Seth Mechler

05/14/2023

My office today

05/03/2023

Very happy to see Tesla opening a plant in the Smokey Point Neighborhood of Marysville / Arlington! This will, no doubt - have a positive effect on our local home values.

If you are interested in owning a home in Arlington or Marysville, I would be happy to help. Give me a call today!

Tesla will use its Marysville warehouse for parts and assembly.

12/31/2022

I want to address an issue which has come up for a lot of people recently, who are having their own home built.

As with any legal contract, it’s always important to read the ‘fine print’ before signing a contract with a builder.

Most home building contractors have a clause in the agreement which allows them to raise the price for materials (higher than what they originally quoted you) to adjust for inflation. While this is not unethical in and of itself, it’s something that you need to be aware of if you are considering having a home built.

With inflation skyrocketing, many people are seeing the final price to build their homes increase tens of thousands of dollars higher than what they originally budgeted…

With the above in mind, it’s a good idea to consider alternatives such as:

1.) Waiting a while to have your home built, if you are in a situation where you can do that. Inflation will likely slow down, eventually.

2.) Buying a home which is already built instead of having one built.

3.) Making sure that you either have a lot of extra cash set aside or have the ability to afford a higher mortgage than what you are currently calculating.

Do you have additional real estate related questions? Don’t hesitate to reach out, as I am always happy to discuss.

Happy New Year!

12/16/2022

If you are renting when you could buy- it’s like paying 100% interest...

Conclusion: Don’t avoid buying a home based on rising interest rates.

11/20/2022

How much does the average, first-time home buyer need to earn annually to afford a home in the Seattle Area now? Over $205,000. To elaborate, this figure expands to most of the I-5 Corridor in Western Washington State.

The financing cost for a typical home in the U.S. has nearly doubled in the last year.

04/25/2022

Even with 11+ years in real estate, I’ve encountered situations recently which I haven’t previously seen. That said, the story below still left me in disbelief.

When you work with me as your agent - I will NEVER sell you a home with someone still living in it, who can legally remain there forever, without even paying rent!

A home in Fairfax, Virginia, sold this month above the asking price even though it comes with an unusual feature ... a stranger living in the basement.

03/24/2022

Are you curious what your house is worth?

Springtime is the ideal time of year to get a Comparative Market Analysis of your home’s value. It is 100% free, with no obligation, so reach out to me today for your free CMA at:

(360) 420-7397 or [email protected]

02/23/2022

Recent housing market highlights, compliments of the NWMLS:

KIRKLAND, Washington (February 7, 2022) - A frigid first week of January, surges in coronavirus cases, and depleted inventory were among factors brokers from Northwest Multiple Listing Service cited for last month's slower than year-ago sales.

12/15/2021

December Real Estate Market Update:

KIRKLAND, Washington (December 6, 2021) - Historically soggy weather and the onset of holidays did not deter thousands of buyers and sellers during November, based on the latest report from Northwest Multiple Listing Service. Numbers for new listings, pending sales, and closed sales were comparable....

11/19/2021

November housing market status update:

KIRKLAND, Washington (November 4, 2021) - Northwest Multiple Listing Service brokers are detecting indecisiveness by some buyers who are getting mixed 'work from home' messages from their employers. The hesitancy, coupled with cooler, wetter weather and increases in mortgage rates were likely factor...

10/22/2021

Here is one interesting take on what the US Housing Market will do in 2022.

The article discusses inflation, interest rates and supply vs. demand. While all of these metrics are fine and good for economics calculations in the traditional sense, we should remember that it’s always possible for other factors to play a role. Consider: ‘The Great Resignation,’ Hyperinflation, Covid Lockdowns, waves of people moving to states which they percieve to be better aligned with their political views and more companies offering employees the opportunity to work from home.

Don’t underestimate the influence that these issues could have on house prices in the coming year. If you need to buy or sell a home, give me a call and we’ll get started on the process today (360) 420-7397.

CoreLogic foresees home prices rising 2.2% in the next 12 months—a relatively bearish take compared to other recent forecasts.

10/12/2021

Your October Housing Market Report:

September's housing market remained