Welcome to Friday, let’s sweep! First of the New Year – hello 2019 – we are glad you are here!

Top ten items to consider in setting your table for 2019. No theme here outside of what is on my mind that I want to share with you today as we sweep + launch into 2019.

1. Is your calendar relevant or cluttered? Do you have recurring calendar items that are no longer relevant? Delete them, now. Make space for productive relevant time.

2. Ready for a bio refresh? We have a bio writer standing by – just ask at tuneup@windermere.com

3. Marking needs beyond the basics? W Creative has their lights turned on for us! Submit inquiries to wcreative@windermere.com – ps, make this creative agency a contact in your database – people/marketing agency designed for your marketing needs – big + small.

4. Save the date. COMPLIMENTARY, 3 clock hours! The content will be a mash up between Lars Neste & Troy St George with current title & legal topics!

9. A word from Christopher Robin. “Promise me you’ll always remember: Your braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” – CR

10. Go Seahawks!!!

That’s a wrap on my Top Ten mash up for this week – let’s level up, giddy up, show up in 2019! In partnership with you, and so darn grateful to be.

Laura Smith, Co-owner | Windermere Real Estate Co.

it is not Friday, it’s New Year’s eve day and I am inspired to write!

In reading Geekwire’s 12.29.19 article entitled, “Year in pictures: Amazon’s amazing growth, SapceX blasts off, the passing of Paul Allen and more” – I was inspired to go back thru my pictures living on my iPhone and take a look at what photos were defining for me this past year with all of you – work & play together. I’ve compiled the most defining photo from each month to share with you as we wrap up 2018 and welcome 2019 with open arms. Ps, the photo above was taken on January 1st 2018 – my family holding up the moon!

January 2018. An image reminding us of the robust + diverse economic environment in our city.

A quote from the Geekwire article I referenced above…

“2018 was a year of acronyms. We witnessed an overhyped search for HQ2, a flurry of IPOs and the passing of Seattle tech pioneer PGA: Paul G. Allen.

It was an intense and crazy year, marked by an unprecedented level of vitriol — much of it directed at tech juggernauts like Facebook, Amazon and Google. And, yet, despite that negative cloud hanging over the country, the tech economy surged, and the pace of innovation only seemed to accelerate as technologies such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing and advances in biotechnology rooted more deeply in society.”

February 2018. The power of touring. This was a photo I snapped inside one of Jeri Smith’s listings. For some reason this day of tour stands out. It was a day that reconfirmed for me the power of our network supporting + touring each others listings – all offices coming together and creating impactful collaborative results from such a key activity. #WeAreWindermere

March 2018. My feet propped up atop a snow filled mountain overlooking The Summit. After a good long day of winter play in the mountains with brokers from the Wedgwood office I am reminded we play and work very well together – both of importance in success.

April 2018. It’s a tie! One of my favorite books of the year and one of my favorite events of the year – a first annual trivia night – no doubt, I expect to see this on the books for 2019 – too fun!

May 2018. A baseball theme popped up. With our new Windermere brand marks revealed this created fun + new ways to show them off in the community – Little League Championship Saturday, an example. By the way, your new listing signage + A-boards are looking good in the hood! And oh, hosted our “eh-mazing!” six office staff at a Mariner’s suite was indeed…the “suite” life! *Piper enjoyed too!

June 2018. Need I say more? We live, give & support our communities – this day and in so many other ways. I look forward to CSD every year, with you.

July 2018. Opening up my computer + notebook at the office to find this. From a long time ago yet keeps my “why” front + center. A nice surprise on that day and at that moment. What is your “why”?

August 2018. Yes, there “is strength in numbers.” I noticed this post shared by many of you – in turn, showing us what you want more of in content. W Creative, our regional marketing team will have their lights turned officially on for our offices in 2019. You have given us the “why” to create a local creative agency. Excited to launch and further support each of you.

September 2018. Redfin took the lead on a “Race & Real Estate” discussion and gave OB Jacobi the opportunity to host the same forum at Windermere Services Company. Proud to be a part of the conversation & a defining moment in bringing together leadership on such topic. Important.

October 2018. My iPhone was FULL of incredible images from WRE Owners Retreat in Colorado, WRE Symposium in Rancho Mirage & volunteering at Food Lifeline. Out of all of “October”, why did I choose a random photo of Tacoma Windermere Owner Anne Jones and I in between teaching sessions at Symposium? Because so much of 2019 was this for me…expanding my network, always learning, deeply collaborative, opportunities to teach and surrounding myself with people who inspire and make me better. This moment, as simple as it may appear, achieved all of it.

November + December 2018. A blur. Each year I think things will slow down for the holidays. Well, they absolutely do not. However, there are strength in numbers and it is through my partnerships with Jill, OB, Michael, Nat, Dave, Jordon, Rob, Darlene (our fearless WRE Co. leaders) that I stay sane. And for all of us at WRE Co, this picture captures the essence in reminding me that the sum is greater than the parts. And oh, they keep it FUN!

That’s a wrap in my year with you in pictures. Cheers to each and every one of you in 2019! May we together create more defining moments that are picture worthy in the coming year.

Signing off for 2018 as we welcome 2019 in less than 15 hours. First up in 2019, the moving truck arrives on Wednesday…

In partnership with you, and so darn grateful to be.

Laura Smith, Co-owner | Windermere Real Estate Co.

The last Friday sweep of 2018! It’s a quick sweep yet full of digestible bites as we prepare to navigate real estate in 2019.

NOTE: If you are working with purchase and sale agreements heading into January a reminder when computing time, Tuesday, January 1st is a legal holiday! New Year’s Day is a legal holiday under WA law.

Now for the sweep, a quick infographic from Steve Harney and his team at Keeping Current Matters…

On repeat from last week’s sweep, Episode #11, Double Down podcast…

With the media being one of the biggest factors in our real estate marketplace, Windermere Real Estate Co. brokers Catherine Adams and Sabrina Booth join Windermere’s Chief Economist, Matthew Gardner and myself to move beyond the recent media headlines.

With Seattle now more diverse economically than ever, we dig into our current real estate market and hash out what parts of this market feel familiar, different and in what ways.

…and if you need any reason to butter up to the guests on this podcast, they reveal their favorite desserts at the end! Ps, one answer reveals something you may not know about Jan Selvar! and Shannon Vincent!

I had a blast recording Episode #11 – you are the reason I record! 39 minutes + 12 seconds…

#WeAreWindermere

Laura Smith, Co-owner | Windermere Real Estate Co.

It’s Friday, let’s sweep! Lucky us, with Matthew Gardner having 31 speaking engagements over the next 90 days spanning 10 states, we were able to get him mic’d up for Episode #11, Double Down podcast.

With the media being one of the biggest factors in our real estate marketplace, Windermere Real Estate Co. brokers Catherine Adams and Sabrina Booth join Windermere’s Chief Economist, Matthew Gardner and myself to move beyond the recent headlines.

With Seattle now more diverse economically than ever, we dig into our current real estate market and hash out what parts of this market feel familiar, different and in what ways.

…and if you need any reason to butter up to the guests on this podcast, they reveal their favorite desserts at the end! Ps, one answer reveals something you may not know about Jan Selvar! and Shannon Vincent!

Carve out 39 minutes this holiday season and listen in…

And if you prefer the written word, digest Matthew Gardner’s 2019 Economic and Housing Forecast – click here for the read! Posted December 18th to the Windermere Blog.

Happy Winter Solstice!

…and a thank you to so many that “brought the magic” Tuesday night at our WRE Co. holiday party! You were the again the special ingredient and why we come together to celebrate! You are appreciated. Looking forward to closing out 2018 and launching into 2019, together…

Merry + Bright. #WeAreWindermere

Laura Smith, Co-owner | Windermere Real Estate Co.

“Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it” – Roald Dahl

Welcome to Friday, let’s sweep! Or better yet…let’s find the magic!

What is the deal with the managers behind the masks you ask? We are excited to see you Tuesday night at Sand Point C.C. and we are up to a little something! We have a bit of magic planned that will in turn provide magic to families at Seattle Children’s.

A handful of kids at Seattle Children’s have created very special masks for our event! You will find these colorful, creative, glitter filled masks filled with love at SPCC upon your arrival. These masks will be our fund raiser at the holiday party – funds specifically going to the Seattle Children’s Homelessness Prevention Fund.

Families whose lives have been upended when an illness strikes a family can be devastating financially – especially for low-income families.  Seattle Children’s is addressing these challenges to ensure low income families who have just fought the battle of their lives have a home to return to. The Seattle Children’s Homelessness Prevention Fund is their vehicle to do so…and we have an opportunity to help Tuesday night with hopeful bigger plans to help in the future!

How? Buy a mask, be sure to take it to the photo booth, keep it, enjoy a festive night in putting a bow on 2018 and know that you made a difference.

And oh, a sneak peek and words from a handful of the kids!…

Andrew, age 7. When asked what his mask means, he said: “Red means love. Gold means kindness and the jewel is for heart.”

Aubrey, age 11, said his mask was “inspired by New Years and Christmas.”

David, age 7,  said “I don’t like the Seahawks but green and blue for people who do like them. And my uncle is in the hospital but he’s doing good so gold is for him.”

Kaleb, age 8, said he chose his colors “for his uncle in surgery and his uncle likes these colors.”

Leslie, said “Something for Christmas and blue and red are my favorite colors.”

Bring the magic…we’ll handle the rest!

Laura Smith, Co-owner | Windermere Real Estate Co.

Welcome to Friday, let’s sweep! This week I have a favor to ask!

Do you have a favorite title rep? Ok, great – think about that person. What is it that you appreciate? How did they build that relationship with you? For some of you this would be Michelle Barry or Craig Ellis, CW Title. For others, someone else has won your business! Ok great, with this person in mind – here is my favor…

In 2019 Moreland Insurance will be hiring an insurance rep to be our partner within our offices. Before I open this opportunity up to the masses I want to look internal. This role is all about building relationships – just as your favorite title rep does. If a candidate(s) comes from you I see this as internal! And I like that, a lot.

Clean Dealing. Great Coverage. Best Price.

Let’s first refresh what is under that tree of Moreland Insurance…

“At Moreland Insurance we believe that clean dealing and low-pressure interactions are the key to creating relationships that last. When you come to us for a quote it is our goal to either save you money on coverage comparable to what you currently have, or get you better coverage at the same cost. If we can’t, we will tell you so, and encourage you to stay with your current carrier.

Why do business this way? Simple. It’s how we would want to be dealt with—honestly, fairly, and with integrity.

We do the shopping
for you.”

Moreland Insurance is an independent agency. Our team of experienced agents do the work of shopping around, comparing options across multiple carriers to find you the best coverage at the best price.”

How can you help me? Connect anyone you believe would be a good fit to partner with us, spend time with us in our offices and build relationships. It’s that simple. Feel free to share this blog post as a means to connect us. 206.227.7133 cell | laurasmith@windermere.com

And oh, remember how I just bought a new house? Guess what I needed? = An insurance binder. Moreland wasn’t able to [yet] save me money on comparable coverage or find me better coverage at the same cost…however, they are shopping on my behalf and will circle back when they do! I like that – someone looking out for me – as they will you. And they were honest and told me to stay with my insurance carrier for now. *If you’d like them to give your insurance needs an honest once over – here you go. Good people.

Ps, we have Moreland to thank for being able to solidify the group life + disabilities offerings for us this year. That has already made an big impact within our company. I am grateful.

THANK YOU in advance for any & all “internal” candidates to fill our Moreland rep role!

On a holiday note!  Ballard + Eastlake + Madison Park + Northgate + Sand Point + Wedgwood – it is just about time to gather and be merry + bright! Let’s get festive!

Next week, Fridays With Laura will deconstruct the YTD + November “science” – stand by on that! And there is new headline to better understand – Seattle Times Article here. Thank you to Sabrina Booth for your wiliness to represent us in the media this week! *FYI, the behind the scenes you should know…Sabrina shared with me that the reporter combined multiple quotes from her into one – interesting insight!  Next week I will also have Matthew Gardner, Sabrina Booth and Catherine Adams mic’d up on podcast to help us move beyond these media headlines and tap into their wisdom! Keep in mind…the “media is one of the biggest factors in our slow down” – says Alan Pope.

In partnership with you, and so glad to be.

Laura Smith, Co-owner | Windermere Real Estate Co.

This week one highlight was the opportunity to engage with “the Pope” – ok, Alan Pope – at our November Luxury Breakfast. Having a local appraiser who has been a part of 5 full and now going on 6 market cycles is an absolute tool in our toolbox. A few digestible soundbites worth noting allowing us to set + reset expectations with buyers + sellers.

Market is still undersupplied.

The media is the biggest factor in our slow down.

We are in a “stable” market.

Our moment of change in this market was May 2018.

Seattle now more diverse economically than ever.

Want to move beyond these digestible bites and look at the data? Check our Alan Pope’s website and consider using these graphs with your clients. An incredible tool for those willing to know the #’s. “Show vs Tell”…

Market Trends Charts – January 2013 through October 2018 here. 

Three weeks ago we took an insightful quiz together regarding the 2018 BUYER profile. Ready for another? Let’s dive into the 2018 SELLER profile…

Grab pen + paper and spend the next few moments answering the below questions. Yes, I promise the answers are available within this blog post! That said, don’t cheat and let’s see how you do! Ps, the goal of this quiz isn’t to necessarily get the answers right – instead, we are together picking apart the National Association of REALTORS 2018 Profile of Buyers an Sellers. If we do this well – if we look at this “industry research” with insightful eye my gut tells me you too could take such analysis and turn into your strategy as we head into 2019. Yup, I’m still on the business planning track…

Do you have your writing utensil and paper of choice ready? Good, let’s go…

INDUSTRY RESEARCH UPDATE: According to the National Association of REALTORS 2018 Profile or SELLERS:

The average seller is _____ years old?

The percentage of sellers who sold their home in the first time was _______%.

The median national days on market to sell a home last year was _________weeks.

The average distance a seller moved in 2017 was ________miles from their previous home.

_____% of sellers worked with a real estate broker.

[reference point: in 1997 77% of sellers used a broker]

_____% of sellers chose their agent by referral from a friend or family member.

_____% of sellers interviewed only 1 agent.

_____% of sellers were “satisfied or very satisfied” with the home selling process.

Challenge: What data (big or small) from the National Association of REALTORS 2018 Profile of Sellers could become strategy for you? Considering adding that to your 2019 business plan!

[As promised, answers below – scroll on down…]

Signing off for now! Nice win Dawgs, congratulations on your ticket to the Rose Bowl! Defense wins ballgames – at least it did tonight!

Laura Smith, Co-owner | Windermere Real Estate Co.

The answer is!…

The average seller is 55 years old?

The percentage of sellers who sold their home in the first time was 32%.

The median national days on market to sell a home last year was 3 weeks.

The average distance a seller moved in 2017 was 20 miles from their previous home.

91% of sellers worked with a real estate broker.

63% of sellers chose their agent by referral from a friend or family member.

75% of sellers interviewed only 1 agent. ***Be first! = FLOW!

89% of sellers were “satisfied or very satisfied” with the home selling process.

Welcome to Friday, let’s sweep…and I mean, “sweep the beach” in gratitude. Thanksgiving happened. Leftovers put away – at least until the Apple Cup tonight. Some family have traveled back home. The rest of us remain together enjoying this “pause” at the beach.

Yesterday was the day for so many in a very collaborative effort to give thanks. Today I found my gratitude on 3 miles “sweeping the beach.” This was not a new 3 miles for me. It is the 3 miles I’ve walked often. Today it showed me a bit more. There was a stretch that was smooth solid sand underfoot. Then came a few pebbles whereas I began to look for agates or “PRs” (pretty rocks). A few boulders popped up from the tide. Then came a very rocky beach. Today these rocks were very slippery. A new tree had fallen which provided a large obstacle. My Brittany Spaniel and I took a few steps back to take a better look at how we might pass it. It was too large to go over. We found our solution. Then came another stretch of smooth solid sand underfoot – whereas we became inspired and moved from a walk to a jog. We reached our turnaround point and navigated back embarking on a smooth solid sand underfoot, then slippery rocks & logs, obstacles, “PRs” (no agates today) and finally smaller pebbled section of beach turning to yet again a smooth solid sandy beach underfoot arriving home.

There was not one mile that stood out for me today over another. I was grateful for the entire 3 miles…as is my gratitude in our work together – all of it. We’ve walked many miles that look very similar to the 3 miles I swept on the beach this morning. Grateful I get to walk with you. For most of us it is real estate that connects us and for many of us our relationships go well beyond our work. It will be the upcoming miles that will connect us even more.

Thank you for each stretch of beach – it all matters – not one mile over another.

#Grateful #WeAreWindermere #GivingThanks

And oh, I came across this article on Thanksgiving – 35 gratitude-prompting question: Full read here. …“I often call gratitude the well-being wonder-drug”…my opinion, this is one drug very well worth getting addicted to! As I read this article, it was the 10th question that I thought an interesting optic to reflect on – as I did on my 3 miles today…

What have others done that I am benefiting from in my life…even if I don’t know who those people are?

Signing off, in gratitude…

Laura Smith, Co-owner | Windermere Real Estate Co.

October Monthly Talking Points

Seattle (based on Residential and Condominium report):

Market continues to balance. Active inventory has over doubled over a year ago. Pending sales are down about 15% from 2017. Even with the balancing, median closed sales prices are up 6% from a year ago and down 7% from the peak (May 2018).

Buyers today may be concerned their new purchase could be less in the future than what they pay for it. Time is on their side.

How do people that bought a home in 2006 through 2008 feel today?

 What do you get in exchange for buying a house today?

You can be more selective in the house you buy.

You have time to decide if the house is right for you.

You are going to live there six years or longer.

 It is OK to buy if:

You like the location.

You can afford the payments.

You are going to live there six years or longer.

All these factors checked out for the Smith house too – we are indeed moving to a new home! Pool anyone?

FULL REPORTS HERE | need password? text me: 206.227.7133

Next week I’ll share the 2018 INDUSTRY RESEARCH UPDATE: According to the National Association of REALTORS  – specific to the Seller Profile! Interesting stuff!

Laura Smith, Co-owner | Windermere Real Estate Co.

Welcome to Friday! This week I attended the wrap up session for our 2018 Windermere Leadership Series for 2018. Always striving to be a better leader for you and for our company. This final session was hosted by Matthew Ferrara – no stranger to our stage these days – of most recent – our keynote at Symposium in Palm Springs this past October.

The focus this week was an Innovation Workshop. We looked at big data (macro), looked at little data (micro), industry research and the power of turning analysis into strategy. Today’s sweep will focus on these three topics – in the form of a fun + insightful quiz!

Grab pen + paper. Anything you have convenient to you – make it easy. And spend the next few moments answering the below questions. Yes, I promise the answers are available within this blog post! That said, don’t cheat and let’s see how you do! Ps, the goal of this quiz isn’t to necessarily get the answers right – instead, we are together picking apart the National Association of REALTORS 2018 Profile of Buyers an Sellers. If we do this well – if we look at this “industry research” with insightful eye my gut tells me you too could take such analysis and turn into your strategy as we head into 2019. Yup, I’m still on the business planning track…

Do you have your writing utensil and paper of choice ready? Good, let’s go…

INDUSTRY RESEARCH UPDATE: According to the National Association of REALTORS 2018 Profile or Buyers (next week we’ll look at Sellers):

The average buyer is _____ years old?

The average first-time home buyer is _____ years old?

______% of buyers are married, _____% are single females, and _____% are single males.

The average distance a buyer moved in 2017 was _____ miles from their previous home.

The typical buyer expected to remain in their new home on average of _____ years.

_____% of buyers worked with a real estate broker.

_____% of buyers chose their agent from a friend or family member.

_____% of buyers used the same agent as they previously worked with.

_____% of buyers interviewed only 1 agent.

_____% of buyers were “satisfied or very satisfied” with the home buying process.

Foreign buyers purchased $_____ in US Residential Property last year, comprising a total of _____ properties.

The average price of a property purchased by foreign buyers was $_____.

The top 5 countries that purchased in the U.S. until _____, _____, _____, _____, _____.

_____% of foreign buyers purchased the property as a primary residence.

Challenge: What data (big or small) from the National Association of REALTORS 2018 Profile of Buyers and Sellers could become strategy for you? Considering adding that to your 2019 business plan!

[As promised, answers below – scroll on down…]

The answer is!…

The average buyer is 46  years old?

The average first-time home buyer is 32 years old?

63% of buyers are married, 18% are single females, and 9% are single males.

The average distance a buyer moved in 2017 was 15 miles from their previous home.

The typical buyer expected to remain in their new home on average of 15 years.

87% of buyers worked with a real estate broker.

41% of buyers chose their agent from a friend or family member.

12% of buyers used the same agent as they previously worked with.

67% of buyers interviewed only 1 agent.

92% of buyers were “satisfied or very satisfied” with the home buying process.

Foreign buyers purchased $121 Billion in US Residential Property last year, comprising a total of 266,800 properties.

The average price of a property purchased by foreign buyers was $454,400.

The top five countries that purchased in the United States until China, Canada, UK, India and Mexico

52% of foreign buyers purchased the property as a primary residence.