Gig Harbor Real EstateReal EstateWindermere June 2, 2017

From Cap and Gown to Community Service

From Cap and Gown to Community Service

Posted in Community, Perspectives, and Windermere by Jill Jacobi Wood, OB Jacobi & Geoff Wood

Like many of you, our family has a high school student graduating soon who is both eager and excited to embark upon life’s next phase. It wasn’t all that long ago that for graduates, like ours, community service was something they did to pad their college applications, but now this important exercise is a requirement at most high schools. That’s because a common belief is that community service links together the academic, social, and emotional elements of learning while giving kids the chance for personal growth through helping others. And hopefully those same kids will grow into adults who will continue to be engaged, positive citizens in their community.

 

This is a philosophy that we believe in wholeheartedly at Windermere. That’s why every year our offices close their doors for one day to help make a positive difference in their communities. It all started in 1984 with a handful of agents who came together to help out a local elementary school that needed some TLC. Thirty-three years and more than one million hours of community service later, we’ve continued this tradition through neighborhood-enhancing projects in the areas where our Windermere teams live, work, and play.

 

We agree that community service shouldn’t end with a cap and gown. Over the years, our team has proven this time and time again by embodying the notion that service to others is not something you do, it is who you are.

 

On Friday June 9, Windermere offices throughout the Western U.S. will close their doors for our company-wide Community Service Day. You can follow their projects on our Facebook page: www.Facebook.com/WindermereRealEstate.

Gig Harbor Real EstateHomesReal EstateWindermere May 17, 2017

Western Washington Real Estate Market Update

Western Washington Real Estate Market Update

Posted in Market News and Western Washington Real Estate Market Update by Matthew Gardner, Chief Economist, Windermere Real Estate

 

ECONOMIC OVERVIEW

I’m happy to report that Washington State continues to add jobs at a steady rate. While the rate of growth is tapering, this is because many markets are getting close to “full employment”, during which time growth naturally slows. That said, I believe that the state will add around 70,000 jobs in 2017. Washington State, as well as the markets that make up Western Washington, continues to see unemployment fall and I anticipate that we will see this rate drop further as we move through the year. In all, the economy continues to perform at or above average levels and 2017 will be another growth year.

 

 

HOME SALES

  • There were 15,652 home sales during the first quarter of 2017. This is an increase of 9.5% from the same period in 2016, but 20.7% below the total number of sales in the final quarter of 2016.
  • With an increase of 45.5%, sales in Clallam County grew at the fastest rate over the past 12 months. There were double-digit gains seen in an additional 10 counties, suggesting that demand remains very robust. The only modest decline in sales was seen in Grays Harbor County.
  • The number of homes for sale showed no improvement at all, with an average of just 6,893 homes for sale in the quarter, a decline of 33% from the previous quarter and 25% from the first quarter of 2016. Pending sales rose by 2% relative to the same quarter a year ago.
  • The key takeaway from this data is that 2017 will offer little relief to would-be home buyers as the housing supply remains severely constrained.

 

 

 

HOME PRICES

  • With demand continuing to exceed supply, home prices continued to rise at above-average rates. Year-over-year, average prices rose by 9.5% but were 1.1% lower than in the final quarter of 2016. The region’s average sales price is now $409,351.
  • Price growth in Western Washington is unlikely to taper dramatically in 2017 and many counties will continue to see prices appreciate well above their long-term averages.
  • When compared to the same period a year ago, price growth was most pronounced in Kittitas County, which rose by 19.6%. Double-digit price growth was seen in an additional 10 counties. The only market where the average price fell was in the ever-volatile San Juan County.
  • It is clear that rising interest rates have not taken much of a sheen off the market.

 

 

DAYS ON MARKET

  • The average number of days it took to sell a home in the first quarter dropped by 16 days when compared to the first quarter of 2016.
  • King County remained the tightest market, with the average time to sell a home at just 31 days. Island County was the only area where it took longer to sell a home than seen a year ago; however, the increase was just one day.
  • In the first quarter of the year, it took an average of 70 days to sell a home. This is down from the 86 days it took in the first quarter of 2016, but up from the 64 days it took in the final quarter of last year.
  • Given woefully low levels of inventory in all Western Washington markets, I do not expect to see the length of time that it takes to sell a home rising in 2017. In fact, it is likely that it will continue to drop.

 

 

CONCLUSIONS

This speedometer reflects the state of the region’s housing market using housing inventory, price gains, home sales, interest rates, and larger economic factors. For the first quarter of 2017, I moved the needle a little more in favor of sellers. The rapid increase in mortgage rates during the fourth quarter of 2016 has slowed and buyers are clearly out in force.

 

 

Matthew Gardner is the Chief Economist for Windermere Real Estate, specializing in residential market analysis, commercial/industrial market analysis, financial analysis, and land use and regional economics. He is the former Principal of Gardner Economics, and has over 25 years of professional experience both in the U.S. and U.K.

Gig Harbor Real EstateHomesReal EstateWindermere April 11, 2017

HOME PRICES CONTINUE TO RISE IN JANUARY AS SUPPLY REMAINS TIGHT

HOME PRICES CONTINUE TO RISE IN JANUARY AS SUPPLY REMAINS TIGHT.

FEDERAL RESERVE RAISES INTEREST RATES

According to the S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Index, home prices in the Seattle Metropolitan Index (which includes Pierce County) rose 0.6% in January.  This represented the highest increase in any of the cities in Case Shiller’s 20-city Index except San Diego where prices were up 0.8%.   For the twelve months January 2016 to January 2017 prices rose 11.3% in the region. A reminder: Case Shiller reports prices with a two month lag.

Home Prices on upward trend

David Blitzer, Chairman of the Index Committee reported:  “Home Prices continue on a generally upward trend.  The recent action by the Federal Reserve raising the target for the Fed Funds rate by a quarter percentage point is expected to add less than a quarter percentage point to mortgage rates in the near future.  Given the market’s and the economy’s current strength, the small increase in interest rates isn’t expected to dampen home buying.  If we see three or four additional increases this year, rising mortgage rates could become a concern.”

Inventory

“While prices have varied month-to-month and across the country, the national price trend has been positive since the first quarter of 2012.   In February, the inventory of homes in the market represented 3.7 months of sales, lower than the long-term average of six months.  Tight supplies and rising prices may be deterring some people from trading up to a larger home, further aggravating supplies because fewer people are selling their homes.  The prices also hurt affordability as higher prices and mortgage rates shrink the number of households that can afford to buy at current prices levels.  At some point, this process will force prices to level off or decline—however we don’t appear to be there yet.”

Gig Harbor Area

In the Gig Harbor/Key Peninsula/Fox Island market, the 115 home sales this March was a 28% increase over the 90 sales in March of 2016.  There are currently 263 active listings of homes for sale in Gig Harbor, representing only a 2.6 month’s supply, based on current sales volume.  See where you home fits on the attached Market Absorption Report.

Gig Harbor Real EstateReal EstateWindermere January 13, 2017

Want some Seahawks football?

Seahawks Football and Windermere Real Estate

We’re proud to be the Official Real Estate Company of the Seattle Seahawks, and to promote this Saturday’s game, which we hope will end with a Seahawks win!

We are excited to announce that Windermere’s partnership with the Seattle Seahawks will be highlighted in a TV promotion for Saturday’s divisional playoff game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Atlanta Falcons. Starting Friday, watch for the promo on Q13 during their morning and evening news programs, and again leading up to the game.

Gig Harbor Real EstateHome for SaleHomesReal EstateWindermere September 27, 2016

What’s It Worth?

Maybe you’re thinking of selling, maybe you’re thinking of refinancing, or maybe you’re just curious about the market. But the question is, “What is that domicile of your’s worth?”

Such a simple question should be returned with a simple answer, right? Well unfortunately, determining the value of your home–or any home for that matter–can be a tricky process. You can go online and nowadays there are endless websites that will promise you a fast answer with fancy charts and graphs. As tempting as it may be to trust this information, be wary of letting a computer program tell you what your largest investment is worth.

The trouble with these websites is that they have little to no local market information. They are not aware that a new park is being built, or that a four-lane highway is being re-routed, or that you’ve lovingly cared for and maintained your home.

The bottom line is this: If you’re serious about getting an informative valuation for your home you should contact a local real estate professional. These professionals work with the actual people who will ultimately determine the value of your home–the home buyer themselves. This is their profession and they will be happy to sit with you and explain the current market conditions that affect your home value.

Real EstateWindermere September 12, 2016

#tacklehomelessness

#tacklehomelessness

As the Official Real Estate Company of the Seattle Seahawks we are excited to announce the #WindermereFoundation will be donating $3,100 to YouthCare from yesterday's game as a part of our shared goal to#TackleHomelessness. For each home game tackle by the Seahawks, Windermere will donate $100 to help provide essential services and support for homeless youth.#12s #GoHawks #nfl #windermereblue #seahawks

CareerReal EstateWindermere November 19, 2015

Are you thinking about a new career?

Thinking about a new career? Contact Windermere Gig Harbor for more information.

Real Estate October 5, 2015

New Marketing Campaign for Windermere Gig Harbor

Good Morning and Happy Monday!  

We are pleased to be launching a new Marketing Campaign for our Buyers and Sellers!

Here is a preview of a new 30 second spot that will be airing on Comcast Spotlight during October.

Enjoy! I will also be posting some of our Broker's 30 second spots to give you an idea of the marketing you can expect from your Windermere Broker.
 

30s Promo from Maritime City Photo & Media on Vimeo.

Gary and Sandy Jones

 

Jones 30s Comcast from Maritime City Photo & Media on Vimeo.

Cheryl and Daryl Main

 

30s Commercial Main v2 from Maritime City Photo & Media on Vimeo.

 

Sue Davis

30s Sue Davis from Maritime City Photo & Media on Vimeo.

John Holmaas

 

HolmaasJSr 30s from Maritime City Photo & Media on Vimeo.

Carole Holmaas

 

Carole Holmaas 30s from Maritime City Photo & Media on Vimeo.

Kathy Barker

 

30s Barker Silverdale from Maritime City Photo & Media on Vimeo.

Terry Weller

 

Weller-30s-BellaBellav3 from Maritime City Photo & Media on Vimeo.

Carolyn Craft

 

Carolyn Craft 30s from Maritime City Photo & Media on Vimeo.

Real Estate September 25, 2015

Making Dreams Come True!

Sounds cliche right?! It is not.  Becoming a real estate professional can lead to a lifetime of amazing experiences where you participate in helping people make the biggest "moves" in their lives and most likely their largest investments.  

If you have ever bought or sold a home I'm guessing you can recall how emotional that experience was.  Try to imagine your real estate professional during that experience. They were there for you to help navigate through the negotiations, the inspections, the appraisal the closing and more!

My personal experiences in real estate have led to life-long friends who have come to rely on me as a trusted advisor who has helped many of them make their dreams come true.

If you have been wondering what it would be like to help people make their dreams come true in real estate your timing is perfect.  Current market conditions are ideal for starting a career in real estate.

We are actively hiring and training new and experienced agents at Windermere Gig Harbor.

Contact me to learn more about becoming a real estate professional with Windermere Real Estate.  For more information click Getting Started Below.

I would love to meet you in person – so please feel free to contact me for a confidential meeting.  You can also find me on Twitter or LinkedIn.

 

 

 

Real EstateUncategorized September 15, 2015

Windermere Gig Harbor Kicks Off Football Season!

Last Thursday all of us at Windermere Gig Harbor celebrated real estate, the Seahawks football season kicking off and Fall with a fun filled, exciting patio party at our office.  Plenty of food and drinks were provided and even a special Smoothie drop off by my daughter from Edible Arrangements!  Sponsored by Windermere Gig Harbor and Windermere Mortgage Services our brokers and guests enjoyed games, laughs and cheers to the football season!

This party is getting started!

Windermere Lobby Kick Off Party with Gary Jones, Broker and Daryl Main, Broker.

We popped some balloons for prizes!

Andrew Welch, General Manager and Carl Peterson Branch Manager selfie!!

Windermere Mortgage provided Jumbo Dogs – I only ate one!

Check out those smoothies!

THANK YOU Kennedy and Edible Arrangements for the Smoothies!

Sandy Jones, Broker and Traci Frazier, Windermere Mortgage Services grabbing some grub!

 

Sheryl Deleon, Windermere Mortgage Services and Christianne Helland, Office Manager selfie time!

Lee Gill, Windermere Mortgage Services and Andrew Welch, General Manager showing off their Hawks Spirit!

Steve Skibbs, Owner and Randi Peterson, WFG Title taking time out for a quick pic!

 

We all enjoyed some amazing food!

Thanks again to Kennedy and Edible Arrangements for celebrating with us!

Allison Skibbs Welch, Designated Broker Windermere Gig Harbor Downtown enjoying some of the amazing food!

Meet Lee Gil, Traci Frazier and Sheryl Deleon from Windermere Mortgage Services

@windermereCarl and @DarylMain enjoying some refreshments

Unfortunately we said goodbye to Mikki – thank you for all your hard work the last couple of years!

Thank You Mikki!

Stay tuned for more information from Windermere Real Estate in Gig Harbor!