August News: More Mixed Signals

With Seafair Sunday fast approaching I don't wanna be the "boring guy talking real estate" on a Friday afternoon, but its my duty to keep the info flowing for those who are interested.

Our area continues to send mixed messages as sales are down from one year ago, yet prices are up. The median value for homes in King County rose 4% over July 2009. Seattle fared even better with a 10% price increase over the same period.

How is this possible? Thanks to the tax credit incentives of the past two years, a majority of sales in our area were in first time buyer price ranges. These sales skewed the numbers and brought the median averages down. As a point of comparison, in July of 2009 26% of sales in Seattle were $500,000 or above. Last month that total rose to 40%.

To read more about July's sales data for our region, including Snohomish and Pierce counties,  Click Here.

Throughout history, the decision to buy or sell real estate has always been a very personal one. What seems like a perfect opportunity for some, may be viewed as risky or foolish by others...there simply are no guarantees in this industry, nor life. Don't let others talk you into or out of something, do your homework, partner with a trusted professional, and follow your gut.

If you have questions, or would like to learn how you can take advantage of current market conditions to better your personal situation, feel free to contact me anytime.

Rob (206) 799-2318 or robh@remax.net

Update For Family and Friends

For those of you who have been following my dad's condition since March, I've attached a story about him in this week's Magnolia News.

To view the on-line version of the article, Click Here

Our family appreciates all of the wonderful support, well wishes, and prayers we've received the past four months.

I love you Dad.

New Listing: Seattle - Sunset Hill $475,000

Open House Sunday 1:00 - 4:00 pm.

To print a flyer or view additional information & photos, Click Here

More Good News For Our Region

King County home sales in March were up 65% from March 2009, our area's 10th consecutive monthly increase. Pending sales in the area were the highest they've been since May 2007.

For more details, Click Here.

If you have any questions, or would like to learn more about your local market, feel free to contact me anytime.

Rob (206) 799-2318 or robh@remax.net

You're Invited! Green Lake Wines Grand Opening - Sunday 11:00 - 5:00pm

Attention Wine Connoisseurs:

You're invited to the Grand Opening of Greenlake Wines, (located at 1400 N. 80th St - just up the street from Dukes on Greenlake), this Sunday March 28th from 11:00 - 5:00pm.

My friends Chris and Marcie Taylor recently designed and opened the brand new Greenlake Pointe Building on the corner of 80th and Interlake Ave N, and were kind enough to allow me to invite all of my friends to this special event.

Tiki Rob's Wine Specials:

Owner and wine expert Richard Kinssies is offering specials on Pinot Noir, (my personal favorite). Normally $13 a bottle, Richard will be offering three bottles for $12 at this event. Tell him Tiki Rob sent you!

They'll be roasting a pig, so snacks and free wine tasting will be available for everyone. Richard owns two other wine shops in Seattle, has been a feature writer for the Times and P-I, and even has a wine school. To learn more about Richard, visit: www.seattlewineoutlet.com.

I'll be at an open house during most of this event, (see the flyer for the Edmonds home below), but will try to stop by once I'm finished. I hope you all take advantage of this invitation to try some great wine, meet Richard, save money, and enjoy a beautiful spring afternoon at Greenlake.

Enjoy! Rob

For all of your real estate needs, remember to visit www.tikirobs.com

P.S. I Love You Dad

Club Karma March News

Happy Friday Gang,

Some positive news for our area: Pending sales are up 45% over last year at this time. Closed transactions are up 33.5% over this same span. (The ninth straight month of year over year gains). In addition, prices in Seattle inched up 1.4% in February, the second month in a row of gains, after nearly two years of declines.

While prices are improving in Seattle, values in South King County continue to fall due to higher levels of foreclosures and short sales, (26% of all active listings in this area fall under these catagories). Snohomish County is a mixed bag as sales are up 53%, but prices are down 10%. Conversely, higher end neighborhoods such as Capital Hill and Madison Park are booming. 39 houses sold in February with a median price of $596,000, versus just 17 sales one year ago, with a median price of $409,000.

Part of the reason for the up-tick in higher end sales is that jumbo rates are currently at a 5 year low of 5.97%. (Loans over $567,500). Due to the return of the stock market, many people's portfolios have recovered up to 30 or 40%, allowing for more confidence to make large purchases.

Another positive sign is that Washington's job numbers posted their first gain in January since November 2008, (the largest one month gain in nearly three years). It was recently reported that February's numbers lost much of this momentum, still as rocky and un-even as stabilization may be, its a point of pride to see our region leading the way on our nation's eventual road to recovery.

If you, or anyone you care about has any real estate needs or questions, feel free to contact me anytime...I'd love to help. I also welcome you to visit www.tikirobs.com for all of your real estate needs.

Have a terrific weekend!
~ Rob

Rob's New Listings

Seattle - Broadview $495,900
Sale Pending after only 9 days on the market!
To print a flyer or view additional information and photos: Click Here

Lynnwood - Alderwood Mall $285,000
(Active)
To print a flyer or view addtional information and photos: Click Here

Edmonds - Meadowdale $259,950

(Active)

To print a flyer or view additional information and photos: Click Here