National News

Second-home demand up 70% from pre-pandemic levels

Demand for second homes was up 70% from pre-pandemic levels in October, according to a new report from Redfin. This outpaced August’s 48% gain but was below January’s record 91% growth.

Washington ranks ninth among safest states in the country

Washington is one of the safest states in America, according to a report by WalletHub. WalletHub compared all 50 states across 55 key safety indicators grouped into five categories: financial safety, personal and residential safety, road safety, workplace safety and emergency preparedness. 

NAR Board of Directors meeting reveals statistics about member dues, operations

As of Sept. 30, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) had collected $229.6 in dues from its 1.542 million members, according to a RealTrends report.

Millionaire German shepherd to sell Miami mansion formerly owned by Madonna

The world’s wealthiest dog is about to get a little richer. Worth nearly half a billion dollars, the German shepherd named Gunther VI recently listed the former Miami estate of Madonna for $31.75 million, according to a press release.

@properties goes global with purchase of Christie’s International Real Estate

@properties is continuing its expansion strategy on an international scale, announcing today its plan to purchase Christie’s International Real Estate.

King County claims 10th priciest ZIP code in the country

Washington is home to the 10th most expensive ZIP code in the United States, according to a new PropertyShark report. The annual report ranks the 100 priciest ZIP codes in the U.S.

Seattle among the Top 10 ‘boomtowns’ in America

Seattle was ranked as one of the top “boomtowns” in America for 2021, according to a study by SmartAsset. Washington’s Vancouver, Bellingham, Tacoma and Spokane Valley also made the list.  The study analyzed data from 500 of the country’s

Seattle King County REALTORS® raises housing funds for victims of disaster

Seattle King County REALTORS® (SKCR) has partnered with the REALTORS® Relief Foundation (RRF) to raise money for disaster victims who need housing-related assistance. These fundraising efforts are part of RRF’s Hope Rising campaign in celebration of its 20th anniversary.

Affordable home supply jumps as mortgage forbearance programs end

The supply of affordable homes on the market rose a record 13% in the third quarter as mortgage forbearance programs ended, prompting low-cost homeowners to put their properties on the market.

Rents continue surge in large metro areas

Rental prices are surging to an all-time high after dropping considerably in 2020 due to the pandemic. In September, median rents in the 50 largest metro areas in the U.S. jumped 13.6% compared to the same month last year,

Zillow: Most home buyers middle-aged, married, college-educated

The average American home buyer is 45 years old, married or partnered, college-educated and likely to purchase a home located in the South, according to Zillow’s 2021 Consumer Housing Trends Report.  Individuals ages 30-39 make up the largest population

Coldwell Banker Bain sells to national firm

Bellevue-based real estate brokerage Coldwell Banker Bain has been sold to US RES Holdco LLC, according to a report by The Business Journal. 

WalletHub: Seattle suburb best small city in America

Sammamish was named the best small city in America in a recent study from WalletHub. The Seattle suburb was the only city in Washington to make WalletHub’s top 10 list. The next top-rated cities were Carmel, Indiana; Brentwood, Tennessee;

More homebuyers choosing to live in diverse neighborhoods

As more house hunters are opting to live in socially, racially and culturally diverse communities, developers are formulating strategies to list more inclusive properties on the market, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.  Developers’ strategies include

Mortgage applications rise despite increase in interest rates

At the same time, the increase in interest rates drove fewer borrowers to refinance their loans, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

ShowingTime: Seattle leads nation in buyer demand

A new report shows that Seattle is leading the nation in showings to prospective home buyers, even as the cooler late fall and winter seasons approach.  Seattle recorded an average of 14 showings per listing in September, followed closely

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