serving Buyers, Sellers & Their...

Tony, you did a great job at communicating with us. Your responses were thorough and timely. You were very tactful at handling and calming these anxious first time home buyers! We greatly appreciate your services and will definitely recommend you to friends. Thank you again!! Annie & Josh Owen - Purchased in Bothell -...

Nationally, median list prices have risen 1.60 percent to $190,000, based on year-over-year data from September. However, some cities haven’t fared so well. California continues to have the most cities seeing some of the largest drops in median list prices the past year. Of the cities that have seen the largest drops in list prices year-over-year from September 2011, California cities make up half of...

Tony did a great job helping me prepare my home for sale and strategizing a competitive price. He took exceptional photos that showed my home to its best advantage and remained positive and upbeat throughout the process.  I very much appreciate his assistance and expertise.  Thanks Tony! Paula Worley - Sold in Redmond -...

Tony was recommended to us by our friends and he lived up to the expectation. He helped us sell our house as well as buy a new one. Through the entire process, he was very professional and patient. He was very knowledgeable about the area and the market. We looked at quite a few houses and throughout the process he stayed focused on our needs, gave us advice and gently nudged us along. Had he not been for...

My associates over at CW Title have prepared this great graphic to show the life of an Escrow. Click on the image for a larger version. Tony Meier Making Real Estate Easy, Fun & Profitable! Serving Buyers, Sellers & Their Referrals Since 1989 Windermere Real Estate/NE EastsideHomes.com – Seattle’s Eastside Real Estate...

I wanted to thank you for everything you did to support our family in this massive endeavor.  I knew Wendy and I made the right choice in asking you to represent us after the first 5 minutes with you, back in May.  Everything that has happened since then has done nothing but reinforce our decision.  I appreciate your professionalism, knowledge, experience, honesty, and the simple fact that you...

We enlisted Tony’s services to buy a house in Woodinville and sell our house in Redmond. Throughout the process, Tony was extremely professional and virtually always available, in person, by phone, or by e-mail. He explained the processes of buying and selling very clearly and was helpful in many areas. He always had time when needed in critical situations. He helped us sell our house very quickly in a...

Tony was by far the best real estate agent I have ever encountered. He exceeded my expectations in all aspects of the sale.  His agressiveness and responsiveness to all of my needs were outstanding. I would highly recommend  him to any prospective clients. Thanks again Tony, you truly are the best.... Steve Couey - Purchased in Woodinville -...

Tony, Your service level was great. You always answered my questions with honest answers. I was especially impressed with the people and companies that you recommended for getting the house ready to sell. They were professional and did what they said they would do when they said that they would do it. Thanks again Tony. Dick Anderson and Dorothy Anderson - Sold in Bellevue -...

The 10 Most Walkable Cities Buyers have expressed more preferences to walkable communities in home-shopping surveys. Walk Friendly Communities, a national recognition program, recently recognized the top places in the country for walking, taking into account such factors as safety, space in communities devoted to pedestrians, as well as whether walking is integrated into the city’s overall urban...

I met Tony a few years ago when I first considered selling my Bellevue home.  I had asked three realtors for their input. Tony continued to follow up with friendly and useful mailings describing the general sales climate. When we were again ready to sell, I had already determined that Tony was the right choice for me. Tony helped me with solid competitive data to price the home, advice on staging,...

The Redmond Garden Club will be having their annual sale May 7th from 8am to 3pm. The sale will be located at 17817 NE 131st Street, Redmond, 98052. Follow the signs along NE 124th/NE 128th, Avondale Road, or Redmond-Woodinville Road All kinds of greenery and goodies including: Perennials Annuals, Vegetable Starts, Shrubs, Crafts, Planters plus garden related yard sale items and much more Come early...

March saw another increase in pending home sales, with contract activity rising unevenly in six of the past nine months, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contract signings, rose 5.1 percent to 94.1 in March from a downwardly revised 89.5 in February. The index is 11.4 percent below 106.2 in March 2010; however,...

Since its birth as a National Holiday in 1914, the second Sunday of May has been dedicated to showering the Moms in our lives with love and appreciation. Here are some ideas to help you do just that: For a Craft-Loving mom: Make her a custom photo book full of fun family memories or give her some time to herself to spend flexing her creative muscles. http://www.snapfish.com For a Luxury-Loving...

Unfortunately, I have been assisting several people lately with short sales. During the process we discuss the serious impact this process will have on my clients credit score. The New York Times posted an article, that fills in the details further. Missed Mortgage Payments Hurt Credit Scores Missed mortgage payments, short sales, and foreclosures can all drastically bring down a credit score. Lenders...

Sales of existing-home sales rose in March, continuing an uneven recovery that began after sales bottomed last July, according to the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Existing-home sales, which are completed transactions that include single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, increased 3.7 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.10 million in March from an upwardly revised 4.92...

Gov. Chris Gregoire signed a bill Thursday that makes Washington the third state to adopt a foreclosure-mediation program, after Nevada and Maryland. By Sanjay Bhatt Seattle Times staff reporter The bill, the "Foreclosure Fairness Act," gives distressed homeowners working with housing counselors or attorneys the right to in-person mediation with the bank or company servicing their mortgage. Washington,...

We hired Tony in August 2011 to sell our house in the English Hill neighborhood of Redmond, as we were moving out of state. We interviewed several real estate agents before deciding on Tony. Tony was well-prepared for our first meeting and came across as an friendly person with extensive knowledge of the neighborhood. We hit it off almost immediately. This was the first time we were selling a house and...

Housing Shortage on the Horizon? Mike Castleman, founder and CEO of Metrostudy, which tracks real-time data of the country’s inventory of new homes, says a housing shortage is looming that will soon will create a huge surge in demand for new homes. As such, now is the time to buy, he says. In the 41 cities Metrostudy covers, 78,000 houses are either vacant and for sale, or under construction — that...

Generation X—young families and adults ages 31 to 45—are likely to lead the home-buying recovery as it gets underway, according to real estate experts who spoke at an educational webinar produced by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) in partnership with Builder magazine. These potential home buyers are most likely to think it’s a good time to get off the fence—and have strong...

Australian builder plans 500 houses in Seattle market One of Australia's largest homebuilders is entering the U.S. market with a bet on King, Snohomish and Pierce counties. By Eric Pryne Seattle Times business reporter One of Australia's largest homebuilders is jumping into the Seattle market. Henley Properties said Monday it plans to build 500 houses in King, Snohomish and...

Buffett Says Buying His Home for $31,500 Was Third-Best Investment He Made By Kathleen M. Howley - Feb 28, 2011 Billionaire Warren Buffett said buying a home was the third-best investment he ever made, after the rings he bought for his first wife, Susan Thompson, and, after her death, his second wife, Astrid Menks. “For the $31,500 I paid for our house, my family and I gained 52 years of terrific...

One of our family's favorite events... The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. For 28 years, the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival has been one of the most sought-after events in the Pacific Northwest. Come and enjoy the celebration of Spring as millions of tulips burst into bloom!  Don’t forget to bring your camera! 25th Annual Tulip Run     April 9, 9:30am     www.tuliprun.com  30th Annual Tulip...

Generation X — adults ages 31 to 45 — are expected to lead the recovery in the housing market, according to real estate experts in a recent webinar produced by the National Association of Home Builders. During the event, speakers highlighted results of a survey of 10,000 buyers in 27 metro areas. While Generation X isn’t the largest population group — making up 32 percent of the population...

If you answered... not very, then you are like most people. The recent incidents in Japan heighten the awareness that we should be prepared for whatever mother nature or mankind can through at us! With this in mind... I have gathered a copy of the Washington State Emergency Resource Guide for you to download at the link below: Washington State Emergency Resource Guide I hope you will take the time to...

Tax Time Less Taxing for Home Owners With a little more than one month before income taxes are due, many of the nation’s 75 million home owners may be appreciating the value of home ownership just a bit more as they take advantage of the tax benefits of owning a home. “Owning a home offers myriad benefits throughout the year, but some of the financial advantages of home ownership are most apparent at...

h2>Become a moisture detective to keep your investment in good repair and get rid of household smells. It’s time to see what winter’s wind, rain and snow have done to your home and make fixes quickly to head off water-related damage. First, head outside. Outside Spiff up the front entry. One way to stay on top of your home’s maintenance and protect your investment is to look at it as...

Nearly 70 percent of buyers and sellers say they believe the housing market and property values will recover in the next year or two, according to a new survey by Prudential Real Estate and Relocation Services Inc. What’s more, 86 percent of the more than 1,000 buyers and sellers surveyed believe real estate is still a good investment despite the souring market conditions in many areas the past few...

The number of foreclosure notices filed in February declined 14 percent compared with last month, and foreclosure notices dropped 27 percent compared to last year at this time. That marks the largest year-over-year decline that RealtyTrac, a foreclosure tracking site, has ever recorded. The number of U.S. homes in some stage of foreclosure fell drastically last month, reaching a 36-month low, RealtyTrac...

Kiplingers 10 Best Cities for the Next Decade They're prosperous, innovative, and they'll generate plenty of jobs, too.By the Editors of Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine From Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine, July 2010 We live in challenging times. Unemployment remains high, and the U.S. lead in technology and science is slipping as many foreign countries gain ground. But some U.S. cities,...

The uptrend in existing-home sales continues, with January sales rising for the third consecutive month with a pace that is now above levels a year ago, according to the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Existing-home sales, which are completed transactions that include single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, increased 2.7 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.36 million in January...

Housing markets: Best recovery bets 6 of 10 Seattle Median home price: $375,000 Drop since market peak: 24.4% Forecast gain by 9/2012: 3.7% Seattle is a good mix of new and old economies, with Microsoft, Amazon and Boeing offering good, well-paying jobs. And that has been key to getting the city's economy off life support, with the unemployment rate dropping below 9% in...

Tony Meier made sure that I was clearly informed throughout the 2 year search for my new home.  I understood all my options and he helped me narrow down my choices.  I appreciated his patience and perseverance, and his quick response.  His knowledge and expertise were extremely valuable when I finally found a suitable place, and frankly I don’t think the deal would’ve happened without him. Tony...

Washington, DC, January 20, 2011 Existing-home sales rose sharply in December, when sales increased for the fifth time in the past six months, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. Existing-home sales1, which are completed transactions that include single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, rose 12.3 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.28 million in December from an...

1/13/2011 "We worked with Tony on both the purchase of our new home and the sale of our old home. Throughout the process, Tony proved to be committed, knowledgeable, and savvy while taking us through the purchase and sales process. Regarding the sale, even in a down market, Tony managed to get our house sold. Unlike many real estate professionals, Tony is a very good communicator and kept...