Resources
Explore below to discover tips and tricks to make the most of your buying and selling experience.
Who is the NAR and What Do They Do?
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) is the largest professional organization for real estate agents and real estate industry professionals, with more than 1.5 million members. Founded in 1908, the code of ethics was adopted in 1913 with the Golden Rule as its theme— protecting sellers, buyers, property owners, and the best interests of the public. Members of the NAR are committed to real estate ethics training, and have access to education, networking, and housing-market trend data. The NAR is composed of local boards and state organizations that are under the larger national organization, which conducts real estate industry lobbying and research. What does the National Association of Realtors do? Maintain real estate statistics and publish research. Real estate professionals, government officials, and journalists all use NAR data for market analysis, business decisions, and to help sellers and buyers. Advocating for political change for the interests of its members and property owners. Lobbying efforts are done by members of all government levels. Offer continuing education as well as opportunities for specific designations and certifications. Code of Ethics training—honesty is policy in this case. Real estate agents have to adhere to a strict code that includes duties to clients, customers, and the public. No misrepresentation, exaggeration, or hiding facts about a property; protecting the best interests of the client; and presenting documents in understandable terms are just some of the few obligations that your real estate agent has. Learn more about the NAR at https://www.nar.realtor/ North Puget Sound Association of Realtors The North Puget Sound Association of Realtors(NPSAR) is one of Washington's NAR local boards, representing real estate agencies in the Skagit and Puget Sound area. Brown McMillen has several team members on the board of North Puget Sound Association of Realtors. Learn more about the NPSAR at https://www.npsar.realtor/ Our goal at Brown McMillen is to help you navigate your real estate goals with confidence, so we're happy to be able to offer you access to valuable resources through our affiliation with this great organization! Survey data and reports from the NAR help us better understand housing market conditions, the economic impact of real estate activity, and demographic trends. Let us know how we can help you at info@brownmcmillen.com.
Skagit County Home Prices Skyrocket
The median home price in Skagit County increased by 30.2% over the past year, according to a Northwest Multiple Listing Service report. At the end of April, the median price for homes and condos in Skagit County was $592,500 compared to $455,000 in April 2021, according to the report. In 2022 alone, the average home price has increased by 11.9%. La Conner saw an increase of 38.6% in median price since April 2021, ranking highest among Skagit County cities or towns, while Burlington saw a 13.6% rise, ranking lowest, according to a Brown McMillen Real Estate news release. Throughout Skagit County, 350 units were sold during the first quarter of 2022, down 10% from the first quarter of 2021, with an average of 28 days on the market, compared to an average of 24 days on the market for the first quarter of 2021. The national average for days on market as of April 2022 was 34, according to housing inventory statistics compiled by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. “Those extra six days make a big difference,” said real estate broker Shelah Inman, when noting the difference in days on market in Skagit County compared to the the U.S. as a whole. “It gives first-time buyers the opportunity to get out and see the place and not have to scramble and make decisions so quickly.” Statewide, homes have become less affordable in 38 of 39 counties over the last year, according to the University of Washington’s Housing Market Snapshot. Three of those 39 counties were marked affordable for first-time buyers on the basis of average household incomes and proposed mortgage payments. There is a light at the end of the tunnel for future Skagit County homebuyers, said a hopeful Inman. “This is not a bubble by any means,” she said. “But, it will continue to be a good market for sellers and it will be a better market for buyers as those prices stop rising and the homes stay up on the market for longer to increase overall inventory.” Read article on goskagit.com
5 Tips to Boost Your Curb Appeal
Do you know just how much value your curb appeal adds to your home? According to a recent study in the Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics, researchers at the University of Alabama and the University of Texas at Arlington determined curb appeal can account for as much as 7 percent of a home’s value! As humans, it is in our nature to make judgments based on what is presented to us—so make sure your prospective buyer’s judgment is a good one upon arrival by following these tips to boost your home’s exterior and boost your curb appeal! 1. Update Light Fixtures Give your home a warm and welcoming ambiance right from the start by updating your light fixtures. Using brighter bulbs will make navigating your outdoor spaces at nighttime easier, and lights with a warm tone will soften any harshness that comes from a bright light. Most outdoor light fixtures are smaller than they should be and this may be intentional as smaller light fixtures tend to be more cost-effective. So, when choosing a light fixture, consider these factors: The architecture of your home – Is your home mid-century modern, American Craftsman, etc? Based on these observations, choose a light fixture that will complement the style of your home. The color of your home – Do you have brick siding, colorful paneling, stone accents? This will help you determine what color your light fixture should be and what kind of light should be placed in the light fixture. For the size, choose a fixture that’s one-third of the height of the door if you have only one light, and one-quarter the height if you have a light on both sides of the door. 2. Paint It All! Painting is a big task that packs an even greater punch! Ditch the boring beiges, and muddled yellows, and consider giving your house a sleek modern look by painting it a navy blue or soft black (that’s what we did here at Brown McMillen for our remodel)! Or, hop on the timeless cottage-core trend by painting it a light shade of gray or even a very pale shade of pink to soften it up. Don’t be afraid to get adventurous with your painting techniques! Paint the trim, and shutters a contrasting color for extra oomph, or keep a monochromatic color palette for a more laidback look. 3. Add Luxurious Wood & Stone Elements Adding a natural wood element or a bold stone element could be just the thing your home needs to make it stand out from the rest! If something classic, like stone veneers, isn’t your style, don’t be scared to get creative with it! For example, use stone to line your walkway or use stone to create pillars or light posts at the end of your driveway. To incorporate wood elements, consider adding a fence in a shade that complements the color of your home or wooden lawn edging around your flower beds! Also, nothing like some wood planter boxes or wood trellises that are adorned with fairy lights to add a magical element to your curb appeal! 4. Hire a Professional Landscaper There’s a huge difference between DIY landscaping and having someone who is dedicated to their craft work their magic on your lawn. They’ll know which native plants to choose to make a yard warm and inviting. They can also create water features, intricate flower beds, build retaining walls, and more. If hiring a professional landscaper isn’t in your budget, we suggest you go to your local garden center for recommendations of plants that will fare well in your area, specific to your climate. 5. Refinish Walkways & Driveway Walkways and driveways get a lot of use, and all that wear and tear will need an update over time. A professional landscaper or hardscaper also can upgrade your driveway and walkway by using stone, brick, or cement. But, if you’re on a budget, a good power-washing may also give a curb appeal boost. If refinishing your walkways or driveway isn’t in your budget, you can refresh their looks by doing things like adding illumination to your walkways with solar-powered lights, installing brick edging to your concrete walkway, or applying a colorful concrete stain to the surface for an unexpected touch! Source: NAR If you’re ready to take the leap to sell your home don’t hesitate to reach out to our team of industry-leading brokers! Give us a call at 360-757-6013. We can’t wait to help you achieve your real estate goals!
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