The Cascade Team Blog - Real Estate News

Thank you to everyone who attended any of the "Eat The Frog" classes last week!

Posted by Cary W Porter on January 23rd, 2017

We hope that most of you walked away with lots of new information and some helpful tips and strategies to use in both your professional and personal life.

But, what's the next step? Come check out Cary's course next week: "Eat That Frog" Business Plan Implementation Class. We handed out business plan booklets to all this week's attendees and now we want to help you use the content in that book, take it to the next level, and put it into action! 

RSVP early to guarantee yourself a spot, there is only one day available for this class with a limit of 30 reservations- don't miss out!

When: Wednesday, January 25th from 10am - 1pm (and yes, that time is correct :P )

Where: The Cascade Team Headquarter Office

RSVP HERE!!!

Here are links…

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Thank you and Goodbye: Issaquah Press, Sammamish Review, SnoValley Star and Newcastle News Closing Down.

Posted by Cary W Porter on January 23rd, 2017

The Cascade Team Real Estate would like to take a moment to say that it is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to the Issaquah Press and family of papers. Over the years we have done a lot of advertising with The Issaquah Press Group from our Open House Treasure Hunt, Mobile App, and more.  The Issaquah Press, Sammamish Review, SnoValley Star and Newcastle have also been a wonderful partner in helping promote community events such as Project Crayon Drive, YMCA Halloween Events in Sammamish and Snoqualmie, and also the Free Horse Drawn Carriage Rides and Santa photos in Issaquah, Snoqualmie and Sammamish.

More than that, they have also been great community members promoting stories that matter and relate directly to the communities they feature.…

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2016 Housing Market Year In Review for Western Washington

Posted by Cary W Porter on January 20th, 2017

Inventory shortages persist, but Northwest MLS brokers notch record-setting sales totaling $40.3 billion during 2016 

Among other highlights in its annual compilation of statistics, Northwest Multiple Listing Service reported: 

• About 45 percent of last year’s single family home sales had three bedrooms, while the vast majority of condos (nearly 76 percent) had two bedrooms or fewer.
• The median price for a 3-bedroom home that sold in 2016 was $311,000, about 9.8 percent higher than the previous year’s figure of $283,250. A comparison by county shows the median price for a 3-bedroom home ranges from $120,000 in Ferry County to $485,000 in King County.  
• Of the condo sales, about six of every 10 (61.7 percent) were located in King…

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Smart Sellers Are Listing Early This Year

Posted by Cary W Porter on January 18th, 2017

 

Have you heard from clients who want to delay listing their home until the season begins? Because sales and prices tend to peak in the spring and summer, it's a common request in many markets.

However, this year is different, and the conventional wisdom of waiting for spring and higher prices isn't correct this winter. Conventional wisdom in real estate holds that sellers should time the market to maximize their price. Why? Because home sales are extremely seasonal: They peak in spring and summer, when prices peak as well. That’s why in most markets, most years, the optimal time to list is in the spring, so that the maximum number of potential buyers view the home.

But we’re in an era in which conventional wisdom is becoming an…

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Buyers Beware: The Worst Day of the Year to Buy a Home Is Coming Up, and Here's Why

Posted by Cary W Porter on January 16th, 2017

Trudging through snow and sleet in boots and heavy coats might not seem ideal when you’re shopping for a home, but there are many good reasons to buy in the dead of winter. For example, you’ll have less competition from other buyers or encounter more sellers eager and willing to make a deal.

But as you may have heard, we’re coming up on what may be the worst day of the entire year to buy a home: Jan. 19.

That’s what RealtyTrac (now ATTOM Data Solutions) found in a 2015 study that culled data from 32 million home sales from 2000 to 2015. Researchers compared premiums paid over estimated market price to define the best and worst days. (For the record, they found the best day to be Oct. 8.)

Buyers who closed on Jan. 19  paid, on average,…

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5 Killer Real Estate Lessons We Learned From ‘Friday the 13th

Posted by Cary W Porter on January 13th, 2017

Highwaystarz-Photography/iStock; sjo/iStock

Friday the 13th is an unlucky day if you’re superstitious. And in case you haven’t noticed, it’s here! But we like to think we are people who see the glass as half-full. We prefer to look at the doomed day as an opportunity to reflect upon some unexpected nuggets of—you guessed it—real estate wisdom.

To prove that valuable real estate knowledge truly can be found anywhere, we’ve turned to Jason Voorhees from “Friday the 13th” and (spoiler alert!) his nutty, murderous mother for inspiration. The hockey mask–wearing horror icon is an unlikely choice, but no one personifies the dreaded date better than the fictional fright master. And, as it turns out, there are some helpful housing lessons buried deep…

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Home Security Tips for Sellers When Your Home Is On The Market

Posted by Cary W Porter on January 12th, 2017

When your clients are opening their doors to the public for showings, they need to take extra precautions. Share these suggestions to help them keep their belongings safe.

After Christmas, many people put the empty boxes their expensive gifts came in out on the curb. What do you think that says to potential burglars? It screams, “I just got a brand-new TV! Come and rob me!”

That’s just one example of some unwise habits homeowners have. If those owners are sellers opening their doors to the public for showings, habits such as these put them in even greater danger. The above example is a good warning to give to your clients now, since we’re in the holiday season. But use it as a jumping-off point to have a deeper conversation about safety - how to…

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The Advantages of Selling Your Home in a HOT Market

Posted by Cary W Porter on January 10th, 2017

Analysis of local MLS data indicates the supply of single family homes for sale in King County just hit a post-recession low. The data just keeps telling the same story – low inventory and increasing prices. If you are a Seller NOW literally is the time! Record low inventory, buyers scared of increasing rates and prices have created a feeding frenzy that allows even homes that may have been considered "Hard to sell" in the past move like hotcakes.

Selling a home is a seller's market is far different from selling a home in a buyer's market. If you are wondering about our current market, then let me assure you: It is indeed a fabulous time to sell! Not only will your days on market be remarkably fewer in a sellers’ market, but you might receive…

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Home Buyer Frustration Continues Due to Depleted Inventory, Rising Prices and Increases In Interest Rates

Posted by Cary W Porter on January 6th, 2017

        See Our Results                Ask These Questions                 Our Marketing Program          Free Home Value Analysis

KIRKLAND, Washington (Jan. 5, 2017) – Like many other months of 2016, December was frustrating for buyers across Washington state as they encountered depleted inventory and rising prices. Post-election hikes in interest rates – with more on the horizon -- added to would-be homeowners’ worries.
 
Northwest Multiple Listing Service statistics for December show year-over-year drops in new listings, but gains in pending sales, closed sales and prices. Pending sales (mutually accepted offers) in the four county Puget Sound region reached their highest level since 2005.
 
“The data just keep telling the same story – low…

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Take Your Business To New Heights in 2017 with The Cascade Team

Posted by Cary W Porter on January 4th, 2017

  Listing inventory is at an all time low area wide, leaving many agents on the sideline or dealing with frustrated buyers tired of the bidding wars. Yet at The Cascade Team we are setting records for inventory and Buy-Side transactions! Our proven system helps you attract and WIN listings.... Then our proprietary "PRIME" Marketing program not only syndicates those listings out... But pull BUYERS back in for you!.... In 2016 The Cascade Team represented 31% Listings and 69% Buyers!   As you can see below: Listing were down area wide, yet The Cascade Team pulled in more listings than ever AND we then turned around and represented even more Buyers than listings!   So... Where do you want to be? Busy with listings and buyers or wondering…

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