Posts Categorized: Real Estate Market Updates

Why Are We Different From Other Real Estate Agents?

By Rosie Rourke, posted Feb 24, 2018

Hi everyone!!! Can you believe that February is almost over? Spring will be here before you know it, which is historically a busy time in the real estate market. But for the Rosie Rourke Team… we stay busy all year long! While other agents are taking time off … we are closing deals! A LOT OF DEALS!

best real estate agent near me

Just look at this… we closed 133 deals last year and helped over a hundred families in the Fairwood, Renton, Kent, Maple Valley, Covington, Auburn areas and beyond! We listed homes, helped our clients buy new houses and helped some first time home buyers navigate the real estate process. The Rosie Rourke team has yet again been named in the TOP 1% of all real estate teams in the area!

Yes, the numbers are nice, right? But what does that mean for YOU, the seller or buyer? It would take the average, stand alone agent over 13 years to gain the experience and knowledge of just ONE YEAR of the Rosie Rourke Team servicing our clients. Now multiple that by the 20+ years of experience that Rosie Rourke has by herself selling and buying real estate. Now add in a 7 person team behind that… can you see what I am getting at?

Here are some other reasons why we are different from other real estate agents:

  • Members of 2 local Chamber of Commerce organizations
  • We host community events – Recycle Event, Girl Friends Event, Turkey Trot 5k
  • All of our team members are active in local school PTA
  • We live and work in the same communities we serve – Shop local!
  • Close connections with local charities and service organizations
  • We have a dedicated marketing staff
  • 24/7 concierge service for our clients

Because of the amount of clients we help we have the knowledge and the experience to out preform other agents… Your home buying process will be smooth and supported by our dedicated and expert buyer agents Melissa Hudson and Colleen Linder. Your selling process will be seamless and the offers will come rolling in with the know how from listing agent and team Leader Rosie Rourke and listing manager Liz DeSmith. And supporting our producers is an amazing team of Sandie, Jill and Carey!

Most agents are one man or one woman shows… they have to wear many hats on a daily basis! Details can fall through the cracks and quite frankly, they are overwhelmed… especially in this market! This is why a TEAM will always out preform an individual!

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Next Step…

Contact us today if you are thinking of SELLING your home or BUYING a home! We are excited to show you personally why we are the TOP TEAM in the area and why over a hundred clients trusted us with their real estate dreams last year!

PS. We also specialize in helping our clients UPSIZE! With home prices going up, it’s a great time to SELL, cash in on the equity, and BUY a larger home! And no… you won’t have to be displaced either! 

January is the time to sell and buy!

By Rosie Rourke, posted Jan 23, 2018

best real estate agent near me

Don’t wait until Spring… NOW is the time to list your home!

 

Believe it or not, now is actually the best time to list your home! Competition is lower on the selling side and that means more qualified buyers are ready and waiting for your home to show up on the market!
Whether you are looking to upsize and cash in your home’s equity to get a larger one or you are ready to downsize for the next chapter, the Rosie Rourke Team has both selling and buying solutions for you.
And if you need to sell your home in order to buy another one you don’t need to worry about being displaced, we have creative loan solutions from the areas top lenders to help with a seamless transition!

Bottom-line…

why wait until Spring when my team has buyers ready and waiting NOW!
Contact me personally for an in person home valuation and check out what our clients are saying about the home selling and buying process with my team… it is possible to SELL AND UPSIZE in this market!

 

What our clients are saying about selling and buying…

 

“Rosie and her staff were amazing to work with. My wife and I were in the market to sell our home while buying a new one. Rosie came to our home, explained the process of buying and selling at the same time in the most simplistic way that both my wife and I could understand. Because of the amazing work by Rosie and her team, our house was able to sell in just 6 days. When looking for a new home with more space, Melissa did her research and presented us with homes that were in our price range and in the area we wanted were looking in. In fact, we were able to find a home with minutes walking from our old place. Because of Melissa’s amazing work, my kids are able to stay within walking distance of their friends. Thank you to Rosie, Melissa, and the rest of her team for the hard work and dedication to helping families find the perfect home!”
-The Nicholson Family sold and bought a home in 2017 in Bonney Lake, WA.
“Rosie is the consummate professional. She was kind, caring, patient and knew exactly what I needed. She is responsive and I felt confident at all times that she would make sure everything was in place with my transaction. I can’t recommend her highly enough!! “
– Sundiemarie bought and sold a Condo home in 2016 in Park Orchard and Renton, WA.
“My partner and I are well into our 70’s. We decided to sell the home and 14 acres where I have lived for 48 years. We chose to work with the Rosie Rourke team of John L. Scott in Kent, WA. Colleen helped us find a house to buy before we put our house on the market. We were impressed by Colleen’s energy, competency and honesty. She carted us around a radius of about 20 miles and found for us many places that might fill our needs. After we chose a house to buy, Colleen competently walked us through the stacks of paperwork that accompanies purchasing a house. We enjoyed her so much that we began to refer to her as our handler. Just yesterday she met us at our newly built house to hand over our keys and sip wine (our idea) and meander the lovely new abode that filled my desires for light, a walkable neighborhood with grocery store, restaurants, nature trails and a city bus. Well done, Colleen, our dear handler.”

-Liz Mathewson and Marsh Pancheau bought and sold a home in 2017 in Maple Valley, WA

So… what is the next step?Rosie Rourke, Managing Broker, 206.719.5870

That’s the easy part, contact Rosie directly for a casual, one on one chat about your home… now really is the best time to get started! (Be sure to mention you received the post card too!)
206.719.5870

Happy New Year… SELLERS WANTED!

By Rosie Rourke, posted Jan 12, 2018

Happy New Year from South King County’s Best Real Estate Team!

WANTED… People who want to sell their home and cash in on this incredible market! Our buyer’s agents Melissa Hudson and Colleen Jacobs Linder have pre-qualified buyers ready and waiting to make offers… NOW! I know, it’s only a few weeks into the new year, is the market that hot? The answer is YES! But, there is a shortage of homes for sale in Kent, Renton, Fairwood, Maple Valley, Bellevue, Auburn, and all areas in South King County & North Pierce County!

Don’t wait until spring, NOW is the time to list…  Less homes for sale = Less competition and more qualified buyers looking at your listing! https://rosierourke.com/whats-my-home-worth/

The Power of One…

By Rosie Rourke, posted Sep 28, 2017

The Power of One…

 

Did you know that just a 1% rise in mortgage interest rates can spell disaster for the home buyer looking to make a purchase? It means a loss of 10-12% of buying power. Essentially that could cost a Northwest home buyer their chance of buying a home at the top of their price range and be stuck owning something at the bottom of their range. Scary, right? So when you watch the news and they talk about rising interest rates, it’s something to pay attention too.

 

Here is a great example, let’s say that you buy a 4 bedroom, 1800 square foot home for  $503,000, your mortgage payment with a 4.25% interest rate would be $2475 per month. Now, if the interest rates rise just 1%, you could end up with a smaller, 3 bedroom, 1500 square foot home for $458,000… and your payment would be $2529! Higher payment, smaller house… that is the power of one!

 

Ok, this is a little gloomy, but there is hope! Interest rates are still historically low… but have been creeping up. But ask yourself, “Can I REALLY afford to wait until next year?” The answer is NO… YOU CAN’T! So here is the deal, my team and I want to help… and now is the time.

 

Need to sell so you can Upsize/Downsize? The market is hot, your home will sell faster than you think, and we work with many lenders that can help you finance the purchase of your new home while listing your current home… you have options!

 

Tired of renting? Our team has 2 dedicated, expert buyers’ agents who are ready to help you find your dream home and close the deal in this competitive home buying market!

 

Yes, the Power of One can be great… but just imagine what you could do with a team behind you ?

Breaking News About The Real Estate Market!

By Rosie Rourke, posted Jul 15, 2017

Hi everyone, Rosie Rourke here! I have some breaking news for you about the real estate market… it has slowed down for the summer! I know, all you hear on the news is how hot it is, but my years of experience and the numbers don’t lie! But this is a great opportunity for you if you are ready to buy!

renton real estate trends

Using zip code 98058 (Renton/Fairwood) as one example, see above chart. I’m happy to run a report in your zip code–just contact me! The report shows the last 5 years history. As you can see, every year during the summer and holiday months, the sales dip in quantity. Our area has very limited sunshine, so when summer arrives, the buyers and agents disappear. Especially when kids are out of school. Families take their annual vacation and summer sport tournaments take over.

Even in the best of markets, this trend continues. Note the lack of inventory for this year over the last 5 years… wow! Our market is still extremely hot, just in a plateau as buyers take a break for sun & fun. 

I hear so many times… “I thought summer would be best time to sell since the families need to position for school”. In reality, it already happened in late Spring so that buyers/sellers could enjoy the summer months.

Without rapid pace of sales, the inventory is higher than it has been since Spring market, but on par for last year this same time.  Don’t worry! September and October will heat us back up again.

If you are a buyer, now is the time to take advantage of buying without fear of a bidding war and having no leverage. And, sellers – we got this! Your house may not sell within minutes, but we will sell it for top dollar in a timely manner. 

Area Home Prices Are Up… BIG TIME!

By Rosie Rourke, posted Apr 26, 2017

Area Home Prices Are up $132,500 in The Last 24 Months… Whaaaat?!

This isn’t a type-o! Can you believe that? We are looking at the hottest real estate market with the highest home values in our area EVER. For example, home prices in Fairwood alone are up over $132k in the last 24 months. AND, mortgage rates are still at historic lows and home inventory is down. What does that mean for you, the happy home owner? That means your house will sell for more than you ever thought was possible… and fast! The majority of my listings are selling above asking price and we are getting multiple offers.

I know, this is a lot to take in, but is THE time and this is YOUR opportunity to cash in if you are looking to upsize, downsize, or cash in on a rental home you are tired of managing. Just know that I am here to help you navigate this crazy market and help you make the best decision for you and your family.

Call me, text me, email me, or just stop by my brand new office in Kent sometime, I’d love to reconnect and look at your options!

Fairwood Featured Business – Salon Tii Gavo!!

By Rosie Rourke, posted Sep 08, 2016

With this post, I am happy to be continuing my “Fairwood Featured Business” series with installment #8.

My ongoing passion is to highlight and celebrate the neighborhood I live in, raise my kids in and work in.  I believe that a big part of what enhances our quality of life is when we enjoy our surroundings.  So I’m taking an opportunity to focus on our neighborhood specifically and to appreciate all that we have here, so close to home.

Previously on this blog, I have featured Plaza Cleaners, Fairwood Thai Cuisine, and Cosmo Nail Parlor, Fairwood Golf & Country Club, Fire District #40, Station 17, Shakey’s and There Ya Go Espresso.

For September I am thrilled to be featuring Salon Tii Gavo!blog-pic-salon_tiigavo1

Salon Tii Gavo has been a fixture in the Fairwood community for EVER – in fact 2017 marks their 20th anniversary!

A Gathering Place

Tii Gavo means “A Gathering Place” in the native Havisupi language. Believe me, the spirit of the name rings true the very moment you step into the salon. You are greeted as if you are family when you walk in (but here’s a hint, it’s BETTER than family – there are SPA services!!) Nine stylists are on staff to provide the full range of hair services, manicures, hot stone spa pedicures and more.  If nothing else, you must experience the luxury of “the lather lounge”…a 5 minute stress relieving scalp massage while getting your hair washed.  It is heaven!

Service Oriented

Owner Jolene Casey showcases her many talents and gifts through her business. Top among them are her dedication to customer service and community outreach. First rate, high-touch customer service is the standard at Salon Tii Gavo. Their reputation in the industry is excellent and customer reviews are outstanding. Jolene takes that commitment a step further, however, by her continuous efforts to give back to her community. Jolene and her team at Salon Tii Gavo are regularly sponsoring raffles, community events and promotions to raise money for worthy charities. Many local and regional organizations have benefited over these 20 years from donations of money, goods and services that the Salon Tii Gavo team has provided! That dedication to service is amazing and rare… I am so happy we have Jolene right here in Fairwood!

Referral Promotion

Jolene shared with me that Salon Tii Gavo is running a referral promotion through the end of October! For current clients, when you refer a new client you will be rewarded from a list of amazing gifts!

The holidays are around the corner as well.  If you have never seen the Salon, please do stop in during November and December to shop from a wide variety of gift ideas for your loved ones…or yourself 🙂

Thank You to Jolene Casey and Salon Tii Gavo! It is businesses like yours that make our community so very special!

~ Rosie

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FAQ – Inspection vs. Appraisal

By Rosie Rourke, posted Mar 25, 2016

What is the difference between an inspection and an appraisal? What do they do for me?  These are questions I am asked all the time, so here is a brief run down of each.

Inspection

  • Optional,  but highly recommended for the buyer.
  • Inspector works for the buyer to find any issue that may make the home purchase unwise or less desirable.
  • The Rosie Rourke Team will always be there at your inspection, representing you and your interests in the home purchase.

Appraisal

  • An appraiser is sent by the bank doing your loan on the home purchase.  They represent the bank’s interest and their function is to determine the value of the home.
  • Appraisers do not inspect a home for hidden structural issues.
  • Appraisals are not required if you purchase a home with cash.
  • A bidding war drives the home price up? An appraiser may determine that the agreed price is above the value of the home, in which case the bank may not loan the full amount.
  • The Rosie Rourke Team will always be there at your home appraisal, offering strategies to help you navigate through the process.

Let me know what YOUR questions are ~ I am happy to help!

~ Rosie

Seattle job market among country’s hottest!

By Rosie Rourke, posted Mar 17, 2016

blog picOnly 3 cities across the country had a hotter job market than Seattle last year!

The Puget Sound Business Journal reported that Seattle added over 78,000 jobs in 2015.

Dallas was #1, followed by San Jose and Los Angeles.  Finding and keeping talent is a hot topic across the Puget Sound region. More than 25,000 technology jobs in the state have remained open for at least six months, according to the Washington Technology Industry.

What that says to me is that we are perfectly placed in our area to see an increase in buyers looking for that perfect home in a central location.  My team is ready to help you find that home!  If all of this activity has you wondering what your home might be worth in today’s market, I will be happy to meet with you.

Is it time to start dreaming about your next home??

~ Rosie

Seattle housing market is HOT for 2016, according to Zillow

By Rosie Rourke, posted Mar 04, 2016

Zillow has posted it’s new hottest housing markets list for 2016, and guess what?  Seattle is #2 nationwide, right behind Denver.  To make the list, Zillow uses home value appreciation, unemployment rates and income growth.Featured Home | Rosie Rourke

Based on their research, Seattle home prices will rise 5.4% this year (second only to Dallas-Fort Worth at 5.6%).  Seattle’s income is projected to rise 1.1%.

Trendy tech centers hogged the spotlight for 2015. But this year, the markets that shine brightest will be those that  manage to strike a good balance between strong income growth, low unemployment and solid home value appreciation.

Remember as well that I can always provide a more accurate value of your home than Zillow can. I am happy to let you know how to increase the value of your home as well.

Happily serving the community and answering your Real Estate needs!

~ Rosie