REALTOR® News

“Real Estate Agent” is a catchall phrase used, in casual conversation, to describe the three types of professionals who buy and sell real estate: agents, brokers, and REALTORS®. No, they’re not really the same. Yes, you should care about what makes them different. Here’s a breakdown:

Oh, let’s just admit it, shall we? Browsing for homes online is fun and exciting! However, it is important to take everything with a grain of salt. Browser beware, though: those listings may be seductive, but they might not be giving you the complete picture.

Phishing, hacking, wire fraud - these are all ways people attempt to steal from others online. As real estate searches and transactions move more and more online, the chances of being caught up in a cyber scam have become even greater.

Just as modern research is documenting the rapid urban decay and racial disparity of redlining, the latest data and mapping tools are underscoring present-day tax assessment practices that are unfairly burdening urban core properties while under taxing affluent properties in the suburbs and outskirts.

SCCAR is the biggest community contributor to the local Snohomish County food banks. “In 2021, REALTORS® raised almost 19,000 pounds of food and well over $140,000.00 for food banks across Snohomish County and Camano Island. Our plan is to raise even more this year,” stated Ellen Bohn, President of SCCAR.

We have worked hard to keep REALTOR® safety a foremost priority, but what about people looking to either buy or sell a home? Safety is a conversation far too many real estate professionals omit from their discussions with sellers and buyer.

Of course, it’s undeniable the volumes of information made available by the Internet have changed the home buying and selling process. What’s also undeniable, although less intuitive, is that these transformations have made real estate professionals even more critical.

Regardless of the market, buying a home is complicated. Buying a home is for many the most complex and important transaction they’ll ever do. It involves expert negotiations and familiarity with contracts and extensive paperwork. A good REALTOR® will have a thorough understanding of homebuying process and the current market.

“This is normal,” said Ellen Bohn, owner of RE/MAX Elevate in Stanwood and Camano Island. “This is a readjustment of what was an inflated market to now a more balanced, healthy market. I think that’s a really good thing, especially for buyers, who have had it really unfair.”

Why celebrate homeownership; why does it matter? “Most consumers know homeownership is among the soundest investments...However, owning a home is not just in the best interest of the homeowner."

As you walk through your brand-new house, you are probably thinking, now what? This is a common question new homeowners ask themselves when the time comes to settle into a new home. With all the excitement and work involved in finding a first home, first-time buyers may not have a transition plan or a checklist for the first few days in their new house.

New Biden-Harris Administration Housing Supply Action Plan To Help Close the Housing Supply Gap in Five Years

This morning, the Snohomish County Council passed Ordinance 22-016 to encourage the production of more “missing middle” housing. The ordinance was introduced by Councilmember Nate Nehring as part of a suite of housing affordability legislation.

April is Fair Housing Month. We wanted to highlight what we, as REALTOR® associations, are doing to ensure fair and equal housing opportunities.

The last couple of years have reshape our lives, changing our daily routines and mandating precautionary measures which involve staying in our homes more than before. With people spending more time at home than ever before, home improvement projects are increasingly becoming top of mind for homeowners.

Racial injustice is deeply rooted in American history and is apparent in housing discrimination, even today. In honor of Black History Month, we wanted to highlight what we, as REALTOR® associations, are doing to ensure fair and equal housing opportunities.

No, they’re not really the same. Yes, you should care about what makes them different. Here’s a breakdown:

Oh, let’s just admit it, shall we? Browsing for homes online is fun and exciting! However, it is important to take everything with a grain of salt. Browser beware, though: those listings may be seductive, but they might not be giving you the complete picture.

You’ve worked with a REALTOR® to scour the listings, toured what feels like a million houses and finally found it: the house you want to call home. The next step is to make your purchase offer, and if you are like most people, the prospect can be quite intimidating.

Do you participate in a local food drive? Real estate professionals are some of the most active members of their communities. The Snohomish County-Camano Association REALTORS® is the biggest community contributor to the local Snohomish County food banks.