PNW Residences Compass

Issaquah residents have been paying Sound Transit taxes since 2016.

Nearly ten years. On a clear, voter-approved promise: light rail to Issaquah by 2041.

Now Sound Transit — facing a $34.5 billion funding gap it created — is considering canceling the South Kirkland–Issaquah Link entirely.

The agency collected the money. It holds it under a legally binding subarea equity policy. And it's now asking East King County communities to absorb the consequences of its own cost overruns while Seattle-corridor projects stay protected.

That's not an infrastructure problem. That's a breach of contract.

I wrote about it this week — the taxes paid, the promises made, and why subarea equity isn't a suggestion.

Sound Transit Took Issaquah's Money. Now It Wants to Walk Away. Issaquah residents have paid Sound Transit ST3 taxes since 2016 on a clear promise: light rail by 2041. Now Sound Transit is considering canceling the South Kirkland–Issaquah Link entirely. That's not a funding crisis — it's a breach of contract.

Thanks Triple Real Estate Magazine for featuring Chris Reis as their top Seattle broker.

https://www.triple.com/realtors-in-seattle -reis

“You couldn't find a better realtor than Chris Reis, even if you tried. From a very young age, Chris was interested in architecture and buildings. Being an architect was not an option because it meant spending hours at a desk and losing the opportunity to meet new people daily. So, he decided to earn his Masters in Financial Real Estate at Georgetown University. With it, Chris started his own home renovation business. This experience rewarded him with plenty of knowledge and skills. He became a pro at budgeting, negotiating, marketing, value determination, and home preparation. Since 2013, Chris has applied every one of these abilities to his role as a real estate agent. He's been a landlord, project manager, and homeowner on top of it all. Chris understands every aspect of this process, allowing him to put himself in his clients' shoes and guide them kindly and empathetically. It's also one of the things that make Chris such an asset in the Seattle market. He will assist buyers and sellers alike in understanding the current conditions so they can make informed decisions. Through thick and thin, Chris will never steer you wrong. He will always keep your best interests at heart.”

Recently shared our thoughts about the real estate outlook for 2025 with GOBankingRates. Highlights include interest rates, inventory levels, secondary markets and generational shifts.

Real Estate Agents: These 5 Factors Will Most Influence the Housing Market in 2025 These will impact housing in 2025 the most.

We spoke to GOBankingRates about the benefits of retiring early in Washington, highlighting Gig Harbor, Bellingham & Chelan as enticing options.
https://www.gobankingrates.com/retirement/planning/best-cities-people-retire-early-this-year-real-estate-experts/

Our latest blog post looks at the highlights from Freddie Mac's US housing and economic outlook report for December 2024

U.S. Housing and Economic Outlook December 2024 The U.S. housing market in 2024 exemplifies resilience amid challenges. As we move into 2025, strategic planning and informed decision-making will be essential for navigating the evolving landscape.

We discussed investments sellers make before listing to maximize their sales price. Find the article in Nasdaq today!

https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/top-3-financial-reasons-selling-your-house-stressful-and-how-plan-ahead

Medina, Wa is the most expensive zip code in the State of Washington and the 10th most expensive in the country. Read more in our blog post

Most expensive zip codes in Washington According to RealtyHop's 2024 report, Medina, Wa is the most expensive zip code based on median list price in Washington and the 10th most expensive zip codes in the United States.

We got to share our thoughts on Cle Elum, in particular the Suncadia Resort for this article with FinanceBuzz.com

Realtors Predict House Prices Will Skyrocket in These 7 Popular Mountain Towns These lovely mountain towns are about to get far more affordable.

We recently got to share our thoughts on mistakes first-time home sellers make.

Real Estate Experts: 5 Mistakes First-Time Home Sellers Make When Preparing To Sell - NewsBreak According to a recent survey from Clever Real Estate, 73% of home sellers stated that using a real estate agent was the best way to list their property. However, a recent report from Realtor.com...

Thinking of maybe selling your home but not sure when the best time is? Check out our latest guide

Choosing the Best Time of Year to List Your Home for Sale Choosing the Best Time of Year to List Your Home for Sale Posted by Chris Reis on Wednesday, November 27, 2024 at 10:26:08 AM By Chris Reis / November 27, 2024 Comment Share When Should You Sell? Your Guide to Choosing the Best Time of Year to List Your Home for Sale Are you planning to sell your ho...

As we transition into the typical seasonal market, buyer activity has slowed, with fewer listings going pending, and a decrease in active and sold listings. Despite this, days on market in King County have slightly decreased, while the median active price remains steady, and the median sale price has seen a modest increase.