Homeowners across our region are enjoying very healthy equity levels due to an amazing upswing in the real estate market over the last five years. In fact, the median price in King County is up 49% over the last five years and up 51% in Snohomish County. This growth in equity has given homeowners the exciting option to sell their homes for a price that will bear a sizable down payment or the ability to “buy all-cash” on their next home. This has many people exploring their next chapters, such as moving up to a larger home or downsizing for retirement. The strong price appreciation is great news and provides many opportunities; however, we have also faced some challenges in how to make these transitions work without moving twice.

Our biggest challenge for homebuyers in the marketplace right now is inventory levels. It is also the reason so many home sellers are doing so well. Currently, King County sits at 0.9 months of inventory based on pending sales and 0.6 months in Snohomish County. Historically, buyers that are also sellers would commonly secure a new home with a home sale contingency on the sale of their current home. Meaning the seller of the new home they are buying would give them a month or so to get their current house sold in order to be able to buy theirs.

Well in this market, utilizing a home sale contingency is only rarely an option, especially on desirable homes. So, the million-dollar question is this: how does one who has gained so much equity, now itching to get that bigger house, different location, or perfect rambler for settling into retirement, make this transition without having to move twice? We need to get creative and have a strategy. The Windermere Bridge Loan program has been a powerful tool to help homebuyers transition their equity without having to sell their house first.

This is an amazing tool for homeowners that own their homes free-and-clear or have gained a large amount of equity over time. This is also a low-cost and faster alternative to a cash-out re-fi or securing a HELOC which enables one to pull the equity out of their current house prior to selling it in order to make a non-contingent offer.

The way it works is we take the market value of the house the homeowner current lives in, established by a comparative market analysis (CMA) that I complete and is approved by my Broker. We then take 75% of the CMA value and subtract any debt owed, and that is the maximum amount the homeowner can borrow for their next down payment. For example, if the market value is $700,000: 75% of $700,000 is $525,000. Say the homeowner owes a remaining $225,000 on their mortgage; the max amount they could borrow would be $525,000 – $225,000 = $300,000.  If that same homeowner didn’t have a mortgage then they could borrow up to $525,000 as that is 75% of the CMA value.

This tool enables people to make transitions without having to sell their home first, attempt a home-sale-contingent offer, or go through the lengthy and expensive process of a cash-out re-fi or securing a HELOC. What makes this tool so efficient, is that it doesn’t require an appraisal (like a re-fi or HELOC does), and these can easily be turned around in 5-7 business days. This tool provides the opportunity to quickly and inexpensively pull your equity out, be competitive, and eliminates the double move.

The fees associated with this program are a 1% loan fee on the loan amount (minimum fee of $1,000), a title report, credit report, recording fees for the deed, and interest that is incurred between the loan funding and being paid off once the subject home is sold. That interest is conveniently wrapped up in the closing costs when the client closes the sale of the collateral home, eliminating the need to make monthly interest payments. Clients who use this program are also required to list the home 30 days after the loan has funded.  This allows time for the client to prepare their home for sale after they have moved out. Lastly, only homes in Washington state are eligible to be the collateral property, but note this can be a tool for relocating out-of-state which we are seeing a lot of.

In a strategy that is somewhat mind-blowing, we can sometimes use these bridge loans and never have to actually fund them. For example, if we secure a property non-contingent with the bridge loan and immediately get the subject home on the market, we can often secure a sale with a simultaneous closing, and never have to fund the loan. This eliminates the loan fee, interest, and the need to carry two mortgages. All this requires is getting pre-approved for the bridge loan and preparing the home for sale prior to shopping, so one is prepared to act quickly and line up both closings.

If you are excited about equity levels and today’s low interest rates and have thought about making that move you’ve been waiting for, but have been fearful of how to do it all – I can help. The Windermere Bridge Loan, along with great attention to detail, hand-holding, and careful planning have helped many people make these exciting transitions. It is my goal to help keep my clients informed and empower strong decisions. Please contact me if you would like further information on how this might work for you or someone you know.

As the Official Real Estate company of the Seattle Seahawks, Windermere donates $100 to Mary’s Place for every home game Hawks tackle. During the last home game against the Cowboys we raised $5,300, bringing our total to $131,000.

This weekend we take on the Vikings at Century Link and together, we’ll continue to #TackleHomelessness.

Over the last 5 years, housing has had abundant price appreciation, providing substantial equity for homeowners to utilize to make meaningful lifestyle moves or invest back into where they are. In King County, the median price has appreciated from $463,000 to $689,000 since July 2015, which is a 49% increase equaling $226,000! In Snohomish County, the median price has appreciated from $340,000 to $515,000 since July 2015, which is a 51% increase equaling $175,000. Bring on a global pandemic that has turned the world as we know it on its heels and the needs and desires for housing are starting to change! Solid equity positions and the changes brought on by the pandemic are creating The Big American Move.

In a July survey by Realtor.com the results show that consumers are looking for larger interior spaces, more spacious outdoor areas, and a desire to move to suburban areas from urban locations. This has been fueled by the ability to work remotely, providing many homeowners the opportunity to pivot to locations not driven by commute times, but by the overall enjoyment of the spaces that the home and yard provide. In fact in that same survey, 2 out of 3 consumers noted the ability to work remotely was fueling their decision to move. Some are fleeing from urban density to more wide-open spaces to provide more room to roam for children as on-line school looked to be the plan for 2020-21.

The pandemic has also spurred retirement for many, as well as adding the big retirement or second-home move to the east of the mountains or out of state. These markets are much more affordable, and folks that spent many years in their homes in King and Snohomish Counties are selling and turning their big chunks of equity into their dream oasis in the mountains, by the beach, or in the desert. Many of these purchases are able to be made all-cash due to the affordability of these areas in relation to liquidated equity. This simplifies life with no mortgage payments to maintain. An agent in my office just shared that of the last ten listings she had, eight either went east or out of state.

The established equity, increased demand, low inventory, and the lowest interest rates we have ever seen have created one of the most vital housing markets ever. According to Housing Wire, the rebound in the housing market since the National Emergency was announced has been shockingly strong. Meyers Research calls it nothing short of remarkable. Home purchase mortgage applications are up year-over-year for 11 straight weeks since mid-May.

Seven out of nine economists predict national price growth in 2020. Locally, Windermere’s Chief Economist Matthew Gardner predicts 5% year-over-year appreciation. In July, King County’s median price for Single Family Residential Homes (SFR) is up 3% complete year-over-year and Snohomish County (SFR) 6%. The higher price growth in Snohomish County is a reflection of the push to the suburbs and affordability.

John Burns Consulting is calling this The Great American Move. The phenomenon is being fueled by safety reasons, financial prospects, life-change improvements, personal comfort, and employment. They expect a surge in household and business relocations over the next few months that will provide new, strategic opportunities for the real estate market.

The Greater Seattle job market is still strong in many sectors and commutes will come back. While folks are cashing out their equity and going for larger spaces because they can, the Millennial generation is still very much attracted to the in-city neighborhoods. We have not seen this wealth transfer hurt these markets, as it is perfect timing for the maturing Millennials to put roots down in urban locations as they flourish in their careers, migrate to our area for work, marry, or start families.

2020 has been downright astonishing in regards to the housing market. In fact, it has felt like two different worlds managing the pace of such a brisk real estate market during a time where we have slowed down and simplified our daily lives. Maintaining the safety of everyone around me by observing all the proper safety protocols has been a top priority. I’ve felt a great responsibility to help my clients navigate some very big lifestyle decisions through the purchase and sale of their real estate. It has been an honor and something I take very seriously. It is always my goal to help keep my clients informed and to empower strong decisions, especially during this unprecedented time. Please reach out if you’d like me to answer any questions or shed light on the trends in your area. Be safe, be well!

For many of us, all the extra time at home this year has sparked bouts of decluttering and purging. Whether you have already cleaned out your linen closet, or you’re still planning to tackle the garage, an important key in this process is what to do with all the stuff.

Most thrift stores in King and Snohomish counties are open under Phase 2 right now, but many of the more well-known spots have restrictions on what they will take, and when they are accepting donations. If you’ve made your way through a donation line at Goodwill, you probably know that they are not currently accepting any furniture. But did you know that many of the smaller, independent shops are taking large pieces?

Do a Google search for “thrift stores near me”, and call the smaller ones to see what their donation acceptance policies are during COVID. Or use this great national directory where you can put in your zip code and find lots of nearby shops.

Below are a few Puget Sound organizations where your gently used household donations support important causes like homelessness and youth mentoring. Make sure to check their website or call for their current COVID policies.

• Habitat for Humanity
• Big Brothers Big Sisters Puget Sound
• See if there is a women’s shelter near you that is in need of household items or clothes
• St Vincent de Paul Seattle
• Northwest Center
• And of course, here are the links for Goodwill, Value Village and Salvation Army.