Author Archives

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526 1st Ave S #203, Seattle, WA 98104

$539,950

1 bedroom; 1.25 bathrooms; 1,259 square feet

Discover vibrant Pioneer Square living in this spacious, updated condo at The Florentine – a smartly renovated building just moments from Lumen Field, T-Mobile Park and King Street Station. High ceilings, wide spaces and LVP flooring set an inviting tone, while the large open kitchen with generous soft-close cabinetry makes hosting effortless. Big windows and a wood-burning fireplace create year-round comfort, and the east-facing balcony can offer a peaceful retreat. Enjoy galleries, local pubs and the unmatched energy of nearby events, all with low HOA dues and in-unit laundry for everyday ease. Garage parking, storage and a friendly onsite manager complete the package. Don’t miss this opportunity – especially with FIFA World Cup 2026!

A link to more details, photos, floor plan and the 360 degree tour on my website…

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Where Mortgage Payments Are Cheaper Than Rent

Over the past five years, housing prices and rents have surged, making it difficult to save for a down payment. However, in 119 out of 215 metro areas, monthly mortgage payments are lower than rent, mainly in the Midwest and South.

Explore the data collected by the National Association of Realtors.

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National Housing Snapshot for October 2025



Existing-home sales increased by 1.2% in October, according to the National Association of REALTORS® Existing-Home Sales Report.

Month-over-month sales increased in the Midwest and South, showed no change in the Northeast, and fell in the West. Year-over-year sales rose in the Northeast, Midwest and South, and decreased in the West.

“Home sales increased in October even with the government shutdown due to homebuyers taking advantage of lower mortgage rates,” said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. “First-time homebuyers are facing headwinds in the Northeast due to a lack of supply and in the West because of high home prices. First-time buyers fared better in the Midwest because of the plentiful supply of affordable houses and in the South because there is sufficient inventory.”

“Rents are decelerating which will reduce inflation and encourage the Federal Reserve to continue cutting rates and pulling back their quantitative tightening,” Yun added. “This will help bring more homebuyers into the market since the Fed rate has an indirect impact on mortgage rates.”

Total Existing-Home Sales for October

  • 1.2% increase in existing-home sales month-over-month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.10 million.
  • 1.7% increase in sales year-over-year.

Inventory in October

  • 1.52 million units: Total housing inventory, down 0.7% from September and up 10.9% from October 2024 (1.37 million).
  • 4.4-month supply of unsold inventory, down from 4.5 months in September and up from 4.1 months in October 2024.

Median Sales Price in October

  • $415,200: Median existing-home price for all housing types, up 2.1% from one year ago ($406,800) – the 28th consecutive month of year-over-year price increases.

Read more details here…

Source: National Association of REALTORS® 11/20/25

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6 DIY Trends for 2026



Interior designer Daniel Kocu, with InterRent REIT, has identified several do-it-yourself trends for 2026, including painting shelves and ceilings to add visual interest, creating spa-like bathrooms and outdoor relaxation areas, and incorporating reading nooks. The trends reflect a shift toward minimalism and sustainability, with a focus on creating serene and uncluttered living spaces.

Read more…

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Washington State NWMLS Market Update for October 2025



Market Recap

Mortgage interest rates continued to trend lower in October, ending the month at 6.17% for 30-year fixed-rate loans, the lowest level since early October 2024. Across NWMLS counties, the number of sales and median prices fell year-over-year by 4% and 1.5%, respectively, while active listings jumped 27%, giving buyers more options in the market despite ongoing affordability challenges. Compared to September, both sales and median prices increased modestly, by about 1% and 1.5%, following declines in the previous month.

“The year-over-year numbers suggest that potential buyers continue to be constrained by high interest rates. While it might be tempting, it would be overreaching to attribute the latest month-over-month changes to lower interest rates. One month of data does not constitute a trend, and it is very difficult to predict whether the current moderating trend will continue,” said Steven Bourassa, Director of the Washington Center for Real Estate Research at the University of Washington.

Key Takeaways

Active Listings

  • There was a 27% increase in the total number of properties listed for sale year-over-year, with 18,791 active listings on the market at the end of October 2025, compared to 14,795 at the end of October 2024.
  • The number of homes for sale year-over-year increased in all of NWMLS’s coverage area, with 24 out of 27 counties seeing a double-digit year-over-year increase.

Closed Sales

  • The number of closed sales decreased by 4% year-over-year (6,222 in October 2025 compared to 6,479 in October 2024).
  • 16 out of 27 counties saw a decrease in the number of closed sales year-over-year, while 10 saw an increase, and 1 showed no change.

Median Sales Price

  • The median sales price for residential homes and condominiums sold in October 2025 was $640,000 — a decrease of 1.5% when compared to October 2024 ($650,000). Compared to the previous month, the median price increased by 1.5% ($630,700 in September 2025).
  • The three counties with the highest median sale prices were King ($887,300), San Juan ($764,750), and Snohomish ($739,500), and the three counties with the lowest median sale prices were Ferry ($219,900), Columbia ($242,498), and Pacific ($315,000).

Source: NWMLS 11/5/25

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Common Renovation Regrets


Homeowners often regret certain renovations, according to interior designers and contractors. For example, marble countertops stain easily, so professionals frequently recommend more durable alternatives like sintered stone, which can mimic marble’s look while offering greater resistance to stains and daily wear. Meanwhile, open floor plans have people seeking more privacy, and designers are using solutions like hidden pocket doors and sleek glass partitions framed by steel.

Read more…

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Buying Raw Land? Here’s What You Need To Know Before You Break Ground


Unlike a standard home purchase, land deals come with hidden complexities—zoning restrictions, utility costs, financing hurdles, and environmental red tape. One overlooked step can turn a “great deal” into an expensive mistake.

Read more…

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National Housing Snapshot for September 2025



Existing-home sales rose 1.5% in September 2025. Month-over-month sales increased in the Northeast, South, and West, and fell in the Midwest. Year-over-year, sales rose in the Northeast, Midwest, and South, and remained flat in the West.

“As anticipated, falling mortgage rates are lifting home sales,” said NAR Chief Economist Dr. Lawrence Yun. “Improving housing affordability is also contributing to the increase in sales.”

“Inventory is matching a five-year high, though it remains below pre-COVID levels,” Yun added. “Many homeowners are financially comfortable, resulting in very few distressed properties and forced sales. Home prices continue to rise in most parts of the country, further contributing to overall household wealth.”

Total Existing-Home Sales for September

  • 1.5% increase in existing-home sales month-over-month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.06 million.
  • 4.1% increase in sales year-over-year.

Inventory in September

  • 1.55 million units: Total housing inventory, up 1.3% from August and up 14.0% from September 2024 (1.36 million).
  • 4.6-month supply of unsold inventory, no change from August and up from 4.2 months in September 2024.

Median Sales Price in September

  • $415,200: Median existing-home price for all housing types, up 2.1% from one year ago ($406,700) – the 27th consecutive month of year-over-year price increases.

Read more details here…

Source: National Association of REALTORS® 10/23/25

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5 Hidden Deck Dangers to Watch For


Decks are a selling point in real estate. But decks can take a pounding during an active summer. Since this tends to happen mostly beneath the boards, homeowners may overlook the warning signs until it’s too late and becomes costly damage.

Beware of these common issues when assessing an outdoor deck…

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Washington State NWMLS Market Update for September 2025



Market Recap

Inventory is climbing, giving buyers more options, while home prices are showing signs of moderation after years of rapid growth. The median sales price in September dipped 0.7% year-over-year, from $635,000 to $630,700, and fell 3% month-over-month from August’s $650,000. Similar month-over-month declines were seen in King, Snohomish, and Pierce counties. Interest rates have declined slightly, but not enough to significantly impact the market.

“House prices in the NWMLS service area have generally been sluggish in response to high interest rates,” said Steven Bourassa, Director of the Washington Center for Real Estate Research at the University of Washington. “Initially, high interest rates discouraged both sellers and buyers, but in recent months, sellers have been listing properties at a faster rate than buyers have been purchasing them. To some extent, these changes may reflect typical seasonal fluctuations, but at some point the laws of supply and demand may prevail, and prices may lose some of their stickiness.”

Key Takeaways

Active Listings

  • There was a 27.3% increase in total number of properties listed for sale year-over-year, with 20,052 active listings on the market at the end of September 2025, compared to 15,748 at the end of September 2024. When compared to the previous month, active inventory decreased by 167 listings (-0.8%), down from 20,219in August 2025.
  • The number of homes for sale year-over-year increased in most of NWMLS’s coverage area, with 23 out of 27 counties seeing a double-digit year-over-year increase. 

Closed Sales

  • The number of closed sales increased by 5.9% year-over-year (6,170 in September 2025 compared to 5,828 in September 2024). When compared to the previous month, the number of closed sales decreased by 2.7%, down from 6,341 sales in August 2025.
  • 19 out of 27 counties saw an increase in the number of closed sales year-over-year, while 5 saw a decrease, and 3 showed no change.

Median Sales Price

  • The median sales price for residential homes and condominiums sold in September 2025 was $630,700 — a slight decrease of 0.7% when compared to September 2024 ($635,000). Compared to the previous month, the median price decreased by 3% ($650,000 in August 2025).
  • The three counties with the highest median sale prices were San Juan ($1,050,000), King ($850,000), and Snohomish ($722,525), and the three counties with the lowest median sale prices were Columbia ($290,000), Pacific ($330,000), and Ferry ($335,000).

Source: NWMLS 10/6/25