Sales of single-family homes will rise modestly again in 2016 and median sales prices should be up 3% to 5%, trade groups and researchers say. While rising mortgage rates and a shortage of first-time buyers may temper that outlook some, the coming year should be another seller's market for real estate. Despite an upsurge in construction, home inventories remain low and multiple offers are still common. While a 6-month home supply is considered a balanced housing market, most markets are well below that, some significantly. Moreover, supporting fundamentals are far more solid than about a decade ago in the pre-bust years of 2006-2007.

With that as a backdrop, here are 10 tips for buying and selling real estate in a presumed up-market in 2016.

1.

While it’s usually the big schools that get all of the notice in the various ranking services, High School Football America believes that there’s great level being played at all levels of the game.  That’s why, beginning this year, we’re adding a Medium Schools and Small Schools Top 25 to our National Top 25.  All of our polls are created with our proprietary algorithm.

This year, the #1 Medium School is Eastside Catholic from from Sammamish, Washington.  The Crusaders also finished #23 in our national poll.

This past season, Eastside Catholic won its second straight Washington Class 3A title by overcoming a 28-point second half deficit to beat Bellevue 48-42 in overtime.

Finishing behind Eastside Catholic in the Medium Schools National Top

Likability is a powerful force to get prospects and your peers to trust you more. Deceit isn’t behind the following tricks to make you more likable, recently featured at Forbes.com, but a few traits to keep in mind that can unconsciously influence others to see you in a new light. Here are a few:

1. Use silence to your advantage.

“When you ask someone a question and they’re slow to respond, don’t feel pressure to move the conversation forward,” Forbes columnist Travis Bradberry notes. “Remaining silent plays to your advantage. Moments of silence make people feel as though they should speak, especially when the ball is in their court.” Silence can be a golden tool in negotiations and when in difficult conversations.

2. Open hands and open

NEW ROOF IS GREATEST REMODELING VALUE

Aside from the need to upgrade worn out features, two of the biggest reasons owners put money into remodeling are to increase the home’s value and to improve their enjoyment of the home. But according to a new report from the National Association of REALTORS® and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), there’s not a lot of overlap between those two goals.

Interior projects the study examined:

New master suite
Kitchen upgrade
Complete kitchen renovation
Bathroom renovation
Add new bathroom
Basement conversion to living area
Attic conversion to living area
Insulation upgrade
Closet renovation
New wood flooring
Hardwood flooring refinish
HVAC replacement

The first-ever “Remodeling

New Roof Is Greatest Remodeling Value

Aside from the need to upgrade worn out features, two of the biggest reasons owners put money into remodeling are to increase the home’s value and to improve their enjoyment of the home. But according to a new report from the National Association of REALTORS® and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), there’s not a lot of overlap between those two goals.

Interior projects the study examined:

New master suite
Kitchen upgrade
Complete kitchen renovation
Bathroom renovation
Add new bathroom
Basement conversion to living area
Attic conversion to living area
Insulation upgrade
Closet renovation
New wood flooring
Hardwood flooring refinish
HVAC replacement

The first-ever

Welcome To The Cascade Team Shawn LeProwse!

Shawn LeProwse

• Cell: 206-920-1032
• Office: 1-800-509-6905 ext. 1102
• Fax: 425-996-9520
• Email: Shawn@thecascadeteam.com

We are happy to welcome Shawn LeProwse to The Cascade Team! 

End to end sales driving successful closings of 38 transactions in first three years as a broker. By providing excellent service I have built a strong base of referrals and repeat customers. I have leveraged my passion of real estate to help clients realize their investment goals. Acting as a trusted advisor for first time home buyers, I make the complex and often huge financial transaction of purchasing a home smooth and often fun! Now joining The Cascade Team I am looking forward to taking my business to