Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Northwest Real Estate Federal Way & Puyallup

  Hi Everyone,   The March calendar with all of our upcoming classes and events that you don't want to miss. You can also register for our classes on our eventbrite at  bhhsnwre.eventbrite.com   Thank you,

  As more people continue to identify their changing needs this year, some are turning to the upscale housing sector for more space or finer features. In their most recent  Luxury Market Report , the  Institute for Luxury Home Marketing  (ILHM) shares: “In a snapshot of 2020,  despite the devasting effects of the coronavirus pandemic, the luxury real estate market has seen one of its strongest years since 2008 . In comparison to experts’ predictions in early 2020, it is remarkable how significant demands for property type, location, and amenity preferences have changed amid the pandemic.” With more opportunities to work from home and a growing interest in having extra space for things like virtual school, working out, and cooking more meals, the desire to own a home that can meet these needs continues to increase. Additionally, record-low mortgage  rates  are creating opportunities for homebuyers to stretch their legs into higher price points or even expand their real estate portfolios

  The Mortgage Bankers Association reported This Week in Real Estat e that January ended with a surge in mortgage applications in response to a 3 basis point decrease following three consecutive weeks of rate increases. The MBAs refinance index realized its highest level since March 2020. Below are a few newsworthy events from the first week of February that influence our business:    * Home Prices Topple Expectations, Surging at the End of 2020. National home prices increased 9.2% year over year in December 2020, according to the latest CoreLogic Home Price Index (HPI) Report. Home price growth in 2020 started off at a modest 4.3% rate in the first quarter, but as the pandemic limited supply throughout 2020, home price growth picked up, ending the year with an increase of 8.3% for the fourth quarter. CoreLogic analyzes four individual home-price tiers that are calculated relative to the median national home sale price. Home price growth accelerated for all four price tiers in 2

Over the past year, our homes have become an integral part of our lives more than ever. They’re much more than the houses we live in. They’re our workplaces, virtual schools, and safe havens that provide shelter, stability, and protection through the evolving health crisis. Today,  65.8%  of Americans are fortunate enough to call their homes their own. As we continue to think about the future, our goals for the year, and what we want to achieve well beyond 2021, it’s a great time to look at the benefits of owning a home. Below are some  highlights  and quotes on the benefits of homeownership shared by the  National Association of Realtors  (NAR). From feel-good motivations to economic and social impacts on the local community, these items may give you reason to believe homeownership stretches well beyond your financial investment. Non-Financial Benefits Owning a home brings a sense of happiness, satisfaction, and pride. Pride of Ownership:  It feels good to have a place that’s truly yo

  As we approach the anniversary of the hardships we’ve faced through this pandemic and the subsequent recession, it’s normal to reflect on everything that’s changed and wonder what’s ahead for 2021. While there are signs of economic recovery as vaccines are being issued, we still have a long way to go. It’s at times like these we want exact information about anything we’re doing. That information brings knowledge, and this gives us a sense of relief and comfort in uncertain times. If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home today, the same need for information is very real. But, because it’s such a big step in our lives, that desire for clear information is even greater in the homebuying or selling process. Given the current level of overall anxiety, we want that advice to be truly perfect. The challenge is, no one can give you “perfect” advice. Experts can, however, give you the best advice possible. Let’s say you need an attorney, so you seek out an expert in the type of law r