Saturday, October 28, 2006

King & Snohomish County Real Estate Prices Rise

Prices Continue To Rise

Home sales appear to be bottoming out with lower home prices attracting buyers in many areas of the country, according to the National Association of RealtorsĀ®. Are sales bottoming out due to lower prices in King and Snohomish counties? Not according to the September home sales figures.

Active listings in King County increased by 2,394 homes or 32 percent compared to the same time period in 2005. Sales decreased in September by 16 percent or 602 homes. The average market time, however, decreased by 3 percent during the same time period.

The average sales price is 7 percent higher than September 2005 and year-to-date prices are 14 percent higher or $458,544.


Snohomish County statistics look very similar. The number of active listings increased by 28 percent from September a year ago. And sales decreased by 159 homes or 10 percent with market times increasing 21 percent or 8 days.

The average sales prices in September increased by 10 percent compared to a year ago, while the year-to-date prices are up 10 percent or $350,241.

Buyers have more homes to choose from these days but prices are continuing to rise making it difficult for many first time buyers to enter the market. If you are thinking of buying a home and need to know how much home you qualify for, please contact me. I will put you in touch with a reputable lender. Also, visit WashingtonMLSsearch.net to set up your automated email home search.

Statistics compiled by the Northwest Multiple Listing Service and are deemed accurate but not warranted.

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Friday, October 20, 2006

RE/MAX CMN Auction Raises $70,000

RE/MAX Northwest held it's fourth annual RE/MAX CMN Auction and dinner on Friday, October 13, 2006 at the Inglewood Golf Club.
Matt and Caleb were in attendance. We had a sold out crowd of 220 agents, lenders, title people and clients. We grossed over $70,000! When you think of 220 people, most of them couples, as my auctioneer put it "there were about 100 wallets there to spend money for children".

We had a child from Children's Hospital and her mom attend. My client, Sharrie Duncan, purchased a live auction item, authentic Disney collectible figuerines for $800. She then turned around and gave them to our guest.

There was not a dry eye in the house. Little "Kate" was so surprised. We were all moved to tears, including Kate's mom. This was the biggest smile Kate had all night!

We had a "raise the paddle appeal" that in and of itself raised $17,000 in just plain cash donations!
We also sold raffle tickets for a 50/50 raffle. We gave away $500 and the lucky winner, the President of our Title Company, gave back the money to Children's! We are so proud to present this money to Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center in Seattle. These funds are applied to uncompensated care.

I just wanted to share a little bit of happiness with you all and show you what a little bit of work can create for your community.

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Saturday, October 14, 2006

Time To Pick Pumpkins

It's that time of year again...time for picking pumpkins and getting lost in corn mazes. You can have fun doing this with your kids at the following locations:

Biringer Farm: Pumpkin Country, children's activities, hay maze and corn maze. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., through Oct. 31, 4625 40th Place N.E., Everett. Cost: $7 for Pumpkin Country or the corn maze, or $12 for both. Scary Nights in the Cornfield, 7-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Oct. 22 and Oct. 25-31, cost: $10. Information: 425-259-0255 or BiringerFarm.com.

Carleton Farm: Pumpkins, hay rides, pumpkin cannon. 9 a.m.-dusk, through Oct. 31. Carleton Farm, 13817 Short School Road, Snohomish. Cost: Corn maze, $5, ages under 4 free. Information: 425-334-2297 or CarletonFarm.com.

Foster's Produce: Pumpkins, corn maze, pumpkin sling shot, story time, farm animals and children's activities. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. through Oct. 31, 5818 Highway 530, Arlington. Cost: corn maze $4.50, ages 3 and under free; hay maze for children $1. Information: 360-435-5095 or FostersCornMaze.com.

Stocker Farms: Pumpkins, hay rides and children's activities, 9 a.m.-dusk Mondays-Saturdays, 10:30 a.m.-dusk Sundays through Oct. 29; corn maze, 4-9 p.m. Wednesdays-Thursdays, 4-10 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sundays, closed Mondays and Tuesdays except 6-10 p.m. Oct. 30-31. Cost: $7, ages 5 and under free; Field of Screams, 7-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and Oct. 29-31, Cost: $12. 10622 Airport Way, Snohomish. Information: 360-568-7391 or StockerFarms.com.

The Farm: "Washington State Corn Maze," hay maze, pumpkins, wagon rides and petting zoo. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. through Oct. 31, 7301 Rivershore Road, Snohomish. Cost: corn maze, $5. Information: 425-334-4121 or TheFarm1.com.

When you get home and your thoughts turn to buying or selling real estate in Snohomish or King county, visit my website. Here you can view all real estate listings, get the current market value of your home and more.

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Thursday, October 05, 2006

A Washington Realtor'sĀ® Job

Many of you think that when we find your dream property, write an offer and get it accepted, our job is done. Far from that point...our job is just beginning. Read on...