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Monthly market snapshot by NWMLS

Area map showing the counties that NWMLS serves.

Stay Fully Informed. Knowledge is power.

 

In Real Estate, knowledge helps you make the right decisions and avoid costly mistakes!

The November 2024 stats report underscores the affordability challenge, as evidenced by a 7% increase in median house prices compared to last year. The Federal Reserve reduced the lending rates in September and is expected to do so again this month. However, that reduction did little to nothing to alleviate the pressure on the mortgage lending rates. Economists and analysts are constantly under pressure to spin the news positively. My commitment is to provide the most accurate assessment. I have projected that home prices will only stabilize for almost a year once mortgage lending rates settle in the 5.5 to 5.75 percent range. That is not likely to happen for another twelve to eighteen months. Recent political developments may cause things to get much worse before getting better. We will get a clearer picture of that in the next six months or so. Keep an eye out for an article I will soon publish here about the housing market in Western Washington.

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Critical information for homebuyers and home sellers

information for homenuyers and home sellers

This article outlines specific changes that Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS) is implementing by revising its forms and Rules on buyer brokerage compensation and the options available to sellers. These changes clarify and simplify these provisions. Here is that Critical information for homebuyers and home sellers.

Real Estate transactions involve a great deal of paperwork. Whether buying or selling, you will complete and sign several forms. At the core of every real estate transaction is an offer to purchase that converts into a Purchase and Sale Agreement (P&S) when mutually accepted. Numerous addenda accompany this P&S. The revisions are in the P&S and some of these appendices.

BN Real Estate is committed to keeping potential and current clients fully informed. Consumers must be fully aware of every aspect of their acquisition. I often say to my clients that I want to deal only with informed clients, and if they are not informed, we will ensure they become fully informed. I have written this article with that approach in mind. The writer is making the same information available to consumers as is available to brokers. If you require further clarification, please reach out.
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NWMLS will not “opt-in” to NAR’s Proposed Settlement Agreement

NWMLS Position on NAR Settlement – Updated Information

We have previously written about the proposal of the National Association of Realtors (Broker Nadir has never been a member of this association) for a settlement in a much-publicized lawsuit.

BN Real Estate has consistently upheld a policy of unwavering transparency, adhering to industry best practices, and safeguarding the interests of our valued clients. Due to this steadfast commitment, the lawsuit has not impacted BN Real Estate or NWMLS.

NWMLS published the following article on May 28, 2024, to announce that it will not “opt-in” to NAR’s Proposed Settlement Agreement. We post it here without modification so our esteemed clients remain fully informed.

NWMLS has led the industry with initiatives that afford sellers and buyers transparency, meaningful choice, and clear opportunities to negotiate their broker’s compensation. NWMLS has seized every opportunity to enhance the quality of real estate brokerage services in the Northwest and will continue to do so.

 

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Update: National Association of REALTORS®

Legal settlement between DOJ and National Association of Realtors

On March 15, 2024, the National Association of Realtors and the Department of Justice agreed upon a proposed settlement. Below is the statement, directly quoted, as put out by the Northwest Multiple Listing Services.

Additionally, please note two crucial points.

  1. Broker Nadir and BN Real Estate has never belonged to the National Association of Realtors.
  2. BN Real Estate moved away from charging a commission as a percentage of the transaction amount. We adopted a fixed fee arrangement in 2018. Our fixed fees for sellers and buyers are displayed on our website.

We have a long-standing track record of and commitment to full disclosure and complete transparency.
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2023 Housing Market in Western Washington by the numbers

A serene and beautiful neighborhood in Western Washington.

Northwest MLS just released its Annual Report on sales and listing activity for 2023 within the 26 counties it covers in Western Washington. As the old saying goes, all real estate is local. This article contains numbers about the 2023 housing market in Western Washington only. An accurate market snapshot will help you stay better informed. Whether buying or considering putting your home on the market, the most essential tool is current, accurate, and relevant information. We provide you with this information every month. This article is the annual review for 2023, based on the numbers supplied by NWMLS. You will find crucial information in these most current real estate stats. If you need specific information about your neighborhood or the one you may be considering living in and don’t see it here, reach out, and we will get it for you.
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Real Estate Brokerage in Washington State

Real Estate broker hard at work

Real Estate Agency Law governs all real estate brokerages in Washington State. For the first time since 1997, the state legislature has made significant changes to this law that go into effect on January 01.2024. These changes are made to strengthen already robust consumer protections provided by the Department of Licensing. 

All licensees must provide the pamphlet Real Estate Brokerage in Washington State when they start providing services to any consumer. This pamphlet provides general information about real estate brokerage and outlines the laws related to real estate brokerage. You can access that pamphlet here. If you wish to review detailed and complete information about real estate brokerage relationships (Resl Estate Agency Law RCW 18.86), you can access that here.

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