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Seattle Real Estate Trends….

Graph 1: Supply and Demand

There are 3 pieces of information in the Supply & Demand chart. The first is the supply of homes for sale over a thirteen-month period.
This is shown with GREEN bars (SUPPLY). The second is the number of homes sold in BLUE bars (SOLD). The third is the number of
pending sales , shown as a RED line (UNDER CONTRACT). This chart allows us to compare the most recent 3-months activity with the
same period one-year ago.

The Supply & Demand chart is utilized to help determine who is in the driver’s seat: the buyer, the seller or neither party. This is commonly
referred to as a buyer’s, seller’s or balanced market.  The type of market is determined by the supply of homes -in months.  This is calculated
by dividing the # of homes for sale by the # of homes that are sold.

 

Graph 2: Days on Market
The BLUE line denotes the average percentage of the current listing price the Seller sold his or her home for.  We call this “sold to
list price percentage”.  In other words, IF IT WERE AT 99%, the average seller has only had to discount their listing price by 1% to
attract a buyer. The listing price refers only to those homes that are closed, not average list price for homes still for sale or in contrace (pending).

The YELLOW bars show how long the property has been on the market before it received an acceptable offer. We call this
“days on market”. Days on market is based on homes that have closed already, not homes that are still pending. We do not count
all previous listing periods because they did not result in a sale. Also we do not count the time in escrow.

 

Graph 3: Average Price

The GREEN line denotes the average price for all homes for sale in a given month and a given area. The RED line denotes the
average price for all homes that sold (closed) in the same month and area.

 

 

Graph 4: Months of Inventory
The BLACK graph line denotes the months of inventory that were available in a given month/year.
This is found by taking the number of homes that were for sale in a given month and comparing
it to the number of homes that accepted an offer in the same month.

 

Please don’t hesitate to give me a call if you would like to discuss these charts or if you would like more specific information for your neighborhood.  I’m always happy to share information when I can!
Cheers
Domenica

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News from the Foundation….

Many of you know that I work at Habitat for Humanity for every referral I receive.  But you might not know that I also make a donation in the name of my clients every time I help someone buy or sell a home.  The Windermere Foundation does amazing work in our local community and I’m proud to be a continuing supporter of this work.

Thanks to all of you and the other support the Windermere Foundation has received so far this year, we have disbursed nearly $185,000 to qualifying social service organizations dedicated to serving low-income and homeless families throughout the Western U.S.  My fellow agents, staff and owners, along with public supporters like you, continue to contribute generously to the Foundation, making these disbursements possible.

Christina Wood at the Windermere Foundation would like to share a few stories of how your support is truly making a difference in the lives of those they serve…

Via: WINDERMERE FOUNDATION QUARTERLY REPORT

Cheers and Happy Spring (FINALLY!)…
Domenica

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Buying cheaper than renting in nearly 100 major U.S. markets: Trulia | HousingWire

Buying is more affordable than renting in 98 out of the nation’s 100 largest metropolitan areas – even in New York, Los Angeles and Boston, according to real estate company Trulia’s rent vs. buy index.
The index is based on asking prices for rental units and homes for sale on the company’s website between Dec. 1, 2011, and Feb. 29.“As rents rise and prices stagnate, homeownership is becoming even more affordable, but rising rents create a dilemma for people who can’t afford to buy yet,” says Jed Kolko, Trulia’s chief economist. “Rising rents make it harder for people to save for a down payment, which is the biggest barrier to buying a home that aspiring homeowners face.”

Homeowners are choosing, or being forced, to rent rather than buy even though the latter is cheaper in key markets Trulia reviewed.

But as they turn to renting, the influx of demand squeezes the nation’s rental supply, pushing monthly rents higher.

The nation’s median rent stands at $712 per month — well above the average monthly mortgage cost of $647, Paul Dales, senior economist at Capital Economics, recently found. He estimated decreased vacancies in the home-rental market will push average rental rates up as much as 5% by early 2013, compared to 2.4% in January.

via Buying cheaper than renting in nearly 100 major U.S. markets: Trulia | HousingWire Click here to read full article.

Quick it’s sunny, go outside and have a great weekend!

Domenica

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From Bears to Bulls…

I know, I know,

A real estate agent telling you to buy a house is like a car salesman telling you it’s time for a trade-in right?

If you know me at all you know that I work very hard to give people advice that fits their individual situation and best interest. This advice is often NOT to buy or sell depending on the conditions of the market and their objectives.

This remains the same despite market trends. However, when the people that predicted the
housing “bubble” begin telling us that it’s now time to buy, I start listening…

John R. Talbott is a bestselling author and economic consultant.
When housing prices started to skyrocket in 2003, he published The Coming Crash in the Housing Market, correctly warning us that a real estate bubble was forming. Then in January 2006, he called the absolute peak of home prices in the US by releasing a new book, Sell Now! The End of the Housing Bubble.

Well, in a recent article, Homes – Buy Now! , Talbott simply explains:

“I have been waiting for more than five years to offer this advice. It is now time in most cities across the country to buy a new home or refinance your existing home with thirty-year fixed rate mortgage debt.”

So if you have been curious about buying a home but not sure the timing is right I can tell you that the market says it is.  Whether it’s right for you, well that’s something I can help you determine.  Give me a call to discuss your options.

Domenica

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Good News About Seattle Salaries…

Seattle-area average salaries outpace the nation


Some good news this week from PSBJ.

“According to the PayScale Index released Jan. 12, average wages in the Seattle metro area grew by 1.6 percent during 2011, compared to an average rise of 1 percent in the nation as a whole. Of the 20 largest metro areas in the United States, only four posted a bigger increase in paychecks than the Seattle area.”

Although we have all felt distinct challenges, Seattle has shown above average
stability throughout the
past several years. I’m encouraged to see an
indication of that continuing to be the case and hope you all experience higher wages, job security and good fortune in 2012!

Domenica

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Habitat for Humanity Referral Contest Results are in!

Hello and Happy New Year!

One of my favorite mentors stated her intention for the New Year as this:
“My intention for 2012 is to measure my success by how much fun I am having”

Well, I would like to send a huge thank you to everyone who rallied for the 2011 Referral Contest because working at Habitat this year was a TON OF FUN.  This contest was a last minute stroke of inspiration in the first part of October and it was a huge success!

I am very happy to announce the winner with a total of 3 referrals during the contest is Brenda Brynildsen!
The other winner is Habitat for Humanity because thanks to all of you I will be working a total of 12 days at Habitat to honor your support and commitment in 2011.

What’s Next???

This has been so fun that I plan on measuring this years success by how many days you all have me working at Habitate!
The same commitment stands.
I will work:
1 day for every referral I receive in 2012
~and~
1 day for every referral that results in closed business.

Bring on 2012..

In addition to my commitment to pounding
nails I am going to incorporate some
fun client events, rewards for participation
and also invite folks to come
out in the field once Spring is upon us.

So stay tuned throughout the year.
As always, thank you for your continued support in life and business. I certainly couldn’t do it without you!

Sincerely,
Domenica