Travis Antles - Designated Broker/Owner, Windermere Real Estate Yakima

03/26/2026

The Remodel You’ve Been Dreaming About May Be Closer Than You Think

Whether you’re selling next year or just giving your house some TLC, the right home improvements today can set you up for success tomorrow. And the best part? Your equity may be the key to making it happen.

What’s one upgrade you’ve been thinking about – and wondering if it’s worth it?

Let’s have a quick conversation about whether it’s the right decision for your home.

That kitchen you’ve been mentally redesigning...The bathroom that really needs a refresh...Or the outdoor space you keep saying you’ll get to someday...

03/15/2024

04/19/2023

Falling out of Love with Your House? It May Be Time To Move.

Owning a home means having a place that’s solely your own and provides the space, features, and location you and your loved ones need. But what happens when your needs change? If this hits home for you, it may be time to make a move.

According to NAR, the average person has lived in their current house for ten years. If you’ve been in your home for a while, think about how much in your life has changed since you moved in. Even if you thought it would be your forever home when you bought it, it doesn’t have to be. Work with a local real estate agent to explore all your options in today’s market before settling for your current home.

That’s actually what a lot of homeowners are doing right now. A recent survey from Realtor.com finds that, of people who are considering selling in 2023, one in three are thinking about moving because their home no longer...

Owning a home means having a place that’s solely your own and provides the space, features, and location you and your loved ones need.

04/18/2023

5 Reasons Millennials Are Buying Homes

According to Zonda, 98% of millennials want to become a homeowner at some point if they aren’t already. But why?

>>Building equity – Homeownership is a long-term investment that allows you to build wealth, increase your net worth, and become more financially stable. Beyond that, the alternative to owning a home is typically renting. With the way rents have risen so dramatically over time, it may make sense to build your own equity instead of the equity of the person you’re renting from.

>>A change in life stage – As a millennial, you’re reaching your prime homebuying years. That means you may be at the point where you need more space or a different location.

>>Stability or settling down – This could mean establishing your career or just generally deciding more concretely what you want your life to look and feel like. As that idea becomes clearer, you may want to establish that...

In the United States, there are over 72 million millennials.

04/17/2023

Think Twice Before Waiting for Lower Home Prices

As the housing market continues to change, you may be wondering where it’ll go from here. One factor you’re probably thinking about is home prices, which have come down a bit since they peaked last June. And you’ve likely heard something in the news or on social media about a price crash on the horizon. As a result, you may be holding off on buying a home until prices drop significantly. But that’s not the best strategy.

A recent survey from Zonda shows 53% of millennials are still renting right now because they’re waiting for home prices to come down. But here’s the thing: the most recent data shows that home prices appear to have bottomed out and are now on the rise again. Selma Hepp, Chief Economist at CoreLogic, reports, “U.S. home prices rose by 0.8% in February . . . indicating that prices in most markets have already bottomed out.” And the latest data from...

As the housing market continues to change, you may be wondering where it’ll go from here.

04/15/2023

Home Inspections for Sellers: What You Need To Know [INFOGRAPHIC]

The inspection is a major part of the home selling process. Many buyers used to waive inspections to be more competitive with their offer, but recently, inspections and repairs are becoming popular again. DM me so you have an expert on your side who can help you determine the repairs and updates your house needs before you sell.

The inspection is a major part of the home selling process.Many buyers used to waive inspections to be more competitive with their offer, but recently, inspections and repairs are becoming popular again.

04/14/2023

What Does It Mean To Be in a Sellers’ Market?

To explain what a sellers’ market is and why it presents great opportunities for homeowners ready to make a move

04/13/2023

Want To Sell Your House This Spring? Price It Right.

Over the last year, the housing market’s gone through significant change. While it’s still a sellers’ market, homes that are priced right are selling, and they get the most attention from buyers right now. If you’re thinking of selling your house this spring, it’s important to lean on your expert real estate advisor when it comes to setting a list price. As Realtor.com explains:

“Move-in-ready homes with curb appeal and in desirable areas—and that are priced to sell—are especially likely to move quickly this spring.”
In today’s market, how you price your house will not only make a big difference to your bottom line, but to how quickly your house will sell.

Your asking price sends a message to potential buyers, especially today.

If it’s priced too low, you may leave money on the table or discourage buyers who may see a lower-than-expected price tag and wonder if that means something is wrong with...

Over the last year, the housing market’s gone through significant change. 

04/12/2023

Your Tax Refund Can Help You Achieve Your Homebuying Goals

Have you been saving up to buy a home this year? If so, you know there are a variety of expenses involved – from your down payment to closing costs. But there’s good news – your tax refund can help you achieve your goals by paying for some of these expenses.

SmartAsset estimates the average American will receive a $1,798 tax refund this year. According to Freddie Mac, there are multiple ways your refund check can help you as a homebuyer. If you’re getting a refund this year and thinking about buying a home, here are a few tips to keep:

Saving for a down payment – One of the largest barriers to homeownership is saving for a down payment. You could reach your savings goal more quickly than expected by using your tax refund to help with your down payment.

Paying for closing costs – You have to pay fees to your lender, real estate agent, and other parties involve...

Have you been saving up to buy a home this year? 

04/11/2023

The Big Advantage If You Sell This Spring

Thinking about selling your house? If you’ve been waiting for the right time, it could be now while the supply of homes for sale is so low. HousingWire shares:

“. . . the big question is whether we are finally starting to see the seasonal spring increase in inventory. The answer is no, because active listings fell to a new low last week for 2023 . . .”

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) confirms today’s housing inventory is low by looking at the months’ supply of homes on the market. In a balanced market, about a six-month supply is needed. And today, the number is much lower:

“Total housing inventory registered at the end of February was 980,000 units, identical to January and up 15.3% from one year ago (850,000). Unsold inventory sits at a 2.6-month supply at the current sales pace, down 10.3% from January but up from 1.7 months in February 2022.”

The less in...

Thinking about selling your house?

04/10/2023

Homebuyer Activity Shows Signs of Warming Up for Spring

The spring season appears to be warming up in housing as more and more buyers enter the market. And after rising mortgage rates sidelined so many buyers last year, that’s a good sign for sellers. Realtor.com has the latest:

“Spring is officially here, and like green shoots emerging from the bleak winter, new data suggests that more buyers are back in the market, although more subdued compared to a year ago.”

We know buyer activity is trending up because of mortgage purchase application data. According to Investopedia:

“A mortgage application is a document submitted to a lender when you apply for a mortgage to purchase real estate.”

That means the number of mortgage applications shows how many buyers are applying for mortgages. Put another way, an increase in mortgage applications means an increase in buyer demand – and as Joel Kan, VP and Deputy Chief E...

The spring season appears to be warming up in housing as more and more buyers enter the market.