Author Archives: Ken Poletski
What Buyers Should Consider When Searching for a Home
The desire to purchase your first home or make a move to your next one often builds over time. It starts as a dream. You drive through neighborhoods and imagine what it would be like to own one of those homes. You picture yourself pulling into your own driveway. You think about having a place... Read More
The Real Estate Investment Avatar: Why Most People Never Buy Their First Investment Property
Over the years I have had countless conversations with people who tell me they want to invest in real estate. When I ask them what they want to buy, the answer is often the same. “I don’t know.” They know they want to build wealth. They know they want passive income. They know they want... Read More
Waiting for Rates to Drop Might Be the Most Expensive Decision You Make
One of the most common things we are hearing from home buyers today is: “We’re going to wait until interest rates come down.” At first glance, that sounds like a reasonable plan. Lower rates mean lower payments, right? Not necessarily. After nearly 30 years in real estate, I’ve watched buyers sit on the sidelines waiting... Read More
Washington’s New Real Estate Law: Protection or Overreach?
There’s a new law coming to Washington State real estate in June 2026, and depending on who you ask, it’s either protecting consumers or restricting how we do business. Like most things in real estate, the truth is somewhere in the middle, and if you’re actually in the field working with buyers, sellers, or builders,... Read More
The 5 Key People You Need When Buying a Home
Recently, I put out a podcast on who the key people are when you’re buying a home. I started podcasting as a way to share over 30 years of experience helping buyers, sellers, and investors. That experience gives me a perspective on the market that many people don’t have. In both my articles and podcasts,... Read More
Understanding Buyer Brokerage Service Agreements in Washington State
In a recent podcast, I talked about the confusion around Washington State requiring agency agreements between real estate agents and buyers. As of January 1, 2024, if an agent is going to represent you as a buyer, there must be a signed agreement in place. It’s called a Buyer Brokerage Services Agreement. This came out of... Read More
The Cost of Waiting: Why Sitting on the Fence Could Be Your Most Expensive Decision
After sitting hundreds of open houses and calling back countless online leads, I’ve heard the same thing over and over: “I think I’m going to wait.” When I ask why, the answers usually fall into three buckets: Waiting for prices to come down Waiting for interest rates to drop Waiting until they’ve saved enough for... Read More
What Does It Really Cost to Buy a Home in West Richland in 2026?
West Richland has one of the widest ranges of price points in the Tri-Cities. You can get into the market around $100,000, or you can spend well over $1 million depending on what you’re looking for. There really isn’t one “right” price—just what makes sense for your situation and your goals. If you’re thinking about... Read More
Why Everyone Is Moving to the Tri-Cities Right Now
This is not just growth. It is structured, long-term growth. The Tri-Cities has a combination of stable employment, expanding industry, infrastructure investment, and continued in-migration. That combination gives this market staying power. Where Are People Moving From? This is one of the biggest questions I get right now: where are all these people coming from?... Read More
Questions to Ask When Interviewing a Real Estate Agent
Choosing the right real estate agent is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when buying a home. These questions will help you understand how an agent works, how they represent you, and whether they’re the right fit for your goals. Helping You Choose the Right Representation 1. How will you represent me in... Read More