I talk a lot about West Seattle Real Estate, mainly because it’s where I live.  If you live elsewhere in Seattle and would like to look at the Statistics for your area Send an email to JonathanMartin@Windermere.com.  I would be happy to provide them to you. Taking a look at these two charts we get a glimpse of our market here in West Seattle (98116, 98126, 98136). Real Estate is a Supply and Demand game.  With an average of 10+ months of “Supply” on the market.  Pricing and Condition is key... Read Full Story

You almost can’t go more than 15 minutes without a break from the Presidential race to hear about the housing melt down.  Business Week just published another article adding to the confusion.  All to often the statistics don’t match the story.  Headlines read “The market could drop another 20%” then Statistics are given about the percentage of homes bought in the last year that owe more than 80% of the homes value.  The article goes on to say that these people would lose their equity if home... Read Full Story

Here we see the Median Price of Listed Homes in West Seattle(98116,09136,98126). All too often this statistic is used to “gauge” appreciation, it doesn’t tell us appreciation.  It really tells us what West Seattle Sellers think their home is worth.  A “Median” is the point where half of the sample is higher and half is lower.  It is a form of averaging.  It tells us that in July ‘07 half of the sellers in 98116 thought their home was worth over $700,000.  Today half think their home is worth... Read Full Story

Sorry, It’s Tuesday and these numbers are from Sunday. I have been swamped the past two weeks. Swamped in a good way though;) Here we go the last week in action: Single Family Residential Homes in West Seattle (area 140) 486 Active Listings with a Median Price of $445,000 76 Average Days on Market(DOM) 63 Homes under 300k for First-Time Buyers 27 Pending Listings with an average DOM of 83 and Median Price of $370,000 10 Sold Listings with an average DOM of 44 and a Median Price of $360... Read Full Story

Who says you can’t buy a home in West Seattle for under 300K anymore? While I will admit it is tougher for first time buyers to buy a home in Seattle, it isn’t impossible. Here are some Listings under 300k. West Seattle Real Estate Listings under 250k West Seattle Real Estate Listings 250k - 300k Random PostsThe Benefits of Owning a Home, Part ThreeThe drag of progress.Who cares about a real estate blog? Read Full Story

Here are a few real estate articles that I have enjoyed this week: How living beyond your means is good from America’s Most Opinionated Mortgage Broker. A good reason to get a Condo Owners Insurance policy by the Boston Real Estate Blog. Check out where we stand in Seattle Area in this image and article from Behind the Mortgage. One reason to be glad we live in a blue state:) How to save yourself a little aggravation during your transaction from S-Crow at Seattle Bubble. Who sets the price... Read Full Story

A few days ago a first-time buyer posed this question. “When is the best time to buy?” She wanted to know when the housing prices were going to be steady and not in risk of falling. The Seattle Real Estate market has held out so far but no one has a crystal ball. Whenever YOU are ready, is the correct answer. Now there are a few caveats to this answer, of course. No one can be sure what the market is going to do next. We always hear about the people that “gamed” the real estate market... Read Full Story

I love sales!  No not the Sleazy Used Car type. Sales, helping clients find what they are looking for. That is what a real estate salesman does. What are your needs and how can my experience and training help you? I read and attend tons of Sales Training, some good some not. I just came across this great post from Gavin Ingham.  He is a Sales Trainer whose blog I just found about a week ago. While his article is about Selling in a Recession, he gives a great example of what many real estate... Read Full Story

Well we are two weeks into the new year. What has been going on in our market in the last 13 days? In West Seattle (MLS area 140) Single Family Residential Homes 459 Active Listings with a Median Price of $450,000 76 Average Days on Market(DOM) 55 Homes under 300k for First-Time Buyers 20 Pending Listings with an average DOM of 53 and Median Price of $454,475 25 Sold Listing with an average DOM of 77 and Median Price of $370,000 So what does this all mean to you?  The real market... Read Full Story

Well besides the author, you might.  How do you choose who to work with when you decide to buy or sell your next home?  If you already have a relationship with a great real estate agent, stick with ‘em, if not then you are shopping.  The best advice that was ever given to me about choosing service professionals was, “Use a realtor that has something to lose.” Whether it is a reputation or a good relationship, use a person that will have incentive to work hard for you. “But isn’t the... Read Full Story