“Kindness is like snow. It beautifies everything it covers.”
— Kahlil Gibran
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The Best Work-From-Home Cities for 2021
Looking to leave your cramped, expensive living space to work from home permanently? We’ve done the research, and these are the US and Canadian cities that provide the best balance of affordability, livability, and connectivity.
www.pcmag.com/news/the-best-work-from-home-cities-for-2021
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The 5 Most Expensive Neighborhoods in Seattle
People really love Lake Washington.
www.seattlemet.com/home-and-real-estate/the-most-expensive-neighborhoods-in-seattle-real-estate
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Single-family home prices continue rising in Central Oregon
In Bend, the median sales price of a single-family home was $580,000 last month, up from $449,000 in January 2020,
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Plunge in Portland building permits signals major slowdown in housing, office development
The number of new building permits filed in Portland last year plunged by 27%, falling even below the trough of the Great Recession.
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Salesforce to allow remote or flexible work for most employees, with big implications for S.F.
Salesforce, San Francisco’s largest private employer, will permanently allow most workers to stay home for two or more days a week, a major shift that could dampen downtown’s economic recovery well beyond the coronavirus pandemic.
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Redfin is first major iBuyer to sell a home in Seattle
RedfinNow, the house-flipping arm of the Seattle-based digital brokerage, bought a two-bedroom house in Greenwood in December and listed it for resale in late January. This week, in its first completed Seattle deal, the company accepted an offer on the house.
www.seattletimes.com/business/real-estate/redfin-is-first-major-ibuyer-to-sell-in-seattle/
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Zillow hopes to turn flood of ‘real estate porn’ users during Covid into actual sales
Zillow’s challenge is turning the millions of people who dreamily browse its website into actual homebuyers, CEO Rich Barton told CNBC on Thursday.
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More U.S. Buyers Than Ever Seeking $1 Million-Plus Homes
Demand for U.S. homes asking $1 million or more continued to pick up pace in January, as the pandemic has spawned an appetite for larger properties in which to ride out working and schooling remotely
www.mansionglobal.com/articles/more-u-s-buyers-than-ever-seeking-1-million-plus-homes-223573
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Simon Property Group expects suburban boom to fuel growth
CEO David Simon on Monday said the pandemic has spurred flight away from cities, but neither the intensity nor the longevity of that is clear.
www.retaildive.com/news/simon-property-group-expects-suburban-boom-to-fuel-growth/594786/
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The formula of where to locate a store involves many variables — rent, lease terms, parking, zoning, visibility — but perhaps above all is going where the people are.
www.retaildive.com/news/where-to-run-a-store-now/593510/
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Portland’s ‘sexiest’ townhome is for sale at $1,425,000: Birkin Lotus 7 not included
The persistent and severe lack of homes for sale in the U.S. will continue to be a catalyst for the country’s frenzied real estate market
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Weekly Housing Market Monitor
NAR Research compiles the latest housing market data in this weekly monitor, based on what REALTORS® are seeing in their market, mortgage data, jobless claims, foot traffic, and the latest home sales numbers.
www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/research-reports/weekly-housing-market-monitor
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Market Hotness Index
Metro Hotness – Zip Code and County Hotness
www.realtor.com/research/reports/hottest-markets/
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Housing Statistics offers 43 different sets of data, downloadable either as Excel or PDF files (updated weekly). Housing data and primary indicators of the industry are housed in one easy-to navigate location containing historical and current sets of statistics such as: Housing Starts (by Region & Structure Type), Homes Sold by Region, Producer Price Indexes (for Building Materials), Manufactured Homes, New Home Characteristics, Residential Vacancy & Absorption Rates, Units Under Construction, Value of New Construction, and many more.
www.nahbclassic.org/reference_list.aspx?sectionID=819&channelID=311
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Economic Indicators
U.S. Census Bureau Economic Indicators
www.census.gov/economic-indicators/
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Local Market Reports
All real estate is local and every market is unique. To help REALTORS® and other housing market analysts get the most out of the plethora of data that is available, NAR Research produces a series of Local Market Reports (LMRs) which provide insights into the fundamentals and direction of the nation’s largest metropolitan housing markets. Each report evaluates a number of factors affecting home prices, including:
www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/research-reports/local-market-reports
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CoreLogic Home Price Insights
The most geographically comprehensive and current home price index.
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Bureau of Economic Analysis
U.S. Economy at a Glance
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Mortgage Market Survey Archive
Compilation of Weekly Survey Data for 2015
www.freddiemac.com/pmms/archive.html
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Housing Economics
NAHB produces in-depth economic analyses of the home building industry based on private and government data. Our economics group surveys builders, home buyers, and renters to gain insight into the issues and trends driving the industry.
www.nahb.org/en/research/housing-economics.aspx
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“In playing ball, and in life, a person occasionally gets the opportunity to do something great. When that time comes, only two things matter: being prepared to seize the moment and having the courage to take your best swing.”
— Hank Aaron
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FHFA Extends Foreclosure and REO Eviction Moratoriums
Today, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) will extend the moratoriums on single-family foreclosures and real estate owned (REO) evictions until February 28, 2021.
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Portland, Oregon homes for sale drop to lowest level ever
City has less than a month’s worth of inventory, RMLS says
www.foxbusiness.com/real-estate/portland-oregon-homes-for-sale-drop-to-lowest-level-ever
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Seattle area gains more million-dollar cities, towns in 2020; US sees 17% increase
As the coronavirus pandemic upended the country last year, home values in the Seattle area and many coastal metro areas across the country appear to have come out unscathed.
www.seattlepi.com/realestate/article/Seattle-area-gains-more-million-dollar-cities-15865632.php
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Portland suffered unprecedented increase in vacant office space last year
The amount of unoccupied office space in Portland increased at an unprecedented rate in 2020 as companies vacated their buildings and new spaces sat empty.
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Limited inventory creates a seller’s market in Bend
Less than a month’s worth of homes were up for sale in Bend in December, making for a strong sellers market, according to the monthly Beacon Report for Central Oregon.
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The Most Epic Moving Checklist in the History of Moving
Let’s face it, moving is stressful. That’s why we’ve created an epic moving checklist to help you stay on track. With some direction and this 8-week checklist for your upcoming move, you’ll be sure to have everything done between now and the big day, leaving you plenty of time to celebrate.
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Local real estate market finishes strong in 2020
Home prices in Skagit County were the sixth-highest among Washington counties in December, according to a report by the Northwest Multiple Listing Service.
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Looking to buy a home north of Seattle? Here’s what you need to know
As the Seattle region has grown, so too has the density within the city limits. In the same fashion as other major cities, this has forced people to move further out of the city to find affordable housing and more space.
www.seattlepi.com/realestate/article/buying-a-home-north-of-seattle-what-to-know-15875234.php
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Buoyed by a booming tech sector, Seattle surpasses Atlanta to claim 10th largest regional economy
The regional economy — encompassing Tacoma, Everett, Seattle, Redmond and Bellevue — boasts a gross domestic product of $383 billion, according to an analysis by Greater Seattle Partners using data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
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When is the best time to sell a home in Seattle?
One of the most challenging questions in real estate is when to sell your home?
www.seattlepi.com/realestate/article/best-time-to-sell-a-house-in-seattle-15871939.php
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LinkedIn migration data shows that techies aren’t leaving Seattle despite ‘exodus’ in Silicon Valley
Techies are apparently leaving Silicon Valley. The pandemic has sparked what some describe as an “exodus” of tech companies, employees, and investors who are relocating to Austin, Miami, Reno, Madison, and other metros for a myriad of reasons.
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Rent or buy? What to know if you’re moving to Seattle
Homeownership is considered the most direct path to building personal wealth and a significant part of the American dream. Along with this wealth comes the pride of ownership. Ownership gains you a piece of the neighborhood and a more permanent part of the collective environment.
www.seattlepi.com/realestate/article/rent-or-buy-what-to-know-if-moving-to-seattle-15872281.php
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30-Year Interest Rates for January 18, 2021 | Rates go up
The average rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is 2.89 percent, up 2 basis points over the past seven days. One month ago, the average rate on a 30-year mortgage was more favorable, at 2.86 percent. Today’s is below 2019’s average annual rate by 124 basis points, making it a great time to get a fixed-rate mortgage.
www.bankrate.com/mortgages/todays-rates/30-year-mortgage-rates-for-monday-january-18-2021/
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Sacramento moves toward becoming one of 1st U.S. cities to eliminate single-family zoning
Sacramento is a step closer to becoming one of the first cities in the country to eliminate traditional single-family zoning.
Sacramento moves toward becoming one of 1st U.S. cities to eliminate single-family zoning
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Moving to Seattle? An abbreviated guide to Seattle’s neighborhoods
Part of the lure of Seattle is its many neighborhoods. These areas range from the industrial warehouse district of SoDo to quaint established neighborhoods such as Magnolia and Laurelhurst. The rich distinctions in each of these areas allow for the perfect fit between home and lifestyle.
www.seattlepi.com/realestate/article/moving-to-seattle-abbreviated-neighborhood-guide-15875674.php
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Weekly Housing Market Monitor
NAR Research compiles the latest housing market data in this weekly monitor, based on what REALTORS® are seeing in their market, mortgage data, jobless claims, foot traffic, and the latest home sales numbers.
www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/research-reports/weekly-housing-market-monitor
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Market Hotness Index
Metro Hotness – Zip Code and County Hotness
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HOUSING STATISTICS
Housing Statistics offers 43 different sets of data, downloadable either as Excel or PDF files (updated weekly). Housing data and primary indicators of the industry are housed in one easy-to navigate location containing historical and current sets of statistics such as: Housing Starts (by Region & Structure Type), Homes Sold by Region, Producer Price Indexes (for Building Materials), Manufactured Homes, New Home Characteristics, Residential Vacancy & Absorption Rates, Units Under Construction, Value of New Construction, and many more.
www.nahbclassic.org/reference_list.aspx?sectionID=819&channelID=311
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Economic Indicators
U.S. Census Bureau Economic Indicators
www.census.gov/economic-indicators/
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Local Market Reports
All real estate is local and every market is unique. To help REALTORS® and other housing market analysts get the most out of the plethora of data that is available, NAR Research produces a series of Local Market Reports (LMRs) which provide insights into the fundamentals and direction of the nation’s largest metropolitan housing markets. Each report evaluates a number of factors affecting home prices, including:
www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/research-reports/local-market-reports
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CoreLogic Home Price Insights
The most geographically comprehensive and current home price index.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Bureau of Economic Analysis
U.S. Economy at a Glance
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Mortgage Market Survey Archive
Compilation of Weekly Survey Data for 2015
www.freddiemac.com/pmms/archive.html
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Housing Economics
NAHB produces in-depth economic analyses of the home building industry based on private and government data. Our economics group surveys builders, home buyers, and renters to gain insight into the issues and trends driving the industry.
www.nahb.org/en/research/housing-economics.aspx
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“Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.”
—John F. Kennedy
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The best places to live on the West Coast
Thinking of picking up sticks and heading west? Stacker analyzed data from Niche to determine the best places to live on the West Coast.
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Region’s tight housing market about to get tighter with surge of buyers expected
Inventory, despite increasing, didn’t keep up December’s demand, which the Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS) described as insatiable in a report it issued Wednesday.
www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2021/01/07/seattle-housing-market-expects-surge-of-buyers.html
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‘Insatiable Buyer Demand’ for King County Homes Drives Prices Up
While brokers in the 25-county NWMLS system added 5,260 new listings last month, a whopping 39.3 percent more than in December 2019, inventory of homes for sale remained too low for the demand from buyers.
‘Insatiable Buyer Demand’ for King County Homes Drives Prices Up
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Seattle-area homebuyers face tough market even in winter slowdown. See what’s happening near you.
Seattle’s frenzied home sales market cooled off in December as prices stagnated and potential sellers held off on putting their homes on the market.
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People moved to Oregon, especially Bend, in 2020 despite the pandemic
Bend has a new description, thanks to a spike in home buyers during the pandemic: “Zoom Town.”
katu.com/news/local/people-moved-to-oregon-especially-bend-in-2020-despite-the-pandemic
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Oregon cities with the most affordable homes: Less cost, more living space
Since stay-at-home orders were issued to reduce the spread of the coronavirus, more people have wanted to move out of an urban condo with a shared elevator and into a house with a backyard, according to real estate reports.
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Property Watch: A Leschi Victorian with a Pearl Jam Connection
A turreted mansion for sale near Frink Park balances old-timey charm with livability.
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Tech stocks soar in 2020 amid pandemic as Seattle-area companies see valuations spike
In fact, GeekWire’s analysis of 28 publicly-traded tech stocks with headquarters or major operations in Washington state showed only one that posted a decline. That was pop culture figurine maker Funko, whose shares slipped 34% in 2020.
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Amazon tops 75,000 employees in Seattle area as company looks elsewhere in region for growth
Amazon has surpassed 75,000 employees in the Seattle region, a new milestone that reflects the tech giant’s continued growth in its hometown over the past decade.
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On the Block: Amazon’s $2B housing initiative includes at least 1,000 units here
Even as Amazon plans to fill a dizzying amount of new Bellevue office space, all near the future downtown light rail station, it’s making a second big bet on the Eastside — where the company was founded 26 years ago.
www.djc.com/news/re/12137531.html
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Even amid holiday season, Seattle-area housing market remains strong; inventory low
At a time when real estate activity normally slows, the Seattle-area housing market hasn’t shown many signs of cooling.
www.seattlepi.com/realestate/article/december-northwest-mls-report-shows-strong-demand-15853472.php
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These Four Colors Will Dominate Our Homes in 2021
Industry experts predict the paint shades that will soothe and invigorate us after a volatile year.
www.dwell.com/article/home-paint-color-trends-2021-43da4a9e
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Redfin data shows Seattle in top 10 cities with residents looking to leave
Seattle ranked seventh in Redfin’s list of cities users were looking to leave based on data from October and November. The real estate firm’s report examined how many people were looking to move to various cities compared to how many were looking to leave.
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Austin Is Attracting Twice As Many Out-of-Town Homebuyers As Last Year
As the coronavirus pandemic and the shift toward remote work continues across the country, more people than ever are looking to make long-distance moves, often from expensive coastal regions to affordable inland areas where they can find more space for less money.
www.redfin.com/news/october-november-2020-housing-migration-trends/
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Best vlogging cameras 2021: Sony, GoPro, Panasonic, more compared for YouTube
Whether you’re just shooting for fun or you’re aiming for YouTube glory, this is the gear you need to make your videos shine.
www.cnet.com/news/best-vlogging-cameras-for-2021-sony-gopro-panasonic-and-more-compared-for-youtube/
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Seattle’s top floating home sales of 2020 will blow your mind
Luxury sales went through the roof in Seattle’s 2020 real estate market, driven in large part by the coronavirus pandemic.
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Weekly Housing Market Monitor
NAR Research compiles the latest housing market data in this weekly monitor, based on what REALTORS® are seeing in their market, mortgage data, jobless claims, foot traffic, and the latest home sales numbers.
www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/research-reports/weekly-housing-market-monitor
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Market Hotness Index
Metro Hotness – Zip Code and County Hotness
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HOUSING STATISTICS
Housing Statistics offers 43 different sets of data, downloadable either as Excel or PDF files (updated weekly). Housing data and primary indicators of the industry are housed in one easy-to navigate location containing historical and current sets of statistics such as: Housing Starts (by Region & Structure Type), Homes Sold by Region, Producer Price Indexes (for Building Materials), Manufactured Homes, New Home Characteristics, Residential Vacancy & Absorption Rates, Units Under Construction, Value of New Construction, and many more.
www.nahbclassic.org/reference_list.aspx?sectionID=819&channelID=311
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Economic Indicators
U.S. Census Bureau Economic Indicators
www.census.gov/economic-indicators/
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Local Market Reports
All real estate is local and every market is unique. To help REALTORS® and other housing market analysts get the most out of the plethora of data that is available, NAR Research produces a series of Local Market Reports (LMRs) which provide insights into the fundamentals and direction of the nation’s largest metropolitan housing markets. Each report evaluates a number of factors affecting home prices, including:
www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/research-reports/local-market-reports
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CoreLogic Home Price Insights
The most geographically comprehensive and current home price index.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Bureau of Economic Analysis
U.S. Economy at a Glance
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mortgage Market Survey Archive
Compilation of Weekly Survey Data for 2015
www.freddiemac.com/pmms/archive.html
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Housing Economics
NAHB produces in-depth economic analyses of the home building industry based on private and government data. Our economics group surveys builders, home buyers, and renters to gain insight into the issues and trends driving the industry.
www.nahb.org/en/research/housing-economics.aspx
“It is that unoccupied space which makes a room habitable, as it is our leisure hours which make life endurable.” — Lin Yutang
65 Percent of U.S. Metros Enjoyed Double-digit Annual Price Gains in Q3
According to NAR’s latest quarterly housing report, every U.S. metro area tracked by the National Association of Realtors during the third quarter of 2020 saw home prices increase from a year ago.
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4 Metros Where Strong Covid-19 Housing Markets Can Bolster Senior Living- Seattle / Portland
Covid-19 has been an unexpected boon to the residential housing market. The resiliency of the market, which has seen home sales numbers and prices eclipse 2019 levels, is a positive trend for the senior living industry, given that people often sell their homes to pay for transitions into communities. Seattle / Portland
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Mixed bag for Southwest Washington housing market
New listings can’t offset lowest level of inventory on record
www.columbian.com/news/2020/nov/12/mixed-bag-for-southwest-washington-housing-market/
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Inslee issues travel advisory for Washington
Gov. Jay Inslee issued a travel advisory for Washington today, recommending a 14-day quarantine for interstate and international travel and asks residents to stay close to home. Inslee joined California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Oregon Gov. Kate Brown in urging visitors entering their states or returning home from travel outside these states to self-quarantine to slow the spread of the virus.
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Squeamish in Seattle: The commercial consequences of unrest
When vandalism and arson are persistent dangers, insurers notice — and doing business gets expensive.
www.heraldnet.com/business/squeamish-in-seattle-the-commercial-consequences-of-unrest/
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Southbound I-5 at Mountlake Terrace to close for rail work
Crews will work overnight, on a weekend, where Sound Transit’s rail line will cross the freeway.
www.heraldnet.com/news/southbound-i-5-at-mountlake-terrace-to-close-for-rail-work/
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New real estate startup brings easier homebuying model to Austin
Austin is the third market for ZeroDown, following successful launches in Seattle and its hometown of San Francisco.
austin.culturemap.com/news/real-estate/11-11-20-zerodown-lease-to-own-home-program/
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American Homes 4 Rent Is Benefiting From Strong Demand and Rising Real Estate Prices
The COVID-19 crisis has accelerated some trends that were already in place, and one of the biggest has been the exit out of urban areas and the newfound appeal of suburban environments.
www.fool.com/investing/2020/11/11/american-homes-4-rent-high-demand-rise-home-price/
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Resort Towns Are Becoming Permanent Destinations for Homebuyers Fleeing Big Cities During the Pandemic
The Jersey Shore, Bend, OR, Cape Cod and other vacation destinations are heating up as the coronavirus drives New Yorkers and San Franciscans to greener pastures
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Portland homes hit highest average sale price of $516,500 due to low inventory, pent-up demand
A historically low supply of Portland area homes for sale, rock-bottom lending rates and pent-up demand have pushed residential property prices to a new high:
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Must-See David Bowie Pool Makes This $3.5M Washington Mansion a True Rock Star
Ground control to Major Tom: A giant portrait of music legend David Bowie graces the bottom of the pool at a beautiful home just outside Seattle
www.realtor.com/news/unique-homes/david-bowie-pool-washington-mansion/
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NAR passes ethics changes to crack down on social media harassment
NAR’s 959-member board of directors approved changes that apply NAR’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice to all of a Realtor’s activities, not just those related to real estate and prohibit hate and harassing speech against protected classes.
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Intense Homebuyer Demand Continues in the U.S., Despite COVID Outbreak
According to Zillow’s Weekly Market Report, intense and persistent buyer demand is keeping the time on market for houses at incredible lows and pushing prices ever higher above 2019. Sales remain high above last year and are expected to stay robust in the coming months.
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Sound Stage Real Estate Fast Gaining Attention From Institutional Investors
Exploding consumer streaming demand driving production industry’s need for more space
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In the real estate industry, concern about Portland’s new initiatives
New measures approved by voters in Portland were designed to create additional affordable housing, give renters more protections and offer a range of workers greater compensation.
www.mainebiz.biz/article/in-the-real-estate-industry-concern-about-portlands-new-initiatives
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Simply put, people want to move’: Zillow and Redfin rebound as U.S. housing market surges again
The U.S. housing market is making a comeback — and that’s good news for online real estate giants Zillow Group and Redfin.
www.geekwire.com/2020/simply-put-people-want-move-zillow-redfin-rebound-u-s-housing-market-surges/
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Portland area homes that sold for more than $1 million during the pandemic include historic mansions
Almost nine out of 10 homes sold in the Portland area were priced below $750,000
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Low Mortgage Rates Continue to Foster Bidding Wars Among U.S. Homebuyers
About 56.8% of home offers faced competition in October, Redfin says
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5 Bathroom Trends From Instagram That’ll Look Like You Hired a Designer
We all wish our homes looked like they were touched by the magic wand of a designer. But the reality, especially now that many of us have been spending massive amounts of time at home, is that our personal spaces are looking messier than ever—especially our bathrooms.
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Homebuyers face ‘anxiety’ as Puget Sound housing market continues to see low inventory, competition
Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, homebuyers and real estate agents have seen significantly lower numbers of active listings when compared to the same time same last year. Combined with low interest rates, the situation has created a different set of challenges for buyers.
www.seattlepi.com/realestate/article/Homebuyers-face-anxiety-with-Puget-Sound-housing-15707885.php
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Air Conditioning and Heating Systems in New Homes
The Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC) provides valuable information on the characteristics of new homes started construction, such as air conditioning and heating system installations.
eyeonhousing.org/2020/11/air-conditioning-and-heating-systems-in-new-homes-5/
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Here are the easiest places in Washington to sell a home: study
Even as the coronavirus pandemic has upended many parts of life in the region, people in Washington have continued to buy and sell homes.
www.seattlepi.com/realestate/slideshow/easiest-places-in-washington-to-sell-a-home-212480.php
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How to Build a Home Gym Without Breaking the Bank
With many gyms closed or operating at minimum capacity, a home gym has never sounded more appealing. Three out of five Americans are actually turning to home gyms for good, and over half of the population is looking for the best home-fitness options
blog.coldwellbanker.com/how-to-build-a-home-gym-without-breaking-the-bank/
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Metro Home Prices Increase in All Areas in Third Quarter of 2020
Single-family existing home prices rose in all measured metro areas in the third quarter.
www.nar.realtor/newsroom/metro-home-prices-increase-in-all-areas-in-third-quarter-of-2020
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Weekly Housing Market Monitor
NAR Research compiles the latest housing market data in this weekly monitor, based on what REALTORS® are seeing in their market, mortgage data, jobless claims, foot traffic, and the latest home sales numbers.
www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/research-reports/weekly-housing-market-monitor
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Market Hotness Index
Metro Hotness – Zip Code and County Hotness
www.realtor.com/research/reports/hottest-markets/
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Housing Statistics offers 43 different sets of data, downloadable either as Excel or PDF files (updated weekly). Housing data and primary indicators of the industry are housed in one easy-to navigate location containing historical and current sets of statistics such as: Housing Starts (by Region & Structure Type), Homes Sold by Region, Producer Price Indexes (for Building Materials), Manufactured Homes, New Home Characteristics, Residential Vacancy & Absorption Rates, Units Under Construction, Value of New Construction, and many more.
www.nahbclassic.org/reference_list.aspx?sectionID=819&channelID=311
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Economic Indicators
U.S. Census Bureau Economic Indicators
www.census.gov/economic-indicators/
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Local Market Reports
All real estate is local and every market is unique. To help REALTORS® and other housing market analysts get the most out of the plethora of data that is available, NAR Research produces a series of Local Market Reports (LMRs) which provide insights into the fundamentals and direction of the nation’s largest metropolitan housing markets. Each report evaluates a number of factors affecting home prices, including:
www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/research-reports/local-market-reports
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CoreLogic Home Price Insights
The most geographically comprehensive and current home price index.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Bureau of Economic Analysis
U.S. Economy at a Glance
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mortgage Market Survey Archive
Compilation of Weekly Survey Data for 2015
www.freddiemac.com/pmms/archive.html
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Housing Economics
NAHB produces in-depth economic analyses of the home building industry based on private and government data. Our economics group surveys builders, home buyers, and renters to gain insight into the issues and trends driving the industry.
www.nahb.org/en/research/housing-economics.aspx
Maturity is learning to walk away from people and situations that threaten your peace of mind, self-respect, values, morals or self-worth.
~ Author Unknown
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Existing-Home Sales Soar 9.4% to 6.5 Million in September
Existing-home sales grew for the fourth consecutive month in September to a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of 6.54 million – up 9.4% from the prior month and nearly 21% from one year ago.
www.nar.realtor/newsroom/existing-home-sales-soar-9-4-to-6-5-million-in-september
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Summary of September 2020
Existing Home Sales Statistics
The Existing-Home Sales data measures sales and prices of existing single-family homes for the nation overall, and gives breakdowns for the West, Midwest, South, and Northeast regions of the country. These figures include condos and co-ops, in addition to single-family homes.
cdn.nar.realtor/sites/default/files/documents/ehs-09-2020-summary-2020-10-22.pdf
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Portland has ‘sold out’ of homes: Number for sale drops to new low, prices rise 5.7% in bidding wars
The anemic number of residential properties for sale continues to plague Portland metro home shoppers and favor sellers.
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Study: Tacoma is nation’s fastest-selling housing market; Seattle home prices soar 18%
Home prices skyrocketed by more than 18% in Seattle last month, and Tacoma was the fastest-selling real estate market in the nation for the third month in a row, a new analysis shows.
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A Look at Wealth 2020: Affluent Trailblazers
An unprecedented migration of wealth has led to new demographics shaping the luxury real estate landscape in 2020.
issuu.com/thereportgroup/docs/coldwell_banker_-_alaw_report_oct20_5?fr=sY2U2MzIyMzM0
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Rising vacancies, declining rents squeezing apartment REITs
The pandemic is squeezing big apartment building owners, with a surge in vacancies leading to a decline in rent growth for the first time in years.
www.seattletimes.com/business/rising-vacancies-declining-rents-squeezing-apartment-reits/
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Today’s Mortgage Interest Rates: Oct. 22, 2020—Rates Slide Past Last Week’s Record
Mortgage rates might not be in a free fall this week, but they’re stumbling. In all three primary home loan terms, rates dropped. The average interest rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage squeaked past last week’s record low, down one basis point to 2.8%.
www.forbes.com/advisor/mortgages/mortgage-interest-rates-10-22-20/
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Look who’s Arrived: Tech vets launch Seattle real estate startup to crowdfund rental home investing
Arrived Homes is a crowdfunding platform that allows anyone to purchase shares of rental properties and earn a passive income while the company handles everything from property acquisition to necessary improvements and management of daily operations.
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Mortgage rates fall to yet another historic low
The average rate on the 30-year mortgage rate fell to another record low last week amid the release of new housing data reinforcing how the Federal Reserve’s move to make home loans more affordable is spurring growth in sales, prices and construction nationwide.
www.seattletimes.com/business/real-estate/mortgage-rates-fall-to-yet-another-historic-low/
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Homebuilder confidence in U.S. rises to record high
U.S. homebuilder confidence advanced in October to a fresh all-time high as record-low interest rates continued to fuel sales and the demand outlook.
www.seattletimes.com/business/real-estate/homebuilder-confidence-in-u-s-rises-to-record-high/
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COVID-19 accelerating trend of out-of-area buyers in Spokane, housing experts say
The coronavirus pandemic is accelerating a growing trend of out-of-area buyers and remote workers moving to Spokane in search of a better quality of life and affordable housing, real estate experts said at the Association of Washington Business Housing Forum Virtual Series earlier this week.
www.spokesman.com/stories/2020/oct/21/covid-19-expediting-trend-of-out-of-area-buyers-in/
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Unseasonably Fierce U.S. Real Estate Market Shows Signs of Slowing Down
There was a slight decline in bidding wars last month, according to Redfin data
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UW jumps to No. 8 in global ranking of best universities; computer science among top subjects
The University of Washington has moved up two spots to No. 8 in the latest ranking of Best Global Universities from U.S. News & World Report, beating out such prestigious institutions as Princeton, Yale and Johns Hopkins.
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Two Wash. cities named best small cities to live in 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic and shift to working remotely had many real estate experts predicting that there would be a huge exodus out of major cities like Seattle and into the roomier suburbs.
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Uber Founder Turns Real-Estate Mogul for Ghost Kitchen Startup
SJ analysis shows entities tied to Travis Kalanick spent more than $130 million on property acquisitions for CloudKitchens
www.wsj.com/articles/uber-founder-turns-real-estate-mogul-for-ghost-kitchen-startup-11603186200
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Here’s what you can get for $1.7M in Sun Valley, Idaho
Idaho’s Sun Valley claims to be home to the first ski resort in the U.S., and it remains a popular escape for the outdoorsy today.
www.foxbusiness.com/real-estate/what-you-can-get-sun-valley-idaho
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Seattle city exodus is ‘extreme’: Harbor Custom Development CEO
Harbor Custom Development CEO Sterling Griffin discusses the suburban real estate market boom.
video.foxbusiness.com/v/6203178176001/#sp=show-clips
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Realtors surprised by housing boom during coronavirus pandemic
Bonnie Roseman says that before this year she almost exclusively sold homes within Portland. Now the real estate agent is making sales as far as Mount Hood and is seeing her busiest year in decades.
katu.com/news/local/realtors-surprised-by-housing-boom-during-coronavirus-pandemic
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Boeing Considering Selling Seattle Headquarters
Boeing is considering selling its sprawling Commercial Airplanes headquarters near Seattle to trim costs amid the pandemic revelation that most of its office-bound employees can work from home
www.avweb.com/aviation-news/boeing-considering-selling-seattle-headquarters/
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Share of 5,000+ Square Foot Homes Down Slightly in 2019
According to the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction, the share of new homes started with 5,000 square feet or more of living space stood at 2.71 percent in 2019, down slightly from 2.88 percent in 2018.
eyeonhousing.org/2020/10/share-of-5000-square-foot-homes-down-slightly-in-2019/
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A challenge to real estate commissions gains ground
Consumer advocates have long criticized traditional real estate commissions as confusing and too high. Now, those commissions are coming under increasing legal pressure.
www.seattletimes.com/business/real-estate/a-challenge-to-real-estate-commissions-gains-ground/
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Luxury home sales surge in Washington
Underscoring the uneven impact of the pandemic, sales of the most expensive Seattle-area homes surged in the third quarter of the year at more than double the rate of the area’s most affordable homes.
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What the Flip? How a Fixer-Upper in Portland Brought in Big Profits
The flippers bought the home in May 2019 for $760,000 and sold it in June 2020 for $1,580,000. Our experts explain how they pulled it off.
www.sfgate.com/realestate/article/What-the-Flip-How-a-Fixer-Upper-in-Portland-15653313.php
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Washington Governor Extends Eviction Moratorium
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee extended the state’s eviction moratorium to December 31 as COVID-19 continues to impact the finances of Washingtonians statewide. A key modification to the extension clarifies that tenant behavior which is imminently hazardous to the physical safety of others on the premises is now included among the existing permissible reasons for seeking to evict a tenant.
www.connect.media/washington-governor-extends-eviction-moratorium/
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Sammamish Claims Top Spot on U.S. Small Cities Ranking
The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred migration activity to markets outside of big cities. Research by WalletHub ranked Sammamish, WA as the top small city in the U.S. in its report on 2020’s Best Small Cities in America, while Redmond, WA was ranked No. 10.
www.connect.media/sammamish-claims-top-spot-on-u-s-small-cities-ranking/
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Home Values are Growing at a Pace Not Seen Since the Recovery From the Great Recession
A prolonged inventory shortage during a time of high demand has sent home value growth skyrocketing — even hitting double digits in some areas of the country – Home values rose to $259,906, up 2.2% since June, which is the largest quarterly increase since 2013
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TikTok Studios, Zoom Rooms and Co-Working Spaces Are the New Must-Have Home Amenities
As working from home becomes the norm, residential developers are trading movie rooms and lounges for souped-up work spaces
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Existing Home Sales Surge Despite Record-Low Supply
Boosted by historically low mortgage rates, existing home sales, as reported by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), rose for a fourth consecutive month in September and reached its highest level in more than 14 ½ years.
eyeonhousing.org/2020/10/existing-home-sales-surge-despite-record-low-supply/
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Weekly Housing Market Monitor
NAR Research compiles the latest housing market data in this weekly monitor, based on what REALTORS® are seeing in their market, mortgage data, jobless claims, foot traffic, and the latest home sales numbers.
www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/research-reports/weekly-housing-market-monitor
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Market Hotness Index
Metro Hotness – Zip Code and County Hotness
www.realtor.com/research/reports/hottest-markets/
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HOUSING STATISTICS
Housing Statistics offers 43 different sets of data, downloadable either as Excel or PDF files (updated weekly). Housing data and primary indicators of the industry are housed in one easy-to navigate location containing historical and current sets of statistics such as: Housing Starts (by Region & Structure Type), Homes Sold by Region, Producer Price Indexes (for Building Materials), Manufactured Homes, New Home Characteristics, Residential Vacancy & Absorption Rates, Units Under Construction, Value of New Construction, and many more.
www.nahbclassic.org/reference_list.aspx?sectionID=819&channelID=311
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Economic Indicators
U.S. Census Bureau Economic Indicators
www.census.gov/economic-indicators/
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Local Market Reports
All real estate is local and every market is unique. To help REALTORS® and other housing market analysts get the most out of the plethora of data that is available, NAR Research produces a series of Local Market Reports (LMRs) which provide insights into the fundamentals and direction of the nation’s largest metropolitan housing markets. Each report evaluates a number of factors affecting home prices, including:
www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/research-reports/local-market-reports
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CoreLogic Home Price Insights
The most geographically comprehensive and current home price index.
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Bureau of Economic Analysis
U.S. Economy at a Glance
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Mortgage Market Survey Archive
Compilation of Weekly Survey Data for 2015
www.freddiemac.com/pmms/archive.html
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Housing Economics
NAHB produces in-depth economic analyses of the home building industry based on private and government data. Our economics group surveys builders, home buyers, and renters to gain insight into the issues and trends driving the industry.
www.nahb.org/en/research/housing-economics.aspx
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“The difference between successful people and others is how long they spend time feeling sorry for themselves.”
– Barbara Corcoran
___________________________________________________________________________________________________CBB donates $25K for wildfire relief
Coldwell Banker Bain announced a recent donation worth almost $25,000 to Northwest Response
www.djc.com/news/re/12135574.html
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Sellers still direct a hot housing market but fall cooling approaches
Sellers still hold the reins of the U.S. housing market as prices reach record year-over-year gains and low inventory further erodes
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Here Are The Hottest Housing Markets, Real Estate Stocks In Surprise Covid Boom
Just six months ago, the idea of a housing boom would have seemed ridiculous as millions of Americans were losing their jobs. But low interest rates and the work-from-home trend are stoking real estate stocks and home sales in smaller housing markets.
www.investors.com/news/real-estate-stocks-housing-markets-watch-surprise-covid-boom/
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Home sales, prices on the rise in Seattle-area housing market amid coronavirus pandemic
The most recent Northwest Multiple Listings Service report — which serves 23 counties, mostly in Western and Central Washington — showed the region saw 10,175 sales transactions during September, the greatest number since June 2018.
www.seattlepi.com/realestate/article/home-sales-prices-on-the-rise-in-Seattle-area-15631499.php
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Puget Sound region sees ‘extraordinary’ drop in housing inventory
Housing prices across King, Snohomish, and Pierce County have skyrocketed over the last month, with double-digit year-over-year increases in median home prices in all three areas. This comes amid an historically low inventory for prospective home buyers.
mynorthwest.com/2216787/matthew-gardner-puget-sound-region-drop-housing-inventory/
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A Portland Midcentury by Frank Shell Offers Laid-Back Living for $1M
Architect Frank Shell only designed a handful of homes—and they’re all keepers. Here’s a rare opportunity to snap one up.
www.dwell.com/article/midcentury-home-frank-shell-portland-real-estate-88179544
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Opendoor and other iBuyers’ sales stall despite hot housing market
Despite a hot housing market this summer and fall, iBuyers — online homebuyers and sellers — project meager sales for the rest of the year. Most iBuyers drastically cut their inventory when they paused buying in March and April — and now, they don’t have enough homes available in stock to meet buyer demand.
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S&P/Case-Shiller OR-Portland Home Price Index
Updated: Sep 29, 2020
fred.stlouisfed.org/series/POXRSA
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S&P/Case-Shiller WA-Seattle Home Price Index
Updated: Sep 29, 2020
fred.stlouisfed.org/series/SEXRNSA
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Compass to acquire Modus
Real estate technology company Compass has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Modus, a title and escrow software start-up.
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Autumn of heartbreak for home shoppers as Seattle-area prices hit new record highs
Pulled up by unrelenting demand and an inventory drought, King County home prices hit a new all-time high of $753,600 in September, a 14% bump over last year, according to new data from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service.
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Condos could make comeback in housing market if single-family home prices keep rising
Experts say the desire for condominiums could heat up if the price of single-family homes continues to rise.
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The drivers impacting home buying decisions now
National Housing Conference CEO David Dworkin on how the coronavirus outbreak has impacted the housing market and home buying trends.
(Video)
video.foxbusiness.com/v/6192337521001/#sp=show-clips
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U.S. Condo Prices Upticks in August as Inventory Explodes Nationwide
Single-family home price growth at 11.9 percent annually far outpaces condo price appreciation at 5.4 percent
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Western Washington housing market is hot, could Boeing job losses change that?
While real estate is still booming across Puget Sound, experts wonder if Boeing’s Dreamliner relocation could change that.
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Sellers still direct a hot housing market but fall cooling approaches
Sellers still hold the reins of the U.S. housing market as prices reach record year-over-year gains and low inventory further erodes
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Airbnb, National Realtors group launch PACs to oppose Portland referenda
The country’s second most valuable tech startup, Airbnb, and the second largest spender in lobbying, the National Association of Realtors, are among the corporate interests that have thrown their weight into Portland politics.
mainebeacon.com/airbnb-national-realtors-group-launch-pacs-to-oppose-portland-referenda/
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Millennials and mortgage rates are heating up Seattle’s housing market
During the worst bout of job losses since the Great Depression, home prices are rising quickly. And in Seattle the growth is faster than anywhere else in the country, save Phoenix – 7% year-over-year, according to the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Home Price Index.
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Microsoft CEO says remote work can feel like ‘sleeping at work’
Microsoft has been a major beneficiary of the work-from-home boom spurred by the Covid-19 pandemic. But Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella is realizing the pitfalls of being away from the office for so long.
www.seattletimes.com/business/microsoft-ceo-says-remote-work-can-feel-like-sleeping-at-work/
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Portland homes for sale: Prices rise, inventory plunges, both favoring sellers
Despite a roller-coaster stock market, lingering pandemic and uncertainty caused by natural and made disasters, the real estate market continues to connect buyers to sellers.
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Seattle is among hottest U.S. housing markets — and prices are rising fast on the cheapest homes
Home prices around Seattle rose faster than in any city in the country, save Phoenix, for the sixth consecutive month in midsummer.
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Carrying out an eviction? How property managers can play it safe
Following the attack of a property manager by a tenant in Seattle last week, real estate safety expert Tracey Hawkins shares her tips on how to avoid violence during an eviction.
www.inman.com/2020/09/29/carrying-out-an-eviction-how-property-managers-can-play-it-safe/
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Landlords sue to push back against eviction ban
A CDC directive, which took effect Sept. 4, broadly prevents evictions through the end of 2020.
www.djc.com/news/re/12135311.html
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High-tech mountain retreat lists for $5.8M
A Seattle family’s luxury Cascade mountain retreat in a tiny lakefront community called Timber Cove is on the market for $5.8 million
www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2020/09/25/patti-paynes-cool-pads-high-tech-mountain-retreat.html
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Giant portal goes direct to public with its own agency division
Zillow – the U.S. equivalent of a Rightmove, has insisted for years that it had no plans to emply its own agents. But this week the giant, Seattle-based, portal did just that – opening its own real estate brokerage.
propertyindustryeye.com/giant-portal-goes-direct-to-public-with-its-own-agency-division/
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Moving during the pandemic: Mishap stories and tips to make packing, relocating smooth
Moving is already hard enough. Add in precautions to reduce the spread of the deadly coronavirus, and packing up the old place and hauling cherished items to a new home can make you rethink your whole decision and stay put.
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Moving to the burbs is suddenly back in style: City dwellers with coronavirus cabin fever lead the way
For six years, they used their rented 600-square-foot condo in Northwest Portland’s Slabtown as a launching pad. Jon biked to his job as a bar manager as Alli worked in downtown’s Big Pink building.
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Real Estate Fraud Prevention Coalition Recognizes National Cybersecurity Awareness Month
This October, the Real Estate Fraud Prevention Coalition is leading efforts to recognize National Cyber Security Awareness Month in America. Alongside partners in federal, state and local government, the coalition will use this month to elevate public understanding of cybersecurity risks and equip consumers with tools and resources to stay safe online.
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Weekly Housing Market Monitor
NAR Research compiles the latest housing market data in this weekly monitor, based on what REALTORS® are seeing in their market, mortgage data, jobless claims, foot traffic, and the latest home sales numbers.
www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/research-reports/weekly-housing-market-monitor
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Market Hotness Index
Metro Hotness – Zip Code and County Hotness
www.realtor.com/research/reports/hottest-markets/
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HOUSING STATISTICS
Housing Statistics offers 43 different sets of data, downloadable either as Excel or PDF files (updated weekly). Housing data and primary indicators of the industry are housed in one easy-to navigate location containing historical and current sets of statistics such as: Housing Starts (by Region & Structure Type), Homes Sold by Region, Producer Price Indexes (for Building Materials), Manufactured Homes, New Home Characteristics, Residential Vacancy & Absorption Rates, Units Under Construction, Value of New Construction, and many more.
www.nahbclassic.org/reference_list.aspx?sectionID=819&channelID=311
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Economic Indicators
U.S. Census Bureau Economic Indicators
www.census.gov/economic-indicators/
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Local Market Reports
All real estate is local and every market is unique. To help REALTORS® and other housing market analysts get the most out of the plethora of data that is available, NAR Research produces a series of Local Market Reports (LMRs) which provide insights into the fundamentals and direction of the nation’s largest metropolitan housing markets. Each report evaluates a number of factors affecting home prices, including:
www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/research-reports/local-market-reports
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CoreLogic Home Price Insights
The most geographically comprehensive and current home price index.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Bureau of Economic Analysis
U.S. Economy at a Glance
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Mortgage Market Survey Archive
Compilation of Weekly Survey Data for 2015
www.freddiemac.com/pmms/archive.html
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Housing Economics
NAHB produces in-depth economic analyses of the home building industry based on private and government data. Our economics group surveys builders, home buyers, and renters to gain insight into the issues and trends driving the industry.
www.nahb.org/en/research/housing-economics.aspx
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” The falling leaves drift by the window”
– Johnny Mercer – “Autumn Leaves“
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Leaf Peeping: 5 Places in the US to See Epic Fall Foliage
Nature is about to put on a beautiful show for us that we all should take advantage of. Fall brings about the changing of the seasons and with that comes the artistry of Nature’s autumn palette
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Home Prices Up 13%, Biggest Increase Since 2013
The U.S. median home sale price increased 13% from 2019 to $319,178—the highest on record, according to a new report from Redfin (www.redfin.com), the technology-powered real estate brokerage. This 13% year-over-year increase was the largest since October 2013.
aikenceo.com/news/2020/09/home-prices-13-biggest-increase-2013/
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Housing Recovery Disrupted by Wildfire and Hurricane Season
Locally, a total of 44 markets have crossed the recovery benchmark as of this week, two more than the previous week with the greatest recovery in Las Vegas, Seattle, Boston, Philadelphia, and Riverside-San Bernardino.
www.realtor.com/research/housing-market-recovery-index-trends-september-12-data/
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Another landlord group sues Seattle over eviction moratoriums
Seattle’s moratorium on residential evictions during the COVID-19 pandemic is facing yet another legal challenge — this time from the Rental Housing Association of Washington (RHAWA), a lobbying group representing nearly 3,000 small landlords across the state.
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Portland approves option to have landlords pay tenant relocation fees for any rent increase until the end of March
Portland landlords must pay to move residential tenants who can’t afford any rent increase after the City Council unanimously agreed Wednesday to temporarily modify its renter relocation assistance policy.
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Facebook buys office campus near Seattle for $368M
Pandemic killed seller REI’s plan to move into eight-acre complex
therealdeal.com/2020/09/15/facebook-buys-office-campus-near-seattle-for-368m/
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Facebook will buy REI’s unused Bellevue headquarters complex, signaling offices are still relevant
Facebook will buy REI’s so-new-it’s-never-been-used Bellevue campus for nearly $368 million, the social-media giant announced today.
www.seattletimes.com/business/real-estate/facebook-will-buy-former-rei-headquarters-in-bellevue/
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Smoke in your home: How to clear the air, clean up and prevent fires from spreading
When fires spread across Oregon, people surrounded by flames were showered in powdery residue, and even those living miles away were breathing air filled with dangerous gases and fine particles from charred building materials and vegetation.
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Popular Time Capsule Home in Palm Springs Is Available Again for $1.97M
A famously well-preserved Palm Springs, CA, property has grooved back onto the market. The retro residence from 1969 is available fully furnished for $1,969,000.
www.realtor.com/news/unique-homes/popular-palm-springs-time-capsule-home-available-again/
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London’s narrowest house, only 5ft 5in wide, is on sale for just under £1m
The narrowest house, on the Goldhawk Road in Shepherd’s Bush in London is only 5ft 5in in places, and is going on sale for just under £1m
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WORLD MIGRATION REPORT 2020
As the United Nations’ migration agency, IOM has an obligation to demystify the complexity and diversity of human mobility. The report also acknowledges IOM’s continuing emphasis on fundamental rights and its mission to support those migrants who are most in need.
www.un.org/sites/un2.un.org/files/wmr_2020.pdf
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Modern Mansion in Portland, Oregon, With Mountain Views Perfectly Blends Art and Architecture
The property also includes a detached guest house with a separate driveway
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How Do Homestead Exemptions Work in Washington State?
Homeowners currently don’t receive a property tax break for homestead properties, but that could change
www.mansionglobal.com/articles/how-do-homestead-exemptions-work-in-washington-state-219545
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Rethinking Design for a Post-Covid World, Home Foreclosures Soar in China, and More
The pandemic is accelerating lifestyle and amenity trends, a recent survey finds.
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MONTHLY NEW RESIDENTIAL SALES, JULY 2020
Sales of new single-family houses in July 2020 were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 901,000, according to estimates released jointly today by the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
This is 13.9 percent (±20.0 percent)* above the revised June rate of 791,000 and is 36.3 percent (±27.4 percent) above the July 2019 estimate of 661,000.
www.census.gov/construction/nrs/pdf/newressales.pdf
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Here’s The Best Real Estate Markets From WalletHub
Here’s WalletHub’s 2020’s best real estate markets. WalletHub recently crunched the numbers on the best real estate markets comparing “300 cities of varying sizes across 24 key indicators of housing-market attractiveness and economic strength.
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Amazon announces massive expansion projection in Bellevue, bringing 10,000 jobs
Without much fanfare, Amazon has been announcing massive expansion plans in Bellevue while throttling back on its office space footprint in Seattle.
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U.S. housing starts fall more than expected in August as multi-family home construction slumps
U.S. homebuilding fell in August after strong gains in the prior three months, but the housing market remains supported by record-low interest rates and demand for properties in the suburbs and low-density areas as many people work from home.
www.cnbc.com/2020/09/17/housing-starts-august-2020.html
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Today’s Mortgage Interest Rates: Sept. 17, 2020—Refinancing Can Help More Homeowners Than Ever
The average mortgage interest rate on both the 30-year and 15-year fixed mortgage stayed relatively flat this week. On Thursday, the average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage inched up to 2.87%—just one basis point higher than last week
www.forbes.com/advisor/mortgages/todays-mortgage-interest-rates-09-17-2020/
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Travel Trailer Vacations Are Trending
Should short-term rental investors be worried by the public’s sudden interest in taking a travel trailer vacation versus a vacation home stay?
www.fool.com/millionacres/real-estate-market/articles/travel-trailer-vacations-are-trending/
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How Many Homes are Concrete-Framed?
We know lumber prices are up more than 170% since mid-April as of mid-September.
eyeonhousing.org/2020/09/how-many-homes-are-concrete-framed/
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WSJ/THE US College Rankings 2021: Duke and Carnegie Mellon rise
Duke and Carnegie Mellon universities are the biggest risers at the top of a student-focused ranking of US universities and colleges.
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/wsj-us-college-rankings-2021-duke-and-carnegie-mellon-rise
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The Share of Gen Z Living at Home is Falling, But Remains Very High
After rising dramatically in the Spring, the number of young adults nationwide living with parents or grandparents has begun to fall — though it still remains extraordinarily high.
www.zillow.com/research/gen-z-at-home-falling-but-high-27957/
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August 2020 Market Report and Zillow Weekly Market Report Through September 12
A months-long inventory shortage helped push the typical U.S. home value to $256,663 in August, up 0.7% from July — the biggest month-over-month increase in nearly seven years.
www.zillow.com/research/zillow-weekly-market-report-27151/
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Freedom to Telecommute Could Add Almost 2 Million Potential Buyers to the Market
A switch to more telework could give 1.92 million U.S. renters (4.5% of renter households) the option to leave the metropolitan areas where they currently live and buy a starter home in a cheaper locale.
www.zillow.com/research/telecommute-2-million-buyers-27866/
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Mortgage Rates Hit Record Lows. Could They Fall Even Further?
One of the few bright spots for home buyers and owners in 2020—a year marred by a pandemic, economic recession, social unrest, wildfires, hurricanes, and a highly polarized presidential election—has been rock-bottom mortgage interest rates.
www.realtor.com/news/trends/mortgage-rates-at-record-lows-when-to-buy-a-house/
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AUTUMNAL EQUINOX 2020: THE FIRST DAY OF FALL
In 2020, the autumnal equinox—also called the September equinox or fall equinox—arrives on Tuesday, September 22.
www.almanac.com/content/first-day-fall-autumnal-equinox
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Weekly Housing Market Monitor
NAR Research compiles the latest housing market data in this weekly monitor, based on what REALTORS® are seeing in their market, mortgage data, jobless claims, foot traffic, and the latest home sales numbers.
www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/research-reports/weekly-housing-market-monitor
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Market Hotness Index
Metro Hotness – Zip Code and County Hotness
www.realtor.com/research/reports/hottest-markets/
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOUSING STATISTICS
Housing Statistics offers 43 different sets of data, downloadable either as Excel or PDF files (updated weekly). Housing data and primary indicators of the industry are housed in one easy-to navigate location containing historical and current sets of statistics such as: Housing Starts (by Region & Structure Type), Homes Sold by Region, Producer Price Indexes (for Building Materials), Manufactured Homes, New Home Characteristics, Residential Vacancy & Absorption Rates, Units Under Construction, Value of New Construction, and many more.
www.nahbclassic.org/reference_list.aspx?sectionID=819&channelID=311
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Economic Indicators
U.S. Census Bureau Economic Indicators
www.census.gov/economic-indicators/
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Local Market Reports
All real estate is local and every market is unique. To help REALTORS® and other housing market analysts get the most out of the plethora of data that is available, NAR Research produces a series of Local Market Reports (LMRs) which provide insights into the fundamentals and direction of the nation’s largest metropolitan housing markets. Each report evaluates a number of factors affecting home prices, including:
www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/research-reports/local-market-reports
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CoreLogic Home Price Insights
The most geographically comprehensive and current home price index.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Bureau of Economic Analysis
U.S. Economy at a Glance
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mortgage Market Survey Archive
Compilation of Weekly Survey Data for 2015
www.freddiemac.com/pmms/archive.html
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Housing Economics
NAHB produces in-depth economic analyses of the home building industry based on private and government data. Our economics group surveys builders, home buyers, and renters to gain insight into the issues and trends driving the industry.
www.nahb.org/en/research/housing-economics.aspx
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“Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.”
– Aristotle
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Washington ranked as the best state to work during the pandemic.
Washington ranked as the best state to work during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new study.
www.seattlepi.com/seattlenews/slideshow/Washington-ranked-as-the-best-state-to-work-208174.php
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1.4 Million Jobs Added in August
In August, total payroll employment rose by 1.4 million and the unemployment rate fell to 8.4%. The U.S. labor market continues to recover from the COVID-19 crisis.
eyeonhousing.org/2020/09/1-4-million-jobs-added-in-august/
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Mortgage Application Activity Tapers in August
The last weeks in August finished with subdued mortgage activity, per the Mortgage Bankers Association’s latest Weekly Application Survey. However, demand remains strong: Overall mortgage activity was 35% higher than what it was the same week one year ago.
eyeonhousing.org/2020/09/mortgage-application-activity-tapers-in-august/
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Rising Prices, Low Supply Show Sellers in Control of Housing Market
This Zillow Weekly Market Report includes housing market data as of the week ending August 29
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U.S. Luxury Housing Market Enjoys Price Rebound, Despite Coronavirus
According to a new report from Redfin, the median sale price for luxury homes in the U.S. rose 1.2% year over year to $825,000 during the three months ending July 31, 2020.
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Temporary Halt in Residential Evictions to Prevent the Further Spread of COVID-19
CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield signed a declaration determining that the evictions of tenants could be detrimental to public health control measures to slow the spread of SARS-Cov-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
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‘Extraordinary’ move by CDC to stop evictions draws heavy criticism from housing industry and tenant advocates
The White House issued an order Tuesday through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that declared evictions during a pandemic a national health hazard.
www.cnbc.com/2020/09/02/cdc-move-to-stop-evictions-draws-heavy-criticism-from-both-sides.html
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CDC issues sweeping temporary halt on evictions. Here’s what that means for renters
Most renters in the U.S. are now protected from eviction until the end of the year, according to an order announced on Tuesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Home prices suddenly see biggest gains in 2 years
Nationally, home prices in July were 5.5% higher than in 2019. That is a marked increase from the 4.3% annual gain seen in June, according to CoreLogic.
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Why Aren’t Home Efficiency Scores Standard in Online Real Estate Listings?
Realtors say such scores are useful for buyers and can open the door to broader conversations about home energy use.
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10 Property Management Tips For Landlords
Whether you’re a seasoned real estate professional, or new to the industry, whether you’re using a rental as a primary form of income, or simply a passive revenue stream, property management is a serious business and should be treated as such
realtybiznews.com/10-property-management-tips-for-landlords/98759799/
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Interest Rates During the 2020 Election Year
What happens to interest rates during an election year? History tells us the Fed’s response to the election may vary depending on the elected candidate.
www.cityindex.co.uk/market-analysis/interest-rates-during-the-2020-election-year/
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Do interest rates rise before elections?
Commentary: Interest rates and the Presidential Election Cycle
www.marketwatch.com/story/do-interest-rates-rise-before-elections-2012-09-04
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Lowest Mortgage Rates in 3 Weeks
Mortgage rates improved nicely today with the average lender more convincingly back under the 3.0% threshold for conventional 30yr fixed scenarios. In general, that refers to 740+ credit and 20% equity/down-payment on an owner-occupied single family home with a loan amount at or under the conforming loan limit. Stray very far from that path and rates can increase rather quickly.
www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/consumer_rates/953532.aspx
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There are home inventory concerns: Coldwell Banker Real Estate CEO
CNBC’s Kelly Evans discusses whether the housing sector is too hot as home inventories remain low with Ryan Gorman, CEO and president of Coldwell Banker Real Estate
www.cnbc.com/video/2020/08/25/there-are-home-inventory-concerns-coldwell-banker-real-estate-ceo.html
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Seattle’s Micro-Housing Movement: A Developer’s Take
With some of the largest tech players such as Facebook, Google and Microsoft bolstering their presence in Seattle, the city’s affordable and workforce housing inventory has always been tight.
www.multihousingnews.com/post/seattles-micro-housing-movement-a-developers-take/
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These 3 Major Companies Are Changing Their Office Plans; What Could This Mean For Investors?
Over the last several months, we’ve seen a variety of companies change their plans, and we’ve written a lot about how the work-from-home movement may change real estate investing, as well as the forecast for office REITs.
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Portland Weird Homes Tour comes to you with a live Zoom of a Stormtrooper-guarded art studio, mime-designed dome and ‘Twilight’s’ Bella Swan’s house
It’s now easy to check out “Twilight’s” Bella Swan’s house, a mime-designed dome home and a Stormtrooper-guarded art studio since the 3rd annual Portland Weird Homes Tour on Saturday, Sept. 26, will be a live online walkthrough.
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New energy-efficient homes sit next to famous midcentury moderns in this Portland neighborhood that attracts celebrated architects
Architect Ryan Walsh was offered the chance to design three adjacent houses on land bookended by famous midcentury modern dwellings conceived by Portland architects he admires: The late John Storrs and Saul Zaik.
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Seattle landlords sue Gov. Jay Inslee and Mayor Jenny Durkan over eviction moratoriums
A small group of Seattle landlords is suing Mayor Jenny Durkan and Gov. Jay Inslee over the constitutionality of city and state eviction moratoriums, which in Seattle’s case has been extended to December to protect people who can’t pay rent amid the coronavirus pandemic.
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The real HQ2: Amazon adding 10k more jobs in Bellevue, growing further beyond downtown Seattle
The city of Bellevue, Wash., is looking more and more like Amazon’s actual second headquarters location.
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Fleeing the city for the suburbs? Consider these 5 ways the move could affect your finances
Online searches for home listings with suburban ZIP codes grew 13% this spring compared to the same point in 2019
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A 1910 Craftsman Home Renovation In Montana
HGTV’s Mountain Mamas Star Trecie Wheat Hughes Shares Her Home Restoration Story
blog.coldwellbanker.com/a-1910-craftsman-home-renovation-in-montana/
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California Home Prices Break Another Record in July
According to the California Association of Realtors, California’s housing market continued to recover as home sales climbed to their highest level in more than two and a half years in July 2020, while setting another record-high median home price.
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Best U.S. Neighborhoods for Opportunity Zones in 2020 Revealed
ATTOM Data Solutions recently teamed up with CityBldr, a Seattle-based proptech company that uses AI to determine the best use of land, to discover that a widespread group of mostly-impoverished, densely-packed urban neighborhoods across the U.S. offer some of the most attractive opportunities in the nation for housing developers to take advantage of federal reinvestment tax benefits.
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Why You Might Want a Jumbo Mortgage Right Now—Even if You Don’t ‘Need’ It
Though lending has become tighter, there are some serious upsides to not paying cash
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Weekly Housing Market Monitor
NAR Research compiles the latest housing market data in this weekly monitor, based on what REALTORS® are seeing in their market, mortgage data, jobless claims, foot traffic, and the latest home sales numbers.
www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/research-reports/weekly-housing-market-monitor
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Market Hotness Index
Metro Hotness – Zip Code and County Hotness
www.realtor.com/research/reports/hottest-markets/
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOUSING STATISTICS
Housing Statistics offers 43 different sets of data, downloadable either as Excel or PDF files (updated weekly). Housing data and primary indicators of the industry are housed in one easy-to navigate location containing historical and current sets of statistics such as: Housing Starts (by Region & Structure Type), Homes Sold by Region, Producer Price Indexes (for Building Materials), Manufactured Homes, New Home Characteristics, Residential Vacancy & Absorption Rates, Units Under Construction, Value of New Construction, and many more.
www.nahbclassic.org/reference_list.aspx?sectionID=819&channelID=311
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Economic Indicators
U.S. Census Bureau Economic Indicators
www.census.gov/economic-indicators/
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Local Market Reports
All real estate is local and every market is unique. To help REALTORS® and other housing market analysts get the most out of the plethora of data that is available, NAR Research produces a series of Local Market Reports (LMRs) which provide insights into the fundamentals and direction of the nation’s largest metropolitan housing markets. Each report evaluates a number of factors affecting home prices, including:
www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/research-reports/local-market-reports
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CoreLogic Home Price Insights
The most geographically comprehensive and current home price index.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Bureau of Economic Analysis
U.S. Economy at a Glance
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mortgage Market Survey Archive
Compilation of Weekly Survey Data for 2015
www.freddiemac.com/pmms/archive.html
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Housing Economics
NAHB produces in-depth economic analyses of the home building industry based on private and government data. Our economics group surveys builders, home buyers, and renters to gain insight into the issues and trends driving the industry.
www.nahb.org/en/research/housing-economics.aspx
________________________________________________________________
“We cannot cure the world of sorrows, but we can choose to live in joy.”
—Joseph Campbell
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The Great American Housing Boom Has Begun
What if I told you that US housing is one of the best money-making opportunities today? You’d probably think I’m crazy. After all, how can anyone think housing is a good bet right now… especially in the middle of a global pandemic?
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Hot, hot summer for Washington home shoppers: Record-breaking prices and a cutthroat market
Squeezed up by a combination of low supply and high demand, home prices broke records in nearly every major Washington county last month, even as the pandemic’s onslaught continued to wreak havoc with other parts of the economy.
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The Future of Work: Are Offices a Relic of Our Pre-Pandemic Lives?
After our local business behemoths embraced Zoom (fine, Microsoft, Teams), regional traffic numbers plummeted; seemingly overnight, the metropolis turned into an expanse fit more for tumbleweeds than tech powers.
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Soaring Lumber Prices Limit Housing’s Growth
Home prices continue to rise well above the rate of inflation as housing inventory remains thin.
nahbnow.com/2020/08/soaring-lumber-prices-limit-housings-growth/
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Homebuyer’s needs are changing in COVID-19 pandemic, real estate agents say
KATU Portland — Homebuyer’s needs are changing in COVID-19 pandemic, real estate agents say
www.buzzfeedzz.com/en-us/video/other/natalie-morales-makes-chicken-croquettes/ZZ17H601
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Job Market Gains Continue
Surpassing recent dampened expectations, total payroll employment rose by 1.8 million and the unemployment rate declined to 10.2% in July. The U.S. labor market continues to recover from the COVID-19 crisis.
eyeonhousing.org/2020/08/job-market-gains-continue/
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Why looking at the stock market won’t give you full picture of US economy
Between the federal government and the Federal Reserve, about $10 trillion has been pumped into the US economy to prevent a pandemic-fueled economic collapse
nypost.com/2020/08/02/why-looking-at-the-stock-market-wont-give-you-full-picture-of-us-economy/
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Highway built around house of woman who refused to move
Think living near a highway is tough? Try living between two. A
nypost.com/video/highway-built-around-house-of-woman-who-refused-to-move/
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Trust in the market’s long-term direction: Up
Just 28% of Americans singled out the stock market as the best way to invest. Real estate was a close second, named by 26% of respondents, followed by cash/savings accounts/certificates of deposit (18%), and gold or precious metals (14%). Bonds and Bitcoin/cryptocurrency both were favored by just 4% of respondents.
www.seattletimes.com/business/trust-in-the-markets-long-term-direction-up/
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Oregon homes on the market: Open houses are back with coronavirus safety precautions
The coronavirus has altered almost every aspect of a real estate deal, from touring a property to signing the deed.
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Can Portland’s Hot Housing Market Survive the Pandemic and the Protests?
Over the past few years, Portland, OR, has emerged as an epicenter of hipster cool and one of the nation’s hottest housing markets. Lower home prices and a thriving startup scene lured cost-conscious residents from pricier Seattle as well as San Francisco and other California cities.
www.realtor.com/news/trends/can-portlands-hot-housing-market-survive-pandemic-and-protests/
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Why a Pandemic, Recession, and Protests Aren’t Keeping the Housing Market From Roaring Back
Despite the crippling and ongoing coronavirus pandemic, millions out of work, a recession, a national reckoning over systemic racism, and a highly contentious presidential election just around the corner, the residential real estate market is staging an astonishing rebound.
www.realtor.com/news/trends/housing-market-rebounds/
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Mortgage Rates Plummet to a New Record Low, Adding Fuel to the Housing Market
The already scalding-hot housing market is likely to heat up even more. Mortgage interest rates continued their downward descent, hitting yet another record—largely thanks to the pandemic, and the resulting economic downturn, dragging on.
www.realtor.com/news/trends/mortgage-rates-plummet/
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$32.9M Riverfront Residence in Aspen Is the Week’s Most Expensive New Listing
It’s never too soon to be thinking about a winter retreat. And for a certain echelon of homebuyer, Aspen is the place to be when temperatures cool. It’s well known as “the most expensive ski town in America.”
www.realtor.com/news/trends/riverfront-residence-aspen-most-expensive/
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Selling Your Home in the Age of Coronavirus? Here Are All Your Top Questions, Answered
We’ve gathered advice from the real estate experts to answer your most pressing questions about selling a home during the coronavirus pandemic.
www.realtor.com/advice/sell/essential-home-selling-faqs-in-the-age-of-coronavirus/
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How the Pandemic Pushed Home Prices to a Record High Amid Historic Economic Downturn
Who would have thought that this summer, with the number of COVID-19 cases surging and new rounds of restrictions and shutdowns, would yield one of the most competitive housing markets in recent memory?
www.realtor.com/news/real-estate-news/home-prices-hit-record-highs-during-pandemic/
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7 Client Behaviors Emerging From COVID-19
One Los Angeles couple, Cooky and Alain Bali, told KTLA they’ve made about $7,000 opening up their pool to strangers.
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Californians are renting out their backyard pools by the hour amid coronavirus closures
For months, cities across the country have been ceding car lanes to pedestrians and cyclists. These changes, born out of a global pandemic and plunging vehicle miles driven, are demonstrating the wide appeal for recalibrating the nation’s urban streets.
www.djc.com/news/re/12133963.html
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Owning a Home Can Make You Happier
Homeownership comes with all sorts of struggles that renters never deal with. If you rent and your roof leaks, for example, a call to your landlord fixes that (or it should). You don’t have to worry about unexpected expenses, fluctuating property values, or much of anything else.
www.fool.com/millionacres/real-estate-market/articles/owning-home-can-make-you-happier/
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What Happens When You Renovate Your Home Without a Permit?
Renovating your home offers you a chance to increase your property’s value while improving your own quality of life while you’re living in it. But while relatively minor renovations, like replacing flooring or countertops, can generally be done without obtaining a permit from your local municipality
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JetClosing raises $8.5M as pandemic highlights demand for digital title and escrow service
Social distancing rules due to the COVID-19 pandemic are driving up demand for JetClosing‘s digital home closing service.
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Futuristic and floating, Portland’s ‘Aqua Star’ lands on the market
On the market for $850,000, this futuristic-looking home on the water is described in the listing details as “Portland’s most iconic and famous floating home.”
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How the cracked West Seattle Bridge will push city into debt
SDOT hopes to recommend by October whether the 36-year-old bridge should be repaired, or be demolished and replaced
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AMERICA’S 100 BEST CITIES IN 2020, REVEALED
Resonance Consultancy has just released the latest version of the most comprehensive city ranking on the planet
resonanceco.com/reports/2020-americas-best-cities/
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Weekly Housing Market Monitor
NAR Research compiles the latest housing market data in this weekly monitor, based on what REALTORS® are seeing in their market, mortgage data, jobless claims, foot traffic, and the latest home sales numbers.
www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/research-reports/weekly-housing-market-monitor
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Market Hotness Index
Metro Hotness – Zip Code and County Hotness
www.realtor.com/research/reports/hottest-markets/
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOUSING STATISTICS
Housing Statistics offers 43 different sets of data, downloadable either as Excel or PDF files (updated weekly). Housing data and primary indicators of the industry are housed in one easy-to navigate location containing historical and current sets of statistics such as: Housing Starts (by Region & Structure Type), Homes Sold by Region, Producer Price Indexes (for Building Materials), Manufactured Homes, New Home Characteristics, Residential Vacancy & Absorption Rates, Units Under Construction, Value of New Construction, and many more.
www.nahbclassic.org/reference_list.aspx?sectionID=819&channelID=311
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Economic Indicators
U.S. Census Bureau Economic Indicators
www.census.gov/economic-indicators/
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Local Market Reports
All real estate is local and every market is unique. To help REALTORS® and other housing market analysts get the most out of the plethora of data that is available, NAR Research produces a series of Local Market Reports (LMRs) which provide insights into the fundamentals and direction of the nation’s largest metropolitan housing markets. Each report evaluates a number of factors affecting home prices, including:
www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/research-reports/local-market-reports
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CoreLogic Home Price Insights
The most geographically comprehensive and current home price index.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Bureau of Economic Analysis
U.S. Economy at a Glance
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mortgage Market Survey Archive
Compilation of Weekly Survey Data for 2015
www.freddiemac.com/pmms/archive.html
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Housing Economics
NAHB produces in-depth economic analyses of the home building industry based on private and government data. Our economics group surveys builders, home buyers, and renters to gain insight into the issues and trends driving the industry.
www.nahb.org/en/research/housing-economics.aspx
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“In important matters, one should use several stratagems applied simultaneously after another as in a chain of stratagems. Keep different plans operating in an overall scheme; if any one strategy fails, apply the next strategy.”
– Sun Tzu
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Mortgage rates fall below 3% again
According to the latest data released Thursday by Freddie Mac, the 30-year fixed-rate average slipped to 2.99% with an average 0.8 point.
www.seattletimes.com/business/real-estate/mortgage-rates-fall-below-3-again/
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Mortgage Interest Rates Decrease Yet Again, Nearly Reaching Lowest Rate On Record
Two weeks ago mortgage interest rates slipped below 3% for the first time on record and after briefly inching their way back across that threshold last week interest rates have returned to just under 3% once again.
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Renting versus buying in a low interest rate environment
Becoming a homeowner is one of the biggest financial milestones in a New Zealander’s life, but is buying instead of renting really the best idea for everyone?
www.westpac.co.nz/rednews/property/renting-versus-buying-in-a-low-interest-rate-environment/
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Homes in rural Oregon are selling during the coronavirus to buyers with cabin fever
City dwellers who can’t see a future in which they will start going to indoor entertainment venues again question the value of an urban lifestyle.
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Google Employees Can Work From Home Until July 2021
Google is letting its employees work from home for at least another year — a sign that the technology industry is expecting disruption from the coronavirus pandemic to linger for a long time.
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67% of Companies Expect Work From Home to Be Permanent or Long-Lasting
About two-thirds of businesses that have adopted remote work policies as a result of COVID-19 plan to keep at least some of those policies in place long-term or permanently, according to a recent study.
smallbiztrends.com/2020/06/work-from-home-permanently-survey.html
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All These Stories About People Fleeing Cities Are Total Nonsense
The narrative persists, but supporting evidence is weak at best.
www.curbed.com/2020/7/13/21319909/coronavirus-urban-exodus-cities-moving-suburbs
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School openings across globe suggest ways to keep coronavirus at bay, despite outbreaks
When Science looked at reopening strategies from South Africa to Finland to Israel, some encouraging patterns emerged
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Parents with children forced to do school at home are drinking more
We found that parents who are stressed by having to help their children with distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic drink seven more drinks per month than parents who do not report feeling stressed by distance learning.
theconversation.com/parents-with-children-forced-to-do-school-at-home-are-drinking-more-143164
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Not Everyone Hates School at Home
Despite the challenges of at-home learning, some parents are considering teaching kids at home this fall.
www.nytimes.com/2020/07/16/well/family/not-everyone-hates-school-at-home.html
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485 Best Homeschool Room Setup images
When Home Is Your School: Real Life Homeschool Space Inspiration
www.pinterest.ca/homeschoolon/homeschool-room-setup/
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U.S. Median Home Asking Price Hits All-Time High
The Northeast, where Covid is more under control, outperformed the rest of the country
www.mansionglobal.com/articles/u-s-median-home-asking-price-hits-all-time-high-217956
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Home Prices May Be Dropping Soon. Here’s Why.
Market forecasters say it’s likely to happen if federal response to the pandemic wavers.
www.curbed.com/2020/7/23/21333325/housing-market-real-estate-prices-coronavirus
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Private Hilltop And Ocean Views At Villa Valentin
Villa Valentin is located on a private hilltop overlooking the Mexican Pacific Ocean in beautiful Riviera Nayarit, Mexico.
www.jetsetmag.com/real-estate/riviera-retreat-private-hilltop-and-ocean-views-at-villa-valentin/
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A Foreclosure Crisis Could Still Happen
Homeowners are falling behind on their payments, but government policies are keeping them in their homes.
www.curbed.com/2020/7/27/21335855/coronavirus-foreclosures-housing-crisis
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Hatchback Cottages to produce DADUs
Detached Accessory Dwelling Units, aka backyard cottages, are a thing in Seattle, now sprouting all over the city.
www.djc.com/news/re/12133975.html
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A radical rebalancing of the urban environment
For months, cities across the country have been ceding car lanes to pedestrians and cyclists. These changes, born out of a global pandemic and plunging vehicle miles driven, are demonstrating the wide appeal for recalibrating the nation’s urban streets.
www.djc.com/news/re/12133963.html
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Pending Home Sales Edge Up in June
After the biggest monthly gain on record last month , pending home sales surged back to pre-pandemic levels, as homebuyers rushed back to the market, taking advantage of record-low mortgage rates.
eyeonhousing.org/2020/07/pending-home-sales-edge-up-in-june/
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Pandemic? What pandemic? Seattle-area home prices keep rising fast
Deep into the pandemic, prices for Seattle-area homes were still rising faster than any major city in the country, save Phoenix. There’s one sign, though, that the growth may be slowing.
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What You Should Know About Moving to Seattle
The Pacific Northwest is calling your name, and you consider a major metro area to be your best option for finding the right job and entertainment. Naturally, Seattle will be on your shortlist.
wtop.com/news/2020/07/what-you-should-know-about-moving-to-seattle/
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Case Shiller: May Posts 4.5 Percent Annual Home Price Gain
In May, home prices increased 4.5 percent YoY, down from 4.6 percent in the previous month, according to the most recent S&P CoreLogic/Case-Shiller Indices
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S&P/Case-Shiller WA-Seattle Home Price Index
Updated: Jul 28, 2020
fred.stlouisfed.org/series/SEXRNSA
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S&P/Case-Shiller OR-Portland Home Price Index
Updated: Jul 28, 2020
fred.stlouisfed.org/series/POXRSA
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Homeowners told permits for their home renovation will cost an extra $11,000, thanks to upzoning in Seattle
A reviewer said the renovation was substantial enough to qualify as new construction. According to rules passed in 2019, the Cherrys would need to pay $11,000 to the city’s low-income housing
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Weekly Housing Market Monitor
NAR Research compiles the latest housing market data in this weekly monitor, based on what REALTORS® are seeing in their market, mortgage data, jobless claims, foot traffic, and the latest home sales numbers.
www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/research-reports/weekly-housing-market-monitor
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Market Hotness Index
Metro Hotness – Zip Code and County Hotness
www.realtor.com/research/reports/hottest-markets/
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOUSING STATISTICS
Housing Statistics offers 43 different sets of data, downloadable either as Excel or PDF files (updated weekly). Housing data and primary indicators of the industry are housed in one easy-to navigate location containing historical and current sets of statistics such as: Housing Starts (by Region & Structure Type), Homes Sold by Region, Producer Price Indexes (for Building Materials), Manufactured Homes, New Home Characteristics, Residential Vacancy & Absorption Rates, Units Under Construction, Value of New Construction, and many more.
www.nahbclassic.org/reference_list.aspx?sectionID=819&channelID=311
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Economic Indicators
U.S. Census Bureau Economic Indicators
www.census.gov/economic-indicators/
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Local Market Reports
All real estate is local and every market is unique. To help REALTORS® and other housing market analysts get the most out of the plethora of data that is available, NAR Research produces a series of Local Market Reports (LMRs) which provide insights into the fundamentals and direction of the nation’s largest metropolitan housing markets. Each report evaluates a number of factors affecting home prices, including:
www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/research-reports/local-market-reports
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CoreLogic Home Price Insights
The most geographically comprehensive and current home price index.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Bureau of Economic Analysis
U.S. Economy at a Glance
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mortgage Market Survey Archive
Compilation of Weekly Survey Data for 2015
www.freddiemac.com/pmms/archive.html
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Housing Economics
NAHB produces in-depth economic analyses of the home building industry based on private and government data. Our economics group surveys builders, home buyers, and renters to gain insight into the issues and trends driving the industry.
www.nahb.org/en/research/housing-economics.aspx
______________________________________________________
“I never make the same mistake twice. I make it like five or six times, you know, just to be sure”
– Unknown
__________________________
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The Most Instagrammable Outdoor Spaces
Our lives have all changed since the pandemic started, and the way we use the spaces in our homes has changed right along with it. Outdoor spaces have quickly become one of the most sought-after residential features this year
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Existing-Home Sales Climb Record 20.7% in June
Existing-home sales rebounded at a record pace in June, showing strong signs of a market turnaround after three straight months of sales declines caused by the ongoing pandemic, according to the National Association of Realtors®
www.nar.realtor/newsroom/existing-home-sales-climb-record-20-7-in-june
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Summary of Existing-Home Sales June 2020
Each of the four major regions achieved month-over-month growth, with the West experiencing the greatest sales recovery.
(See PDF)
www.nar.realtor/sites/default/files/documents/ehs-06-2020-summary-2020-07-22.pdf
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Homes and Estates 2020 Issue 3
In need of summer inspiration? Creating personal sanctuaries in our homes, plus we cover of-the-moment topics like luxury RVs, today’s hottest golf courses and healthier luxury home products.
blog.coldwellbankerluxury.com/2020-issue-3/
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COVID-19: Inslee announces changes to phased reopenings, eviction moratorium
Gov. Jay Inslee announced changes to the Safe Start phased reopening plan and an extension on the statewide eviction moratorium on Thursday as coronavirus continues to spread around Washington State.
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More homeowners looking to move out of Seattle and San Francisco
A combination of record-low mortgage rates, remote work policies, and other factors are driving homeowners in cities such as Seattle and San Francisco to look elsewhere for a new place to live.
www.geekwire.com/2020/redfin-data-shows-homeowners-looking-move-seattle-san-francisco/
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When will school open? Here’s a state-by-state list
Find out whether schools are opening in-person, online or a hybrid option.
www.today.com/parents/when-will-school-open-here-s-state-state-list-t179718
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More Seattle-area residents selling their homes, leaving the area
More and more people are seeking to sell their homes and move out of Seattle area, according to a newly released report.
komonews.com/news/local/report-more-seattle-area-residents-selling-their-homes-leaving-the-area
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Local broker says people frustrated about protests, violence in Seattle choosing to move
Local broker says people frustrated about protests, violence in Seattle choosing to move
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A proposed development in Northwest Portland would displace low-income residents
A developer plans to demolish the Flanders House and replace it with market rate apartments
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Seattle staycation: How to spend a weekend in Kirkland
Located just 20 minutes northeast of downtown Seattle rests Kirkland, boasting a population just over 93,000 alongside myriad coffee shops, lakeside strolls, an abundance of emerald parks and, of course, the original home of both the Seattle Seahawks and Costco.
www.seattlepi.com/lifestyle/travel/slideshow/what-to-see-and-do-in-kirkland-205261.php
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For Floating-Home Owners, Life Is But a Dream
There are two types of water-based homes. A houseboat, or live-aboard, is technically a boat that is navigable. A floating home is not. Floating homes evolved from primitive forms like slapdash shelters rigged atop wooden log rafts and used by fisherman, loggers, and boatmakers.
www.mansionglobal.com/articles/for-floating-home-owners-life-is-but-a-dream-141278
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Where are housing prices heading? Gain, then pain
In his 17 years as a Seattle real estate broker, Sam Mansour had never witnessed a marvel to match the shopping frenzy that took flight in the first days of reopening.
fortune.com/2020/07/17/home-prices-housing-market-preview-what-is-next-coronavirus/
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CFPB launches investigation of Quicken Loans real estate affiliate
Quicken Loans, the nation’s largest mortgage lender, said the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is investigating its real estate affiliate for potential violations of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act.
www.americanbanker.com/news/cfpb-launches-investigation-of-quicken-loans-real-estate-affiliate
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10 steps to take to try to prevent your own eviction
If you’re struggling to pay your rent amid the coronavirus crisis, your options are probably limited. Here are 10 steps to try and prevent your own eviction.
www.seattletimes.com/business/10-steps-to-take-to-try-to-prevent-your-own-eviction/
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Low interest rates drive boom
“As we are coming out of lockdown, we see this backlog of buyers trying to take advantage of record-low rates,” says Lawrence Yun
www.courant.com/business/hc-hre-smooth-moves-0726-20200723-pkvwi4ge45hyrlv4c6wib3ayc4-story.html
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Refinancing my mortgage would save me $14,000 in interest, I was told: Here’s why I didn’t do it
Conscious Coins founder Zina Kumok shares what she’s learned about how to make refinancing decisions that are right for you and your financial future.
grow.acorns.com/refinancing-your-mortgage-what-you-need-to-know/
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TOP 10 MOST VALUABLE CITIES IN THE UNITED STATES
People have been flocking to big cities for decades, driving the prices of residential real estate up in big cities. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the work-from-home trend, which would give people the freedom to live and work from anywhere.
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The Zoom social etiquette guide
The most noticeable difference between in-person socialising and the video calls we’ve had to rapidly adjust to overnight? Just how jarring the whole transition is.
www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20200428-the-zoom-social-etiquette-guide
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Nestled Into a Private Corner of Portland’s Urban Forest, This Glass-Walled Home Asks $2.5M
William / Kaven Architecture’s next-level spec home delights with drama and design
www.dwell.com/article/royal-home-william-kaven-architecture-portland-real-estate-122245ef
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Self-Isolate on These Six Dreamy Private Islands
If you have found yourself dreaming of escaping to your own private island where you can social distance in luxury, you are not alone.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
25 Tips for Buying Your First Home
Buying a home can be nervewracking, especially if you’re a first-time home buyer. Not only is it probably the biggest purchase of your life, but the process is complicated and fraught with unfamiliar lingo and surprise expenses.
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Coronavirus gives millennials rare home-buying opportunity
Some have been saving for a home since the end of the Great Recession
www.foxbusiness.com/markets/coronavirus-millennials-housing-market-opportunity
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How To Effectively Market Your Home In Today’s Climate
Gone are the days of freshly baked (or store-bought, no judgments) cookies in packed open houses — at least, for now.
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Weekly Housing Market Monitor
NAR Research compiles the latest housing market data in this weekly monitor, based on what REALTORS® are seeing in their market, mortgage data, jobless claims, foot traffic, and the latest home sales numbers.
www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/research-reports/weekly-housing-market-monitor
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Market Hotness Index
Metro Hotness – Zip Code and County Hotness
www.realtor.com/research/reports/hottest-markets/
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOUSING STATISTICS
Housing Statistics offers 43 different sets of data, downloadable either as Excel or PDF files (updated weekly). Housing data and primary indicators of the industry are housed in one easy-to navigate location containing historical and current sets of statistics such as: Housing Starts (by Region & Structure Type), Homes Sold by Region, Producer Price Indexes (for Building Materials), Manufactured Homes, New Home Characteristics, Residential Vacancy & Absorption Rates, Units Under Construction, Value of New Construction, and many more.
www.nahbclassic.org/reference_list.aspx?sectionID=819&channelID=311
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Economic Indicators
U.S. Census Bureau Economic Indicators
www.census.gov/economic-indicators/
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Local Market Reports
All real estate is local and every market is unique. To help REALTORS® and other housing market analysts get the most out of the plethora of data that is available, NAR Research produces a series of Local Market Reports (LMRs) which provide insights into the fundamentals and direction of the nation’s largest metropolitan housing markets. Each report evaluates a number of factors affecting home prices, including:
www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/research-reports/local-market-reports
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CoreLogic Home Price Insights
The most geographically comprehensive and current home price index.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Bureau of Economic Analysis
U.S. Economy at a Glance
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mortgage Market Survey Archive
Compilation of Weekly Survey Data for 2015
www.freddiemac.com/pmms/archive.html
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Housing Economics
NAHB produces in-depth economic analyses of the home building industry based on private and government data. Our economics group surveys builders, home buyers, and renters to gain insight into the issues and trends driving the industry.
www.nahb.org/en/research/housing-economics.aspx
_______________________________________________________
“Time is more valuable than money. You can get more money, but you cannot get more time.”
Jim Rohn
__________________________
6 Reasons Why This Is Actually the Best Time in Years To Sell a House
After closely examining the current housing market conditions, many real estate experts believe this summer could be one of the best times to sell a home in years.
www.realtor.com/advice/sell/reasons-why-now-is-a-good-time-to-sell-a-house/
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2020 COST VS VALUE REPORT
This site compares average costs for 22 remodeling projects with the value those projects retain at resale in 101 U.S. markets.
www.remodeling.hw.net/cost-vs-value/2020/
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Fewer Sellers are Cutting Prices in Tight Housing Market
A lower-than-normal share of listings with a price cut is another signal the market has tilted in favor of sellers
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Here’s The Secret To Finding Low Mortgage Rates
The 30-year fixed-rate fell to 3.07% over the Fourth of July weekend, another milestone low, according to Freddie Mac.
www.forbes.com/sites/advisor/2020/07/08/heres-the-secret-to-finding-low-mortgage-rates/#7946fca512bb
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Refinancing your mortgage could put cash in your pocket — here’s how to find out if it’s right for you
“We are telling everybody who has a loan over 4% to consider refinancing, if they still have income,”
www.cnbc.com/2020/07/06/refinancing-your-mortgage-can-save-you-money-heres-how-to-find-out.html
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Pending Home Sales Retreat Even as Mortgage Rates Dip to New Low
Pending sales were down 8% from a year earlier during the week ending June 28, although the decline was only 3% after adjusting for seasonal effects. New listings are now down 8% from a year ago, a slight improvement from a week earlier.
www.newsbreak.com/news/0PYSGmuU/pending-home-sales-retreat-even-as-mortgage-rates-dip-to-new-low
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Seattle area housing market in June sees shortage of homes, multiple offers
The Seattle area housing market in June saw a combination of a shortage of inventory and high buyer demand, pointing to a “very robust” market in the region, experts said.
www.seattlepi.com/seattlenews/article/Seattle-area-housing-market-in-June-sees-shortage-15391655.php
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Worst of both worlds for Seattle-area home shoppers: rising prices and not much for sale
Prices are on the rise. Homes are selling faster than they have since early 2018. Bidding wars abound. And fewer homes are for sale than any time in recent memory, new data from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service show.
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Puget Sound area still among the strongest real estate markets in the country
Whether you’re buying, selling, or on the fence, local real estate experts said COVID-19 has not stopped the flow of buyers who want to live in Puget Sound region.
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Bidding wars: Portland homes with a private office, big yard are selling fast during the coronavirus
Despite stay-at-home orders, the coronavirus pandemic, high unemployment and an unsure global economy, people are buying homes in Portland.
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Patti Payne’s Cool Pads: ‘Scottish castle’ on Redmond’s Gunshy Ridge lists for $3.5M
The 6,520-square-foot manse has four bedrooms, six bathrooms, and the interior is designed like a French country chateau where the Dahers did a $1.2 million remodel, elevating or changing almost every detail.
www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2020/07/03/alex-dahers-scottish-castle-in-redmonds-lists.html
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Young Adults Returning Home Is Impacting The Rental Market
Millions of young adults moved back in with their parents in March and April, as layoffs hit their incomes and lockdowns made shared urban apartments feel crunched.
seattlemedium.com/young-adults-returning-home-is-impacting-the-rental-market/
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Home Decor Market to Garner $838.6 Bn, Globally, by 2027 at 3.9% CAGR, Says Allied Market Research
Growing customer interest in home décor, surge in urbanization across the globe, and growth & developments in the real estate industry have boosted the growth of the global home decor market.
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Pending Sales Dipped Slightly Last Week, But Homes Are Still Moving at Record Pace
Homes continue to fly off the market just weeks after they’re listed — faster than any time in at least the past two years,
finance.yahoo.com/news/pending-sales-dipped-slightly-last-184200861.html
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TOP 10 MOST VALUABLE CITIES IN THE UNITED STATES
People have been flocking to big cities for decades, driving the prices of residential real estate up in big cities. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the work-from-home trend, which would give people the freedom to live and work from anywhere. It could hurt the real estate prices in big cities
www.valuewalk.com/2020/07/top-10-most-valuable-cities-us/
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Shopping for a home based on the school district: Parents study test scores, class size
Schools may be temporarily closed but they remain a driving factor in parents’ home purchasing decisions.
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Seattle-area home prices unscathed by coronavirus pandemic
Despite a statewide stay-at-home order, massive job losses and an uncertain economic outlook, home prices in the Seattle area zoomed up faster in April than any large metro in the country save Phoenix
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S&P/Case-Shiller WA-Seattle Home Price Index
Observation: Apr 2020:
fred.stlouisfed.org/series/SEXRNSA
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S&P/Case-Shiller OR-Portland Home Price Index
Observation: Apr 2020
fred.stlouisfed.org/series/POXRSA
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Court affirms Portland renter law
The Oregon Court of Appeals on Wednesday affirmed a Portland ordinance requiring landlords to pay tenants’ relocation fees if their rent is increased by at least 10% or if they’re evicted without cause.
www.djc.com/news/re/12133517.html?cgi=yes
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Real estate lead generation overload
Real estate agents are confused and dismayed by too many lead generation options
www.housingwire.com/articles/real-estate-lead-generation-overload/
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East Coast and Illinois Have Highest Concentrations of Housing Markets Vulnerable to Coronavirus Impact
Majority of the 50 Most Vulnerable Counties in Second Quarter of 2020 Located in States Spanning Connecticut through Florida and in Illinois; Chicago, New York City, Baltimore and Washington, D.C., areas Have Clusters of Counties in Top 50; West Region Less at Risk of Housing-Related Issues
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What would it take to trigger a housing downturn in the second half of 2020?
At its beginning, the COVID-19 crisis had many consumers and housing professionals alike bracing for a housing crash. And with good reason: We were, and are, facing the biggest health and economic shock in recent modern-day history.
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Safely buying and selling real estate during the coronavirus
Now more than ever, buyers are finding and viewing homes virtually, then basing decisions on whether to visit a home based on the digital listing. They’re also gravitating toward those that are move-in ready.
www.seattletimes.com/explore/at-home/safely-buying-and-selling-real-estate-during-the-coronavirus/
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______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Weekly Housing Market Monitor
NAR Research compiles the latest housing market data in this weekly monitor, based on what REALTORS® are seeing in their market, mortgage data, jobless claims, foot traffic, and the latest home sales numbers.
www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/research-reports/weekly-housing-market-monitor
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Market Hotness Index
Metro Hotness – Zip Code and County Hotness
www.realtor.com/research/reports/hottest-markets/
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOUSING STATISTICS
Housing Statistics offers 43 different sets of data, downloadable either as Excel or PDF files (updated weekly). Housing data and primary indicators of the industry are housed in one easy-to navigate location containing historical and current sets of statistics such as: Housing Starts (by Region & Structure Type), Homes Sold by Region, Producer Price Indexes (for Building Materials), Manufactured Homes, New Home Characteristics, Residential Vacancy & Absorption Rates, Units Under Construction, Value of New Construction, and many more.
www.nahbclassic.org/reference_list.aspx?sectionID=819&channelID=311
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Economic Indicators
U.S. Census Bureau Economic Indicators
www.census.gov/economic-indicators/
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Local Market Reports
All real estate is local and every market is unique. To help REALTORS® and other housing market analysts get the most out of the plethora of data that is available, NAR Research produces a series of Local Market Reports (LMRs) which provide insights into the fundamentals and direction of the nation’s largest metropolitan housing markets. Each report evaluates a number of factors affecting home prices, including:
www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/research-reports/local-market-reports
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CoreLogic Home Price Insights
The most geographically comprehensive and current home price index.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Bureau of Economic Analysis
U.S. Economy at a Glance
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mortgage Market Survey Archive
Compilation of Weekly Survey Data for 2015
www.freddiemac.com/pmms/archive.html
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Housing Economics
NAHB produces in-depth economic analyses of the home building industry based on private and government data. Our economics group surveys builders, home buyers, and renters to gain insight into the issues and trends driving the industry.
www.nahb.org/en/research/housing-economics.aspx
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Albert Einstein
“What I’m not confused about is the world needing much more love, no hate, no prejudice, no bigotry and more unity, peace and understanding. Period”.
~ Stevie Wonder
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Bias Override: Overcoming Barriers to Fair Housing
The mind science experts at the Perception Institute(link is external) present an online workshop to help members avoid implicit bias(link is external) in their daily business interactions.
www.nar.realtor/videos/bias-override-overcoming-barriers-to-fair-housing
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Will the coronavirus economic meltdown reverse Seattle’s steady growth?
For any recent arrival to Seattle, the suggestion that the city’s population could actually decline must sound like science-fiction.
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/data/will-seattles-population-decline-post-coronavirus/
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Seattle area housing market proves ‘resilient’ amid coronavirus pandemic, but inventory remains low
The Seattle area housing market in May continued to show resiliency amid the novel coronavirus outbreak, with increases compared to the previous month in new listings and pending sales.
www.seattlepi.com/seattlenews/article/Seattle-area-housing-market-proves-resilient-15327618.php
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Seattle Experiences Steep Decline in Commercial Real Estate Sales
The latest research from the Commercial Brokers Association (CBA) shows commercial real estate investment activity in the Puget Sound region tumbled from nearly $5.6 billion in January through April 2019 to $1.99 billion for the same four-month period in 2020, which translates to a 64.4% decrease. Deal flow dropped from 661 deals in 2019 to 484 in 2020 during that January to April time period, a 26.8% decrease.
www.connect.media/seattle-experiences-steep-decline-in-commercial-real-estate-sales/
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$726 Million in Rent at Risk as Gen Z Moves Back in with Parents During the Coronavirus Pandemic
2.7 million adults moved back into a parent’s home in March and April as unemployment soared
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Google’s New Rules Clamp Down on Discriminatory Housing, Job Ads
Alphabet Inc’s Google said on Thursday it was tackling unlawful discrimination by barring housing, employment and credit ads from being targeted to its users based on their postal code, gender, age, parental status or marital status.
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The Housing Market Is Rebounding, But What Happens After Stimulus Support Measures Fall Away?
There is an old saying in the real estate development business: when a novice makes a mistake, it’s because they missed the nuances of the market; when a pro makes a mistake, it’s because they missed the obvious.
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The Covid-free Italian town of Cinquefrondi is selling homes for €1
As Italy emerges from the pandemic, Cinquefrondi, in the country’s south, is practically giving away properties
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New York’s Luxury Real Estate Slump Could Stretch Into Fall
Sellers are holding back, and buyers are demanding discounts.
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A Traditional Tuscan Estate Dating to the 13th Century Offers 30 Bedrooms
The turnkey 12-acre Italian property encompasses two villas, vineyards and olive groves
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Amid Pandemic, Expats Come Back Home
Being close to their families is the main driver some are considering the international moves, Knight Frank says
www.mansionglobal.com/articles/amid-pandemic-expats-come-back-home-216716
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Building Materials Prices Move Higher in May
Prices paid for goods used in residential construction increased 0.6% in May (not seasonally adjusted) according to the latest Producer Price Index (PPI) report released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
eyeonhousing.org/2020/06/building-materials-prices-move-higher-in-may/
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Declines for Initial and Continuing Jobless Claims
Weekly initial jobless claims continued to decline in the week ending June 6 and continuing claims, which lags initial jobless claims by one week, declined to 20.9 million in the week ending May 30. The data indicate that workers are returning to work, albeit slowly, as coronavirus restrictions are gradually eased.
eyeonhousing.org/2020/06/declines-for-initial-and-continuing-jobless-claims/
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Neither U.S. Consumers Nor Epidemiologists Expect To Get Back To Normal Any Time Soon
An awful lot of time has been spent studying how the average consumer will react to the U.S. economy’s “grand reopening.” How do they feel about getting back out there? Are there activities they’ll miss? What will they avoid?
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Most rents in Seattle area stagnate — but drop for cheaper apartments and those in West Seattle
The coronavirus pandemic has caused most rents in the Seattle area to stagnate, though they’re falling for the least-expensive apartments, according to data from analytics firm RealPage. One neighborhood — West Seattle — is seeing especially sharp cuts, according to landlords and property managers, though not just from the pandemic.
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Former Mariners star Jay Buhner sells scenic estate outside Seattle
Baseball veteran Jay Buhner, who spent 14 seasons with the Mariners and was elected into the team’s Hall of Fame, has sold his woodsy home outside Seattle for $2.075 million.
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Accomodative Monetary Policy Will Continue for Years
The Federal Reserve held the federal funds rate at the current 0% to 0.25% range as it continues to deploy policy tools to underwrite an emerging recovery for the U.S. economy. And it will continue to provide such policy support until the crisis has passed and the economy has recovered.
eyeonhousing.org/2020/06/federal-reserve-accomodative-monetary-policy-will-continue-for-years/
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Toll Bros. puts Belltown condo high-rise on ice
Publicly traded Toll Brothers said last week in its second-quarter earnings call with analysts that it would suspend plans for a luxury condominium tower at 2302 Fourth Ave. in Belltown.
www.djc.com/news/re/12132635.html
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10 Oregon homes on big lots for sale with deep discounts
The coronavirus pandemic instantly shifted many homebuyers’ desires. Suddenly, there’s less interest in walking to downtown eateries and more willingness to live remotely with extended family and with space to nurture self-sufficienc
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For Luxury Homeowners Short on Space, the Next Frontier Is the Backyard
n Amsterdam couple had a simple ambition: to enlarge their two-bedroom apartment with an addition to accommodate working from home and starting a family. Their architect, however, had more ambitious plans.
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In Seattle, a Modest Home Renovation Proves That Sometimes Less Is More
The Seattle couple bought the three-bedroom, three-bathroom house in the summer of 2015 for $2.2 million, then spent about $250,000 on the upgrades.
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In U.S., Home-Buying Activity Catching Up—and Sometimes Surpassing—Pre-Pandemic Levels
Median asking prices are higher than a year ago in 89 out of 100 metro areas, according to realtor.com
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Top Tips for House Cleaning During a Pandemic
During a pandemic, keeping your home clean and sanitized is more important than ever. Here’s how to go about it.
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How The Pandemic Is Changing Residential Buyers’ Preferences
Not long ago, we felt that the tremor of society’s heartbeat would remain forever slow. Yet businesses around the country have started to reopen, and humans have started their adaptation process into the new normal. Hope has begun to rise.
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______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Weekly Housing Market Monitor
NAR Research compiles the latest housing market data in this weekly monitor, based on what REALTORS® are seeing in their market, mortgage data, jobless claims, foot traffic, and the latest home sales numbers.
www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/research-reports/weekly-housing-market-monitor
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Market Hotness Index
Metro Hotness – Zip Code and County Hotness
www.realtor.com/research/reports/hottest-markets/
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOUSING STATISTICS
Housing Statistics offers 43 different sets of data, downloadable either as Excel or PDF files (updated weekly). Housing data and primary indicators of the industry are housed in one easy-to navigate location containing historical and current sets of statistics such as: Housing Starts (by Region & Structure Type), Homes Sold by Region, Producer Price Indexes (for Building Materials), Manufactured Homes, New Home Characteristics, Residential Vacancy & Absorption Rates, Units Under Construction, Value of New Construction, and many more.
www.nahbclassic.org/reference_list.aspx?sectionID=819&channelID=311
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Economic Indicators
U.S. Census Bureau Economic Indicators
www.census.gov/economic-indicators/
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Local Market Reports
All real estate is local and every market is unique. To help REALTORS® and other housing market analysts get the most out of the plethora of data that is available, NAR Research produces a series of Local Market Reports (LMRs) which provide insights into the fundamentals and direction of the nation’s largest metropolitan housing markets. Each report evaluates a number of factors affecting home prices, including:
www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/research-reports/local-market-reports
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CoreLogic Home Price Insights
The most geographically comprehensive and current home price index.
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Bureau of Economic Analysis
U.S. Economy at a Glance
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Mortgage Market Survey Archive
Compilation of Weekly Survey Data for 2015
www.freddiemac.com/pmms/archive.html
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Housing Economics
NAHB produces in-depth economic analyses of the home building industry based on private and government data. Our economics group surveys builders, home buyers, and renters to gain insight into the issues and trends driving the industry.
www.nahb.org/en/research/housing-economics.aspx
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“I realize I don’t know very much. None of us knows very much. But we can all learn more. Then we can teach one another. We can stop denying reality or hoping it will go away by magic.
– Octavia Butler
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New home listings, pending sales up in Seattle month over month amid pandemic
In Seattle, newly pending sales are up 24% month over month, according to data from Zillow for the week ending on May 23. Compared to the previous week, newly pending sales are up about 6%, showing a steady increase week over week.
www.seattlepi.com/coronavirus/article/new-home-listings-pending-sales-up-seattle-covid-15303715.php
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Seattle Office Tenants Plan to Phase in Workers
Urban Renaissance Group’s survey of more than 500 commercial office and retail tenants indicates employees will not be rushing back into offices, but rather taking advantage of a more phased approach.
www.globest.com/2020/06/05/seattle-office-tenants-plan-to-phase-in-workers/
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Commercial Real Estate Shift Coming
Boston Fed President Eric Rosengren says commercial real estate is going to go through a major shift because of the pandemic, and there could be a shift to the suburbs in the residential market.
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Wait and hurry up: Real estate agents describe challenge of working in pandemic
Two months of limited activity is just one of several hurdles.
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Coronavirus Causes Biggest Annual Rent Growth Slowdown in at Least Five Years
Momentum continues to build in the for-sale market with newly pending sales
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US unemployment drops unexpectedly to a still-high 13.3%
The U.S. unemployment rate fell unexpectedly in May to 13.3% — still on par with what the nation witnessed during the Great Depression — as states loosened their coronavirus lockdowns and businesses began recalling workers
wgntv.com/news/unemployment-rate-falls-to-13-3-us-adds-2-5-million-jobs/
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May sees biggest jobs increase ever of 2.5 million as economy starts to recover from coronavirus
Economists surveyed by Dow Jones had been expecting payrolls to drop by 8.33 million and the unemployment rate to rise to 19.5% from April’s 14.7%. If Wall Street expectations had been accurate, it would have been the worst figure since the Great Depression.
www.cnbc.com/2020/06/05/jobs-report-may-2020.html
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King County approved to move to Phase 1.5, open more businesses
Washington’s Secretary of Health on Friday approved King County’s application to move to a modified Phase 1, allowing the opening of more businesses amid the novel coronavirus outbreak.
www.seattlepi.com/coronavirus/article/king-county-approved-to-move-to-phase-1-5-open-15320026.php
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12 Seattle companies currently hiring more than 10,000 positions this June
We’ve sifted through some of Seattle’s top companies and whipped together a list of places that are hiring this June.
dailyhive.com/seattle/seattle-companies-hiring-jobs-june
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Airbnb owner to sell beloved Portland Victorian: ‘A beautiful space to spark imagination’
Across the country, people who went out on a limb to purchase a property with the idea that temporary renters could help pay the mortgage have been hurting since travel suddenly stopped in March with stay-at-home orders.
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King County assessor wants Legislature to fix laws to help small businesses
Changes needed because of COVID-19 impact on commercial properties
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One-of-a-kind Portland homes for sale: Modern to Mediterranean, floating house to a faux castle
It’s hard to sell an unusual custom home.
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Big developer backs out of $25M South Lake Union land deal, blaming coronavirus downturn
Nine months ago, Onni paid owner H5 $1 million for an exclusive option to purchase the parcel, which is entitled for a 40-story apartment building, according to a breach-of-contract suit filed by H5 in federal court here Wednesday.
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Seattle-based Airbnb rental startup Loftium misses its own rent payments, slashes staff as coronavirus undercuts business
Loftium, a startup that secured $15 million in venture capital last year, rents homes from owners and subleases a portion of the space to tenants — who then manage Airbnb listings in the rest of the home on the company’s behalf.
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Multifamily Construction Gaining Market Share in Low Density Markets
In the last analysis of NAHB’s Home Building Geography Index (HBGI), single-family construction was shown to be expanding faster in regions of lower population density. The COVID-19-induced public health crisis has added momentum to this trend.
eyeonhousing.org/2020/06/multifamily-construction-gaining-market-share-in-low-density-markets/
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Governor Inslee extends moratorium on evictions
On June 2, Governor Inslee extended the Moratorium on Evictions until August 1, 2020. Under the extended moratorium, it is unlawful for a landlord to evict a tenant or deliver any notice of termination. However, a critical exception was included in the June 2 extension order. Effective immediately, a landlord may: “… provide at least 60 days’ written notice of intent to (i) personally occupy the premises as a primary residence, or (ii) sell the property.”
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After the Shutdown: Growing Your Business Through Referrals as States Reopen
While no one knows the date this economic situation will end, I predict the world will change and become a vibrant economy again. I believe in American and human ingenuity and in the entrepreneurial spirit that abides in so many Americans and business owners around the country.
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2020 Top Ten Most Favorable Areas for Millennials During the Pandemic
NAR Top 10 Most Favorable Areas for Millennial Homebuyers
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Most Vulnerable Housing Markets
The analysis of the American Community Survey (ACS) suggests that renters and young adults under the age of 34 are likely to face higher prolonged unemployment risks as a result of the coronavirus pandemic hitting the labor market. The labor market risks are also uneven across states, with state economies heavily reliant on leisure, entertainment, retail and personal services being most vulnerable.
eyeonhousing.org/2020/05/most-vulnerable-housing-markets/
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Pent-Up Demand Lifts May New Home Sales 21%, Survey Finds
Real-estate brokers say business has increased as stay-at-home restrictions ease and mortgage rates remain near record lows
www.mansionglobal.com/articles/pent-up-demand-lifts-may-new-home-sales-21-survey-finds-139915
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U.S. Home Prices Rise as Real Estate Market Continues Its Slow Recovery From Covid-19
Median prices hit a record high in May, according to realtor.com report
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Below Deck’s Captain Sandy: What to Know About Buying a Yacht Home
Captain Sandy Yawn may be a rare breed in the yachting world. For starters, she’s one of only a few female superyacht captains in the world.
blog.coldwellbankerluxury.com/below-decks-captain-sandy-what-to-know-about-buying-a-yacht-home/
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Phases of reopening: Over half of Washington’s counties enter Phase 2
Though the state officially is in Phase 1 of the four-phase reopening plan from Washington’s stay-home order, more than half of the counties in the state have been allowed to proceed to Phase 2 and loosen social distancing restrictions even further.
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Weekly Housing Market Monitor
NAR Research compiles the latest housing market data in this weekly monitor, based on what REALTORS® are seeing in their market, mortgage data, jobless claims, foot traffic, and the latest home sales numbers.
www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/research-reports/weekly-housing-market-monitor
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Market Hotness Index
Metro Hotness – Zip Code and County Hotness
www.realtor.com/research/reports/hottest-markets/
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HOUSING STATISTICS
Housing Statistics offers 43 different sets of data, downloadable either as Excel or PDF files (updated weekly). Housing data and primary indicators of the industry are housed in one easy-to navigate location containing historical and current sets of statistics such as: Housing Starts (by Region & Structure Type), Homes Sold by Region, Producer Price Indexes (for Building Materials), Manufactured Homes, New Home Characteristics, Residential Vacancy & Absorption Rates, Units Under Construction, Value of New Construction, and many more.
www.nahbclassic.org/reference_list.aspx?sectionID=819&channelID=311
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Economic Indicators
U.S. Census Bureau Economic Indicators
www.census.gov/economic-indicators/
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Local Market Reports
All real estate is local and every market is unique. To help REALTORS® and other housing market analysts get the most out of the plethora of data that is available, NAR Research produces a series of Local Market Reports (LMRs) which provide insights into the fundamentals and direction of the nation’s largest metropolitan housing markets. Each report evaluates a number of factors affecting home prices, including:
www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/research-reports/local-market-reports
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CoreLogic Home Price Insights
The most geographically comprehensive and current home price index.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Bureau of Economic Analysis
U.S. Economy at a Glance
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mortgage Market Survey Archive
Compilation of Weekly Survey Data for 2015
www.freddiemac.com/pmms/archive.html
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Housing Economics
NAHB produces in-depth economic analyses of the home building industry based on private and government data. Our economics group surveys builders, home buyers, and renters to gain insight into the issues and trends driving the industry.
www.nahb.org/en/research/housing-economics.aspx
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“For all things are either contraries, or composed of contraries, and unity and plurality are the principles of all contrariety.”
– Aristotle
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Real estate commissions: Who pays whom?
A closer look at transparency about compensation for agents on both sides of the transaction
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Seattle-area home price growth was second to only one other U.S. city early in pandemic
For the second month in a row, home prices around Puget Sound grew faster in March than in any other major American city save Phoenix, according to the latest release of the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Home Price Index.
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Coronavirus Causes Biggest Annual Rent Growth Slowdown in at Least Five Years
Momentum continues to build in the for-sale market with newly pending sales
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Is the housing market already rebounding from COVID-19?
An update on the 5 indicators that will show when the market is back on track from the pandemic
www.housingwire.com/articles/is-the-housing-market-already-rebounding-from-covid-19/
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When is the best time to buy or sell a house in Seattle during the pandemic? We asked the experts
The novel coronavirus pandemic has added a lot of uncertainty to every part of life in the Seattle area, and the housing market is no exception.
www.seattlepi.com/coronavirus/article/best-time-to-buy-or-sell-a-house-during-pandemic-15287608.php
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The Summer of the “Homecation”
This Memorial Day weekend could mark the start of “homecation” season, as Americans reconsider their summer vacation plans and, instead, come up with creative ways to vacation at home.
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Portland real estate predictions: A summer spike in homes for sale, desire for a built-in hygiene station
The sinking economy and coronavirus pandemic aren’t predictable
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Can Bigfoot help sell a $1 million house? One California broker says, ‘Made you look’
Coldwell Banker Realty agent Daniel Oster did all of the customary work to market a high-end property in California’s Santa Cruz Mountains.
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S&P/Case-Shiller WA-Seattle Home Price Index
Observation: Mar 2020 Updated: May 26, 2020
fred.stlouisfed.org/series/SEXRNSA
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S&P/Case-Shiller OR-Portland Home Price Index
Observation: Mar 2020: Updated: May 26, 2020
fred.stlouisfed.org/series/POXRSA
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Today’s Interest Rate Environment – A Challenge For Investors And Their Fixed Income Allocation
The Role of Bonds in a Portfolio while Interest Rates are Low
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Monaco Remains the World’s Most Expensive Luxury Residential Market
The average price in the city-state is almost double that in New York
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Virtual Reality’s Role in Global Real Estate Market Expands Due to Coronavirus
Social distancing amid the outbreak has caused a seismic shift in how buyers and brokers do business
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Steps to Pivoting Your Business in 2020 During COVID-19
There is no doubt that 2020 has been a tumultuous year for the real estate industry. As an agent, you have had to pivot your business to keep it running smoothly. Last week, we had No. 1 Real Estate Educator Tom Ferry on our Secrets of Top Selling Agents webinar to share some steps for taking your 2020 plan and completely flipping it to keep your business running.
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Kleard Launches Self Tour Tech for Real Estate That Allows Buyers Nationwide to Tour Homes Without an Agent Present
Kleard, an award-winning real estate tech company, is excited to announce its new Patent Pending Self Tour Technology & App for Real Estate called Kleard Now that allows verified buyers the ability to self-tour homes for sale in the U.S. in a safer and more streamlined way.
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Property taxes are due Monday
King County Executive Dow Constantine in March extended the due date from April 30 to June 1 for residential and commercial taxpayers who pay property taxes themselves, rather than through their mortgage lender. The move provided short-term relief for individual taxpayers.
www.djc.com/news/re/12132417.html
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Covid-19 is squeezing the US housing supply
Coronavirus has significantly constrained the construction of new homes, according to the most recent housing data from the US government, even while city dwellers rattled by the pandemic are increasingly interested in buying new houses in the suburbs.
qz.com/1858759/covid-19-is-squeezing-the-us-housing-supply/
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$350K penalty for pandemic evictions
The money includes nearly $300,000 for tenants in the form of refunds, payments and rent forgiveness.
www.djc.com/news/re/12132418.html?cgi=yes
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Portland Neighborhoods by the Numbers 2020: The Suburbs
The teeter-totter of Portland housing prices might not be level, but it’s a lot less steep.
www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Real-estate-agent-pleads-guilty-in-marijuana-farm-15279092.php
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Most Vulnerable Housing Markets
The analysis of the American Community Survey (ACS) suggests that renters and young adults under the age of 34 are likely to face higher prolonged unemployment risks as a result of the coronavirus pandemic hitting the labor market. The labor market risks are also uneven across states, with state economies heavily reliant on leisure, entertainment, retail and personal services being most vulnerable.
eyeonhousing.org/2020/05/most-vulnerable-housing-markets/
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Have Pending Home Sales Hit Bottom? Experts Expect Markets to Rebound Soon
April marked two consecutive months of declines for pending home sales, according to the National Association of REALTORS’® (NAR) Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI). Every major market saw a decline, with total YoY pending home sales transactions down 33.8 percent, and decreasing 21.8 percent from March.
rismedia.com/2020/05/28/have-pending-home-sales-hit-bottom-experts-expect-markets-to-rebound-soon/
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Continuing Jobless Claims Drop
The U.S. Department of Labor released the Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report for the week ending May 23rd. Initial claims have declined for the eighth straight week after it hit a record peak of 6.9 million in the week ending March 28th. Continuing claims dropped by 3.86 million in the week ending May 16th, suggesting some unemployed workers are finding jobs or being rehired as states reopen.
eyeonhousing.org/2020/05/continuing-jobless-claims-drop/
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Five Homes You Can Buy for $35 Million
Thirty-five is the atomic number of the chemical element bromine. It’s also the minimum age for United States presidential candidates. When you see the number 35 frequently, it’s said to be an angel number that signifies you have divine forces looking after you
blog.coldwellbankerluxury.com/five-homes-you-can-buy-for-35-million/
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Phases of reopening: Over half of Washington’s counties enter Phase 2
Though the state officially is in Phase 1 of the four-phase reopening plan from Washington’s stay-home order, more than half of the counties in the state have been allowed to proceed to Phase 2 and loosen social distancing restrictions even further.
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Weekly Housing Market Monitor
NAR Research compiles the latest housing market data in this weekly monitor, based on what REALTORS® are seeing in their market, mortgage data, jobless claims, foot traffic, and the latest home sales numbers.
www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/research-reports/weekly-housing-market-monitor
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Market Hotness Index
Metro Hotness – Zip Code and County Hotness
www.realtor.com/research/reports/hottest-markets/
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOUSING STATISTICS
Housing Statistics offers 43 different sets of data, downloadable either as Excel or PDF files (updated weekly). Housing data and primary indicators of the industry are housed in one easy-to navigate location containing historical and current sets of statistics such as: Housing Starts (by Region & Structure Type), Homes Sold by Region, Producer Price Indexes (for Building Materials), Manufactured Homes, New Home Characteristics, Residential Vacancy & Absorption Rates, Units Under Construction, Value of New Construction, and many more.
www.nahbclassic.org/reference_list.aspx?sectionID=819&channelID=311
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Economic Indicators
U.S. Census Bureau Economic Indicators
www.census.gov/economic-indicators/
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Local Market Reports
All real estate is local and every market is unique. To help REALTORS® and other housing market analysts get the most out of the plethora of data that is available, NAR Research produces a series of Local Market Reports (LMRs) which provide insights into the fundamentals and direction of the nation’s largest metropolitan housing markets. Each report evaluates a number of factors affecting home prices, including:
www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/research-reports/local-market-reports
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CoreLogic Home Price Insights
The most geographically comprehensive and current home price index.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Bureau of Economic Analysis
U.S. Economy at a Glance
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mortgage Market Survey Archive
Compilation of Weekly Survey Data for 2015
www.freddiemac.com/pmms/archive.html
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Housing Economics
NAHB produces in-depth economic analyses of the home building industry based on private and government data. Our economics group surveys builders, home buyers, and renters to gain insight into the issues and trends driving the industry.
www.nahb.org/en/research/housing-economics.aspx
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–Jeff Bezos
Housing market could be making a comeback after drop in March due to coronavirus pandemic
New listings and pending home sales dropped significantly in March due to the coronavirus pandemic, but new data shows the housing market may be back on the upswing.
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As recession fears mount, here’s why home prices may not plunge alongside the stock market
The last recession was largely fueled by the foreclosure crisis and the downturn in the housing market
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Why the Housing Market May Weather Coronavirus Impact Better Than the Great Recession
Let’s examine several differences between the pre-Great Recession housing market and the housing market at the cusp of the coronavirus outbreak.
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Home sales across Oregon and Southwest Washington rise during the coronavirus crisis: Check your area’s value
Despite widespread business losses and unemployment during the coronavirus pandemic, homes are still being listed for sale, toured, inspected, appraised and sold
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Weekly Housing Market Monitor
NAR Research compiles the latest housing market data in this weekly monitor, based on what REALTORS® are seeing in their market, mortgage data, jobless claims, foot traffic, and the latest home sales numbers.
www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/research-reports/weekly-housing-market-monitor
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How to List and Market a House During Coronavirus — And Close the Deal
Even in the midst of a pandemic, some people will still have to sell their houses — and it’s your job as their agent to help them do it.
www.homelight.com/blog/agent-listing-house-during-coronavirus/
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Stuck Indoors? We Bet You Haven’t Tried These 21 Activities Yet
When sheltering in place, there comes a point when your old methods of passing the time go stale. Yes, once you may have reveled in the prospect of more time to bake sourdough bread, do puzzles, and binge-watch all the shows in your Netflix queue.
www.realtor.com/advice/home-improvement/21-indoor-activities-quarantine/
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Our Chief Economist’s View on the Pandemic, Mortgage Rates, and What’s Ahead
Realtor.com Chief Economist Danielle Hale offers her perspective on what the coronavirus pandemic will mean for mortgage rates and the housing market.
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Why Today’s Housing Market May Be a Recession Buster
In the third quarter of 2019, the United States reached its longest economic expansion in history, which caused some people to wonder whether we were overdue for a correction.
blog.firstam.com/economics/why-todays-housing-market-may-be-a-recession-buster?mod=article_inline
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Inslee extends statewide eviction moratorium, expands protections
Gov. Jay Inslee on Thursday extended his statewide eviction moratorium through June 4 as thousands of people remain unemployed during the novel coronavirus outbreak.
www.seattlepi.com/coronavirus/article/inslee-extends-wash-eviction-moratorium-covid-19-15207864.php
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Home supply dips amid pandemic but demand still high
Everything has certainly changed all around us and it’s no different for the real estate market.
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Is COVID-19 Costing You Cash at Home? 7 Hidden Expenses of Self-Isolating During the Pandemic
Those who are fortunate enough to still be collecting a paycheck while quarantined or sheltering in place might expect to build up some serious savings.
www.realtor.com/advice/finance/hidden-costs-of-self-isolating-at-home-during-coronavirus/
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The Coronavirus, Real Estate, and You: Everything You Need To Know Now
As the coronavirus epidemic roils American society, it is totally upending the world of real estate. The realtor.com editorial team is tirelessly covering the impact of the pandemic on trends in the housing market, where mortgage rates are heading, and the outlook for home buyers and sellers.
www.realtor.com/news/trends/the-coronavirus-real-estate-and-you-what-you-need-to-know/
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Builders Were Scrambling To Fill a Severe Housing Shortage—and Then the Coronavirus Hit. What Now?
Before most Americans had even heard of the new coronavirus or COVID-19, the nation was suffering from a severe housing shortage. Builders couldn’t put homes up fast enough to satisfy the hordes of eager buyers and renters
www.realtor.com/news/trends/coronavirus-builders-new-construction/
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Bill and Melinda Gates Purchase $43M Luxury Beach House in Del Mar, CA
The billionaire philanthropists Bill and Melinda Gates have purchased an exquisite beach house outside San Diego—splashing out on $43 million for an oceanfront mansion in the coastal town of Del Mar, CA.
www.realtor.com/news/celebrity-real-estate/bill-and-melinda-gates-purchase-beach-house-in-del-mar/
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These Chains Are Permanently Closing the Most Stores in 2020
Here are the major retailers that are permanently closing the most stores in 2020, starting with the biggest announcements.
moneywise.com/a/chains-closing-the-most-stores-in-2020
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US home sales plunge 8.5% in March, and it may grow worse
U.S. sales of existing homes cratered 8.5% in March with real estate activity stalled by the coronavirus outbreak.
www.seattletimes.com/business/us-home-sales-plummeted-8-5-in-march/
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Seattle’s home buying activity heats up despite the coronavirus pandemic
Despite its reputation as ground zero for the coronavirus pandemic in the U.S., Seattle is yet to see a slowdown in home buying activity, even though most of the city is subject to stay-at-home orders.
realtybiznews.com/seattles-home-buying-activity-heats-up-despite-the-coronavirus-pandemic/98758426/
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Shopping for a home goes virtual
Video home tours, virtual open houses help residential real estate market during pandemic
pamplinmedia.com/but/239-news/463503-376101-shopping-for-a-home-goes-virtual
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These markets could see the sharpest drop in home prices during coronavirus pandemic
In the first two weeks of March, new listings were up 5% annually on average. By the second week of April, they were down 47%, according to realtor.com.
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OP-ED: COVID-19 impacts on the Portland real estate market
It is too early to forecast the COVID-19 pandemic’s duration and its long-term impacts on our local real estate market.
djcoregon.com/news/2020/04/17/op-ed-covid-19-impacts-portland-real-estate-market/
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Weekly mortgage demand stalls, even with interest rates at a record low
Mortgage volume appears to be settling into a new normal, as refinance demand stays high and purchase demand sits at a five-year low. By Paige Brown
www.cnbc.com/2020/04/22/weekly-mortgage-demand-stalls-even-with-interest-rates-at-a-record-low.html
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Weekly Housing Market Monitor
NAR Research compiles the latest housing market data in this weekly monitor, based on what REALTORS® are seeing in their market, mortgage data, jobless claims, foot traffic, and the latest home sales numbers.
www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/research-reports/weekly-housing-market-monitor
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Market Hotness Index
Metro Hotness – Zip Code and County Hotness
www.realtor.com/research/reports/hottest-markets/
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOUSING STATISTICS
Housing Statistics offers 43 different sets of data, downloadable either as Excel or PDF files (updated weekly). Housing data and primary indicators of the industry are housed in one easy-to navigate location containing historical and current sets of statistics such as: Housing Starts (by Region & Structure Type), Homes Sold by Region, Producer Price Indexes (for Building Materials), Manufactured Homes, New Home Characteristics, Residential Vacancy & Absorption Rates, Units Under Construction, Value of New Construction, and many more.
www.nahbclassic.org/reference_list.aspx?sectionID=819&channelID=311
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Economic Indicators
U.S. Census Bureau Economic Indicators
www.census.gov/economic-indicators/
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CoreLogic Home Price Insights
The most geographically comprehensive and current home price index.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Bureau of Economic Analysis
U.S. Economy at a Glance
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mortgage Market Survey Archive
Compilation of Weekly Survey Data for 2015
www.freddiemac.com/pmms/archive.html
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Housing Economics
NAHB produces in-depth economic analyses of the home building industry based on private and government data. Our economics group surveys builders, home buyers, and renters to gain insight into the issues and trends driving the industry.
“Never underestimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit. We are all the same in this notion: The potential for greatness lives within each of us.”
– Wilma Rudolph
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Despite Pandemic, U.S. Home Prices Could Very Well Hold Steady in 2020
Sales are likely to decline precipitously, but the housing market faces far fewer challenges than in the last economic downturn
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Weekly mortgage applications increase as interest rates plummet to historic low
Mortgage rates last week dropped to the lowest level ever in the Mortgage Bankers Association’s weekly survey, causing a surge in applications to refinance a home.
finance.yahoo.com/news/weekly-mortgage-applications-increase-interest-111256485.html
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Coronavirus changes to real estate: How to navigate the industry as a buyer or seller
Coronavirus has turned the real estate world on its head with a myriad of new challenges for buyers and sellers. This is how you can get ahead of the game.
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Seattle Retail Will Come Back Slowly, With Social Distancing In Place
Seattle’s office and residential real estate sectors are holding up, but its restaurants and retail are another story.
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How Do You Sell a Home Safely During the COVID-19 Crisis? Here Are the Steps To Take
Selling a home can be a headache. It often takes longer and costs more than you think, and it can be an emotional drain. That’s in normal times. Selling a home during a pandemic will add a slew of new safety concerns to the mix.
www.realtor.com/advice/sell/is-it-safe-to-sell-your-home-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic/
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6 APPS TO HELP YOU TAKE BETTER LISTING PHOTOS
The onset of COVID-19 has thrust the world into uncertain times. With safety in mind and everyone staying at home to flatten the curve, it’s more important than ever for agents to bolster their online presence and keep their business running.
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Coronavirus is crushing US homebuilding
Despite the sharp month-over-month drop, housing starts were still up from a year ago.
www.cnn.com/2020/04/16/economy/housing-starts-march-coronavirus/index.html
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Pandemic takes toll on Portland residential real estate market
Pending home sales fell in the Portland-metro area in March as the coronavirus pandemic took hold, according to data from real estate listing service RMLS.
djcoregon.com/news/2020/04/16/pandemic-takes-toll-residential-real-estate-market/
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West Seattle Bridge could be closed through end of 2021
The West Seattle Bridge is slated to remain closed for the rest of 2020 and could be off limits to traffic through all of 2021 as well, city officials said Wednesday.
komonews.com/news/local/west-seattle-bridge-could-be-closed-through-end-of-2021
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Coronavirus has cost more than 100,000 people around Seattle their jobs. So why aren’t rents going down?
Rents on new listings in Seattle rose 0.5% in March over February, and about the same amount year-over-year, according to research from online rental platform Apartment List.
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During Stay At Home Order, Seattle Real Estate Is Moving Fast
Just a quick update on Seattle real estate activity. Homes are selling and they are selling fast. 56% of all sales that went pending this last week have sold in less than 7 days. 23 of those sales sold in less than 3 days. The real estate market in Seattle is clearly looking past Covid-19
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Here’s why mortgage rates are all over the place – and how to find a good one
In just the past four weeks, the average rate on the 30-year fixed has lifted above 4%, plunged to 3.25% and then rocketed back up and back again multiple times. In normal times, interest rates don’t do that.
www.cnbc.com/2020/04/14/coronavirus-how-to-find-good-mortgage-rates-during-volatility.html
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How to take advantage of low interest rates and save money on 4 different kinds of debt
When the Federal Reserve cut its benchmark interest rate to zero last month, it was taking a preemptive step toward mitigating the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on the economy.
grow.acorns.com/how-to-refinance-debt-take-advantage-low-interest-rates/
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Customers Having Trouble With Airbnb, Vrbo Refunds
The COVID-19 crisis has thrown the industry into chaos, as companies work to issue refunds back to travelers
www.nbcdfw.com/news/coronavirus/customers-having-trouble-with-airbnb-vrbo-refunds/2352397/
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Despite Stay-at-Home Order, Seattle’s Real-Estate Market Continues to Show Up
Home buyers looking for a deal amid the coronavirus pandemic might be hard-pressed to find one. (Subscription required)
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Recent data details which U.S. housing markets are most vulnerable to COVID-19 impact
In a recent report that examines county-level housing markets and their vulnerability to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, Attom Data Solutions found that 24 of the 50 most at-risk markets are in New Jersey and Florida.
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Home Prices Remain Resilient in Spain Despite Covid-19
Online viewings of prime properties saw an uptick in mid-March, Knight Frank says
www.mansionglobal.com/articles/home-prices-remain-resilient-in-spain-despite-covid-19-214036
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Optimize Your Home Internet With High-End Wi-Fi Routers
From home office to home entertainment, it all starts with staying connected
www.mansionglobal.com/articles/optimize-your-home-internet-with-high-end-wi-fi-routers-213976
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The mortgage industry is facing a crisis because of the coronavirus — and borrowers could fall through the cracks
‘There’s just no way anybody could have enough capital set aside to handle the kind of payments that servicers could have to make’
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Will COVID-19 burst Canada’s real estate bubble? Odds are low, for now, says RE/MAX
Is the Canadian real estate market headed for a crash because of COVID-19?
www.straight.com/news/will-covid-19-burst-canadas-real-estate-bubble-odds-are-low-for-now-says-remax
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Daily Dispatch: The Diva Mamas offer tips for COVID-19
In this Daily Dispatch, Brad is joined by Kim Colaprete and Chavi Hohm, partners at Team Diva Real Estate, Coldwell Banker, Seattle, Washington.
www.inman.com/2020/04/13/daily-dispatch-brad-inman-diva-mamas/
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Sellers in Remote Areas of U.S. Should Consider Keeping Their Listings on the Market
Vacation-home buyers show increased interest in investing in rural areas amid the Covid-19 pandemic
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Content Ideas to Share on Social Media to Help Clients Through the Crisis
Content Ideas to Share on Social Media to Help Clients Through the Crisis
By Paige Brown
rismedia.com/2020/04/07/content-ideas-social-media/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
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Market Hotness Index
Metro Hotness – Zip Code and County Hotness
www.realtor.com/research/reports/hottest-markets/
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOUSING STATISTICS
Housing Statistics offers 43 different sets of data, downloadable either as Excel or PDF files (updated weekly). Housing data and primary indicators of the industry are housed in one easy-to navigate location containing historical and current sets of statistics such as: Housing Starts (by Region & Structure Type), Homes Sold by Region, Producer Price Indexes (for Building Materials), Manufactured Homes, New Home Characteristics, Residential Vacancy & Absorption Rates, Units Under Construction, Value of New Construction, and many more.
www.nahbclassic.org/reference_list.aspx?sectionID=819&channelID=311
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Economic Indicators
U.S. Census Bureau Economic Indicators
www.census.gov/economic-indicators/
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CoreLogic Home Price Insights
The most geographically comprehensive and current home price index.
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Bureau of Economic Analysis
U.S. Economy at a Glance
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U.S. Housing Market Tracker
The U.S. housing market has struggled to find equilibrium after the bubble of the past decade. Here’s a look at where various gauges of supply and demand stand today.
graphics.wsj.com/us-housing-market/
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Mortgage Market Survey Archive
Compilation of Weekly Survey Data for 2015
www.freddiemac.com/pmms/archive.html
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Housing Economics
NAHB produces in-depth economic analyses of the home building industry based on private and government data. Our economics group surveys builders, home buyers, and renters to gain insight into the issues and trends driving the industry.
www.nahb.org/en/research/housing-economics.aspx
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“This Weeks Links” is curated by John Deely
“The best way to get the right answer on the Internet is not to ask a question; it’s to post the wrong answer.” Cunningham’s Law
― Ward Cunningham
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Six Tips for Productivity When Working from Home
Useful tips to help create effective habits and achieve greater productivity while working from home.
blog.coldwellbanker.com/six-tips-for-productivity-when-working-from-home/
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An agents guide to marketing during a pandemic
Tips on how to be sensitive, focus on you neighborhood and more
www.housingwire.com/articles/an-agents-guide-to-marketing-during-a-pandemic/
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NAR WINS MAJOR PROVISIONS FOR REALTORS®
“We worked with the drafters of this legislation to ensure that independent contractors and those living on a commission-based income will be eligible for the loans as well as the forgiveness provision,”
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Why the housing market might dodge the recession
We worked with the drafters of this legislation to ensure that independent contractors and those living on a commission-based income will be eligible for the loans as well as the forgiveness provision,”
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ShowingTime Showing Index®
February 2020 The latest ShowingTime Showing Index® recorded nationwide growth for the seventh consecutive month, ahead of uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on showings.
www.showingtime.com/showingtime-showing-index/
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NAR Flash Survey: Economic Pulse
On March 16-17 2020, NAR conducted a flash survey of members on the impact of the coronavirus on their market. The survey was delivered to a random sample of 72,734 members. For 96% of respondents, the majority of their business is residential. For 2% of respondents, the majority of their business is commercial.
www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/research-reports/nar-flash-survey-economic-pulse
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The Top Four Ways Millennials Are Changing the Housing Market
Millennials are now the fastest growing segment of home buyers. The latest U.S. Census Bureau Housing Vacancies and Homeownership report revealed that the homeownership rate for 25 to 34-year-olds has increased from 36.5% in Q4-2018 to 37.6% in Q4-2019
www.corelogic.com/blog/2020/3/the-top-four-ways-millennials-are-changing-the-housing-market.aspx
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Hill TV Interview: The Hidden Costs of Home Building
While Fannie Mae forecast single-family housing starts to rise to 975,000 in 2020, the highest level since 2007 and a 10% gain over 2019, the hidden costs of home building could threaten this growth.
www.corelogic.com/blog/2020/3/hill-tv-interview-the-hidden-costs-of-home-building.aspx
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Study: 78% Of Salespeople Using Social Media Outsell Their Peers
When Jim Keenan, the social sales specialist, describes his work today, he’ll tell you that he’s “ushering salespeople from the old world into the social world”
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The Middle Class Faces Its Greatest Threat Since the 1930s
As people stop traveling, going to restaurants, and shopping, and as businesses see their sales plummet, the economy will almost surely take a deep dive.
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Don’t blame housing — this time the home market hopes to escape the worst of the economic downturn
“The housing sector enters this recession underbuilt rather than overbuilt,” he said. “That means as the economy rebounds — which it will at some stage — housing is set to help lead the way out.
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Real estate companies feel impact of COVID-19 on the housing market
On a normal Sunday, it’s prime time for realtors to show houses, but because of COVID-19 those business routines are changing.
www.fox10phoenix.com/video/666466
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Don’t Let Frightening Headlines Scare You
Finding reliable resources with information on the economic impact of the virus is more difficult. For this reason, it’s important to shed some light on the situation. There are already alarmist headlines starting to appear. Here are two such examples surfacing this week.
www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2020/03/26/dont-let-frightening-headlines-scare-you/
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Home Theater Renaissance
With movie theaters closing across the country due to social distancing, here are a few Hollywood worthy home theaters from Coldwell Banker listings.
blog.coldwellbanker.com/home-theater-renaissance/
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How to Engage in Virtual Open Houses
Virtual tours and virtual open houses on social media are quickly becoming a popular option for buyers in place of the traditional open house – and offer an incredible opportunity that benefits the consumer.
blog.coldwellbanker.com/how-to-engage-in-virtual-open-houses/
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7 Easy DIY Kitchen Projects You Can Tackle While You’re Self-Isolating
There’s nothing like spending an extended period of time at home to realize how badly your place needs a makeover.
www.realtor.com/advice/home-improvement/easy-kitchen-projects-to-tackle-while-self-isolating/
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The Coronavirus, Real Estate, and You: Everything You Need To Know
The realtor.com editorial team is tirelessly covering the impact of the pandemic on trends in the housing market, where mortgage rates are heading, and the outlook for home buyers and sellers.
www.realtor.com/news/trends/the-coronavirus-real-estate-and-you-what-you-need-to-know/
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Compass cuts 15% of staff, estimates 50% revenue decline over 6 months — here’s the email to staff
Heavily-funded New York-based real estate brokerage and tech startup Compass today laid off 15% of its staff, or about 375 employees, due to economic impact from the COVID-19 outbreak.
www.geekwire.com/2020/compass-cuts-15-staff-estimates-50-revenue-decline-6-months-heres-email-staff/
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Virtual Open Houses
We have created a new resource page in DeltaNet dedicated to the art of hosting a virtual open house
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Coronavirus Recession? What It Would Mean For Real Estate
There might have been some question whether the coronavirus would lead the U.S. into a recession, but the hoarding of toilet paper makes me think it’s certain.
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Mortgage applications fall significantly as coronavirus continues to hit housing market
After reaching a near 11-year high just a few weeks ago, mortgage applications declined for the second consecutive week as the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 continues to create instability in the housing market.
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Homebuyer Interest Plummets Amid Rising Mortgage Rates And Coronavirus Concerns
It was just a few weeks ago that mortgage rates reached 50-year lows. Today, rates are up, homebuyer interest is down, and the Federal Reserve is stepping in to prop things up.
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Here’s what Washington’s new ‘stay-at-home’ order means for you
Details about child care, family visits, construction and more. Updated with answers to reader questions.
crosscut.com/2020/03/heres-what-washingtons-new-stay-home-order-means-you
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Regional real estate group acts to halt open houses to fight spread of coronavirus
The stock market plunge and coronavirus pandemic have not slowed home sales activity from February’s white-hot market, brokers say, potentially posing an obstacle to officially mandated social distancing measures.
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Market Hotness Index
Metro Hotness – Zip Code and County Hotness
www.realtor.com/research/reports/hottest-markets/
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOUSING STATISTICS
Housing Statistics offers 43 different sets of data, downloadable either as Excel or PDF files (updated weekly). Housing data and primary indicators of the industry are housed in one easy-to navigate location containing historical and current sets of statistics such as: Housing Starts (by Region & Structure Type), Homes Sold by Region, Producer Price Indexes (for Building Materials), Manufactured Homes, New Home Characteristics, Residential Vacancy & Absorption Rates, Units Under Construction, Value of New Construction, and many more.
www.nahbclassic.org/reference_list.aspx?sectionID=819&channelID=311
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Economic Indicators
U.S. Census Bureau Economic Indicators
www.census.gov/economic-indicators/
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CoreLogic Home Price Insights
The most geographically comprehensive and current home price index.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Bureau of Economic Analysis
U.S. Economy at a Glance
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U.S. Housing Market Tracker
The U.S. housing market has struggled to find equilibrium after the bubble of the past decade. Here’s a look at where various gauges of supply and demand stand today.
graphics.wsj.com/us-housing-market/
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Mortgage Market Survey Archive
Compilation of Weekly Survey Data for 2015
www.freddiemac.com/pmms/archive.html
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Housing Economics
NAHB produces in-depth economic analyses of the home building industry based on private and government data. Our economics group surveys builders, home buyers, and renters to gain insight into the issues and trends driving the industry.
www.nahb.org/en/research/housing-economics.aspx
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“Have clean hands in whatever you do. Integrity is doing the right thing when people are watching you and still making it right when they keep their eyes off.”
― Israelmore Ayivor
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Cocktail chattables: With ultra-low interest rates, buying a home has become substantially more affordable — for all
Despite the average home price increasing $13,000 from a year ago, the mortgage payment required to buy that same home dropped 10% over that same span due to falling interest rates.
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Homebuyers Have Significantly More Purchasing Power in 2020, But Must Contend with Low Inventory and Coronavirus Concerns
Statisticians in their work can account for many factors, but there’s no equation to represent the fleeting nature of joy
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Home Selling in the Age of Coronavirus: It’s a Whole Different World
In the not so distant past, Seattle open houses were packed with home buyers eagerly poking their heads in closets, perusing spec sheets, munching on snacks, and offering bids above asking price in this ultracompetitive market.
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Coronavirus Fears Are Driving Down the Stock Market. How About the Housing Market?
Everyone, it seems, is finally coming to grips with the threat posed by the rapidly spreading coronavirus. And would-be home buyers and home sellers? Well, they’re buckling in for a bumpy ride with plenty of blind corners.
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How to Coronavirus-Proof Your Home—and Your Life
If you’re jittery and want some extra assurance that you’re doing all you can to stay safe, here are several things you can do to protect your home in case of the coronavirus
www.realtor.com/advice/home-improvement/how-to-coronavirus-proof-your-home-and-your-life/
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Real estate: coronavirus, mortgage rates and inventory
As the virus has spread across the world the Federal Reserve has issued a surprise interest rate cut.
www.kirklandreporter.com/business/real-estate-coronavirus-mortgage-rates-and-inventory/
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COVID-19 is a wild card in the important real estate market
This is typically the time of year when the real estate market really heats up. A big question this year, is will the coronavirus outbreak make a difference?
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This interactive map from Johns Hopkins University shows the effects of coronavirus in real time
Since Jan. 22, the dashboard has shown the location and number of confirmed cases as they are reported, along with casualties and recoveries.
qz.com/1814380/interactive-map-from-johns-hopkins-shows-coronavirus-in-real-time/
“interactive web-based dashboard” coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html
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Energy Prices Fall in February
The Consumer Price Index (CPI), released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), rose by 0.1% in February on a seasonally adjusted basis, the same increase as in January.
eyeonhousing.org/2020/03/energy-prices-fall-in-february/
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Top 5 Seattle Submarkets for Development by Number of Units
Seattle’s top five submarkets by development volume accounted for nearly half of the metro’s pipeline, which was in excess of 22,000 units in March.
www.multihousingnews.com/post/top-5-seattle-submarkets-for-development-by-number-of-units/
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How Portland’s Skyline Changed Over the Past Decade
What triggered and sustained the metro’s progress over the past 10 years? Cushman & Wakefield’s Samuel Hatcher and Jim Lewis provide a few key explanations.
www.multihousingnews.com/post/how-portlands-skyline-changed-over-the-past-decade/
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Colliers Breaks Down COVID-19’s Impact on Puget Sound CRE
COVID-19 has hit the Puget Sound harder than any other metro in the United States, and the number of cases continues to grow in the Pacific Northwest’s other large metro area, Portland. New research by Colliers International predicts long-term impacts on commercial real estate will likely include increased janitorial expenses, as landlords realize the importance of proactive hygiene.
www.connect.media/colliers-breaks-down-covid-19s-impact-on-puget-sound-cre/
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Seattle’s Best Neighborhoods in 2020
Find yourself a place to call home
www.seattlemag.com/best-neighborhoods/seattles-best-neighborhoods-2020
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Seattle’s Best Neighborhoods: Lower Queen Anne
The sky’s the limit for career-driven Seattleites who land here
www.seattlemag.com/best-neighborhoods/seattles-best-neighborhoods-lower-queen-anne
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Cocktail chattables: With ultra-low interest rates, buying a home has become substantially more affordable — for all
Despite the average home price increasing $13,000 from a year ago, the mortgage payment required to buy that same home dropped 10% over that same span due to falling interest rates.
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Seattle cancels design meetings
Owing to the coronavirus outbreak, the city of Seattle has canceled or postponed all scheduled public design review meetings through at least March 18.
www.djc.com/news/re/12130290.html
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For sale: Seattle-area properties, tiny, skinny, inaccessible and unbuildable
“Absolutely illogical.”
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Here’s a castle in Oregon worthy of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, listed at $3.9 million
A medieval-type French-chateau castle that an Oregon couple took seven years to build is on the market for a princely sum of $3.9 million.
www.sacbee.com/news/business/real-estate-news/article240935321.html
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Mortgage rates reverse course from last week’s all-time low
The average U.S. rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage rose to 3.36% this week
www.housingwire.com/articles/mortgage-rates-reverse-course-from-last-weeks-all-time-low/
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Coronavirus leading to lower interest rates that spur house hunters to make a bid
As economic uncertainty about the coronavirus drives down interest rates, house hunters are applying for mortgages at a level not seen in more than a decade.
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Mortgage refinance applications spike 79% as homeowners rush to take advantage of lower rates
Another major drop in mortgage rates caused a massive jump in borrowers applying to refinance their home loans.
www.cnbc.com/2020/03/11/mortgage-refinance-applications-spike-79percent-as-interest-rates-sink.html
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Treasuries and Junk Bonds Reverse Safety Trades. Investment-Grade Bets Falter, After the BBBs’ Worst Day Ever
Treasuries are falling and high-yield bonds rising as traders reverse some of their safe-haven moves from recent days.
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Energy Prices Fall in February
The Consumer Price Index (CPI), released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), rose by 0.1% in February on a seasonally adjusted basis, the same increase as in January.
eyeonhousing.org/2020/03/energy-prices-fall-in-february/
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Seattle Public Schools closing for at least two weeks; district has said it won’t offer online learning
Seattle Public Schools will close for at least two weeks starting Thursday, the latest in a series of dramatic measures intended to help stem the tide of the novel coronavirus in the Seattle region.
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Market Hotness Index
Metro Hotness – Zip Code and County Hotness
www.realtor.com/research/reports/hottest-markets/
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOUSING STATISTICS
Housing Statistics offers 43 different sets of data, downloadable either as Excel or PDF files (updated weekly). Housing data and primary indicators of the industry are housed in one easy-to navigate location containing historical and current sets of statistics such as: Housing Starts (by Region & Structure Type), Homes Sold by Region, Producer Price Indexes (for Building Materials), Manufactured Homes, New Home Characteristics, Residential Vacancy & Absorption Rates, Units Under Construction, Value of New Construction, and many more.
www.nahbclassic.org/reference_list.aspx?sectionID=819&channelID=311
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Economic Indicators
U.S. Census Bureau Economic Indicators
www.census.gov/economic-indicators/
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CoreLogic Home Price Insights
The most geographically comprehensive and current home price index.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Bureau of Economic Analysis
U.S. Economy at a Glance
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
U.S. Housing Market Tracker
The U.S. housing market has struggled to find equilibrium after the bubble of the past decade. Here’s a look at where various gauges of supply and demand stand today.
graphics.wsj.com/us-housing-market/
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mortgage Market Survey Archive
Compilation of Weekly Survey Data for 2015
www.freddiemac.com/pmms/archive.html
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Housing Economics
NAHB produces in-depth economic analyses of the home building industry based on private and government data. Our economics group surveys builders, home buyers, and renters to gain insight into the issues and trends driving the industry.
www.nahb.org/en/research/housing-economics.aspx
“One-fifth of the people are against everything all the time.”
~Robert Kennedy
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Is the Best Time to Sell a House Changing?
In mid-January, Kim Colaprete held an open house for a property that had just hit the market in Seattle. With nearly 100 people attending over two days, it was a busy event, says the broker of Team Diva Real Estate with Coldwell Banker Bain.
realestate.usnews.com/real-estate/articles/is-the-best-time-to-sell-a-house-changing
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The Report 2020
Published by the Coldwell Banker Global Luxury® program, The Report 2020 analyzes the latest trends and data provided by leading influencers from The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing, WealthEngine, Unique Homes and in-the-field real estate specialists.
Download Report!
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Tech Cities in Motion
Tech Cities are outperforming other global centres. GDP across
the 30 Tech Cities is forecast to rise by 36% in the next decade,
against a rate of 19% across other developed cities.
pdf.euro.savills.co.uk/global-research/2019—tech-cities-in-motion.pdf
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Mortgage Delinquencies Reach Historic Low
In the fourth quarter of 2019, the delinquency rate for mortgage loans on single-family homes1 decreased to 3.8% of all loans outstanding, according to the latest iteration of the Mortgage Bankers Association’s National Delinquency Survey.
eyeonhousing.org/2020/02/mortgage-delinquencies-reach-historic-low/
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Unaffordable Prices Hold Back Prospective Home Buyers
As revealed in a previous post, 60% of buyers actively searching for a home to buy in the final quarter of 2019 have been looking – unsuccessfully – for at least three months.
eyeonhousing.org/2020/02/unaffordable-prices-hold-back-prospective-home-buyers-3/
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63 Million Households Are Unable to Afford a $250,000 Home
In January, NAHB released its new Priced-Out Estimates for 2020. A previous post discussed the often-cited estimate that a $1,000 increase in the price of a median-priced new home will price 158,857 U.S. households out of the market for the home. A second post discussed the related estimate that a quarter point increase in the mortgage rate will price out 1.3 million.
eyeonhousing.org/2020/02/63-million-households-are-unable-to-afford-a-250000-home/
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The Week’s Most Popular Home Is a Mansion That’s Never Been Lived In—and You Won’t Believe Why
An art-stuffed mansion in Illinois is this week’s most popular home on realtor.com®. And as if its 9,721 square feet of extreme opulence weren’t enough, the enormous residence comes complete with a shocking twist.
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Must-See Green Time-Capsule Condo Is the Week’s Most Popular Home
A colorful condo that’s been essentially uninhabited since 1974 is this week’s most popular home on realtor.com®. Decked out in groovy shades of green, the one-of-a-kind time capsule mesmerized us, and we wrote about it last week.
www.realtor.com/news/trends/green-time-capsule-condo-most-popular/
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OK, boomers and millennials: This next wave of home buyers is coming up fast
Gen Z is already influencing mortgage lending and builders
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5 Horrific Painting Fails Done by Designers—in Their Own Homes
Think designers don’t make mistakes when primping their own homes? On the contrary, even the pros get it wrong sometimes—particularly when it comes to paint.
www.realtor.com/advice/home-improvement/painting-fails-done-by-designers-in-their-own-homes/
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What apartments can you rent for $1,300 in downtown Portland?
Curious just how far your dollar goes in downtown Portland? Here’s what you can get in neighborhood apartment rentals by price point, with photos and amenities.
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Amazon Expands Portland-Area Footprint
Amazon plans to open two facilities encompassing roughly 370,000 square feet in the Portland area. One will be at the Majestic Tualatin Business Center in Tualatin (pictured), and another facility is slated to ride into the former Portland Meadows horse racing property.
www.connect.media/amazon-expands-portland-area-footprint/
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Earthquake experts lay out latest outlook for the ‘Really Big One’ that’ll hit Seattle
Earthquake experts say current building codes don’t reflect the riskiest features of the Seattle area’s geology — but the outlook for survivability looks a lot better if the Really Big One can just hold off for a few more years.
www.geekwire.com/2020/earthquake-researchers-lay-latest-outlook-really-big-one-thatll-hit-seattle/
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Los Angeles Takes Top Spot as Nation’s Least Affordable Housing Market
San Francisco, which has been the nation’s least affordable major housing market for the past two years, was supplanted by Los Angeles in the fourth quarter of 2019, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index (HOI).
eyeonhousing.org/2020/02/los-angeles-takes-top-spot-as-nations-least-affordable-housing-market-2/
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Condo buyers begin moving into Nexus
Burrard Properties announced that the first wave of homeowners began moving into its new Nexus condominium tower last week.
www.djc.com/news/re/12129788.html?cgi=yes
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Portland in 2030: Passenger drone pads atop skyscrapers, sensors citywide to make us more efficient with our lives
Portland has seen a lot of growth and changes in the past decade. But experts say expect a lot more change in our skyline and infrastructure in the next decade.
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As Seattleites and their money flow south, Tacoma residents grapple with changing neighborhoods
Nearly 18,000 King County residents moved to Pierce County in 2017, 25% higher than two years earlier, according to census estimates.
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All Over The Map: Who named Seattle’s Northgate Mall?
It was 72 years ago this week that plans for a revolutionary new shopping center in Seattle were announced, which would later be known as ‘Northgate Mall.’
mynorthwest.com/1720315/all-over-the-map-who-named-northgate/
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5 home improvements that may not pay off when you sell
You spent the holidays binging on HGTV, and now visions of shiplap accent walls and freestanding soaking tubs are dancing through your head.
www.seattletimes.com/business/5-home-improvements-that-may-not-pay-off-when-you-sell/
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Purchasing a home drives 15% of buyers to tears
A third of homebuyers lose sleep during the process
www.housingwire.com/articles/purchasing-a-home-drives-15-of-buyers-to-tears/
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Converted carriage house in Seattle asks $2M
A 1913 structure remodeled by award-winning Seattle-area architect George Suyama
www.curbed.com/2020/2/14/21137542/seattle-house-for-sale-george-suyama
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Market Hotness Index
Metro Hotness – Zip Code and County Hotness
www.realtor.com/research/reports/hottest-markets/
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOUSING STATISTICS
Housing Statistics offers 43 different sets of data, downloadable either as Excel or PDF files (updated weekly). Housing data and primary indicators of the industry are housed in one easy-to navigate location containing historical and current sets of statistics such as: Housing Starts (by Region & Structure Type), Homes Sold by Region, Producer Price Indexes (for Building Materials), Manufactured Homes, New Home Characteristics, Residential Vacancy & Absorption Rates, Units Under Construction, Value of New Construction, and many more.
www.nahbclassic.org/reference_list.aspx?sectionID=819&channelID=311
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Economic Indicators
U.S. Census Bureau Economic Indicators
www.census.gov/economic-indicators/
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CoreLogic Home Price Insights
The most geographically comprehensive and current home price index.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Bureau of Economic Analysis
U.S. Economy at a Glance
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
U.S. Housing Market Tracker
The U.S. housing market has struggled to find equilibrium after the bubble of the past decade. Here’s a look at where various gauges of supply and demand stand today.
graphics.wsj.com/us-housing-market/
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mortgage Market Survey Archive
Compilation of Weekly Survey Data for 2015
www.freddiemac.com/pmms/archive.html
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Housing Economics
NAHB produces in-depth economic analyses of the home building industry based on private and government data. Our economics group surveys builders, home buyers, and renters to gain insight into the issues and trends driving the industry.
“Comparison is the thief of joy”
― Teddy Roosevelt
__________________________
While region’s median home prices rose last year, King County’s took a dip — but it won’t last
“It felt like a year of transition. A little bit of a shakeout year,” said Kim Colaprete, a broker at Coldwell Banker Bain. “There were crazy multiple offers in some scenarios. We also had clients who got amazing deals on properties that were on the market for a long time. And we had listings that sold for way over market.”
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Homes are selling fastest in these Portland neighborhoods
The frenzied bidding wars of 2017-2018 are long gone, but there are neighborhoods in the Portland metro area in which homes sell much faster than the almost 50 day average.
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100-Year Anniversary of Prohibition: The Finest Wet Bars and Wine Cellars Listed by Coldwell Banker
5 amazing homes for sale with a wine cellar or wet bar
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Y Combinator grad ZeroDown opens Seattle office to tackle pricey housing down payments
Another real estate startup is coming to Seattle, aiming to disrupt the expensive and stressful process of buying a home.
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Apartments for rent in Seattle: What will $1,900 get you?
Curious just how far your dollar goes in Seattle?
hoodline.com/2020/01/apartments-for-rent-in-seattle-what-will-1-900-get-you-1579057189
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The cheapest rentals in Concordia, Portland
Concordia is quite walkable, is easy to get around on a bicycle and offers many nearby public transportation options, according to Walk Score’s rating system.
news.yahoo.com/cheapest-rentals-concordia-portland-120410908.html
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How Big Data Will Impact Real Estate Buying, Selling and Developing
The emerging Big-Data-fueled technologies can provide new insights and approaches to how luxury real estate is developed, priced, sold and bought
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The most popular features in real estate listings
The three most frequently-used feature descriptions for homes priced under $5 million were: “granite countertops,” “hardwood floors,” and “stainless steel appliances.” Next on the list: “open floor plan,” “fenced backyard,” and “covered patio.”
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Some homebuyers value their real estate agent as much as a therapist
How important is a real estate agent to homebuyers and sellers? Well, according to new survey, a majority of homebuyers and sellers feel that an agent is more important to them than their therapist.
www.housingwire.com/articles/some-homebuyers-value-their-real-estate-agent-as-much-as-a-therapist/
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Permits for in-law flats down in Portland
Longtime small-housing advocate Kol Peterson studied data from the city of Portland and found permits for accessory dwelling units decreased in 2019.
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Will 2020 be a good year to buy a home? Here’s what the experts say
Economists say that 2020 will be a positive — though not exactly stellar — year for the housing market. And that could be good news for renters and home buyers alike.
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Jumbo mortgages are haunting the housing market, and things could get really scary
Mortgage underwriting standards have eased considerably in the past couple of years; one of the largest U.S. mortgage originators now offers a jumbo mortgage of up to $1 million with only 10% down if you have a FICO score of at least 760.
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Renters on rise in big-city U.S.
While Seattle as a whole is evenly split between owners and renters, individual neighborhoods tend to be skewed toward one or the other. That’s not surprising, since much of the city is zoned exclusively for single-family homes, which are typically owner-occupied.
www.arkansasonline.com/news/2020/jan/12/renters-on-rise-in-big-city-u-s-2020011/?business
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In just 3 years, Amazon has amassed nearly 3M square feet of real estate in this Seattle-area city
Amazon opened its first office in Bellevue, Wash., a little more than two years ago. A dizzying expansion followed, multiplying the tech giant’s presence in Bellevue and changing the face of the rapidly growing city 10 miles east of Seattle.
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Strong Growth Rate for Housing Starts Going into 2020
Total housing starts posted a 16.9 percent increase in December (1.608 million units) compared to a upwardly revised November estimate of 1.375 million units according to the joint data release from the Census Bureau and HUD. Relative to December 2018, total starts are 40.8 percent above the annual pace of 1.14 million units, a pace that will likely be revised down in future estimates.
eyeonhousing.org/2020/01/strong-growth-rate-for-housing-starts-going-into-2020/
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Rent Index Inches Up in December
In December, inflation-adjusted residential rents increased 0.1 percent over November’s reading, after essentially no growth in October and November (Figure 1). The average monthly growth rate of the real rent index stood at 0.11 percent in 2019, compared to 0.10 percent in 2018.
eyeonhousing.org/2020/01/rent-index-inches-up-in-december/
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Updated Index Shows Regulation Most Restrictive on the Coasts
In December, the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) released a working paper announcing the release of an updated version of the Wharton Land Use Regulatory Index. The paper’s lead author, Joseph Gyourko, is a professor at the Wharton School who is well known for his research in this area and worked with the previous version of the index.
eyeonhousing.org/2020/01/updated-index-shows-regulation-most-restrictive-on-the-coasts/
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Blue Desert Cabo
Welcome to the first moments of your Blue Desert Cabo Luxury Villas experience.
www.jetsetmag.com/real-estate/paradise-found-blue-desert-cabo/
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Posh Cribs: The Luxury Tiny Home Movement
If you’ve always been intrigued with downsizing your “normal sized” home, while still maintaining the highest of style and grand luxury, the tiny home movement is trending in that direction.
www.jetsetmag.com/real-estate/posh-cribs-the-luxury-tiny-home-movement/
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Market Hotness Index
Metro Hotness – Zip Code and County Hotness
www.realtor.com/research/reports/hottest-markets/
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Housing Statistics offers 43 different sets of data, downloadable either as Excel or PDF files (updated weekly). Housing data and primary indicators of the industry are housed in one easy-to navigate location containing historical and current sets of statistics such as: Housing Starts (by Region & Structure Type), Homes Sold by Region, Producer Price Indexes (for Building Materials), Manufactured Homes, New Home Characteristics, Residential Vacancy & Absorption Rates, Units Under Construction, Value of New Construction, and many more.
www.nahbclassic.org/reference_list.aspx?sectionID=819&channelID=311
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Economic Indicators
U.S. Census Bureau Economic Indicators
www.census.gov/economic-indicators/
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CoreLogic Home Price Insights
The most geographically comprehensive and current home price index.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Bureau of Economic Analysis
U.S. Economy at a Glance
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
U.S. Housing Market Tracker
The U.S. housing market has struggled to find equilibrium after the bubble of the past decade. Here’s a look at where various gauges of supply and demand stand today.
graphics.wsj.com/us-housing-market/
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mortgage Market Survey Archive
Compilation of Weekly Survey Data for 2015
www.freddiemac.com/pmms/archive.html
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Housing Economics
NAHB produces in-depth economic analyses of the home building industry based on private and government data. Our economics group surveys builders, home buyers, and renters to gain insight into the issues and trends driving the industry.
www.nahb.org/en/research/housing-economics.aspx
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so much like stars
filling the dark trees
that one could easily imagine
its reason for being was nothing more
than prettiness.”
― Mary Oliver
__________________________
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2020 Housing Market Predictions
Economic activity in the United States started 2019 on an upbeat note, fueled by consumer optimism and business confidence. Riding the corporate tax restructuring of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, companies boosted investments and, coupled with solid consumer spending, led to a 4.1 percent annualized gain in gross domestic product (GDP) during the first quarter of the year, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. In addition, exports outpaced imports during the period, leading to expectations of increased trade windfalls.
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People who second-guess themselves make worse decisions, study finds
Researchers said their findings would apply in realms as diverse as business, dating and politics
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With Recession Fears Diminished, January Is a Smart Time to Buy
More buyers are expected to return to the luxury market in 2020 and can avoid bidding wars if they start in the first month of the year
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6 Reasons Why Winter Is Actually the Most Chill Time to Buy a Home
While it’s true that things do slow down in the winter, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Yes, it’s cold. Yes, fewer homes are for sale. Yes, moving in a snowstorm is a pain no one should experience. But there are quite a few darned smart reasons to buy a home in the winter.
www.realtor.com/advice/buy/buying-a-home-in-the-winter/?mod=article_inline
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The best smart home products at CES 2020
The smart home category of products is one of the fastest-growing industries in the tech world. As one would expect, CES 2020 was bursting at the seams with smart home gear, so we thought we’d round up the best smart home tech we saw at the show.
www.androidauthority.com/best-smart-home-products-1071658/
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How Big Data Will Impact Real Estate Buying, Selling and Developing
The emerging Big-Data-fueled technologies can provide new insights and approaches to how luxury real estate is developed, priced, sold and bought
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JUWAI TOP 10 CHINESE BUYER PICKS FOR H1 2019
Chinese property investors have been quick to react to the economic and political turmoil many countries experienced over the past 12 months. Trade tensions
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2020 COST VS VALUE REPORT
This site compares average costs for 22 remodeling projects with the value those projects retain at resale in 136 U.S. markets.
www.remodeling.hw.net/cost-vs-value/2020/
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Infographic: 2019 Profile of Home Buyers & Sellers
The typical buyer was 47 years old this year, and the median household income for 2018 rose again this year to $93,200. The typical home seller was 57 years old.
www.nar.realtor/infographics/2019-profile-of-home-buyers-sellers
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The Puget Sound Region’s Office Market Is in Record-Breaking Territory
The Seattle area’s sizzling tech economy and changing tax laws fueled the office sector’s stellar growth in the fourth-quarter of 2019
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Housing market expected to heat up in King, Pierce Counties
Real estate experts say low inventory will mean the hottest housing market in years. Experts also call for an increase in bidding wars on homes.
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Homeless women who took over California home gain support
Some California lawmakers said they support a group of homeless women who have been illegally living in a vacant three-bedroom house since November
www.seattletimes.com/business/homeless-women-who-took-over-california-home-gain-support/
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House shoppers and millennials feel the pinch of few listings, rising home prices
The Portland area had 19.2 percent fewer houses for sale in 2019 compared to the previous year, while the median listing price of $469,450 held steady
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T. rex lives large in real estate marketing campaign
It was just Realtor Michelle Patterson and her team getting creative while marketing the property at 1605 East AB Wade Road. The 7.49-acre property, which has a 6,400-square-foot main house and a 2,000-square-foot guest house, is on the market for $1.25 million.
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The cheapest apartments for rent in Portland’s Pearl District
Finding a bargain can be a challenge if you’re looking for new digs on a budget. So what does the low-end rental price in the Pearl District look like these days?
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Will 2020 Be the Year Seattle’s Housing Market Starts Rising Again?
Home prices in the Seattle metro are have fallen over the past year or so, a trend we’ve covered in the past. But now, as we enter 2020, the Seattle housing market is showing signs of an upswing.
www.homebuyinginstitute.com/news/will-seattle-start-rising-again/
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Sell A Seattle House In Probate – I Will Buy House Helps Portland Resident Sell Property in Shoreline
I Will Buy House has helped yet another homeowner sell a Seattle house in probate.
www.digitaljournal.com/pr/4547958
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This Midcentury Modern Home in Seattle Is a 1950s Time Capsule
Midcentury modern homes continue to be popular, and are highly coveted in Seattle. Right now, one of those designs is available for $3.35 million.
www.nhregister.com/realestate/article/This-Midcentury-Modern-Home-in-Seattle-Is-a-1950s-14945857.php
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11 real estate sales of more than $1 million in December 2019 in the San Juan Islands
Real estate transactions in the San Juan Islands in December 2019 included 11 of more than $1 million. Nine were on San Juan Island, one on Decatur Island and one on Lopez Island
sanjuanislander.com/news-articles/business-and-economy/30331/2020-01-02-00-25-26
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______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Market Hotness Index
Metro Hotness – Zip Code and County Hotness
www.realtor.com/research/reports/hottest-markets/
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Housing Statistics offers 43 different sets of data, downloadable either as Excel or PDF files (updated weekly). Housing data and primary indicators of the industry are housed in one easy-to navigate location containing historical and current sets of statistics such as: Housing Starts (by Region & Structure Type), Homes Sold by Region, Producer Price Indexes (for Building Materials), Manufactured Homes, New Home Characteristics, Residential Vacancy & Absorption Rates, Units Under Construction, Value of New Construction, and many more.
www.nahbclassic.org/reference_list.aspx?sectionID=819&channelID=311
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Economic Indicators
U.S. Census Bureau Economic Indicators
www.census.gov/economic-indicators/
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CoreLogic Home Price Insights
The most geographically comprehensive and current home price index.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Bureau of Economic Analysis
U.S. Economy at a Glance
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
U.S. Housing Market Tracker
The U.S. housing market has struggled to find equilibrium after the bubble of the past decade. Here’s a look at where various gauges of supply and demand stand today.
graphics.wsj.com/us-housing-market/
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mortgage Market Survey Archive
Compilation of Weekly Survey Data for 2015
www.freddiemac.com/pmms/archive.html
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Housing Economics
NAHB produces in-depth economic analyses of the home building industry based on private and government data. Our economics group surveys builders, home buyers, and renters to gain insight into the issues and trends driving the industry.
www.nahb.org/en/research/housing-economics.aspx
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“Celebrate Life. Care for others and share whatever you have with those less fortunate than you. Broaden your vision, for the whole world belongs to you. “
-Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Our secret is out — Washington tops list of this Best States ranking
A study released by governing.com earlier this year found that people are moving to Washington state at such a rate that a number of counties actually have fewer native Washingtonians than adults who born elsewhere and moved to the Evergreen State.
www.thenewstribune.com/news/state/washington/article238034469.html
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Tracking Lifetime Homeownership Rates
A recent NAHB Special Study uses the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NYLS) to study lifetime homeownership rates and how long individuals sustain in homeownership.
eyeonhousing.org/2019/12/tracking-lifetime-homeownership-rates/
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QUARTERLY RESIDENTIAL VACANCIES AND HOMEOWNERSHIP, THIRD QUARTER 2019
The homeownership rate of 64.8 percent was not statistically different from the rate in the third quarter 2018 (64.4 percent), but was 0.7 percentage points higher than the rate in the second quarter 2019 (64.1 percent).
www.census.gov/housing/hvs/files/currenthvspress.pdf
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Millennial Housing Demand and Regional Building Trends: 3Q19 HBGI
Supply and resulting affordability challenges for millennials were highlighted in the most recent NAHB Home Building Geography Index (HBGI). The third quarter HBGI also offers more region-specific insights of single- and multifamily home building trends, including their connections to millennial-intensive areas.
eyeonhousing.org/2019/12/millennial-housing-demand-and-regional-building-trends-3q19-hbgi/
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Seattle one of 5 cities accounting for 90% of high-tech growth, report says
A vast majority of all job growth in high-tech industries is concentrated in just five metro areas, a new report finds. Seattle, of course, ranks among them.
komonews.com/news/local/seattle-one-of-5-cities-accounting-for-90-of-high-tech-growth-report-says
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Latest MLS report indicates Seattle has become a ‘world market’
Many experts expected the Puget Sound region housing market to slog through November.
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Closed Sales Increase 15 percent From November 2018 to November 2019 in Lewis County
Northwest Multiple Listing Service Reports ‘November Surprise’ Leads to Increase in Home Sales
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Lender pulls plug on major Lloyd District redevelopment, demands $36 million
In another sign that Portland’s long real estate and construction boom is slowing, an ambitious plan to build more than 1,100 apartment units in the Lloyd District has quietly died.
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It’s a home seller’s market as King County sees ‘November surprise’; check out what’s happening in your area
The median sale price in Seattle dipped slightly, by 3.3%, from last November to $735,000. At the top of the market, it was another matter, though.
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Born and Raised: The Parts of America With the Most Natives
Why do some counties have vastly more native-born residents than others?
www.governing.com/gov-data/census/native-homegrown-residents-by-county.html
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These are the cities where Redfin and Zillow are directly buying and selling the most homes
The so-called “iBuyer” movement is still young, but a new report sheds light on its growing impact on real estate.
www.geekwire.com/2019/cities-redfin-zillow-directly-buying-selling-homes/
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Housing cooldown poses ‘1st serious test’ for new Redfin and Zillow direct home-buying programs
Redfin and Zillow will face the “first serious test” of their new direct home sales operations in the midst of a slowing real estate market.
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Seattle startup Flyhomes is expanding to Boston, Portland and L.A. to help home-buyers compete with cash offers
Flyhomes, the Seattle real estate startup that helps people buy houses in expensive cities, is expanding to a trio of new markets.
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Apartments for rent in Portland: What will $2,400 get you?
Curious just how far your dollar goes in Portland?
hoodline.com/2019/12/apartments-for-rent-in-portland-what-will-2-400-get-you-1576038958
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Seattle ranked 7th nationally in urban sustainability
Seattle officials love touting how green and sustainable and sustainably green the city has become, so it’s apt to check in once and while on how all that’s going.
mynorthwest.com/1630720/study-seattle-urban-sustainability/
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Seattle Aquarium plans $113 million pavilion with sharks, sting rays for new waterfront promenade
Aquarium leaders say the addition is needed to accommodate hundreds of thousands more visitors each year and to educate them about human- and climate-related threats to waters across the globe, such as the super biodiverse Coral Triangle near Indonesia.
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The 2010s changed how you shop for homes. Will the 2020s change the way you buy them?
If you were shopping for a home at the beginning of the 2010s, the experience most likely revolved around one person: the realtor.
www.curbed.com/2019/12/9/20991628/2010s-real-estate-trends-zillow-redfin-ibuyers-opendoor
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Locations Close to Public Transit Boost Residential, Commercial Real Estate Values
New Joint APTA and NAR Study Examines the Relationship between Real Estate Value and Public Transportation in Seven U.S. Metropolitan Regions
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The 3 Celebrity Homes From 2019 That You Absolutely Must See
Yes, a home theater is cool, and we’d love a cabana next to our Olympic-size pool in the backyard, but we’re a bit jaded. If you’ve seen one glassed-in wine storage wall, you’ve seen ’em all. However, there are always a few celeb abodes that stand apart from the rest.
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Market Hotness Index
Metro Hotness – Zip Code and County Hotness
www.realtor.com/research/reports/hottest-markets/
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Housing Statistics offers 43 different sets of data, downloadable either as Excel or PDF files (updated weekly). Housing data and primary indicators of the industry are housed in one easy-to navigate location containing historical and current sets of statistics such as: Housing Starts (by Region & Structure Type), Homes Sold by Region, Producer Price Indexes (for Building Materials), Manufactured Homes, New Home Characteristics, Residential Vacancy & Absorption Rates, Units Under Construction, Value of New Construction, and many more.
www.nahbclassic.org/reference_list.aspx?sectionID=819&channelID=311
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Economic Indicators
U.S. Census Bureau Economic Indicators
www.census.gov/economic-indicators/
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CoreLogic Home Price Insights
The most geographically comprehensive and current home price index.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Bureau of Economic Analysis
U.S. Economy at a Glance
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
U.S. Housing Market Tracker
The U.S. housing market has struggled to find equilibrium after the bubble of the past decade. Here’s a look at where various gauges of supply and demand stand today.
graphics.wsj.com/us-housing-market/
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mortgage Market Survey Archive
Compilation of Weekly Survey Data for 2015
www.freddiemac.com/pmms/archive.html
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Housing Economics
NAHB produces in-depth economic analyses of the home building industry based on private and government data. Our economics group surveys builders, home buyers, and renters to gain insight into the issues and trends driving the industry.
www.nahb.org/en/research/housing-economics.aspx
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Current Links to Real Estate News
“Unity is strength. . . when there is teamwork and collaboration,
wonderful things can be achieved.”
–Mattie Stepanek
__________________________
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It’s a seller’s market in King
County as inventory tightens
After seeing new data from the Northwest Multiple Listing
Service, those prognosticators may be eating their hats.
www.nationalmortgagenews.com/articles/its-a-sellers-market-in-king-county-as-inventory-tightens?feed=0000015a-6289-d4b3-ab5e-7afb5c360000
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Change to Real Estate Excise
Tax Might Be Affecting
Investment in Seattle
CoStar Insight: Multifamily, Office Sales Volume at Record
Levels in the Region in 2019
www.costar.com/article/560639902/change-to-real-estate-excise-tax-might-be-affecting-investment-in%C2%A0seattle
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Home Price Appreciation
Continued in September
Compared to last month, national home prices rose at a faster
annual growth rate in September. Seattle reported the highest
gain while three metro areas (San Francisco, Chicago and
Boston) experienced home price declines in September.
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S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller
Seattle Home Price NSA Index
The S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Seattle Home Price NSA Index
measures the average change in value of residential real estate
in Seattle given a constant level of quality.
us.spindices.com/indices/real-estate/sp-corelogic-case-shiller-seattle-home-price-nsa-index
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S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller
Portland Home Price NSA Index
The S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Portland Home Price NSA
Index measures the average change in value of residential real
estate in Portland given a constant level of quality.
us.spindices.com/indices/real-estate/sp-corelogic-case-shiller-portland-home-price-nsa-index
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Mortgage rates hold steady at
3.68%
U.S. long-term mortgage rates held steady this week amid
mixed signs in the housing market. Rates remain at historically
low levels as a lure to prospective homebuyers.
www.djc.com/news/re/12127771.html
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Experts offer insight into U.S.
real estate investment markets
Rockwood has identified Austin, Texas as well as Portland,
Denver and San Diego as having similar dynamics as gateway
markets, including a highly educated workforce, innovation
clusters, well-funded research institutes, some constraint on
supply and a high quality of life.
Experts offer insight into U.S. real estate investment markets
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FBI: Cybercrimes on the Rise
Because of Sophisticated
Scams
A week later, the title company called, advising him it was time
to send money. The Oregon man suddenly realized he had given
away his family’s life savings to criminals. The money was from
the sale of their former house.
news.wttw.com/2019/11/11/fbi-cybercrimes-rise-because-sophisticated-scams
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Lender pulls plug on major
Lloyd District redevelopment,
demands $36 million
In another sign that Portland’s long real estate and construction
boom is slowing, an ambitious plan to build more than 1,100
apartment units in the Lloyd District has quietly died.
www.oregonlive.com/business/2019/12/lender-pulls-plug-on-major-lloyd-district-redevelopment-demands-36-million.html
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It’s a home seller’s market as
King County sees ‘November
surprise’; check out what’s
happening in your area
The median sale price in Seattle dipped slightly, by 3.3%, from
last November to $735,000. At the top of the market, it was
another matter, though.
www.seattletimes.com/subscribe/signup-offers/?pw=redirect&subsource=paywall&return=https://www.seattletimes.com/business/real-estate/king-county-once-again-a-sellers-market-as-inventory-tightens-in-november-surprise/
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Redfin Unveils the Most
Bikeable U.S. Cities of 2020
Minneapolis, Portland and Chicago are the most bikeable cities
in the U.S. for the second year in a row, according to a new
ranking from Redfin (www.redfin.com), the technology-
powered real estate brokerage.
www.union-bulletin.com/news/state/redfin-unveils-the-most-bikeable-u-s-cities-of/article_169f82b4-4e95-53c5-a47f-9cfc079cf577.html
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Californians are fleeing to
Seattle, but what does $700K
get you there?
The better part of 1 million Californians left the state last year,
heading — they hope — for cheaper housing. Washington is the
third-most popular state for California emigration, and it’s very
possible the U-Haul in front of your neighbor’s house is headed
for Seattle.
www.mysanantonio.com/realestate/article/Californians-vs-Seattle-real-estate-14873210.php
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Seattle’s Microhousing Market
Maintains Exceptionally Strong
Fundamentals
“Seattle’s residents have spoken, and they see microhousing as
viable housing that offers them an affordable option to live in
the best neighborhoods in our city,”
Seattle’s Microhousing Market Maintains Exceptionally Strong Fundamentals
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Don’t Panic and Turn the Home
You Can’t Sell Into a Rental
In the U.S., it’s best to wait out the soft luxury market and sell,
not lease
www.mansionglobal.com/articles/dont-panic-and-turn-the-home-you-cant-sell-into-a-rental-209766
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
De Beers Diamond Heiress’s
Futuristic Washington State
Home Sees Huge Price Cut
Built in 2005, this two-story circular-shaped home was modeled
after New York’s Guggenheim Museum
www.mansionglobal.com/articles/de-beers-diamond-heiresss-futuristic-washington-state-home-sees-huge-price-cut-210033
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Video Should Be Part of Luxury
Home Sellers’ Marketing
Strategy
Including well-produced video in listings captures the attention
of more buyers, especially millennials
www.mansionglobal.com/articles/video-should-be-part-of-luxury-home-sellers-marketing-strategy-209946
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Supply woes hit pending home
sales
Americans signed fewer contracts to purchase homes in
October, as would-be buyers struggled to find available
properties.
www.djc.com/news/re/12127604.html
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Seattle ranks 4th in US with
most high-rise apartments in
last decade, study finds
More and more high-rise buildings are popping up in Seattle as
the city falls in line with the national trend of building up.
komonews.com/news/local/seattle-ranks-4th-with-most-new-high-rise-apartments-in-last-decade-study-find
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Millennial Housing Demand and
Regional Building Trends: 3Q19
HBGI
Supply and resulting affordability challenges for millennials
were highlighted in the most recent NAHB Home Building
Geography Index (HBGI). The third quarter HBGI also offers
more region-specific insights of single- and multifamily home
building trends, including their connections to millennial-
intensive areas.
Millennial Housing Demand and Regional Building Trends: 3Q19 HBGI
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Market Hotness Index
Metro Hotness – Zip Code and County Hotness
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOUSING STATISTICS
Housing Statistics offers 43 different sets of data, downloadable
either as Excel or PDF files (updated weekly). Housing data and
primary indicators of the industry are housed in one easy-to navi-
gate location containing historical and current sets of statistics
such as:Housing Starts (by Region & Structure Type), Homes
Sold by Region, Producer Price Indexes(for Building Materials),
Manufactured Homes, New Home Characteristics, Residential
Vacancy & Absorption Rates,Units Under Construction, Value of
New Construction, and many more.
www.nahbclassic.org/reference_list.aspx?sectionID=819&channelID=311
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CoreLogic Home Price Insights
The most geographically comprehensive and current home
price index.
www.corelogic.com/about-us/researchtrends/corelogic-home-price-insights.aspx?WT.mc_id=crlg_151103_aHqc0&elq=d6379903117d41bcbe7b9f6a82f2189a&elqCampaignId=2692&elqaid=7659&elqat=1&elqTrackId=097f671c98fc48249757d8ddbd229326#.Vj1WlvnnuUl
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Bureau of Economic Analysis
U.S. Economy at a Glance
www.bea.gov/index.htm
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
U.S. Housing Market Tracker
The U.S. housing market has struggled to find equilibrium after
the bubble of the past decade. Here’s a look at where various
gauges of supply and demand stand today.
graphics.wsj.com/us-housing-market/
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mortgage Market Survey Archive
Compilation of Weekly Survey Data for 2018
www.freddiemac.com/pmms/archive.html
_________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________o
“Action has meaning only in relationship, and without understanding relationship, action on any level will only breed conflict. The understanding of relationship is infinitely more important than the search for any plan of action.”
― Jiddu Krishnamurti
“In the province of the mind what one believes to be true, either is true or becomes true within certain limits…”
― John C. Lilly
__________________________
The Property Brothers Reveal That Secret Something That Gives a Home Charm
The brothers have a big budget: $110,000 to update the living space, mudroom, and in-law Maryann’s space. Here’s how the Scott brothers put that cash to good use—and the lessons we can all learn along the way.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Sparse supply spurring more competition among motivated home buyers in Western Washington
“People are moving here, home prices will continue to increase, inventory shortages will occur. That’s our future,”
www.northwestmls.com/News–Information/page/Latest-Press-Release
NWMLS Monthly Market Snapshot Infographic
www.northwestmls.com/News–Information/page/Market-Activity-Snapshot
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
How much space will $1,500 get you in Seattle compared to 5 years ago?
The analysis, from PropertyClub, found $1,500 will get Seattle renters just 437 square feet, 113 square feet less than the same amount would have in 2014.
komonews.com/news/local/how-much-space-will-1500-get-you-in-seattle-compared-to-5-years-ago
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Portland considers building a subway for downtown
City planners are considering a subway tunnel connecting downtown with the area across the Willamette River
www.curbed.com/2017/6/16/15815712/portland-subway-downtown-light-rail-max
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Deconstructing Portland
The group Stop Demolishing Portland keeps a close eye on historic properties—they protest, create petitions, and rally together to fight developers who try to sidestep the 120-day waiting period required for demolition permits for historic homes.
www.curbed.com/2016/10/13/13193952/portland-craftsman-houses-preservation-deconstruction
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
FTC says people lured by real-estate secrets left in ruin
The Federal Trade Commission has sued a company accused of using house-flipping TV celebrities to lure people into spending thousands on expensive training workshops that purported to share lucrative secrets but instead left many in financial ruin.
www.seattletimes.com/business/ftc-says-people-lured-by-real-estate-secrets-left-in-ruin/
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Pacific North Best: Why It’s Raining Dollars in Seattle
“Seattle has become, I would say, a top-five market,” Christopher Moyer, a managing director at Cushman & Wakefield, said. “A lot of investors are targeting it at this point, and it’s become much easier to explain the dynamics of the local market to them.”
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
15 Essential Books To Read Before Starting In Real Estate
The real estate market can a difficult industry to get going in successfully, especially when you’re first starting out. Having a better understanding of what’s important to focus on can mean the difference between making a savvy investment and buying a headache, and one of the best ways to develop the skills you need is to read about the experiences or study the advice of those who came before you.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Facebook lands another huge office lease in Bellevue as part of Seattle-area expansion
The social media giant just inked another big lease in the region. This time it’s Block 6, a building in Bellevue’s Spring District, the new development just east of downtown Seattle where Facebook already has leases for two separate buildings still under construction.
www.geekwire.com/2019/facebook-lands-another-huge-office-lease-bellevue-part-seattle-area-expansion/
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Homeowners staying put longer: What it means for the real estate market
Homeowners in the U.S. are increasingly staying in their current homes and not moving into new ones, limiting the number of homes available to new buyers.
www.foxbusiness.com/real-estate/home-sales-owners-stay-longer-market
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Real Estate Sales in the San Juan Islands: October 1-31 Ten sales of more than $1 million
Real estate transactions in the San Juan Islands in October 2019 included 10 of more than $1 million. Six were on San Juan Island, three on Orcas Island and one on Lopez Island.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Winemaker’s paradise: 10 Oregon homes for sale with a vineyard starting at $395,000
In this week’s real estate gallery, we look at properties for sale that have a residence and vineyard. Some even have a wine cellar in which to store your exclusive wine at the proper temperature.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Lower Mortgage Rates Push Housing Affordability to Highest Level in Three Years
With mortgage rates at a three-year low and a healthy job market, housing affordability rose to its highest level in three years in the third quarter of 2019, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index (HOI).
Lower Mortgage Rates Push Housing Affordability to Highest Level in Three Years
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Top Bathroom Features Among Millennial Home Buyers
The most wanted bathroom feature among Millennial home buyers is ‘both a shower stall & tub in the master bath’
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
55+ Housing Market Ticks Back Up to Record High
Builder and developer confidence in the 55+ housing market strengthened in the third quarter of 2019, as reflected by the single-family 55+ housing market index
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Home Prices Increased in August
National home prices increased modestly in August. New York and Las Vegas experienced price declines while Phoenix led the way with a 9.1% annual growth rate in August.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Homeownership Rate Bounces Back
The rate reached a cycle low of 62.9% in the second quarter 2016. Compared to the peak of 69.2% by the end of 2004, the homeownership rate is still 4.4 percentage points lower and remains below the 25-year average rate of 66.3%
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Get Thanksgiving Holiday Prep Started Early
Get Thanksgiving Holiday Prep Started Early
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Market Hotness Index
Metro Hotness – Zip Code and County Hotness
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOUSING STATISTICS
Housing Statistics offers 43 different sets of data, downloadable either as Excel or PDF files (updated weekly). Housing data and primary indicators of the industry are housed in one easy-to navigate location containing historical and current sets of statistics such as: Housing Starts (by Region & Structure Type), Homes Sold by Region, Producer Price Indexes (for Building Materials), Manufactured Homes, New Home Characteristics, Residential Vacancy & Absorption Rates, Units Under Construction, Value of New Construction, and many more.
www.nahbclassic.org/reference_list.aspx?sectionID=819&channelID=311
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Economic Indicators
U.S. Census Bureau Economic Indicators
www.census.gov/economic-indicators/
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CoreLogic Home Price Insights
The most geographically comprehensive and current home price index.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Bureau of Economic Analysis
U.S. Economy at a Glance
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
U.S. Housing Market Tracker
The U.S. housing market has struggled to find equilibrium after the bubble of the past decade. Here’s a look at where various gauges of supply and demand stand today.
graphics.wsj.com/us-housing-market/
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mortgage Market Survey Archive
Compilation of Weekly Survey Data for 2015
www.freddiemac.com/pmms/archive.html
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Housing Economics
NAHB produces in-depth economic analyses of the home building industry based on private and government data. Our economics group surveys builders, home buyers, and renters to gain insight into the issues and trends driving the industry.
www.nahb.org/en/research/housing-economics.aspx
______________________________________________________
Here’s why home prices keep going up — and what we can do about it
Homebuyers are feeling the pinch. With home prices rising across the board, almost everywhere across the United States, many potential buyers are shying away from seeking a mortgage.
www.marketwatch.com/story/heres-why-home-prices-keep-going-up-and-what-we-can-do-about-it-2019-11-01
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
S&P/Case-Shiller WA-Seattle Home Price Index
S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, S&P/Case-Shiller WA-Seattle Home Price Index [SEXRNSA], retrieved from FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis; fred.stlouisfed.org/series/SEXRNSA, November 1, 2019.
fred.stlouisfed.org/series/SEXRNSA
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
S&P/Case-Shiller OR-Portland Home Price Index
S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, S&P/Case-Shiller OR-Portland Home Price Index [POXRSA], retrieved from FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis; fred.stlouisfed.org/series/POXRSA, November 1, 2019.
fred.stlouisfed.org/series/POXRSA
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
S&P/Case-Shiller 20-City Composite Home Price Index
Oct 29, 2019
fred.stlouisfed.org/series/SPCS20RSA
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Is a Recession Coming? What the Market Is Telling Us
Economic cycles point to a recession
www.fool.com/millionacres/real-estate-market/articles/recession-coming-what-market-telling-us/
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are iBuyers Opening the Door to Squatters?
A Chandler, Ariz., couple has been arrested after police say they found them and their two children living in a vacant home owned by the iBuying firm Opendoor. Police were alerted after a potential buyer visited to tour the property and reported finding people who appeared to be living inside.
magazine.realtor/daily-news/2019/09/12/are-ibuyers-opening-the-door-to-squatters
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
30-Year Mortgage Rate Edges Up in October
For the first time since November of last year, information compiled by Freddie Mac shows that mortgage rates increased slightly. As of end of October 2019, the 30-year FRM – Commitment rate, increased by eight basis points to 3.69 percent from 3.61 percent in September. The cycle peak was 4.87 percent in November.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Rapid growth in jobs and office rents puts Seattle among leaders in top 30 tech markets
CBRE’s annual Tech-30 report, which measures the tech industry’s impact on North American office real estate markets, shows Seattle is the sixth fastest growing tech market in overall office rent growth
www.geekwire.com/2019/rapid-growth-jobs-office-rents-puts-seattle-among-leaders-top-30-tech-markets/
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Amazon Now Has 750,000 Employees After Third Quarter Hiring Binge
Amazon Now Has 750,000 Employees After Third Quarter Hiring Binge
www.inc.com/minda-zetlin/amazon-750000-employees-hiring.html
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Why You Need to Study This Google Formula to Win Customers and Grow Your Business
No matter what kind of company you are–tech startup or food truck–Google’s acronym should guide you.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Hoping to buy a cheaper home or sell at a higher price? Here are cities where prices could shift
Pricey housing markets like New York City and Los Angeles seem poised to cool down over the next couple of years while more affordable metro areas like Miami and San Antonio could heat up, according to an analysis by research firm Natixis.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Be upfront about real estate commissions, report urges agents
A new study by the Consumer Federation of America calls on real estate agents to be more transparent about the commissions they charge. The study concludes that agents and real estate companies make it difficult for consumers to learn commission rates.
www.dispatch.com/business/20191030/be-upfront-about-real-estate-commissions-report-urges-agents
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
When it comes to real-estate commissions, more cities should be consumer-friendly like Seattle
SEATTLE Home sellers and buyers largely don’t know how real-estate commissions work, and brokers aren’t in a hurry to help them learn.
Other article:
www.sun-sentinel.com/sns-tns-bc-real-estate-commissions-20191031-story.html
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Real estate brokers ‘purposely’ hide commissions: study
Realtors “purposely hide” their commission rates and the lack of transparency has stunted price competition, a consumer watchdog agency alleged in a new study.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Best Places For Business And Careers 2019: Seattle Still On Top
In Amazon.com’s fiercely competitive search for a second headquarters last year, Seattle—the company’s original home—turned out to be the true victor.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Seattle-area home-price trends are driven by this hot, hot city. Hint: It’s not Seattle.
After three straight months of negative growth, home prices around Seattle are on the upswing again.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Your home may not be a mansion, but you may still pay a ‘mansion tax’
An explainer on real estate tax changes
www.ksat.com/consumer/your-home-may-not-be-a-mansion-but-you-may-still-pay-a-mansion-tax
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The 50 Portland places on top of the real estate market
Specifically, the ZIP code 97229, also known as Northwest Heights/Cedar Mill/Bethany, was on top of the Portland Business Journal’s heat index, measuring real estate activity across the metro area.
www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2019/10/25/hottest-hoods-the-50-portland-places-on-top-of-the.html
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Market Hotness Index
Metro Hotness – Zip Code and County Hotness
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOUSING STATISTICS
Housing Statistics offers 43 different sets of data, downloadable either as Excel or PDF files (updated weekly). Housing data and primary indicators of the industry are housed in one easy-to navigate location containing historical and current sets of statistics such as: Housing Starts (by Region & Structure Type), Homes Sold by Region, Producer Price Indexes (for Building Materials), Manufactured Homes, New Home Characteristics, Residential Vacancy & Absorption Rates, Units Under Construction, Value of New Construction, and many more.
www.nahbclassic.org/reference_list.aspx?sectionID=819&channelID=311
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Economic Indicators
U.S. Census Bureau Economic Indicators
www.census.gov/economic-indicators/
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CoreLogic Home Price Insights
The most geographically comprehensive and current home price index.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Bureau of Economic Analysis
U.S. Economy at a Glance
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
U.S. Housing Market Tracker
The U.S. housing market has struggled to find equilibrium after the bubble of the past decade. Here’s a look at where various gauges of supply and demand stand today.
graphics.wsj.com/us-housing-market/
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mortgage Market Survey Archive
Compilation of Weekly Survey Data for 2015
www.freddiemac.com/pmms/archive.html
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Housing Economics
NAHB produces in-depth economic analyses of the home building industry based on private and government data. Our economics group surveys builders, home buyers, and renters to gain insight into the issues and trends driving the industry.
www.nahb.org/en/research/housing-economics.aspx
“How beautifully leaves grow old. How full of light and color are
their last days.”
– John Burrows
“I was drinking in the surroundings: air so crisp you could snap it with your fingers and greens in every lush shade imaginable offset by autumnal flashes of red and yellow.”
― Wendy Delsol
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Residential, Commercial Properties Close to Public Transit Enjoy Increase Values
According to a new report by the American Public Transportation Association and the National Association of Realtors, neighborhoods located within a half mile of public transit services outperformed those in areas farther from public transit based on a number of factors.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Rising Financial Wealth Boosts Demand for Vacation Homes
Between 2013 to 2018, the median sales price in vacation home counties increased at a slightly higher pace of 36% compared to the pace of increase of all existing and new homes sold,1 at 31%
www.nar.realtor/newsroom/rising-financial-wealth-boosts-demand-for-vacation-homes
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Four Reasons Now Is The Time To Invest In Rental Property Ownership
There have been very few times in history when we’ve seen 30-year fixed mortgage rates hovering around 3.7% and 15-year mortgage rates slightly above 3%. This makes the math of buying a rental property as a long-term investment very much in your favor.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Washington AG lawsuit shuts down company accused of preying on homeowners
A lawsuit filed by Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson is forcing a company accused of preying on homeowners facing foreclosure to dissolve.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Seattle’s first Opportunity Zone development breaks ground in Pioneer Square
The Opportunity Zones program was marketed as a way to help poor communities by offering major capital-gains tax breaks for investors to park their cash in 8,000 designated low-income census tracts.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Fall real estate may bring big openings for Seattle buyers, experts say
Opportunity is the buzz word for many Washington real estate experts at the moment.
komonews.com/news/local/fall-real-estate-may-bring-big-openings-for-seattle-buyers-experts-say
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Portland area sees home sales bump in September
Portland-area home sales jumped in September compared with a year ago, bringing a jolt to the housing market during the waning months of a slow year.
www.oregonlive.com/business/2019/10/portland-area-sees-home-sales-bump-in-september.html
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Lessons From Listing Photos: A Portland Home Goes Modern, Nearly Triples in Value
The home is tucked among the trees, but all that gorgeous foliage doesn’t mean a thing when the inside of the house is cramped and stuck in the 1960s.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOUSING MARKET 2020: They may be rich, but Portland’s priciest neighborhoods are taking it on the chin
The U.S. housing market rebounded in August with a surge in existing home sales and building permits to add new inventory. Too bad the acceleration stopped just short of America’s wealthiest neighborhoods.
www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2019/10/02/housing-market-2020-they-may-be-rich-but-portlands.html
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Report spotlights how some owners of high-end Seattle condos conceal their identities
To live in a condominium at 99 Union Street is to live in an “estate in the sky,” listings there advertise. Managed by Four Seasons, which runs a hotel in the lower 10 floors of the 21-story high-rise, the building is billed as an exclusive vertical neighborhood for the monied classes.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Seattle Times Not Sure If Seattle’s Secretive but Booming Million-Dollar Condo Market Has Had an Impact on the City’s Economy
The Seattle Times, article “Report spotlights how some owners of high-end Seattle condos conceal their identities,” makes a muddle of these two points.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
High Credit Scores Mean Low Interest Rates and Vice Versa
It’s fall, and that means home sales are slowing down — except where Seattle-area buyers can get more house for less money.
www.forbes.com/sites/markgreene/2019/10/18/your-credit-score-and-your-interest-rate/#48c40f773746
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mortgage rates rise sharply on positive developments surrounding Brexit and China
A potential Brexit deal as well as progress in the trade talks with China caused a sharp rise in mortgage rates this week, continuing a volatile period for home loan rates.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Proceed With Caution When Relisting Your Luxury Home For a Higher Price
The lavish Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, mega-mansion known as Opus hit the market in 2017, complete with a racy promotional video designed to titillate potential buyers and the media. Its initial asking price was $100 million.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Iconic Ennis House Sells for $18 Million
Frank Lloyd Wright’s iconic Ennis House, which billionaire businessman Ron Burkle spent years restoring, has been sold fully furnished for $18 million, the most ever paid for a home designed by the famed 20th-century architect.
www.mansionglobal.com/articles/frank-lloyd-wrights-iconic-ennis-house-sells-for-18-million-208367
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Builder Confidence Hits 20-Month High
Builder confidence in the market for newly-built single-family homes rose three points to 71 in October, according to the latest National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI). Sentiment levels are at their highest point since February 2018 and have risen 13 points since the start of 2019.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5 Things to Do to Your Grass This Fall
By the time fall comes along, and you’ve tended to your grass every single week, pleasant springtime memories of fresh-mown grass smell have long passed. Still, you must get the yard grass ready for winter, especially if you’re planning to put the house up for sale next spring.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
A Generation Ready to Invest in a Lifestyle
One of the largest homebuyer-pools is composed of baby boomers – a generation spanning from 1946 to 1964, mostly made up of empty nesters and many retirees. This generation makes up a group of the most astute buyers in the market, and when it comes to new construction homes, they highly value three distinct features when making a home-buying decision:
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Market Hotness Index
Metro Hotness – Zip Code and County Hotness
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOUSING STATISTICS
Housing Statistics offers 43 different sets of data, downloadable either as Excel or PDF files (updated weekly). Housing data and primary indicators of the industry are housed in one easy-to navigate location containing historical and current sets of statistics such as: Housing Starts (by Region & Structure Type), Homes Sold by Region, Producer Price Indexes (for Building Materials), Manufactured Homes, New Home Characteristics, Residential Vacancy & Absorption Rates, Units Under Construction, Value of New Construction, and many more.
www.nahbclassic.org/reference_list.aspx?sectionID=819&channelID=311
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Economic Indicators
U.S. Census Bureau Economic Indicators
www.census.gov/economic-indicators/
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CoreLogic Home Price Insights
The most geographically comprehensive and current home price index.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Bureau of Economic Analysis
U.S. Economy at a Glance
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
U.S. Housing Market Tracker
The U.S. housing market has struggled to find equilibrium after the bubble of the past decade. Here’s a look at where various gauges of supply and demand stand today.
graphics.wsj.com/us-housing-market/
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mortgage Market Survey Archive
Compilation of Weekly Survey Data for 2015
www.freddiemac.com/pmms/archive.html
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Housing Economics
NAHB produces in-depth economic analyses of the home building industry based on private and government data. Our economics group surveys builders, home buyers, and renters to gain insight into the issues and trends driving the industry.
www.nahb.org/en/research/housing-economics.aspx
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
‘Queen of real estate’ Wendy
Lister dies at 83
Luxury real estate broker Wendy Lister, 83, died peacefully in
the early morning hours Tuesday with her family at her side.
www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2019/10/03/real-estate-wendy-lister-dies-coldwell-banker-bain.html
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Paul Allen’s Beverly Hills
returns to the market with $40M
price cut
Back on the market for $110M, a 120-acre parcel owned by the
late co-founder of Microsoft, Paul Allen, is discounted from last
year’s price of $150M.
www.seattlepi.com/realestate/article/Paul-Allen-s-110M-Enchanted-Hill-in-Beverly-14509847.php
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
No. 1 ranked Coldwell Banker
affiliate buys Bend real estate
company
Coldwell Banker Morris Real Estate of Bend was sold last
month to Coldwell Banker Bain, a brokerage based in Bellevue,
Washington. Details of the sale were not released.
www.bendbulletin.com/business/7484067-151/no-1-ranked-coldwell-banker-affiliate-buys-bend
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Apartments for rent in Seattle:
What will $2,900 get you?
We’ve rounded up the latest places for rent via rental sites
Zumper and Apartment Guide to get a sense of what to expect
when it comes to finding apartment rentals in Seattle if you
don’t want to spend more than $2,900/month on rent.
www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Apartments-for-rent-in-Seattle-What-will-2-900-14499541.php
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
These are the best real estate
prospects of 2020
#10. Seattle
www.foxbusiness.com/markets/best-markets-2020
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Emerging Trends in Real Estate®
“Right now, the real estate markets are positive. Cities that have
invested in
significant infrastructure can move the needle in terms of
returns.”
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Where Tech Tycoons Live
Outside Seattle
On the eastern shore of Lake Washington, Medina is a sleepy
residential enclave across the water from Seattle. It was
incorporated in 1955. At first glance, the roughly 1.4-square-
mile city of about 3,000 people is decidedly unassuming.
www.wsj.com/articles/where-tech-tycoons-live-outside-seattle-11570550940
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Lessons From Listing Photos: A
Portland Home Goes Modern,
Nearly Triples in Value
The home is tucked among the trees, but all that gorgeous
foliage doesn’t mean a thing when the inside of the house is
cramped and stuck in the 1960s.
www.mysanantonio.com/realestate/article/Lessons-From-Listing-Photos-A-Portland-Home-Goes-14503186.php
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Pierce County home prices up 9
percent from 2018. Gig Harbor
has highest local rents
The Seattle real estate ripple effect continues for Tacoma.
www.thenewstribune.com/news/business/real-estate-news/article235887472.html
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Sales slow for pricey homes in
Seattle area, but some spots
sizzling; see what’s happening
near you
It’s fall, and that means home sales are slowing down — except
where Seattle-area buyers can get more house for less money.
www.seattletimes.com/business/real-estate/sales-slow-for-pricey-homes-in-the-seattle-area-but-modestly-priced-houses-are-still-hot/
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New Expedia Seattle HQ
welcomes first new employees
It’s moving day for scores of Expedia employees who are
making their inaugural commute to work in Seattle as opposed
to Bellevue.
komonews.com/news/local/new-expedia-seattle-hq-welcomes-first-new-employees
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Untouched Midcentury Modern
Gem in Palo Alto Snapped Up in
2 Weeks
An untouched, midcentury modern home in Palo Alto, CA—for
sale for the first time in over 50 years—has found a buyer after
less than two weeks on the market. The classic beauty was
listed for $2.65 million.
www.realtor.com/news/unique-homes/untouched-midcentury-modern-home-palo-alto-pending-sale/
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30 Words to Include and Avoid
in a Resume
Your resume is your first opportunity to make a good first
impression, and you don’t have much time to make that
impression.
www.thebalancecareers.com/top-words-to-include-and-avoid-in-your-resume-2063329
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The Property Brothers Reveal
the Next Big Kitchen Trend
(Hint: It Moves)
A kitchen island beats a peninsula
www.realtor.com/advice/home-improvement/property-brothers-reveal-the-next-big-kitchen-trend/
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Here are the hottest real estate
markets of 2019
Looking for the hottest real estate markets? Try heading out west.
www.foxbusiness.com/markets/hottest-real-estate-markets
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Top Green Features Millennials
Want in a Home
Energy Star®-rated appliances are the green feature that
Millennials want the most in a home (75 percent), according to
an NAHB report
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Think Seattle’s rich? This
Eastside city tops census list
of richest U.S. cities
After my last column on Seattle’s soaring incomes, I heard
from a lot of readers who were dismayed at the prospect of the
city becoming a playground for the wealthy.
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/data/think-seattles-rich-this-eastside-city-tops-census-list-of-richest-u-s-cities/
“For me, on the residential side of transactions and on the buy-
side in particular, these transactions are infrequent, they’re not
standard to the buyer, and they’re a deeply emotional process.
There’s a human touch that cannot be financialized out.”
– Elie Finegold
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The Layouts Millennials Want in
a Home and Other Preferences
What kind of layout do Millennials envision for their home? A
plurality of Millennials – 43 percent – want a completely open
layout for their family room and dining room, a higher share
than any other generation, according to an NAHB report, What
Home Buyers Really Wan
The Layouts Millennials Want in a Home and Other Preferences
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As housing costs soar, Seattle’s
young adults taking longer to
live on their own
SEATTLE – Young adults in Seattle and across the nation are
moving out on their own later in life than in previous generations
– if they move out at all – and the high cost of housing and
education appears to be a major factor in that change, according
to a report released Tuesday.
komonews.com/news/local/as-housing-costs-soar-seattles-young-adults-taking-longer-to-live-on-their-own
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Tacoma, Seattle lead nation in
home equity value earned since
2012
SEATTLE – People who bought homes in the Puget Sound region
at the bottom of the housing market in 2012 have earned billions
of dollars in home equity since then, with Tacoma leading the
nation in percentage increase and Seattle coming in at No. 2 in
the country in total dollar increase.
komonews.com/news/local/tacoma-seattle-lead-nation-in-home-equity-value-earned-since-2012
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Real-estate seers expect a
strong 2020 in Seattle, though
not so much for housing
It doesn’t drill deep into the future of residential real estate —
what might happen with home prices or rents. But real estate is
a major part of the economy.
www.seattletimes.com/business/real-estate-seers-expect-a-strong-2020-in-seattle-though-not-so-much-for-housingattle/
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7 ways telecommuting has
changed real estate
As wireless technology changes how and where people do their
jobs, giving many the freedom to work remotely at least part of
the time, so too is it changing their thinking about real estate.
www.seattletimes.com/explore/nwhomes/7-ways-telecommuting-has-changed-real-estate/
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What to know about buying a
co-op apartment in Seattle
What’s a co-op—and could cooperative living be for you?
seattle.curbed.com/2019/9/26/20885583/housing-cooperative-seattle-homebuying-guide
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Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love’s
former Seattle home is for sale
The 117-year-old house was quietly put on the market—for the
first time since Love sold it
seattle.curbed.com/2019/9/26/20884357/kurt-cobain-nirvana-courtney-love-house
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Deconstructing Portland
Can a first-of-its-kind ordinance save some of what makes
Portland so special?
www.curbed.com/2016/10/13/13193952/portland-craftsman-houses-preservation-deconstruction
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Facebook grows to 5,000
employees in Seattle region,
opens its 18th office at
downtown tower
Facebook’s footprint in the Seattle area continues to grow as the
social media giant now employs more than 5,000 people across
the region.
www.geekwire.com/2019/facebook-grows-5000-employees-seattle-region-opens-18th-office-downtown-tower/
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GeekWire 200 startup index
analysis shows hottest
industries emerging from Pacific
Northwest
The latest highlights and hottest startups from the GeekWire
200, our monthly ranking of Pacific Northwest tech companies.
Click here for the full GeekWire 200 ranking.
www.geekwire.com/2019/geekwire-200-startup-index-analysis-shows-hottest-industries-emerging-pacific-northwest/
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Will tech make realtors
obsolete? Investors debate the
future of real estate
“While I do think that there are certainly some parts of the
business that are going to be disintermediated, my thesis is that
disintermediation happens when transactions are frequent, when
they’re standard, and when they’re relatively small, either
financially or emotionally to the parties involved,” Finegold said.
“For me, on the residential side of transactions and on the buy-
side in particular, these transactions are infrequent, they’re not
standard to the buyer, and they’re a deeply emotional process.
There’s a human touch that cannot be financialized out.”
www.geekwire.com/2019/will-tech-make-realtors-obsolete-investors-debate-future-real-estate/
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Condo towers near Amazon HQ
to include geeky amenities such
as co-working space, gaming
room
Amazon’s reimagination of the neighborhood around its urban
headquarters in Seattle is apparently infectious, as a new condo
development planned for a block away from The Spheres will
feature a slew of geeky amenities apparently aimed at attracting
tech workers.
www.geekwire.com/2019/condo-towers-near-amazon-hq-include-geeky-amenities-co-working-space-gaming-room/
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Denny Blaine mid-century home
gets striking makeover, and can
be yours for $2.2M
A mid-century abode interpreted for this century, this artistic
home in Denny Blaine wants $2.195 million.
www.seattlepi.com/realestate/article/Denny-Blaine-mid-century-gets-striking-makeover-14467174.php
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The 10 US cities most
vulnerable to a housing
downturn when the next
recession happens
When it comes to real estate, there are several key factors that
help forecast which housing markets will be the most vulnerable
when the next recession hits — whether it happens now or ten
years from now.
www.businessinsider.com/us-housing-markets-most-vulnerable-next-recession-2019-9
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Here are 99 great places to
work in Oregon and SW
Washington: Top Workplaces
2019
For the past eight years, The Oregonian/OregonLive and
Energage, a Philadelphia-based employee research and
consulting firm, have partnered to determine the Top
Workplaces in Oregon and southwestern Washington based
solely on employee survey feedback.
www.oregonlive.com/news/g66l-2019/09/1b695416dc9728/here-are-99-great-places-to-work-in-oregon-and-sw-washington-top-workplaces-2019.html
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Pending Home Sales Rebound in
August
The Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI), reported by the National
Association of Realtors (NAR), is a forward-looking indicator
based on signed contracts. The PHSI rose 1.6% from 105.6 in July
to 107.3 in August, the second-highest level since 2018. On a
year-over-year basis, sales were 2.5% higher than a year ago.
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Real Estate’s Market Value
Shows Minimal Growth in Q2
2019
The recently released Federal Reserve’s Z.1 Financial Accounts
of the United States report (formerly known as the Flow of Funds
report) shows the latest transactions in households’ balance
sheets as they occurred in the second quarter of 2019.
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Market Hotness Index
Metro Hotness – Zip Code and County Hotness
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HOUSING STATISTICS
Housing Statistics offers 43 different sets of data, downloadable
either as Excel or PDF files (updated weekly). Housing data and
primary indicators of the industry are housed in one easy-to navi-
gate location containing historical and current sets of statistics
such as:Housing Starts (by Region & Structure Type), Homes
Sold by Region, Producer Price Indexes(for Building Materials),
Manufactured Homes, New Home Characteristics, Residential
Vacancy & Absorption Rates,Units Under Construction, Value of
New Construction, and many more.
www.nahbclassic.org/reference_list.aspx?sectionID=819&channelID=311
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CoreLogic Home Price Insights
The most geographically comprehensive and current home
price index.
www.corelogic.com/about-us/researchtrends/corelogic-home-price-insights.aspx?WT.mc_id=crlg_151103_aHqc0&elq=d6379903117d41bcbe7b9f6a82f2189a&elqCampaignId=2692&elqaid=7659&elqat=1&elqTrackId=097f671c98fc48249757d8ddbd229326#.Vj1WlvnnuUl
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Bureau of Economic Analysis
U.S. Economy at a Glance
www.bea.gov/index.htm
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U.S. Housing Market Tracker
The U.S. housing market has struggled to find equilibrium after
the bubble of the past decade. Here’s a look at where various
gauges of supply and demand stand today.
graphics.wsj.com/us-housing-market/
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Mortgage Market Survey Archive
Compilation of Weekly Survey Data for 2018
www.freddiemac.com/pmms/archive.html
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~ Lionel Hampton
— Frederick Douglass
— Banana Yoshimoto
- www.mansionglobal.com/articles/120-million-mansion-sale-in-los-angeles-sets-record-204725
- variety.com/2019/dirt/real-estate/california-home-sale-record-price-spelling-manor-daryl-katz-1203258066/
- nypost.com/2019/07/03/aaron-spellings-mansion-sells-for-120m-setting-california-real-estate-record/
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loving someone deeply gives you courage.”