February 18, 2019
How to Cover Unexpected Costs with a Personal Loan
Posted in Buying and Living by Guest Author
Owning a home comes with its rewards — it’s an investment, a cozy haven to kick-up your feet after a long day of work, and a welcoming place to bring family and friends together. Although all of this makes homeownership fulfilling, owning a home also opens the door for unexpected (but necessary) expenses. If you’ve suddenly been hit with a home improvement project that’s pinching your budget...
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February 18, 2019
Hawaii/Maui Real Estate Market Update
Posted by Matthew Gardner, Chief Economist, Windermere Real Estate
Hawaii’s economy offered a mixed bag of growth in the fourth quarter of 2018. Employment declined 1.4% but the unemployment rate was a healthy 2.3%. Over the past year, the economy has shed 9,300 jobs, and annual job gains have been negative for the past three months. On Maui, employment growth dropped 1.9% and was negative for the whole of the fourth quarter. That said, there are 78,600...
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February 14, 2019
Montana Real Estate Market Update
Posted in Montana Real Estate Market Update by Matthew Gardner, Chief Economist, Windermere Real Estate
According to the Labor Department, Montana added 4,700 new non-agricultural jobs in 2018, representing an annual growth rate of 1.5%. For perspective, the U.S growth rate is running at about 1.7%. State employment growth was a little frenetic last year, with monthly employment dropping in three of twelve months. I do not see this as a trend but I don’t expect to see any rapid rise in...
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February 13, 2019
Are You Better Off Paying Your Mortgage Earlier or Investing Your Money?
Posted in Buying, Selling, and Living by Guest Author
Few topics cause more division among economists than the age-old debate of whether you’re better off paying off your mortgage earlier, or investing that money instead. And there’s a good reason why that debate continues; both sides make compelling arguments. On the one hand, your mortgage is quite likely the largest expense you will ever incur in your life. So if given the chance, it only...
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February 13, 2019
Big Island of Hawaii Real Estate Market Update
Posted by Matthew Gardner, Chief Economist, Windermere Real Estate
Hawaii’s economy offered a mixed bag of growth in the fourth quarter of 2018. Employment declined 1.4% but the unemployment rate was a healthy 2.3%. Year-over-year, the economy has shed 9,300 jobs, and annual job gains have been negative for the past three months. On the Big Island, employment growth dropped 2.6% and has been negative for the past five months. That said, there are 85,800...
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February 11, 2019
Oregon and Southwest Washington Real Estate Market Update
Posted in Oregon and Southwest Washington Real Estate Market Update by Matthew Gardner, Chief Economist, Windermere Real Estate
Oregon added 30,800 new jobs in 2018, representing an annual growth rate of 1.6%. Though the job growth rate norm for the past 20 years has been 2% or more, this slowdown does not concern me. It’s to be expected at this stage in the economic cycle. The Southwest Washington market (Clark, Cowlitz, Skamania, and Klickitat counties) added 6,680 new jobs over the past 12 months, which represents...
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February 07, 2019
Idaho Real Estate Market Update
Posted in Idaho Real Estate Market Update by Matthew Gardner, Chief Economist, Windermere Real Estate
Job growth in Idaho slowed in the fall of 2018 but the state added 13,200 new jobs over the past 12 months, representing an annual growth rate of 1.8%. In November, the state unemployment rate was 2.6%, down from 3% a year ago. The state remains at full employment, which explains why we are seeing a slowdown in employment growth. I fully anticipate that the state will return to...
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February 06, 2019
Open Your Home With the Right Tone and a Welcome Mat
Posted in Living by John Trupin
Right before the guests ring the doorbell or give the front door an old-fashioned knock, they step on your welcome mat. This mat serves two purposes: catching debris and adding style. Here are some ideas for how to give this entry detail a refresh.
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February 06, 2019
Central Washington Real Estate Market Update
Posted in Central Washington Real Estate Market Update by Matthew Gardner, Chief Economist, Windermere Real Estate
The Washington State economy continues to add jobs at an above-average rate, though the pace of growth is starting to slow as the business cycle matures. Over the past 12 months, the state added 96,600 new jobs, representing an annual growth rate of 2.9% — well above the national rate of 1.7%. Private sector employment gains continue to be quite strong, increasing at an annual rate of 3.6%...
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February 05, 2019
Utah Real Estate Market Update
Posted in Utah Real Estate Market Update by Matthew Gardner, Chief Economist, Windermere Real Estate
Utah added 43,700 non-agricultural jobs over the past 12 months, representing a growth rate of 2.9%. For perspective, the U.S growth rate is 1.7%. Monthly employment growth in Utah has started to slow, but I attribute this to the fact that the region is essentially at full employment and it is typical to see job growth slow, especially at this stage of the business cycle. In November, the...
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