Thursday, December 10, 2009


Here is an interesting article from Zillow Blog. It does not site Seattle on the list, but as you can see from the graph on the left, March to December of 2009 saw a definite increase. One might construe the "bottom" hit March of 09'. However, this winter we will see another dip. Addtionally, I agree that home values will not full recover this coming year as many more foreclosures loom next year. Obviously this is King County Seattle area real estate, but Pierce County, Washington and the Greater Tacoma, WA area are always benefactors of proximity. We look to our big Sister for trends and market watch.
... Home Values Have Been Stabilizing U.S. homes lost $489 billion in value during the first 11 months of 2009. That’s significantly less than the $3.6 trillion lost during 2008 and evidence that home values are stabilizing, says Zillow.com, online real estate research firm.
Properties in 48 of the 154 markets tracked by Zillow rose in value this year, but Zillow’s Chief Economist Stan Humphries believes prices could decline again in 2010.
“We believe that demand will come under downward pressure as mortgage rates creep back up after the first quarter and that housing supply will experience upward pressure as the volume of foreclosures continues to remain high. Both these factors will challenge the recent stabilization of home prices," Humphries said in a statement.

Areas where home prices rose the most in 2009 were: Boston Providence Denver, Colo. Atlanta, Ga. Rochester, N.Y.
Areas where homes continued to lose the most value: Los Angeles Chicago New York Miami-Fort Lauderdale Phoenix
Source: Zillow.com (12/0920/09)

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Business & Technology | Home sales shoot up in November from year ago thanks to federal tax credit | Seattle Times Newspaper

Wow!!! King County (Pierce County, Washington Real estate: a benefactor) home sales up a whopping 81% from last November!!! Apparantly the looming tax deadline that wasn't...helped! Business & Technology Home sales shoot up in November from year ago thanks to federal tax credit Seattle Times Newspaper

Real Estate | More underwater borrowers should walk away from mortgages, professor says | Seattle Times Newspaper



I have been plagued by an ever-present moral dilemma: For those home owners under water, is it okay to simply walk away from their house, let it fall into foreclosure and essentially 'house squat' while saving their monthly mortgage in a reserve account. My first reaction: this is morally wrong and contributes to our countries overwhelming air of 'entitlement' and decline of moral fiber. As Americans, we have a false sense of entitlement perpetuated by our government. Recently heightened by Obama's plan to help borrowers out, this plan like many others has created a buzz.... Now I understand that many people do need help, but like all programs, you can always bet that someone will take advantage of the system.


On the flip side, certainly the average American cannot bear the burden or responsibility of corporate America's greed. We're just the little people, right? Not only that, one should walk away and not feel the least bit guilty! To take it one step further, underwater home-owners would be 'financially irresponsible' NOT to walk away. This is a very thought-provoking article from the Seattle Times and the professor responsible for this article....where do you stand???




Rates on 30-year mortgages set new record low | Nation/World News - The News Tribune | Seattle-Tacoma News, Weather, Sports, Jobs, Homes and Cars | South Puget Sound's Destination


Still a great time to buy!!! With news that a Goldman Sachs analyst upraded his view of real estate investment to neutral from cautious and rates setting new record low, it couldn't be a better time to invest or buy real estate in Pierce County, Washington. See related story from The News Tribune, Tacoma's trusted source for news.
Rates on 30-year mortgages set new record low Nation/World News - The News Tribune Seattle-Tacoma News, Weather, Sports, Jobs, Homes and Cars South Puget Sound's Destination