KIRKLAND, Washington (December 6, 2018) – With more plentiful inventory, recently announced increases in lending limits, and moderating prices, prospective home buyers are finding more options around Western Washington, according to industry experts from Northwest Multiple Listing Service.

• Active Listings up 41%
• King County inventory surging 135 percent from a year ago
• Closed sales declined about 15.3 percent from twelve months ago

“Moderating interest rates over the past few weeks could provide a window of opportunity for buyers this month, even if the Fed is widely expected to raise them again in December,” said Mike Grady, president and COO of Coldwell Banker Bain.

“We are continuing to see a balancing of the market,”

In the best circumstances, selling your home isn’t something you do in a rush. It calls for planning and preparation. But if you’re like most homeowners, you probably aren’t sure exactly where to start. Try following these steps:

1: Pick a date
Assuming you don’t have to get across country for a new job next month, you should first decide when you want to sell. The world is full of advice about the best and worst times to sell. All too often it’s contradictory. Do you listen to the sage advice that says “Don’t list in December – no one buys houses in December!” Or do you trust the counterargument, “But no one lists houses in December – you’ll have the market to yourself!” How about neither? Call me to help you determine which month is the best

Top 5 Rooms to Remodel 

With the popularity of home remodeling shows, homeowners across the country are anxious to take out their toolbox and remodel their home too. Most often, remodels are better suited to professionals, however, this can cost significantly more. Regardless of the method, remodeling projects are not inexpensive, so making the best impact for the cost is important. Here are the top 5 rooms to remodel in 2018.

1. Kitchen – Always a great return on investment. From functional spaces to bona fide living areas, add extra seating, lighting and entertaining spaces such as a bar or counter.

2. Backyard Kitchen/Family Room – The backyard is an extension of the interior. Section off areas for an outdoor kitchen and family

As we careen at warp speed from Thanksgiving, Christmas, and all of the joyous (read: stressful) festivities in between, you might be tempted to take your home off the market—or hold off on listing it—until after the new year.  After all, you’re swamped with cooking, shopping, and decorating, and the last thing you need is a bunch of potential buyers traipsing through your house, right?

Wrong!

While it’s true the market is slower around the holidays, it’s also an excellent time to put your house up for sale. The market is slower mostly because fewer sellers are listing, but meanwhile buyers are sitting around with pre-approval letter in-hand just starving for inventory! 

Simply put; It’s a huge, huge mistake to either remove your home