Real Estate Market September 21, 2020

Have You Ever Seen a Housing Market Like This?

By Keeping Current Matters

Have You Ever Seen a Housing Market Like This? | MyKCM

The year 2020 will certainly be one to remember, with new realities and norms that changed the way we live. This year’s real estate market is certainly no exception to that shift, with historic highlights continuing to break records and challenge what many thought possible in the housing market. Here’s a look at four key areas that are fundamentally defining the market this year.

Housing Market Recovery

The economy was intentionally put on pause this spring in response to the COVID-19 health crisis. Many aspects of the common real estate transaction were placed on hold at the same time. Thankfully, technology and innovation helped the industry power forward, and business gradually ramped back up as shelter-in-place orders were lifted.

The result? Total transformation of the market from rock-bottom lows to exceptional highs. Today, the housing recovery is being called truly remarkable by many experts and is far exceeding expectations. From pending home sales to purchase applications, buyers are back in business and homes are selling – fast.

According to the Housing Market Recovery Index by realtor.com, the market has surpassed pre-pandemic levels, and has regained the strength we remember from February of this year (See graph below):Have You Ever Seen a Housing Market Like This? | MyKCM

Record-Breaking Mortgage Rates

Historically low mortgage rates are another 2020 game-changer. Today’s low rate is one of the big motivating factors bringing buyers back into the market. The average rate reached an all-time low on multiple occasions this year, and it continues to hover in record-low territory.

When rates are this low, buyers have a huge opportunity to get more for their money when purchasing a home, something many are eager to find while continuing to spend more time than expected at home this year, and likely beyond.

Continued Home Price Appreciation

One of the key drivers of home price appreciation this year is historically low inventory. Inventory was low going into the pandemic, and it is still sitting well below the level needed for a normal market. Although sellers are slowly making their way back into the game, buyers are scooping up homes faster than they’re coming up for sale.

This is a classic supply and demand scenario, forcing home prices to rise. Selling something when there is a higher demand for what is available naturally bumps up the price. If you’re ready to sell your house today, this may be the optimal time to make your move. As Bill Banfield, EVP of Capital Markets at Quicken Loansnotes:

“The pandemic has not stopped the consistent home price growth we have witnessed in recent years.” 

Increasing Affordability

Even as home prices continue to rise, affordability is working in favor of today’s homebuyers. According to many experts, rates this low are off-setting rising home prices, which increases buyer purchasing power – an opportunity not to be missed, especially if your family’s needs have changed. If you now need space for a home office, gym, virtual classroom, and more, it may be time to reconsider your current house.

According to Mortgage News Daily:

“Those shopping for a home can afford 10 percent more home than they could have one year ago while keeping their monthly payment unchanged. This translates into nearly $32,000 more buying power.

Bottom Line

With mortgage rates hitting historic lows, home prices appreciating, affordability rising, and the market recovering like no other, 2020 has been quite a year for real estate – perhaps one we’ve never seen before and may never see again. Let’s connect today if you’re ready to take advantage of this year’s record-breaking opportunities.

Vancouver Outdoors August 17, 2020

Parks We Love

By Erin, Christina & Sarah

The Pacific Northwest is one of the most amazing places in the world! One of the ways we like to enjoy our neck of the woods is by visiting local parks. We curated a list of our favorites and hope that you take the time to discover or rediscover a park you love. 

  • Fairgrounds Park: I put Fairgrounds Park on my list because it is pretty close to my house but also usually not very busy. My kids love the play structure, there is a nice big area for walking and the bathrooms are usually pretty clean! – Christina
  • Paradise Point State Park: Great park to spend the day on a walk, playing disc golf, or kayaking/paddling boarding – Erin
  • Felida Park: One of my kids’ favorites because of the play structure as well as the paved path that is great for bikes and scooters. There is a nice covered area which is perfect for picnics or gatherings. This is usually a busy park, especially on Saturdays when the park hosts soccer games. – Christina
  • Whipple Creek Regional Park: This is my favorite go to park on a hot day. There are miles of trails in the shade to enjoy a cool stroll. -Erin
  • Vancouver Waterfront Park: This is usually where we pick to go when we want to skateboard or walk and take in the a nice river view, but also want easy access to food and drinks. Our household debates if the fish and chips at Wildfin’s walk up-window are the best we’ve ever had. The other new restaurants are all fabulous, although we haven’t tried them all yet. – Christina
  • Hockinson Meadows Community Park: My favorite dog park in Clark County with a cute family park and great walking trails. – Erin
  • Lacamas Park: I love nature in the middle of the city. I go here to hike and enjoy the peaceful trails. Lots of variety in landscape, with waterfalls. Picnic tables & a play structure make it a must destination for the whole family. – Sarah
  • Captain William Clark Park on the Columbia River: My favorite Columbia River Beach for a walk or to play with my dogs! – Erin

 

We’d love to hear which ones are your favorites! It’s the perfect time of year to be outdoors. Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling a House July 14, 2020

Summer is the New Spring for Real Estate

Are You Ready for the Summer Housing Market? | MyKCM

By: Keeping Current Matters

As the health crisis started making its way throughout our country earlier this spring, sellers have been cautious about putting their homes on the market. This hesitation stemmed primarily from fear of the spread of the coronavirus, and understandably so. This abundant caution has greatly impacted the number of homes for sale and slowed the pace of a typically busy spring real estate season. Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American notes:

“As more homeowners are reluctant to list their homes for sale amid the pandemic, the supply of homes available to potential home buyers continues to dwindle.”

With many states beginning a phased approach to reopening, virtual best practices and health and safety guidelines for the industry are in place to increase the comfort level of buyers and sellers. What we see today, though, is that sellers are still making a very calculated return to the market. In their latest Weekly Housing Trends Report, realtor.com indicates:

“New listings: On the slow path to recovery. Nationwide the size of declines held mostly steady this week, dropping 23 percent over last year, a slight increase over last week but still an improvement over the 30 percent declines in the first half of May.”

Although we’re starting to inch our way toward more homes for sale throughout the country, the number of homes on the market is still well below the demand from buyers. In the same report, Javier Vivas, Director of Economic Research for realtor.com shares:

“Sellers have yet to come back in full force, limiting the availability of homes for sale. Total active listings are declining from a year ago at a faster rate than observed in previous weeks, and this trend could worsen as buyers regain confidence and come back to the market before sellers.”

Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at the National Association of Realtors (NAR) seems to agree:

“In the coming months, buying activity will rise as states reopen and more consumers feel comfortable about homebuying in the midst of the social distancing measures.”

What we can see today is that homebuyers are more confident than the sellers, and they’re ready to make up for lost time from the traditional spring market. Summer is gearing up to be the 2020 buying season, so including your house in the mix may be your best opportunity to sell yet. Interest in your house may be higher than you think with so few sellers on the market today. As Vivas says:

“More properties will have to enter the market in June to bring the number of options for buyers back to normal levels for this time of the year, nationwide and in all large markets.”

Bottom Line

If you’re ready to sell your house this summer, let’s connect today. Buyers are interested and they may be looking for a house just like yours.

Mortgage July 3, 2020

Should You Refinance Your Mortgage?

By Erin Wright & Christina Waterhouse

 

Questions to Ask and Information to Gather Before You Refinance

Low interest rates are attracting more and more people to the market, especially those who are looking to refinance their mortgages. Clients have been reaching out to us to ask if they should be refinancing their homes. Our general response is, “it depends”. There are a few questions and pieces of key information you should gather before deciding whether to refinance.

 

With interest rates at an all time low, everyone should ask, “Is refinancing a good decision for me?”

1. What is the difference between your interest rate and current interest rate?

A good rule of thumb is for the current rate to be at least .5 – .75% less than your interest rate. This rule can change greatly depending on the size of the loan though. The more money that is being borrowed, the larger the difference is going to be in both your monthly payments and your total interest paid. You can find the daily interest rate here.

 

2. How close are you to paying off your mortgage

At the beginning of a loan, most of the monthly payment is going to interest. Only a small portion of the payment goes towards paying off the principal balance of the loan. As payments continue, the amount that goes towards interest goes down and the amount that goes towards the principal balance goes up. It is worth looking at an amortization schedule to see if refinancing will save you money over the life of the loan. You can find an amortization calculator here.

 

3. Has your credit or employment changed?

Employment history, debt to income ratios, and credit scores all impact the rate you will receive when applying for a loan. Speak to your lender regarding any changes in these areas to make sure you would qualify for a refinance and see what rate you would likely qualify for. Then you can determine if it is worth refinancing.

 

4. What is the property being used for?

Properties that are used as primary residences qualify for lower interest rates than those used as investment properties (usually .5 – 1% lower). If you purchased the property as a primary residence and subsequently turned it into a rental, you might not see much of a change in your interest rate or possibly your interest rate as an investment property could be higher. Speak with your lender to see what the current interest rate would be for the specific property.

 

5. Should you refinance into a 15 year loan or 30 year loan?

If you do decide that it is worth refinancing your loan, consider looking at both a 15 year and 30 year loan. Right now the interest rate for a 15 year loan is in the mid 2% range, while the interest rate for a 30 year loan is in the high 2% range. A 15 year loan will save you a lot of money in interest over the life of the loan. This is a great way to build strong equity in your property and pay it off in half of the time.

 

As always, we welcome any questions you may have and are happy to offer advice.

Mortgage insight and references provided by: Mathew Mattila, Cascade Northern Mortgage

Vancouver Restaurants June 19, 2020

Summer Restaurant Picks

By Erin Wright and Christina Waterhouse

The weather is heating up and Clark County is starting to open up. Vancouver has a robust food scene and with many of the restaurants re-opening, it can be hard to know where to start. We wanted to take a moment to highlight a few of our favorite places to go and eat or get a sweet treat.  All have excellent options for those with dietary restrictions!

In addition to Sushi and other Japanese foods, Sushi Mo serves cuisine from their native Korea.

 

  1. Sushi Mo – Fresh sushi is a perfect meal on a hot day! Sushi Mo is our favorite sushi spot and it is located right in downtown Vancouver. They offer the tried and true traditional rolls, along with some with creative flair. I often get a glass of white wine, an order of edamame, and 2 rolls to enjoy. They also offer an excellent presentation and there is a good chance one of the two owners will be there to greet you. It is my first choice for a meal out on a hot summer day.

Sushi Mo:  1012 Washington St Vancouver, WA 98660  360 – 953 – 8860

 

 

  1. Margarita Factory – I almost jumped for joy when Margarita Factory re-opened in the middle of May. They make the best margaritas and guacamole. When you are looking for a more filling meal, they have excellent enchiladas and burritos. If you want something on the lighter side, their Live Fit Taco Salad is a great choice! Either way, try pairing your meal with their fresh, chunky guac and their Jorgita Margarita! Yum!

Margarita Factory:  8902 NE 5th Ave. Suite 101 Vancouver, WA  98665  360 – 433 – 2557

 

 

“All of our pies are made with local ingredients- we’re regularly whipping up full-size and hand-size pecan, Apple, Pumpkin, Marionberry and Cherry pies. “

 

Simply Sweets – For that sweet tooth, there is nothing quite as satisfying as a fresh baked cookie or cupcake. Simply Sweets tops the charts for both. Their sugar cookie with butter cream frosting is a favorite among our families and clients. If you are looking for something a little different and fun, I highly recommend their hand pies. Pair that with one of their barista made coffee drinks and you are in for a sweet treat in deed.

Simply Sweets: 3100 Columbia St Vancouver, WA 98660 360 – 896 – 7321

 

 

 

 

Let us know if you go & enjoy any of these restaurants or if you have others you would like us to highlight. Enjoy! 

Real Estate During Covid-19Real Estate MarketSelling a House June 5, 2020

Real Estate and Covid-19 Part 5

 

Procedures for Real Estate, How Covid-19 has Changed the Experience of Selling Real Estate

By Erin Wright and Christina Waterhouse

What challenges do sellers face when putting their house on the market? How can sellers help create a safer environment for showings? This week we continue to focus on the challenges that are currently being faced by buyers and sellers transacting real estate and how our local market has responded to those challenges to make the process safer and easier.

 

The Seller Process During Covid-19

Selling a house is always a stressful time, add a worldwide pandemic and it can seem overwhelming. However, speaking with an agent can help increase preparedness and reduce stress.

 

Before Going on the Market

The first step is always getting the house ready for the market. Although it is fun to watch a house makeover in real time, it is best to avoid being home during this part of the process. Allow the landscapers, stagers, and photographers to focus on making the house look its best instead of maintaining social distance standards. Also, if the agent does not offer it, have the house thoroughly cleaned and disinfected by a professional right before going on the market.

 

Virtual Floor Plan

A virtual floor plan and virtual tour of a property can help limit showings to only those buyers that the home is a good fit for.

Virtual and Paperless Marketing

The house is ready for the market. Work with the agent to give as many details about the house as possible to put into the MLS. This is a great time to have room measurements and amenities added. Virtual tours and floor plans allow perspective buyers to get a good idea of the house before a showing. Have a sturdy, permanent flyer attached to the sign post in lieu of paper flyers. I love a good flyer and being able to take one, but now is not the time to have lots of hands on pieces of paper being passed out to the public. If brochures are used inside of the house for showings, only put out one at a time prior to the showing.

 

Being Prepared for a Showing

Limit showings to pre-approved buyers only. This will minimize the number of people in the home. The buyers who do see the home will be the serious ones. Try to not be home for the first five days on the market. This allows buyers easier access and makes it easier to clean when you return. Have all lights on and doors open for a showing. This minimizes how many surfaces are touched inside of the home. Be prepared for showings to take longer since not everyone in a group can see the house at the same time. The agent should be providing ample shoe covers to be used inside. Place them by the front door. The best practice right now is to have buyers use the shoe covers and take them after the showing. Single use shoe covers minimize touching. Consider placing hand sanitizer with a pump at the front door for people to disinfect upon entering and leaving the home.

Cleaning During Covid-19

Sanitizing frequently touched surfaces after a showing is a good idea when selling a home during Covid-19

 

Sanitize When Returning Home

Thoroughly sanitize common surfaces when returning home. Places to consider are cabinets, countertops, door handles, handrails, and light switches.

When first listing a home, this can be overwhelming. Consider making a checklist so the house is prepared for every showing and sanitized after. For more information on how to stay safe and what to expect as a seller in this market, please feel free to comment on this blog post or reach out to us directly.

 

 

As always, we welcome any questions you may have and are happy to offer advice.

 

Buying a HouseReal Estate During Covid-19Real Estate Market May 29, 2020

Real Estate and Covid-19 Part 4

How Covid-19 has Changed the Experience of Buying Real Estate

By Erin Wright and Christina Waterhouse

Over the last three weeks, we have explored the economic impacts of Covid-19 on our local Real Estate Market. These next two weeks we will be focusing on the challenges that are currently being faced by buyers and sellers transacting real estate and how our local market has responded to those challenges to make the process safer and easier.

The Buyer Process During Covid-19

Implementing the Governor’s Rules

Buying a house in the current pandemic has proven to be a bit challenging. There are some new practices we are seeing to help keep everything organized and try to keep people safe. We will start by reviewing what is required by the Governor of Washington State for Clark County. Currently there are two rules in place, no more than two people can be inside of a house at a time during a showing. Also,  people must maintain six feet between them for social distancing. This means that buyers can only enter a house one at a time with a Realtor. This can be difficult because families, couples, friends, or investors cannot be in the house at the same time discussing their thoughts on it. We have found it helpful to take Buyers in one at a time while maintaining the 6 feet for a buffer, and then reconvene in the street in front of the house to discuss the property while it is still fresh in everyone’s mind. The sooner all buyers can discuss the property together the better to ensure that nothing is lost. This process does increase the time it takes to view properties. We plan on showings taking about twice as long because each person is shown individually and then we discuss at the end instead of while actually going through the property.

Virtually Viewing a Neighborhood and House

View Properties and Neighborhoods Virtually before scheduling showings.

Researching a neighborhood online before doing a drive by is a great way to learn more while sheltering in place.

 

Prior to actually viewing a property in person, there are many things a buyer should plan on doing before ever having the agent schedule the showing. First, a buyer should become very familiar with a desired neighborhood. This can be done by discussing the neighborhood with a Realtor. Ask about the schools, amenities, and house styles to start. A Realtor can also send you links to local publications, neighborhood data, and school sites . It is also a good idea to take a drive through the neighborhood and see what it is like in person.

 

Once the desired neighborhoods have been pinpointed, take advantage of all of the online tools to view specific properties. When looking at houses online, switch the map function to show an aerial view of the property. Look for both pros and cons of the property’s location. Are there parks nearby? Power lines? Is it on a busy road or to close to a large freeway? Once the properties with desirable locations are found, thoroughly look at the photos of the property. Pay attention to the sizes of rooms by using the furniture in the photos as a gauge. Also, pay attention to how the house flows, again furniture can be used to help identify how the photos are moving through the house. When available, look at the online floor plan and virtual tour. Combined, these tools help Buyers understand the property better to see if it is a fit for what they are looking for.

Wear face masks, sanitize your hands, and wear shoe covers to have a more safe showing.

Hand sanitizer, shoe covers, and face masks are both common things to expect while viewing properties during Covid-19.

What to Expect During Showings

With a narrowed down list of approved properties, buyers should call their Realtors to set up showings. We already discussed the rules of showings above based on the Governor’s guidelines. However, there are additional things buyers should expect during this time. First and foremost, get pre-approved. Almost all sellers are requiring pre-approved buyers only to view properties. Once pre-approved send the letter to your Realtor, they may be required to submit it prior to a showing. Additionally, some sellers are having buyers and their Realtors submit a basic health questionnaire prior to a showing. With the showing scheduled and all necessary information submitted, be prepared to take a few extra steps to keep things sanitary. Sellers are requiring a variety of things for people going into their homes: masks, sanitation wipes, gloves, hand sanitizer, and shoe covers to name a few. Most items requested to be used will be provided at the house itself. If they are not provided at the house and you do not have access to them, request them from your Realtor. If the request is made in advance, it can often be accommodated.

When you first enter the market, this may all seem a bit alarming. However, we have seen several companies, agents, and sellers really step up to keep everyone safe and make everyone feel comfortable. For more information on how to stay safe and what to expect as a buyer in this market, please feel free to comment on this blog post or reach out to us directly.

As always, we welcome any questions you may have and are happy to offer advice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Real Estate Market May 22, 2020

Real Estate and Covid–19 Part 3

How the Current Selling Season Compares to Last Year’s Selling Season

By Erin Wright and Christina Waterhouse

We have been closely watching our local real estate market since the start of the pandemic. There is a lot of conflicting information about how the market is currently doing. Transactions are happening, but is it business as usual?

For this week’s blog topic, we are further looking into how the real estate market is currently performing and how it compares to last year. The quick answer is that we are still in a seller’s market, seeing homes go pending quickly for close to or over asking price. The more accurate picture is a bit more complicated. Last year Clark County saw a robust selling season, with the months of March through November having over 1,400 active listings per month up to over 1,800 active listings per month.[1] Additionally, the months of March through August in 2019 had over 800 pending listings per month.[2] Our current market is performing at about 80% of last years market. Last month we had 1,279 active listings and 608 pending listings. [3]

 

This is important to note because although we are seeing a seller’s market with quick activity, similar to last year, we are not seeing a normal amount of inventory or buyers. Currently we are seeing multiple offers and houses in certain price points selling for over asking. However, with fewer active buyers and fewer active sellers, there are some variables in our market to consider for how it will proceed moving forward. This current ratio of supply and demand may continue, more buyers may enter the market without more listings to buy, or more sellers may enter the market without more buyers to buy. If the ratios stay the same, we will continue to experience a relatively quick market favoring sellers. If more buyers enter the market without increasing the supply, we will experience an even more favorable seller’s market, encouraging multiple offers and driving prices up. If more sellers enter the market without an increase in buyers, we will begin to see a softening and a more neutral market where buyers and sellers both share equal bargaining power. Though no one knows for sure what will happen, there seems to be a consensus among real estate economists that home sales will be down 10-15% this year compared to last year.[4] Additionally, homes may experience a slight drop in value during the 3rd and 4th quarter of this year, but still appreciate marginally year over year by about 2.5%.[5]  For more information on the specific economics of the housing market this year, please feel free to watch the video below from economist Matthew Gardner.

As always, we welcome any questions you may have and are happy to offer advice.

[1] History of Monthly Active Listings According to Trendgraphix

[2] Last Months Active and Pending Listings According to Trendgraphix

[3] Last Months Active and Pending Listings According to Trendgraphix

[4] Market Forecast According to Matthew Gardner

[5] Market Forecast According to Matthew Gardner

Real Estate Market May 8, 2020

Real Estate and Covid-19 Part 1

Understanding the Current Real Estate Market in Clark County

Our team has received a lot of inquiries regarding the real estate market during Covid-19. There are valid concerns and questions surrounding how this has impacted the market so far and what will happen in the future. We decided to share with you all the various statistics that we review to gauge the health of the real estate market and help you understand what they mean. This is part 1 of a series of real estate economic blog posts we will be publishing weekly.

What our local Market is currently doing and why


Clark County Washington is experiencing a Seller’s Market. We are seeing new listings that are priced appropriately selling quickly with multiple offers. This may seem counter intuitive, given that unemployment is up and so many businesses are closed. These things are true. Real estate is a perfect example of supply and demand. The pandemic has decreased demand, and we are seeing fewer buyers in the market than we would typically see this time of year. Some buyers are waiting to see what happens with their jobs, the economy, or just do not feel safe viewing properties. However, the pandemic has decreased the supply further. According to RMLS the week prior to the state-wide lock down, there were 272 new listings on the market. This past week there were only 173 new listings on the market, a decrease of 36%. To further tighten the inventory, during the past week, 183 listings went pending, which is 10 more listings than came on the market.

This data provides a good picture of what is going on in terms of numbers, but what does it mean to the buyers and sellers in the market today? We received multiple offers on our last 3 new listings during this pandemic. We have also had multiple buyers in bidding wars over the last couple weeks. For Sellers, this is showing that there is strong interest in the market right now due to the incredibly low inventory. We strongly advise Sellers to fully prep, clean, landscape and stage houses. This, along with pricing at market value will enable sellers to capitalize on the high demand and hope for multiple offers. For Buyers, this means that if you like a house, you need to make a quick decision to write an offer and really put your best foot forward. This can be difficult if you are looking for a good deal. Our best recommendation to such buyers is to look for properties that have been on the market for 30, 60, 90+ days and try to negotiate those sellers down on price. For all buyers right now, be prepared to lose out on a few houses because you have a lot of competition. Be patient, the right house will come around.

As always, we welcome any questions you may have and are happy to offer advice.

Erin & Christina