Watch This, Then Tell Me Zillow is a Good Idea.

BillBuying Concerns, Economy, Financing, Government, News, Seattle Times Articles Leave a Comment

[“Their stock has been doing very poorly of late, down from $125/share one year ago to about $16.50/share today.”] If this doesn’t scare the heck out of you, nothing will. The unparalleled concentration of wealth is accompanied by: domestic legislative power/influence international and domestic control of financial markets control of information/data distribution Together this represents too much control in the …

Has The Market Reached A Tipping Point?

Bill and DianaBuying Concerns, Miscellaneous, News, Seattle Times Articles, Selling Concerns Leave a Comment

Have you ever invested in a stock that was labeled “hot” on the front page of a local newspaper? If you have then you are familiar with the analogy “that ship has sailed”. The local housing market is in a similar state. Local headlines have sellers feeling unrealistically bullish of late, and it’s not just about price. We are beginning …

City Home Prices Up 18% From A Year Ago…kinda sorta, not really

Bill and DianaBuying Concerns, Seattle Times Articles, Selling Concerns Leave a Comment

Perhaps this Seattle Times headline caught your eye yesterday. It was the hot topic everywhere I went. Sorry, but no, your house did not appreciate 18% in twelve months. 95% of the housing stock did not appreciate 10%. Only select pockets experienced appreciation in excess of 4%. Allow me to explain: As is often the case, a lot of folks …

It’s Finally Happened

Bill and DianaEconomy, News, Seattle Times Articles, Selling Concerns Leave a Comment

As we predicted here beginning 3 months ago, the Seattle Times has finally caught up with the changes in the local residential real estate market that have been evolving over the last 6 months. This is great news, especially for those that have been “under water” the past few years. However, we predict a caveat accompanies this news: the shortage …

Ken Harney [“Nation’s Housing”] Article Bodes Well….For Sellers

Bill and DianaBuying Concerns, Seattle Times Articles, Selling Concerns Leave a Comment

Having followed Ken Harney’s writings for almost 15 years, I know that it is uncharacteristic of him to use GOLLY GEE headlines. So when he pulls out the stops and blares: “HOME EQUITY VALUES ROAR BACK” as the accompanying headline to his nationally syndicated housing column in the Saturday, January 6 Seattle Times, I think it best that homeowners, and buyers, sit up and …

Northwest Traditional Style Homes Will Outpace Market

Bill and DianaBuying Concerns, Economy, Land Use, Seattle Times Articles, Selling Concerns, Upgrading Leave a Comment

For me, one of the most enjoyable aspects of selling residential real estate in the Northwest has always been the appealing architecture of our home grown traditional styling. The large-ish local builders have taken pains over the years to build homes that exuded classic styling without being absurdly ostentatious, and were a bit above “affordable”, at least in the late ’80’s …

Trapped?

Bill and DianaEconomy, Financing, News, Personal Finance, Refinancing, Seattle Times Articles, taxes Leave a Comment

Ever get the feeling that the deck is stacked against you. This Jan 31, 2012 article in the Seattle Times, Page 3, “Freddie Mac bets against struggling homeowners” justifies that feeling. If you’re self-employed, have less than 20% equity in your home, and currently have a mortgage interest rate in excess of 6%, don’t expect relief anytime soon. If you’re a …

Eastside Market Impact of Foreclosed Properties

Bill and DianaNews, Seattle Times Articles, Selling Concerns Leave a Comment

Reading the Seattle Times Business Section article today, “HOME SALES IN KING COUNTY UP IN 2011; NOT PRICES”, I became curious as to exactly how sales of foreclosed properties are in fact impacting the King County Eastside market areas. I limited my sampling of sales data to quantities that I could handle and concluded that: 1. In various price ranges from …

BOEING/Machinists Deal is Huge!

Bill and DianaBuying Concerns, Economy, News, Seattle Times Articles, Selling Concerns Leave a Comment

Folks frequently ask us, “how’s the market?” Our response is generally, “inconsistent, fits & starts, up & down”. When asked what the future holds we have responded, “it depends greatly on the local job market. If we can get an infusion of positive news in that regard, the benefits to the housing market should be felt immediately”. Today’s news that …

Sunday Seattle Times Article Nov 20, 2011

Bill and DianaSeattle Times Articles, Selling Concerns Leave a Comment

“Potential Cures For Appraisal Headaches” by Ken Harney Yes, appraisals are a challenge these days. We have a relatively simple solution that somewhat echoes Harney’s suggestions, but from the sellers’ perspective. His is aimed at buyers. I’ll start with the most relevent/helpful info first, then explain why this process has become problematic. Out of area appraisers aka low bidder. The quick fix …