By Erin Flemming

Special to the Reporter

Though the local real estate market tends to be a bit quieter in August due to summer vacations, Mona Spencer, branch manager for John L. Scott’s Redmond office, said she’s optimistic about Redmond’s market given the low current interest rates and very positive local job growth.

“Assuming a recession doesn’t arrive this fall or winter, buyers who need and want to make a move, will take advantage of low mortgage rates,” said Spencer. “There is a good chance due to our strong local economy and continued increase in population that homebuying competition will pick back up in 2020.”

In his monthly housing update for the Eastside, John L. Scott chairman and CEO J. Lennox Scott said the next two months — September and October — are historically the best for selection and availability out of the next six months.

“After a huge influx of new listings in May 2019, the last three months have seen fewer new listings than last year on the Eastside,” said Scott. “In August, pended listings were close to the same level as the prior month while unsold inventory was lower.”

CL Tang, a broker from John L. Scott’s Redmond office, said August was a bit slow due to the typical seasonal patterns of people taking vacations and getting children ready for school. However, he noted that well-positioned listings in desirable areas sold quickly.

“Looking ahead, I expect the market to pick up speed again in September,” said Tang. “With strong local job growth and interest rates remaining low, the next two months look good for our housing market. Those looking to purchase a home right now can enjoy a more stable market without all the craziness we tend to see in the spring.”

Though the local real estate market in Bellevue didn’t offer up any major surprises in August, the real estate industry is abuzz with a change to laws surrounding low-down-payment loans for condominiums. The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) announced in August that the United States will back more condominium loans, a change that is aimed at helping first-time buyers.

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) and others expressed support for the change, arguing in cities like Seattle, expanding opportunities for first-time buyers to purchase a condo is a welcomed change. John L. Scott Redmond broker Mark Mizuno echoed the sentiments of NAR, saying that more access to high-density housing at a lower price is a necessity in the local market.

“Since the entry point is relatively much lower compared to a single-family home, condos are appealing to many first-time home buyers, especially for the demographic in their 20s,” said Mizuno. “Due to the busy nature of people these days, low maintenance of their home gives them their time back in that yard work, as exterior maintenance of the structure and more is covered by the homeowners association. The newer condo buildings also have many amenities such as a receptionist, gym, pet wash area, and more conveniences.”