March 2011

Is there a Housing Shortage on the Horizon? CEO of Metrostudy believes so…

Housing Shortage on the Horizon? Mike Castleman, founder and CEO of Metrostudy, which tracks real-time data of the country’s inventory of new homes, says a housing shortage is looming that will soon will create a huge surge in demand for new homes. As such, now is the time to buy, he says. In the 41 cities Metrostudy covers, 78,000 houses are either vacant and for sale, or under construction — that...

Young Home Buyers Will Lead Housing Market Recovery, Says National Association of Home Builders

Generation X—young families and adults ages 31 to 45—are likely to lead the home-buying recovery as it gets underway, according to real estate experts who spoke at an educational webinar produced by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) in partnership with Builder magazine. These potential home buyers are most likely to think it’s a good time to get off the fence—and have strong...

A vote of confidence in the Seattle real estate market:

Australian builder plans 500 houses in Seattle market One of Australia's largest homebuilders is entering the U.S. market with a bet on King, Snohomish and Pierce counties. By Eric Pryne Seattle Times business reporter One of Australia's largest homebuilders is jumping into the Seattle market. Henley Properties said Monday it plans to build 500 houses in King, Snohomish and...

Fairwood Greens in Renton – Three bedroom home on greenbelt for sale!

Just Listed - 16641 157th Ave SE - Renton at $285,000 Wonderful tri-level home situated on a nice greenbelt lot in Fairwood Greens. The home features three bedrooms, 2.25 baths, and 1,840 s.f. on a 9,525 s.f. lot. Many recent updates including vinyl windows & new carpet! As you approach the home you are greeted by nice tile roof and a paver driveway & path leading to the front door, the slate...

Kirkland Real Estate – Finn Hill Home For Sale – 5 bdrm, 2.75 bth, den & bonus!

Just Listed - 9509 NE 139th St, Kirkland at $469,900 Nestled in a quiet cul-de-sac, sits this charming two story with daylight basement home. The gracious floorplan boasts 2900 s.f. and features 5 bedrooms, 2.75 baths with den & bonus on a private, south facing 12,097 s.f. lot which backs to a greenbelt! Recent updates include roof, carpet, vinyl windows and remodeled kitchen. Formal living &...

The “Oracle from Omaha” speaks on the importance of Homeownership…

Buffett Says Buying His Home for $31,500 Was Third-Best Investment He Made By Kathleen M. Howley - Feb 28, 2011 Billionaire Warren Buffett said buying a home was the third-best investment he ever made, after the rings he bought for his first wife, Susan Thompson, and, after her death, his second wife, Astrid Menks. “For the $31,500 I paid for our house, my family and I gained 52 years of terrific...

Skagit Valley Tulip Festival April 1st through April 30th, 2011

One of our family's favorite events... The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. For 28 years, the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival has been one of the most sought-after events in the Pacific Northwest. Come and enjoy the celebration of Spring as millions of tulips burst into bloom!  Don’t forget to bring your camera! 25th Annual Tulip Run     April 9, 9:30am     www.tuliprun.com  30th Annual Tulip...

Gen X Buyers to Lead Housing Recovery

Generation X — adults ages 31 to 45 — are expected to lead the recovery in the housing market, according to real estate experts in a recent webinar produced by the National Association of Home Builders. During the event, speakers highlighted results of a survey of 10,000 buyers in 27 metro areas. While Generation X isn’t the largest population group — making up 32 percent of the population...

How prepared for a disaster are you?

If you answered... not very, then you are like most people. The recent incidents in Japan heighten the awareness that we should be prepared for whatever mother nature or mankind can through at us! With this in mind... I have gathered a copy of the Washington State Emergency Resource Guide for you to download at the link below: Washington State Emergency Resource Guide I hope you will take the time to...

Another great reason to own a home… Tax Time!

Tax Time Less Taxing for Home Owners With a little more than one month before income taxes are due, many of the nation’s 75 million home owners may be appreciating the value of home ownership just a bit more as they take advantage of the tax benefits of owning a home. “Owning a home offers myriad benefits throughout the year, but some of the financial advantages of home ownership are most apparent at...

March Home Maintenance Checklist

h2>Become a moisture detective to keep your investment in good repair and get rid of household smells. It’s time to see what winter’s wind, rain and snow have done to your home and make fixes quickly to head off water-related damage. First, head outside. Outside Spiff up the front entry. One way to stay on top of your home’s maintenance and protect your investment is to look at it as...

Survey: Buyers, Sellers Optimistic About Housing

Nearly 70 percent of buyers and sellers say they believe the housing market and property values will recover in the next year or two, according to a new survey by Prudential Real Estate and Relocation Services Inc. What’s more, 86 percent of the more than 1,000 buyers and sellers surveyed believe real estate is still a good investment despite the souring market conditions in many areas the past few...

Foreclosures Post Biggest Drop on Record

The number of foreclosure notices filed in February declined 14 percent compared with last month, and foreclosure notices dropped 27 percent compared to last year at this time. That marks the largest year-over-year decline that RealtyTrac, a foreclosure tracking site, has ever recorded. The number of U.S. homes in some stage of foreclosure fell drastically last month, reaching a 36-month low, RealtyTrac...

Kiplinger names Seattle as #2 on their “Best Cities for the Next Decade” list

Kiplingers 10 Best Cities for the Next Decade They're prosperous, innovative, and they'll generate plenty of jobs, too.By the Editors of Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine From Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine, July 2010 We live in challenging times. Unemployment remains high, and the U.S. lead in technology and science is slipping as many foreign countries gain ground. But some U.S. cities,...