Latest News

Seattle is a city that is consistently ranked as one of the top places to live in the United States. It’s no surprise then that the demand for Seattle homes for sale is high. If you’re planning to sell your home in Seattle, it’s important to know what features buyers are looking for today. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the top home features that are in demand and can help you sell your home quickly and at a good price. Open Floor Plan Buyers today are interested in homes that have a more open, spacious feel. This can be achieved by removing walls (or just half walls) between rooms or by creating a great room that combines the living room, dining room, and kitchen into one open space. If you have a home with a more traditional layout, you may want to consider making some changes to create a more open floor plan. Updated Kitchens and Bathrooms Kitchens and bathrooms are two of the most important rooms in a home, and buyers are looking for homes that have updated versions of both. In the kitchen, buyers are interested in features like granite or quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, and custom cabinetry. In the bathroom, buyers want to see updated fixtures, tile or stone flooring, and spacious showers or tubs. If your home has an outdated kitchen or bathroom, consider investing in some updates before putting it on the market. Outdoor Living Spaces Seattle is a city that is known for its natural beauty, and buyers are interested in homes that take advantage of this. Outdoor living spaces like decks, patios, and gardens can make a big difference in how buyers perceive your home. If you have a yard or outdoor space, consider creating a seating area or adding some landscaping to make it more inviting. Smart Home Technology Smart home technology is another feature that buyers are looking for in Seattle homes for sale. Smart home features like thermostats, lighting, and security systems can make a big difference in the convenience and comfort of a home. If you haven’t already, consider investing in some smart home upgrades to make your home more appealing to buyers. Home Office Space Remote work has become more prevalent than ever, and many buyers are looking for homes that have dedicated office space. This can be a separate room or a nook in another room that can be used as a workspace. If you have a spare room or space in your home that can be used as an office, consider highlighting it as a selling feature. Energy Efficiency One of the top features that buyers are looking for in Seattle homes for sale is energy efficiency. With the cost of energy on the rise, many buyers are interested in homes that can help them save on their utility bills. Energy-efficient features like double-paned windows, Energy Star-certified appliances, efficient heat pumps or mini-split systems, and good insulation can make a big difference. You may want to consider investing in these upgrades if you haven’t already. Ample Storage Space Finally, buyers are interested in homes that have ample storage space. This can be achieved through features like walk-in closets, built-in shelving, and storage space in the garage. If your home doesn’t have a lot of storage space, consider adding some shelving or organizing systems to make the most of what you have. If you need help deciding what projects might increase your home value in a cost-effective way, then call Doron Weisbarth at 206-779-9808 for a free, no-obligation consultation. Or send a message through this form .

If you're considering moving to Seattle or relocating within the city, you may be wondering whether it's better to buy or rent a home. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages, and the decision ultimately depends on your lifestyle, financial situation, and personal preferences. To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a list of buying vs renting a home in Seattle, based on research into the city's real estate market . Buying a Home in Seattle Building Equity When you buy a home, you're building equity over time as you pay off your mortgage, and as the value of the home appreciates over time. This equity can then be used to finance future investments, such as buying a second home or starting a business. Long-Term Investment Buying a home in Seattle can be a long-term investment, as the city's real estate market has historically appreciated over time. This means that your home may increase in value, providing a return on your investment if you decide to sell in the future. Tax Benefits Homeowners in Seattle can take advantage of tax benefits, such as deducting mortgage interest and property taxes on their federal income tax returns. These deductions can help lower your tax bill and save you money. Stability Buying a home provides stability and security, as you're not subject to the whims of a landlord or the rental market. You have control over your living situation and can make changes to your home as you see fit. High Upfront Costs Buying a home in Seattle requires a significant upfront investment, including a down payment, closing costs, and other fees. This can be a barrier to entry for some buyers. Maintenance and Repairs As a homeowner, you're responsible for all maintenance and repairs to your home, which can be costly and time-consuming. You'll need to budget for regular upkeep and unexpected repairs. Limited Flexibility When you own a home, you're tied to that property and may not be able to move or relocate as easily as renters. This can be a disadvantage if you need to move for work or personal reasons. Housing Market Fluctuations While Seattle's real estate market has historically appreciated over time, there are no guarantees that it will continue to do so in the future. Economic factors, such as changes in interest rates and job growth, can affect the market, potentially impacting the value of your home. Renting a Home in Seattle Renting a home can be an attractive option for many people, particularly those living in expensive real estate markets like Seattle. While owning a home has its benefits, there are several advantages to renting that make it a viable option for many. In this article, we'll explore the pros of renting a home in Seattle, based on real estate market research. Flexibility Seattle is a fast-paced and dynamic city, with a growing job market and a diverse population. Renting a home provides the flexibility and mobility to take advantage of these opportunities. Renters can easily move to new neighborhoods or cities without the burden of selling a home. Lower Upfront Costs Seattle's real estate market is notoriously expensive, making it difficult for many first-time homebuyers to afford a home. Renting a home requires a much lower upfront investment than buying, with only a security deposit and first month's rent typically required. This accessibility makes renting a viable option for those on a tight budget. Minimal Maintenance and Repairs As a renter, you're typically not responsible for major maintenance or repairs to your home, as these are the landlord's responsibility. This can save you money and time, as well as provide peace of mind. Access to Amenities Seattle is known for its vibrant and active lifestyle, with many opportunities for outdoor recreation and entertainment. Many rental properties offer access to amenities such as pools, gyms, and community spaces, which may be expensive or impractical for homeowners to install or maintain. This can provide renters with a convenient and affordable way to enjoy all that Seattle has to offer. No Hassle of Selling Selling a home can be a complicated and time-consuming process, particularly in a competitive real estate market like Seattle. As a renter, you're not responsible for the buying and selling process, which can save you time and money. This can be especially advantageous if you need to move quickly or unexpectedly. Reduced Financial Risk Owning a home comes with financial risks, such as fluctuations in the housing market, property taxes, and unexpected maintenance costs. Renting a home reduces these risks, as you're not responsible for the financial burdens associated with homeownership. This can provide renters with greater financial stability and security. No Need to Worry about Property Value Seattle's real estate market can be volatile, with property values fluctuating rapidly over time. As a renter, you're not affected by these fluctuations, as you're not invested in the property. This can provide renters with greater peace of mind and less stress related to the housing market. Buying vs renting a home in Seattle? When considering whether to buy or rent a home in Seattle, it's important to weigh the pros and cons of each option. Seattle's real estate market is notoriously expensive, making it a difficult market for many first-time homebuyers. However, there are advantages to both buying and renting, depending on your lifestyle and financial situation. Buying a home in Seattle can provide a sense of stability, ownership, and the potential for long-term financial gains. Homeownership also provides the opportunity to make the property your own, with the freedom to make renovations and upgrades. However, homeownership also comes with a range of financial responsibilities, including mortgage payments, property taxes, and maintenance costs. On the other hand, renting a home in Seattle provides flexibility, minimal financial responsibilities, and access to amenities that may be expensive or impractical for homeowners. Renting also provides greater mobility and the ability to take advantage of opportunities without the burden of selling a home. However, renters do not have the same financial benefits as homeowners, and must deal with the uncertainty of rental rates and the potential for rent increases. Ultimately, the decision to buy or rent a home in Seattle depends on your individual preferences, lifestyle, and financial situation. It's important to carefully consider the pros and cons of each option, and to conduct thorough research on Seattle's real estate market to make an informed decision. Whether you choose to buy or rent, Seattle offers a dynamic and exciting lifestyle with endless opportunities for outdoor recreation, entertainment, and career growth. The professionals at Weisbarth and Associates are here to help you become part of that lifestyle. Contact us today to start the purchase of your new home .

Hi, I’m Doron Weisbarth with Weisbarth & Associates. Welcome to my June 2023 Seattle Real Estate Market report. A year ago, I presented data showing just how far beyond the norm home sale prices were during 2021 and the beginning of 2022. I refer to this period of price aberration as the ‘Covid Price Spike’. This month, I’ll show you a similar graph, updated with another year’s worth of data, that is even more telling about what is going on in our Seattle area real estate market. Before I do that, I have to share with you a headline from the Seattle Time from June 5th. Really, Seattle Times? Really? Talk about attention grabbing headlines. This headline makes it sound like the sky is falling, when nothing could be further from the truth! Let’s look at some real data, shall we? The rising graph shows the median sale prices for single family homes (SFH) in King County going all the way back to January 2013. I used ORANGE to represent the portion of the dataset through December 2020, and BLUE to represent the portion of the dataset starting in January 2021 to the present. And by the way, these trends that I’m showing you are true for Snohomish County and Pierce County, and I wouldn’t be surprised if other counties in Washington as well. This next paragraph is a bit technical, so hang in there with me… I added to this graph two straight lines. The DOTTED ORANGE LINE represents the straight-line appreciation calculated using only the portion of the dataset from January 2013 to December 2020, and then extrapolated through May 2023. The DOTTED BLUE LINE represents the straight-line appreciation, calculated using the entire dataset, starting in January 2013, and all the way through May 2023. What these two straight lines represent are the rate at which single family homes appreciated in King County in the last 10 plus year. As you can clearly see, even with the large price increases during the ‘Covid Price Spike’, these two lines are very close to each other. What does all this mean? It means that despite the ‘Covid Price Spike’, the market seems to gravitate back to those straight-line appreciation rates. By the way, if you want to look at all this information and read my report at your pace and leisure, you’ll find all this information in my June newsletter . Incidentally, a similar price spike happened in 2017 and early 2018, although those spikes were not quite as pronounced. Although at the time, almost everyone thought that the end of the world was coming. So this kind of fearmongering is not new business. In the end, in all of these cases, the market eventually corrected itself back to the line. Again, I want to point out that these trends are true for Snohomish and Pierce counties, as other counties as well. So what we’re seeing now is the median home prices rising, although not quite as dramatically as they did last year. All this brings us back to the fundamental truths about real estate, that home prices are determined by two forces: supply and demand ! As long as the supply is low (which it is) and the demand is high (which it also is), then prices will continue to rise. Sometimes they will rise too fast, and then they will drop; sometimes they will be above the line, and sometimes below the lin. But these periods are generally short lived, as the market corrects itself very quickly. So don’t let misleading headlines confuse and scare you. As the old saying goes – numbers don’t lie! The market is very much alive and well. And when you understand the dynamics of all these market forces, you can make better decisions about buying and selling. Now if you know anyone who is considering buying or selling their home this year, please send them this video or refer them to us by phone, text, email or fill out the ‘referral’ form on our website . My team and I will make sure that they get educated on the buying and selling process, the things to do and not do, and, of course, on the market itself, so that they can make the best decisions and maximize their results. There is no cost for any of this and absolutely no obligation. The best way to reach me is by phone at 206-779-9808. Please remember to like, subscribe and follow for more great insights, charts and tips on my monthly vlog , and read our monthly newsletter . I’m Doron Weisbarth with Weisbarth & Associates. See you next month!