Cutting-edge marketing with a global reach, leveraging deep local knowledge and networks of and within micro-communities Kirkland Bellevue, The Points Communities, Medina, and Clyde Hill.
"When I wanted to buy this house, Karen was the first agent to be able to serve me immediately. First of all, she is very professional, Very friendly and very patient especially people like me who are not very good at English, she can help Solve all the problems, she not only help me buy a horse, she can even help me find a rental house people, as well as housing insurance and something else etc. I am very happy to know her."
Alice L.
"Karen is a pleasure to work with and really exceeded all expectations for two separate property sales with us. Her extreme attention to detail, high availability, sharp negotiation skills, and insights into the market made us extremely happy to have her on our side."
Taqi J.
"Karen is a realtor who stands for her clients. She makes the buying process fun, systematic, and painless. Karen always knows the next step, and when there is a problem, she has multiple solutions to make sure things go smoothly. Karen’s knowledge of real estate and the process is second to none. In a hot market, having a good agent is very important. I can say with confidence Karen will steer you in the direction to get the exact house you want. This is my second home with Karen, and we have had amazing experiences. Go with Karen!"
Jonathan C.
"Karen was fantastic to work with! As a first-time homebuyer in Seattle, I was amazed at how easy the process could be with a great realtor like Karen. She truly went above and beyond to help. Karen performed multiple live video tours so that I could see homes while living in a different city, and she was extremely knowledgeable about the market, especially when it came to writing competitive contracts in multiple offer situations. Karen worked hand-in-hand with my lender from PrimeLending and was fully engaged and a quick phone call away for all of my questions throughout the process. I would highly recommend Karen for your home-buying experience!"
Colleen R.
"Excellent realtor, went above and beyond for us in a very tough market! Would definitely recommend him! He knews the area inside out, he is local. Very responsive!"
Lina C.
"When only the best will do! If you're looking for your dream home, then look no further than Karen Balkin. Karen brings together a winning combination of experience, focus, and patience. Karen helped us navigate the complexities of a new market and a constantly evolving target home. Her ability to act fast and stay calm at all times was truly remarkable. If you’re looking for a genuine and empathetic realtor to help you realize your dream then look no further than Karen Balkin!"
Buyer | Seller
"I really lucked out working with Karen Balkin. She is everything you should look for in a Real Estate Agent. Karen is patient, experienced and her positive approach made me feel comfortable and confident during the process of purchasing my first home. Whenever I had questions, Karen was quick to respond in a manner that was easy for me to understand. I would highly recommend Karen Balkin to any of my friends or family who are currently looking to purchase/sell a home."
Buyer | Seller
"Karen helped me purchase my new home. There was a lot of work needed to be done around the purchase as things came up, but Karen quickly worked to have them resolved. She genuinely works for your best interests. She had a wonderful report with the listing agent, which made it easier to deal with the issues as they came up. Karen has now helped me purchase 2 homes and sell one."
Buyer | Seller
"We were in the house hunting market for a while when we met Karen and since then we never looked back. She helped us buy our very first home. Karen is professional, extremely patient and considerate about our ever-changing busy schedules. We loved working with her and highly recommend anyone looking for a real estate expert with a touch of class :) Wish you good luck Karen!"
Buyer | Seller
"She provides advanced up to date information and showed few houses included the one we bought as per our specific requirements and budget! I would definitely recommend her!"
Keep on top with latest and exclusive updates from our blog on the Washington real estate world. Elite Homes Team posts about tips and trends for buyers, sellers, and investors every week. Whether it be about staging your property or a snapshot of the market, this is your one stop shop.
Local Market Update – October 2026
September brought a mixed picture across our four markets, but, overall, homes are taking longer to sell and more are requiring a price adjustment, a
Karen Balkin Elite Homes Team Windermere Real Estate
Posted 3 weeks ago
October Real Estate Market Trends and Stats Seattle Seattle saw the median residential sold price rise to $960,000 in September, up 4% from August, though still 2% below last year. 44% of all sales came in above or at asking, and 63% of homes sold in under 30 days—a sign of continued demand and that sellers are adjusting to buyer expectations, though nearly 40% of homes needed a price drop to sell. Let’s connect to talk through what this means for your plans. Eastside The Eastside tipped into a buyer’s market in September as inventory levels climbed to 4.1 months. The median residential sold price fell to $1,425,000, down 1% from August and 10% from the same time last year. With nearly half of sales coming only after a price cut and just 48% of homes selling within 30 days, buyers have real leverage right now. Sellers will want to lean hard into strategy. Reach out to talk through what today’s conditions could mean for you. #KarenBalkin #EliteHomesTeam #WindermereYarrowBay #OctoberMarketUpdate #LuxuryRealEstate
Karen Balkin Elite Homes Team Windermere Real Estate
Posted 7 weeks ago
Housing & Economic Update: Why Are Mortgage Rates On The Rise? In this month’s Numbers to Know, Windermere Principal Economist Jeff Tucker looks at why the Federal Reserve raised interest rates and what that means for the housing market. He also explores rising inventory, slowing buyer demand, and what these trends could mean for buyers and sellers this fall. Watch the full update! #KarenBalkin #WindermereEconomics #Economic #HousingIndustry #HousingUpdate
Karen Balkin Elite Homes Team Windermere Real Estate
Posted 8 weeks ago
September Real Estate Market Trends and Stats Seattle Seattle cooled noticeably in August but still held its competitive edge. The median residential sold price dropped to $920,000, down 8% from both July and a year ago. Even so, nearly a quarter of homes still sold above asking, while 41% required a price cut first, reflecting a market that provides more incentive for sellers to price strategically and more room for buyers to negotiate. Homes still moved quickly, with 72% going under contract within 30 days. DM me to talk through what this means for you. Eastside The Eastside’s inventory eased back in August after peaking at a decade high, as buyer activity picked up and started absorbing some of that supply. The median residential sold price fell to $1,445,721, down 8% from July and 6% from last year. Nearly half of homes sold only after a price drop, adding to buyers’ negotiating power, though sellers who price appropriately can still find success — nearly a quarter of homes sold above or at asking price. Let’s connect and talk through what today’s trends mean for you. #KarenBalkin #EliteHomesTeam #WindermereYarrowBay #SeptemberMarketUpdate #LuxuryRealEstate
