Scott Your Broker

"This isn't working out. I think we should break up. But it's really not you...it's me." "Ok, IT IS you." Real estate agents are an interesting breed of cat. Unlike doctors or lawyers or engineers and such, most come from other previous professions. It is rare to find someone in real estate that started there right out of school and then retires in that same profession. But this isn't a bad thing. As long as they meet the needs of their customers and come to the table with some expected characteristics. And do the job. Like actually working for their customers. Weird concept, right? In the world of selling homes, there are good eggs and bad ones. This is the same for any profession. But the stakes are so high that it's paramount that you work with someone who fits the professional bill. You can't simply rely on the fact that someone at church knows this guy that dated a girl who's sister married a guy that just got his license in ...

Everyone and their dog has a prediction for the coming year. And depending on the fact that most forecasters let their personal prejudices cloud their judgement, you would be better off listening to my dog. But you can't because he's napping. So without a lot of long drawn out facts, charts and baloney, my prediction for the housing market in 2020 can be summed up with one single word... Solid To keep my two cents from being too long and boring I will cut the crap and give you why I think what I do about where 2020 will be for anyone related to the housing industry in very simple terms. Housing Sales It's simple. Sales will stay strong because there are more buyers than sellers . Low housing inventory will continue to be a major factor this coming year.  Mortgage Rates Rates will remain mostly stable. Period. The Federal Reserve is driving this boat and are very focused at keeping rates in an area that balances grown and inflation. Everything else is jus...

During this Holiday Season my wish for you is that you are busy being happy. Happy Holidays and may your New Year be the best for you and yours! Happy Holidays! Scott C. Dickinson Real Estate Broker 360-518-7197 https://linktr.ee/yourbroker

Like many of you who got lost in the HBO series Game of Thrones , I revel in the proclamation that is,  " Winter Is Coming ". But if you know me you will know I love, love, LOVE summer and I always hate for it to end. I celebrate the warm air, I love the water related activities. I love wearing flip flops and shorts. And in general, I love the party that IS summer and I want it to go on and on and on. Do you know that guy who is always the last one at the party, ready to Go All Night??? Well, that's me. And that's how I normally treat summer. I want it to go on forever. I go kicking and screaming into fall and eventually winter.  But there is a good side to winter coming.  At least, for those who are looking to sell their home. Many sellers believe spring is the best time to put their homes on the market because buyer demand traditionally increases at that time of year. What they don't realize is if every homeowner believes the same thing. then that's w...

It's impossible to not hear someone's opinion these days about the economy and what's going on with home prices. Loud mouths on the news, Facebook, heck, even your drunk Uncle Joe, all seem to have all the answers these days. But while your uncle might be good for uncomfortable jokes, chances are he really doesn't know what he is talking about with where home prices are going.  Sure there is uncertainty about the economy, triggered by a potential trade war but you need to listen to experts in the housing and lending world. Many people are dragging their feet in purchasing their new home or their dream home because "someone" said they think home prices are going to fall over the next few years. But, the experts disagree. And this is why I listen to experts because, well...they are experts and your drunk Uncle Joe is just that. But he is still your uncle. But I digress. Here is a table showing the predicted levels of appreciation from six major housing sourc...

As you know, there is chaos in our world today. Whether it's a badly needed orchestrated change or unchecked pandemonium is the topic for someone else's blog. But you can't deny it exists. And it is having a direct impact on the housing market. The reality is: some of it is positive and some of it may be negative. Here are three areas of the housing market that are critical for you to understand: interest rates, building materials and the outlook for an economic slowdown. 1. Interest Rates Without argument, one of the most important things to consider when buying a home is the interest rate you will be charged to borrow your money. In a recent blog of mine, I explored the questions, "Mortgage Rates: How Low Will They Go?" The latest information from Freddie Mac  seems to say lower rates are here to stay for the near future. We are currently at a 21 month low in interest rates.  2. Building Materials The reality of tariffs and the threat ...

Unless you are in a coma, you think about your future money. Every American wants their nest egg to last as long as needed. For decades, one of the top worries of Seniors is whether their savings and investments will last as long as they do. Let's face it, the idea of living a longer, healthier life only works if your money is right there with you. Every year, Gallup surveys  Americans to determine their choice for the best long-term investment. Respondents are given a choice between real estate, stocks, gold and savings accounts. For the sixth year in a row, real estate has topped the list of the best long-term investment! That has not always been the case. Gallup explains: "Between 2008 and 2010, covering most of the Great Recession period that saw plummeting home and stock values, Americans were as likely to name savings accounts or CDs as the best long-term investments as they were to name stocks or real estates." This year's results showed th...