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Matthew Gardner’s Top 10 Predictions for 2023

  1 There Is No Housing Bubble Mortgage rates rose steeply in 2022 which, when coupled with the massive run-up in home prices, has some suggesting that we are recreating the housing bubble of 2007. But that could not be further from the truth.   Over the past couple of years, home prices got ahead […]
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New Year, New Laws! What This Means for Consumers Moving Forward.

Effective January 1, 2024, the statute in Washington that governs real estate brokerage relationships (RCW 18.86) otherwise known as the “Agency Law”–was significantly revised. The revisions modernize the 25-year-old law, provide additional transparency and consumer protections, and acknowledge the importance of buyer representation. KEY REVISIONS For decades, real estate brokerage firms were only required to […]
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3/29 NAR Update ACCURATE UPDATE: The Proposed NAR Settlement Agreement and How WA State Stands Out

As I am sure you have heard on the news, there is a proposed settlement agreement for the NAR (National Association of Realtors) Class Action Lawsuit. It has certainly stirred up plenty of headlines that have been glossy, and in many cases, inaccurate. Many of the reports and headlines have been national and it is […]
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QUARTERLY REPORTS Q4 2023

The story of 2023 was balancing interest rates with home purchases and even home sales. The average weekly rate in 2023 was 6.8% and peaked in October at 7.94%. This caused some buyers to pause due to cost. Many sellers were reluctant to move and give up their low payments based on historically low rates, hence the […]
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December is for Giving at Windermere North!

The holiday season can come and go in a flash, with the pressure and stress of gift shopping, family obligations, and wrapping up the year. One thing that I love about my office is that we all make it a priority to come together to lift up our neighbors in need during this time of […]
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Now or Later: When Rates Drop, Expect the Market to Tilt

The question that many potential buyers are asking themselves right now is: should I wait for rates to drop before I buy? Higher interest rates have certainly made monthly payments higher and challenged overall affordability, however it is important to consider creative financing options and what the impact on prices will be once rates lower. Experts […]
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New Agency Law Changes: Transparency, Consumer Protection & Commitment

On January 1, 2024, major changes to the Law of Agency will go into effect. These changes result from the real estate industry in the state of Washington wanting to elevate the level of transparency and consumer protection surrounding buyer representation. Senate Bill 5191 was voted into law requiring adjustments in how brokers operate when working with […]
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