Blog - Doug McKiernan

Q3 2020 Reports: Market Update The volume of Q3 transactions made up for Q2’s fewer sales and then some. Truth be told, the market could have absorbed twice the number of transactions, if only there were more homes on the market to sell. Too few homes for sale is the defining character of the Q3 Seattle region real estate […]

Q2 2020 Reports: Market Update Q2 was a story of resilience for the Seattle market. It began with our region fully entrenched in a new normal amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, but ended with a strong seller’s market and historic low interest rates. Buyers have returned in droves to battle for the limited supply of homes for sale. With a […]

How to Buy and Sell Safely in the New Normal While buying and selling real estate was recently deemed essential in Washington State, the landscape looks very different than it did before the COVID-19 outbreak. Real estate offices remain closed to the public with agents (like me) working remotely and hosting virtual client meetings. Important safety regulations prohibit in-person open houses and limit the […]

Q1 2020 Reports: Market Update As we are fully entrenched in a new normal amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to note that the Q1 stats you see are based on pre-coronavirus closed sales activity and therefore largely untouched by our current market reality. While Q1 serves as a pre-coronavirus benchmark, Q2 and Q3 will more accurately […]

Annual Seattle-Eastside Real Estate Report: A Look Back at 2019 A strong local employment sector, very low mortgage interest rates, and the most balanced market we’ve seen in two decades each contributed to increased sales velocity in 2019. While the number of homes for sale increased overall in 2019 as compared to 2018, the higher rate of sales throughout the year resulted in […]

2019 Holiday Happenings in the Seattle Area Our Northwest holidays may be wet, but they’re still bright! Make the most of the season with Seattle favorites—such as dazzling light displays and the Parade of Boats—along with newer additions like the “Enchant” event with light mazes and ice skating inside T Mobile Park. Scroll down for all the details… WildLights at Woodland […]

Q3 2019 Reports: Market Update Q3 was the most stable and balanced market we have seen in years. With very low mortgage interest rates compelling buyers to act and fewer homes for sale than we saw last fall (when a flood of homes came to market), buyers and sellers are each finding their own place in a more equitable […]

Kicks for Kids Shoe Drive Now Through August 15th WHAT: Windermere’s Kicks for Kids event is a back-to-school sneaker drive for low-income youth, distributed through the Eastside Baby Corner. WHY: Kids from struggling families are in need of back-to-school shoes that fit. When kids feel good about their appearance, it improves both their self-esteem and their performance in school. WHEN: Formal shoe collection will […]

Q2 2019 Reports: Market Update Changes in the home lending environment drove down mortgage interest rates in Q2 to their lowest levels in years, giving buyers more buying power for their money and stimulating demand for available homes on the market. The number of homes for sale is up markedly, especially in Seattle, as is the number of […]

Free Recycle & Shred Event May 18th Hosted in our Parking Lot: 2737 77TH AVE SE MERCER ISLAND Bring your recyclable items (working or not) to the event. All recycling services are free! We’re also sponsoring a Confidential Data Disposal truck for free, secure shredding of sensitive documents. Saturday, May 18th 9 am – 2 pm What we can recycle: […]

Q1 2019 Reports: How’s the Market? Be forewarned, this quarter’s report looks somewhat dismal. There are two very relevant facts that should be taken into consideration when reviewing it. The first is that Q1 is nearly always the worst performing quarter of any year because the sales completed in Q1 typically went under contract between late November and the end […]

Annual Seattle-Eastside Real Estate Report: A Look Back at 2018 An increase in homes for sale coupled with rising interest rates have created a far more balanced market than we started 2018 with. This is a good thing as it will help our region tame affordability and create a sustainable marketplace. More homes came to market in 2018 than in any year since 2011. […]

Q3 2018 Seattle-Eastside Real Estate Report As Q3 comes to a close, 30-year fixed-rate mortgages are at their highest levels since April 2011—now averaging just above 4.7%. Even so, they are still far lower than their 30-year trendline. A 1% increase in mortgage interest rates decreases buying power by 10%. Or said differently, a 1% rate increase has the same […]

2018 Football Schedules, Recipes, Tips & More… Are you ready for some football? Scroll down for printable schedules, game-day recipes and awesome tailgating hacks… Hosting friends for game day? We’ve got you covered with everything from easy snacks to bonafide Seattle-born favorites… 1. Easy Chicken Taquitos So quick and delectable, you can skip the freezer aisle and go fresh […]

Q2 2018 Seattle-Eastside Real Estate Report Signs of transition to a more balanced market are becoming abundantly clear as we move further into 2018. Price growth, while still climbing in most areas, has tapered off and average market times are inching up. Brokers are beginning to dust off forms that have seen little use of late—finance and inspection contingencies—as buyers […]

Free Recycling & Shredding Event May 19th Hosted in our Parking Lot: 2737 77TH AVE SE MERCER ISLAND Bring your recyclable items (working or not) to the event. All recycling services are free! We’re also sponsoring a Confidential Data Disposal truck for free, secure shredding of sensitive documents. Saturday, May 19th 9 am – 2 pm What we can recycle: […]

Q1 2018 Seattle-Eastside Real Estate Report Q1 prices in the Seattle-Eastside region have escalated yet again with no sign of slowing in the immediate future. An unprecedented lack of inventory for sale coupled with rising interest rates has prompted buyers to compete with reckless abandon to win the prize of their very own home, albeit with a steep price tag. […]

Planning ahead: how tax reform will impact your home deductions next year While you may still be busy filing your 2017 taxes, it’s important to look ahead and be aware of how the new 2018 tax reform laws will affect next year’s return–especially if you’re a homeowner. Those who itemize will need to note some big changes in what they can and cannot deduct. Many will […]

Help Us Keep Homeless Youth Warm This Winter This blog post originally appears on the Windermere Blog, author Marilou Ubungen Earlier this year, Windermere and the Seattle Seahawks announced that we were joining together to help #tacklehomelessness. For every home game tackle made by the Seahawks, the Windermere Foundation is donating $100 to YouthCare, a non-profit that provides support and services to homeless […]