Tag: economy

My bookmarks (this week).

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Welcome to Friday. And wow, I have certainly enjoyed the crisp, cold, yet stunning PNW days this week. Everything is a bit better with the sunshine. Today’s FWL is focused on three things I’ve enjoyed having at my fingertips this week as I dive further in with curiosity…

As I brought to awareness in last week’s blog – a reminder to review the “Revisions to the Escalation Addendum (NWMLS 35E) hosted on the homepage of NWMLS. There are now two videos available. For all of us, this is a good prerequisite for heading into the revisions going live next week. In my humble opinion, I don’t believe these revisions or the new tool (calculator) will change how we are handling escalators much in the very immediate future. It will take time for brokers to learn & implement. Use the next couple of weeks to seek understanding. These revisions are tools in the toolbelt – and yet at the end of the day for listing brokers – continue working the solutions/scenarios that are in front of you. There are many ways to arrive at mutual acceptance. There is no one-size-fits-all approach, and 35E (process) is not a perfect form for every situation to arrive at mutual acceptance. In the meantime, I’ll be playing with the calculator alongside you. Start with the videos heading into next week! Offices will be naturally working through the revisions with you.

This week I hit refresh on my bookmarked Downtown Seattle Association website. Talking with a broker yesterday who had put together a fabulous marketing piece around the revitalization of the downtown waterfront, it dawned on me that I owe downtown a day trip to explore! And then, it brought me back to explore further the DSA website – very well done. Full site here along with resources in an Economic Report, Development, Economic Revitalization (dashboard) & a fabulous Seattle City Makers Podcast. I hosted DSA President & CEO Jon Scholes at a meeting last year – putting Jon back on my guest list in 2025. Until then, his podcast is great and consider planning a visit to walk the waterfront park! 🎤

REALTORS®+Housing

My 3rd resource as we sweep this week in content is hitting refresh on the newly launched website: REALTORS®+Housing

As we are well aware, housing policy is undergoing major changes in Washington State. In 2023 and 2024, the Washington State Legislature passed a myriad of housing bills. The two most significant were middle housing bills HB 1110 and HB 1337. These bills are set to transform housing policies in urban and suburban areas by allowing middle housing and accessory dwelling units across the Puget Sound region.

Along with becoming more familiar with this new site – next week I’ll be digesting a recording of a recent Windermere ProDev class on: Seattle Zoning Updates and Housing Opportunities: Adapting to Seattle’s Evolving Plan.

The word that really sticks out to me in the class title – evolving. Consider bookmarking the site above as one resource to evolve with change.

To round out FWL, I’ll bring us all back to our local real estate market. In talking with a ton of brokers & industry leaders this week – there are signs of an early spring market. And in getting back to basics, let’s get back into our cars, tour and connect…

As the fabulous Sue Bethke likes to say, “You can’t sell what you haven’t seen.” With my coaching hat on, keep distractions to a minimum and maintain intentionality and focus as we move further into 2025.

Have a wonderful weekend in productive work & play. Here to help; the ultimate goal. – Laura

Balancing complexity AND focus.

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Hello Sunday evening. And, hello from my desk as I prep for a fresh new week. Before jumping into this week, I want to name last week as trying. Whether last week’s election results brought anger, anxiousness, confusion, or a sense of relief – a broader emotional atmosphere ensued. I want to acknowledge the emotional complexity and intensity of the moment.

I have leaned heavily into being patient with myself and honoring where others are in each moment. I have stayed true to my routines. I have focused on where I see good happening around me. I have appreciated the sunshine that kissed our city here and there. I have taken the days slow and intentional. I helped neighbors with odds and ends with more joy. I smiled when I noticed humans connecting with humans in slower conversation.

I remained confident in the agency I know I have in focus & habits and I kept curiosity and understanding at the forefront of all interactions. I did not downplay the strong emotions of last week and I stayed focused.

On that note, I have 5 things that helped me stay focused last week in real estate & our industry. My hope is that this content will help with focus this week…

#1. Windermere broker, Tyler Anderson shared with me a very good YouTube on the One Seattle Plan – Updating Seattle’s Neighborhood Residential Zones. Very informative! Link here.

#2. I perused WindermereStats.com along with local Seattle Times graphics with NWMLS data – and, shared @windermereco.seattle *if you need the October password: text me 206.227.7133

#3. Windermere HUB & LaunchPad posted the beginnings of a new video series from Windermere Economist, Jeff Tucker: “Local Look: Western Washington Housing Update” – link here. *video under 4 minutes

#4. I appreciated this video on property reviews – simplified. Link here. *note: adding in specificity in area reports from WindermereStats is an excellent idea. Need help in doing that? Just ask. Happy to help.

#5. And, note from Adam Zylstra // Penrith on the Federal Reserve cutting rates 0.25% – as expected:

“As expected, the Federal Reserve has just cut rates by 0.25% in an unanimous decision. While mortgage interest rates are slightly lower at the moment, it’s too early to tell exactly where they’ll head as the market digests this news. The Fed’s commentary was intentionally ‘aggressively noncommittal,’ signaling that they will closely monitor economic data to guide future rate decisions. Inflation is nearing their target, but there’s no firm indication of whether additional cuts are likely or if rates will hold steady. Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s press conference will begin in about 30 minutes, and any new insights could be market movers. I’ll be following closely and will update you with any important shifts. No big surprises here, but if you’d like to chat more about rates, the Fed’s outlook, or have questions on specific clients, I’m here to help.” – Adam Zylstra // Penrith 425.879.0766

Tomorrow, Monday – 11.11.2024 – Veterans Day is a legal holiday for computation of time. From all of us, thank you to all that have served.

This week I will be traveling & meeting with fellow Windermere Owners across the network to look ahead in planning for 2025. This will be a nice focus for me. Back soon. Until then, be well – Laura