“We must find time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives.”
— John F. Kennedy
Seattle ranked as most competitive real estate market in the country
With low housing inventory and high buyer demand, homes in the region are continuing to sell at record speeds. According to a new study from Lombardo Homes, Seattle was ranked the most competitive real estate market across the country.
https://www.seattlepi.com/realestate/slideshow/Seattle-ranked-as-most-competitive-real-estate-213028.php
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Homebuying in the Age of Covid-19
Perhaps the most unexpected effect of Covid-19 is the real estate boom. With demand for mortgages up 25% and rates at astonishing lows, it’s no surprise that housing markets across the country feel more competitive than ever
https://lombardohomes.com/homebuying-in-the-age-of-covid-19/
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Looking to buy a home in Seattle? Over 40% are selling above list price
The Seattle-area housing market is seeing a significant number of homes selling above their initial list price as the area continues to see low inventory amid the coronavirus pandemic.
https://www.seattlepi.com/realestate/slideshow/seattle-homes-selling-above-list-price-coronavirus-212707.php
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Microsoft-led housing effort cuts rents in Seattle suburbs
Microsoft says its affordable-housing initiative has hit upon a model for quickly converting market-rate apartments to ones middle-income workers such as teachers and nurses can afford.
https://www.pressherald.com/2020/11/19/microsoft-led-housing-effort-cuts-rents-in-seattle-suburbs/
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West Seattle Bridge repair cheaper than replacement, but costs still loom
Instead, the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) plans $47 million in repairs in hopes of reopening the bridge in 2022, a faster timeline than building a new structure.
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/west-seattle-bridge-repair-cheaper-than-replacement-but-costs-still-loom/
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‘Next decade’s answer to the Space Needle’: Seattle 2030 is a post-pandemic skyscraper concept
Once the pandemic passes and everyone can stop thinking about relocating to Butte, perhaps we can reconnect with the imaginative spirit that fuels what it means to live in a high-tech city. One Seattle architect has already started daydreaming.
https://www.geekwire.com/2020/next-decades-answer-space-needle-seattle-2030-post-pandemic-skyscraper-concept/
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The New Un-Normal in Multifamily
Multifamily Finance Absorbing the Impact of COVID, but More Jolts May Be Ahead
https://www.key.com/businesses-institutions/business-expertise/articles/the-new-un-normal-in-multifamily.jsp?ppc=1020_CMPREC_BIS_pd&fbclid=IwAR2R6hoFYZkTgxA3sa_IwCyXtGRH8Vaa9QCZUrIn0X9yBRtMLugQZqwDwRM
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Google is planning a new campus near Seattle
Google bought a 10 acre (0.4 hectare) plot close to its existing campus in Kirkland, Washington, and plans to use it to expand in the area, according to a memo sent to employees earlier this week that was seen by Bloomberg.
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/google-is-planning-a-new-campus-near-seattle
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A Jewel Box Floating Home on Seattle’s Lake Union Lists for $3.5M
One of Seattle’s coveted floating homes is now up for grabs on Lake Union, with a choice waterfront position and unobstructed views of Gas Works Park. Designed by local architecture firm Vandeventer + Carlander, the structure makes the most of its location with a glass-fronted facade, as well as east- and west-facing terraces.
https://www.dwell.com/article/floating-home-vandeventer-and-carlander-architects-seattle-real-estate-62365ad6
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Planning to Sell Your Home in Retirement? Downsize Costs Along With Space
In this hot real estate market, consider the costs of buying and selling a house along with the expenses associated with your new digs.
https://www.oregonlive.com/realestate/2020/11/portland-area-homes-that-sold-for-more-than-1-million-during-the-pandemic-include-historic-mansions.html
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Top 200 most common passwords of the year 2020
Here are the worst 200 passwords of 2020. The list details how many times a password has been exposed, used, and how much time it would take to crack it.
https://nordpass.com/most-common-passwords-list/
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Two New Luxury RVs for Your Collection
It’s just you and the open road. Mountains and lakes and prairies come in and out of view as the miles tick on the speedometer.
https://blog.coldwellbankerluxury.com/luxury-rv-market-swells-with-two-new-road-ready-offerings/
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Garages in New Homes: 2019 Data
A majority of new homes that completed construction in 2019 included two-car garages (65%), according to NAHB analysis of 2019 Census Bureau Survey of Construction data. There is clear uniformity for parking options in new homes completed across the Census divisions: the 2-car garage was the most popular parking option for completed homes in all divisions.
http://eyeonhousing.org/2020/11/garages-in-new-homes-2019-data/
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Existing Home Sales Continue Upward Trend
Fueled by record-low mortgage rates and strong demand, existing home sales, as reported by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), rose for a fifth consecutive month in October and reached its highest level in almost 15 years.
http://eyeonhousing.org/2020/11/existing-home-sales-continue-upward-trend/
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Second Homes Are Driving the U.S.’s Covid-19 Housing Boom
Demand for vacation properties is growing twice as fast as demand for primary homes, as affluent Americans look for more space to ride out the pandemic
https://www.mansionglobal.com/articles/second-homes-are-driving-the-u-s-s-covid-19-housing-boom-221356
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Whether Big or Small, Home Improvement Projects Are Trendy in 2020
Home offices, outdoor spaces and play areas are being reimagined
https://www.mansionglobal.com/articles/whether-big-or-small-home-improvement-projects-are-trendy-in-2020-221213
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Gov. Inslee orders sweeping restrictions on indoor gatherings, restaurants, bars, gyms as COVID-19 cases surge in Washington state
Inslee on Sunday morning ordered restaurants and bars to shut down indoor service and to limit outdoor service to parties of five or fewer. Indoor gyms and fitness centers must also shut down. Same with movie theaters, bowling alleys and museums. Indoor gatherings with people outside your household will be prohibited unless participants have quarantined for at least a week and tested negative.
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/health/gov-inslee-orders-sweeping-restrictions-on-indoor-gatherings-restaurants-bars-gyms-as-covid-19-cases-surge-in-washington-state/
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Weekly Housing Market Monitor
NAR Research compiles the latest housing market data in this weekly monitor, based on what REALTORS® are seeing in their market, mortgage data, jobless claims, foot traffic, and the latest home sales numbers.
https://www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/research-reports/weekly-housing-market-monitor
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Market Hotness Index
Metro Hotness - Zip Code and County Hotness
https://www.realtor.com/research/reports/hottest-markets/
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HOUSING STATISTICS
Housing Statistics offers 43 different sets of data, downloadable either as Excel or PDF files (updated weekly). Housing data and primary indicators of the industry are housed in one easy-to navigate location containing historical and current sets of statistics such as: Housing Starts (by Region & Structure Type), Homes Sold by Region, Producer Price Indexes (for Building Materials), Manufactured Homes, New Home Characteristics, Residential Vacancy & Absorption Rates, Units Under Construction, Value of New Construction, and many more.
http://www.nahbclassic.org/reference_list.aspx?sectionID=819&channelID=311
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Economic Indicators
U.S. Census Bureau Economic Indicators
https://www.census.gov/economic-indicators/
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Local Market Reports
All real estate is local and every market is unique. To help REALTORS® and other housing market analysts get the most out of the plethora of data that is available, NAR Research produces a series of Local Market Reports (LMRs) which provide insights into the fundamentals and direction of the nation's largest metropolitan housing markets. Each report evaluates a number of factors affecting home prices, including:
https://www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/research-reports/local-market-reports
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CoreLogic Home Price Insights
The most geographically comprehensive and current home price index.
http://www.corelogic.com/about-us/researchtrends/corelogic-home-price-insights.aspx?WT.mc_id=crlg_151103_aHqc0&elq=d6379903117d41bcbe7b9f6a82f2189a&elqCampaignId=2692&elqaid=7659&elqat=1&elqTrackId=097f671c98fc48249757d8ddbd229326#.Vj1WlvnnuUl
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Bureau of Economic Analysis
U.S. Economy at a Glance
http://www.bea.gov/index.htm
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Mortgage Market Survey Archive
Compilation of Weekly Survey Data for 2015
http://www.freddiemac.com/pmms/archive.html
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Housing Economics
NAHB produces in-depth economic analyses of the home building industry based on private and government data. Our economics group surveys builders, home buyers, and renters to gain insight into the issues and trends driving the industry.
https://www.nahb.org/en/research/housing-economics.aspx