Curiosity x (Competence + Congruence + Connection) = Confidence.

Last week I left you with the formula above to think about. This will be a theme I will keep in front of us as this is where I observe sustained success. Confidence is a powerful lag result derived from lead measures of curiosity x (competence + congruence + connection). My goal then is to double down on information, activity & habits that will help you continue to gain more confidence. With stats out this week, we’ll focus on the competence ingredient within the formula above…

Let’s begin with a macro brushstroke of the market & give a nod to Steve Harney and his monthly market reports hosted on Keeping Current Matters. This month he took a dive into equity across our country (hint: who are possible sellers and who is less interest rate sensitive) and pricing expectations. If you can carve our 35 minutes, I’d suggest to do so. Keeping Current Matters – here.

This week, I had several inbound questions on “Laura, where does that cost of waiting document live you reference”? With trend in question – here is the answer: page 3 each month on every PDF report hosted on WindermereStats.com. Stats & area talking points are updated!

Need password? Text me or ask your office: 206.227.7133

Where else can I gain increased confidence? Good question. Answer is: prepare for January 1, 2024 Agency Law Changes. With these changes to Law comes changes to Forms. And this round of change will create change in practical application within your business & conversation with clients. We have time, you will be ready. Let’s help us all get there! This week I attended a 3 CE class hosted by the NWMLS. It was excellent. Many dates in person and on zoom available…head on over to NWMLS to register…

And, I would be remiss to not acknowledge this week has been beyond heavy. I appreciated these words from Esther Perel – here. Weeks like this that has me carving out more time for contemplative quiet. And as I moved from place to place, meeting to meeting, conversation to conversation I took confidence in my ability to be a small light for the people I encounter with this wonderfully simple advice…

If you are ten feet away from someone, smile. If you are five feet away from someone, say hello.

You just never know where you can be that light to a fellow human. We’ll call this the smile & hello formula.

Until next Friday, here to help – the ultimate goal. – Laura

Excited to share Ep.28 of my Double Down podcast – “Luxury Lab & beyond”…

Before you begin listening – approach this episode by removing “luxury” from the title & inserting the “client experience.” Windermere brokers, Susan Stasik, Carmen Gayton, Valerie Hwang & Narcisa Kaminski mic up with me and continue the conversation from this years Windermere Luxury Lab, hosted at Willows Lodge. You will quickly realize this Episode has something for everyone.

Let’s dive in and explore deeper real estate through the lens of the client experience & beyond…

Ep.28 – full episode here.

After listening to Episode 28, I’ve have three important questions to help us translate this conversation into actionable steps within your real estate business:

1. 3 skills I could develop to help me feel more confident are…
2. The simple steps I could take to improve those skills include…
3. The coaches, mentors or industry peers I could seek out concerning those skills are…

As we look ahead to a new week, I encourage you to embrace a theme that I am focused on as we move further into fall and closer to planning for the New Year. While we often ponder market dynamics, let’s challenge ourselves to take greater agency over the things we can control. I’ll delve deeper into this formula from Brendon Burchard’s book – “High Performance Habits.”

Curiosity = (Competence + Congruence + Connection) = Confidence.

More to come. For now, welcome to getting ready for a fresh new week of opportunity. Bring curiosity to your week & I promise it will be a welcomed ingredient into your days…

Here to help – the ultimate goal. – Laura

It’s Friday! As we bookend this week, let’s take a look around the corner and have a conversation about ethos. And yes, it appears that a beautiful Pacific Northwest weekend is ahead, both for work and play!

After last night’s game, it seems our Seattle Mariners are still in the hunt for playoff baseball! What’s around the corner for them? I’m not sure yet, but I’m ready for any rally cap necessary. On a different note, I’ve ordered my allotment of free at-home COVID-19 tests from USPS. If you’re interested, you can find the link here.

I had the chance to visit each of my offices this week and had some great conversations with brokers, staff, and leadership. I noticed some trends that are helping me plan content for the remainder of the year and themes for the new year’s kickoff. I also had some fun experimenting with AI (heck, proofed this blog!). Plus, I launched my “book of the month,” which has already sparked some fantastic conversations. Interested in reading along? Here’s a quick 5-minute review from the author himself, Brendon Burchard, on his book, “High Performance Habits – How Extraordinary People Become That Way.” Fun fact: Brendon Burchard is the guy who recently certified me as a High-Performance Coach. So, you might notice some new branding from time to time and certainly an increase in refreshed content focused on overall well-being and sustained success while maintaining awesome relationships. Does that sound like our Windermere ethos? Why yes, yes it does.

A few things from me to you to wrap up this week…

Steve Harney, the founder of Keeping Current Matters, shared his latest insights on Wednesday during an unscripted interview on the “How’s The Market” podcast with David Childers. You can listen to the episode here.

During the conversation, they discussed the current state of the business, what has remained the same, and what has changed. They also delved into the question of who we are showing up for. Towards the end of the interview, Steve passionately shared his thoughts on the promises we collectively make to support each other, regardless of market conditions. Additionally, he looked ahead, hinting at the delivery of P.E.A.R. reports to homeowners (Professional Assessment Equity Report), offering a fresh take on annual real estate reviews.

Steve has a track record of providing accurate insights, and I personally make it a point to follow his predictions and perspectives. Even though the key topics of interest rates, equity, patience, and education have become somewhat routine in the current climate, Steve’s ability to present these complex issues in a digestible manner contributes greatly to achieving clarity.

His insights serve as valuable fuel for our current discussions and actions as we navigate both challenges & wins together.

Let’s revisit the beginning of this post and focus on the word “ethos.” Broker Susan Stasik beautifully articulated her ongoing perception of our Windermere ethos in her recent social media posts: “Windermere Real Estate has always been about more than just transactions; it’s about building a strong and collaborative broker-to-broker community. This year’s Luxury Lab exemplified that ethos beautifully. The dedication to fostering excellence and innovation within our industry is truly commendable.”

We had a fantastic and inquisitive group attending Luxury Lab this year. I’m planning to mic up a few attendees next week to explore the most relevant topics in our industry. Stay tuned for Episode 28 of my Double Down podcast—it’s another opportunity to double down on ideas worth sharing.

To wrap this week, I’d like to share a quote that was sent to me this morning by Broker Mike Ferreri, a fellow stand-up paddle buddy and a dedicated sports enthusiast: “Success is nothing more than an opportunity to learn something new and valuable, followed by a desire to use that knowledge to help someone else achieve the same.” Book, Changing the game, Darren A. Miller

What did you learn this week?

How was that knowledge valuable to you?

Did you help someone this week?

What will you learn next week?

Who will you help next week?

To those I had the pleasure of connecting with directly this week, I’m certain I learned something valuable from you. I hope I was able to help in return.

And a refreshed reminder – whom can you give a high-five to this week? Let’s make it a habit in Q4. Send your high-fives to high5@windermere.com.

High-fives to Susan Stasik, Mike Ferreri, Steve Harney, and everyone else who contributed to creating valuable content today. Without a doubt, we collectively helped someone, in some small or big way, today. After all, we are here for each other. It’s as simple as that, and sometimes as complicated as that. #ethos

Here to help – the ultimate goal. – Laura

Hello Friday! I bought my comedy night ticket (focus of last weeks blog post) & now back to back to market antics, ideas to refocus business in the 4th quarter and interest rate predictions from multiple sources.

Let’s begin with the answer from last week’s trivia question as it describes so very well “The Lock-in Effect” our market is experiencing…

What percentage of WA State homeowners are currently benefiting from an interest rate below 5%? *naturally, I’m speaking to WA State homeowners with a mortgage. Answer is: 86%

Now let’s turn our focus to predictions. I would generally agree that when we see rates begin to tick down, we’ll be in a better place. Demand appears still very strong. I share these predictions – not so much for the numbers (as they are just that, predictions) yet all sources I’m following are predicting to trend down. As you can see, Matthew Gardner’s numbers are higher than the average, yet all Q-3 2024 numbers show a similar landing place. Again, it’s the trend I’m speaking to here…

Let’s now turn towards an immediate helpful approach to having real real estate conversations. Done well, this idea provides increased opportunities for you.

What I’ve noticed in my real estate coaching moments over the years is this: if there is one activity to immediately focus on from week to week to increase real estate conversations is just that – a focus on more conversations. A very fruitful approach is to have a goal of 20 conversations per week. Track them, write them down. The gold however becomes at end of each day to think back on every conversation and jot down a one “next step” for each. I promise you – there is one – every single time. Look for it…

20 conversations X 20 unique follow ups = branding you as the professional = you being top of mind.

And, a suggestion I’ve been sharing this week is to bring a different curiosity to these conversations. You and I are very used to the concept of responding to “how is the market?” What if we asked our spheres, clients, people we are naturally in flow with, “I’m curious, from your perspective, what do you see happening in the housing market?” or “I’m curious, what have you noticed locally in the housing market?” Imagine those responses! Would you agree that when we have their perspective it provides a wonderful environment for us to provide our actual knowledge? I’m enjoying turning the tables myself in these conversations. Try it, let me know how it goes! An idea worth spreading in my humble opinion. With an increased focus for the remainder of the year in having real real estate more conversations – this moves us to the “can explain” bucket – see below.

There is a very high ROI on this activity – have fun with it!

Today is PNW beautiful. Have a wonderful September weekend in productive real estate and play. Appreciate the work & play we get to do together. Both meaningful.

Here to help – the ultimate goal.

– Laura, 206.227.7133 c

This week we welcomed an uptick in new inventory post summer market, I had a chance to talk with Matthew Gardner on his interest rate prediction and yes, tickets to laugh our butts off and raise for the Windermere Foundation became reality!

Next week, I’ll pen commentary on inventory & rates. Today my focus is on buying my ticket to Comedy Night! I squirreled away my personal “giving” for 2023 for this evening. Laughter cures many ailments – maybe even a cure for supply & demand, interest rates and the like – ok, at least for a few hours it will!

Ps, a fun market trivia question at end of today’s blog. Let’s see how you do!

I am buying one ticket (sorry, Chad – you are in charge of the teens that night) – who wants to join me in giving and laughing our butts off…love me some Colin Jost! And, let’s be honest – I’m hoping I win that backstage access…

I’ll do my best to put some tables together! Let me know if you are buying a ticket or tickets and would like help filling your table. The night out will be extraordinary. And it looks as all but $150 each ticket will be tax deductible. I like that…

Windermere Foundation Comedy Night Tickets Now On Sale! 🎭

Tickets for the inaugural Windermere Foundation Comedy Night featuring Colin Jost are now on sale! Tickets range in price from $300 – $650 each. Click through the link below for more info on tickets and to purchase. 

PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS HERE!

Meet & Greet with Colin Jost: if you purchase a ticket for the Windermere Foundation Comedy Night, you’ll automatically be entered for a chance to purchase a limited backstage VIP Experience upgrade to meet Colin Jost! Learn more here. 

About the Windermere Foundation Comedy Night:

WHO: The Windermere Foundation Comedy Night is a private event available only to the Windermere network and by invitation.

WHAT: Comedy Night will be a fundraising event with a bonus of belly laughs. The night will consist of a cocktail reception, plated dinner, a stand-up set by Colin Jost, and a raise the paddle fundraiser.

WHEN: Monday, November 6, 2023

WHERE: Fremont Studios in Seattle, WA

WHY: To raise money for the Windermere Foundation, share our story, and celebrate our amazing community.

HOW: Purchase your ticket here!

Windermere friends, have questions? Contact Franny Wood at frannywood@windermere.com.

Next week, my blog commentary will be back to market antics, ideas to refocus business in the 4th quarter and Matthew’s predictions on interest rates..

And oh, a trivia question to end the week: What percentage of WA State homeowners are currently benefiting from an interest rate below 5%? *naturally, I’m speaking to WA State homeowners with a mortgage.

Hint hint: the answer above is creating “The Lock-in Effect” to our continued supply dynamics within our market. It is a real phenomenon. Text me or leave comment on blog with your answer. We’ll talk about it next week…

Have a wonderful September weekend in productive real estate and play. Appreciate the work & play we get to do together. Both meaningful. Let’s laugh!

Here to help – the ultimate goal.

– Laura, 206.227.7133 c

Whether you have kids heading back to school or not – we all have one thing in common – Labor Day 2023 is behind us and the seasonality of real estate is underway. I hear of title orders being up (slight surge in orders roughly 3 weeks ago) & stagers busy which points to fresh inventory – yet we don’t yet know how Buyers will respond. I’m ready to find out – let’s go!

Pulling in manager, Jordan Malloch’s synopsis for metro Seattle market happenings from his Friday recap as a digestible bite heading into a new week:

“I know we have all felt it, but we can now see that the lack of inventory we are seeing is having a direct impact on the number of pending and closed sales. With nearly 20% less homes on the market than one year ago, it is unsurprising that we are down over 16% with our closed sales. With a full month of data, June and July were very similar months. Number of sales were virtually identical and the closed sales price was the same at $875k. The cumulative January-August sold price is now 8.4% lower than what it was one year ago.” – Jordan Malloch

I’m curious to know if you are using AI in your real estate business. No longer is AI a complete stranger to our continuing education and an idea to consider. Real life examples? Have you used to put a fresh set of words to marketing comments? Have you found best practices in “prompts”? Over the weekend I enjoyed an article on Reading, writing, and ChatGPT: High school English teachers adjust to the new realities of AI. “This (AI) is the calculator, but for English” – the teacher described. And, “ultimately (though) they are making predictions at a massive scale, and they’re not always accurate, although they should improve as they progress over time.”

…and, for all of us – “part of the learning process is knowing to double-check the results.” A learning lesson for us all – as we navigate real estate and AI.

As we wrap a few digestible bites heading into a new week, I share the image above as an idea worth considering as you work alongside your client’s Form 17. While I won’t take on the legalities of an incomplete Form 17 in this post, I will share a good idea! While we all know to not touch this document on behalf of a client, we can certainly take (and should) a look for the completeness in the doc. And, what better way to do this is take a ruler and move it down the page – line by line. This practice makes it visually very easy to spot gaps in deficiencies in disclosure, to then point out in guidance with your clients. Just last week we had a story of an incomplete Form 17 allowing for a Buyer to walk. Yes, way more detail to that story yet for this post – I’m focused on checking for completeness and a good helpful tool – literally – is an old fashioned ruler to do so! Your eyes will thank you.

Have a great week – here to help, the ultimate goal. No doubt, my curiosity sits with our Buyers – how will they react to new post Labor Day inventory? Fingers crossed Buyers have adjusted, retooled and ready for supply….

And, for fellow Jimmy Buffett fans – #BubblesUp

New lyrics released Sept 2nd – volume up – here you go.

It’s in the air – fall & football.

A Monday note on both “fall & football” to start a fresh new week…

Let’s start with football. Our family has enjoyed this season’s Hard Knocks – a reality sports documentary television series produced by NFL Films and HBO. First broadcast in 2001, the show typically follows a  NFL team through its training camp and covers the team’s preparation for the upcoming football season. The series depicts the personal and professional lives of players, coaches, and staff including their family life, position battles, and even inside jokes and pranks.

 The current season features the New York Jets. I’m enjoy the rookies’ adjustments to playing in the NFL, with emphasis on the team’s most recent top draft pick. There has also been a focus on undrafted and journeyman players who are attempting to make the team.

For a gal like me, my favorite episode this season was in the film room. As an athlete I’ve spent time in film room – taking your game film, breaking it down, looking for slight edge adjustments and what worked well. This particular episode was most interesting as the New York Jets had film session in the dark with no sound on. This, as an athlete, I had not done. With a dark film room and sound off – there is nothing but the performance on the screen to observe and learn from. No commentary to distract from the activity on screen. Raw, real, performance.

I took that episode and worked with it last week in my own profession. I challenge you to do the same as we prep for our next season – the fall & winter real estate season that will fill us with opportunity for those that are all in & commitment to the game.

How did I work with this concept of film room into real estate? Good question. Answer is: in breaking down my communication. Each communication from last week – I broke down my own film.

I asked myself a series of questions post meeting, class, email, call, text:

Strengths.

What did I like best?

Where was I great?

When did I feel connected with the person(s) I was communicating with?

Areas for Improvement.

The best way for me to add even more value on that call would have been to…

A discussion point that I feel I could have hit home even better was…

A question that I could have asked that might have led to a better outcome would have been…

Something I want to work on to become event better is…

Questions aim our focus. I offer the above set of questions for your own film room sessions.

And, as we begin to see school buses on our city streets again, a sticky note reminder to us all to slow down in those school zones as we navigate our to & fro. To help with that & give a general feel good to begin our week – a story from yesterday’s CBS Morning Show worth the watch – 2 minutes here.

Have a great week – here to help – the ultimate goal. – Laura

“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.” Anne Lamott

Paused the blog, caught a few more sunrises & sunsets, roasted a few more s’mores, somehow made it to Taylor Swift, paddled the lake often, ate the ice cream, traveled for hoop tournaments, took the walks, read the stack of unfinished books, caught up with extended family, played in California waves, found new cold brew spots and simply found joy in the simplest of things. And while doing so, focused on disciplines in going deeper & wider with initiatives for 2nd half of year. Looking forward to sharing much more, yet for today let’s jump right back to real estate by the numbers. We’ll start with Seattle and feel free pop over to windermere stats (updated this week) for deeper dive into Eastside, King & Snohomish…

JULY MONTHLY TALKING POINTS

SEATTLE – BASED ON RESIDENTIAL REPORT:

The month’s supply of inventory is down from 1.6 to 1.3 Year-over-Year. Based on historical data, July is the 3^rd best active listing month (890) throughout the year, however, we finished the month with 793 active listings which is the 3rd fewest in 2023.

With 589 pending transactions at the end of July, that is the 3^rd fewest of any month in 2023, and the fewest that we have seen in any July dating back 10 years.

Median Closed Sales Price is down 6% to $899,950 Year-over-Year, and down 3% from last month.

37% of the active inventory in July sold above list price which is 2% greater than this time last year, yet down 5% from last month.

Pricing is key as 69.1% of the properties in July sold in less than 15 days with a median sold to list price of 100.1%. Homes selling with 15-30 days on market captured 97.5% of the median sold to list price.

Homes selling with less than 30 days on market represented 83.3% of the units sold in July.

Interest rates continue to be challenging for buyers in 2023. We closed July with an average interest rate of 6.84% based on a 30-year-fixed mortgage. If you factor the median closed sales price of $899,950 at 6.84%, your monthly payment including principal & interest would be $5,891, which is $525 more than what you would have paid a year ago.

This week I’ve been sharing across offices & conversations the below data point 1000Watt came up with. If this doesn’t speak to having real estate conversations while we enjoy these dog days of summer – I don’t know what does! One of the best activities I’ve seen in a broker’s business when needing a spark, is to focus on 20 live interactions each week – track the who, create a follow up touch and make each week (in the who) as unique as possible. This graphic will most likely spark said motivation to do so!

Ok, let’s wrap this week by the numbers – windermere stats is updated – need password? – text me. Interested in the above Seattle Times graphic? – text me. Keeping Current Matters (KCM) updated their monthly market report (10th of each month). And David Childers of KCM has recently launched a NEW podcast (I’m enjoying it!) – I’m following along on Spotify – link to introduction here.

Welcome to the dog days of summer – in productive work and play. And let’s not yet forget how I opened this post – “Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.” Anne Lamott

Here to help – the ultimate goal. – Laura 206.227.7133

…proof we miraculously made it to Taylor Swift this summer – thank you Cassie Walker Johnson for helping us find our way to tickets literally less than two hours from showtime! Appreciate you.

No, I’m not sitting under a palm tree as I write this yet I did have reason to travel to Palm Springs for a couple nights recently. What traveled with me was my current read – “Deep Work – Rules For Focused Success in a Distracted World.” – Cal Newport. As I pen this blog post, I share the beginning of a season (summer) for me in focused work with several initiatives lined up I’m working on for my company.

We can all probably agree summer is a time of play. And while summer in and of itself can be a place of distraction when running a business, with the right strategies is can be a perfect blend of both work & play. I offer this approach below from my current reading material – as it will too guide me thru the summer. Sharing an excerpt (pg 110-111) on “The Rhythmic Philosophy of Deep Work Scheduling“…

“In the early days of the Seinfeld show, Jerry Seinfeld remained a working comic with a busy tour schedule. It was during this period that a writer and comic named Brad Isaac, who was working open mic nights at the time, ran into Seinfeld at a club waiting to go on stage. As Isaac later explained in a now classic Lifehacker article: “I saw my chance. I had to ask Seinfeld if he had any tips for a young comic. What he told me was something that would benefit me for a lifetime.”

“Seinfeld began his advice to Isaac with some common sense, noting “the way to be a better comic was to create better jokes,” and then explaining that the way to create better jokes was to write every day. Seinfeld continued by describing a specific technique he used to help maintain this discipline. He keeps a calendar on his wall. Every day that he writes jokes he crosses out the date on the calendar with a big red X. “After a few days you’ll have a chain,” Seinfeld said. “Just keep at it and the chain will grow longer every day. You’ll like seeing the chain, especially when you get a few weeks under your belt. Your only job next is to not break the chain.”

“This chain method (as now some call it) soon became hit among writers and fitness enthusiasts – communities that thrive on the ability to do hard things consistently…”

Ok, me again. Welcome to summer – officially! As we approach this new season upon us – what strategies might you enlist to blend work & play in beautiful rhythm? Just maybe, something as simple as above could help!

Well. I’m signing off for July from penning my blog posts. I am entering a season of focused work (and play)…

Ah, before I do! Since laughter can be some of the best medicine of all – I’ll stick with the comedian theme within this post and give a BIG shout out to Windermere for landing Saturday Night Live star Colin Jost for a first annual Windermere Foundation Comedy Night. The event will take place on November 6, 2023, at Fremont Studios. I’ll be squirreling away my 2023 giving to attend this event! Watch the HUB & information from your offices to follow…

Again, welcome to summer – a time where our PNW shows off her best self – let’s go fill it with productive work & play. Here to help, the ultimate goal. – Laura

It was a short week after the long holiday weekend yet plenty of content I’ve observed to share as we sweep this week from my desk. Thanks for being here, thanks for being a reader and thanks for being in community. I’ll start with a story…in community.

As we (hopefully) each carve out time next week to participate in our annual community service day – I want to share the most interesting complaint call I received a few Saturday evenings ago. I know, funny way to go about telling a story on community – yet here goes the short version…

…I received a call from a gentleman from a NE Seattle neighborhood. He is not a client of ours and he is not transacting real estate. He was upset over the placement of signage for a listing. Not just a little upset – he had gone to the depths of discovery & fact finding to prove our sign could not be where it was. He was well, hot. As I took the complaint call, I did what I do – I listened. And here is where I just about fell off of my chair – as we wrapped up the call – he says to me, “and oh, I want to thank you for all that Windermere does for our neighborhood.” Moral of this story of the complaint call – in community, our collective generosities are seen. Community Service Day is just one of them – I’ll be out there with you! If you don’t yet know how your office is participating and when & where to be – just ask! Many hands make light work…

On the real estate front from my desk, I share market commentary from manager Jordan Malloch – thank you Jordan for being a guest blogger today!

Quick Sweep of four market numbers that are helpful to know: 

Metro Seattle (140/380/385/390/700/701/705/710/715/720) Single Family

Active Listings (snapshot):

• Today 863
• Last week on this day 853
• Last Month on this day 752
• Last Year on this day 957

New Listings:

• Month of May 922
• Last week on this day 819
• Month of April 849 
• May 2022 1157 

Pending Sales:

• Month of May 782 
• Last week on this day 662
• Month of April 667
• May 2022 922

Total Number of Closed Sales:

• Month of May 689
• Last week on this day 558
• Month of April  600
• May 2022 921
  

What Does It Mean?

Well, for the first time this year, our active inventory dropped below last year. As of end of day yesterday (June 1, 2023), we had 863 active listings, last year at the end of June 1, there were 957. That is a decrease of 9.8%. Since there is only one day of date for June, for the other three numbers, I decided to take a look at the month of May and compare it to April of this year and May 2022. Last May represented the high water mark in terms of median sold price with a mark of $1,010,000, this year we were at an even $900,000. Despite being down 10.9% from a year ago, that is a modest 1.7% increase from April. Both pending sales and total closed sales were well below last year, but along with the inventory flip we just saw, I expect June of this year to exceed last year. Obviously, interest rates will have something to do with that, but even with the volatility we are seeing, it is unlikely we will see the large, consecutive increases we saw last year.

This week we also ushered in June, yup – that happened. My daughter graduated from 8th grade & has fully immersed herself in summer break. My son is far from summer break (Seattle Public Schools). I listened to a great live FB feed with Seth Godin who gave a nod to AI being as impactful (and messy in early stages) as Edison’s invention of a thing called the lightbulb – ps, we’ll keep that conversation up as we right size that for our industry (hint: we just need to be smart about it). Seth spoke to the humanity within the long-game in business (and leading with that – agreed). Our country adverted default (big headline). We welcomed in Pride month. And yesterday, we lost a beautiful soul from our Eastlake office – long time staffer (jack of all trades kind of guy) – Lars Peterson – who endured a very quick & devastating battle with cancer. For ushering in June, that was a lot in one week. Let the pace of our upcoming summer find a cadence of lightness both in community and in industry.

As Piper (pictured below) proudly walks towards high school – we all walk towards summer. I very much believe it will be a good one – as there is opportunity in all markets when we each choose to be curious, consistent & in community.

Here to help (and let’s have some summer fun doing it) – the ultimate goal. – Laura

Ps, head on over to @windermereco.seattle (Instagram) to get inspired to live #vanlife at the Second Annual Community Van Jam! 🚗 Tour camper vans, meet fellow van enthusiasts and raise money for a good cause. 

All are welcome to this “open house on wheels” – fun way to connect with your people who inspire to be adventuring on wheels this summer! Free community event done for you…

Share away – link here.