Black Friday Real Estate Sale - By The Cascade Team Real Estate

Check out these Black Friday Real Estate Deals and Save!

Receive .05% commission rebate from The Cascade Team

No Loan Origination Fee from Bank of America (Typically a 1% Savings)

An Additional $1,000 closing credit from Bank of America

A Free I Year Fidelity National Home Warranty from Shannon Escrow  

And experience Simply Outrageous Service from our Team!

Homebuyers: Did you know that a ½% change in interest rates is equal to a 5% change in the sales price of a home? That means the recent dramatic drop in interest rates is equal to at least a 10% reduction in home sales prices. To take advantage of this opportunity, start your home search NOW on TheCascadeTeam.com.

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Freddie Issues Rule Changes on Short Sales

Additional Short Sale Information HERE

As of Jan. 1, Freddie Mac will require parties involved in a short sale to sign affidavits that will make them liable for any negligent or intentional misrepresentations in the transaction, HousingWire reports. Mortgage servicers are being urged to implement the change immediately before the Jan. 1 mandate, however. 

The move is part of Freddie Mac’s effort to crack down on the rising incidences of short-sale fraud.

"With this change, you will have more information to identify potential mortgage fraud and a clearer understanding of the intent of all parties involved in the real estate transaction," Freddie said in a statement announcing the rule…

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Seattle Area Homes Sales More Trick than Treat for October

www.TheCascadeTeam.com

KIRKLAND, Wash. (Nov. 3, 2011)

King County Home Prices drop 17.9% from October 2010!

King County reported one of the sharpest year-over-year declines. The median price on last month‟s completed transactions in the county was $287,500, which compares to a year-ago figure of $350,000 (down about 17.9 percent). For single family homes (excluding condominiums), median prices slipped 14.7 percent, dropping from $375,000 a year ago to last month‟s figure of $320,000.

– Befitting October and Halloween, last month‟s housing activity had both tricks and treats. Northwest Multiple Listing Service members reported solid gains in pending sales (up almost 21 percent from a year ago), consistent demand in many price ranges, a shortage…

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The Cascade Team: Cerified Distressed Property Experts (CDPE)

Today, many people are looking at the possibility of having to short sell their homes because they owe more than what the home is worth.  Our lead short sale negotiator, and one of the company owners, recently recieved their CDPE Designation.  As Cerified Distressed Property Experts (CDPE), we understand and have the tools to navigate the short sale process and understand the numerous programs available to homeowners.  If you want to avoid foreclosure and need to get more information on your available options, contact our office and ask to speak with one of our Certified Distressed Property Experts (CDPE), or click here to learn more short sales.  We would be happy to discuss the short sale process with you and help you determine…

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Seattle ranks as 4th best in nation for Trick-or-Treat!

San Francisco emerged on top as the best city to go trick-or-treating this Halloween, according to Zillow’s Trick-or-Treat Index. Zillow calculated the best cities for trick-or-treating by factoring in median home values, walkability scores, population density, and crime rate. 

Here are the 10 cities that emerged on top for best trick-or-treating spots: 

1. San Francisco

2. Boston

3. Honolulu

4. Seattle

5. Chicago

6. San Jose, Calif.

7. Washington

8. Los Angeles

9. Philadelphia

10. Portland

Source: “Zillow Names 20 Best Cities to Trick-or-Treat in 2011,” Zillow Blog (Oct. 19, 2011

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Foreclosure Rescue Scams - Homeowner Beware

If you're having problems paying your mortgage, be sure to avoid companies selling "foreclosure rescue," "securitization audits," and other home loan modification schemes.  Free, or reduced fee, housing counselors are available nationwide to assist homeowners in working with their lenders, so there really isn't any reason for a consumer to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars for these services," Attorney General Rob McKenna said in a statement.  "Unfortunately, we continue to hear from homeowners who have lost their money after paying large, up-front fees to companies who ultimately did not deliver on their 'foreclosure rescue' promises," McKenna said.

In recent years, new companies have cropped up across the country aiming to take advantage of…

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Carlsbad Homes For Sale - Weekly Market Update

As of Monday October 24, 2011, the median price for a single family residential home in Carlsbad has begun to trend up to $711,950, with an average of 145 active days on market.  While Carlsbad home prices have now moved above the $700K point, the days on market have held fairly steady.  We need to see days on market begin to trend down to create more stability in pricing.  While Carlsbad home price action has been essentially flat, and there doesn't seem to be a strong pull in either direction, both the 90 day and 7 day averages have recently touched the $700K price point, which would create a double bottom if prices can hold at this level.  In addition, the seven day moving price average just recently crossed the 90 day average, which could be…

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$3 million luxury camper is a 40′ mobile mansion

Austrian company Marchi Mobile announces luxury mobile home Elemment Palazzo

The Chevy Corvette car and speedboat hybrid might be the slickest amphibious vehicle on the planet, but when it comes to campers, nothing compares to the luxury the Elemment Palazzo offers. The mere mention of campers and RVs invokes images of cramped living quarters that can house only your essentials. But the Elemment Palazzo with its lavish fixture and ornate designs obliterates that notion completely. As it should, what with a coronary-inducing price tag of $3 million.

Austrian company Marchi Mobile designed Palazzo as part of its Elemment line of luxury vehicles that very visibly displays the trappings of wealth. You'll see in Palazzo what you never thought you'd…

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Realistic pricing is paramount in today’s market, according to Northwest MLS brokers.

Northwest MLS brokers say September activity reflects "healthy activity, positive trends"

KIRKLAND, Wash. (Oct. 5, 2011) – With inventory at its lowest level since May, members of Northwest Multiple Listing Service report "stiff competition for move-in ready homes" in some neighborhoods. Other key indicators in the latest statistical report from Northwest Multiple Listing Service show upticks in sales and some leveling off on prices.

Pending sales for the Northwest MLS service area, which encompasses 21 counties, are up more than 20 percent from a year ago. Following typical August-to-September patterns, the volume of pending sales (mutually accepted offers) tapered off last month (down 9.6 percent) compared to the previous month.

Brokers…

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Seattle Ranks 2nd for Young Professionals

Search Seattle Homes HERE

What are the best cities for twenty-somethings? AOL Real Estate News recently revealed its top picks, factoring in affordability, employment opportunities, cost of living, social activities, and places with the highest percentage of 20-29 year olds. 

According to AOL Real Estate News, here are some of the top cities for twenty-somethings: 

1. Cincinnati, Ohio

Metro population: 2,130,151

Residents ages 20-29: 13.3 percent

Monthly rent: $675

Starting salary: $41,800

2. Seattle, Wash.

Metro population: 3,349,809

Residents ages 20-29: 14.5 percent

Monthly rent: $942

Starting salary: $46,700

3. Baton Rouge, La.

Metro population: 802,484

…

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