July is one of my favorite months here in the Pacific Northwest! From Fourth of July celebrations and parades to outdoor concerts, farmers markets, wine tasting, community festivals, and waterfront events, there’s truly something for everyone to enjoy.
This year makes the celebration even more special as America marks its 250th anniversary—a milestone honoring 250 years of our nation’s history, independence, and the communities that make it so special. It’s the perfect time to get out, support local events, and make memories with family and friends.
🏡 A quick real estate update: The market continues to offer opportunities for both buyers and sellers. Inventory has been gradually improving, giving buyers more choices, while well-priced, well-prepared homes are still attracting strong interest. Interest rates remain an important factor, so having the right strategy—and the right team—can make all the difference.
Be sure to check out my July Newsletter for local events, market updates, homeowner tips, and everything happening around Snohomish County this month.
Wishing you all a safe, happy, and memorable July filled with sunshine, laughter, and time with the people you love. ❤️🤍💙
Happy September, friends! 🍂 This month’s newsletter is packed with: 📊 A fresh Eye on the Market 🏡 Fall home décor ideas to cozy up your space 📦 Clever space-saving tips 🎶 Can’t-miss local events around the Sound Grab your coffee ☕ and take a few minutes to check it out—you’ll love what’s inside! 💌
🌷🏡 Welcome to March!! As spring blooms around us, so does the real estate market! 🌱🏠 With the promise of warmer days ahead, it’s the perfect time to explore new listings and envision your dream home. 🌞💭 Keep an eye out for my market updates and expert tips to help you navigate the buying or selling process with ease. Plus, don’t miss out on exciting local events popping up across the county and beyond – because life’s too short to miss out on community fun! 🎉🌳 Let’s make March a month of new beginnings and exciting possibilities in the world of real estate! 🌟 🏘️✨
As the leaves start to turn brilliant shades of red and gold, and a crispness fills the air, it’s clear that autumn has arrived! Welcome to October and your newsletter with your eye on the market, a few home tips/tricks PLUS this delightful season comes with a cornucopia of local fall and Halloween activities that are sure to enchant and thrill. So, grab your cozy sweaters and pumpkin spice lattes, because we’ve rounded up some of the most exciting events happening right in our area!
Self-made real estate millionaire Barbara Corcoran says it’s a ‘good time to buy’ because home prices are going to ‘explode’ when mortgage rates drop!
Alena Botros Fri, June 2, 2023 at 2:00 AM PDT·4 min read
Appearing as a guest on Good Morning America this week, Barbara Corcoran answered several questions from viewers, ranging from when the right time to buy a home is to how to win a bidding war. As for the former, Corcoran said now is the time to buy.
“It’s a good time to buy because the minute interest rates go down, everybody’s waiting for them to go down even by a point, and when they do, they’re going to come rushing back in the market,” Corcoran said. “Prices are going to explode, and you’re going to be paying more for the same house. And you can always refinance, remember, when and if interest rates come down.”
It’s not Corcoran’s first time advising against even attempting to time the market. Previously, on the Chicks in the Office podcast, Corcoran said to forget about the timing, again stressing that now is always the time to buy.
The self-proclaimed “NYC Real Estate Queen,” founded the Corcoran Group with a $1,000 loan in 1973, which she famously turned into $66 million, after selling her business in 2001. She’ll always be a powerhouse within the real estate industry, but now most people know her as the spunky, blunt, and well-dressed shark on ABC’s Shark Tank.
Another viewer asked Corcoran how to win bidding wars, saying that he and his fiancee have been looking for a house but have been out bid every time they’ve found one they like. Corcoran said the key is to look like the “best deal in town,” while playing on the seller’s emotions.
“You have to be prequalified for your mortgage so you can go in there as an all cash deal. I’m an all cash deal, it’s not contingent, I already got my mortgage—you want that power behind you,” Corcoran said. “You also want to go in and realize it’s never just a financial deal. Get a nice piece of stationery and handwrite a note to that owner, and tell them how much you love the house. It makes a difference because people like to sell homes to people who love their house.”
As for the different types of mortgage loans that buyers can choose from, Corcoran said it depends on how long you’re going to live in that home. If you’re going to live there a long time, or at least except you are, Corcoran said a conventional rate mortgage at the shortest term you can afford, is the best option. On the other hand, if you’re only going to be living there for a short period of time, likely under five years, she said you’ll want to get an adjustable rate mortgage because it’s cheaper.
When Corcoran was then asked if there’s any way to get relief as someone who’s “house poor,” a term used to describe someone that’s spending more than 30% of their income on housing, she answered: “you don’t get relief from that.” In coastal cities, Corcoran said, people are spending more than 40% of their income on housing. But there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, in her view—people are forced to save by paying off their mortgage.
“When it comes time to retire, for most of us, it’s the only money we have to retire on,” Corcoran said.
Now if you want to make the most out of your home purchase, she said you’ll always get the best return in a high-traffic area. And if you want to make a killing, buy a home in an up and coming area. Corcoran’s formula for doing so? Follow the creative community and see where they’re living, and check out the nightlife.
And of course, a Corcoran Q&A couldn’t be complete without touching on rentals and renting. As for rent prices, Corcoran said they’re going to continue to go up, and there won’t be any relief. When interest rates go up and chase people into the rental market, rents generally go up. But when interest rates go down, that doesn’t mean rent follows. Corcoran said she’s never met a landlord that brings down their rent, ever. And, most of us know how she feels about renting—that it’s a “no-win game.”
Remember~ date the rate, marry the home. As the famous Will Rogers said ” Don’t wait to buy real estate, by real estate and wait. Good advice everyone and I am just the gal to help you so reach out with all your real esate questions and needs in the Puget Sound region.
What is the most valuable piece of advice you could give your younger self today regarding building financial wealth?
For me it’s a no brainer “BUY DIRT”! Not only do I love that song by Jordan Davis and Luke Bryant the video just speaks to my heart and soul of what life is all about AND I have seen it repeatedly with many of my clients.
STORY TIME: in June of 2020 I sold the pictured home for $639,950. The buyers have since had a change of life plan and are moving out of state. Thankfully they have been in the home for 2 years as their primary residence so it will save them on the capital gains tax. WHEW! This month, April 2023, the home is now pending under contract and will be closing soon for around $900,000. That is a profit of around $260,000 in 2.5 years!!!! Do the math if you must and see the appreciation they received in this short time. I may be a Realtor and yes, this is my job but it’s a career I love and I believe very strongly the most solid way to build wealth and secure your future is to buy a home. Your own piece of dirt.
Inventory is still low, prices continue to go up, by the time the rate is where you want it, that price home won’t be what you want anymore, so you will have to spend more to get the same house. I always tell my buyers that it’s important to “marry the house, date the rate” Find the home you want in today’s prices and then when rates go down, refinance to save. If you wait for the rate to go down for 12 months or, more, and prices increase 5-10% during that time, what are you really saving? And, the main reason you are moving cannot be achieved if you stay put (need more space, closer to family, etc. )
You are investing in yourself when you purchase a home. We purchased our first home at 7.5% and that was normal!! Over time home values will always continue to rise, homes are a long term investment and let’s face it it’s better than paying the 100% interest you are currently paying on the rental you have.
Let me know if you want me to help you build your financial wealth!
This is an oldie but a goodie handout. I like to give to my clients as they are going through paperwork when they are decluttering for us to sell their current home or home buyers when packing up for their move. We all have it lots and lots of paperwork! This time of year you may be done with taxes and have all the documents still sitting around or, you may be feeling like spring cleaning and wondering what documents you really need to keep and for how long. I hope this helps.
STORY TIME: in June of 2020 I sold the pictured home for $639,950. The buyers have since had a change of life plan and are moving out of state. Thankfully they have been in the home for 2 years as their primary residence so it will save them on the capital gains tax. WHEW! This month, April 2023, the home is now pending under contract and will be closing soon for around $900,000. That is a profit of around 
$260,000
appreciation they received in this short time. I may be a Realtor and yes, this is my job but it’s a career I love and I believe very strongly the most solid way to build wealth and secure your future is to buy a home. Your own piece of dirt. 
