Renton Real Estate Tours with Austin

About The Camerers

Susan started her career in real estate as a non-profit housing developer and builder. Under her leadership the organization exponentially building and developing several multi-family housing complexes, child care centers, community centers and retail locations. Vision House currently employs a staff over over 75 individuals. About a decade ago, she left the non-profit world to start Camerer Real Estate. Her background as a general contractor, builder and developer for several million dollars worth of residential and multi-family complexes helps her guide clients in making the best possible choices.
Austin joined his mom in real estate in 2023. After completing his service in the Marine Corps, he graduated from the University of Washington. Post graduation, he worked at Microsoft as a security analyst and also gained experience in commercial insurance. Despite his tenure in the tech industry, his genuine passion lies in working directly with people and deriving joy from making a positive impact in the lives of others. In his current role, Austin oversees our construction services and listing preparation, helping our clients sell for top dollar. Furthermore, he specializes in assisting buyers in their journey toward home ownership and the building of wealth through real estate.
Recognition and Awards
- Susan is the Co-Founder of Vision House, a non-profit housing developer and service provider
- She was featured in the book “Secrets of Self-Starters” by Dr. Julie Miller
- Woman of the Year, Business & Professional Women of Washington
- Thomas C. Wales Award for Passionate Citizenship – Honorable Mention
- Presenter and panelist at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
- Trustee – HomeAid Master Builders Care Foundation and currently sits on the HomeAid Puget Sound Board of Directors.
- Advancing the Status of Women award by the Renton Soroptimists
- Served as a committee member for the National Partnership Advancing Transformational Housing based in Denver, Colorado
Our 2023 Stats
- Camerer Real Estate listings sold for an average of nearly 2% over asking, while the NWMLS average was 1% under the list price.
- Clients who sold with Camerer Real Estate had an average of 22 showings, surpassing the NWMLS average of 14, thanks to our high-end staging and marketing.
- Our client’s listings went pending in a median of 7 days, outperforming the NWMLS median of 13 days.
Houses Are Still Selling Fast

Have you been thinking about selling your house? If so, here’s some good news. While the housing market isn’t as frenzied as it was during the ‘unicorn’ years when houses were selling quicker than ever, they’re still selling faster than normal.
The graph below uses data from Realtor.com to tell the story of median days on the market for every January from 2017 all the way through the latest numbers available. For Realtor.com, days on the market means from the time a house is listed for sale until its closing date or the date it’s taken off the market. This metric can help give you an idea of just how quickly homes are selling compared to more normal years:
When you look at the most recent data (shown in green), it’s clear homes are selling faster than they usually would (shown in blue). In fact, the only years when houses sold even faster than they are right now were the abnormal ‘unicorn’ years (shown in pink). According to Realtor.com:
“Homes spent 69 days on the market, which is three days shorter than last year and more than two weeks shorter than before the COVID-19 pandemic.”
What Does This Mean for You?
Homes are selling faster than the norm for this time of year – and your house may sell quickly too. That’s because more people are looking to buy now that mortgage rates have come down, but there still aren’t enough homes to go around. Mike Simonsen, Founder of Altos Research, says:
“. . . 2024 is starting stronger than last year. And demand is increasing each week.”
Bottom Line
If you’re wondering if it’s a good time to sell your home, the most recent data suggests it is. The housing market appears to be stronger than it usually is at this time of year. To get the latest updates on what’s happening in our local market, let’s connect.
Get a Jump on Valentine’s Day!

Plan a memorable celebration by making reservations now! Here are some of our favorite restaurants:
- Seastar (Bellevue): Chef John Howie’s Seastar Restaurant and Raw Bar, known for its seasonal menu and diverse selection of seafood, is a showcase of unique preparations representing various culinary styles.
- Ascend (Bellevue): A contemporary dining experience serving exquisite cuisine in an elegant setting with breathtaking city views.
- Canlis (Seattle): One of Puget Sound’s most renowned fine dining restaurants, known for its exceptional service, stunning city views, and innovative cuisine.
- Mariannas (Renton): Experience Marianna’s fresh, seasonal, traditional Northern Italian cuisine by candlelight.
- The Pink Door (Seattle): This Italian trattoria in Post Alley has a cozy atmosphere, live entertainment, and a menu that changes daily based on the freshest ingredients.
- The Lakehouse (Bellevue): Enjoy a candlelit dinner with a menu showcasing locally-sourced ingredients and seasonal flavors.
- El Gaucho (Seattle, Bellevue, Tacoma): A classic steakhouse serving prime cuts of beef in a luxurious and sophisticated atmosphere.
- Enzo’s Bistro and Bar (Issaquah): One of our favorite authentic Italian restaurants. During the summer we love their outdoor seating. You can often catch live music and a great happy hour by the fire.
- Vino at the Landing (Renton): A fun, vibrant wine bar with a variety of fresh gourmet dishes.
I would love to know your favorite restaurant(s) – message me!
2 Reasons Why Today’s Mortgage Rate Trend Is Good for Sellers

If you’ve been holding off on selling your house to make a move because you felt mortgage rates were too high, their recent downward trend is exciting news for you. Mortgage rates have descended since last October when they hit 7.79%. In fact, they’ve been below 7% for over a month now (see graph below):
And while they’re not going back to the 3% we saw during the ‘unicorn’ years, they are expected to continue to go down from where they are now in the near future. As Dean Baker, Senior Economist at the Center for Economic Research, explains:
“It also appears that mortgage rates are now falling again. They will almost certainly not fall to pandemic lows, although we may soon see rates under 6.0 percent, which would be low by pre-Great Recession standards.”
Here are two reasons why this recent trend, and the expectation it’ll continue, is such good news for you.
You May Not Feel as Locked-In to Your Current Mortgage Rate
With mortgage rates already significantly lower than they were just a few months ago, you may feel less locked-in to the current mortgage rate you have on your house. When mortgage rates were higher, moving to a new home meant possibly trading in a low rate for one up near 8%.
However, with rates dropping, the difference between your current mortgage rate and the new rate you’d be taking on isn’t as big as it was. That makes moving more affordable than it was just a few months ago. As Lance Lambert, Founder of ResiClub, explains:
“We might be at peak “lock-in effect.” Some move-up or lifestyle sellers might be coming to terms with the fact 3% and 4% mortgage rates aren’t returning anytime soon.”
More Buyers Will Be Coming to the Market
According to data from Bright MLS, the top reason buyers have been waiting to take the plunge into homeownership is high mortgage rates (see graph below):
Lower mortgage rates mean buyers can potentially save money on their home loans, making the prospect of purchasing a home more attractive and affordable. Now that rates are easing, more buyers are likely to feel they’re ready to jump back into the market and make their move. And more buyers mean more demand for your house.
Bottom Line
If you’ve been waiting to sell because you didn’t want to take on a larger mortgage rate or you thought buyers weren’t out there, the recent decline in mortgage rates may be your sign it’s time to move. When you’re ready, let’s connect.
Retiring Soon? Why Moving Might Be the Perfect Next Step

If you’re thinking about retirement or have already retired this year, it’s a good time to consider if your current house is still a good fit for the next chapter in your life.
Fortunately, you may be in a better position to make a move than you realize. Here are a few things to think about as you decide whether or not to sell and make a move.
How Long You’ve Been in Your Home
From 1985 to 2008, the average length of time homeowners typically stayed in their homes was only six years. But according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), that number is rising today, meaning many homeowners are living in their houses even longer (see graph below):
When you live in a home for a significant period of time, it’s natural for you to experience a number of changes in your life while you’re in that house. As those life changes and milestones happen, your needs may change. And if your current home no longer meets them, you may have better options waiting for you.
How Much Equity You’ve Gained
Additionally, if you’ve been in your house for more than a few years, you’ve likely built-up significant equity that can fuel your next move. That’s because the longer you’ve been in your house, the more likely it’s grown in value due to home price appreciation. Data from the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) illustrates that point (see graph below):
While home price growth varies by state and local area, the national average shows the typical homeowner who’s been in their house for five years saw it increase in value by nearly 60%. And the average homeowner who’s owned their home since 1991 saw it more than triple in value over that time.
Consider Your Retirement Goals
Whether you’re looking to downsize, relocate to a dream destination, or simply be closer to loved ones, your home equity can be a key to realizing your homeownership goals. NAR shares that for recent home sellers, the primary reason to move was to be closer to loved ones.
Whatever your home goals are, a trusted real estate agent can work with you to find the best option. They’ll help you sell your current house and guide you through buying the home that’s right for your lifestyle today.
Bottom Line
Retirement can bring about major changes in your life, including what you need from your home. Let’s connect to explore the available homes in our area.