Explore the highlights of our area and gain insights with practical real estate tips and the latest local market trends.
SCCAR Food Drive: How You Can Make a Difference This October Windermere / CIR is excited to announce our participation in the Snohomish County-Camano Association of REALTORS® (SCCAR) annual food drive, happening from October 1st to 31st, and we need your support! Every donation benefits the Stanwood-Camano Food Bank, directly helping families in our community. […]
Camano Island: Best Local Parks for Kids Camano Island is full of wonderful parks and trails to explore. This island has something for everyone to enjoy. My family and I love going on local adventures, whether hiking, biking, boating, having a beach day, or visiting local playgrounds. There are endless ways to make lasting memories […]
August 2024 Market Insights August 2024: Mortgage rates have begun to moderate, dropping to 6.35% for 30-year terms at the end of August, down from this year’s high of 7.52% at the end of April. The market is shifting toward a more balanced market, with increased supply coming onto the market. The number of homes […]
The Best Time To Buy a Home This Year A shift is underway in the housing market this season. And if you’ve been sitting on the sidelines waiting for the right moment to jump back into your homebuying search, this is a great time to do it. That’s because the best week to buy a home this year […]
What To Know About Closing Costs Now that you’ve decided to buy a home and are ready to make it happen, it’s a good idea to plan ahead for the costs that are a typical part of the homebuying process. And while your down payment is probably the number one expense on your mind, don’t forget about closing costs. […]
Are We Heading into a Balanced Market? If you’ve been keeping an eye on the housing market over the past couple of years, you know sellers have had the upper hand. But is that going to shift now that inventory is growing? Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know. What Is a Balanced Market? A […]
2025 Housing Market Forecasts: What To Expect Looking ahead to 2025, it’s important to know what experts are projecting for the housing market. And whether you’re thinking of buying or selling a home next year, having a clear picture of what they’re calling for can help you make the best possible decision for your homeownership plans. Here’s an early […]
Camano Island vs. Whidbey Island: A Comparison Camano Island is a stunning location with convenient access to the I-5 corridor. Just 45 minutes from Seattle and 90 minutes from Canada, it’s perfect for enjoying a night out, whether for dining, entertainment, theater, sports, shopping, or sightseeing. The island is connected to the mainland by a land […]
July 2024 Market Insights July 2024: The continued incremental decline in interest rates and increase in available listings for sale have continued to fuel market activity. Economists are indicating a further decline in interest rates driven by the Federal Reserve in September and into 2025, which could further stimulate the market. The market did experience […]
What Every Homeowner Should Know About Their Equity Curious about selling your home? Understanding how much equity you have is the first step to unlocking what you can afford when you move. And since home prices rose so much over the past few years, most people have much more equity than they may realize. Here’s a deeper look at what […]
The Biggest Mistakes Sellers Are Making Right Now The housing market is going through a transition. Higher mortgage rates are causing more moderate buyer activity at the same time the supply of homes for sale is growing. And if you aren’t working with an agent, you may not realize that. Here’s the downside. If you’re not informed, you can’t adjust […]
Utsalady Ladies Aid “Preserving the Past for the Future” Nestled near the shores of Utsalady Bay sits the Utsalady Ladies Aid Building. We celebrate 100 years of the beautiful little “white house” on Camano Island. Established in 1908 for the women of the community, it was a place to teach Christian education to the children, […]
June 2024 Market Insights June 2024: Active listings have shown consistent month-over-month increases, with pending and sold transactions following typical seasonal trends. Over the last two months, there has been a notable influx of new listings, resulting in a significant rise in market inventory compared to previous periods. This abundance of options is especially beneficial […]
The Price of Perfection: Don’t Wait for the Perfect Home In life, patience is a virtue – but in the world of homebuying, waiting too long in hopes of finding the perfect home actually isn’t wise. That’s because the pursuit of perfection comes at a cost. And in this case, that cost may be delaying your […]
Streamlining Your Life: 7 Tips to Make Downsizing Easier Whether you’re retiring, moving into a smaller space, or simply want to live more minimally, downsizing can simplify the process. After all, the fewer belongings you have, the less you need to pack, move, and organize in your new place. But for many of us, the […]
Home Maintenance Checklist: Summer Edition As summer nears, who doesn’t dream of camping trips, weekend getaways, and hammock lay-arounds? But before you book your entire summer, remember that it’s also an important time for home maintenance and repair, particularly outdoors. Whether you’re prepping your home for summer fun or enhancing its efficiency, here’s a checklist […]
Don’t Be A Flip! I get asked by friends and family from other areas what they should do to sell their homes? They use terms like “We don’t want to give it away” and “This money really matters to us, so it is different than a typical home sale.” Their idea is to “save money” […]
May 2024 Market Insights May 2024: The recent increase in listings, the highest in over 1.5 years, is a positive sign for the real estate market, particularly during the spring selling season. This influx has pushed active inventory into the triple digits. Additionally, the market has seen the most sold listings since last August, further […]
Why Buyer Representation Should Matter So Much to Sellers In today’s rapidly changing real estate landscape, understanding the critical role of buyer representation has never been more essential for home sellers. With the pending NAR settlement on the horizon, many sellers may not fully grasp the significant impact these changes will have on their transactions. […]
First-Time Home Buyers! As beauty is in the eye of the beholder, the idea of the American Dream differs from person to person. However, in a recent Bankrate study, participants were asked which accomplishments best embodied the American Dream. According to the results, owning a home continues to rank highest for many Americans today (see […]
