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KIRKLAND, Wash. (Nov. 5, 2012) – Last month’s housing inventory around western Washington fell to its lowest level since February 2006, according to statistics from Northwest Multiple Listing Service. The MLS report covering 21 counties also shows year-over-year prices on closed sales area-wide increased by double-digits for the first time since March 2007.

Brokers reported 6,000 closed sales of single family homes and condominiums last month, outperforming the year-ago volume by 1,236 transaction for an increase of nearly 26 percent. Last month’s activity in the areas served by Northwest MLS marked a rebound from September when members reported 5,535 completed transaction.

Prices on October’s sales were up 10.4 percent compared to…

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Thinking of selling your home? If you've been waiting on the sidelines for better market conditions, wait no more! Now is the time to reap the benefit of a low inventory, rising home prices and motivated buyers.

Our present market offers all of these advantages, but to enjoy them to the full, you need the guidance of an experienced broker agent. Everyone knows that home sales can be complicated and full of "gotchas."

The Highs and Lows of Appraisals

Take appraisals, for example. Appraisals are a critical but often overlooked component of the home selling process. An inexperienced agent could lose you lots of time and money through a botched appraisal. A low appraisal can hurt your chances of making a sale at the price you want because it…

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October 31, 2012

Last week in review (October 22 - 26, 2012)

After last week’s Fed meeting, bonds and home loan rates are still standing near record best levels. Read on for details.


Table source: Mortgage Success Source

After last week’s regularly scheduled meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), the Fed reaffirmed that its latest round of bond buying (known as Quantitative Easing or QE3) would continue until our economy can stand on its own. This means that the Fed reaffirmed that they will purchase $85 billion of mortgage bonds per month through the end of the year, and at least $40 billion per month thereafter until the labor market substantially improves.

The Fed acknowledged that inflation, in the short-run, has picked up…

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October 24, 2012

Last week in review (October 15 - 19, 2012)

Last week, several reports brought some surprising good news to the markets. Read on for details and what they mean for home loan rates.


Table source: Mortgage Success Source

There were two pieces of good news on the housing front, as housing starts increased 15% in September to their fastest pace in more than four years. Building permits, a sign of future construction, increased by more than 11%, also above expectations. These are both signs that the housing sector’s recovery is gaining some momentum. Also last week, retail sales and the Philadelphia Fed Index, which measures manufacturing in that region, were both reported better than expected. But there was some disappointing news…

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Daily Real Estate News | Tuesday, October 23, 2012  

The latest mortgage fraud scam known as “flopping” has sellers who actually make their home look undesirable so that they can attract low offers from buyers. 

Here’s how it works: The seller is underwater on their mortgage and wants to get the lender to agree to a short sale. The seller, working with an accomplice, seeks to get a super low price to sell their home in the short sale by making bogus damage claims. Once they get the bank to agree to a short sale, the home is sold to an accomplice who then quickly cleans up the home and resells it for a profit. 

“Floppers,” as they’re known, average a…

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October 17, 2012

Last week in review (October 8 - 12, 2012)

Last week, several reports brought some surprising good news to the markets. Read on for details and what they mean for home loan rates.


Table source: Mortgage Success Source

There was good news on the labor front as last week’s Initial Jobless Claims fell to 339,000, the lowest level in four years.  This news came on the heels of a surprising drop in the unemployment rate to 7.8% in September. This is encouraging news and could ease fears of slowing growth.

Also encouraging was the news from RealtyTrac that foreclosure activity declined to a five-year low in September, falling 7% from August and 16% from the same period last year. Housing has already improved substantially in certain…

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In the past we had different Market Snapshot links for each State, but now we have combined these feeds, so that you can select: Washington State, California, or Arizona from one link and log-in! In either of these States you can get a FULL market analysis for the value of your home, OR see what homes are selling for in any zip code you choose.

Also availiable in ALL 50 States and Washington DC you can see Community and School reports!

We hope you enjoy!

FREE Home Value Analysis Report

Fill out the form below to get an immediate home value report in your inbox.  Whether you are looking for the value of your existing home or for the new home you are looking for purchase, this report will provide you with actual active and sold MLS home…

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Daily Real Estate News | Monday, October 15, 2012

California metros, as well as hard-hit housing markets such Phoenix and Seattle, are showing some of the largest year-over-year increases in asking prices.

Nationwide, the median list price was $191,500 in September, only about 0.78 percent higher than a year ago, according to the most recent housing data release from Realtor.com. But in several metros across the country, asking prices are more than 10 percent…

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October 10, 2012

Last week in review (October 1 - 5, 2012)

Last week, the Jobs Report for September was released, but the numbers may not be as clear as they seem. Read on for details and what they mean for home loan rates.

The Labor Department’s Jobs Report showed that 114,000 new jobs were created in September, with 104,000 private sector job gains and 10,000 government job gains. While this number was lower than expectations, the job numbers for July and August were revised much higher.


Table source: Mortgage Success Source
The Labor Department’s Jobs report showed that 114,000 new jobs were created in September, with 104,000 private sector job gains and 10,000 government job gains. While this number was lower than expectations, the…

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KIRKLAND, Wash. (Oct. 4, 2012) – Home sales around western Washington continue to outpace activity of a year ago while inventory remains thin, according to new figures from Northwest Multiple Listing Service. Brokers say that combination is resulting in disappointment for buyers who are slow to accept the reality of a recovering housing market.

Commenting on September data from Northwest Multiple Listing Service that shows upticks in sales and prices, broker Frank Wilson said buyers who make unrealistic offers and requests are "back on the street looking at their second choice home." Meanwhile, some sellers with well-priced, well-prepared homes are receiving multiple offers according to Wilson, a member of the Northwest MLS board of directors…

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