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Hi, I’m Doron Weisbarth with Weisbarth & Associates, and welcome to my December 2024 market update.  As we wrap up the year 2024, it’s time to start thinking strategically about the real estate market in the first quarter of 2025. Whether you’re planning to sell or buy, or both, proper timing and correct preparation can help you maximize your results. So, let’s talk about what you need to know to position yourself for success in 2025. If you’re a seller, the first quarter consistently offers the most favorable conditions. We’ve seen this pattern repeat without change for at least 15 years. This graph shows only a few years’ worth of data, but the pattern is consistent: homes listed early in the year attract the most attention and often sell for higher prices. The reason? The first quarter of the year typically sees a wide gap between buyer interest and available listings. In other words, the gap between supply and demand is the widest, and this tension puts a strong upward pressure on market prices. So, when you list during this time window, you’re putting your home in front of eager buyers with very little competition from other sellers, which often leads to strong offers in a short period of time.  Now, if you really want to capitalize on this market timing advantage, then make sure your home is as attractive as possible and that the marketing for it is top notch. Consider strategic upgrades, professional staging, and quality photos and videos that will highlight your home’s best features. But be careful not to overspend, particularly on home improvements and upgrades that will not raise your home’s value enough to give you a return on your investment. This is probably the number one mistake that I see sellers make. If you’re putting in a dollar and you only raise the price by 75 cents, then why do it – makes sense? Now, coming back to the market timing, by acting ahead of the spring rush, you ensure your property stands out at the exact moment when demand peaks and supply is at its lowest. How awesome is that? By the way, if you want to look at this data and read my report at your pace and leisure, you’ll find all this information in my December newsletter, available online and for download, for free, at Weisbarth.com/Newsletter , that’s Weisbarth.com/Newsletter . Now, for those of you looking to buy, the early part of the year may feel like a crazy seller’s market, which might be true, but buyers who are prepared can still come out on top. One of the most important things you can do is be ready to act fast, because great opportunities don’t last long in a high-demand environment. Know exactly what you’re looking for, so when the right home appears, you’ll be able to identify it right away, and make a confident decision. The two biggest mistakes that I see buyers make are overanalyzing, which can lead to delays and paralysis, which can make you lose a good deal, and on the flip side, getting caught up in the competitive frenzy of a bidding war that ends up pushing you beyond your comfort zone. So, staying grounded, and having a skilled and experienced broker to make sure to guide you and keep you grounded, will help you stay true to your goals so that you don’t miss out on a good opportunity, but also don’t overpay. And if you’re one of the people who are looking to both buy and sell, then in addition to the advice for sellers and buyers that I just presented, there are some more nuanced details that you would need to consider. Obviously, those details will vary based on your financial situation, your timeline, where you are planning to move to, etc. I realize that this may sound big and scary, but with the right guidance to help you navigate these details, it’s really not a big deal.  The bottom line here is that no matter how you look at it, the real estate market can be complex, especially these days. If you want to get the most from your transaction, then timing your move, and correct preparation makes all the difference. My team and I have created step-by-step systems for both buyers and sellers to help you thrive in any market conditions. We have a 5-step system for sellers, and a 3-step system for buyers, and we know that they work amazingly well, because we have the numbers to prove it.  So, if you or someone you know is looking to make a move in 2025, don’t be shy! Reach out and let’s set up a time to talk. We offer a no-obligation consultation, which means that you can sit down and talk with us, and ask us questions and explore different scenarios without having to make a commitment to work with us. We only want your business if you think that we are the right people to represent you on your transaction.  And as always, remember that by working with us, you’re also supporting Akin and their incredible work with kids and families in need. We make a substantial donation to Akin from the income from our home sales, which means that your business and referrals make a positive impact in our community. To connect with us, you can share this video and my newsletter, send an email, reach out through our website, or, the best way, is give me a call directly at 206-779-9808. Let’s talk about your goals and put together a specific, strategic plan that makes sure that you’re ready to hit the ground running in 2025.  Thanks for tuning in! Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and follow for more updates. And, again, if you’d like to read my newsletter or share it with a friend, you can find it at Weisbarth.com/newsletter . I’m Doron Weisbarth with Weisbarth & Associates, I hope you and your loved one have a wonderful Holiday Season and a very Happy New Year, and I’ll see you next year!

Hi, I’m Doron Weisbarth with Weisbarth & Associates, and welcome to my November 2024 Market Update! Today, we’re tackling a question I’ve been hearing a lot lately: Did the election affect buyer activity? Let’s dive in. October was an odd month—there’s no other way to put it. At the end of September and the beginning of October, we saw a flurry of market activity. Homes were being listed, going pending, and closing at a pace that lined up with the seasonal trends we’ve seen in years past around the start of the fourth quarter. In fact, when we look at the numbers, October ended with more closed sales than the previous month, which is pretty typical for this time of year. But then something strange happened. During the second half of October, the market seemed to screech to a halt. Buyers, who were so active just weeks earlier, suddenly disappeared. And this wasn’t just a local phenomenon—it was happening in many parts of the country. There wasn’t any major economic or employment shift that could explain it. The only explanation that seems to fit is the anxiety and uncertainty people felt around the election. As the saying goes, a confused mind does nothing. When people feel uncertain, they tend to freeze. They wait for clarity before moving forward, and that’s exactly what seemed to be happening in the market. By the way, if you want to look at this data and read my report at your pace and leisure, you’ll find all this information in my November newsletter, available online and for download, for free, at Weisbarth.com/Newsletter , that’s Weisbarth.com/Newsletter . Now, it didn’t help that mortgage interest rates that had been dropping for most of August and September, reversed course in late September and started climbing again, settling around the 7%. But we had this level of interest rate this year, and the market activity didn’t seem to be affected. So, as I said, while I’m sure that the higher rates didn’t help, it’s hard to put all the blame on them.  Now here’s the good news: whether you liked or disliked the outcome, the election is now behind us. One major source of uncertainty has been resolved, and that should help restore some confidence to buyers who were sitting on the sidelines. In addition, the fed dropped it’s prime rate by a quarter point, which, eventually will help bring mortgage interest rates down a bit.  By the time this update reaches you, I hope we’ll see normal buyer activity for this season resuming. If your home is on the market but hasn’t been getting much attention, or if you’ve been holding back on buying or selling because of election uncertainty, the market will soon give us clearer signals about how we’ll end this unusual year. So, if you or someone you know is still considering selling a home this year, you still have time, but you need to act soon! If you’re not sure whether you should sell this year still, or wait for next year, we can analyze your options to help you make a clear decision that is best for you. My team and I famously offer a no-obligation consultation to help you put together a strategic plan on how to accomplish your real estate goals. Referring someone to us is easy—you can send them our way through our website, this newsletter, an email, or even better, just give me a call and let’s talk directly.  And remember that you business and referrals help the kids and families at Akin. Thanks to everyone who participated in their big gala fundraising even last month, where Weisbarth & Associates was the key sponsor – it was truly magical!  Thanks for tuning in! Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and follow for more updates. And if you’d like to read my newsletter or share it with a friend, you can find it at Weisbarth.com/newsletter , that’s Weisbarth.com/newsletter . I’m Doron Weisbarth with Weisbarth & Associates, and I’ll see you next month!

Hi, I’m Doron Weisbarth with Weisbarth & Associates, and welcome to my October 2024 Market Update! Today, we’re talking about something a lot of people don’t expect—the annual fall market bump. Now, we all know that spring and summer are often seen as the busiest times for real estate. But here’s the thing—are they really? Historically, yes, we see a lot of activity during spring and early summer. But as we get into mid- and late summer, things tend to slow down. People are focused on vacations and sunshine, getting back to school, and just generally enjoying the season. But once everyone settles into their routines, something interesting happens. We often see the market bounce back. This fall market bump can start as early as mid-September, last through November, and sometimes even carry into mid-December. And this year? Well, it looks like we’re following that same pattern. If you take a look at the graph I’ve highlighted, you’ll see that in September, new listings and pending sales were both way up compared to August. In fact, pending sales are right on par with what we saw in May and June of this year, which were the highest months for activity this year. Most of these new listings came onto the market in the second half of September, and you’ll see that there was a corresponding increase in pending sales—so yes, buyers are engaged. Most of these sales will likely close in October, which means we’re still seeing strong activity. By the way, if you want to look at this data and read my report at your pace and leisure, you’ll find all this information in my October newsletter, available online and for download, for free, at Weisbarth.com/Newsletter , that’s Weisbarth.com/Newsletter . A big reason for activity is in the drop in mortgage interest rates. With rates having fallen more than a full point from their peak earlier this year, buyers are back in the game, and prices are holding steady. Now, we can’t say for sure if October will be the peak of this activity or if it will come later in the year, but if history is any guide, we should have a strong finish to 2024. So, if you or someone you know is still considering selling a home this year, now is the time to jump in and take advantage of the market’s fall surge. If you need some guidance or fine-tuning to make sure you maximize your results, let’s talk. My team and I offer a no-obligation consultation to anyone looking to buy or sell. We’ll help you put together a plan that’s tailored to your needs. And as always, your business and referrals help support the Akin community, so you’re not just making a smart financial move—you’re also doing a good deed. Yay for that! For anyone needing help with their real estate goals, the best way to reach me is by phone. Just give me a call directly at 206-779-9808, that’s 206-779-9808. Yes, that’s my personal mobile number, and it’s the best way to connect with me. If you’re referring someone, just have them call me directly—no need for a formal introduction. Thanks again for tuning in! Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and follow for more updates, and be sure to check out my monthly newsletter at Weisbarth.com/newsletter , that’s Weisbarth.com/newsletter . I’m Doron Weisbarth with Weisbarth & Associates, and I’ll see you next time!