Back in September 2024, the Federal Reserve finally began to lower interest rates and continued the cuts at its November and December meetings. HELOC rates have fallen in response. In fact, borrowing against your home’s value hasn’t been this affordable in about a year.  People are paying attention. Mortgage holders collectively withdrew about $48 billion of their home […]

Homeownership comes with its surprises — a flooded basement, a busted furnace or a fence damaged by a fallen tree. And when surprises strike, the first question often is: Will my home insurance cover it? But recently the cost of home insurance itself has shocked Washington homeowners.   With some seeing their premiums increase as much […]

The housing markets in Snohomish, Island, and Skagit counties are shifting gears in 2024. While home prices remain high, the breakneck pace of appreciation seen in recent years is starting to slow down. Here are some trends we are seeing: What’s Driving the Change? Rising mortgage rates are making homeownership more expensive, potentially impacting affordability […]