Last month, US News released their annual ranking of top U.S. cities to live in, and according to their calculations, Seattle ranks 7th in a comparison of 100 of the nation’s top cities. The list is based on a methodology incorporating the job market index (20%), value index (25%), quality of life index (30%), desirability index (15%) and net migration (10%). What elevated Seattle to the top? As Naomi Tomky describes, “for many, living in Seattle has as much to do with what’s outside the city as what’s inside. Less than an hour from downtown, residents escape for the day or weekend to wineries, ski resorts, hiking trails and sprawling parks. Seattleites bring that love of nature into the city as much as possible, enjoying Seattle’s parks and tree-lined streets” in addition to what Tomky says is an inherently calm and patient attitude.
Sotheby's International Realty Releases Collections Volume 1 2016 and features Realogics SIR Prominently
The first volume of Collections Volume in 2016 takes a look at groundbreaking 2015 initiatives and looks to the future with spotlight sections and marketing influences. RSIR was featured prominently, with quotes from both Dean Jones, Owner & CEO in addition to Andrea Savage, Vice President of Marketing.
A special spotlight on New Homes and Developments, describes The Homes at Fort Lawton project, represented by RSIR. Andrea Savage, who was instrumental in establishing the platform onsothebysrealty.com, described that “taking on a large new development project that includes multiple homes is a difficult task and takes a lot of strategy to find a large pool of buyers,” continuing that “the new search allows us to direct our potential buyers directly to our portfolio of new construction. We are able to show the different property types offered all in one place and still carry the branding that was created for the project.”
The Marketing Influence section heavily described recent initiatives surrounding the firm’s “Asia Services Group,” from Seattle Luxury Living Magazine to the WeChat real estate portal. As Dean Jones stated, “this app will help us showcase our Pacific Northwest real estate and lifestyle real time overseas. It was a necessary investment to encourage communications between our Asia Services Group and connect our local brokers and their listing clients with a world of opportunity.”
Happy Easter Sunday!
Did you Know that May is the Best Time to List a Home?
In a recent Puget Sound Business Journal article, Emily Parkhurst declares that “This is the best time to list your house for sale in Seattle.” The dates she’s referring to? The first couple of weeks in May. As the feature describes, “houses listed between May 1 and May 15 sell 20 days faster than the yearly average.” What’s more? “They also sell for an average of $2,600 more.” These dates apply to most of the market in the United States, but are even weightier in a market as hot as Seattle’s.
May will thus mark an especially significant time to list in the already favorable market. As the Puget Sound Real Estate Trends & 2015 Year in Review, released by Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty, explains, the year 2015 witnessed white-hot real estate conditions throughout the Puget Sound not seen since before the Great Recession. Prices of real estate throughout the Puget Sound catapulted higher in 2015 and a similar trajectory is expected in 2016: expanding demand, anemic supply and developers playing catch up to increasing homeownership levels.
Tell Your Peeps!
In the spirit of Easter, RSIR is partnering with the YWCA to bring a little springtime cheer to the more than 1,000+ children in the Seattle, Snohomish & King County area who would love a visit from the Easter Bunny this holiday. Our goal is to fill 20 baskets and collect additional donated goodies to fill more if we’re able. With your generous support last year, RSIR was able to support 28 total baskets. Let’s break that record this year!
Help us Fill Baskets Monday, March 21st from 3-6pm @ the RSIR Seattle Office
Or, drop off items at ANY of our office locations by March 20th.
Each basket will make a difference to a child in need. The YWCA opens doors to opportunity and self-sufficiency for women and families facing poverty, violence and discrimination. Their homeless shelters are a safe haven to the families they serve for up to 6 months and we hope to remind them of the life they are working so hard on getting back on track.