The growing number of gig economy workers in this country may have the freedom to work whenever they want, and sometimes from wherever they want, but when it comes to buying a home, all of that freedom has its price.

It turns out employees who have many part-time jobs, hop from one short-term contract or project to the next, or rely on freelance work as opposed to permanent jobs, don’t come packaged in the tidy financial box that mortgage lenders typically like.

“Historically the mortgage industry wants everything — residency, credit score and a two-year history of employment. And we’re also trying to predict the likelihood of that continuing for the next three years,” said Whitney Fite, senior vice president, strategic accounts for Atlanta-based Angel Oak Home Loans. “With the gig economy, we’re seeing less and less people fitting in that box.”

Gig economy workers don’t often have the requisite stack of W-2s to document wages. And predictions for future income can be murky. All of which can make obtaining a mortgage an uphill climb unless you, as the gig economy worker, do your homework and start preparing your finances and paperwork well in advance.

Here are six tips to help prepare you for the home loan application process.

1. Get Organized

The No. 1 piece of advice Fite has for gig economy workers who want to own a home is to spend time organizing all of your documentation, including proof of employment and income, the names and phone numbers of references, previous employers, landlords and more. You’ll also want to pull your credit scores so you know exactly where you stand. You can get your two free credit scores on Credit.com.

“Have all of your records, have all the dates of where you worked, who you worked for. It’s going to be onerous from a documentation standpoint, but you need to be prepared,” said Fite.

Gathering this information is more important for gig economy workers than typical borrowers, because you will have to work harder to convince a mortgage lender to approve a home loan.

2. Go the Extra Mile to Educate Your Mortgage Lender

You need to be able to explain to your mortgage lender what you do for a living.

Take the time to educate him or her about your job. Perhaps print out a news article or other information that will help a lender understand what you do.

“You need to prove that your past two years are normal. And that the likelihood of continuance is there,” said Fite. “Be prepared to supply a lot of documentation for that, such as articles about your industry. Things of that nature go a long way. The mortgage lender is not going to make a decision based on it, but it will help create a level of comfort.”

In addition, showing consistency in terms of the type of work you do will improve your chances of obtaining a mortgage, said John Moran, a mortgage professional who runs The Home Mortgage Pro.

A mortgage underwriter is looking for a stable history. Even if the gigs themselves start and stop frequently, gigs within the same industry or utilizing the same skill set will be considered more favorably.

3. Ease Up on the Deductions…

Self-employed individuals, as gig economy workers typically are, often use a Schedule C when filing taxes to report income and write off numerous expenses tied to working the way they do.

The downside of deducting a long list of expenses from your income is that it reduces your profits on paper. You may bring in $73,000 in a given year. But after deducting the cost of everything from internet and cell phone bills, to travel, business meals and professional memberships, your net income on paper may be far less.

“Use caution in how you’re deducting expenses as it’s the net income that’s used to qualify for a mortgage, not the gross pay,” said Kevin Hardin, a senior loan officer with HomeStreet Bank. “It’s tempting to use the full breadth of the IRS tax laws to reduce taxable income, but every dollar that is reduced from that taxable income reduces the income that can be used for qualifying for a mortgage.”

So, if you know you want to buy a home in the near future, consider forgoing some or all of the deductions for a year or two to increase the income you’re reporting.

4. …But First, Talk With a Mortgage Officer About Your Goals

Before completely doing away with claiming any or all expenses on your tax return, however, talk to a mortgage officer about your home buying goals. (Here are some tips for finding a good mortgage lender.)

“Go to a mortgage officer and say, ‘This is the amount of home I want to buy, how much income will I need to show?’” said Hardin. “Don’t just arbitrarily stop writing things off.”

In other words, get educated about the income you’ll need to show on paper first, before throwing write-offs out the window. Once you’ve identified how much mortgage you’d like, it will be easier to determine what the monthly mortgage payment would be and thus, how much income you’ll need to be able to document.

“The first step is to talk to a mortgage loan officer and then take that information to your tax preparer and say, ‘This is the number I need to hit in terms of income,’” Hardin said.

5. Get Your Debt Down

Let’s stress this one more time — because you are a gig economy worker, mortgage lenders will require more assurance that you’re qualified for a loan and that you’re a good risk.

To that end, work to get your debt down to zero, or as low as possible before applying for a mortgage, and keep your credit score in excellent standing, said Casey Fleming, a mortgage adviser since 1995 and author of The Loan Guide: How to Get the Best Possible Mortgage.

“Self-employed borrowers are going to be held to a higher standard because there is an added layer of risk with them,” said Fleming.

6. Try a ‘Bank Statement’ Mortgage

Newly emerging “bank statement” mortgage programs may be a good option for self-employed or gig economy workers to consider, said Fite, of Angel Oak Home Loans.

Such mortgages rely upon reviewing 12 to 24 months worth of deposits to one bank account  and a profit and loss statement for your business, in lieu of the traditional two years of tax returns, W-2s, and payroll checks.

“These are geared toward the gig economy. It’s a rapidly growing segment of mortgages across our industry,” said Fite.

A variety of mortgage lenders are beginning to offer this loan option.

More from Credit.com

• What Credit Score Do I Need to Buy a House?
• Does Your Credit Score Affect Your Homeowners Insurance?
• Financing Your First Investment Property

This article originally appeared on Credit.com, authored by Mia Taylor.

Have you ever wondered what would happen if you threw together equal doses of Japanese and Scandinavian design? Apparently, you’re not alone. One of the hottest trends making big waves in the home décor arena, Japandi is a handsome amalgamation of two geographically distant yet stylistically akin design formulas. From soul-deep passion for minimalism and nature to no-frills layouts and dramatic contrasts, the suave Franken-style looks like it may soon set new standards in home luxury and comfort. If you want to learn more about the chic style, here are a few smart cues you may find useful.

Where minimalism and elegance collide

Minimalism is a trait common to Japanese and Nordic design, and it’s one of the cornerstones of their stylistic progeny, too. The hybrid style emphasizes simplicity, sleek lines, and pared-down décor: just like in native Scandinavian and Zen interiors, functionality beats fancy flourishes and frills in Japandi-styled homes. To achieve the Japandi look, do away with clutter, let natural light flood the room, and swap ornaments for a couple of statement pieces to make the décor simple yet impactful and aesthetically cohesive.

Press color contrast for more drama

Simplicity might shine at its brightest in Japandi, but minimalism would still come across as dull, especially if paired with a monochromatic color palette. Pastels are often used in Nordic homes to set the vibe to light and airy, but statement furniture in dark or vibrant colors won’t go amiss in a Japandi home either. Dramatic accents and unexpected color blends are often employed to infuse Japandi-styled quarters with a dose of aesthetic contrast and bring out the finest features out of a clutter-free backdrop centered on neutrals and abundant sunlight.

Natural materials in a chic paint coat

Another feature Nordic and Japanese design have in common, employment of natural materials is a standard in Japandi. Pieces from dark and whitewashed wood are deftly juxtaposed for peak aesthetic interest, and timber is sometimes even used for bathroom flooring to contrast a white or neutral-hued freestanding bath.

 Apart from wood, Japandi designers like to use other natural materials such as stone, ceramics, and organic fabrics in pastel colors to infuse living areas with a touch of Scandinavian-inspired rugged elegance.

Green pieces for charm and freshness

In addition to natural materials, Mother Nature abides in a Japandi-styled home in the shape of indoor plants and mini botanical gardens. Apart from living rooms and areas al fresco, greenery is often found in the bathroom and kitchen, but unlike in Scandinavian homes, plants favored by Japandi designers are slightly different size- and color-wise. Instead of succulents introduced by Nordic designers, the hybrid style relies on imposing plants without blossoms that often grow in simplistic ceramic pots and double as graceful room centerpieces.

Warm up with the right accessories

In case the Japandi formula seems a bit too austere for your taste, you can spice it up with a few handpicked accessories originating from Scandinavian and Japanese design, such as an authentic tatami mats, Oriental tapestries, woolen throws, ceramic pots, and animal hides. Dark leather upholstery will also look at home in a Japandi room if used with taste and in moderation, and so will vintage and mid-century modern pieces which can be employed to define the backdrop for creative design experiments with colors, textures, and materials.

Japandi is one of the stylistically most versatile blends of ethnic décor styles which have started gaining momentum on the interior design scene in the past few years. Characterized by a love for all things minimalist and natural, Scandinavian emphasis on function over form, and respect for beauty of the imperfect inherited from Japanese design, Japandi will probably stay on trend for years to come, so if you’re still looking for a style that has the best of both worlds to follow in the next home remodel, make sure to give Japandi a serious thought. Good luck with your home makeover!

The Redfin Housing Demand Index increased 11.3 percent from April to a seasonally adjusted record level of 136 in May. This was the highest level of homebuyer demand recorded since Redfin began tracking this data in January 2013.

The Demand Index is based on thousands of Redfin customers requesting home tours and writing offers. A level of 100 represents the historical average for the three-year period from January 2013 to December 2015.

After falling from January to March, demand posted strong gains going into the peak real estate season. With the supply of homes for sale at historic lows, however, the high buyer demand is likely to continue to drive up housing prices in major metros over the next two months.

Compared to April, the seasonally adjusted number of buyers requesting tours was up 9.0 percent in May, and the seasonally adjusted number of buyers writing offers was up 15.4 percent. In a stark contrast to the surge in demand, inventory was 11.8 percent lower in May than a year earlier across the 15 metros covered by the Demand Index. May marked the 24th consecutive month of year-over-year inventory declines despite a 4.2 percent increase in the number of homes newly listed for sale. This means that people are buying up homes faster than they are being listed.

“On paper, the numbers we’ve been presenting all year make the market look like a seller’s haven,” said Redfin chief economist Nela Richardson. “But very often sellers are buyers too. Sellers in hot markets can quickly generate several competing offers, but what they really need to be on their way to their next home purchase is a committed buyer who will make it to the closing table without delays or hassles. To provide this assurance, savvy buyers aren’t just offering the highest price; they are using creative strategies like pre-inspections and non-refundable deposits to demonstrate to sellers their commitment to close the deal.”

Metro-Level Demand Highlights

Below, we provide a slideshow of local charts for each of the metros tracked by the Redfin Housing Demand Index and highlight noteworthy trends in select markets. If you’d like to learn more about a particular market, please email press@redfin.com.

Washington, D.C. Posted the Highest Demand Relative to its 2013-2015 Baseline

The nation’s capital posted a Demand Index level of 172 in May. This means that last month saw an unusually high number of buyers touring homes and making offers compared with the baseline set for the market from 2013 through 2015. The number of local buyers requesting home tours was up 87.9 percent from last year and 40 percent more people were making offers.

California Has Some of the Lowest Demand Relative to Local Baselines

While many of the metros tracked by the Demand Index posted homebuyer activity levels well above their three-year averages, Los Angeles (106), San Francisco (108) and Oakland (105) looked relatively calm in May. These metros are also among the nation’s most expensive. High prices tamp down demand and keep many buyers out of the market.  

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When it hit the market for the first time in 20 years, Redfin agent Julie Zubiate vowed to find a buyer for the quirky ‘Flintstones House’ that’s been turning heads on Interstate 280 since 1976. Last month, she found the perfect buyer, who today closed on the Hillsborough property for $2.8 million!

The unusual structure, an iconic symbol of style and forward thinking in the Bay Area, was designed by architect William Nicholson as an experiment in new building techniques. The domes that give the structure its Stone-Age look were created by spraying concrete onto steel rebar and wire mesh frames over inflated balloons. Though now painted orange and purple, the original “Bedrock” home had a white exterior.

Inside the 2,730 square-foot home, you’ll find three rounded bedrooms, two bathrooms and a whole lot of personality. Architect Eugene Tsui designed the “Edises Kitchen,” which features an eye-grabbing glass cook-top island with a metal support spine, futuristic details and built-in storage.

Everywhere you look in the home there are architectural pieces of art. From the intricate bathroom mirrors to the light fixtures to the beautiful stained-glass windows. It was those unique details and the amazing views overlooking Crystal Springs Reservoir, Julie says, that instantly won the buyer’s heart.

“It’s been an honor to represent the buyer for this whimsical home and I have Redfin to thank for bringing us together. She is looking forward to honoring the home’s design and is enjoying finding the perfect pieces of art and furniture for it,” Julie said. “For me, it has been a dream come true to work on this transaction with such lovely women—the buyer, the listing agent and the seller—and to know the ‘Flintstones House’ is in good hands for years to come.”

The proud new local owner paid cash for the home she calls, “a piece of art, outside and in.”

Interested in finding your own unique home? Use the box below to contact a Redfin agent today!

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With 15 million unique visitors per month, Redfin has grown to be the most popular real estate brokerage website in the U.S. Redfin agents haven’t always been able to service the level of demand the website generates, which is why in 2009 we created the Redfin Partner Program—the first pay-at-close referral program. The goal of the program is to partner with customer-focused agents from outside brokerages who have a history of putting the customer first. Since the program launched, more than 30,000 customers have bought or sold with a Redfin partner agent. And just like clients of regular Redfin agents, they love the service they’re getting. Ninety-three percent of closed clients said they would refer their Redfin partner agent to a friend!

If you’re an agent who wants to expand your business and get in front of more highly motivated homebuyers and sellers, while staying at your current brokerage, Redfin’s Partner Agent Program might be for you. Here is everything you need to know before you apply.

What sets our referral program apart?

The Redfin Partner Agent Program is not like other lead-generation and real estate referral programs that sell customers’ info to agents for a fee. Our customers are able to browse all of the partner agents in their area, read reviews from other customers and decide for themselves who they want to work with. The customers come straight to you!

Another thing that sets the program apart is that we only partner with agents who support our mission to put the customer first. Just like we do with our regular agents, we publish every customer review of Redfin partner agents on Redfin.com.

What’s the cost?

There is no upfront or monthly fee! Our program is the first pay-at-close referral program so instead, we charge a 30 percent referral fee when a customer actually closes with you. That means not a dime comes out of your pocket unless you’re successful in helping a client buy or sell a home.

Where do we need partner agents most?

We are actively seeking partner agents in more than 80 major markets across the nation including: Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago, Los Angeles, Maryland, Portland, Atlanta, Denver, Virginia, San Diego, Ohio, Little Rock and New York.

How do I apply?

We go through a rigorous vetting process to make sure we’re choosing partner agents who share our values and believe in our core mission of putting the customer first. We’re looking for agents who have had at least 15 lifetime transactions and five within the last year. We are also looking for tech savvy agents as our partner agents will have access to a world of tools to help make the buying and selling process easier for their clients. For agents who apply, we ask you to conduct a short recorded video interview and our team will be in touch with regards to next steps.

If all of the above sounds like you, we encourage you to apply to become a Redfin partner agent.

In May 2017, Redfin commissioned a survey of 3,350 U.S. residents in 11 metropolitan areas who in the past year bought or sold a home, attempted to do so or plan to do so soon. The purpose of the survey was to better understand the perspectives and experiences of people who were recently in the market to buy or sell a home, and to reveal trends over the past two years since we began commissioning similar surveys.

Following are six major findings:

1. Thirty-three percent of people who bought a home in the last year made an offer without first seeing the home in person. That’s up from 19 percent a year ago.
2. Affordable housing was the most prevalent economic concern, cited by 40 percent of buyers; 21 percent said rising prices led them to search in more affordable metro areas.
3. Forty-one percent of buyers would be hesitant to move to a place where people have different political views from their own.
4. Orders restricting immigration influenced the buying and selling plans of 52 percent of Arab, Asian and Latino respondents; 45 percent of minority buyers felt that sellers and their agents may have been less eager to work with them because of their race.
5. Buyers remain resilient amid the prospect of rising mortgage rates. Just 5 percent said they’d cancel their plans if rates surpass 5 percent.
6. Fifty-one percent of buyers and 46 percent of sellers saved money on real estate commissions.

“Millennials are already starting to set trends in the real estate industry,” said Redfin chief economist Nela Richardson. “They are three times more likely than Baby Boomers to make an offer sight-unseen, and they’re more likely than older buyers and sellers to negotiate commission savings. Despite their tech-savvy confidence, politics are seeping into Millennials’ decisions about where to live; nearly half cited hesitations about moving to a place where their neighbors wouldn’t share their views.”

1. More buyers made offers on homes sight-unseen.

One-third of people who bought a home in the last year said they made an offer on a home without first seeing it in person. That’s up from 19 percent last year and from 21 percent two years ago. Millennials were even more likely to have made an offer sight-unseen, with 41 percent saying they had done so, compared with 30 percent of Gen-Xers and 12 percent of Baby Boomers.

The abundance of photos–including interactive 3D photography like Redfin 3D Walkthrough that lets people virtually walk through Redfin listings–and other information available online about homes for sale helps buyers feel comfortable bidding on a home they haven’t set foot in. But the strong prevalence of sight-unseen bids this year is likely due in great part to the record-fast speed of today’s highly competitive housing market. The typical home that sold in May went under contract in just 37 days, a week faster than homes were selling a year ago and the fastest pace on record since at least 2010 when Redfin began keeping track.

2. Buyers’ most common economic concern was affordable housing; one in five said rising home prices caused them to search in another metro area.

Affordable housing was the economic concern most commonly cited by people who bought or tried to buy in the last year, with 40 percent selecting that issue, followed by the income gap between the rich and the poor (38%) and the federal budget deficit (27%). Low on the list of concerns were the trade deficit (13%) and restrictive immigration policies (15%).

With affordable housing a frequent concern, rising home prices drove more than one in five (21%) people who bought or tried to buy a home last year to search for homes in another metro area where homes were more affordable. When asked how high home prices affected their search, buyers were more likely to say only that they searched in more affordable neighborhoods (32%), searched farther outside the city center (26%) or that they considered smaller homes (23%) or fixer-uppers (22%).

3. Many buyers reported hesitations about moving to a place where most people have political views different from their own.

Despite the fact that so many people were relocating for affordability and even making offers on homes they hadn’t seen, many buyers were wary about moving to a place where their neighbors were likely to vote for an opposing candidate. Forty-one percent of people who bought or tried to buy a home in the last year said they would have hesitations about moving to a place where most of the residents do not share their political views. This is largely unchanged from December. Like in the December survey, Millennials were more likely than their elders to be hesitant about this, with 46 percent indicating they had some or significant hesitation, compared with 29 percent of Baby Boomers.

If this trend continues, it would put our neighborhoods at risk of becoming more politically segregated, which could have implications for the electoral map. Redfin recently began reporting on U.S. migration patterns using data on where its website users were searching for homes, and from where they were searching. One of the most salient migration trends in the first quarter was movement from expensive metros like Los Angeles and the Bay Area in the blue state of California to more affordable metros in red states like Texas, Georgia and Arizona. Redfin analysts are conducting further research to reconcile the migration trends seen in its user data with this survey finding and to predict whether these migration patterns could ultimately play a role in future election outcomes.

4. More than half of Arab, Asian and Latino respondents said recent immigration orders influenced their buying or selling plans; 45 percent of all minority respondents thought sellers or agents may have treated them differently because of their race.

Forty-one percent of all respondents indicated that their home-buying or selling plans were affected by the recent executive orders on immigration and visa holder policies, with 6 percent saying they cancelled their home-buying plans indefinitely, and another 12 percent saying they took a step back from homebuying and plan to re-enter the housing market when there is more certainty. Nine percent said they were less likely to sell because of the orders’ possible effects on buyers in their area. The uncertainty also caused 13 percent to sell their home, worried about the possible effect the orders could have on their job or their ability to stay in the country. Meanwhile, 14 percent of respondents said they are more likely to buy, saying the restrictions would improve job prospects and the economy in their area.

Respondents who identified themselves as East Asian American, South Asian American, Arab American or Latino were more likely to have been affected, with more than half (52%) saying the orders influenced their plans, including 9 percent who cancelled their buying plans indefinitely, 16 percent who took a step back from homebuying, 20 percent who were selling because of the uncertainty and 10 percent who said they were less likely to sell because of the orders’ effects on buyers. Thirteen percent among this group said they were more likely to buy because they believe the restrictions will improve their job prospects and the economy in their area.

Redfin agents from many parts of the country reported that when the orders were first introduced at the beginning of the year, several of their buying customers who are originally from other countries backed out of the market due to the uncertainty of their ability to stay in this country long term. However, these departures were most often characterized as temporary, with affected buyers typically saying they were going to wait and see what would happen. In recent weeks, agents have reported that some of these customers have returned to the market, while other buyers have not. A Redfin agent in the Chicago area said this week that two of her buying customers in the country on H1B visas who had backed out of the market at the beginning of the year both recently returned to the market after finding out they’d be able to remain in the country for at least a few more years. Both are now under contract. She also reported that she just listed and sold a home for customers who were not able to renew their H1B visas.

Meanwhile, there was a slight drop in the prevalence of the perception of discrimination among minority homebuyers from December to May. In May, 45 percent of minority respondents who bought or tried to buy a home in the last year said they felt that sellers or their agents may have been less eager to work with them because of their ethnicity or race. That’s down from 49 percent in December, when still nearly half of minority respondents reported they may have been treated differently. The portion of self-identified white respondents who said they may have been discriminated against was largely unchanged from December (28%) to May (29%).

5. Few buyers will stop their search if mortgage rates top 5 percent.

Mortgage rates are expected to rise due to the Federal Reserve’s June 14 announcement that it would raise its benchmark interest rate. We don’t expect to see much of a reaction in the market.

The survey asked people who said they were still looking for a home to buy and/or plan to buy one in the next 12 months about the effect a mortgage rate hike above 5 percent would have on their home-buying plans.

A quarter said it would have no impact, while nearly as many (23%) said they would increase their urgency to buy before rates went up further. Twenty-nine percent said they would slow down their search and see if rates came back down; 18 percent said their urgency wouldn’t change, but they would look in other areas or buy a smaller home. Just 5 percent said they would cancel their home-buying plans altogether.

These results are similar to the breakdown of responses collected from buyers who were asked a similar question in December about how they would react if mortgage rates rose above 4 percent.

6. Half of buyers and sellers saved on real estate fees.

Just over half (51%) of buyers (excluding all those who worked with a Redfin agent) received savings from their agent in the form of a commission refund, a closing-cost contribution or another type of savings. That’s up from 49 percent in December and from 46 percent a year ago. Millennials were the most likely to receive savings, with 59 percent indicating they did, compared to 47 percent of Gen-Xers and 29 percent of Baby Boomers.

Sellers are not far behind. The portion of all (non-Redfin) sellers who successfully negotiated their listing agent’s commission to a lower price rose to 46 percent in May, up from 44 percent in December and 39 percent a year ago. Millennials were also the most likely generation of sellers to have negotiated their listing agent’s commission down, with 63 percent getting a discount, compared to 44 percent of Gen-Xers and 16 percent of Baby Boomers.

This follows a decades-long trend toward declining commissions, according to Real Trends, which reports that the national average real estate commission was 5.12 percent in 2016, down from 5.26 percent in 2015, and from more than 6 percent in the early 90s.

Consumers are likely paying less for real estate brokerage services in part because of the increasing prevalence of companies like Redfin that offer lower-cost alternatives to the traditional real estate model. In 2016, real estate tech companies received more funding than ever before, meaning the options for new, alternative and money-saving ways to buy and sell homes have never been more abundant, and the choices for consumers are likely to grow. Millennials’ expanding role in the housing market–paired with their increased tendency to save on fees–will likely drive a shift in the real estate industry toward these tech-reliant, non-traditional brokerage models.

Affordability continues to shape American communities and the real estate industry

As Millennials continue to enter the housing market, they are likely to drive changes in the way neighborhoods in our cities across the country look and feel, as well as in the way most people buy and sell homes. We now know that issues surrounding affordability and inequality drove major change in our government. The results of this survey reveal how these issues are affecting the way that segments of people are spreading themselves out geographically–with some people driven to new communities in search of affordable homes, others avoiding places where the neighbors would disagree with their politics and still others holding off on putting down roots due to the uncertainty of their future status in this country. If these trends continue, our cities will become less diverse. More inclusionary local zoning policies and builder incentives to create more affordable housing within desirable neighborhoods and near job centers would make these places more accessible to and welcoming of people of all racial, social and economic backgrounds. By enabling more different types of people to live comfortably in the same great neighborhoods, we may begin to narrow the gaps between these diverse groups that, joined together, are the essence of American society.

Methodology

Redfin contracted SurveyGizmo to field a study between May 5 and May 24, 2017, using the SurveyGizmo audience platform to reach 3,350 people from the general population who indicated they had bought or sold a home in the past year, tried to buy or sell a home in the past year or plan to do so this year. The survey targeted 11 major metro areas where Redfin has its largest market share (Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, Los Angeles, Portland, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington, D.C.). Out of the 3,350 respondents, 1,334 had successfully bought a home (including 75 with a Redfin agent) and 762 had successfully sold a home (including 37 with a Redfin agent). 732 people tried to purchase a home but were unsuccessful, and 477 people tried to sell their home but were unsuccessful.

Comparisons were made using results from similarly commissioned surveys conducted by SurveyGizmo in December 2016, and by SurveyMonkey in July 2016 and December 2015.

Responses from the Redfin customers were excluded from the reported findings on seller and buyer savings.

For more information about the survey and its findings, contact Redfin Journalist Services at  press@redfin.com.

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Break out the sparklers and the barbecue aprons — it’s that time of the year again. Celebrating the country we live in, and our freedom as Americans, is such a special gift. Here are eight DIY projects to showcase your patriotism this July. Deck your home out in red, white and blue and family using these four items for inspiration: Mason jars, bandanas, paint and ribbons. 

Mason Jars

The Mason jar makes for a great blank canvas to decorate with; try filling jars with layers of colored rice like the ones in this tutorial. Top them off with a small tea light to add a soft glow to the night.

Another great thing about Mason jars is that they’re versatile; spice up the dining decor with a few brightly colored utensils or some painted stars and stripes. This inexpensive, simple design leaves a lasting impression on guests with its bold, patriotic colors.

Bandanas

This adorable swap for bandanas in place of napkins creates a homey and personal touch for guests and family as you celebrate around the table. Secure with a small string of ribbon or rubber band to hold the bandana in place, and voila!

Another beautiful use for the bandana is this simple, yet memorable bandana pillow. Place them around the living room or on the porch outside the barbecue to draw guests in and provide a place for conversation.

Paint

This fun decoration will surely be noticed by guests and will be a big hit with kids. Pick up a red, white or blue can of construction-marking paint to create any red, white and blue design you like. A great alternative to paint here is flour! Sift it onto the grass over a star-shaped stencil and you’ll have white stars covering the lawn in no time.

This patriotic sign is so simple to recreate and provides a solid statement piece for any room. Try out the painted sign for your next Fourth of July celebration.

Ribbons

Ribbons are a great way to mark the entrance to a room or add some flair to windows for the holiday. Create your own string of ribbon garland, and really make it your own; choose from fun, bold designs like blue chevron and red polk-a-dot.

Looking to create a backdrop for pictures at your cookout? Try this fun, creative ribbon flag. The design can easily be hung from a tree or door.

How are you decorating for the Fourth of July? Tell us in the comments below!

It wasn’t long after I stepped off the plane, unpacked my bags and settled into what would become my new home for the summer that I confidently declared, “I need a cup of coffee.” Fortunately for me, I was settling into what some had referenced as the coffee capital of the country: Seattle, Washington. Always a fan of the craft, with an interest that went beyond the cup, I was excited — ready to embrace a familiar comfort in an all-too-new space.

Now one month into Seattle-living, I’ve found my way in and out of the doors to several coffee houses, sipping from mugs of both famous and hole-in-the-wall cafes. I’ve outlined some of the most memorable, aesthetically pleasing and enjoyable coffee shops here; this is a newcomer’s guide to coffee in Seattle from an East Coast coffee enthusiast.

1. Storyville Coffee

Locations: Pike Place Market, 1st & Madison, Queen Anne & Bainbridge Island

What I tried: Peach Italian soda and lemon cake

Atmosphere and Amenities: Storyville Coffee has several locations planted throughout the greater Seattle area; for this visit, I decided to visit the one nestled in Seattle’s famous Pike Place Market. This is a coffee shop well known for its Instagram-worthy aesthetic and high-quality drinks — and for good reason. The lovely space, warm and mod, is framed by beautiful arched windows that overlook the market and water; they instantly draw people in to stay. The quality of coffee, drinks and food is hard to compete with, and customers can tell, the baristas behind the counter know exactly what they’re doing. I experienced great service, a comfortable leather booth and relaxing afternoon conversations in this memorable space.

Storyville Coffee is Great For: Coffee conversation, working, exploring Seattle for the first time, catching up with a friend, coffee on-the-go — this shop is stunning with a great novelty aspect to the space, which has a tendency to draw in big crowds on the weekend. During the week, or toward the end of the day, the shop is far more airy with less tourists and more quiet conversation, writers, readers and friends catching up with friends. The warm, yellow-orange tones and clean lines in the space bring a lot of energy and 70s-inspired vibes to the shop. I would definitely re-visit this relaxed, casual coffee shop.

Overall Thoughts: Because I knew this shop was known for its coffee and had a great reputation, I went for something a little non-traditional and tried one of the Italian sodas. I was very pleasantly met with a refreshing, sweet peach flavor and just the right amount of bubble at an affordable price. There was also an option to add cream to the soda, but I kept it simple and still thoroughly enjoyed the drink. I also picked up a slice of their lemon cake, on display for customers at the barista counter, and left smiling. The cake was moist, with a great full-bodied flavor and the perfect size serving. This shop is beautiful and such a sweet piece of Seattle to experience. I would recommend this space to those visiting for short weekends as a must-see before they leave.

2. Anchorhead Coffee

Locations: downtown Seattle

What I tried: Iced vanilla latte and raspberry scone

Atmosphere and amenities: Anchorhead coffee is an inviting, spacious coffee shop located in downtown Seattle on 7th and Pike. One of the best features of this establishment is the floor-to-ceiling windows that open the shop up to downtown and bring in a lot of natural light. Also nice is the plethora and diversity of seating options: window-bar seating, spacious tables, a bright, bold blue couch at the center of the shop and counter-bar seating. The signature COFFEE signs, one hung on each side of the window-lined walls of the building, draw coffee drinkers in from blocks away. Always friendly service, the simplicity of the menu makes choosing a coffee in the morning stress-free and fast.

Anchorhead Coffee is great for: Casual business meetups, coffee before work, journaling and reading, coffee with a friend. With so many seating options, great service and just the right amount of background lull, this shop is perfect for conversation, a quick coffee run on the way to work or a spot to settle in before heading out for the day. Conveniently located downtown, this shop is nearby to many offices, shopping centers and hotels, making it easily accessible to the public.

Overall thoughts: The iced vanilla latte was very well done. Personally, I prefer my coffee with a bit of punch to it, more body and less milk — and this iced latte totally delivered. It offered a refreshing, smooth taste with a great kick. I’ve made this drink my go-to morning coffee. Close to many downtown offices and never too long of a wait, Anchorhead’s service is friendly, efficient and the shop produces a quality cup of coffee.

The raspberry scone was also enjoyable. I would recommend this scone to anyone looking for a filling, yet light morning pastry; fresh-baked in the back, the scones are wrapped in a swirl, held together by more than just a raspberry ‘spread,’ but real, whole raspberry chunks in between. Also nice is the shop’s great selection of scones, muffins and breakfast sandwiches freshly baked and displayed in the front of the shop. Look out for the ‘taco scone’ on display at the counter; I’m looking forward to trying this one on my next visit.

3. Slate Coffee

Locations: University District, Ballard, Pioneer Square & Chrome Hub

What I tried: Drip coffee and nitro chai

Atmosphere and amenities: Though Slate Coffee has several locations, I decided to visit the shop located in the University District. Upon first walking in I was welcomed into a light, open space complete with upstair-loft seating, bright green plants and the comforting smell of espresso. The clean space is adorned with string lights, eye-catching artwork against white walls and a beautiful barista counter. I felt very relaxed and at ease in this space; there was plenty of room for me to spread out books and a laptop at my window seat.

Slate Coffee is great for: Work days, sampling a great coffee, meeting a friend or group — it’s inviting, open and offers a great selection of drinks. The quality of products offered here is high; Slate work with fine ingredients and has a very friendly staff, eager to answer questions and offer recommendations.

Overall thoughts: I would definitely come back again. The drip coffee was smooth, a perfect temperature and had a nice punch to it. The nitro chai, something the barista offered me a sample of upon walking in, was very well done. Although I didn’t order a full serving of the nitro chai, I definitely appreciated the few sips that I had. Smooth, a little bubble and a great spice — this will be the first thing I order upon coming back. I would definitely recommend this spot to anyone looking for a place to relax, write or get some work done.  

4. Starbucks Reserve Roastery

Locations: Capitol Hill

What I tried: Emerald City Mule

Atmosphere and amenities: This is not your average Starbucks; this is a massive space, decked out with mirrored walls, two espresso bars, a staircase, swag shop and centerpiece roaster. This is more than just a place to grab coffee with a friend; it’s an experience. In addition to the regular menu offered at the local Starbucks, customers have the option to choose from the Starbucks Reserve Roastery’s second menu with coffee mocktails and specialty drinks as well. Explore the large variety of mugs, coffee-makers, shirts and bags available in the gift shop, try a new drink at the downstairs bar or spend some time learning about the coffee-roasting process as you sip on your macchiato and watch the coffee beans churn.

Starbucks Reserve Roastery is great for: Starbucks enthusiasts, stops for tourists, a date night, exploring with a friend — visiting the reserve roastery was such a treat and what I would classify as an experience rather than a casual meet-up. This is a place you can walk into, explore tables of specialty merchandise, watch coffee as it’s made in a massive roaster, sample specialty coffee-mocktails and spend a fun evening with friends or family.

Overall thoughts: This was such a fun stop; I would definitely recommend this as another must-see to groups, families or friends visiting the city. The mocktail I ordered, an Emerald City Mule, was fantastic. The smooth orange-citrus complemented the punch of the coffee very nicely, creating a refreshing, cool drink for the afternoon. The citrus peel and berry on top of the drink were also a nice touch, creating an elegant picture of relaxation at this friendly, fancy Starbucks.

5. The Ugly Mug Cafe & Coffee Roasters

Locations: University District

What I tried: Iced chai and Belgian waffles

Atmosphere and amenities: This coffee shop may be my favorite on the list. Memorable for its novelty charm and incredible taste, the Ugly Mug is a cafe I won’t soon forget. Cozy tables, benches and window seats set the mood with customers’ drawings, doodles and notes on display underneath the glass of each table. This is a space where customers can leave their own mark as they settle in for an early morning, afternoon or evening visit.

The Ugly Mug is great for: Work, conversation, breakfast with a friend and an incredible iced chai — Contradictory to it’s name, The Ugly Mug offers beautiful plating, a cozy atmosphere with fun, poppy colors and a special hole-in-the-wall vibe that leaves every visitor feeling like they’ve just discovered the next best coffee spot in the city. This is a great space to do work, with perfectly sized tables for two. Quiet conversations run on a track between friends and students catching up over lattes and laughter. Located near the University of Washington, this is a popular spot for college students to come and work on the weekends or in between classes.

Overall thoughts: The Ugly Mug offers one of the best iced chais I have ever tasted — on the West Coast, on the East Coast, just in general — it was very well done. I actually went back for a second cup before leaving. This chai is rich, just sweet enough, with an orange-tinted body. The shop specializes in several other flavored-chai options, too, so there’s something for every palate. The Belgian waffles were a great addition to the drink. Just enough syrup, topped with strawberries and a generous side of whipped cream, I happily cleaned the plate. The waffles were dense with a great texture that perfectly complemented the ripe strawberries. I would happily order this breakfast again. I feel this cafe especially  excels in dining and drink options, while  providing a comfortable work space.

6. Mr. West Cafe Bar

Locations: downtown Seattle

What I tried: Latte with house syrup and grilled cheese

Atmosphere and amenities: Immediately upon walking into this cafe, I was impressed with the simplistic elegance of the space; it was very inviting. An open floor plan leads customers up to the counter where they’re first able to order, then to the dining area where they can relax and enjoy their food when it’s brought out to them. Mr. West Cafe provides great options for breakfast, lunch and dinner foods, as well as coffee, cocktails and beer. The menus are very clean and modern, making the ordering process a breeze for the first-time customer.

Mr. West is great for: Casual or celebratory gatherings, a quick lunch or coffee run, meeting up with a friend — this space is clean, chic and very inviting. The counter-order service is very efficient and the decor is simple, very green and calming: great for group gatherings.

Overall thoughts: The coffee was delicious; I always appreciate a good piece of latte art, and this latte came with a swan. Warm, smooth with a nutty aftertaste — this latte is perfect for the classic Seattle rainy day. Also impressive was the cafe’s twist on the grown-up grilled cheese… I had ham added to my sandwich for an upcharge of $3, and I must say, this was a great investment. I really appreciated the fun aspect of the classic grilled cheese, a popular sandwich from childhood, amped up with a sophisticated and filling twist. I would definitely re-visit this cafe for a lunch or coffee run again.

7. Zoka Coffee

Locations: University District, Green Lake, Kirkland & South Lake Union

What I tried: Iced chai and blueberry scone

Atmosphere and amenities: Though this coffee shop has several locations, I visited the Zoka Coffee located in the University District of Seattle. Something I really enjoyed about this shop was the amount of seating and space it offered. I don’t like to speak in hyperboles, so know when I say that this coffee shop has the most seating I have ever found in a single shop, it isn’t charged with exaggeration. This shop has great table space, an open layout and a warm fireplace with leather chairs tucked in the back, creating a comfortable, homey and inviting space for visitors.

Zoka Coffee is great for: Long-term work, study groups and slow afternoons spent indoors — with so many available seats, room to spread out and free Wi-fi available, this space makes a great home-away-from-home for the day. The atmosphere encourages productivity in a comfortable space.

Overall thoughts: The iced chai was very nice. A very sweet, smooth, light chai, I enjoyed the refreshing chill paired with a blueberry scone. My favorite thing about this shop is the atmosphere; it’s a space you can walk into and immediately feel like a local: comfortable, cozy and relaxed enough to stay for the day.

There are a few things you should know if you’re thinking about moving to Northern Virginia — or “NoVA”, as its better known to locals — in the near or distant future. From the love of local culture and beautiful mountain views to the plethora of shopping, there’s a lot to explore. To give you the inside scoop, we spoke with three Redfin real estate agents — Anthony Lam, Kimberly Pace and Ben Grouby — who shed some light on day-to-day life in Northern Virginia.

Here’s everything you need to know:

1. Chick-fil-A is the fan favorite

“Chic-fil-A is one of the most popular lunch stops on the East Coast. The simplicity of the menu and positive customer service sends people through the doors every day — that, and the incredible chicken,” said Anthony Lam.

2. There’s no shortage of shopping options

“Tysons Corner is one of the well known shopping centers in Northern Virginia. With over 300 stores to explore, including clothing, food, book, and toy stores, this location in Tysons, Virginia sees a lot of foot traffic,” said Kimberly Pace.

3. You wear pink and green to the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival

The Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival is one of the largest festivals of the year in Virginia. Year after year families, teens and young couples flood to Winchester to see the celebrities, the food, and — of course — the apple blossoms.

4. And you’ll definitely visit our nation’s capital to see the cherry blossom trees

“The cherry blossom trees are one of D.C.’s most recognizable symbols,” said Lam. “There’s never a shortage of visitors and photographers during the spring time, many of which travel from the Northern Virginia area; it’s an easy day trip.”

5. In fact, you’ll probably be able to list off all the Smithsonian museums in D.C. too

“With the nation’s capital so close in proximity to Northern Virginia neighborhoods, D.C. makes for an easy day trip,” said Grouby. “Even better is that most of the city’s famous Smithsonian museums are free; enjoyable for all ages, the museums offer multiple floors of exhibits, attractions and educational displays.”

6. Hiking is a popular pastime for the locals

“The hikes around Northern Virginia are beautiful, free, and seemingly endless! You never run out of options; whether it’s a lake, a mountain, a deep forest, or rocks — the topography is so diverse and rich, it makes it the perfect setting to explore outdoors,” said Lam.

7. You’ll have a chance to explore great heights and depths

Luray Caverns, located in the northern region of Virginia, is a natural, underground cave filled with famous stalactites, columns and the world’s largest musical instrument: the Great Stalacpipe Organ. In place of traditional organ pipes (made of metal), the stalactites in the cave serve as the pipes instead.

8. You may bump into a few Washington Redskins fans

“Virginia is one of the few states in the U.S. without a designated NFL or MLB team. That being said, many Virginians adopt the D.C. teams as their own; the Washington Nationals and Washington Redskins are often supported in surrounding D.C. areas like Northern Virginia,” said Pace.

9. And a few Nationals fans during baseball season

Nationals Park, the ballpark of the Washington Nationals MLB team, is also located in D.C. and is a beautiful place to travel to on the weekends — couples and families can easily make a weekend out of the trip with so many restaurants, hotels, and amenities close by.

10. All your friends are split up among the “703,” “571” and “540”

“Most of the area codes for phone numbers are split between 703 and 571 — and some 540 — depending on what part of Northern Virginia you’re coming from,” said Lam.

11. NoVA wine country is a big deal

There are plentiful wineries and vineyards open to the public in Northern Virginia — the perfect venue for weddings, anniversaries, group gatherings or just tasting; the expansive selection offers locals a chance to see the region up close and personal with friends and family.

12. You definitely grocery shop at Wegmans

Costco and Wegmans are two well-liked shopping spots in NoVA; the stores are easily accessible with multiple locations, and much of the produce is sourced locally, making it a popular location for grocery shoppers in the region.

13. You’re either a fan of the Hokies or the Cavaliers  — but definitely not both

“College sports are taken very seriously; whether it’s football or baseball, everyone has their team they’re loyal to,” said Lam.

14. Everyone shares the same feelings about the weather; it’s a topic to bond over

Finding a balance is key. One easy way to adjust to the changing temperature is to dress in layers: add a vest or light jacket to an outfit for quick wardrobe alterations.

15. The location is ideal for living — and traveling 

“D.C. isn’t the only city Northern Virginians have easy access to; large cities such as Baltimore, Maryland; Annapolis, Maryland and Williamsburg, Virginia also sit nearby,” said Pace. “If you like road trips, there is no shortage of places to visit!”

16. The cars are pretty nice to look at

Loudon County, of Northern Virginia, is currently the wealthiest county in the United States. It’s not uncommon to see a BMW or a Tesla out to lunch on the weekend — of course not every car in the lot is a luxury car, but it’s not an uncommon sight. 

17. You’ll witness some horsing around from time to time

“Middleburg and Aldie, Virginia are both known for having great horse facilities and amenities; horseback riding programs, lessons, training, and competing are all very popular,” said Lam.

18. Locals love their dogs

“Dog parks, walking trails and dog-friendly stores and restaurants are becoming more popular. These locations and businesses are benefiting from this inclusion of pets; they have an edge over those that do not provide the same accommodations,” said Pace.

19. The kids have great school districts

Northern Virginia is known for its highly ranked school districts. According to niche.com, the top four school districts in Virginia for 2017 were Arlington County at No. 1, Falls Church County at No. 2, Loudon County at No. 3 and Fairfax County at No. 4 — all four counties are located in Northern Virginia, dominating the top five on a list that ranks over 100 school districts.

20. Outdoor wear is a growing trend

“We see a lot of outerwear, sandals and waterproof gear coming more and more into fashion now. With so many things to do outside and hiking options available, it makes sense that people would be dressed for the adventure,” said Lam.

21. We love supporting local businesses

“The local culture is very present,” said Pace. “We see many local restaurants sourcing local produce, farmers markets and town boutiques in the community.

For all the North-Virginians out there, which “signs” did you like the best, and what did we miss? Tell us on Facebook, Twitter or in the comments below. And if you’re thinking of buying or selling a home in Northern Virginia, be sure to get in touch with our local Redfin real estate agents, or check out what’s on the market on Redfin.com.

The median home sale price increased 7.3 percent from a year ago to $298,000 in June. This is the highest national median sale price recorded since we began keeping track in 2010. Despite record-high buyer demand during the busy spring market, sales only increased 1.9 percent compared to last year, constrained by a low supply of homes on the market.

The number of homes for sale fell 10.7 percent, marking seven straight months of double-digit, year-over-year declines. Compared with a year earlier, there was no change in the number of homes newly listed for sale in June. June had a 2.5-month supply of homes–the lowest Redfin has recorded since we began tracking the market in 2010–well below the six months that represents a market balanced between buyers and sellers. San Jose and Seattle each had less than a one-month supply of homes.

Every record in market speed and competition that was set in May was broken again in June. The typical home that sold in June went under contract in 36 days, one day faster than in May, setting a new record-fast pace for home sales. Denver, Portland and Seattle were the fastest-moving markets, with the typical home in each market finding a buyer in just seven days.

More than a quarter (26.6%) of homes sold above their list price, the highest percentage Redfin has recorded. The average sale-to-list price ratio hit a record high of 95.5 percent in June.

“This market is unlike any we’ve ever seen before,” said Redfin chief economist Nela Richardson. “Month after month, new records are set for the pace at which homes are going under contract. Demand continues to swell while supply troughs.  For buyers competing in this market, it’s survival of the fittest. The strongest offers that are most likely to close quickly and smoothly rise to the top of the pile.”

Other June Highlights

Competition

• Denver, CO, Portland, OR and Seattle, WA tied for fastest market at 7 median days on market, followed by Grand Rapids, MI (8) and Boston, MA (9).
• The most competitive market in June was San Jose, CA where 73.7% of homes sold above list price, followed by 70.6% in San Francisco, CA, 69.8% in Oakland, CA, 62.3% in Seattle, WA, and 52.6% in Tacoma, WA.

Prices

• Fort Lauderdale, FL had the nation’s highest growth in home prices, rising 15.6% since last year to $260,000, followed by Nashville, TN (14%), Seattle, WA (13.5%), Tacoma, WA (12.2%), and Deltona, FL (12.1%).
• Two metros saw price declines in June: Greensboro, NC (-1.2%), and Tulsa, OK (-0.3%).

Sales

• Ten out of 89 metros saw sales surge by double digits from last year. Poughkeepsie, NY led the nation in year-over-year sales growth, up 42.6%, followed by Camden, NJ, up 23.1%. Lakeland, FL rounded out the top three with sales up 16.3% from a year ago.
• Buffalo, NY saw the largest decline in sales since last year, falling 26.9%. Home sales in Rochester, NY and Fort Lauderdale, FL declined by 21.2% and 15.5%, respectively.

Inventory

• San Jose, CA had the largest decrease in overall inventory, falling 42.2% since last June. Rochester, NY (-29.7%), San Francisco, CA (-26.6%), and Tampa, FL (-26.5%) also saw far fewer homes available on the market than a year ago.
• Three metros in Utah saw the highest increases in the number of homes for sale. Ogden, UT had the highest increase in inventory, up 40.5% year over year, followed by Provo, UT (36.7%) and Salt Lake City, UT (30.1%).

Below are market-by-market breakdowns for prices, inventory, new listings and sales for markets with populations of 1.5 million or more. For downloadable data on all of the markets Redfin tracks, visit the Redfin Data Center.

Median Sale Price

Homes Sold

All Homes for Sale

New Listings

Redfin is joining forces with venture capital firms in Seattle and Silicon Valley that are committing to diversify high-technology company boards. The venture firms will encourage new portfolio companies to recruit an independent, diverse board member within two years of institutional funding.

We’ve already reported on a tripling in the rate of female board appointments to companies that have recently gone public, and new research we’re publishing today shows that the ratio of new venture capital partners who are women has increased from less than one in three in 2013 to nearly one in two in the last year.

But there has been absolutely no change in the diversity of startup boards over the last year. And the problem, as we now see with large-scale companies attempting to become more inclusive toward women and people of color, is that a company’s culture is often formed by its first 30 people.

Recruiting a more diverse board at an early stage may be the last item on an entrepreneur’s list of priorities, but our experience building Redfin’s board, first with Emily Melton and later with Selina Tobaccowala and Julie Bornstein, is that it puts the company on a different course, able to compete for a much broader range of talent over years and even decades. As Redfin’s CEO, Glenn wishes we had recruited more women to our board sooner and, as we add board members, he is committed to bringing on more people of color; working with some of our investors, Bridget has developed a framework to encourage other startups to do just that.

The problem is that startup boards consist almost entirely of the investors who are backing the company. And these investors are almost entirely male. According to Fortune, 94% of decision-makers at U.S. venture capital firms are men. We don’t have statistics on the racial composition of these decision-makers, but in our personal experience most are white.

The good news is that the top-25 VC firms (based on number of deals) are getting more diverse as they bring on new partners, at least in terms of gender diversity, which is straightforward to track. In a comprehensive survey of 255 venture-capital appointments at these firms over the past four years, Redfin found that the female-to-male ratio of newly appointed partners (or directors, at firms without partners) has risen from 0.31 in 2013 to 0.47 last year.

That would be a shame, because the easiest time to change diversity numbers is early on, when the team is small. But the startup stage is also perhaps the least-appealing stage for diverse employees, especially when a startup embraces a raw, Wild-West culture that isn’t far removed from a founder’s apartment. It is exactly these companies, and their founders, who most need other perspectives on their board, as a sounding board on what customers want, and on how to develop the management team as leaders and managers.It’s encouraging to see the numbers moving in this direction, but gender parity still seems a long way off. With these ratios, a venture firm with 12 male partners that recruits a new partner every four years would only recruit a new female partner every eight years; if it never had anyone retire or quit, it wouldn’t be more than one quarter female until the year 2057. Without a change to the traditions of how startup boards are formed, we would expect VC-only boards to remain predominantly male for the foreseeable future. Racial diversity may be even slower in coming.

But diverse board candidates have to meet early-stage companies halfway. In talking to venture investors who have tried to recruit diverse leaders to a startup’s board, we’ve had to account for the fact that joining the board of an early-stage company is plenty of work, and may not be that appealing when the startup’s success is far from assured. In many cases, both the startup and the would-be board members want the other to be “the big name,” but in fact both startups and diverse board candidates need to take a risk on one another.

A Call for Commitment to Open Independent Board Seats

So today, in partnership with DFJ, Greylock Partners, Madrona Venture Group, Pioneer Square Labs and Boardspan, we’re suggesting a new approach: starting with series-A or institutional investments made in September, the startups funded by these firms will be encouraged to make at least one independent board seat available to diverse candidates within two years of that funding. Other venture firms who wish to join our campaign can sign on via Twitter using the hashtag #DiverseFromTheStart.

Now of course, any competitive process for hiring a board member may end with a male or a white board member, but we think the #DiverseFromTheStart effort will still make startup cultures significantly more diverse:

• First, just by opening early-stage boards to an independent member, and not just VCs
• Second, by being aggressive about soliciting a diverse set of candidates to participate, and
• Third, by explicitly recognizing as one criterion for selecting a candidate the value that a diverse board member would bring to the company.  

Unlike investors who take board seats, these independent board members will likely require some form of compensation. One way that we suggest thinking about compensation is that startups offer the same number of options they would give to an engineering director, and also agree to cover expenses for traveling to board meetings. Of course, every startup is different and should compensate based on what makes the most sense for their business. This equity expense is meaningless if the company fails, and inconsequential if the company succeeds.

We believe this change will lead to more diverse startup boards. And we believe that a more diverse startup culture will renew the technology industry’s leadership in the business world at large.

Glenn Kelman (@glennkelman) is Redfin’s CEO and Bridget Frey (@SVBridget) is Redfin’s CTO.

Everyone loves the idea of indoor-outdoor living, even in climates where it’s only possible a few months out of the year. And when you’re selling a home, staging your outdoor space can be an important way to show off one of your home’s best features while attracting prospective buyers.

Whether your property has a sweeping lawn or a small city balcony, here’s how you can help buyers envision themselves happily hosting an al fresco dinner party, passing breezy summer afternoons on the porch or sipping a glass of wine under the stars—making your home their own.

Outdoor Furniture

Today’s homebuyers want to be able to use their patios, yards and porches like extensions of their living and dining rooms. Show them how it can be done in your home by arranging comfortable, clean-lined outdoor furniture in both lounge and dining settings on your home’s patio. Make an outdoor sofa or sectional the star of the lounge area, and add an outdoor coffee table and side tables to make the space look even more functional. Use an outdoor rug and a few planters or large lanterns to create room-like definition for the space.

Outdoor rugs also work well under dining tables to add a sense of indoor comfort and texture, and a patio umbrella over the dining table gives the space a fun, festive look. For private showings and open houses, consider leaving a cold pitcher of lemonade and a (covered) plate of treats to tempt buyers to linger and take in the feel of the space.

If you’re working with a small space such as a balcony, use a bistro table and chairs to invite buyers to imagine sunny, intimate breakfasts outdoors or unwinding at the end of the day with a cocktail hour for two. A small woven rug or runner can also make the area feel more inviting and special. On a porch, a pair of low lounge chairs with cushions and brightly patterned pillows looks like the perfect spot for watching the world go by. And as with staging the interior of your home, consider placing simple bouquets of fresh flowers on tables for an extra bit of cheer.

Fire Pit, Grill and Lights 

If the home you’re selling doesn’t have a built-in fire pit, you can purchase a metal one, add some attractive logs and arrange a welcoming grouping of chairs around it on your patio. If you have a nice grill, by all means, shine it up and make it part of your outdoor staging so buyers can imagine themselves hosting a family cookout or holiday weekend barbecue. Consider hooking a new pair of tongs and an oven mitt on the side of the grill for a touch of realism.
Year-round string lights have become a popular way to make outdoor spaces large and small look festive after sunset, and if you really want to play up your outdoor space as a selling point, consider hanging the lights and asking your photographer to come back and take a few photos at dusk, before it’s truly dark outside. As long as you’re at it, light a few candles on your tables.

Flowers and Landscaping

In the right season, flowers are a foolproof way to improve the look of your outdoor space. The goal should be lush and vibrant, not overgrown or out of control. If you have bare spots in your flower beds, ask an employee at your local garden center for easy-care blooms that will add color and interest for several months. To create a more welcoming vibe on your porch or patio, scatter some clean, neutral pots and planters of various heights filled with pretty but hardy plants—the last thing you want to have to do is replace them if they die before you sell.

Tidying Up

It’s important to keep your outdoor space ship-shape throughout the selling process, from the day your listing photos are taken until the day you close on the sale. After all, you never know who’s driving by—or even if your first contract will make it to closing. Be sure the grass is neatly mowed and any weeds along the walkways or on the patio are kept in check. Trim the bushes, neatly store away hoses, and add a layer of fresh mulch to your landscaping wherever it looks dried out or faded. Remove anything that adds clutter: old rain bins, plastic storage containers, toys. Rinse and sweep your porch, walkways and patio regularly, knock down cobwebs, check for errant pieces of litter and pick dead blooms off your flowers. If your doormats are looking a little worse for the wear, update with fresh ones.

Make your home’s outdoor space look tidy, comfortable and lovingly cared for, and buyers will be more motivated to make an offer and start enjoying it right away.

The summertime is a season for celebration; kids rejoice over breaks from school, the weather becomes warmer and the days grow longer. And what better way to spend a warm weekend than exploring a city or relaxing in a park? How about a combination of the two? Visiting an amusement park is one of the most popular summertime activities in America. Redfin looked into the country’s most compatible and enjoyable cities for amusement park lovers to visit, looking at factors such as:

• Walk Score of an amusement park’s city
• Average customer ratings of amusement park
• Median home sale-prices in the amusement park’s city
• Affordability of amusement parks/cost of a day-pass
• Number of amusement parks per state and metropolitan area

What was our highest ranking city? Redfin found Anaheim, California to offer the best mixture of all five factors, making it the best city in the country to visit for amusement park lovers.

Here are the top 10 best cities in America for amusement park lovers:

1. Anaheim, California

Parks Per Metro: 10

A Park of Notoriety: Disneyland Park

Walk Score: 54

Median Home Sale Price: $550,000

Home to Disneyland Park and Disneyland California Adventure, Anaheim, California comes as no surprise at the top of Redfin’s list. Anaheim is a hub for entertainment, close to major cities like Los Angeles and San Diego; the location is fairly walkable and known for its sunshine, making it a great spot to spend some time exploring outside.

“Anaheim is home to Disneyland, the happiest place on earth; there are tons of hip restaurants and shopping around the resort and all of Anaheim,” said Anaheim Redfin agent Vickie Melin. “The convention center,  two sports stadiums, new urban living lofts or charming historic homes, and a beautiful train station make for easy commuting to all the fun things to do in this city.”

2. Orlando, Florida

Parks Per Metro: 9

A Park of Notoriety: Universal Studios Orlando

Walk Score: 42

Median Home Sale Price: $219,375

Orlando, Florida is another beloved vacation spot, and this one takes precedent on the East Coast. Close to the water, the beach and lots of sun, Orlando is the headquarters for many successful businesses as well as amusement parks. The most popular parks belong to the Walt Disney Company and include: Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Epcot, Disney’s Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. A multiple-day pass can be bought for any combination of visits to the parks, making it a fun, unique experience every time!

Orlando Redfin agent Juan Castro recommends the area for vacations with high regard. “You can walk, drive or shuttle your way through all the mild and the wild Orlando has to offer; it’s easy to stay busy, sun-kissed and happy on just about any budget here,” said Castro.

3. Sonoma, California

Parks Per Metro: 8

A Park of Notoriety: Sonoma Train Town Railroad

Walk Score: 91

Median Home Sale Price: $640,000

California is a popular location all around for summer travels, and the city of Sonoma is no exception. Sonoma carries one of the highest Walk Scores in the country with a ranking of 91, making it one of the most easily accessible cities in America. This is great for travel, finding entertainment close to hotels and checking out the Sonoma Train Town Railroad, located just one mile from the center of town!

4. Oakland, California

Parks Per Metro: 8

A Park of Notoriety: Oakland Zoo

Walk Score: 72

Median Home Sale Price: $671,000

“Oakland California is what you get when you add 261 days of sunshine a year, to perfect hiking and biking spots like Lake Merritt, to historic entertainment venues like Paramount Theater and the Fox Theater, to newer venues like Yoshi’s and Plank in Jack London Square,” said Oakland Redfin agent Tom Hendershot. “Add to that convenient transportation, just 15 minutes from downtown San Francisco and 10 minutes to downtown Berkeley, as well as a convenient location to three international airports.”

Oakland, California is the largest city in Alameda County with over 400,000 year-round occupants. A popular area of California for many reasons, Oakland is home to many attractions and parks including Children’s Fairyland, the Oakland Zoo and Mosswood Park just to name a few.

“What this all equals is a perfect vacationing spot if you’re planning on visiting the Bay Area,” Hendershot said. “Try the best sandwich on the West Coast at Bakesale Betty’s or local favorites from Brown Sugar Cafe and Everett and Jones; there are a myriad of authentic, local cuisines that have sprung up all across town. Oakland has a great downtown, beautiful hills, sailing and tons of entertainment.”

5. Santa Clara, California

Parks Per Metro: 8

A Park of Notoriety: California’s Great America

Walk Score: 59

Median Home Sale Price: $1,130,000

Santa Clara has proved to be a popular spot for families and young adults to visit during the summer.  Traffic is typically seen from many of the surrounding cities, and states, coming to visit the amusement parks and attractions in the area. Some of the more popular spots for families and kids are California’s Great Adventure, the Children’s Discovery Museum and Boomerang Bay. It’s also a well-known area for shopping and home to a highly rated school district.

6. Tampa, Florida

Parks Per Metro: 3

A Park of Notoriety: Busch Gardens Tampa

Walk Score: 50

Median Home Sale Price: $220,000

Tampa is another beautiful Florida city featured this year, home to Busch Gardens: one of the most popular amusement park companies in the country. Known for its inclusive culture and beautifully maintained parks, Busch Gardens has a Europe-theme park located in Williamsburg, VA and an Africa-theme park in Tampa; both feature food, attractions and shows unique to their highlighted countries and continents, bringing in big smiles and high customer-satisfaction ratings.

7. Carlsbad, California

Parks Per Metro: 4

A Park of Notoriety: Legoland

Walk Score: 31

Median Home Sale Price: $839,000

Carlsbad, CA takes our No. 7 spot on the list for its proximity to the beach, famous amusement parks, and fantastic customer-ratings. The always-memorable Lego Group is known by many for its plastic building bricks, sparking creativity in kids and adults since 1932. Though the Lego brand has since grown astronomically; it now encompasses more than just a product, but an experience. The Lego group supports multiple Lego movies, TV shows and family theme parks for longtime Lego fans to enjoy. With Legoland California located in the heart of Carlsbad, Redfin chose this city as a must-see for amusement park-seekers.

8. San Diego, California

Parks Per Metro: 4

A Park of Notoriety: SeaWorld San Diego

Walk Score: 51

Median Home Sale Price: $555,000

The last California city on the list is sunny San Diego. Home to popular theme park SeaWorld, this amusement park alone sees more than 4 million visitors per year. San Diego serves as a great stop for vacationers and locals alike with BOOMERS! San Diego, Belmont Park and Inflatable World also making appearances in this city. Amusement park lovers will have a blast in this So-Cal city.

9. Gurnee, Illinois

Parks Per Metro: 3

A Park of Notoriety: Six Flags Great America

Walk Score: 23

Median Home Sale Price: $260,000

Another great city on our list is Gurnee, Illinois. This one comes as a bit of a show-stopper as it breaks the trend of popular California and Florida-based parks; however, Gurnee has a lot going for it; many attributes have brought visitors through. Home to Six Flags Great America, one of the most popular amusement park companies in the world; this park alone provides over 100 rides and attractions in exchange for an affordable day-pass expense. Some of the most popular roller coasters include: Batman: The Ride, American Eagle, Whizzer, Goliath and the Raging Bull.

10. Burbank, Illinois

Parks Per Metro: 3

A Park of Notoriety: Haunted Trails

Walk Score: 57

Median Home Sale Price: $195,000

The surprise of the list, Burbank, IL is close in proximity to Six Flags Great America located in Gurnee, IL, one of the largest amusement park companies in the world. However, the median home sale price of a house in Gurnee is $65,000 higher than a house in Burbank. In addition to this appealing factor, Burbank is also home to a highly rated amusement park of its own, the Haunted Trails Family Amusement Park. These were just a few factors taken into consideration when selecting Burbank for our tenth spot on the list.

Methodology

Data on amusement parks per state was provided by Ultimate Roller Coaster, and the figures are from 2017. Walk Score and median home sale prices as of May 2017 were taken from Redfin.com. The final ranking was determined by ranking 50 amusement parks in the country according to parks per metropolitan area (.03), Walk Score (.01) and Google ratings (.06), then taking the average of all those rankings to rank-order the top 10 best cities for amusement park lovers to visit.

Today, Redfin’s stock begins trading on the public markets. We’re grateful to all the people of Redfin, past and present, who worked so hard and cared so much about this company. We’re grateful to our customers for taking a chance on us. And we’re grateful to our investors for supporting what we believe can be a great and enduring company.  Below is the letter that the management team wrote for our prospectus.  

And here are a few pictures to remember our roadshow adventure by: 

This prospectus will tell you what we do: our company runs a website to show people homes for sale, and employs our own real estate agents to help people buy or sell those homes. This letter tries to explain who we are.

We think of ourselves as idealists, who got into this business to make real estate better for consumers, not just ourselves. Our ideals are important when we want to earn customers’ trust: to take our advice about walking away from an easy sale on the wrong house or about paying more in a bidding war. At a time when our customers are hauling everything they own across the country to start a new family, a new job, a new life, what they most need us to be is completely on their side.

And this is our mission, in a sales-mad, baloney-gorged world, to be the truth-teller, the fee-squeezer, the game-changer. Our idealism may not benefit stockholders over months or quarters, but we believe that over years and decades it will deliver the best results.

Of course idealists often get punched in the nose by the real world. But we’re also fighters. A long time ago, when we were competing against giants in markets where homes had lost half their value, a journalist described us as rabid squirrels.

We embraced this identity. It gave us the pluck to go after big markets with an unreasonably small number of people and resources, a mentality that is essential to creating stockholder value. This tenacity has been a good complement to the almost fevered idealism on which Redfin was founded, letting us ignore present-day pain for long-term gain. Rabid squirrels don’t give up.

We invented a map-based search website for Seattle, then let media companies launch that idea nationwide while we spent a decade figuring out how to run our own real estate brokerage market by market. Now we’re the United States’ fastest-growing major real estate site and, we believe, the best real estate service. That pairing has let us make the whole process of buying or selling a home better, not just the initial search. It has opened up the $75-billion market for residential real estate brokerages, not just their ad budgets. It has been worth the wait.

This long-term, holistic perspective has led to thousands of tweaks to our online tools so we can meet more customers, but then to months and even years of testing each tweak to see which of those customers actually buy a house. What has been beaten into us at every turn is a wary preference for durable gains in gross profit and customer value over pops in unprofitable growth.

But being a rabid squirrel is more than just frugality or patience. When we can convince more than 2,000 employees that we’re more willing to do hard things than our competitors, it is a fearsome advantage. This conviction makes us grind on details most would let go. It gives us the confidence to pursue mortgage, title and other businesses that aren’t for the faint of heart. It reminds us that the only way to make money over time is to do things others can’t or won’t.

The result has been a contrarian culture. In an age when the technology economy is increasingly divided from the rest of the world, we have hired our own real estate agents, not as a disposable labor force, but as partners in this business, with a salary, health-care benefits and the opportunity to earn stock options.

We employ people from all walks of life. We write software and analyze financial results like other technology companies; we also scoop kitty litter and squirm through crawl spaces looking for rats. Our engineers have said that when a problem with our software affects our agents, it feels like we have failed a friend. Our favorite saying at Redfin is that everyone sweeps the floors.

This humility is essential to our risk-taking culture. Everyone at Redfin knows our executives have made the lion’s share of our mistakes. None of us pretends we’re Steve Jobs. Since the cost of a mistake in business is often a hundred or a thousand times smaller than the gain from a new idea, we believe the fault lies mostly in the “not-done, the diffidence that faltered.” When we admit our mistakes as executives, it liberates everyone else here to think big and fearlessly, but also to concede their own mistakes quickly so we can limit losses, learn what went wrong, and move on to the next idea. We believe this increases our overall capacity to delight customers and create stockholder value.

So this is Redfin: rabid squirrels on a mission to make real estate better, and to treat everyone we work with along the way respectfully. Since we’re in real estate, we know there will be ups and downs. But we also know that when you work very hard for a long time to make things better for people, you usually create something meaningful, durable and good. We hope you see Redfin the same way. Thank you to our families and friends for supporting us in this effort.

Best,

 Glenn, Scott, Adam, Bridget, Chris, Anthony

The Redfin Housing Demand Index fell 4.3 percent from May’s all-time high to 130 in June. Still, homebuyer demand was up 27.8 percent year over year.

The Demand Index is based on thousands of Redfin customers requesting home tours and writing offers. A level of 100 represents the historical average for the three-year period from January 2013 to December 2015.

Compared to May, the seasonally adjusted number of buyers requesting tours was essentially flat, down just 0.2 percent last month. The seasonally adjusted number of buyers writing offers fell by 11.3 percent from May to June.

Across the 15 metros covered by the Demand Index, there were 12.2 percent fewer homes for sale in June than there were a year prior, marking the 25th consecutive month of year-over-year inventory declines and the sixth consecutive month of double-digit declines.

“In this market, homebuyers have to move fast, yet high prices and low inventory are slowing down even the most earnest of house hunters,” said Redfin chief economist Nela Richardson. “Buyers toured in full force last month, even though there were fewer homes hitting the market. New listings fell 3.3 percent from May and were down 1.6 percent from a year ago. Faced with a low supply of homes for sale and extremely competitive conditions, many homebuyers are struggling to make it to the offer stage.”

We asked Redfin agents across the country to share the advice they’re giving buyers who are competing in this tight market. Of course, the recommended plan of action varied by location. In Chicago, Redfin agent Alex Haried advises patience; he expects more inventory to hit the market in the coming months. In Los Angeles, Redfin agent Cody Coffman does not think his hot market will cool off this year. He is telling his clients who are serious about getting a home under contract in 2017 not to wait, and to put in their most competitive offers now.

“The inspection contingency is the most compelling factor for sellers who are evaluating several close offers,” said Redfin agent Mary Bazargan, who represents home sellers in Washington, D.C. “Waiving your inspection contingency shows the seller that you’re committed to the property with its flaws, and guarantees that the transaction won’t be delayed by repair negotiations or other associated hiccups. In D.C., it’s common for buyers to conduct pre-inspections, in which the inspector does an inspection of the home before an offer is submitted. Most sellers are happy to accommodate these appointments.”

Metro-Level Demand Highlights

Below, we provide a slideshow of local charts for each of the metros tracked by the Redfin Housing Demand Index and highlight noteworthy trends and agent insights from select markets. If you’d like to learn more about a particular market, please email press@redfin.com.

Phoenix saw the largest decrease in homebuyer activity in June, with its Demand Index down 33.6 percent from May, driven by a 21.6 percent decrease in Redfin customers requesting tours and a 43.9 percent decrease in customers making offers. Inventory there was down 15.5 percent year over year.

Los Angeles had a largest increase in its Demand Index, up 27.1 percent month over month in June. The number of customers requesting tours increased 34.9 percent from May and the number writing offers grew by 19.4 percent. Inventory was down by a relatively modest amount, 5.7 percent, from last year.

We already know that companies with more women executives are more profitable. But these companies are also paying their female employees more fairly, according to a new analysis by Redfin and PayScale. The gender pay gap is half the size at tech companies with more women executives.

For this study, Redfin examined the gender makeup of executive teams at 31 of the largest U.S. tech companies. Companies where women made up more than 25 percent of the executive team were considered to have a high rate of female executives, while companies with fewer than 20 percent were considered to have a low rate. Companies where women made up 21 to 24 percent of the executive team were not included. PayScale then analyzed 6,562 salary profiles of people who reported working for these companies between June 2015 and 2017.

We looked at the gender pay gap in two ways. First, we compared salaries between men and women at similar levels and with similar years of experience. Then, we looked at the median salary for men and women regardless of job level or experience.

At companies with more women executives, women earned 98 cents for every dollar that men in similar roles earned. The two-cent pay gap might not sound like much, but for a man earning a $100,000 salary, a woman would earn $96,000 at a company with fewer women executives, compared to $98,000 at a company with more women at the top. This disparity adds up to tens of thousands of dollars over a woman’s career.

And the pay gap difference is a whopping 14 cents when you look at all men and women without controlling for whether they are in similar roles and levels. This suggests that companies with a high percentage of women execs also have more women in other highly-paid roles. This is what PayScale refers to as the “opportunity gap.”

Employee Satisfaction is Higher for Men and Women, Too

It may not be surprising that companies with more female executives have a narrower pay gap. But our study also showed that both men and women report a higher level of job satisfaction at companies with more female leaders, and fewer of them say they are considering leaving in the next six months.

Measuring our Pay Gap at Redfin

When I first became CTO in 2015, we hadn’t yet measured our gender pay gap, in part because we weren’t sure whether we had enough engineers to get a meaningful result. But our Women in Tech group suggested we do an analysis for any role where we had at least two men and two women at the same level. The numbers might be small, but it would give us a way to manually inspect any pay gap differences that the algorithm flagged.

In the end, we didn’t see any statistically significant difference in how men and women are paid. But we now look at our gender pay gap when we do compensation adjustments to ensure that no issues creep in as we grow. We also decided to publish our pay gap and other diversity statistics publicly, as a way to both hold ourselves accountable and to encourage other companies to join us in publishing their data.

Increased transparency is one way we can work together to close the pay gap in our industry. But our analysis shows that getting more women into executive positions could help, too.

Methodology

PayScale analyzed 6,562 salary profiles of employees surveyed between June 2015 and June 2017 who listed their employer as being one of the 31 predetermined major tech companies chosen by Redfin. High female leadership refers to major tech companies whose leadership teams are at least 25% female, and low female leadership refers to major tech companies whose leadership teams are less than 20% female. The controlled gender pay gap controls for variables such as years of experience, whereas the uncontrolled gender pay gap is measured by looking only at median pay.

Luxury home prices rose 7.5 percent in the second quarter of 2017 compared to last year, to an average of $1.79 million. The analysis tracks home sales in more than 1,000 cities across the country and defines the luxury market as the top 5 percent most expensive homes sold in the city in each quarter.

The average price for non-luxury homes was $336,000, up 7 percent compared to a year earlier. This is the first time since the fourth quarter of 2014 that luxury homes had stronger price growth than homes in the bottom 95 percent of the market.

The price increase may have been driven by a drop in the number of luxury homes on the market. The number of homes for sale priced at or above $1 million fell 9.4 percent compared to the same period last year. The number of homes priced at or above $5 million saw a similar decline at 9.5 percent. This marked the first quarter in which luxury inventory fell year over year since Redfin began reporting on the luxury market in 2014.

Luxury sales were strong. Sales of homes priced at or above $1 million were up 22.2 percent from a year ago, while sales of homes priced at or above $5 million were up 19.6 percent. The strong growth in sales, especially paired with the falling supply, suggests that high-end buyers have confidence in the economy and see U.S. real estate as a smart place to invest their wealth.

“The housing shortage is now affecting the top of the housing market,” said Redfin chief economist Nela Richardson. “After five consecutive quarters of double-digit inventory growth, the number of million dollar-plus homes for sale dropped by 9.4 percent. Yet despite the strong uptick in prices, the luxury market is not nearly as competitive as the rest of the market. Only one in 50 luxury homes homes sold above list price in the second quarter, compared to more than one in four homes in the bottom 95 percent.”

1

Biggest Winners

The luxury market in the city of Irvine, CA led the nation with the strongest year-over-year price growth in the second quarter. The average price of a luxury property increased 37.4 percent compared to last year to $3.5 million. Reno, NV; Long Beach, CA and Clearwater, FL also had big gains, with average luxury home prices up 35.4 percent, 25.4 percent and 25 percent respectively.

Karl Stenske, a Redfin agent in Orange County, believes that the strong luxury price gains in both Irvine and Long Beach may reflect growth in the local tech economy. “With technology companies continuing to move into the area, bringing high-wage jobs, we are seeing the related increase in demand impact high-end housing prices,” he said.

Stenske says builders are developing communities with price points in the millions, further propelling the luxury market. “Irvine is still growing and has a lot of land to develop. With the mix of more high-wage employers in the area, lower housing costs than Silicon Valley and the draw of the Southern California beach life, I believe will see this growth in the luxury market continue.”

List of Biggest Winners

1

Biggest Losers

The average price for a luxury home fell furthest in Miami, down 23 percent from a year ago to $1.86 million. Redfin Miami agent Jose Medina believes the price decline is due to an abundance of luxury condo developments in Miami. The number of homes for sale priced at or above $5 million was up 166.7 percent compared to last year.

“The luxury condo market is completely saturated right now,” said Medina. “High-end developments used to require deposits of up to 50 percent. Now we’re seeing those deposit amounts drop to 10 percent in some cases as developers compete to win over luxury buyers.”

While the luxury market is saturated, competition is still high for moderately priced homes in Miami. Prices for the bottom 95 percent of the market were up almost 8 percent.

Among the biggest luxury market losers were Delray Beach, FL and Alpharetta, GA, down 17.3 percent 10.5 percent, respectively.

List of Biggest Losers

1

Most Expensive Sales

Curious about the most expensive homes sold last quarter? Take a peek at the top-five most expensive sales and live vicariously through these new luxury owners:

1. The famed L.A. estate of Edie Goetz sold for $40.8 million. Billionaire investor Nicolas Berggruen now owns a piece of Hollywood history.
2. This brand new lakefront Palm Beach, FL home features modern styling and was offered fully furnished. It sold for $31.6 million.
3. This luxury penthouse on the exclusive Fisher Island boasts a rooftop pool and desk and a whooping 9,700 square feet. It sold for $31.3 million.
4. Celine Dion had this custom resort home designed and built for her family in 2010. Listed for $38.5 million, it sold for $28 million.
5. With 15,000 square feet of luxurious living space, landscaped gardens and a 90210 zip code, this $25 million property has everything (except photos)!  

Visit the Redfin Data Center to find more housing market data for metro areas around the country.

Methodology: Redfin tracks the most expensive 5 percent of homes sold in more than 1,000 U.S. cities and compares price changes to the bottom 95 percent of homes in those cities. Analysis is based on multiple-listing and county recorder sales data in markets served by Redfin. To determine luxury market winners and losers, we looked at cities with at least 40 luxury sales in the quarter and an average luxury sale price of $1 million or higher.

Twenty-one percent of Redfin.com users in the second quarter of 2017 searched for homes outside the metro where they reside, up slightly from nearly 20 percent in the first quarter. The Redfin Migration Report analyzed a sample of more than one million Redfin.com users searching for homes across 75 metro areas from April through June.

Many of the migratory trends observed in the first quarter continued in the second quarter, including a trend of people leaving large, expensive cities for more affordable, mid-tier cities.

1. There continued to be significant migration within the state of California, as buyers looked to leave the Bay Area and Los Angeles, heading to Sacramento and San Diego.
2. Several Rust Belt metros saw residents looking for homes in Chicago.
3. Metros in the South and the Sunbelt attracted migrants from expensive coastal cities.
4. Chicago, Boston and Seattle again had the highest share of residents looking to stay in their current metros.

“Home searches are early indicators of home sales. The migration patterns presented here closely correlate to actual purchases made by Redfin home-buying customers within and across metros,” said Taylor Marr, a Redfin data scientist who conducted the underlying research.

“Buyers who can’t afford a home in their current city are exploring what is available elsewhere. We are already seeing strong buyer demand and competition in mid-tier cities like Sacramento, Phoenix and Atlanta. As home searches evolve into purchase offers and home sales, we anticipate prices and competition will continue to grow in those markets.”

Moving Out – Metros with the Highest Net Outflow of Users

The Bay Area ranked highest for net outflow for the second quarter in a row, which means the number of people in the Bay Area searching for homes in another metro was greater than the number of people in other metros searching for homes in the Bay Area.

For prospective buyers in the Bay Area the most frequent search destination was Sacramento, where the median sale price was $376,000 in June. For comparison, the median sale price in San Francisco was $1.25 million. The top out-of-state destination was Seattle.

New York and Los Angeles ranked second and third for largest net outflow for the second quarter in a row. Boston usurped Philadelphia as the most popular destination among people looking to leave New York. Like San Franciscans, Angelenos were also making intrastate moves. Of the people in Los Angeles looking outside the area, more than a quarter searched in San Diego.

Three Rust Belt cities made the list of metros with the largest net outflow: Detroit, Milwaukee and Dayton. In all three, more than a quarter of people searching on Redfin.com were searching outside their current metro. Chicago was the most popular destination for Rust Belt users.

“Chicago is the hub of the Midwest,” explains Lamar Austin, a Redfin agent in Chicago. “Many doctors, engineers and professionals from graduate and residency programs move here to take the next step. While homes are more expensive in Chicago than cities like Detroit, salaries tend to be higher and there are more opportunities to move up the career ladder in a big, international city with many corporate headquarters and a flourishing tech industry. People moving here are often interested in buying right away because it’s often cheaper to own than rent, given how high rents are right now.”

Moving In – Metros with the Highest Net Inflow of Users

San Diego and Sacramento ranked first and second by net inflow, with the biggest share of searchers coming from Los Angeles and the Bay Area, respectively.

Beyond California, metros in the Sun Belt (Phoenix and Las Vegas) and the South (Atlanta, Dallas, Tampa, Miami and Austin) were top destinations for home searchers. The largest share of incomers came from high-priced coastal cities, including Los Angeles, New York and Washington, D.C.

Tampa had the largest share of outside searchers– approximately 46 percent of people searching in Tampa were from outside the area. Wendy Peterson, a Redfin agent in Tampa, was not surprised that transplants were most commonly coming from Washington, D.C.

“We work with a lot of people moving here from D.C. and Maryland, and a good number from Chicago and the West Coast as well,” said Wendy. “Tampa is a rapidly growing city. From the new medical center to the military base to the sports and entertainment venues, there is a lot going on and many employment opportunities. Business leaders like Jeff Vinik, who owns the Tampa Bay Lightning, and the city government have put a lot of effort into revitalizing the downtown. The new Tampa Downtown Market rivals the famous Pike Place Market in Seattle. With the low cost of living and great weather, the area is a magnet for young professionals and families.”

Staying Put

Across the 75 metro areas in the analysis, 79 percent of Redfin.com users looked for homes primarily within their home metro. Chicago, Boston and Seattle had the most loyal residents for the second quarter. More than 9 in 10 looked to put down roots by searching for a home in their current location.

As factors influencing people’s decisions regarding where to live evolve, Redfin search data reveal emerging migration patterns with home seekers shifting their search to lower-cost, second-tier markets and away from expensive coastal cities. We will continue to track migration using Redfin’s proprietary user dataset each quarter.

Find your Metro: On the below interactive map, select one metro area origin (or destination) to see the top 10 destinations (or origins) for that metro.

If you’d like more information about this analysis or its underlying data, please email press@redfin.com.

Methodology

Redfin analyzed a sample of more than one million Redfin.com users searching for homes across 75 metro areas from April through June. Users must have viewed at least 10 listings during the quarter. We also excluded locations that in aggregate represented less than 20 percent of a user’s searches. We determined the home metro by mapping the user’s IP address of the most common location they searched from. If a user was searching in more than one metro, we accounted for the share of searches in each metro. Combined Statistical Areas (as defined here) must have had at least 500 users either searching from or in that metro during the first quarter.

It’s worth noting that net inflow and outflow data does not account for Redfin’s market share or the population of metro areas. In metros where Redfin has a larger number of website visitors, we may have a higher volume of inbound and outbound searches than in metros that are smaller or where Redfin has a smaller user base. The U.S. Census Bureau measures net migration flows, which is a common practice when analyzing migratory patterns.

As locals know, Boise has a bit of everything: vibrant neighborhoods, a charming downtown and outdoor activities for every season. And now Boise has Redfin real estate agents! Starting this week, people in Boise can work with Redfin agents to buy and sell homes, and use Redfin.com and mobile tools to search for homes for sale across the metro area.

Paul Reid will lead the Boise team and grow the business locally. Paul is a veteran Redfin agent with a decade of real estate experience. He joined Redfin as an agent in Orange County, Calif. in 2010. In 2013, he moved on to lead Redfin’s expansion to the Inland Empire of Southern California in 2013.

After helping dozens of homebuyers and sellers achieve their goals and building an important market for Redfin, Paul went on to join Redfin’s new ventures team, collaborating with engineers, data scientists and leaders from across the country to evaluate and launch new growth opportunities for the company. A respected leader and innovator within Redfin and the real estate industry, we’re thrilled he’ll be bringing his expertise, creativity and passion for customer service to Boise.

“My wife and I had been considering a move to Boise for a while and I’m so excited to plant the Redfin flag here in the Treasury Valley. We’d been looking for a tight-knit community to raise our two little girls and we love that Boise has a small-town vibe, while also offering a lively downtown, the University, lots of restaurants, culture and natural beauty,” said Paul.

“When I launched Redfin in the Inland Empire four years ago, people were very receptive to our service and technology, and I am anticipating an enthusiastic response in Boise. The Boise real estate market is competitive and homes in desirable areas are moving fast. In Redfin.com and our mobile app, Boise homebuyers have a reliable and handy source of information on homes across the area. They can sign up for Redfin Instant Updates to find out immediately when a home hits the market. If they want to go see it right away, they can schedule a tour with a Redfin agent right from their smartphone. I’m excited to get started helping Boiseans navigate the market and get their dream home.”

The Redfin model is different from traditional brokerages in that it combines advanced technology with employee-agents who are paid a salary, receive benefits and earn bonuses based on customer satisfaction. Customer reviews for Redfin agents are published on their online profiles.

By pairing our own agents with our own technology, Redfin has created a service that is faster, better, and costs less. We meet customers through our listings-search website and mobile application, reducing the marketing costs that can keep fees high and allowing us to pass along savings to our clients.

For buyers, Redfin refunds part of the agent commission. For sellers, Redfin agents will charge a 1.5 percent listing fee in Boise, rather than the typical 2.5 to 3 percent, while providing a complete home-selling service including pricing and staging advice, free professional photography and marketing.

Paul is ready and excited to assist buyers and sellers in Boise. If you’re thinking about buying or selling, feel free to connect with our local team or instantly book a home tour.

Redfin.com and the Redfin mobile apps also offer several ways to find out about homes for sale and about the local market, even if you’re just dipping your toe in the water, including:

• Book It Now: Ability to instantly schedule a home tour with a Redfin agent with a single click from a browser, iPhone, iPad or Android app.
• Redfin 3D Walkthrough: High-resolution, interactive views from every angle inside homes listed with a Redfin agent. (Coming soon)
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Rosé is every bit as complex and sophisticated as its red and white cousins, so it’s no wonder that both rosé enthusiasts and brand-new bandwagoners are turning to wine experts for help in pinning down their go-to summertime sip.

Based on our tabulations of these connoisseurs’ favorite wine bars, plus over 350 phone calls to wine bars to determine their selection, we’ve identified the best cities in the country for exploring rosé! We included each city’s Walk Score to give you an idea of how easy it is to stroll from bar to bar, and median home sale price to help you assess cost of living.

Rosé is best enjoyed chilled, among good conversation and company — and of course, with a safe ride home lined up! Here are the best cities for rosé lovers:

1. New York, NY

Walk Score: 89
Median Home Sale Price: $900,000

Native New Yorkers will tell you that there are few things more perfect than a summer’s day in NYC — but even the most memorable day in the Empire State would get an instant boost with a refreshing glass of rosé. There are wine bars sprinkled throughout the city, many of which boast awe-inspiring selections of rosé.

We recommend: Instead of taking a bite out of the Big Apple, take a sip of it instead with a pinot noir rosé that has subtle flavors of crabapple and watermelon. It’s an elegant option that has a bit of an edge — much like New York itself.

Notable wine bars: Aldo Sohm Wine Bar, Buvette Gastrotheque, Charlie Bird, Corkbuzz Wine Studio, Daniel, Donostia, Eleven Madison Park, The Four Horsemen, Gabriel Kreuther, Gramercy Tavern, Hearth, i Trulli, June, Kaia Wine Bar, La Compagnie Des Vins Surnaturels, Le Bernardin, Lelabar, Marta, Molyvos, Momofuku Ko, Peasant, Rebelle, The Ten Bells, Terroir, Wallse, Wildair

 2. New Orleans, LA

Walk Score: 58
Median Home Sale Price: $319,000

The Big Easy may be famous for Bourbon Street, but with the dozens of options available to wine lovers across all of the city’s wine bars, Rosé Avenue may as well be on the map, too. Perhaps the best part about enjoying a glass of wine in New Orleans is being able to sip it while taking in a live jazz performance and truly soaking up the culture of this historic, colorful city.

We recommend: Grenache rosé is as bold as New Orleans with its deep red hue and notes of allspice — perfect for pairing with a zesty Cajun dish like jambalaya.

Notable wine bars: Bacchanal Wine, Brennan’s, Commander’s Palace, Patrick’s Bar Vin

3. San Francisco, CA

Walk Score: 86
Median Home Sale Price: $1,250,000

An artistic community like San Francisco is bound to be full of muses, and rosé seems to be one of its favorites. Better yet, it’s also an artistic expression in the Golden City: some wine bars, like the Liholiho Yacht Club, make and serve their own in-house spin on rosé.

We recommend: Zinfandel rosé, which is also known as White Zinfandel, is a sweet crowd pleaser that’s versatile enough to be enjoyed across the city’s many attractions, whether you’re touring the local wine country or soaking up some sun on the beach.

Notable wine bars: 20 Spot, A16 Restaurant & Wine Bar, Amelie Le Bar a Vin, Aquitaine Wine Bistro, Bar Bambino, The Barrel Room, Coi, Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant, Fig & Thistle, The Hidden Vine, High Treason, Hotel Biron Wine Bar & Art Gallery, Liholiho Yacht Club, Press Club, Terroir Natural Wine Bar & Merchant, Union Larder, Wine Kitchen

4. Dallas, TX

Walk Score: 46
Median Home Sale Price: $461,000

Summer temperatures in Dallas can peak over 100 degrees in the summer, so enjoying a glass of rosé is a natural fit for a warm evening watching the sun set over the Lone Star State. Cowboys and cowgirls can treat themselves to rosé from across the world, and even wines bottled right in Dallas.

We recommend: Everything’s bigger in Texas, so go for it with the bold, unique flavor of Tempranillo rosé, which has an eclectic mix of fruity and spicy notes — an exciting complement to a complex Tex-Mex or classic ribeye steak dinner.

Notable wine bars: The Alcove, Cork, Crú Food & Wine Bar, FT33, Mercy Wine Bar, Pappas Bros. Steakhouse, Stoney’s Wine Lounge, Times Ten Cellars, Veritas Wine Room, Whitehall Exchange

5. Washington, D.C.

Walk Score: 77
Median Home Sale Price: $595,000

Washington, D.C., has a bit of a no-nonsense reputation — after all, it is where our nation’s leaders make huge decisions. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty of fun to be had in D.C.! Between the area’s specialty wine bars and world-famous restaurants, wine connoisseurs can treat themselves to rosé by the glass, bottle or even flight.

We recommend: D.C. is a melting pot that hosts decision makers from all over the world, so drinking a rosé that’s a motley of other wines seems only fitting. Provence rosé blends three to four rosés per bottle, and its crisp, fruity flavor satisfies just about every palate.

Notable wine bars: Acacia Bistro & Wine Bar, Bistrot Lepic & Wine Bar, Cork Wine Bar, ENO Wine Bar, Fiola Di Fabio Trabocchi, Iron Gate, Kinship, Le Chat Noir Restaurant Français & Wine Lounge, Proof, Slate Wine Bar + Bistro, Sonoma Restaurant & Wine Bar, Urbana Restaurant & Wine Bar, Vinoteca

6. Chicago, IL

Walk Score: 78
Median Home Sale Price: $295,000

Chicago is bustling during the warm summer months, so there are plenty of opportunities to revel in the rosé experience the way it was meant to be. For a perfect summer day, take a break from the heat of exploring Millennium Park or the Riverwalk with a chilled glass of wine, then top off the evening at one of Chicagoland’s acclaimed wine bars.

We recommend: Sangiovese rosé is both fruity and floral, and will evoke feelings of strolling through one of the Windy City’s botanical gardens or picking the perfect, locally-grown summer fruit at one of its farmers markets.

Notable wine bars: Ada St., Avec, Bar Pastoral, D.O.C Wine Bar, Davanti Enoteca, ENO, Intro, Naoki Sushi, Maple & Ash, Osteria Langhe, Pops for Champagne, Rootstock Wine & Beer, Sepia, Spiaggia, The Lunatic, The Lover & The Poet, The Purple Pig, Eataly Chicago

7. Detroit, MI

Walk Score: 55
Median Home Sale Price: $35,000

When the temperatures rise in Motor City, there’s nothing quite as invigorating as taking a lakeside stroll with a fresh glass of chilled wine in hand. Rosé is not only a refreshing way to cool off between outdoor adventures at Belle Isle Park or the riverfront, but as a way to end a day of taking in the sights of the Institute of Art or Hitsville USA.

We recommend: Detroiters are a tough bunch, and only a strong breed of rosé is worthy of this city’s affections. Tavel rosé is as full bodied as they come in this category of vino, and its high alcohol content isn’t for the faint of heart.

Notable wine bar: Vertical Detroit

8. Seattle, WA

Walk Score: 73
Median Home Sale Price: $729,000

Seattle is a beautiful city with plenty of year-round outdoor activities, but since the rain is known to come down at a moment’s notice, it’s no surprise that it’s also famous for its indoor retreats. Coffee shops, gourmet restaurants and wine bars are at every turn of the city, and rosé lovers have no shortage of options for finding a flat or sparkling drink to satisfy their cravings.

We recommend: Seattle may be known for its rainfall, but its beautiful cityscape shines through even the grayest of skies. Similarly, Sangiovese rosé is bright and rich and seems to light up any glass, and its dry finish will help wine enthusiasts feel sheltered when the rain starts to pour.

Notable wine bars: Bar Cantinetta, Bateau, Bottlehouse, Cafe Pressé, Canlis, El Gaucho, Fonté Café & Wine Bar, Le Caviste, Poco Wine + Spirits, Purple Café & Wine Bar, RN74, The Sitting Room, The Tasting Room, Ten Mercer

9. Boston, MA

Walk Score: 81
Median Home Sale Price: $888,000

If there is a more refreshing way to enjoy a summer breeze flowing off of Boston Harbor than with a fresh glass of rosé in hand, we certainly can’t think of it. Beantown offers a gargantuan list of ways to enjoy a glass of wine, whether your wish is to visit a specialty wine bar, share a bottle over a decadent meal or even watch a Pats home game with a glass of grape.

We recommend: Bostonians are known for being fearless, which is exactly the type of crowd that Cabernet Sauvignon rosé was made for. With its exotic flavors of cherry, black currant and bell pepper and its Red Sox-hailing, ruby red glow, it’s the perfect option for locals (and those pretending to be).

Notable wine bars: Bar Boulud, Barcelona South End, Bin 26 Enoteca, BISq, The Butcher Shop, Craigie on Main, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, Grill 23 & Bar, Les Zygomates, Meritage Restaurant + Wine Bar, Piattini Wine Cafe, Select Oyster Bar, Sip Wine Bar & Kitchen, Spoke Wine Bar, Troquet

10. Atlanta, GA (tied)

Walk Score: 49
Median Home Sale Price: $385,000

The South prides itself on its hospitality, and in Atlanta that includes offering locals and visitors an outstanding array of rosé to choose from. Whether you’re dreaming of a night out on the town to enjoy a sparkling option or prefer to bring a bottle home for a quiet night in, the A promises to treat rosé lovers of all tastes.

We recommend: If you’re in the Big Peach, it’s borderline criminal not to kick back with a glass of Syrah rosé, which is made with peach skin and delivers a flavor that will make all Georgians rejoice.

Notable wine bars: Barcelona Wine Bar, Bellina Alimentari, d’Vine Wine Bar, E. 48th Street Market, Empire State South, Krog Bar, Miller Union, Murphy’s, Portofino, Restaurant Eugene, Top Flr, Ziba’s Restaurant & Wine Bar

10. Portland, OR (tied)

Walk Score: 65
Median Home Sale Price: $525,000

Portland is filled with lush, beautiful scenery, and adventure seems to always be waiting just around the corner — as are the opportunities to discover a new rosé favorite. Whether you’re in the mood for an upscale dining experience or have a thirst for a behind-the-scenes experience at a local winery, Portland won’t disappoint even the most seasoned wine lover.

We recommend: The perfect complement to the City of Roses is a wine that’s not only beautiful in appearance, but also has notes of actual rose. Ask for a Mourvèdre Rosé which is known for floral hints of violet and rose.In addition to its floral notes, your tastebuds will be delighted by bold plum and cherry flavors.

Notable wine bars: Ambonnay, Ava Gene’s, Bar Avignon, Coopers Hall, Coquine,  Le Pigeon, Noble Rot, Southeast Wine Collective

Finally, enjoy the top 10 bars with the most rosé options on the menu!

1. Terrior, New York, NY

• Number of unique rosés: 100

2. Vertical Detroit, Detroit, MI

• Number of unique rosés: 74

3. Addison at the Grand Del Mar, San Diego, CA

• Number of unique rosés: 73

4. Bacchanal Wine, New Orleans, LA

• Number of unique rosés: 70

5. Rebelle, New York, NY

• Number of unique rosés: 41

6. Element 47 at The Little Nell, Aspen, CO

• Number of unique rosés: 40

7. Wally’s Beverly Hills, Beverly Hills, CA

• Number of unique rosés: 39

8. The French Laundry, Yountville, SC

• Number of unique rosés: 36

9. Ça Va, Kansas City, MO

• Number of unique rosés: 30

10. The Barrel Room, San Francisco, CA

• Number of unique rosés: 30

Methodology

Using a collection of 15 rankings lists we first compiled a list of the United States’ 400 most-notable wine bars. If a wine bar was mentioned in one of these lists, it was considered notable. The more times a notable wine bar was mentioned across our lists, the higher that bar’s “notability” score.

We then called each wine bar in order to determine the range of selection in rosé options available (we favored “by the bottle” in our total count of range). The more numerous the rosé options, the higher the wine bar’s rosé score. We then multiplied the bar’s notability by its range of rosé offerings.

Lastly, we determined a city’s rosé score by adding up all of that city’s wine bar scores.

Therefore, in order for a city to rank on our list, it must be home to wine bars that have critics raving over both their existence and a wide selection of rosé (and of course they had to answer the phone). Quality, quantity and accessibility were all factors in determining our winners!!

Lists Referenced

The 21 Best Wine Bars in the Country
Gayot: Best Wine Bars in the US
Food & Wine: The Best Wine Bars in the US
Top 20 Wine Bars in America
Travel + Leisure: America’s Best Wine Bars
The Top Wine Bar in Each of America’s Major Cities — 2015 Edition
Top 10 Wine Bars
America’s Best New Wine Bars
The 19 Hottest Wine Bars Across the Country Right Now
The 9 Best Wine Bars in America
The best wine bars in America
Fodor’s Travel: America’s Best Wine Bars
Best Wine Bars
America’s 100 Best Wine Restaurants of 2016
America’s Best Wine Regions to Visit, Ranked by Sommeliers
What Rosé Should I Drink? A Guide to Styles of Rosé Wine

Did we miss a wine bar in your city that carries your must-have rosé? Tell us about it in the comments!