Blog - Windermere Orcas

Housing Market

What To Expect from Mortgage Rates and Home Prices in 2025

What To Expect from Mortgage Rates and Home Prices in 2025 Curious about where the housing market is headed in 2025? The good news is that experts are offering some promising forecasts, especially when it comes to two key factors that directly affect your decisions: mortgage rates and home prices. Whether you’re thinking of buying or selling, here’s […]
Selling

Why Did More People Decide To Sell Their Homes Recently?

Why Did More People Decide To Sell Their Homes Recently? Homeowners typically slow down their moving plans as the summer months wrap up, and as a result, fewer homes are listed for sale in the fall. It’s a predictable, seasonal trend in real estate. But this year, mortgage rates came down at the same time […]
Housing Market

Why Now’s Not the Time To Take Your House Off the Market

Why Now’s Not the Time To Take Your House Off the Market Has your house been sitting on the market longer than expected? If so, you’re bound to be frustrated by now. Maybe you’re even thinking it’s time to pull the listing and wait to see what 2025 brings. But what you may not realize is, the decision to […]
Housing Market

Falling Mortgage Rates Are Bringing Buyers Back

Falling Mortgage Rates Are Bringing Buyers Back If you’ve been hesitant to list your house because you’re worried no one’s buying, here’s your sign it may be time to talk with an agent. After months of high rates keeping buyers on the sidelines, things are starting to shift. Rates are already coming down due to a number […]

Housing Market What To Expect from Mortgage Rates and Home Prices in 2025 What To Expect from Mortgage Rates and Home Prices in 2025 Curious about where the housing market is headed in 2025? The good news is that experts are offering some promising forecasts, especially when it comes to two key factors that directly affect your decisions: mortgage rates and home prices. Whether you’re thinking of buying or selling, here’s […]

Selling Why Did More People Decide To Sell Their Homes Recently? Why Did More People Decide To Sell Their Homes Recently? Homeowners typically slow down their moving plans as the summer months wrap up, and as a result, fewer homes are listed for sale in the fall. It’s a predictable, seasonal trend in real estate. But this year, mortgage rates came down at the same time […]

Housing Market Why Now’s Not the Time To Take Your House Off the Market Why Now’s Not the Time To Take Your House Off the Market Has your house been sitting on the market longer than expected? If so, you’re bound to be frustrated by now. Maybe you’re even thinking it’s time to pull the listing and wait to see what 2025 brings. But what you may not realize is, the decision to […]

Housing Market Falling Mortgage Rates Are Bringing Buyers Back Falling Mortgage Rates Are Bringing Buyers Back If you’ve been hesitant to list your house because you’re worried no one’s buying, here’s your sign it may be time to talk with an agent. After months of high rates keeping buyers on the sidelines, things are starting to shift. Rates are already coming down due to a number […]

Housing Market The Real Story Behind What’s Happening with Home Prices The Real Story Behind What’s Happening with Home Prices If you’re wondering what’s going on with home prices lately, you’re definitely not the only one. With so much information out there, it can be hard to figure out your next move. As a buyer, you might be worried about paying more than you should. And if you’re […]

Housing Market How the Federal Reserve’s Next Move Could Impact the Housing Market How the Federal Reserve’s Next Move Could Impact the Housing Market Now that it’s September, all eyes are on the Federal Reserve (the Fed). The overwhelming expectation is that they’ll cut the Federal Funds Rate at their upcoming meeting, driven primarily by recent signs that inflation is cooling, and the job market is slowing down. Mark Zandi, Chief Economist […]

Housing Market What’s the Impact of Presidential Elections on the Housing Market? What’s the Impact of Presidential Elections on the Housing Market? It’s no surprise that the upcoming Presidential election might have you speculating about what’s ahead. And those unanswered thoughts can quickly spiral, causing fear and uncertainty to swirl through your mind. So, if you’ve been considering buying or selling a home this year, you’re probably curious about what the […]

Housing Market The Great Wealth Transfer: A New Era of Opportunity The Great Wealth Transfer: A New Era of Opportunity In recent years, there’s been a significant shift in how wealth is distributed among generations. It’s called the Great Wealth Transfer. Historically, the transfer of wealth from one generation to the next was a more gradual process, often limited to smaller amounts of inheritance or family savings. But today, the […]

Housing Market Mortgage Rates Down a Full Percent from Recent High Mortgage Rates Down a Full Percent from Recent High Mortgage rates have been one of the hottest topics in the housing market lately because of their impact on affordability. And if you’re someone who’s looking to make a move, you’ve probably been waiting eagerly for rates to come down for that very reason. Well, if the past few weeks are […]

Selling The Biggest Mistakes Sellers Are Making Right Now 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 […]

Home Improvement Why Fixing Up Your House Can Help It Sell Faster Why Fixing Up Your House Can Help It Sell Faster If you’re thinking about selling your house, you should know there are buyers who are ready and able to pay today’s high prices. But they want a home that’s move-in ready. A recent press release from Redfin explains: “Buyers are still out there and they’re willing to pay […]

Housing Market Why Working with a Real Estate Professional Is Crucial Right Now Why Working with a Real Estate Professional Is Crucial Right Now Navigating the housing market can be tricky, especially these days. That’s why having an experienced guide when buying or selling a home is so important. The market isn’t exactly straightforward right now, and working with a real estate expert can offer insights and advice that make all the […]

Buying The Price of Perfection: Don’t Wait for the Perfect Home 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 […]

Lifestyle Why I Love to Call Orcas Island Home Why I Love to Call Orcas Island Home Peaceful nature, enchanting local goods, and a tight-knit and distinctive community are just some of the reasons I love to call Orcas Island home. Although I flew the coop after 18 years of an unrivaled childhood on the island, I have yet to find a place with […]

Housing Market Common Listing Terms in Real Estate Common Listing Terms in Real Estate Real estate jargon can often be confusing and hard to understand. Whether you are buying or selling, it is important to understand each potential status of a listing to put your best foot forward. Here is a breakdown of each of the individual listing statuses, to help you throughout […]

Lifestyle The Beauty of the San Juan Islands The Beauty of the San Juan Islands An iconic Pacific Northwest archipelago known for breathtaking landscapes and wildlife; the San Juan islands are like no other. As the noise, pollution, and animosity of urban life drift away by boat or plane, individuals can find peace within each of the distinct San Juan Islands. Native flora […]

Lifestyle Aeromedical Services on Orcas Island Aeromedical Services on Orcas Island The rural and remote nature of Orcas Island is one of its most charming and coveted aspects: the flora and fauna are plentiful, privacy is easy to find, and residents can feel comforted by the ferry ride’s distance from the mainland. At the cost of idyllic seclusion, Orcas residents do […]

Buying Preparing Yourself For the Home Buying Process Preparing Yourself For the Home Buying Process Buying a house can be confusing, overwhelming, and stressful. Whether it’s a new area, market, or your first home, it can be hard to know where to start. Here are a few important steps to beginning your home buying process, and ensuring you are financially prepared to find […]

Articles Windermere Orcas Island Detailed Real Estate Market Report – October 2023 Windermere Orcas Island Detailed Real Estate Market Report – October 2023 Are you considering buying or selling a piece of real estate on Orcas Island in the near future? Whether you’re an investor, homebuyer, current property owner, or just curious about the local market trends, it always pays to be informed. Our September report on […]

Articles Hygge on Orcas Island How We Find Hygge on Orcas Island Hygge (pronounced “hooga”), is defined by the country of Denmark as “taking time away from the daily rush to be together with people you care about – or even by yourself – to relax and enjoy life’s quieter pleasures.” On an island where all four seasons are individually […]