KIRKLAND, Washington (October 6, 2022) – “The shift in the market isn’t a surprise,” said broker Mike Larson when commenting on the latest statistics from Northwest Multiple Listing Service. The report on September activity shows active listings are nearly doubled from a year ago, pending sales declined more than 31%, but prices in most counties are still rising.

“Buyers are finally getting some relief,” said Larson, a member of the Northwest MLS board of directors and the managing broker at Compass in Tacoma. “Getting back to a balanced, more normal market is almost a welcome change,” he added, but noted “inflation and rising rates aren’t helping.”

“Though technically still a seller’s market, it is more favorable to buyers than it has been in a

Led by Sammamish at No. 12, five towns in the Seattle metro area ranked among the top 100 Best Small Cities in America, according to a recent analysis by WalletHub.

WalletHub compared more than 1,300 cities with populations between 25,000 and 100,000 across five metrics, including affordability, economic health, education and health, quality of life and safety. The cities were also compared across 43 livability indicators, including housing costs, quality of school systems and number of restaurants per capita. 

Sammamish was No. 12 overall among the 1,300 cities measured, finishing 30th for safety, 75th for education and health, 89th for economic health and 183rd for affordability. 

Redmond was No. 21 on the list, boosted by its ranking of

I personally would say “Hell No” to this rate. Up or down a fraction of a percentage please before I locked this one in!

The rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage averaged 6.66% this week, down from 6.70% one week ago, mortgage finance giant Freddie Mac reported on Thursday. Last year at this time, the typical rate was 2.99%.

The interest rate on the most popular home loan in America has fallen for the first time in seven weeks, ending a streak that pushed borrowing costs to their highest point since 2007.

Yet even with the decline, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is still more than double what it was last year.

Text “BOO” to (425) 223-4655 for a Free Value Analysis

Unfortunately for borrowers, this week’s dip was just a small

You may be aware of a new rule change from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service regarding “Offering” a Buyer’s Agent Compensation (We no longer use the term Commission). While it’s a confusing topic for both consumers and real estate agents alike, The Cascade Team has put together some Questions and Answers on the topic.

What is a “Fair” amount to pay for real estate compensation?

“Fair” is whatever you and the agent decide is fair, and just as you are not under any obligation to pay more than you want, the agent is not under any obligation to do business with you if they are not going to earn what they expect.

The Cascade Team will charge a total of 2% compensation to sell your home if the buyer comes unrepresented.

This includes full

After a tumultuous summer for real estate, autumn is nearly here. As of mid-September, the benchmark 30-year fixed-rate mortgage average is hovering just north of 6 percent, and skyrocketing home prices are finally starting to drop, and in some area literally tumble.

Here are our prediction on which directions the housing market will head in as the leaves start to change.

The Housing Market Is About to Be Hammered

That’s a tough opening statement and it’s meant to get your attention. Here is how the pros back that up.

The market seems to be cooling dramatically, and Rick Sharga, executive vice president of market intelligence for ATTOM Data Solutions, says the signs are undeniable. Case in point: July marked the seventh consecutive month

•          Pending sales drop nearly 22% from a year-ago
•          Closings were down about 24% from a year ago
•          Economist Gardner expects prices will soften.
•          trend toward a more balanced market.
• Mortgage rates are at their highest level since the Great Recession, according to data released by Freddie Mac Thursday, as housing affordability continues to slump.
• The 30-year fixed mortgage rate is now 5.89%, according to Freddie Mac, up from 5.66% last week and 2.88% at this time last year.
• Mortgage rates are now at their highest since November 2008, when Freddie Mac reported a 6.04% 30-year rate.
• Mortgage rates have climbed as the Federal Reserve raises interest rates to tame inflation.

Surprising Fact

SEATTLE — Housing prices coming down are a welcome sight for those in Seattle looking to buy a home. For-sale signs and open houses dot lawns in West Seattle. 

"We saw the open house sign and decided to come check it out," said Jennifer. 

Jennifer came to look at homes with her son, Brandon who is also looking to buy in the future. She has seen more houses on the market, which makes her feel better about what's available. 

"I'm renting in Arbor Heights and me and my girlfriend are looking to buy a house eventually but just how expensive everything is right now," said Brandon.

Housing prices are cooling down and the 30-year mortgage dropped a quarter of a percent this week, according to the NASDAQ. Even with this