Real Estate Market Update - Seattle and Bellevue - January and February 2021
Happy March! The busy spring season has begun and as your real estate professional, it is my pleasure to provide to you as much relevant real estate information as possible. This article contains numerous links to more information, videos with quick infographic statistic updates, and updates from local lenders from the mortgage & financing prospective. Contact me anytime to discuss this info and what it means to you. Let me know if you would like specific information for your neighborhood and share with me any information you come across to help me make this info the best it can be.
According to the Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS):
“ “Insatiable buyer demand” is keeping inventory scarce as house hunters try to outmaneuver and outbid each other, according to reports from Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS). Its statistical summary for December showed strong activity throughout the holiday season with double-digit increases in new listings, pending sales, closed sales, and prices. Northwest MLS brokers added 5,260 new listings to inventory during December, a hefty 39.3% increase over the same month a year ago.”… To read the complete NWMLS January Press Release click here
“Home buyers who have been precluded from entering Puget Sound’s competitive market may want to consider condominiums as an option, according to industry experts who commented on the latest housing statistics from Northwest Multiple Listing Service. “With the trend toward telecommuting and moving to outlying suburban areas, the Seattle/King County condominium market presents a new option,” suggested Gary O’Leyar,”… To read the complete NWMLS February Press Release click here
Now that the Puget Sound region has entered Phase 2 of Governor Inslee’s “Roadmap to Recovery” plan, in person open houses are now allowed! Open houses must not have more than 10 people on the property at one time, and everyone there is still required to wear a face mask covering and comply with social distancing regulations. For more information on Phase 2 in regards to real estate, click here. Of course, if you don’t have the ability to come to an in person open house I am still offering virtual ones by appointment. I am also still offering in person or virtual showings to buyers of any home that’s for sale.
Lender updates from Tina, Eric, & Mark
If you want to know what is happening with the money-side of things in real estate, ask a mortgage lender. Below is info from Tina, Eric & Mark. I hope you find this info helpful. These lenders are available for you and can provide information to you regarding your plans to purchase or refinance a home. Let me know if you talk with them and how I can assist you as your Realtor. Thanks! Jen 206-550-1676
Mortgage Update - Interest rates have gone up a bit this last month. Interest rates are still at historical lows and with inflation expected to rise, now is the time to buy! (See Tina’s video above)
Tina Mitchell with Highlands Residential Mortgage is a fabulous lender. She has been in the mortgage industry for over 2 decades and has been recognized in the top 1% Nationwide. She is a numbers gal and can talk with you about possible loan options. I also really like her communication style. You can schedule a time with Tina now (for a video zoom conference call) using this link. She is available by cellular phone and even works nights & weekends! Tina promptly follows up your no obligation consultation with informative emails showing your different loan options, estimations of costs, and other important info in writing and throughout the process has the best communications of any lender I have ever seen. The first step is to schedule a meeting to review loan options, cash needed and payment breakdown. There is no cost or commitment to move forward, it’s just education. Call Tina now or if it’s more convenient you can use the following online calendar to Schedule a Consultation at https://calendly.com/tinamitchell/. Tina Mitchell, Highlands Residential Mortgage • Loan Originator, NMLS 145420 • Cellular: (425) 647-0205 • “Live Your Dream Now!” See Tina’s website at: www.TinaMitchellTeam.com
These thorough market updates from lender, Eric Aasness, Branch Sales Manager, Homebridge Financial are full of great charts and economic information. At the end of each article, Eric has included the links to more than 10 additional articles related to home loans and the real estate market.
January 8, 2021 - Have We Seen The End of Record Low Rates?
January 15, 2021 - Refi Demand Surges as Mortgage Volatility Comes Roaring Back
January 22, 2021 - More Stellar Housing Numbers. How Long Can They Last?
January 29, 2021 - Rising Rate Risks Returning
February 5, 2021 - Rates Under Pressure Despite Weak Jobs Report
February 11, 2021 - When Will The Mortgage Market Actually Care About Rising Rates?
February 19, 2021 - Time to Wake Up To The New Mortgage Rate Reality
February 26, 2021 - Brutal Week For Rates But There's Hope (Hopefully)
Here are some additional market updates provided by Mark Williams at Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation:
January 8, 2021 - Georgia Election and Strong Data
January 15, 2021 - Stimulus, Fed, Retail Sales
January 22, 2021 - Home Sales Remain Strong
January 29, 2021 - Rising Inflation
February 5, 2021 - Mixed Labor Market Data
February 12, 2021 - Inflation Remains Low
February 26, 2021 - Rising Inflation
The graphs below contains information specific to the West Seattle area. Also, all of the images below are links to the interactive versions of the graphs! Just click on a graph and move your cursor along the line to see specific stats for every month throughout the years 2018-2021. Contact me if you have any questions or if you want any of these graphs made for your specific area!
Inventory throughout this year has remained low and continues to drop. This means that currently there are more buyers than sellers, making this an amazing time to sell!
As you can see the days a listing spends on market tends to spike at the beginning of each year. This is mostly due to the fact that January and February are follow up months to an extremely busy Holiday season starting in November.
If you have any thoughts or questions about this information or would like to talk, please call or text me at 206-550-1676. If you find great articles that you would like to share with me, please email those to me at jen@jensrealty.com. I am always working hard to be your source for real estate information!
Check back for more updates throughout the year. Let’s talk about the market now in your neighborhood, your real estate goals, and whether or not this is a good time for you to list and sell your home. Call, text, or email anytime. I’m always here to help! Thank you,
Jennifer Suemnicht - Jen's Realty - RE/MAX Metro Realty, Inc.
www.JensRealty.com / 206-550-1676 / jen@jensrealty.com
With inventory and interest rates at historic lows it’s a great time to sell. And if you are looking to buy, I can help you with a smooth transition into a home you love! Click the photo to contact me, or you can call/text me at 206-550-1676! - Jen:)
Here are some links to more articles & videos.
These helpful links are provided by Eric Aasness. If you find great articles that you would like to share with me, please email those to me at jen@jensrealty.com. I am always working hard to be your source for real estate information! Thanks, Jen
Jennifer Suemnicht - Jen's Realty - RE/MAX Metro Realty, Inc.
Realtor / Broker
206-550-1676 / www.JensRealty.com
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Fed transcripts show doubts about need for 2015 rate hike Yahoo News
Economy sees job loss in December for the first time since April as surging virus takes toll CNBC
Why it's gotten harder to buy a second home Around The Web
Pandemic Took a Bigger Bite Out of Upbeat Housing Attitudes in December Mortgage News Daily
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10-year Treasury yield above 1% following projected Democrat Senate win CNBC
FOMC Minutes: "Uncertainty surrounding the economic outlook" Calculated Risk Blog
Mortgage Application Volume Fell Sharply at the End of 2020 Mortgage News Daily
Fed: Economic activity remains well below levels at start of year CNBC
Las Vegas Real Estate in December: Sales up 27% YoY, Inventory down 38% YoY Calculated Risk Blog
Affordability Issues Expected to Dampen Home Price Gains Mortgage News Daily
Housing Inventory: Zillow vs. NAR Calculated Risk Blog
Forbearances Slightly Elevated at the End of 2020 Mortgage News Daily
Home Price Appreciation Continued in October Around The Web
Wells Fargo: Look for housing to have another good year in 2021 CNBC
Led by Lumber, Building Materials Prices Climb 5.4% in 2020 Around The Web
Q4 GDP Forecasts Calculated Risk Blog
Improvements in Forbearance Continue to Slow Mortgage News Daily
Freddie Mac First Quarter Projections: Steady as They Go Mortgage News Daily
Retail Sales decreased 0.7% in December Calculated Risk Blog
Treasury yields pull back following Biden's $1.9 trillion stimulus announcement CNBC
FHFA Further Extends COVID-Related Loan Flexibilities until February 28 Around The Web
Leading Index for Commercial Real Estate Increased in December Calculated Risk Blog
Refi Applications Highest Since March Mortgage News Daily
Mortgage rates begin 2021 on an upward climb, motivating borrowers to act CNBC
Treasury yields slip following strong 10-year note auction CNBC
Mortgage Rates Find Some Support After an Ugly Start Mortgage News Daily
Fed's Mester says it's 'premature' to change monetary policy stance Reuters
Fed's George: "too soon to speculate about the timing of any change" Reuters
Fed's Bostic sees possible interest rate hike as soon as the second half of next year CNBC
Housing Inventory Weekly Update: Starting the Year at Record Lows Calculated Risk Blog
Fannie, Freddie Tighten Rules for Condos in Vacation Locales Around The Web
Comments on December Existing Home Sales Calculated Risk Blog
Upbeat 2021 Econ Forecast From Fannie Mae Mortgage News Daily
End-of-Year Delinquencies a Challenge for 2021 Mortgage News Daily
Existing Home Sales Reach Highest Levels Since 2006 Mortgage News Daily
Comments on December Housing Starts Calculated Risk Blog
Construction Surges to Highest Levels in 15 Years Mortgage News Daily
Weekly jobless claims total 900,000, vs 925,000 estimate CNBC
European Central Bank keeps interest rates unchanged as new Covid lockdowns extend economic pain CNBC
President Biden Will Extend Student Loan Payment Freeze Through September 30 NPR
Biden expected to extend the national ban on evictions through March 2021 CNBC
Rising Material Prices and Lot Shortages Hurt January Builder Confidence Mortgage News Daily
Refinancing Volume Pulls Back as Rates Rise Mortgage News Daily
New Home Purchase Applications Remained Strong to Year's End Mortgage News Daily
Fannie/Freddie Allowed to Keep More Capital (Again) Mortgage News Daily
Biden Nominates Two Picks for Important Financial Positions Mortgage News Daily
Comments on January Employment Report Calculated Risk Blog
Biden says jobs data shows need for action on coronavirus relief bill Reuters
U.S. Senate Democrats set for first step on road to new COVID-19 relief Reuters
Want to own an apartment building? Buy a distressed hotel for pennies on the dollar CNBC
Jobless claims better than expected last week and lowest in two months CNBC
Yellen calls for 'acting now - and acting big' on pandemic relief Reuters
Update: Framing Lumber Prices Almost Double Year-over-year Calculated Risk Blog
December Home Price Gains Shot Up 9% Annually Mortgage News Daily
Private companies added 174,000 jobs in January, vs 50,000 estimate, ADP says CNBC
HVS: Q4 2020 Homeownership and Vacancy Rates Calculated Risk Blog
CFPB's New Seasoning Rule is Already Showing Promise Mortgage News Daily
Residential Construction Spending Grew by 11.8% in 2020 Mortgage News Daily
Refi Demand Staying Strong Despite Rising Rates Mortgage News Daily
Freddie Mac 2020 Portfolio Growth Doubles 2019's Mortgage News Daily
Q4 2020 GDP Details on Residential and Commercial Real Estate Calculated Risk Blog
Americans are flocking to the suburbs here's how much you need to earn to buy a house CNBC
Revisions to Fannie's Automated System May Lead to Easier Approval Mortgage News Daily
Low Rates, COVID are Motivating Prospective Home Buyers Mortgage News Daily
FHFA Extends Forbearance Periods an Extra Three Months Mortgage News Daily
Jobless claims nudge lower as labor market struggles continue CNBC
Fed Chair Powell: Corrected Unemployment Rate Close to 10% in January Calculated Risk Blog
U.S. January budget deficit hits record $163 billion as new aid checks sent out Reuters
Lumber prices surge 'through the roof,' up 113% year-over-year CNBC
Fed Chair Powell, citing bleak jobs picture, says policy will need to stay 'patiently accommodative' CNBC
Wall Street opens at record levels ahead of Powell talk Reuters
A return to the office for workers may be coming as vaccinations increase CNBC
Conforming Loan Standards Loosened in January Mortgage News Daily
November Delinquencies at Lowest Levels Since June Mortgage News Daily
Buyers and Sellers Both More Upbeat in 2021 Mortgage News Daily
Housing Inventory Weekly Update: At Record Lows Calculated Risk Blog
Are Low Rates Enough to Offset Rising Prices? Builders Say Yes Mortgage News Daily
Northwest Real Estate in January: Sales up 16% YoY, Inventory down 43% YoY Calculated Risk Blog
Las Vegas Real Estate in January: Sales up 13% YoY, Inventory down 50% YoY Calculated Risk Blog
Seven High Frequency Indicators for the Economy Calculated Risk Blog
Q1 GDP Forecasts Calculated Risk Blog
A Significant Shift in Interest for Newly-Built Homes Around The Web
A Few Comments on Q4 GDP and Investment; Worst Year Since WWII Drawdown Calculated Risk Blog
New Home Sales Recover Slightly After Losses, Still up 15% Annually Mortgage News Daily
The Federal Reserve doesn't see risks to market stability, even as concern about bubbles grows CNBC
FHA Forbearance Eligibility and Eviction Moratoria Extended Mortgage News Daily
House Prices and Median Household Income Calculated Risk Blog
Nearly one third of U.S. homes are at high risk of natural disaster, a new study says CNBC
More Evidence of Covid's Effect on Home Buying Preferences Mortgage News Daily
November Home Prices Climbed at Highest Rate in Six Years Mortgage News Daily
Real House Prices and Price-to-Rent Ratio in November Calculated Risk Blog
Housing Inventory Weekly Update: At Record Lows Calculated Risk Blog
Loans Still Taking 2 Months to Close as Refi Demand Stays Strong Mortgage News Daily
Existing Home Sales Rise, But Inventories Hamper Results Mortgage News Daily
Prevention Measures and Increased Borrower Equity Lower Foreclosure Risk Mortgage News Daily
Refi Share of Closed Loans Rose 7 bp in January Mortgage News Daily
Fed's Williams: Not concerned about stimulus being excessive right now CNBC
February first read for Markit Manufacturing PMI comes in at 58.5 CNBC
Q1 GDP Forecasts: Movin' on up Calculated Risk Blog
Treasury yields rise amid concerns about higher inflation CNBC
Lumber prices top $1,000 for the first time as single-family housing starts drop 12% CNBC
Permitting Soars as Builders Prep for Spring Mortgage News Daily
NY Fed Q4 Report: "Total Household Debt Increased in Q4 2020, Newly Originated Mortgages Reach Record High" Calculated Risk Blog
Buyer Demand Shores Up Builder Confidence Mortgage News Daily
Forbearance Relief Extended Through June Mortgage News Daily
Mortgage Volumes Resume Downward Trend as Rates Rise Mortgage News Daily
The Housing Bubble and Mortgage Debt as Percent of GDP Calculated Risk Blog
Home Buyers Frustrated by More Competitive Bidding Mortgage News Daily
Fed Releases Minutes From Most Recent Policy Meeting Federal Reserve
Printed in days, a house: New York firm takes 3D printing to the next level Reuters
NY Times Upshot: "Where Have All the Houses Gone?" Calculated Risk Blog
Fiscal stimulus fires up U.S. consumer spending; inflation benign Reuters
Freddie Mac's 12-Month Portfolio Growth Nears Half Trillion Mortgage News Daily
Fannie/Freddie COVID Programs Extended to Match FHA, VA Deadlines Mortgage News Daily
U.S. House on verge of approving Biden's $1.9 trillion COVID-19 aid bill Reuters
Bank of England official warns inflationary 'tiger' has awoken, sending bond yields higher CNBC
Mortgage Rates Are Now Well Over 3 Percent Mortgage News Daily
Pending Home Sales Post 5th Straight Loss Mortgage News Daily
Fed Chair Powell has a bond dilemma as the economy recovers CNBC
U.S. weekly jobless claims total 730,000, vs 845,000 estimate CNBC
New Home Sales on the Rise 4.3% in January Mortgage News Daily
A few Comments on January New Home Sales Calculated Risk Blog
Mortgage Application Volume Continues Decline Mortgage News Daily
Commentary: The Fed has a simple tool it can deploy to curb market speculation CNBC
Here are the highlights from Powell's testimony on inflation, yields CNBC
Case-Shiller: National House Price Index increased 10.4% year-over-year in December Calculated Risk Blog
December Home Price Gains Highest Since 2014 Mortgage News Daily
February Easily The Worst Month For Rates in Long Time Mortgage News Daily
Seven High Frequency Indicators for the Economy Calculated Risk Blog
Housing Inventory Feb 22nd Update: At Record Lows Calculated Risk Blog