If commissions are decoupled, researchers believe the competition will drive real estate commissions down.

A groundbreaking $418 million legal agreement could drive down commission rates and shrink the number of real-estate agents.

As an example, the DOJ cites Northwest MLS (NWMLS), which no longer requires listing agents to make offers of buyer broker compensation in order to list a property. Despite this being allowed, the practice of cooperative compensation continues, and agent commissions have not changed.

“As long as sellers can make buyer-broker commission offers, they will continue to offer ‘customary’ commissions out of fear that buyer brokers will direct buyers away from listings with lower commissions — a well-documented phenomenon…

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Good Afternoon, 

Will 2024 be the year the housing market gets unstuck? What happened in North Bend real estate during 2023? I published a comprehensive North Bend Real Estate Recap and 2024 Outlook to answer all your questions!

Here are the questions-

2023 North Bend Recap

What was the appreciation rate in your neighborhood?

In Si View?
In Riverbed?
In Wood River? In Cedar Falls?

What was the highest selling home price in North Bend?
What was the lowest selling home price in North Bend?

2024 Real Estate Outlook

Will prices go up or down?
Where are interest rates headed? What is the best month to list? What is the best day to list?


Answers found here-

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The world of real estate is filled with acronyms and jargon, and one term that often comes up in international transactions is FIRPTA. The Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act (FIRPTA) can have significant implications for both buyers and sellers in real estate transactions. This blog post aims to demystify FIRPTA and explain its role in real estate.

What is FIRPTA? FIRPTA, enacted in 1980, is a United States tax law that imposes income tax on foreign persons disposing of U.S. real property interests. A U.S. real property interest includes sales of interests in parcels of real property as well as sales of shares in certain U.S. corporations that are considered to have U.S. real property interests.

How Does FIRPTA Affect Sellers? If you're a…

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Western Washington saw one of the largest year-over-year decreases in active inventory last month. There were 3,333 properties for sale in January — a 23.2% decrease from January 2023, when there were 4,342 homes on the market. Only Las Vagas had a steeper nation drop in inventory levels.

As a result of the low housing inventory levels around Western Washington, we are returning to bidding war situations. Seattle area home sales increased by 7% in January, marking the first year-over-year increase since March 2022. Meanwhile, home sale prices increased by 3.4% year over year.

Additionally, the new commission rules are allowing Sellers to save 10’s of thousands in Buyer Agent commissions.

Cascade Team Saves Commissions For Sellers

Taking advantage of low inventory before more homes…

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Land purchases can be (very) tricky, so it is important to know what to look for. My clients knew they wanted to create their own story, which included an A-frame on acreage, with an abundance of trees & natural landscape. I connected them with one of my favorite builders and a bonus was that this land already had the most important features (well, septic design and power in the street). I can't wait to see their dream come together! If you are thinking about buying your dream property and/or selling I would love to help! Give me a call 714-655-0595.


  

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WINTER HOME SELLING TIPS

 Winter presents a unique set of opportunities for those looking to sell their homes.  But, by using the right strategies, your home can stand out and attract serious buyers.

 

Here are some home selling tips that are likely to bring you success:

 

  1.     Price Your Home Correctly

Work closely with your real estate agent to determine an attractive, yet competitive price for your property.  A well-priced home can generate more interest and potentially lead to offers more quickly.

 

A Comparative Market Analysis for the 4th quarter for The Edens and Brookshire is attached.  This should give you an idea of what your home might be worth.

 

  1.     Maximize Your Curb Appeal

Winter landscapes can be…

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Top 10 Questions Home Sellers Have When Selling Their Home

Selling a home can be a complex process, filled with many questions and uncertainties. As a seller, you want to ensure you're making the right decisions to get the best possible return on your investment. Here are the top 10 questions sellers often have when preparing to sell their home:

1. **When is the best time to sell my home?**
   The best time to sell can depend on many factors, including local market conditions, seasonality, and your personal circumstances. However, traditionally, spring is often considered the best time to sell as many buyers are looking to move before the new school year starts.

2. **How much is my home worth?**
   The value of your home is determined by a variety of…

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Introduction:

Understanding the financial implications of owning and selling residential real estate can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to taxes. One of the key tax considerations for homeowners is the capital gains tax. This blog aims to demystify the concept of capital gains and how it applies to residential real estate. 


What are Capital Gains? 

In simple terms, capital gains refer to the profit made from the sale of an asset or investment, which has increased in value over time. For instance, if you purchased a house for $200,000 and later sold it for $300,000, the $100,000 profit is considered a capital gain. 


Capital Gains Tax and Residential Real Estate

When you sell your home for a profit, you may be subject to…

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As Valentine's Day approaches, love is in the air. But this year, instead of focusing solely on chocolates and roses, why not consider a different kind of matchmaking? Just like finding the perfect partner, finding the perfect home can be a journey of discovery, filled with excitement, anticipation, and even a few butterflies.

1. Love at First Sight: The Importance of First Impressions Just like a first date, the first impression of a home can be a game-changer. A well-maintained exterior, a welcoming entrance, and a clean, inviting interior can make potential buyers fall in love instantly. As a seller, it's essential to ensure your property is looking its best for every viewing. As a buyer, remember that while first impressions are important,…

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After a particularly rough stretch, the frozen housing market has begun to thaw.

Mortgage rates have tumbled, more homes are being listed, and sales are rising as buyers are pouncing on their sudden change in fortune.

“The worst is over for the housing market,” says Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics. But “it will take a number of years for the housing market to fully normalize.”

Indeed, the signs of a gradual sea change have been abundant in the past two months.

Market Recap

Real estate market activity has remained slow in accordance with typical seasonal patterns. Interest rates held steady through the month of January to end at 6.69%; at the time of this publication, there was a slight decrease to 6.63%. For the…

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