Bellevue Real EstateLocal LoveMarket StatsWindermere Bellevue Commons News April 11, 2023

Local Market Update – April 2023

Spring has truly arrived in our region, with longer days and blooming cherry blossoms. Along with these harbingers of the season, the pace of the local real estate market has also picked up, indicating that the spring market is finally here. An uptick in new listings and price gains in the last month demonstrates a typical seasonal pattern, and buyers and sellers are adjusting their strategies accordingly.

According to Windermere’s Chief Economist Matthew Gardner, the total inventory in King, Snohomish and Pierce counties grew over 14% from February. However, the number of homes for sale in the tri-county area was down about 40% when compared to pre-pandemic stats from March 2019. This gives sellers the advantage when it comes to setting prices for their listings.

Gardner noted this as well. “Despite the growing number of available homes for sale, sellers in King County are holding firm, with listing prices increasing by over 5% compared to February. In Snohomish County, listing prices were up just shy of 5%,” he said.

While the monthly increase in listings is good news for buyers, fluctuating interest rates and steadfast prices from sellers mean some borrowers are getting creative with their financing. Bridge loans, home equity loans and purchases contingent on the sale of the buyer’s previous home are coming back into circulation.

These factors and more are that buyers are eager to take advantage of the market when interest rates dip down to more comfortable levels. As rates continue to fluctuate and gradually level off, prices may once again become the major determining factor for which listing a buyer may pursue.

In King County, the median price for a single-family home rose about 4.8% from $800,000 in February to $840,000 last month. While that’s still down 9.68% from the median price of $930,000 in March 2022, steady price growth in the face of higher interest rates is certainly notable. With about one month of inventory, the ball is still in the sellers’ court, despite lower year-over-year prices.

Seattle followed a similar pattern. The median price for single-family homes dropped 10.3% from $970,000 in March 2022 to $869,975 last month. However, that’s an increase of over 5% from February’s median price of $825,000. The condo market saw year-over-year gains of 4.9%, increasing from a median price of $510,025 in March 2022 to $535,000 last month. The residential market still had relatively tight inventory at about 1.1 month’s supply. However, when compared to the scant .3 month’s supply of March 2022, buyers seem to have their pick of listings.

The Eastside saw the greatest year-over-year price decrease, which is to be expected considering the already high price point of the area. While the median single-family home price decreased almost 17% from $1,700,000 in March 2022 to $1,411,500 last month, the area did see monthly gains; the median price increased just over 5% from $1,340,000 in February. Condos in the area also had monthly increases, from a median price of $540,000 in February to $585,000 last month.

Snohomish County — while still more affordable than its neighbors — was also up compared to February. Last month, the median price for single family homes in the area was $724,000, up from $690,560 in February. The area had the smallest relative year-over-year price decrease of 9.5%, coming down from a median of $800,000 in March 2022. With just .8 months of inventory, Snohomish is still a desirable area for buyers looking to get the most bang for their buck.

Over the last few weeks, tapering interest rates have brought buyers back to the market, but low inventory remains a key challenge for prospective buyers moving forward. If you’d like to learn more about what these market conditions mean for you, please reach out to your Windermere broker.


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This post originally appeared on GetTheWReport.com.

Bellevue Real EstateLocal LoveMarket StatsWindermere Bellevue Commons News March 10, 2023

Local Market Update – March 2023

A recent surge in purchase activity indicates that the early spring real estate market is in full swing in our region. Fluctuating interest rates have caused some buyers to converge on properly-priced listings when rates are down, while potential sellers have been hesitant to let go of the historically low mortgages they have on their homes. This has led to a well-known dynamic in our region: not enough inventory to meet the current demand, causing buyers to compete again in multiple offer scenarios. The likely effect of this push-pull will be higher prices in the coming months, despite the constraints of higher (and unpredictable) mortgage rates.

The current interest rate environment is the difference between the level of competition the market is experiencing now and the frenzy of the pandemic market. Buying power is lessened by higher mortgage payments and, with rates still in flux, creative financing is key for many buyers.

That being said, Windermere’s Chief Economist Matthew Gardner notes that buyers are eager to take advantage of brief dips in rates when they do appear. “What is interesting is that home prices rose between January and February, which tells me that buyers jumped on the opportunity to take advantage of mortgage rates that dipped below 6.1% five times between mid-January end early February,” Gardner said.

In King County, single-family home prices did rise from $781,098 in January to $800,000, though that’s down 6.7% from $857,750 in February 2022. Condos were also up, with a median price of $468,500 last month compared to $450,000 in January.

Seattle followed much the same pattern, with the median price of single-family homes rising from $803,750 in January to $825,000 last month. While that is still down 11% from $925,000 this time last year, interest rates have played a large part in what buyers can reasonably afford. In the last two years alone, the median interest payment for a single-family home has risen 54%, from $3,283 in February 2021 to $5,085 — an increase of $1,802. Despite this, demand is still high, as buyers do what they can to break into the market. In February, 28% of Seattle homes sold above list price, and 53% of listings sold in under two weeks.

On the Eastside, the median price of a single-family home last month was $1,340,000 — down over 21% from a year ago, when the median was $1,697,500. However, February sold prices were up from January, when the median was $1,320,000. A sure sign that the Eastside market is becoming more competitive, in the last three months both the number of homes selling above asking price and the amount over list price have doubled.

In Snohomish County, the median price for single-family homes fell 7.4% year-over-year to $690,560. Unlike the other regions, that’s also down from January’s median price of $699,000. The higher interest rates could be causing more buyers in this market to pause as they wait for prices and rates to stabilize. The relative affordability of Snohomish County has long been a draw for many buyers, who now may be more sensitive to the fluctuations of the market.

Looking ahead, Matthew Gardner predicts we will see more of the same trends. “Year over year, home sales prices are down, but that isn’t surprising given that a year ago homebuyers were scrambling to buy in the face of mortgage rates that were about to skyrocket,” he said. “I expect we will see a similar story for the next few months.”

If you have questions about what these market conditions mean for you, please reach out to your Windermere broker.


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This post originally appeared on GetTheWReport.com.

Bellevue Real EstateLocal LoveMarket StatsWindermere Bellevue Commons News February 10, 2023

Local Market Update – February 2023

Spring may have come early to the local housing market, with home sales increasing and multiple offers sneaking back into the norm after a downturn over the last few months. While still not at the levels of the peak pandemic market, buyers are actively competing with one another again, as mortgage rates and prices have come down in King and Snohomish counties. General low inventory on the affordable and mid-price end of the spectrum has also fueled competition.

With the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage coming down to around 6.09% — about a full percentage point lower than last November — mortgage payments are more affordable to today’s buyers than they would have been in the fall, especially since home prices in most areas have come down or at the very least flattened. The question will be if today’s conditions fuel enough competition to set prices rising again in the coming months.

In King County, single-family homes sold for a median of $781,098 in January, up slightly from $775,000 in January 2022. Of these sold units, 11% closed above list price, and over 30% sold in less than two weeks, markers of some competitive demand in the region. Combining King County condo and residential sales, January’s 1,003 sold units were a 32% drop from the 1,437 closings in December.

In Seattle, the median price of a single-family home ticked up to $803,750 last month, compared to $790,000 a year ago. Almost 40% of Seattle residential listings sold in less than two weeks, and 13% sold above list price. With 1.3 months’ inventory, buyers seeking single-family homes have a few more options to choose from than they did a year ago, but the condo market in the city is where they can maximize their buying power even more. The median price for Seattle condos was a relatively affordable $487,500 and, with 2.1 months of inventory on the market, condo buyers may have an easier path to purchase for the time being.

On the Eastside, prices continued to stabilize at a lower level than we saw during the pandemic. The median price of a single-family home in the area was $1,320,000 in January, down 13% from $1,515,500 in January 2022. Like Seattle, the Eastside currently has 1.3 months’ supply of homes. While only 8% of homes sold over list price in January, nearly 30% sold in two weeks or less, indicating that there is healthy buyer demand for correctly priced Eastside homes.

Snohomish County remains a more affordable alternative to Seattle and the Eastside, with the median single-family home price dropping to $699,000 last month. That’s down from $715,000 the same period last year. The county has the smallest amount of inventory, with a single month’s supply of listed homes. Of the closed sales, 34% sold in less than two weeks — reinforcing the fact that many buyers are prepared to move quickly in a hastening market.

According to Windermere’s Chief Economist Matthew Gardner, taking an annual average “is better than comparing this month to this month.” For example, inventory across the Puget Sound region is up almost 200% year-over-year. When compared to the number of active listings during the last pre-pandemic year, the current number falls short by about 30%. This indicates there’s still plenty of room for a competitive market in the months ahead.

If you have questions about these housing market trends or other real estate topics, please reach out to your Windermere broker.


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This post originally appeared on GetTheWReport.com.

Bellevue NewsBellevue Real EstateMarket Stats January 27, 2023

Gardner Report Q4 2022

The following analysis of the Western Washington real estate market is provided by Windermere Real Estate Chief Economist Matthew Gardner. We hope that this information may assist you with making better-informed real estate decisions. For further information about the housing market in your area, please don’t hesitate to contact your Windermere agent.

REGIONAL ECONOMIC OVERVIEW

Although the job market in Western Washington continues to grow, the pace has started to slow. The region added over 91,000 new jobs during the past year, but the 12-month growth rate is now below 100,000, a level we have not seen since the start of the post-COVID job recovery. That said, all but three counties have recovered completely from their pandemic job losses and total regional employment is up more than 52,000 jobs. The regional unemployment rate in November was 3.8%, which was marginally above the 3.7% level of a year ago. Many business owners across the country are pondering whether we are likely to enter a recession this year. As a result, it’s very possible that they will start to slow their expansion in anticipation of an economic contraction.

WESTERN WASHINGTON HOME SALES

In the final quarter of 2022, 12,711 homes sold, representing a drop of 42% from the same period in 2021. Sales were 34.7% lower than in the third quarter of 2022.

Listing activity rose in every market year over year but fell more than 26% compared to the third quarter, which is expected given the time of year.

Home sales fell across the board relative to the fourth quarter of 2021 and the third quarter of 2022.

Pending sales (demand) outpaced listings (supply) by a factor of 1:2. This was down from 1:6 in the third quarter. That ratio has been trending lower for the past year, which suggests that buyers are being more cautious and may be waiting for mortgage rates to drop.

WESTERN WASHINGTON HOME PRICES

Sale prices fell an average of 2% compared to the same period the year prior and were 6.1% lower than in the third quarter of 2022. The average sale price was $702,653.

The median listing price in the fourth quarter of 2022 was 5% lower than in the third quarter. Only Skagit County experienced higher asking prices. Clearly, sellers are starting to be more realistic about the shift in the market.

Even though the region saw aggregate prices fall, prices rose in six counties year over year.

Much will be said about the drop in prices, but I am not overly concerned. Like most of the country, the Western Washington market went through a period of artificially low borrowing costs, which caused home values to soar. But now prices are trending back to more normalized levels, which I believe is a good thing.

MORTGAGE RATES

❱ Rates rose dramatically in 2022, but I believe that they have now peaked. Mortgage rates are primarily based on the prices and yields of bonds, and while bonds take cues from several places, they are always impacted by inflation and the economy at large. If inflation continues to fall, as I expect it will, rates will continue to drop.

❱ My current forecast is that mortgage rates will trend lower as we move through the year. While this may be good news for home buyers, rates will still be higher than they have become accustomed to. Even as the cost of borrowing falls, home prices in expensive markets such as Western Washington will probably fall a bit more to compensate for rates that will likely hold above 6% until early summer.

DAYS ON MARKET

It took an average of 41 days for homes to sell in the fourth quarter of 2022. This was 17 more days than in the same quarter of 2021, and 16 days more than in the third quarter of 2022.

King County was again the tightest market in Western Washington, with homes taking an average of 31 days to find a buyer.

All counties contained in this report saw the average time on market rise from the same period a year ago.

Year over year, the greatest increase in market time was Snohomish County, where it took an average of 23 more days to find a buyer. Compared to the third quarter of 2022, San Juan County saw average market time rise the most (from 34 to 74 days).

CONCLUSIONS

This speedometer reflects the state of the region’s real estate market using housing inventory, price gains, home sales, interest rates, and larger economic factors.

The regional economy is still growing, but it is showing signs of slowing. Although this is not an immediate concern, if employees start to worry about job security, they may decide to wait before making the decision to buy or sell a home. As we move through the spring I believe the market will be fairly soft, but I would caution buyers who think conditions are completely shifting in their direction. Due to the large number of homeowners who have a mortgage at 3% or lower, I simply don’t believe the market will become oversupplied with inventory, which will keep home values from dropping too significantly.

Ultimately, however, the market will benefit buyers more than sellers, at least for the time being. As such, I have moved the needle as close to the balance line as we have seen in a very long time.

 

ABOUT MATTHEW GARDNER

Matthew Gardner - Chief Economist for Windermere Real Estate

As Chief Economist for Windermere Real Estate, Matthew Gardner is responsible for analyzing and interpreting economic data and its impact on the real estate market on both a local and national level. Matthew has over 30 years of professional experience both in the U.S. and U.K.

In addition to his day-to-day responsibilities, Matthew sits on the Washington State Governors Council of Economic Advisors; chairs the Board of Trustees at the Washington Center for Real Estate Research at the University of Washington; and is an Advisory Board Member at the Runstad Center for Real Estate Studies at the University of Washington where he also lectures in real estate economics.

 

This post originally appeared on the Windermere.com Blog.

Bellevue Real EstateLocal LoveMarket StatsWindermere Bellevue Commons News January 11, 2023

Local Market Update – January 2023

The close of 2022 brought the housing market extremes of the last year into sharp focus. With decreased sales, generally increasing inventory and lower prices, the December market finally seemed to hit the winter slowdown that has characterized typical market cycles of years past. This stands in contrast to the early months of 2022, which saw sky-high prices and scarce inventory, before the threat of inflation and rising mortgage rates caused the shift in the latter half of the year.

Windermere Chief Economist Matthew Gardner commented on this phenomenon. “The local housing market in 2022 ended with a whimper rather than a bang. Overall, the housing market is going to continue falling off the artificial ‘sugar high’ that was a function of the artificially low mortgage rates during the pandemic,” he said.

This is not necessarily a bad thing, as stability in the market could translate to more predictable price appreciation for sellers, and better circumstances for buyers to enter the market. In most cases, it’s low- and middle-priced homes that are missing from the market, so many first-time buyers still have plenty of pent-up demand for inventory that meets their needs and financial situations.

Despite a 43.3% drop in closed sales compared to December 2021, last month saw the median price for single-family homes in King County rise to $825,000. That’s up from the median of $810,000 this time last year. This could speak to the lingering effects of inflation on the market, or be a factor of the lack of entry and mid-level homes currently available to buyers.

The Seattle market experienced the same pattern, with a year-over-year price increase of almost 5%, from $839,000 in December 2021 to $879,975 last month. Closed sales were down in the city as well, dropping 43.5% from last year to just 394 units, leaving the market with just under six weeks of inventory. The condo market mimicked this trend, with the median price rising to $512,500 last month, up from $490,000 December 2021. Additionally, Seattle condos offered the highest amount of inventory, with 2.5 months of stock.

Things were a little different on the Eastside, which had experienced perhaps the highest price boom during the “sugar high” of the pandemic. There, single-family home prices decreased around 15% year-over-year, landing at a median of $1,299,000 last month, compared to $1,529,500 in December 2021. This is likely due to higher mortgage rates dampening the buying power of potential homebuyers in the area. Entry-level buyers may be forced to look in more affordable markets for the time being, and December’s 39.5% decrease in closed sales compared to December 2021 reflects this. Interestingly, Eastside condos experienced a sold price increase, to a median of $565,000, up from $550,000 last year. This is likely because condos are a much more affordable entry point to the Eastside market, and may be experiencing higher demand as buyers tailor their expectations to the current market conditions.

After the ups and downs of the last year, Snohomish County ended exactly where it began, with a median single-family home price of $700,000 — the same as in December 2021. Closed sales in the area were down 38.3%, leaving the market with about six weeks of inventory. Throughout the pandemic, Snohomish County has been a relatively stable market compared to the fluctuations of Seattle and the Eastside, making it a desirable area for first-time buyers and those looking to maximize their buying power.

Looking ahead, Matthew Gardner expects 2023 will see continued price declines. However, “With mortgage rates expected to slowly fall from current levels, sale prices should start increasing again in the second half of the year,” he said.

Gardner continued, “Ultimately, once prices pull back to where they would have been if the pandemic had never occurred, they will start to stabilize and then return to a more normalized pace of appreciation.”

Sellers and buyers have certainly felt the impacts of shifting economic conditions on the housing market. A slower market pace and modest price decreases may be necessary to help reset expectations on both sides and set up sustained future success.

If you have questions about how to make the most of the current market conditions, please reach out to your Windermere broker.


EASTSIDE

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This post originally appeared on GetTheWReport.com.

Bellevue Real EstateLocal LoveMarket StatsWindermere Bellevue Commons News December 12, 2022

Local Market Update – December 2022

As temperatures drop and we approach the end of the year, the local housing market has remained somewhat sluggish — an indication of a return to normal seasonality. Slower home sales are not necessarily a bad sign; in many cases causes as benign as the holidays and inclement weather have pushed buyers off their path, with many choosing to wait for the new year before resuming their searches.

The market is still experiencing high interest rates, though many experts agree we seem to be past peak inflation levels. While the 30-year interest rate recently dropped to 6.49% from the peak of 7.08%, it remains about a point above the June 2022 average of 5.42%. Windermere’s Chief Economist Matthew Gardner expects mortgage rates will continue to drop. “Early in the new year, I expect the Fed to start pulling back from their aggressive policy stance, and this will allow rates to begin slowly stabilizing,” he says. Gardner expects interest rates to remain above the 6%-mark until fall of 2023, when they should begin to dip.

Interest rates and weather are not the only things causing buyers to slow their trajectory. The larger amount of inventory in most markets has encouraged buyers to take their time and browse more than they’ve been able to in the past two years. Sellers must now compete with one another for buyers’ attention and offers. That being said, listings that are priced accurately for the market are still attracting showings and strong offers. and there are many sellers who can afford to wait for the right offer.

These trends were reflected across King County in November, which saw a median sold price of $827,000 for single-family homes. That’s up from $820,000 in October, but the more noticeable change was in the number of closed sales. The county saw a 44.7% year-over-year drop in the number of sold units, dropping from 2,371 closed sales in November 2021 to just 1,312 closed sales last month.

Seattle followed much the same pattern, with a median closed sale price of $905,000 for single-family homes, up from $850,000 the same time last year. Closed sales also decreased from 763 in November 2021 to 423 last month, a drop of 44.6%. Condos in the city experienced an even greater decrease in sales, with a 54% year-over-year dip in sold units.

Prices on the Eastside decreased to a median of $1,316,000 for single-family homes, after holding steady at $1,350,000 since August of this year. The inventory for Eastside single-family homes currently sits at 2.4 months. Condo prices in the area rose from $555,500 in November 2021 to $569,500 last month. Eastside buyers may be opting for condos as a more affordable choice given the current interest rates. Condo inventory in the area currently sits at 2 months.

Last month just 10% of residential units on the Eastside sold above asking price. More than half the listings on the Eastside experienced price reductions in November as well, with 54% of sold listings having had a price adjustment at some point. Despite these recent trends, it’s important to note that median home prices on the Eastside are up 24% over the past two years — from $1,060,000 in 2020 to $1,316,000 last month.

Snohomish County remained somewhat similar to last month, with slightly less than 2 months of inventory on single family homes and a median sold price of $700,000. That’s up slightly year-over-year, from $695,000 in November 2021. Condos in Snohomish County had the least inventory of any area, with only 1.6 months’ supply.

Although interest rates are higher than we’ve grown used to over the past two years, the increased inventory means it is still a great time for buyers, especially first-time homebuyers, to enter the market. Resources provided by the Washington State Housing Finance Commission, including its free homebuyer education seminars and its down payment and closing costs assistance programs, can help counter some of the obstacles that may be keeping buyers sidelined. A savvy combination of interest rate buy-downs, adjustable rate mortgages and the possibility of refinancing for lower rates can also help would-be buyers hit the ground running.

If you have questions about what this market means for you, please reach out to your Windermere broker for assistance.


EASTSIDE

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This post originally appeared on GetTheWReport.com.

Bellevue Real EstateLocal LoveMarket StatsWindermere Bellevue Commons News November 14, 2022

Local Market Update – November 2022

As the final quarter of 2022 rolls on, it’s clear that these last months will be anything but typical for home buyers and sellers in King and Snohomish counties. In a real estate market that’s been defined by high competition and low supply for the last number of years, buyers and sellers are changing tactics as market dynamics shift due to rising mortgage rates and growing inventory.

While some buyers are waiting to see if rates and home prices drop, others are getting creative with their financing by utilizing buydowns, adjustable rate loans, carrying back second deeds of trust, and closing cost allowances to make their purchases. Sellers have been slower to adjust, with many resisting the idea of lowering their asking price to meet the constraints of buyers dealing with high interest rates. However, for sellers willing to correctly market and position their listing, successful sales – and even occasionally multiple offers – can still be attained.

King County as a whole saw the median price of a single-family home increase from $875,000 in September to $903,000 last month. This was largely a function of price gains in Seattle, where single-family homes sold for a median of $950,000 in October — up from $900,000 in September. Seattle and King County both have about two months of available supply, which is the most balanced inventory level the market has seen in years. The Seattle condo market has slowed a bit more than residential sales, with over 3 months of inventory and a median price of $522,500 — down from $525,000 year-over-year.

On the Eastside, the median price for single-family homes has remained constant, sitting at $1,350,000 for the third month in a row. The average monthly mortgage payment on the Eastside dropped 19% from $9,226 in April 2022 (when the median price was $1,722,500 with a 4.98% interest rate) to $7,430 in August 2022 (with a median price of $1,350,000 at a 5.22% interest rate). However, while the median price has remained the same since August, the 30-year interest rate rose to 6.9% in October. At that rate, the average monthly payment is $8,891 — only 4% off the peak payment of $9,226 in April; this is despite a 22% drop in prices since then.

Snohomish County saw prices fall slightly from a median of $735,000 for single-family homes in September to $730,000 last month. With a little less than two months of inventory, that market remains slightly more competitive than the Eastside or Seattle, possibly due to lower prices making it more accessible for buyers as they combat the higher interest rates.

Windermere’s Chief Economist Matthew Gardner weighed in on the effect of mortgage rates on buyer behavior. While he believes many buyers may be forced to wait (either voluntarily or not) for interest rates to stabilize, he advises would-be buyers not to wait for prices to bottom out. “Those who hope to pick up a home ‘on the cheap’ are likely in for a long wait,” he said.

For many buyers, the answer to this conundrum is a pivot to adjustable rate mortgages, which are currently set around 5.9%. With the 30-year fixed mortgage rate currently at 6.9% or higher, adjustable rate mortgages offer a more affordable inroad to homeownership, with the possibility of refinancing to a lower rate in a few years.

As we navigate these changing market conditions, your Windermere broker can help you assess the best path forward for your home sale or purchase.


EASTSIDE

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This post originally appeared on GetTheWReport.com.

Bellevue NewsBellevue Real EstateMarket Stats October 27, 2022

Gardner Report Q3 2022

The following analysis of the Western Washington real estate market is provided by Windermere Real Estate Chief Economist Matthew Gardner. We hope that this information may assist you with making better-informed real estate decisions. For further information about the housing market in your area, please don’t hesitate to contact your Windermere agent.

REGIONAL ECONOMIC OVERVIEW

The Western Washington labor market continues to expand. The addition of 110,000 jobs over the past 12 months represents an impressive increase of 4.9%. All but seven counties have recovered completely from their pandemic job losses. In total, the region has recovered all the jobs lost and has added an additional 30,000 new positions. The regional unemployment rate in August was 3.8%. This is .2% higher than at the end of the second quarter. That said, county data is not seasonally adjusted, which is likely the reason for the modest increase. The labor force has not expanded at its normal pace, which is starting to impact job growth. Although the likelihood of a recession starting at some point this winter has risen, Matthew Gardner am not overly concerned at this point; however, he anticipates businesses may start to taper hiring if they feel demand for their goods and services is softening.

WESTERN WASHINGTON HOME SALES

In the third quarter, 19,455 homes traded hands, representing a drop of 29.2% from the same period a year ago. Sales were 15.4% lower than in the second quarter of this year.

Listing activity continues to increase, with the average number of homes for sale up 103% from a year ago and 61% higher than in the second quarter of 2022.

Year over year, sales fell across the board, but when compared to second quarter they were higher in Mason, Cowlitz, Jefferson, and Clallam counties.

Pending sales (demand) outpaced listings (supply) by a factor of 1:6. This ratio has been dropping for the past three quarters and indicates a market moving back toward balance. The only question is whether it will overshoot and turn into a buyer’s market.

WESTERN WASHINGTON HOME PRICES

Higher financing costs and more choice in the market continue to impact home prices. Although prices rose an average of 3.6% compared to a year ago, they were down 9.9% from the prior quarter. The current average sale price of a home in Western Washington is $748,569.

The change in list prices is a good leading indicator and we have seen a change in the market. All but two counties (Island and Jefferson) saw median list prices either static or lower than in the second quarter of 2022.

Prices rose in all but two counties, and several counties saw price growth well above their long-term averages.

With the number of homes for sale rising and list prices starting to pull back, it’s not surprising to see price growth falter. We are going through a reversion following the overstimulated market of 2020 and 2021. There will be some ugly numbers in terms of sales and prices as we move through this period of adjustment, but the pain will be temporary.

MORTGAGE RATES

❱ This remains an uncertain period for mortgage rates. When the Federal Reserve slowed bond purchases in 2013, investors were accused of having a “taper tantrum,” and we are seeing a similar reaction today. The Fed appears to be content to watch the housing market go through a period of pain as they throw all their tools at reducing inflation.

❱ As a result, mortgage rates are out of sync with treasury yields, which not only continues to push rates much higher, but also creates violent swings in both directions. My current forecast calls for rates to peak in the fourth quarter of this year before starting to slowly pull back. That said, they will remain in the 6% range until the end of 2023.

DAYS ON MARKET

It took an average of 24 days for a home to sell in the third quarter of the year. This was seven more days than in the same quarter of 2021, and eight days more than in the second quarter.

King and Kitsap counties were the tightest markets in Western Washington, with homes taking an average of 19 days to sell.

Only one county (San Juan) saw the average time on market drop from the same period a year ago. San Juan was also the only county to see market time drop between the second and third quarters of this year.

The greatest increase in market time compared to a year ago was in Grays Harbor, where it took an average of 13 more days for homes to sell. Compared to the second quarter of 2022, Thurston County saw average market time rise the most (from 9 to 20 days).

CONCLUSIONS

This speedometer reflects the state of the region’s real estate market using housing inventory, price gains, home sales, interest rates, and larger economic factors.

Listings are up, sales are down, and a shift toward buyers has started. After a decade of sellers dominating the market, it is far too early to say that the shift is enough to turn the market in favor of buyers, but the pendulum has started to swing in their direction.

A belief that the housing market is on its way to collapsing will keep some buyers sidelined, while others may be waiting for mortgage rates to settle down. Whatever their reasons, Matthew Gardner maintains that we will see a brief period where annual price growth will turn negative in several markets, but it is only because the market is normalizing. He certainly doesn’t see any systemic risk of home values falling like they did in the mid-to-late 2000s.

 

ABOUT MATTHEW GARDNER

Matthew Gardner - Chief Economist for Windermere Real Estate

As Chief Economist for Windermere Real Estate, Matthew Gardner is responsible for analyzing and interpreting economic data and its impact on the real estate market on both a local and national level. Matthew has over 30 years of professional experience both in the U.S. and U.K.

In addition to his day-to-day responsibilities, Matthew sits on the Washington State Governors Council of Economic Advisors; chairs the Board of Trustees at the Washington Center for Real Estate Research at the University of Washington; and is an Advisory Board Member at the Runstad Center for Real Estate Studies at the University of Washington where he also lectures in real estate economics.

 

This post originally appeared on the Windermere.com Blog.

Bellevue Real EstateLocal LoveMarket StatsWindermere Bellevue Commons News October 12, 2022

Local Market Update – October 2022

Increasing listings inventory, lengthening time on market and a slowdown in home price increases across the Puget Sound region herald a return to normalcy and better opportunities for buyers. According to September data from the NWMLS, active listings nearly doubled from a year ago, with pending sales declining by about 31%.

“The ‘Great Reversion’ continues, with the number of homes in the tri-county market of King, Pierce and Snohomish counties up 106% from a year ago,” says Windermere’s Chief Economist Matthew Gardner. “It’s worth noting that current inventory levels in King and Snohomish counties are still around 13% lower than they were in September 2019 prior to the pandemic-induced market shift.”

While the recent sales data may be pointing to a market shift of a different sort, they may reflect some normal seasonal trends as well. October is typically an average selling month, with November typically performing about 76% as well as an average month, and December and January slowing even further as the holidays and end of year pull some buyers from their home searches.

That being said, last month still saw year-over-year price increases in the Puget Sound’s busiest metros, despite some month-over-month price dips. King County single-family homes saw a price decrease from $899,999 in August to $875,000 last month. That’s still up from last September’s median price of $825,600, and condos also saw year-over-year price increases, from $466,501 last September to $483,000 this September. With about two months’ inventory for both housing types, King County buyers are better able to take their time and consider the details of their purchase.

Seattle also saw a slight month-over month decrease in single-family home prices, from a median price of $927,000 in August to $900,000 last month. That’s still up six percent from $850,000 in September 2021. Conversely, year-over-year condo prices slumped a bit, falling to $499,000 last month from $505,000 in September 2021. Condo inventory has increased as well, with buyers benefitting from over two months’ supply. Sellers are encouraged to price wisely and accurately to beat the competition in these conditions.

The Eastside was the only area to see prices stay the same month-over-month, with the median price for a single-family home remaining constant at $1,350,000. That’s an increase from the median price of $1,310,000 in 2021. Active inventory also increased, up to 1.9 months’ supply.  The last time the Eastside had this many listings (approximately 1,200) was before the pandemic in 2019.

Snohomish County followed Seattle and King County, with prices dropping slightly to a median of $735,000 for single-family homes last month — down from $749,000 in August. Inventory was slightly tighter in the area, with about 1.75 months’ supply, though it’s still an improvement over the tight inventory at the height of the pandemic.

Many buyers are feeling a bit of a “pandemic hangover” when it comes to interest rates, which may be contributing to the increase in inventory across the region. The conditions that led to the historic low interest rates were unprecedented, and buyers now need to be willing to consider buying at a higher rate with the goal of refinancing later on if they’re able.

The future of the local market will be dictated by fluctuations in interest rates. If rates increase from the September average of 6.11%, real estate experts expect new pending sales to continue to be 25% – 30% below the prior year in units. Median closed sale prices will roughly decline 10% for each 1% increase in interest rates. However, if interest rates decline from the September average, we can expect pending sales to increase, prices to remain flat and active inventory to decline more than normal.

Matthew Gardner also points out that home prices “remain positive compared to a year ago.” He doesn’t expect this to change by the end of 2022. By spring, however, Gardner believes “it’s likely that year-over-year prices will start to trend negative. That said, I firmly believe that this will only be a short period of correction, so homeowners in the Puget Sound area shouldn’t be too concerned, especially given that 64% of them are sitting on over 50% of home equity.”

If you have questions about how home inventory or inflation could impact your position in the real estate market, please connect with your Windermere broker.


EASTSIDE

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KING COUNTY

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SEATTLE

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SNOHOMISH COUNTY

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This post originally appeared on GetTheWReport.com.

Bellevue Real EstateLocal LoveMarket StatsWindermere Bellevue Commons News September 14, 2022

Local Market Update – September 2022

After its breakneck pace over the last two years, it appears the housing market has finally reached a soft bottom to the price corrections that began in April of this year. Reports that we’re entering a bear market are generally exaggerated, however, as the market seems simply to be resetting to a more balanced state where buyers and sellers are at last on more equal footing. Perhaps as much as anything, the market’s performance in August reflects a typical pattern for a month that has traditionally been a slower time for housing sales.

In King County last month, available inventory declined slightly to 1.5 months’ supply, with the median home price of $899,999 up slightly over July’s median of $890,000. That’s also an increase of 5.8% from $850,000 in August 2021. With 57% of homes selling in under two weeks and 22% selling over list price, many King County home buyers still have to move quickly and competitively, although with more leverage than they had earlier this year thanks to recent supply increases.

The Eastside had slightly higher levels of housing inventory available, at about 1.6 months. The median sold price for single-family homes rose 4% year-over-year, to $1,350,000. The higher asking prices in this area mean fewer homes are selling over asking than in Seattle, with about one in four homes selling at or over list price. Condos remain a more affordable option in this highly desired area, with the median price for an Eastside condo sitting at $569,500 last month.

Seattle has slightly less supply than King County as a whole, sitting around 1.4 months of inventory. The median sold price for single-family homes was up 6% year-over-year, at $927,000. About 65% of single-family homes in the city sold within two weeks, while 26% of homes sold above list price. With 2.4 months of inventory, condos may offer buyers an easier way to break into the market. The median sold price for condos last month was also a more affordable $520,000, though that’s still up 8.3% year-over-year. Increasing rents in the city and across the Puget Sound region are driving some buyers into the market, as homeownership is a hedge against inflation and rising rent costs. Even with that in mind, sellers still need to price accurately to avoid their homes sitting on the market for too long.

Snohomish County had the lowest inventory level at 1.3 months of supply (which is still more than the county’s average the past few years). The median sold price for single-family homes was $749,999, which is up 8% from August 2021. Just over half of the available homes sold within two weeks, and 19% sold over list price. The median price for condos in Snohomish County fell almost 5% year-over-year, landing at $474,999. This area continues to be a draw for buyers who may be priced out of the Seattle and Eastside markets.

Windermere’s Chief Economist Matthew Gardner believes the decrease in prices is a sign we’re entering a more typical housing market than we’ve seen in the last few years. “Home sales increased month-over-month, but the rise in listings is causing prices to soften,” he said. “I predict prices will drop further as we move into the fall. The market is simply reverting to its long-term average as it moves away from the artificial conditions caused by the pandemic.”


EASTSIDE

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KING COUNTY

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SEATTLE

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SNOHOMISH COUNTY

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This post originally appeared on GetTheWReport.com.