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If you aren’t too familiar with real estate investing, you might be wondering why I am feeling bullish. After all, these are very strange times, and nothing feels certain. But, we can be certain of some things.

See, when the market is in flux like this, it presents great opportunities for investors. That’s true in general, and I think very true in the case of Seattle, which has a lot going on that could turn the market in our favor.

In a recession, no matter the cause, a lot of people’s incomes will change greatly. They’ll be looking to unload burdensome houses and get cash. That’s where we come in. We help them sell quickly and avoid foreclosure, with all the damaging legal and economic implications that come with it. It’s part of how we make a difference in the community.

Sooner or later, the market can and will rebound. Even now, there are still a lot of people who haven’t been impacted who will be looking to buy.

So, is it a good time to invest in real estate? The answer is “yes.” But, only if you understand the way the market works.

HE TOP CONSIDERATIONS FOR REAL ESTATE INVESTING IN SEATTLE IN 2021

As I survey the market, bringing a lot of my experience to bear, there are a few things that really stand out. Here are a few of them.

1. PRICES ARE DROPPING, BUT ONLY RELATIVE TO SEATTLE

Between February and June of 2020, prices in King County dropped by nearly 10%. That’s a huge plunge, but only when you look at it abstractly. In reality, prices are about only 4% lower than they were this time last year and higher than they even were in January.

And, beyond that, the average home price in King County is $672,000. That’s $150,000 more than Snohomish County, and close to double both Kitsap and Pierce. Even with falling housing prices, Seattle is still a market with a ton of upside.

Why does that matter? Because while housing prices may stay high, the unemployment rate doesn’t stay low.

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS STILL HIGH

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Seattle Metro Area had an unemployment rate of 3.0% in April of 2019. King County was at 2.3%. Both were below the Washington state average of 4.1%.

Now, suddenly, look at these numbers.

• Washington (state): 15.8%
• King County: 14.9%
• Seattle Metro: 16.7%

Here’s how they compare from April 2019 to June 2020.

What about job growth in Seattle?

That is a lot of people suddenly out of a job. While some know this is temporary, for thousands, their economic understandings have been turned upside down. And, they might be looking to sell.

That means they’ll be looking for someone trustworthy to sell to. But, does that mean you’ll have any buyers after the rehab?

TOP EMPLOYERS ARE STILL STRONG

All that being said, there is still strong economic news for real estate investors in Seattle. The top employers include Boeing, Microsoft, Amazon, and Walmart. The latter two announced that they will be hiring hundreds of thousands more people over the next year and profits are going up. While a lot of those are warehouse jobs, these companies expect to need more engineers and data techs to manage everything.

Being and Microsoft anchor a tech sector that is essentially weathering the recession, which means that long-term market trends of more educated, affluent people moving to Seattle will continue. As housing stock opens up, they’ll be looking to move here. So, if you buy investment deals wisely, finding buyers shouldn’t be a major concern.

BETTER HOUSES OPENING UP

Now, I know a lot of my fellow Seattle real estate friends might be saying “But, aren’t there already a lot of abandoned homes in Seattle to invest in? Shouldn’t I just grab those for a lot cheaper?” I understand the sentiment, but that’s a hard no.

After all, there are a lot of problems with buying up abandoned homes in Seattle.

• Owners are hard to find
• Properties take more to repair
• Neighborhoods are rarely good
• Lots of unexpected costs
• Hard to sell

What’s better? Having houses in your portfolio that need minimal repair and that are in better neighborhoods.

That’s what this recession can bring: houses from motivated sellers who weren’t originally planning on leaving, but not might have to. That usually means more desirable opportunities with less work. It gives you a chance at great ROI.

All of this adds up to more houses for lower prices and fewer repairs—and a better chance at finding the right buyer quickly. You just need to find the right motivated seller.

HE BEST WAY TO GET LEADS IN SEATTLE FOR 2021

For the rest of this year and going into next, we’re going to be in an interesting time. Most experts don’t think the market will be normal until the end of 2021. That means opportunity. And, the best way I’ve found to take advantage of the real estate investing opportunities here in Seattle is to become an independently owned and operated HomeVestors® franchisee.

See, as a franchisee, I get consistent and qualified leads. People who want to sell fast turn to a brand they know and trust. And, thanks to the nationwide “We Buy Ugly Houses®” campaign, everyone knows HomeVestors. So, people looking to sell quickly call us. That’s where you can help a homeowner through an “ugly” situation.

In Seattle, we’ve been helping each other since the beginning. We will do so moving forward. If you want your real estate investing business to be on the forefront of helping Seattle rebuild, request information about becoming a franchisee today.