Economic & Real Estate Update by Economist, Matthew Gardner
Case Shiller Index data for January showed the 20-City index up by 6.4%, just above my forecast for an increase of 6.3% year-over-year. The cities which reported the highest annual increases include Seattle, Las Vegas and San Francisco with increases of 12.9%, 11.1% and 10.2%, respectively. Twelve of the top 20 cities reported a higher price
Read More →Seattle-Area Home Market Leads the Country for 17th Straight Month
Seattle-Area Home Market Leads the Country for 17th Straight Month
Seattle has done it again! It has maintained the title as “hottest real-estate market in the country” for the past year and a half. Since January 2016, the cost of a single-family home grew 12.9 percent. According to the Seattle Times, “it’s the 17th month in a row that Seattle has led the country in
Read More →Seattle Now Decade’s Fastest-Growing Big City in all of U.S.
Seattle Now Decade’s Fastest-Growing Big City in all of U.S.
Seattle has topped the list again and has now surpassed Austin, Texas! It is the nation’s fastest-growing big city this decade. According to the Seattle Times, “the city’s population hit an estimated 725,000, gaining 17,500 people from July 1st, 2016 to July 1st, 2017. Our growth rate in that period – 2.5 percent – was
Read More →What The Flip?
What The Flip?
Home prices continue to be a topic of discussion among buyers and sellers in this market. Because our Eastside market has such a high demand for inventory leaving a surplus of buyers with limited options to choose from, the homes that are available to buy sell for higher than asking price due to competition amongst buyers. According to ATTOM
Read More →Trending Bellevue News!
Trending Bellevue News!
Wow, 2018 just might be one of the most exciting years ever in downtown Bellevue! All of the new restaurants and stores are open at Lincoln Square South, One88 started preselling condos, and more new projects are going to break ground. The 17.5 million dollar renovation of Meydenbauer Bay Park is well underway and we even have
Read More →Local Market Update – March 2018
Local Market Update – March 2018
Local Market Update – March 2018 The local real estate market set new home price records in many parts of the region in February. Prices here have grown faster than anywhere else in the country for the last 16 months in a row. Demand remains high and inventory very low. Brokers are hoping the normal
Read More →The Gardner Report – Q1 2018
The Gardner Report – Q1 2018
ECONOMIC OVERVIEW The Washington State economy added 96,900 new jobs over the past 12 months, representing an annual growth rate of 2.9%—still solidly above the national rate of 1.5%. Most of the employment gains were in the private sector, which rose by 3.4%. The public sector saw a more modest increase of 1.6%. The strongest
Read More →A Fresh Look
A Fresh Look
Urban Bellevue Living is grateful to be partnered with a company that stays current. A Fresh Look Written by Shelley Rossi When you’ve been in business for 46 years, you learn that one of the keys to being successful is knowing when it’s time to spruce things up – and that’s exactly what we’ve done
Read More →No Relief for Seattle-Area Buyers
No Relief for Seattle-Area Buyers
The Seattle housing market continues to climb and buyers are frustrated more than ever. Eastside median sales prices topped $1 million in February of this year! According to Zillow, “Seattle is among the most difficult markets for first-time buyers.” The NWMLS reported that there are 14.4 percent fewer homes on the market in the four-county
Read More →Market Forecast Event was a Huge Success!
Market Forecast Event was a Huge Success!
Thank you to all who attended our annual Market Forecast event. We hope you walked away with as much insight to the current market as we did! Economist, Matthew Gardner touched on the local Eastside market and projected what is to come as we continue through 2018! To get a recap or if you
Read More →Market Predictions & Insight
Market Predictions & Insight
Written by Economist, Matthew Gardner ECONOMIC OVERVIEW The Washington State economy added 104,600 new jobs over the past 12 months. This impressive growth rate of 3.1% is well above the national rate of 1.4%. Interestingly, the slowdown we saw through most of the second half of the year reversed in the fall, and we
Read More →Bellevue Towers Open House this Weekend!
Bellevue Towers Open House this Weekend!
New listing in the infamous Bellevue Towers! We are excited to announce unit 2905 is ready for a new owner. This condo features 2 bedrooms + den, 2 bathrooms, 2 balconies, three different glass wall views. Building has amenities. $1,775,000 Open House Schedule: Saturday, 1/27 at 1:00 – 4:00pm Sunday, 1/28 at 1:00 –
Read More →The Truth about Home Buying in 2018
The Truth about Home Buying in 2018
2018 has already produced intriguing results in our market with sold prices and inventory. If you are looking to invest and become a homeowner this year there are some key points to keep in mind under the current market conditions. Out of the 25 most competitive neighborhoods in the United States, 19 of those are
Read More →Eastside Market Continues to Break Records!
Eastside Market Continues to Break Records!
As we transition into the new year we are constantly asked what the year looked like and what the following year will have in store. This industry is all about the statistics and comparable data. Thanks to The Northwest MLS releasing the monthly sales report, we are able to share this information with you:
Read More →Preparing to Sell
Preparing to Sell
Selling your home doesn′t just mean hiring a REALTOR® to stick a sign out front. There are a lot of preparations you should make to ensure you get the best offer possible in the shortest time. Repair. Just because you’ve gotten used to the cracks in the walls and the rattles in the radiators doesn’t
Read More →Relocating to the Big City
Relocating to the Big City
Moving from a small town or suburb to a large city can be an intimidating proposition. Here are a few tips to help make your move as painless as possible. Research before you move. It’s important to understand the culture you’re joining. Do research online and find out about school systems, neighbourhoods, parking, weather, public
Read More →5 Tips for Buying a Home
5 Tips for Buying a Home
Looking to buy a home? Here are five essential tips for making the process as smooth as possible. Get your finances in order. Start by getting a full picture of your credit. Obtain copies of your credit report. Make sure the facts are correct, and fix any problems you find. Next, find a suitable lender
Read More →Dealing with Financing
Dealing with Financing
As the events of the last few years in the real estate industry show, people forget about the tremendous financial responsibility of purchasing a home at their peril. Here are a few tips for dealing with the dollar signs so that you can take down that “for sale” sign on your new home. Get pre-approved.
Read More →Backlash from Final Tax Bill
Backlash from Final Tax Bill
Backlash from Final Tax Bill Now that both houses of Congress officially passed the Republican tax reform plan, well known people and organizations have voiced their opinion. This being the most changes made to the tax code our generation has seen, the Inman Connect New York acquired a compilation of comments on the subject as followed:
Read More →Annual Holiday Food Drive Sat. Dec 9th!
Annual Holiday Food Drive Sat. Dec 9th!
Our Annual Holiday Food Drive is here once again! Join us this weekend as we host our Holiday Food Drive! Saturday, December 9th at Bellevue Nursery 9:30am – 12pm Coffee, cookies, holiday vibes and a special appearance by our celebrity guest…. SANTA! All are welcome! Donations are benefitting the Boys and Girls Club of Bellevue.
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