Microsoft is doing less hiring. I heard about this a few months back from friends and clients  who work at the company.  Now Microsoft’s hiring slowdown is more public, being reported on in last week’s Seattle P-I.  This is big news for Seattle/Eastside real estate, but particularly for those who live near the main Microsoft campus in Redmond.

For 22 years, I’ve been selling homes in the West Redmond area, around the main campus and the Redwest campus of the company.  Microsoft employees live all over the Puget Sound region,  but many of the Microsoft employees live close to work.  Redmond and Bellevue real estate  has been hugely impacted by the company.

The neighborhoods around Microsoft has been the strongest on the eastside for selling a home for several years.  Most months of 2007-08,  the Redmond/Microsoft area had a higher percentage of real estate sales than any other eastside area.   The real estate sales activity I report on each week on this blog is directly impacted by Microsoft.

Does the change in Microsoft’s hiring affect Redmond real estate sales activity?  Yes, but fortunately, there are other reasons why Redmond will continue to be a one of the stronger areas on the eastside for real estate investments.

• Redmond is close to employment centers in Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, and Seattle.
• Redmond’s location provides shorter commutes.
• Available public transportation.
• Some of the more affordable housing on the eastside.  The eastside is not an inexpensive area, but the majority of homes in the Redmond area fall in the $500-750,000 range.  The number of homes available in the $400+ range is also increasing.
• Good schools.
• Convenient shopping centers, such as Redmond Town Center.
• Great parks.

These are only some of the reasons Redmond will be continue to be one of the more popular places to live.  Real estate sales are slower and prices have taken a tumble, and may be for a while, but Redmond, Washington has the amenities which will help it come back faster than other areas.