Blog - Sheri Putzke

Real Estate, Uncategorized

Windermere Neighborhood Update – February 2017

The local real estate market remains very hot with extremely low inventory and prices that are rising faster than anywhere else in the country. However, that rate of price growth appears to be cooling from last year, dropping to its slowest pace in three years. Predictions of more interest rate hikes may further limit price […]
Real Estate, Uncategorized

Windermere Foundation Raises $2,246,829 in 2016

The Windermere Foundation had another banner year in 2016, thanks to the continued support of Windermere franchise owners, agents, staff, and the community. Over $2.2 million was raised in 2016, which is an increase of seven percent over the previous year. This brings our total to over $33 million raised since the start of the […]
Real Estate, Uncategorized

To FSBO or Not?

Have you considered selling your home on your own? There’s no doubt it’s a seller’s market. You’ve been watching Zillow and homes are selling quickly, many within the first week of being listed. How hard can it be? I was recently showing buyers homes in Renton. We drove past a “For Sale By Owner” sign […]
Real Estate, Uncategorized

Windermere Neighborhood Update – January 2017

A record low number of houses for sale in December indicates that 2017 will continue to be a very competitive market for buyers. The good news: those who decide to take the plunge and list their home can count on getting a premium price for their property. Brokers reported that about three-fourths of the homes […]

Real Estate Windermere Neighborhood Update – February 2017 The local real estate market remains very hot with extremely low inventory and prices that are rising faster than anywhere else in the country. However, that rate of price growth appears to be cooling from last year, dropping to its slowest pace in three years. Predictions of more interest rate hikes may further limit price […]

Real Estate Windermere Foundation Raises $2,246,829 in 2016 The Windermere Foundation had another banner year in 2016, thanks to the continued support of Windermere franchise owners, agents, staff, and the community. Over $2.2 million was raised in 2016, which is an increase of seven percent over the previous year. This brings our total to over $33 million raised since the start of the […]

Real Estate To FSBO or Not? Have you considered selling your home on your own? There’s no doubt it’s a seller’s market. You’ve been watching Zillow and homes are selling quickly, many within the first week of being listed. How hard can it be? I was recently showing buyers homes in Renton. We drove past a “For Sale By Owner” sign […]

Real Estate Windermere Neighborhood Update – January 2017 A record low number of houses for sale in December indicates that 2017 will continue to be a very competitive market for buyers. The good news: those who decide to take the plunge and list their home can count on getting a premium price for their property. Brokers reported that about three-fourths of the homes […]

Real Estate Windermere Neighborhood Update – December 2016 Buyers spooked by a spike in mortgage interest rates gave rise to the busiest November for homes sales in over a decade. Prices rose accordingly. Case-Shiller ranked the area as the housing market with the fastest rising prices in the country. Sellers can expect to get a premium for their homes as we move into […]

Real Estate Local Holiday Light Shows Ready to lift your spirits? Shimmering light shows are a brilliant way to celebrate the winter holiday season. Grab a warm coat and go exploring in gardens, zoos and even on the water. Here are five local venues that are worth braving the cold to see… 1. WildLights at Woodland Park Zoo 5500 Phinney Ave. N, Seattle […]

Real Estate Windermere Neighborhood Update – November 2016 Home sales outgained new listings again in October, further squeezing already tight inventory and pushing prices higher. Since new listings traditionally decrease in the fall, that inventory shortage is expected to last until spring. Sellers willing to put their home on the market now can expect plenty of interested buyers, and a highly favorable chance […]

Real Estate The Trump effect. How will it impact the US economy and housing? The American people have spoken and they have elected Donald J. Trump as the 45th president of the United States. Change was clearly demanded, and change is what we will have. The election was a shock for many, especially on the West Coast where we have not been overly affected by the long-term loss in […]

Real Estate The Gardner Report Q3 2016 The following analysis of the Western Washington real estate market is provided by Windermere Real Estate Chief Economist Matthew Gardner. I 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 me. Economic Overview Annual employment growth […]

Real Estate Windermere Neighborhood Update – October 2016 At a time of year when sales traditionally slow down, September saw particularly strong sales growth. Home prices rose yet again compared to the same time last year, but they remain below the peak of several months ago. And inventory, while still low, is at its highest level in two years. The local real estate […]

Real Estate Millennials Are Buying the American Dream Contrary to some predictions, Millennials are making owning a home a priority. While they’re buying their first home a bit later than prior generations, they’re embracing the long-term value that home ownership brings. 1) Millennials are dominating the first-time homebuyer category today. The median age of first-time homebuyers is 31, according to a National Association […]

Real Estate Windermere Neighborhood Update – September 2016 While homes prices were up by double-digits compared to a year ago, the market frenzy that has affected most of this year is showing some signs of moderating. With the exception of the Eastside, prices for most of the region were down from their peak. Home sales generally outpaced the same period a year ago, […]

Real Estate Help for Buying a Home Now Think you can’t afford to buy a house? There are a number of programs that can help make the dream of buying a home a reality. You don’t need to put 20% down. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have down payment requirements as low as 3%. If you’re a vet or active military, a VA […]

Real Estate Mortgage Rate Predictions Drop Freddie Mac economists have lowered their mortgage rate predictions for the remainder of 2016 and even into 2017. It looks like potential home buyers and home owners are going to be able to take advantage of low mortgage rates for a bit longer than previously estimated. Mortgage Rate Predictions & Brexit We have already discussed […]

Real Estate Windermere Neighborhood Update – August 2016 Home prices are still on the rise compared to a year ago, but there is some indication that prices are moderating. Combine that with an increase in inventory and we may be seeing some relief for buyers. Time will tell whether this is a momentary breather, or if we’re slowly moving to a more balanced […]

Real Estate Our Historic Population Growth Residents of the greater Seattle area have all been feeling the pressures of population growth over the last several months. Not only are we seeing increased activity in the housing market, but plenty are moving to our area to take advantage of the economy, new technology jobs, quality of life, and more. A new study […]

Real Estate Windermere Neighborhood Update – July 2016 Despite an uptick in inventory, home prices hit new records in June yet again. A national study showed that home prices are rising faster in Washington than any other state. While lower interest rates provide some relief for buyers, sellers are the real winners. The increase in inventory indicates that more homeowners are starting to […]

Real Estate What We Know (and Don’t Know) About the Impact of Brexit The decision of the British public to leave the European Union is a historic one for many reasons, not least of which was the almost uniform belief that there was absolutely no way that the public would vote to dissolve a partnership that had been in existence since the UK became a member nation back […]

Real Estate Homebuilder Sentiment Rises in June As Americans are starting to feel more optimistic about purchasing homes, homebuilders are feeling hopeful about their sales. This is a welcome relief after a weak start to the spring home-selling season. During that time both parties were concerned about their prospects in the housing market. A recent article from The Seattle Times discusses the causes […]

Real Estate Windermere Neighborhood Update – June 2016 House hunters looking for relief from soaring rents continued to snap up homes at a record pace in May. By one analysis, 80 percent of the homes coming on the market in King and Snohomish counties sold within the first 30 days – many within the first week. With a severe lack of inventory in […]