Happy Halloween from the Fontanez Laing Team and welcome to the September/October 2025 issue of our newsletter! In this issue, we present our latest market update, the new GG Magazine and more. For a quick overview, refer to "In This Issue."
Our featured photo at the top of our newsletter is from the September Mercer Island Art Walk event (first Friday of every month) at our Mercer Island shop. For more information about the upcoming Mercer Island Art Walk and more events, see Selected Local Events and Happenings. This issue also includes three(!) playlists for you to enjoy!
Thank you for your continued support of our team! |
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MI Art Uncorked 2025
- GG Magazine
- Selected Local Events and Happenings
- Day of the Dead Events
- Etcetera
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As the season changes and the leaves fall, the real estate market across King, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties continues its shift. Inventory has reached its highest point of the year, giving buyers more to choose from and a bit more time to decide. Prices remain steady in most areas, and sellers who price well are still seeing solid activity.
In the commercial sector, office vacancies remain high and recent job cuts in technology and logistics continue to influence demand. These employment shifts have added a layer of caution to the broader market, though well-located retail, mixed-use, and adaptive reuse spaces are still drawing steady interest from investors and business owners planning ahead for 2026. The result is a market that feels cautious but focused on long-term opportunity. |
The Federal Reserve’s recent rate cut marked a turning point after several years of steady increases and may help strengthen confidence across the housing market in the months ahead. Mortgage rates in our region have eased slightly compared with last fall, and many buyers are watching closely to see whether further relief is on the horizon. While the near-term effects will take time to emerge, the outlook for the new year appears a bit more encouraging than it did just a few months ago.
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Our team is here to help you navigate what lies ahead. Whether you are buying, selling, investing, or exploring new commercial opportunities, we are always glad to connect by phone or in person over coffee, tea, or a well-timed Happy Hour.
Julie & Robert |
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We pulled the winning cork—was it your guess? |
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| Thanks to everyone who stopped by Mercer Island Uncorked on 9/6 and joined the cork-count raffle at our Engel & Völkers table! The winning cork entry was 111 corks, and that's a lot of wine drinking just for those corks! Congrats to the first place and runner-up winners, pictured with their prizes! |
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The autumn issue of GG Magazine, FAMILY BUSINESS, honors the tradition, passion, and vision of family enterprises that continue to shape the worlds of design, luxury, and culture. |
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Hear from Leonardo Ferragamo on his parents’ legacy, the brand’s new direction, and the timelessness of true elegance.
- Discover Lily of the Valley Resort, a father-daughter creation on the Côte d’Azur blending French art de vivre with wellness innovation.
- Gain insights from Marlene Taschen, co-CEO of the iconic art book publisher, on balancing tradition with innovation.
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Meet interior designer Alexa Hampton, carrying her father Mark’s legacy into a new era with timelessly elegant spaces.
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Call, text or email us for your copy of GG Magazine (in English or Spanish) or explore the digital version at the links below. |
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SELECTED LOCAL EVENTS & HAPPENINGS |
🖌 🎶🛍 Mercer Island Art Walk: November 7th
Engel & Völkers Mercer Island is a host venue for the Mercer Island Art Walk - join us from 5pm to 8pm!
Other Area Art Walks: West Seattle Art Walk (November 13th), Pioneer Square Art Walk (November 6th), Belltown Art Walk (November 14th), Downtown Art Walk (November 28th)
Halloween at Wild Waves: October 17th - Nov. 2nd Queen Anne Wine Walk: November 8th
Fall Foliage Festival in Federal Way: November 8th - 9th Food Fair at Sand Point: November 15th
Cascade Bicycle Club’s Pedaling Relief Project: November 15th Newport Ski Swap in Bellevue: November 8th - 9th Pumpkin Patches: King County — Eastside, Enumclaw Pierce County — Buckley, Puyallup, Sumner
Snohomish County — Edmonds, Lake Stevens, Snohomish South Sound — Kent, Olympia, Puyallup |
DAY OF THE DEAD IN SEATTLE & TACOMA |
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Read our most recent past newsletters here: |
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Thank you for reading! Julie Fontanez and Robert Laing |
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