Wenatchee World: Today's Real Estate Articles 6/26/08Wenatchee housing market still bucks trend By Christine Pratt World staff writer Posted June 26, 2008 "WENATCHEE — Soaring inventory and slowing sales could be driving down area home prices, but Wenatchee is still among the nation's strongest markets for home-price appreciation, recent industry reports show. A report released last month by the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight showed that home prices in Wenatchee grew 8 percent in the first quarter of 2008, compared with the last quarter of 2007. This was the nation's third-strongest metro-area growth, after Houma/Bayou, La., with 11.2 percent growth, and Grand Junction, Colo., with 9.1 percent growth. Wenatchee topped OFHEO's fourth quarter 2007 home-appreciation list with 14 percent growth. Wenatchee has bucked the nationwide trend in declining prices. A June 24 OFHEO report shows that house prices nationally dropped 4.6 percent during the 12-month period ending in April, compared with the same period a year ago." Click here http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080626/NEWS04/810587185/1001 for entire story! Warm regards, The Davidson Team www.WenatcheeHouses.com "Start Packing Today!"
0 Comments on Wenatchee World: Today's Real Estate Articles 6/26/08 |
Wenatchee World: Today's Real Estate Articles 6/26/08
Safety and Security After the Sale
- Your property deed
- Closing documents & loan papers
- Warranty information
- Repair/home improvement receipts
- Insurance policies
Call or email The Davidson Team anytime with questions or concerns about records or security and we'll help you any way we can.
Warm regards,
The Davidson Team
"Start Packing Today!"
Wenatchee World: Today's Real Estate Articles 6/21/08
Who owns the riverfront?
By Travis Hay
World staff writerPosted June 21, 2008
"WENATCHEE - Five years ago the city of Wenatchee announced plans to make sweeping changes to its waterfront along the Columbia River. Here is a look at what has happened along the roughly two-mile stretch of riverfront between the pipeline bridge and Walla Walla Avenue since the announcement and what to possibly expect along the riverfront in the coming years:
The last major purchase of riverside property happened in 2006 when the 9.09 acres where the Greater Wenatchee Regional Events Center sits was bought for $1.6 million. Records of property sales show little waterfront land changing hands within the last 10 years. Those who have parcels of land for sale along the water include the city, two developers and a private owner.
However, there has been some action happening along the riverside. Construction on the events center is more than 60 percent complete and looks to be on track for its Sept. 17 opening. A developer is building condos and duplexes - one of which sold for $625,000.
Two major property owners - Kamkon and Ken Blodgett - have placed their land on the market, slowing a riverfront facelift. Both Blodgett and Kamkon own land next to where the city plans to build a new road called Riverside Drive.
The two developers had announced plans to place condos on the land, but now it is unknown what will happen with their combined 17.2 acres, which is on the market for $15.5 million.
Kamkon wants $12 million for 12.5 acres and Blodgett wants $3.5 million for 4.7 acres.The city is selling 3.4 acres where its public works building sits because its public works department is relocating to a building on McKittrick Street. The asking price for the riverfront land is $1.95 million, according to Mayor Dennis Johnson."
Click here http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080621/NEWS04/154332976/1001 for the entire article.
Have a wonderful weekend!
The Davidson Team
"Start Packing Today!"
Wenatchee World: Today's Real Estate Articles 6/20/08
Help comes from local Housing Authority and federal program
By Christine Pratt
World staff writer
Posted June 20, 2008
"CASHMERE - She did it. With a lot of patience and some help from state and local agencies, bus driver and part-time store clerk Christine Yarger bought a house last month.
She did it at a time when the area home market is flush with record-high sale prices following one of the hottest real estate streaks in history.Yarger, 47, and her two teenage children moved in May into their new 1940s-era cinder-block home with a cozy and updated interior.The clutter of family already fills the three-bedroom, two-bath home on its corner lot beside a huge elm tree. Dogs Ebony and Ivory - both jet black - lord happily over the front porch and side yard. Yarger began the home- buying process three years ago.
"I called the USDA (farm home loan program) and said I was just looking, just feeling the water," she said. "It would have been the only way I could buy a home and have that security."
Click here http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080620/NEWS04/561078662/0/Classifieds for the entire article.
Have a wonderful weekend!
The Davidson Team
"Start Packing Today!"
Wenatchee World: Today's Real Estate Articles 6/17/08
"EAST WENATCHEE - The Douglas County assessor mailed new tax assessments for property in most of East Wenatchee and Rock Island last week, and some residents are not happy.Assessor Jim Ruud said the values reflect prices of homes and property sold in the last two years, when the real estate market was hot throughout North Central Washington.
"We're getting calls, not a huge number. But people worry about the increase in value," he said. "People are interested and rightfully concerned."
He said many people don't realize that the tax statement that will follow will not go up the same amount that values went up, although taxes will increase. The taxes are based on the budgets of taxing districts, and not determined by the assessor, he said."
Click here http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080617/NEWS04/830934221/1001 for full article.
PUD land may be used for new trailheadBy Christine PrattWorld staff writerPosted June 17, 2008
"WENATCHEE - A new trailhead that accesses Wenatchee's western foothills trail system could be built on Chelan County PUD land at the end of Castlerock Avenue.
PUD commissioners approved a proposal Monday to give the city of Wenatchee access to a portion of a 4.26-acre parcel the PUD bought in 1999 for a future substation.
The city hopes to equip the trailhead with a six-space parking lot, restroom and access road from Castlerock Avenue, Allison Williams, the city's executive services director, told commissioners.
Williams estimates the project will cost $150,000.
She said the city hopes to pay for the trailhead with $150,000 in still-unapproved grant funding. The remaining funds would come from the city's share of real estate excise taxes."
Click here http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080617/NEWS04/705225605 for full article.
Easy Checklist For Your Move
- Reserve a moving van/make a reservation with professional movers.
- Sign up utilities, cable, phone et al for your new home (don't forget to cancel your current services)
- Obtain referrals for doctors, dentists, and specialists if you are moving out of the area.
- Collect medical and dental records for family members and pets or have them released to your new practitioners.
- Make sure any necessary prescriptions have been filled.
- Set up new checking and savings accounts and safe-deposit boxes.
- Lightly water any plants you plan to bring to your new home.
- Back up your computer files.
- Empty the fuel from lawnmowers or other equipment you're bringing with you.
- Have your car(s) serviced for the move.
- Pack a box of necessary items you'll need when you first arrive (toothpaste/toothbrush, blankets, cleaners, etc.
- Conduct a last-minute walk through, make sure everything is turned off.
We hope you find this checklist useful in your move. If we can help you in any way, visit The Davidson Team at www.WenatcheeHouses.com for buying and selling tips, MLS property searches, town and community information and more!
Warm regards,
The Davidson Team
"Start Packing Today!"
Packing Smart
If you're thinking about moving or are already moving forward with your plan, here are some tips to help you out:
__ Pack logically. Start with items you don't use frequently and out-of-season items. Pack the things you need on a daily basis last because those are the first things you'll need at your new home.__ Use strong, high-quality boxes to pack.__ Use packing paper and bubble wrap for breakables.__ Don't pack flammable or explosive items (gasoline, fireworks, aerosol cans, paints, liquid bleach, etc.).__ Secure boxes with packing tape and label them clearly with markers or stickers.__ Carry items such as important documents, family photographs and jewelry with you for security.
We hope this helps you when it's time to move.
Warm regards,
The Davidson Team
"Start Packing Today!"
Smart Pricing Gets You The Best Offer
Homebuyers are more savvy than ever. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) cites that over 80% of them begin their home search on the internet, taking advantage of all the information at our fingertips. With all the information available, smart pricing has never been more important than it is now. Before you price your home too high, remember that many buyers don't even look at a property that seems overpriced. Smart pricing keeps your home from being on the market too long. Most buyers ask how long a property has been on the market, and if it has been too many months they wonder what's wrong with it. This leads to sellers caving in on the price, often taking a lower offer than they would have if it had been priced correctly from the start. Smart-priced homes attract the right buyers (i.e. in that price range), leading to a happy seller who gets the price they're asking for and a happy buyer who feels they got a good deal.
Visit The Davidson Team at www.WenatcheeHouses.com for buying and selling tips, MLS property searches, town and community information and more!
Warm regards,
The Davidson Team
"Start Packing Today!"
Space Is Perception
* Keep minimal furniture in the rooms (store any furniture you can temporarily do without)* Use bright or soft light colors. They reflect light better and open up the room.* Use mirrors to make rooms appear larger and to reflect attractive objects, like a window with a view or a pretty painting.* Get rid of clutter. Nothing can make a room seem smaller like clutter can. Store away decorative items, figurines, clear off bathroom and kitchen countertops, pick up magazines and newspapers.
A spacious home can get a higher price, especially if it is well maintained. Visit http://www.wenatcheehouses.com/buyersandsellers.php for additional buying and selling tips, MLS property searches, town and community information and more!
Warm regards,
The Davidson Team
"Start Packing Today!"
Blaine's Recipe of the Week - 6/3/08
This is my grandmother's famous Green Goddess dressing with some fun additions of my own:
1 cup mayo
1/2 cup sour cream
3 TBSP white wine vinegar
3 TBSP tarragon
3 TBSP green onions or chives
1/2 cup basil
2 cloves garlic
1 TSPN parsley
4 TBSP chopped anchovy filet or paste (and left over anchovy filet oil)
1 lemon juiced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Enjoy with a nice head of romaine or watercress, and any fixings you enjoy in your salad..I love soft shell crab, red onion and a hard boiled egg. Garnish with lemon wedges.
The Davidson Team
"Start Packing Today!"
