The National Association of Realtors reported this week that home sales are up throughout the country. In June, sales of single-family homes are at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.7 million units. That is 8.5 percent above the 4.33 million pace in June 2009.
Locally, home sales are fairing even better. Through the first six months of 2010, homes sales are up 12.5% over the same period last year.
Across the nation, the median existing single-family home price was $184,200 in June, up 1.3 percent from a year ago. Here in Thurston County, the median price now stands at $229,950, which is down 5.3% from last year.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
Welcome to Whitmore Glen!
The location and affordable luxury you’ve been waiting for!
Come out and visit this new community in SE Olympia for our Grand Opening this coming weekend, July 31st & August 1st from 1:00-3:00. Floor plans range from 1,732sf up to 3,225sf with both rambler & two-story plans completed & currently available.
Whitmore Glen is located in Olympia, on Log Cabin Road, just off Boulevard. This tree-lined community offers sidewalks, professionally landscaped & irrigated planter strips, & a two-acre City of Olympia Neighborhood Park. Visit Whitmore Glen & see for yourself what all the excitement is about! Open Saturdays & Sundays from 1:00-3:00.
Visit our sales center on site or our website at http://www.whitmoreglen.com/ for more information. Listings agents: Vonna Madeley 360.561.7888, Jeanne Tranum 360.481.2255, Leslie Shipe 360.870.2530 or Jodi Ashline 360.951.8002.
Come out and visit this new community in SE Olympia for our Grand Opening this coming weekend, July 31st & August 1st from 1:00-3:00. Floor plans range from 1,732sf up to 3,225sf with both rambler & two-story plans completed & currently available.
Whitmore Glen is located in Olympia, on Log Cabin Road, just off Boulevard. This tree-lined community offers sidewalks, professionally landscaped & irrigated planter strips, & a two-acre City of Olympia Neighborhood Park. Visit Whitmore Glen & see for yourself what all the excitement is about! Open Saturdays & Sundays from 1:00-3:00.
Visit our sales center on site or our website at http://www.whitmoreglen.com/ for more information. Listings agents: Vonna Madeley 360.561.7888, Jeanne Tranum 360.481.2255, Leslie Shipe 360.870.2530 or Jodi Ashline 360.951.8002.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Seabrook Washington, The New Beach Town
Seabrook Washington, home of the 2010 Coastal Living Ultimate Beach House, is the new beach town that is a must see! You can bike around town, go horseback riding on the beach, dig for clams, bird-watch and so much more!
The Ultimate Beach House is now open to the public until October 31st! Visit their website at http://www.seabrookwa.com/ to book your vacation or just browse the site to learn more about our beautiful new beach town on the Washington coast!
Also, while you are visiting Seabrook remember to take lots of pictures to submit for the Photo Challenge. Visit http://www.seabrookphotochallenge.com/ for the details of the challenge.
Enjoy your vacation!
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Joint Base Lewis-McChord Air Expo 2010
This Air Expo gives our Soldiers and Airmen a chance to say “thank you” to the greater Puget Sound communities for their support. In 2008 the air show attracted a record crowd of 377,616 people. This year’s Air Expo will no doubt be another amazing event. There will be a number of civilian and military flying acts and numerous static displays, this year’s show will also feature the aerial demonstration team, “Patriot Jets Team.”
We hope you can join us for this free event on July 17 & 18 at the McChord Field!
Visit http://www.lewismcchordairexpo.com/ for more information on gate access, bus transportation and much more!
We hope you can join us for this free event on July 17 & 18 at the McChord Field!
Visit http://www.lewismcchordairexpo.com/ for more information on gate access, bus transportation and much more!
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Home Buyer Interest is Steady – July and August Activity Will Reveal the True Tale
Through the first half of 2010, the median price of homes sold in Thurston County was down 5.3% from the same period last year. At $229,950, the median price is back at 2005/6 levels.
We have mentioned all year long that these prices have led to more buyers getting back into the market. Home sales so far in 2010 are up 12.5% over the first half of 2009.
Over the past two months, however, the market has seen far fewer buyers than during the same period in 2009. The expiration of the tax credit explains the drop off. Buyers who were in the market no doubt accelerated their home purchase to take advantage of the credit. This pulled sales that might have occurred in May and June forward to March and April.
Because the original tax credit had to be put to use prior the end of June, the sales in July and August will really tell how well the market is performing. These are the first months without the tax credit. (But see related post on May 15, 2010 entitled Tax Credit Extended for Qualified Uniformed Service Members.)
A rise in sales in July and August will give more promising signs that price reductions have come to stabilizing levels. If sales are down, the market should expect further price reductions to compel buyer activity.
Whether buying or selling, those people in the market should watch more than just the market as a whole. It is important to compare each home to its specific market segment to determine how it should be priced.
What is clear right now is that many houses, in all price ranges, are priced very well. Buyers continue to act quickly on these homes while ignoring homes priced above today’s conditions.
We have mentioned all year long that these prices have led to more buyers getting back into the market. Home sales so far in 2010 are up 12.5% over the first half of 2009.
Over the past two months, however, the market has seen far fewer buyers than during the same period in 2009. The expiration of the tax credit explains the drop off. Buyers who were in the market no doubt accelerated their home purchase to take advantage of the credit. This pulled sales that might have occurred in May and June forward to March and April.
Because the original tax credit had to be put to use prior the end of June, the sales in July and August will really tell how well the market is performing. These are the first months without the tax credit. (But see related post on May 15, 2010 entitled Tax Credit Extended for Qualified Uniformed Service Members.)
A rise in sales in July and August will give more promising signs that price reductions have come to stabilizing levels. If sales are down, the market should expect further price reductions to compel buyer activity.
Whether buying or selling, those people in the market should watch more than just the market as a whole. It is important to compare each home to its specific market segment to determine how it should be priced.
What is clear right now is that many houses, in all price ranges, are priced very well. Buyers continue to act quickly on these homes while ignoring homes priced above today’s conditions.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Affordability Looking Even Better with Low Mortgage Rates
It is no surprise that housing prices are down all over the country. Locally, home prices are at levels not seen since 2005/6. These prices are generating solid interest from buyers who like the affordability they are seeing in many homes today.
Affordability of homes, however, is calculated on both the price of the home as well as the cost to finance it. And right now, mortgage interest rates have never looked better.
In its weekly survey of the mortgage markets, Freddie Mac reports that the average rate on a 30-year, fixed rate mortgage last week was just 4.57% with fees and points of 0.7. That is the lowest level in the nearly 40 years that Freddie Mac has tracked the rates. In June 2009 rates averaged 5.42%.
Affordability of homes, however, is calculated on both the price of the home as well as the cost to finance it. And right now, mortgage interest rates have never looked better.
In its weekly survey of the mortgage markets, Freddie Mac reports that the average rate on a 30-year, fixed rate mortgage last week was just 4.57% with fees and points of 0.7. That is the lowest level in the nearly 40 years that Freddie Mac has tracked the rates. In June 2009 rates averaged 5.42%.
Capital Lakefair Festival and Parade
53rd Annual Lakefair Festival and Parade will be held this July 14th thru the 18th! Enjoy carnival rides, fair food, arts and crafts, car show, Boat Racing presented by the Seattle Outboard Racing Association and much, much more!
The crowning of our very own Capital Lakefair Queen will be Thursday night July 15th at the main stage at Heritage Park.
Did you know the Capital Lakefair Royalty Scholarship Program began 51 years ago? It has provided more than 227 participants with over $200,000 in scholarship funding. Funding for this wonderful scholarship program comes from companies within our community!
Visit http://www.lakefair.org/ for information on the Lakefair schedule, what entertainment will be performing and much more!
Have fun and enjoy all that Lakefair has to offer!
The crowning of our very own Capital Lakefair Queen will be Thursday night July 15th at the main stage at Heritage Park.
Did you know the Capital Lakefair Royalty Scholarship Program began 51 years ago? It has provided more than 227 participants with over $200,000 in scholarship funding. Funding for this wonderful scholarship program comes from companies within our community!
Visit http://www.lakefair.org/ for information on the Lakefair schedule, what entertainment will be performing and much more!
Have fun and enjoy all that Lakefair has to offer!
Friday, July 9, 2010
Lacey in Tune Children’s Entertainment Series
Join us Tuesdays at 6:30pm at Huntamer Park for Lacey's in Tune Children's Entertainment Series. This is a free event sponsored by City of Lacey and the Lacey Timberland Regional Library.
July 13 - Rhys Thomas (Jugglemania)
July 20 - Heather Pearl (physical comedy)
July 27 - Eric Herman (music for kids)
Aug 3 - Charlie Williams (the noise guy!)
Visit http://www.ci.lacey.wa.us/ for more information!
Enjoy the show!
July 13 - Rhys Thomas (Jugglemania)
July 20 - Heather Pearl (physical comedy)
July 27 - Eric Herman (music for kids)
Aug 3 - Charlie Williams (the noise guy!)
Visit http://www.ci.lacey.wa.us/ for more information!
Enjoy the show!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Music in the Park, Downtown Olympia
Enjoy the Downtown atmosphere and music in Sylvester Park!
Music in the Park starts Wednesday, July 7th at 7 pm at Sylvester Park, with the exception of the Friday, August 6th concert, which will be at the Port Plaza.
For more information go to www.musicintheparkolympia.com
Music in the Park starts Wednesday, July 7th at 7 pm at Sylvester Park, with the exception of the Friday, August 6th concert, which will be at the Port Plaza.
For more information go to www.musicintheparkolympia.com
Friday, July 2, 2010
Fourth of July!
The signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776 served as a formal announcement that the 13 American colonies were now free of the British Empire and would be independent states. We now celebrate this day as the birthday of the United States of America, with parades, fireworks, ceremonies, barbecues and family gatherings.
From all of us here at Coldwell Banker have a safe and happy 4th of July!
Enjoy!
From all of us here at Coldwell Banker have a safe and happy 4th of July!
Enjoy!
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Congress Approves Tax Credit Closing Deadline Extension
Call it the temporary tax credit that just won’t end.
Congress approved late Wednesday an extension to the June 30 closing deadline for the home buyer tax credit, hours before it was set to expire. The move will give would-be buyers who signed a purchase agreement by April 30 more time to close on those deals and receive the credit that is worth up to $8,000. The new deadline is Sept. 30.
The Senate approved the measure unanimously on Wednesday, one day after the provision sailed through the House of Representatives with little opposition. The President is expected to sign the measure soon.
The Senate had failed to pass the provision last week when it was included in a bigger package that would have extended jobless benefits, among other measures. On Wednesday, an effort to reinstate unemployment insurance failed, and the Senate opted to pass the tax credit provision by itself.
In recent weeks, lenders and real-estate companies have warned of bottlenecks that could lead thousands of potential buyers to miss out on the credit that they thought they were getting. The probably is particularly acute for short sales, where a lender allows a home to sell for less than the amount owed. Banks and the federal government have stepped up efforts to encourage short sales as an alternative to foreclosure, but the deals take longer to approve because they require noteholders to reconcile losses.
Congress first created a tax credit for homeowners in 2008. It was extended and expanded twice during 2009. The last extension, approved last fall, said that house purchase contracts would have to be signed by April 30, and home buyers would have until June 30 to close on those sales. The extension is only good for those buyers who were under contract by April 30. Someone who signed a contract after April 30 and buys a home by Sept. 30 isn’t eligible for the tax credit.
The Senate also passed an extension of the federal flood insurance program until Sept. 30. The change is retroactive to June 1, when the program had lapsed.
Congress approved late Wednesday an extension to the June 30 closing deadline for the home buyer tax credit, hours before it was set to expire. The move will give would-be buyers who signed a purchase agreement by April 30 more time to close on those deals and receive the credit that is worth up to $8,000. The new deadline is Sept. 30.
The Senate approved the measure unanimously on Wednesday, one day after the provision sailed through the House of Representatives with little opposition. The President is expected to sign the measure soon.
The Senate had failed to pass the provision last week when it was included in a bigger package that would have extended jobless benefits, among other measures. On Wednesday, an effort to reinstate unemployment insurance failed, and the Senate opted to pass the tax credit provision by itself.
In recent weeks, lenders and real-estate companies have warned of bottlenecks that could lead thousands of potential buyers to miss out on the credit that they thought they were getting. The probably is particularly acute for short sales, where a lender allows a home to sell for less than the amount owed. Banks and the federal government have stepped up efforts to encourage short sales as an alternative to foreclosure, but the deals take longer to approve because they require noteholders to reconcile losses.
Congress first created a tax credit for homeowners in 2008. It was extended and expanded twice during 2009. The last extension, approved last fall, said that house purchase contracts would have to be signed by April 30, and home buyers would have until June 30 to close on those sales. The extension is only good for those buyers who were under contract by April 30. Someone who signed a contract after April 30 and buys a home by Sept. 30 isn’t eligible for the tax credit.
The Senate also passed an extension of the federal flood insurance program until Sept. 30. The change is retroactive to June 1, when the program had lapsed.
Fireworks at Boston Harbor Marina
Join us this Saturday July 3rd for Boston Harbor Marina's annual fireworks display!This is a fantastic community sponsored event put on by the volunteers of the Boston Harbor Association with the help of some very generous local community members and organizations. There will be a DJ at the marina in the afternoon and a beautiful fireworks display in the harbor just after 10pm.
Bost Harbor Marina website: htp://www.bostonharbormarina.com/
Boston Harbor Association website: http://www.tbha.org/
Tumwater 4th of July Parade
The 23rd annual Independence Day Celebration Parade will be this Sunday, July 4th from 11am to 1pm. This years theme is "Come Out & Play".
And don't miss the best fireworks display around later in the evening at Tumwater Valley Golf Course! Along with the fireworks display, enjoy the Artesian Family Festival with music, food, games and more. The gates open at 6:00pm. The fireworks show starts at 10:15pm
Call Tumwater Parks & Recreation at 360.754.4160 or visit www.ci.tumwater.wa.us for more information.
And don't miss the best fireworks display around later in the evening at Tumwater Valley Golf Course! Along with the fireworks display, enjoy the Artesian Family Festival with music, food, games and more. The gates open at 6:00pm. The fireworks show starts at 10:15pm
Call Tumwater Parks & Recreation at 360.754.4160 or visit www.ci.tumwater.wa.us for more information.
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