Approximately 2.5 billion Father's Day cards are sent each year.
Neckties have become a popular traditional gift for Father's Day.
"World's Greatest Dad" is a popular Father's Day phrase.
Breakfast in bed is a common Father's Day treat.
Wishing a fantastic Father's Day to all the dads who strive to be the best versions of themselves.
To every father figure making a positive impact, Happy Father's Day!
Panel-wide expectations point to US home prices ↑~14% from Q4 2025 to Q4 2030, with a calmer pace than pandemic-era spikes for planning purposes.
Near-term expectations stay modest, with prices ↑~2% in 2026, ↑~2% in 2027, and ↑~3% in 2028, helping buyers plan budgets and timing.
The outlook calls for avg. annual price change near ~3%, implying steadier appreciation instead of sharp spikes across the US market ahead.
Sales outlook depends on household formation, available inventory, and budgets, while affordability, confidence, and mortgage-rate levels remain key watch points for clients today.
Mortgage rates are expected to stay above ~6% through 2027, and rate lock-in makes realistic seller pricing important for market time management.
Seattle home values are forecast to grow slightly around 0.4%.
The market is transitioning from rapid growth to stability.
Affordability is expected to improve gradually this year.
Demand remains strong but less aggressive than previous years.
Flag Day is the American flag's birthday party every June 14th!
Flag Day was proclaimed in 1916 but officially recognized in 1949. Talk about a late celebration!
Betsy Ross, a seamstress, sewed the first flag. Imagine if designers today made flag-inspired outfits!
Nationwide median listing price ↓~2% yearly to $429.5K in Mid-Q2, giving buyers a clearer opening after years of tight conditions and competition.
Asking prices showed broader softness: price per sq-ft ↓~3%, marking a notable shift from the pandemic-era frenzy toward more grounded seller expectations.
Active listings in Mid-Q2 were ↑~6% MoM and ↑~2% yearly, expanding options for buyers comparing homes carefully before making offers in 2026.
Even with >17% of active listings taking reductions, the lower yearly share suggests sellers are pricing more realistically upfront before listing.
Affordability remains challenging, but lower asking prices plus expanding inventory point to a less competitive market and more negotiating power for buyers.
Builder incentives are promotions offered by homebuilders to reduce the cost of new homes, often including upgrades, closing cost assistance, or interest rate buy-downs. These incentives are common at project launches, near completion, or during economic slowdowns to attract buyers. They often require using the builder’s preferred lender and may have conditions like closing deadlines. Incentives have increased recently due to higher mortgage rates and reduced affordability.
For many first-time buyers, the down payment remains the biggest barrier, even when ongoing monthly payments already fit comfortably within their budgets.
With federal pullbacks from several special-purpose loan programs this yr, brokers are being urged to understand more assistance alternatives for qualified buyers.
An industry partnership aims to expand broker education on assistance programs, giving members access to products, training, and shared guidance for eligible borrowers.
At an April 20-22 Washington advocacy event, ~200 brokers coordinated on credit reform, mortgage insurance, compensation rules, and condo reserve priorities together.
A 2026 national broker event is scheduled for October 16-19 in Las Vegas, with education and peer networking positioned as core takeaways.
In Early-Q2 2026, median single-family prices in King County ↓7% to $960K as higher borrowing costs moderated usual spring momentum, creating openings for buyers.
Across the listings service area, active listings ↑28.4% yearly, while closed sales ↓3.7%, giving prepared buyers more choice and negotiation room locally.
Core King County markets also adjusted: Seattle prices ↓3% to ~$999K, while Eastside prices ↓5% to ~$1.6M, reinforcing need for hyperlocal pricing.
A local broker said buyers are selective, so listings need strong condition, timing, and pricing; less-aligned homes may take longer to sell.
Current conditions may persist while international uncertainty continues, making realistic pricing and selective search strategies especially important for buyers and sellers right now.
First-time homebuyers should identify their current and future needs, understand the true cost of homeownership including taxes and maintenance, and start saving early for down payments and closing costs. Building and managing credit wisely is crucial. Research mortgage options and get preapproved before house hunting. Take time to make informed decisions, negotiate offers, and prepare thoroughly for closing to ensure a smooth process.