Realtor News

Identifying their preferences for the type of home and neighborhood to live in are typically among the first things potential homebuyers do. Debating between the convenience of a short commute versus the spaciousness of suburban living can be challenging when deciding upon the right home. “In the home buying process, understanding the preferred characteristics of a neighborhood can be as important as those of a home. Whether it’s a suburban single-family home with more schooling options for children or a townhouse in the city with better access to public transit, Realtors® - members of the National Association of Realtors® - can help homebuyers identify the communities that best serve their preferences and needs,” said Bob Wold, President of the Snohomish County-Camano Association of Realtors® The National Association of Realtors® 2017 National Community and Transportation Preferences Survey polled adults from across the U.S. about what they are looking for in a community and found that young buyers continue to view their dream neighborhood as a walkable, mixed-use community. In fact, according to the survey, six out of 10 millennials prefer walkable communities and short commutes, even if it means sacrificing living in a larger home with space to stretch their legs. “It is not surprising that younger buyers prefer the convenience of a neighborhood close to work and enjoy living near amenities like restaurants and retail,” said Wold. “Real estate professionals continue to see a trend in millennials moving to areas where they don’t have to be in bumper-to-bumper traffic and can get around during their free time with little stress.” Millennials are not the only generation of homebuyers, however, that prefer walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods. Members of the silent generation, those born before 1944, also prefer smaller homes in neighborhoods with easy walks to shops and restaurants. Over 50 percent of the silent generation prefer walkable communities and short commutes, even if it means living in an apartment or townhouse. Gen-Xers and baby boomers show a preference toward suburban living, with 55 percent of both groups saying that they are comfortable with a longer commute and driving to amenities if it means living in a single-family, detached home. Homebuyers with children tend to shift their priorities when their kids get older. According to the report, six out of 10 millennials with kids in school characterize the ideal neighborhood as more of a conventional suburban area with homes containing more square feet and larger backyards. “As ever-changing preferences distinguish where consumers want to live, Realtors® provide insights on local market conditions and amenities for every generation to help find the most suitable and desirable home for themselves and their family,” said Wold. For information and advice about buying or selling a home in 2018, speak with a local RealtorÒ in your area today. The Snohomish County-Camano Association of Realtors® is “the voice for real estate in Snohomish County.” If you have questions for The Expert about Real Estate email us at info@sccar.org.

The start of the new year is a time when many people reflect on their goals and pledge personal resolutions for the next 365 days. Whether optimistic about or hoping for changes in the year to come, switching over the calendar also allows an opportunity to reassess one’s housing situation. This time of year has potential buyers and sellers reflecting on last year’s housing market data and examining the outlook for the next 12 months to better prepare themselves for entering the market and buying or selling a home. Home sales and prices both increased in 2017. In 2018, existing-home sales are projected to be unchanged from 2017, at about 5.5 million sales, after rising the past three years, and the median home price will edge up only about 2 percent. One of the biggest challenges in 2018 will continue to be the low levels of homes available for sale. The National Association of Realtor’s® Housing Opportunities and Market Experience (HOME) survey tracks topical real estate trends and renters and homeowners’ views and aspirations regarding homeownership. Released in December, the quarterly survey showed that at the end of 2017 a smaller share of homeowners believed that now is a good time to buy or sell a home, even with strong job creation and faster economic growth in the last months of 2017. “Since rising to 62 percent in the third quarter of last year, optimism that now is a good time to buy slipped to 60 percent, from 57 percent a year ago,” said Bob Wold, President of the Snohomish County-Camano Association of Realtors®. The report also found that 76 percent of homeowners think now is a good time to list their home for sale, which is down from last quarter (80 percent) but up from a year ago (67 percent). This data should help potential buyers and sellers better understand the market environment and know what to expect in 2018. “The takeaways from this survey should help buyers and sellers who are heading into the market, and working with a real estate professional they can apply the lessons learned from the past year and expectations for the year ahead to achieve their home buying and selling goals,” said Wold. For information and advice about buying or selling a home in 2018, speak with a local Realtor® in your area today.

The National Association of Realtors® 2017 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers shows that despite strong interest in owning a home, a continued drought in housing supply has led to price growth over the past year. This accelerated price growth has kept many first-time home buyers out of the market, even when the economy has experienced steady job gains and mortgage rates at record lows. “The share of sales to first-time home buyers went backward to 34 percent, from 35 percent in 2016, which is the fourth lowest share since 1981. Individuals who wanted to buy their first home faced roadblocks last year through a rise in home prices and inventory shortages – with the lower end of the market witnessing the worst of the supply crunch,” said Natasha Zieroth-Chaumont, President of the Snohomish County-Camano Association of Realtors® The Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers identified numerous current consumer housing trends that affect first-time buyers, including mounting student debt balances and smaller down payments. Characteristics of first-time buyers The median age of first-time buyers was 32 years old, and first-time buyers saw their household income grow from $72,000 a year ago to $75,000 in 2017. First-time buyers purchased a slightly smaller home (1,640 square feet compared to 1,650 square feet in 2016) that was also more expensive ($190,000 versus $182,500 in 2016). Fewer first-time buyers purchased a home in an urban area (17 percent compared to 20 percent in 2016). Student debt Student debt balances continue to grow, making it more difficult for first-time house hunters to break into the market. The report found that over 40 percent of first-time buyers had student debt, and the typical debt balance increased in the last year from $26,000 to $29,000. “The homeownership rate has fallen, and fallen more steeply among younger generations, in a large part because of student debt delaying their ability to buy a home, typically by seven years,” said Zieroth-Chaumont. Down payments The increase in home prices pulled the typical down payment for first-time home buyers to 5 percent, compared to 6 percent in 2016. The primary source of funding for a down payment among first-time buyers was personal savings, followed by a gift from a friend or relative. “More than 50 percent of first-time buyers said it took a year or more to save for a down payment, and 25 percent said saving was the most difficult task in the entire buying process,” said Zieroth-Chaumont. The report also found that nearly 90 percent of all buyers ended up purchasing their home through a real estate agent. Finding the right property to buy and help negotiating the terms of the sale were the most common benefits that buyers wanted from their agent. For more up to date and accurate information about buying or selling a home, speak with a local Realtor® in your area today.

Realtors® aren’t just brokers. They’re professional members of the National Association of Realtors® and subscribe to its strict code of ethics. This is the Realtor® difference for home buyers: Ethical treatment. Every Realtor® must adhere to a strict code of ethics, which is based on professionalism and protection of the public. As the client of a Realtor®, you can expect honest and ethical treatment in all transaction-related matters. The first obligation is to you, the client. An expert guide. Buying a home usually requires dozens of forms, reports, disclosures, and other technical documents. A knowledgeable expert will help you prepare the best deal, and avoid delays or costly mistakes. Also, there’s a lot of jargon involved, so you want to work with a professional who can speak the language. Objective information and opinions. Realtors® can provide local information on utilities, zoning, schools, and more. They also have objective information about each property. Realtors® can use that data to help you determine if the property has what you need. By understanding both your needs and search area, they can also point out neighborhoods you don’t know much about but that might suit your needs better than you’d thought. Expanded search power. Sometimes properties are available but not actively advertised. A Realtor® can help you find opportunities not listed on home search sites and can help you avoid out-of-date listings that might be showing up as available online but are no longer on the market. Negotiation knowledge. There are many factors up for discussion in a deal. A Realtor® will look at every angle from your perspective, including crafting a purchase agreement that allows enough time for you to complete inspections and investigations of the property before you are bound to complete the purchase. Up-to-date experience. Most people buy only a few homes in their lifetime, usually with quite a few years in between each purchase. Even if you’ve done it before, laws and regulations change. Realtors® handle hundreds of transactions over the course of their career. “A home is so much more than four walls and a roof and for most people, property represents the biggest purchase they’ll ever make,” said Natasha Zieroth-Chaumont, President of the Snohomish County-Camano Association of Realtors®. “Having a concerned, but objective, third party helps you stay focused on the issues most important to you.” The Snohomish County-Camano Association of Realtors® is “the voice for real estate in Snohomish County.” If you have questions for The Expert about Real Estate email us at info@sccar.org.

Below is information for a REALTORS® Call to Action on SB 5239, which addresses the impacts of the Supreme Court’s Hirst water rights decision, and SB 5254, which improves the Growth Management Act’s Buildable Lands Review process and provides funding for low-income and homeless housing programs.

Growing consumer interest and demand for greener, more sustainable properties is driving a dialogue between Realtors® and homebuyers and sellers. In April 2017, the National Association of Realtors® introduced the REALTORS® and Sustainability report, which surveyed Realtors® about sustainability issues facing consumers in the real estate market and ways Realtors® are setting their own goals to reduce energy usage. According to the report, over half of Realtors® find that consumers have an interest in real estate sustainability issues and practices.

People buy and sell homes for many reasons. Perhaps they need to relocate for a job, or maybe they simply want a change of scenery. However, according to the National Association of Realtors®, if you are 50 years old or older chances are you are selling your home to downsize.

People buy and sell homes for many reasons. Perhaps they need to relocate for a job, or maybe they simply want a change of scenery. However, according to the National Association of Realtors®, if you are 50 years old or older chances are you are selling your home to downsize.