Blog - Windermere Real Estate

Market Reports

How’s the Market? Q1 2026 Review of Seattle Area Real Estate

Across the region, median sales prices were lower than we saw at this time last year. The likely cause: more homes are hitting the market, but buyers (rattled by rising rates, layoffs, and an uncertain economy) aren’t keeping pace. That being said, we are still seeing many homes sell in their first 10 days on […]
Living & Community

Helpful Hacks to Make Spring Cleaning a Breeze

Spring is almost here, and with it comes that yearly urge to polish away the winter grime. Before you plunge into a multi-day cleaning spree, however, (or burn yourself out and put it off until next year) try these helpful tips. They just might win you a few hours back in your quest for clean… […]
Home Seller Tips

The Pitfalls of Overpricing Your Home

When a homeowner prepares to put their house up for sale, two things are usually top of mind: how long will it take to sell and how much can we get for it. During a seller’s market, when stories of bidding wars and cash offers abound, it can be tempting to put as high a […]

Market Reports How’s the Market? Q1 2026 Review of Seattle Area Real Estate Across the region, median sales prices were lower than we saw at this time last year. The likely cause: more homes are hitting the market, but buyers (rattled by rising rates, layoffs, and an uncertain economy) aren’t keeping pace. That being said, we are still seeing many homes sell in their first 10 days on […]

Living & Community Helpful Hacks to Make Spring Cleaning a Breeze Spring is almost here, and with it comes that yearly urge to polish away the winter grime. Before you plunge into a multi-day cleaning spree, however, (or burn yourself out and put it off until next year) try these helpful tips. They just might win you a few hours back in your quest for clean… […]

Home Seller Tips The Pitfalls of Overpricing Your Home When a homeowner prepares to put their house up for sale, two things are usually top of mind: how long will it take to sell and how much can we get for it. During a seller’s market, when stories of bidding wars and cash offers abound, it can be tempting to put as high a […]

Home Seller Tips 5 Home Design Trends for 2026 In looking ahead at interior trends for this year, it’s clear that 2026 is all about the vibes. Creating warm, genuine spaces that reflect your individual lifestyle and create a mood is much more “in” than passing fads that rely on strict aesthetic rules. Rich colors, handmade textures, and grandma-inspired patterns are infusing into […]

Home Seller Tips Strategic Investments to Boost Value & Curb Appeal When it’s time to sell your home, one of the biggest questions is how to make it as appealing as possible to today’s buyers. While market conditions, location, and timing all play a role, the updates you choose before listing can make a meaningful difference in both your selling price and how quickly your home […]

Market Reports Housing Forecast: 6 Predictions for 2026 The following is a summary of Windermere Principal Economist Jeff Tucker’s six predictions for the U.S. housing market and economy in 2026. He goes into more detail about his predictions in the video below. 1. Existing Home Sales Will Pick Up (Barely) Home sales have hovered near generational lows for three years. While a […]

Home Buyer Tips Renting vs Buying: Which is Better for You? Knowing whether it’s the right time to rent or buy depends on your buying power, what you’re looking for in a home, your local market conditions, your plans for you and your household, and the responsibilities you’re prepared to take on at your residence. Renting gives you greater flexibility to relocate, fewer home maintenance responsibilities, […]

Living & Community Adding an ADU? Here’s a Guide to Permits & Regulations… ADUs and DADUs are increasingly popular among homeowners looking to maximize their property value. For many cities in Washington State, the recent enactment of House Bill 1337 has made it easier for homeowners to add an ADU/DADU by loosening restrictions on them in residential areas. Other states have enacted similar laws as municipalities across the […]

Home Buyer Tips 7 Common Scams to Avoid Whether through email, text, malicious websites, or phone, scammers are constantly trying to separate you from your money. Tactics range from a simple fake website to elaborate schemes in which people assume a false identity and convince you to wire them thousands of dollars; they may even come back for Round 2 and scam you […]

Living & Community 2025-2026 Football & Hockey Schedules, Recipes, & Tips Football is almost here and hockey is coming in hot behind it! Scroll down for printable schedules, tailgating hacks (including how to pack the perfect cooler!), and favorite gameday recipes. Fans of all ages will also love our printable football and hockey bingo sheets. Need to brush up on your sports lingo? Check out […]

Home Seller Tips Remodeling Impact Report: Projects That Bring Joy & ROI Is your home ready for a refresh? Whether it’s for their own enjoyment or to prep their houses for sale, Americans are investing more and more money into remodeling each year. According to a recent report by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), the demand for top-condition homes is going up among buyers as well. […]

Home Seller Tips How to Price Your Home for Sale The right listing price is absolutely critical to a successful home sale. Price too high and you will miss your shot to generate interest with a sense of urgency for buyers—often, overpriced listings languish on the market and end up selling for less than they would have if they’d been priced more competitively from the […]

Home Buyer Tips A Consumer’s Guide to Homeowners Insurance If you’re a homeowner or looking to buy a home, insuring your property is critical to protecting your investment—and if you’re getting a mortgage, it’s a must. It can be daunting trying to navigate the many options available to you. What does your policy cover…and what isn’t covered? What does the insurance company provide if […]

Home Buyer Tips Is Downsizing Right for You? Here’s How to Decide Choosing to downsize is more than just moving into a smaller space, it’s about curating a simpler lifestyle that fits your current needs. Whether you’re retiring, looking for an eco-friendly, low-maintenance home, or wanting a fresh start after your children have moved away, downsizing might be the best option for you. Before making the move, […]

Living & Community Cut the Clutter: Donation & Recycling Locations Around the Sound Spring is coming, and with it comes a chance to clear out the old and start fresh—whether it’s those ever-growing piles in your garage and attic, that closet you can barely close, or a horror-movie-inspired basement. Here are resources to reclaim your space and put your unwanted items to good use (or recycle and give […]

Home Seller Tips Should You Sell Your Home Off-Market? In today’s real estate market, sellers are often presented with different strategies for selling their homes. One of the most debated topics is whether to list a home on the open market or to sell it off-market through private channels. While there may be rare instances where an off-market sale makes sense, the reality is […]

Living & Community Are You Paying Too Much for Property Taxes? OK nobody panic, but it’s almost…TAX TIME. For Washington State homeowners, this means you’ve probably received a little postcard letting you know your property’s assessed value and taxes due for 2025. Those with a mortgage on their home may be tempted to file this away and let the bank take care of it (after all, […]

Market Reports How’s the Market? Annual Review of Seattle Area Real Estate Happy New Year! Whew, we made it! With 2024 now in the books, we’re looking back fondly on a real estate market that showed positive signs of growth in virtually every sector. Median sales prices posted strong double-digit gains on the Eastside along with a healthy 8% rise in Seattle. Listings also rose, easing the […]

Living & Community 2024 Holiday Happenings Around the Sound OK, who is ready to beat the gloom? Below are some Seattle-area holiday favorites to help brighten your spirits. You can bundle up and bask in breathtaking outdoor light shows, or just relax and enjoy from the comfort of a cruise ship or theater seat… Winterfest at Seattle Center 305 Harrison Street, Seattle, WA […]

Home Seller Tips Selling Your Home: 5 Common Myths Selling your home is a crash course in real estate education. You’ll learn how to work with your real estate agent to find a buyer and sell at the right price. As you prepare to sell, it’s important to remember that that not everything you’ve heard is true. There are several common myths that can […]