Blog - Robin Myers

condominium speciaist, condominiums, economy, neighborhoods, real estate

How has COVID-19 Impacted Various Housing Categories

Matthew Gardner offers insight into how the coronavirus pandemic may impact urban housing, condos, single family housing, suburbs, second homes and short term rentals.
buying a home, condominium speciaist, condominiums, home property values, housing market, real estate, selling a home

Real Estate – What to Expect as We Return to “Normal”

It’s not surprising to know home sales declined in mid-March as we sheltered at home. Moving into mid-April both buyer activity and pending sales began increasing, all while home prices remained strong. Nationally median home prices rose in every region of the US in April. Locally buyer activity and home values also gained momentum. Short […]
Bellevue, condominium speciaist, Downtown Bellevue, family, lifestyle, neighborhoods

Feel the Sidewalk Between Your Toes

I’ve lived in Bellevue for over 30 years and downtown for the past dozen years. During the past several weeks of stay home/stay healthy I’ve logged a lot of miles around downtown Bellevue, often accompanied by two spoiled dogs. I know this city pretty well but have been surprised by the the pocket parks, public […]
Bellevue Farmers Market, condominium speciaist, Downtown Bellevue, events, lifestyle

Bellevue Farmers Market

Due to the extension of Washington State’s stay home/stay healthy order, the opening of the Bellevue Farmers Market has been delayed. This year the market will have a soft opening. Beginning on May 14th and again on May 21st and May 28th, pre-ordered produce boxes will be available for drive-through pick-up from 3:00 – 6:00 […]

condominium speciaist How has COVID-19 Impacted Various Housing Categories Matthew Gardner offers insight into how the coronavirus pandemic may impact urban housing, condos, single family housing, suburbs, second homes and short term rentals.

buying a home Real Estate – What to Expect as We Return to “Normal” It’s not surprising to know home sales declined in mid-March as we sheltered at home. Moving into mid-April both buyer activity and pending sales began increasing, all while home prices remained strong. Nationally median home prices rose in every region of the US in April. Locally buyer activity and home values also gained momentum. Short […]

Bellevue Feel the Sidewalk Between Your Toes I’ve lived in Bellevue for over 30 years and downtown for the past dozen years. During the past several weeks of stay home/stay healthy I’ve logged a lot of miles around downtown Bellevue, often accompanied by two spoiled dogs. I know this city pretty well but have been surprised by the the pocket parks, public […]

Bellevue Farmers Market Bellevue Farmers Market Due to the extension of Washington State’s stay home/stay healthy order, the opening of the Bellevue Farmers Market has been delayed. This year the market will have a soft opening. Beginning on May 14th and again on May 21st and May 28th, pre-ordered produce boxes will be available for drive-through pick-up from 3:00 – 6:00 […]

buying a home Concerned about a Housing Bubble? These are interesting and complex times. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, brokers are following strict recommendations from public health officials and government agencies to ensure we are helping to reduce its impact. Ensuring that agents, office staff and clients are safe and healthy is the top priority. Real estate is still happening – […]

condominium speciaist The New Normal (does not include dog grooming) I work from home frequently, so the adjustment to a home office over the past month hasn’t been a major change for me. I don’t have children living at home, so I can’t imagine the challenges of balancing working from home full time, parenting 24/7 and taking on the role of teacher. These new routines, […]

condominium speciaist Homeowner Association Issues Impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic During the shelter-at-home order in Washington State, board or HOA meetings are currently prohibited. This may create complications for homeowner associations trying to conduct business that needs a majority vote regarding matters impacting the HOA and owners. Homeowner/community associations are required to follow their governing documents when handling association matters. This includes owners and directors […]

condominium speciaist Downtown Bellevue Condos – Year-to-Year Stats Demand for urban housing remains strong, and with Amazon’s projected growth in downtown Bellevue, along with other corporations’ expansion plans, high demand is expected to continue over the next few years. Before the coronavirus outbreak and Stay Home/Stay Healthy order that went into effect in mid-March, the local condo real estate market was off […]

buying a home The Impact of COVID-19 on 30 Year Mortgage Rates Windermere’s Chief Economist Matthew Gardner provides his insight on mortgage interest rates, how those rates are set and what we might expect in the coming weeks and months with regard to conforming and jumbo loan financing.

Easter Happy Easter Easter will be different for everyone this year. Plans and traditions will need to be adjusted which may mean coloring eggs together or sharing dinner will be done via Face Time or Zoom rather than in person. No doubt gatherings will be a bit more intimate this year. Regardless of how you choose to celebrate […]

condominium speciaist Real Estate – It’s Not Business as Usual The coronavirus health crisis has redirected everyone’s focus. We’re all searching for our “new normal”, abandoning and creating new daily routines, figuring out how to safely shop for groceries, work from home (maybe cope with the temporary or permanent loss of a job or income), home school and entertain children, balance finances and care for […]

condominium speciaist King County Property Tax Deadline Postponed Due to the financial hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, King County has postponed the property tax deadline from April 30th to June 1st. This extension applies to individual residential and commercial taxpayers who pay property taxes themselves. If your property taxes are paid through your mortgage lender, banks and other financial institutions still need […]

condominium speciaist Stay Home – Stay Healthy – Stay Safe Like many of you, I have been working from home for the last two weeks. Though technology allows for viewing photo galleries and virtual tours, locating neighborhoods on Google maps, reviewing documents and digitally signing documents, real estate is a person-to-person business. While the State of Washington recently determined real estate is an essential business […]

buying a home Are Open Houses a Thing of the Past? Earlier this month, as concern regarding the coronavirus grew, my company, Windermere Real Estate, followed by the NWMLS a few days later, made the decision to suspend all open houses in an effort to protect the health of buyers, sellers and brokers. There will be little real estate business transacted during the State of Washington’s […]

buying a home Uncharted Waters The early spring real estate market was crazy with buyer demand outpacing available housing inventory. With growing concern and uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus, a few homes are being listed for sale (though far fewer than normal for this time of year) and homes sold last week. There will always be people who have to move, […]

condominium speciaist A Bright Spot in Confusing Times The past few weeks/days have created concern, uncertainty and chaos in everyone’s world. Like many people, I am working at home, keeping clients advised of what’s happening in the real estate market and in their neighborhoods (homes are continuing to come on the market and sell) and responding to questions, emails and phone calls. We’ve […]

condominium speciaist Are You Ready for a Condominium Lifestyle? Condos are often the choice of empty nesters downsizing, or right-sizing, into a new lifestyle offering less maintenance, luxury amenities and a carefree lock-and-walk lifestyle. It can be an adjustment living with neighbors closer, sharing common areas and learning to cope with smaller spaces. Give ample thought to your lifestyle and how you will adjust […]

buying a home February NWMLS Real Estate Market Snapshot February statistics are in. Home prices, compared to February 2019, are up 9%. There’s less than a six week supply of available homes which is down 33% over the same time last year. Mortgage interest rates are historically low. Now is the time to maximize your home buying power. Open house traffic has been amazing. […]

condominiums Spring Forward this Weekend

buying a home Wire Fraud – Use Caution When Wiring Funds In every real estate transaction emails are sent between the buyer and their real estate broker, lender, escrow and title companies. Unfortunately these emails have created an opportunity for wire fraud scammers causing some real estate buyers to lose hundreds of thousands of dollars. Here’s how it works . . . scammers hack into the […]