Welcome to our Lifestyle & Real Estate blog.
On a recent trip back to Minnesota, Matt was helping out his Mom in the garage when he noticed something that sparked wonderful vibes.
It was his 1984 camp t-shirt from the Salvation Army pinned to the wall. It brought back memories of playing basketball and games, chowing down McDonald's lunches, and being influenced by some incredibly positive, encouraging, and supportive camp counselors.
Read MoreAs we’ve witnessed Microsoft’s incredible performance with Satya Nadella’s leadership, we began thinking about what has contributed to this great success. There are certainly too many ingredients to mention here, and yet there is one that strikes us as key. It comes from one of the things Satya said when guest speaking at an event we attended years ago: “Don’t be a know-it-all…be a learn-it-all”.
Read MoreWith persistent low inventory levels, we expect the seller’s advantage to continue in 2025. However, signs of a more balanced market are upon us. Our latest prediction is the result of our analysis of key Eastside market statistics. Here are three key findings…
Read MoreHave you ever heard that everyone has a Love Language? If your next question is what is a love language then this might be a wonderful article for you! We all give and receive love in 5 different ways: words of affirmation, acts of service, receiving gifts, quality time, and physical touch.
Read MoreOftentimes, past performance is a predictor of future behavior. The year following 9 of the last 11 presidential elections brought a robust real estate market. With continued constrained inventory, demand expected to increase due to a resilient local economy, and moderating interest rates, we expect the median sold price to continue to appreciate.
Read MoreWhile listings increased 17% over last year, persistent demand outpaced inventory. There was just 1.1 months of inventory on average throughout 2024, down 14% versus last year. The lack of inventory and moderating interest rates led to the median sold price on the Eastside being up to $1.59M or +12% vs. last year.
Read MoreNearly 20 years ago we decided a fun date night would be to privately write down our favorite baby names and then compare our lists to decide on the name for our 1st Son. Well, what we thought would be an epic evening of lively debating names, and ultimately landing on one together, turned out to be a non-event because the #1 name on both of our lists was the same. And it wasn’t even Dominick or Dominique…it was Dominic!
Read MoreEvery year we experience seasonal cycles that influence the Real Estate Market. This is evidenced by the number of homes that sell above their list price.
Read MoreRemember when rates were peaking and Christina said “Marry the Home, Date the Rate”? Well, we had some clients who did just that and they’re sure glad they did!
Read MoreOver the years we’ve discovered that one of the great secrets of life seems to be learning from experience. Although we have had incredible life experiences there are so many things we just haven’t done and just don’t know. What’s the best way to close the experience gap and maximize our one precious life? We’ve found it best to approach every situation with curiosity and openness. We call it “what are your favorites”.
Read MoreWe’ve been getting quite a few phone calls lately about the Property Valuation Notices that friends and clients have been receiving in the mail. Here is an example of a home we evaluated that illustrates the situation well. The County had the value change increasing by 17%! “How could our home have gone up 17% in one year?”
Read MoreGiven all of the division and negativity around us, Matt was inspired to read the book “A Team of Rivals” about Abraham Lincoln’s presidency. He was looking for clues on how, during the most divided time in American History, our President was able to unite a divided North and bring the Confederacy back into the Union.
Read MoreWe love walking our dogs around our neighborhood, especially past a particular house with the most stunning yard. The owner is always out there, updating her garden and decor with the changing seasons. It truly reflects her pride of ownership, and it always feels so inviting. Her home is a perfect example of how refreshing your landscaping can boost your home's look and the feelings it generates as people walk and drive by.
Read MoreWe are incredibly fortunate to live where we do! There are so many amazing places to explore and activities to enjoy. In just a few hours, you can go from snowy mountains to sandy beaches, and the natural beauty around us never gets old. One of our favorite destinations is now Whidbey Island. Surprisingly, it took us seven years to finally explore this gem! For our anniversary one year, Matt planned a special day trip, and I'd love to share the itinerary he put together.
Read MoreIf you’ve been paying attention to the news you’ve probably heard about the recent National Association of Realtors (NAR) Settlement. We have received countless questions from friends, clients, and family wondering what’s really going on. As with most news, there are perceptions and there are realities.
Read MoreThe Seller's market continues AND continues to defy gravity! Throughout April we saw an increase in "bidding wars" on the Eastside with 59% of homes selling above list price. While this can be exciting news for home sellers, there is some cause for pause as 17% of homes under contract in April did not close.
Cinco de Mayo is the annual celebration of the victory by Mexico over the French in the Battle of Pueblo on May 5, 1862. It serves as an important way to commemorate Mexican heritage and culture in the United States. And from what we have experienced, a special day right here in Newcastle.
Read MoreThe Market continues to be a tale of two cities. There are few homes for sale relative to the many buyers in the market. As a result, we're experiencing a red-hot seller's market where over 80% of homes are selling in two weeks or less.
Read MoreWe often reminisce about the good old days. Life seemed a bit simpler back in the day. Some of our fondest memories were kicking the can around town and frequenting our favorite local spots.
Read MoreThe market is much warmer than the weather…watch Christina’s video update for more details!
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