Securing a low mortgage interest rate helps make your monthly payment more affordable and saves money over the life of your loan. Besides using a large down payment, here are the three things to do to secure a low mortgage interest rate:  Compare multiple lenders and meet with your top three. Review the application process and your credit report to start working on any issues you may have. The higher your credit score, the better prospect for a lender you will become. Lenders

Welcome to the January 2026 real estate market update for King County, WA! In this video, local real estate agent Chris Byler breaks down the latest housing data from December to help you navigate the current market. We represent a market that has definitely slowed down with noticeable seasonal effects. Watch to learn what the current median sales price of $910,000 looks like in terms of actual inventory—featuring a specific example of a home sold in Renton—and why buyers mig

The December Story (King + Snohomish) Single-Family Homes: The “Limited Edition” aisle King County:  The median sold price settled at $910,000  (a smidge softer than November, but higher than last December ). Inventory tightened to about 1.7 months , and homes took around 45 days  to sell—very normal for a cozy end-of-year market. King County residential Snohomish County:  Median sold price was about $749,000  (basically flat month-to-month, down year-over-year ). Inventory

Whether it’s a leaky skylight, a bathroom refresh, or finally tackling that deck, the best projects usually come down to one thing: managing the process, not just the work. Here’s a simple framework that keeps timelines tighter, costs clearer, and relationships intact. 1) Start with scope (before you talk price) Write a “one-page brief”: What you want done (and what you don’t) Materials you care about (tile, fixtures, paint brand, etc.) Must-haves vs. nice-to-haves Target sta

Quick “napkin math” using King County’s median sales price ($910,000): If a buyer puts 20% down, the loan amount is about $728,000. On a 30-year fixed, a rate that’s 1.0% lower can reduce the principal + interest payment by roughly $475–$500 per month. Example: If last year was 7.0% and today is 6.0% $728,000 loan → about $479/month less (principal + interest) Rule of thumb (easy shortcut): On a 30-year loan, a 1% rate change is about $66/month per $100,000 borrowed. (Princip

Most people are familiar with a “last will and testament,” even if they don’t know all the legal benefits and drawbacks. There are other options for estate planning, though, including a “living trust,” and it’s important to know the key differences so you can decide which is right for you. Wills Take effect only after your death. Let you name guardians for minor children. Serve as a back-up for anything not titled in your trust (often via a pour-over will). Don't help during

Finding the right price point is the first consideration. You don’t want to price your home too high or too low. The balance of the home should be paid with the money from the sale and you’ll want to make a profit to help with your next home purchase. Here are a few other factors to think about. Make sure you are ready. You should be able to afford to get your house sale-ready as well as to make the move to a new home. The time of year can also make a difference in how quickl

Welcome to your December 2025 real estate market update for Monroe, Washington! In this video, we break down the latest sales figures from November to help you understand what is happening right now in the local housing market. Key Market Highlights: • Median Sales Price: The median price in Monroe is currently holding steady at $700,000, matching October’s numbers. This is a change from $745,000 in November of last year. • What You Can Buy: We look at a specific example of a

Are you tracking home prices in Redmond, Washington? In this December 2025 market update, Chris Byler breaks down the latest real estate sales figures from November to help you understand the current buying and selling climate. We analyze the shift in the median sales price to $1,600,000 and look at a real-world example of what that budget buys in the Emerald Ridge Estates neighborhood—specifically a 2-story, 2,100 sq. ft. home located near Microsoft and Hwy 520. Key Redmond

Welcome to the December 2025 real estate market update for condos in Snohomish County, WA. In this video, I break down the latest sales figures to help you understand current buying and selling trends. This month, the median sales price for condos in Snohomish County is $498,000. While this is up from October, it is a decrease compared to November of last year. I also share a specific example of what that median price can buy you right now: a standalone, 3-bedroom condo in Ma

(A quick, practical guide for anyone 62+) A reverse mortgage, formally a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM)—is a type of loan backed by the FHA that lets homeowners tap into their equity without taking on a monthly mortgage payment. Instead, interest is added to the balance over time, and the loan is paid back when the home is sold, the borrower moves out permanently, or passes away. For some homeowners, especially in high-equity markets like King and Snohomish Counties,

Every so often I get a call that reminds me just how complicated renovations can be. Recently, a homeowner reached out with a simple question that never has a simple answer: “If I renovate, how much money can I get back out of it?” His situation wasn’t unique, he owns a property in North Bend and is unsure if he wants to remodel it or sell and buy a newer home. Renovations seem straightforward until the costs balloon, timelines shift, and suddenly you’re wondering whether the

December 2025 Real Estate Snapshot A calm year-end reset across King & Snohomish Counties As we head into the final stretch of the year, the real estate market across King and Snohomish Counties is settling into a familiar winter rhythm. Activity has slowed from the fall, buyers are more selective, and pricing has softened modestly in several segments—but homes are still selling, and the market remains fundamentally healthy. What we’re seeing right now is less urgency and mor

Welcome to your King County Real Estate Market Update for December 2025! We have the latest sales figures from November, and the data shows some interesting shifts for buyers and sellers as we head into the holiday season. In this video, Chris Byler breaks down the median sales price, average days on market, and what you can actually buy for the median price right now. Whether you are looking to buy in Renton or sell elsewhere in King County, understanding the absorption rate

“What other options do I have besides refinancing my home loan if I’m struggling to make payments” If you’re “underwater” on payments, you may decide to move out of your home.  Here are some options to consider: Rent the property This will help you make your monthly mortgage payments but you'll still pay for maintenance on your property. Do a short sale This involves selling your home for less than you owe on the loan. The bank may forgive the difference between what yo

Welcome to your essential Lake Forest Park, WA real estate market update, analyzing the sales data from October 2025. This information is vital for anyone looking to buy or sell homes in this North End market! We break down the latest key metrics: • Median Sales Price: The median sales price hit $1,143,000 in October, which is up significantly from $1,040,000 reported in September. • Price Per Square Foot: The average dollar per square foot reached $471, an increase from $43

Hello and welcome to your latest Monroe, WA real estate market update! We have the official sales figures for October, and the median sales price in Monroe was exactly $700,000. This marks a shift from September, when the median price was $763,000. Wondering what $700,000 buys in Monroe? We saw a sample sale of a two-story home, approximately 2,000 sq ft with three bedrooms, built in 2005, located in the Farm at Woods Creek neighborhood, which sold for this median price. Key

Welcome to your November 2025 Redmond, WA real estate market update! We are diving into the official sales figures for October, providing you with essential data for North End homes. Key Redmond Market Insights for October 2025: • Median Sales Price: The median sales price reached $1,651,000. This figure is up from the September median of $1,545,000. For example, a 2,400 sq ft tri-level style home in Education Hill sold for exactly this amount. • Price per Square Foot: The a

Welcome to the Byler Real Estate market report, focusing on Mountlake Terrace, WA! In this essential update for November 2025, Realtor Chris Byler analyzes the latest real estate sales figures for October in Mountlake Terrace (MLT). Understand current housing trends, inventory levels, and pricing changes that affect buyers and sellers in the North End. Key Mountlake Terrace Market Statistics Covered: • Median Sales Price: The median sales price in MLT was $773,000, marking a

A quick guide to deciding if it’s worth it I’ll be frank; most years I toss some lights on a tree or two and call it good. Once in a while I get ambitious and run a strand along the gutters, but I’m not out to win any neighborhood contests. If the folks down the street have a dazzling, synchronized light display, I’m happy to enjoy the view from my driveway. That said, more and more homeowners are hiring professionals to handle their holiday décor. The results usually look am