On this week’s episode of “Monday with Matthew,” our Chief Economist, Matthew Gardner, analyzes the surprisingly strong U.S. Job Market Report from October. This video was recorded Friday, November 6th.
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On this week’s episode of “Monday with Matthew,” our Chief Economist, Matthew Gardner, analyzes the surprisingly strong U.S. Job Market Report from October. This video was recorded Friday, November 6th.
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A fast-growing form of cybercrime, wire fraud has led to major losses for homebuyers in recent years. Get to know what it is and what steps you can take to avoid it.
What is wire fraud?
Real estate wire fraud is a scam that targets buyers while making payments during the home buying process. Attackers have taken advantage of the fact that there are several people and entities involved in real estate transactions. Between real estate agents title and escrow companies, mortgage lenders and more, there are many steps, some of which involve sharing financial information and transferring money. This gives ample opportunity for scammers to slip through the cracks somewhere along the line.
The timing of wire fraud is typically during closing using a sophisticated phishing scam. Attackers apply the use of fake emails, phone numbers, or websites, often posing as the buyer’s real estate agent and directing them to allocate funds to a fraudulent account. Because the attacker will have scanned, scrubbed, and lifted your personal information in preparation for the scam, their forms of communication can often look familiar and legitimate.
The mission of the cyberattack is to get your funds into an account the attacker owns. To do this, it is common for them to say that you had previously sent funds incorrectly, that they were never received, that there are new instructions for payment, or that there has been a last-minute change in the closing process. These are all major red flags. It is imperative to take extra caution during the final steps of purchasing a home because transfers, once initiated, are difficult to remedy and can delay your closing process.
The threat of wire fraud emphasizes the importance of working closely with everyone involved in the purchase of your home. If you believe you have been scammed, contact your bank or wire transfer company immediately and request that they issue a recall notice for your wire. Contact the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center and report the activity with as much information as you can gather. For more information about how to protect yourself from wire fraud, visit the National Association of Realtors’ Wire Fraud resources page.
In today’s episode of “Monday with Matthew,” Windermere Chief Economist Matthew Gardner dives into three of the latest housing market data releases and gives context to their historical significance.
Image sources: House, Townhouse, Condo: Canva — Question marks: Shutterstock
Deciding between a house, townhouse, and condominium can be a difficult process. Knowing how their characteristics align with your life and goals as a homeowner will help guide you to the right choice.
After all the research, do what feels right. Whether it’s a house, townhouse, or a condo, work with your Windermere agent to find the best option for you and your future.
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The pandemic’s influences on home life are far-ranging, prompting buyers to look at home ownership through a new lens. Remote work has created a paradigm shift in the wants and needs of homebuyers. Here’s what the remote worker should keep in mind when looking to buy.
Location
The location, location, location cliché has taken on new meaning for homebuyers who work from home. Because remote work gives us the opportunity to work from anywhere, home searches are expanding. Work commute times typically play a significant role in the home buying process; however, many buyers now have the option to view homes further away from their places of work.
Those who previously dreamed of the quiet life, but didn’t want the commute that came with it, are now able to make a move toward a more suburban environment. If you prefer to be away from the hustle and bustle of a downtown area but don’t want to feel isolated, search for properties in the suburbs with active town centers.
The proper space
When COVID-19 began sending workers home in the early months of 2020, homeowners worldwide discovered their varied level of preparedness for remote work. Some had spacious home offices and were able to make the transition easily. Others had to create makeshift workspaces out of living rooms or bedrooms. What we have learned is that a dedicated workspace is paramount to productive remote work, its importance emphasized by the unknown timeline of a return to working in-person in many parts of the country.
For all these considerations and more, talk with your Windermere agent about how your remote work is shifting where you’re looking for a home and what you’re looking for when it’s time to move there.
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Modern design can tie your home together while making a statement. Getting to know the modern farmhouse, mid-century modern, and industrial design trends will help to determine which is best for your home.
Modern Farmhouse
Bringing country living to wherever you call home, modern farmhouse is a style marked by sleek lines, vintage touches, and natural textures that still delivers a comfortable feel. Widespread use of the term “modern farmhouse” did not pick up steam until the mid-2010s, only gaining in popularity since.
Mid-Century Modern
A movement begun in—you guessed it—the middle of the twentieth century, mid-century modern (MCM) took shape in a post-war America that saw a migration to urban areas, thus influencing design of the era to be more mindful of smaller living spaces.
Industrial
Inspired by warehouses, factories and unexpected materials such as shipping containers, Industrial design brings home the raw, hardwearing aesthetic typically associated with spaces like reclaimed yards, hangars, and ports. Customization is popular in Industrial design, and like mid-century modern, simplicity is emphasized.
Although these trends vary in style and application, they all share a statement-making capability. When incorporating them into your home, know that any of these features will definitively shape the look and feel of your home.
On this week’s episode of “Mondays with Matthew,” Windermere Chief Economist, Matthew Gardner, takes another look at mortgage rates and forecasts what we can expect in the coming months for rates, affordability, and inventory.
Pictured L to R: Hoku Beebe, Samantha Dallas, Emma Reeves of Windermere Spokane
Through the challenges and restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic, Windermere offices have stepped up to support their local communities.
Windermere Utah
In an effort organized by Windermere agent Lisa Jungemann, the Utah office donated $5,000 through the Windermere Foundation to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, an organization dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide. Jungemann also hosted a fundraiser and short walk for AFSP’s Walk Out of Darkness Day on September 12, bringing the total amount raised to $22,300. Walk Out of Darkness is a part of the organization’s signature fundraising series of community, campus, and overnight walks.
Windermere RE/Maple Valley
The Storehouse Covington Food Bank is an organization near and dear to Windermere agent Diana Patterson of the Maple Valley office. Since 1999, The Storehouse’s vision for the Covington community has been to empower their neighbors to reach their full potential by reducing food insecurity. Once on the receiving end of their services, Patterson now serves as a volunteer in an effort to give back to her community. Noticing the strain the COVID-19 pandemic placed on The Storehouse’s ability to serve its community, Patterson partnered with the organization in April for a two-day drive through donation event to replenish their shelves. The effort yielded 1,227 pounds of food and raised over $2,000 in donations.
Diana Patterson with some of the donations for The Storehouse Covington Food Bank
Windermere Spokane
The Windermere Spokane team partnered with their local Big 5 Sporting Goods store to support Family Promise of Spokane, purchasing roughly 90 pairs of shoes and socks for children in the community to start their new school year off on the right foot. Family Promise specializes in connecting homeless families to their neighborhoods, increasing support networks and re-enforcing the skills needed to maintain housing.
Pictured L to R: Laura Zahn, Barb Pielli, and Wendy Shiley handing out socks at the Spokane Big 5 Sporting Goods
Windermere Homes & Estates
Windermere Homes & Estates and Feeding San Diego have made a significant impact for the those in need in their community. Feeding San Diego, a member of Feeding America, envisions a hunger-free and healthy San Diego by connecting every person facing hunger with nutritious meals by maximizing food rescue. Including donations made during our Neighbors in Need campaign this year and a canned food drive during the holidays last year, the Homes & Estates team’s efforts have provided 665,000 meals to the San Diego community.
These are just some examples of the commitment to serve that offices throughout our network have shown during the COVID-19 pandemic. We will continue to showcase these stories as we persist in our support of those in need throughout our local communities.
To find out more about the Windermere Foundation or to make a donation, please visit windermerefoundation.com.
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Navigating everything involved with selling your home can seem intimidating. Breaking the process down step by step will keep you organized and ready to work with your agent toward a successful home sale.
1. Choose an agent