The Home Connection July
Category Archives: Mill Creek Homes
Welcome to February’s Home Connection
Why, what’s the matter,
That you have such a February face,
So full of frost, of storm and cloudiness?
– – – William Shakespeare “Much Ado About Nothing”
Do not have a February face! Get out and enjoy all the great happenings and with this months newsletter on events, tips and eye on the market how could you not!
Homes For Heroes
I am privileged to announce that I have officially joined the Homes for Heroes organization in their mission to help heroes across the country save thousands of dollars in the process of buying or selling their home.
What is Home for Heroes?
Homes for Heroes is an organization that was formed after the tragic events of 9/11 as a way to say “Thank You” to the heroes of our nation. The Homes for Heroes organization is composed of a network of real estate professionals who are prepared to give real savings to those who serve their communities when they buy, sell, or refinance a home. This program is our way to say, “Thank you!”
Who qualifies as a hero?
Our core group of local heroes includes but is not limited to: Military personnel, Police Officers, Firefighters, First Responders, Educators, and Health Care Workers. If you think you might qualify, please contact me and tell me about what you do for your community. When you are buying, selling or refinancing a home, let us say thank you for all that you do!
How much will I save?
The total amount you save will depend on the final selling or buying price of your home. Homes for Heroes Affiliate Realtors agree to rebate equal to 25% of the gross commission they receive on your transaction. Discounted lender fees are also offered on purchases and refinances with a Homes for Heroes lender. The savings can be thousands of dollars!
Are there a lot of extra applications, forms, and paperwork?
No! Homes for Heroes promises no extra forms, no red tape, no fine print, no hidden fees, and no catch!
Homes for Heroes offers me the chance to help our local community heroes achieve their dreams of home ownership. If you are interested in taking advantage of this opportunity, please contact me for more info or you can register now at www.snohomishcountyheroes.com to get started.
Snohomish County Statistics July 2016
Active Inventory
Prices are up 5% over last year same time July 2016 vs. July 2015
2141 brand new listings in July that is up 53 from last month. 2141 total active at the end of the month.
Pending Transactions
Up +3% July 2016 vs. July 2015
2079 units went pending last month that is 62 less however than June.
Sold Transactions
+9% July 2016 vs. July 2015.
1673 units +11 more than last month
Days on Market
Snohomish County Active to pending 25 days vs. 36 a year ago. Incredible!
Median home price in Snohomish County $387,000!!
Median home price in King County $523,000. Snohomish county is gaining however the gap between King and Snohomish is growing.
Months of inventory
If no additional homes would be put on the market, there would be no inventory left after 1.25 months in Snohomish County. In King County that figure is 1.2 months. A balanced “normal” market is 3-6 months. Buyers’ market more than 6 and Sellers less than 3 months.
Area price % growth based on last Quarter
Bothell + 14%, Edmonds/Lynnwood +5%. Everett/Mukilteo +11%
Snohomish/Monroe + 11%. Lake Stevens/Granite Falls/Arlington/Darrington +7 %. Marysville +7%
New Construction is included in these percentages.
July 2016 Market Characteristics:
- Sellers: position your home to get premium pricing.
- Buyers: need to be Buyer-Ready, Day-One™ to get a home in today’s market.
- The market continues to be more intense than during the same time in year 2015.
- Sales activity in King and Snohomish County is lower than a year ago but July 2015 was the best July on record. If we had more homes for sale, we would have had more sales activity.
- There’s a severe shortage of homes for sale close to job centers. We are virtually sold out, and each new property on the market is getting instant action and most of the time multiple offers.
- More new listings will lead to a higher level of sales activity.
- Prices are increasing in the price ranges and the market areas where 90 percent of the sales activity is taking place, leading to premium pricing for sellers in those areas.
- Interest rates continue to be in the upper threes.
- Multiple offer everything
- More new listings come on market from March through October than November through February.
- More selection but also more intense.
Miracle Agent at your service!
Looking to buy? Looking to sell? Or know of anyone who might? I am here to personally assist you. Giving exceptional service and donating to Seattle Children’s on your behalf. Join my growing group of clients involved in helping families when they need it most. show less
Snohomish County Homes INC.com
Short and Sweet Real Estate news
INFO THAT HITS US WHERE WE LIVE… We all want to be the best and help make the housing market the best it can be. Housing took a big step ahead in July as Housing Starts blasted ahead 15.7% to an annual rate just over one million units. Starts are now up 21.7% over a year ago, with strong gains in the past year for both single family starts, up 10.1%, and multi-family, up 44.7%. New Building Permits zoomed up a nice 8.1% in July, also to a just over one million annual rate. Versus a year ago, single-family permits are up almost 4%, multi-family up just over 14%.
Monthly Housing Starts can be volatile, so let’s look at the 12-month moving average. It’s at its highest level since October 2008. Also nice to see, the total number of homes under construction (but not finished) is up 2.9% in July and up 22.8% from a year ago. No wonder the National Association of Home Builders confidence index is up two points in August, to its best read since January. More good news came with Existing Home Sales up 2.4% in July to a solid 5.15 million unit annual rate. Best of all, inventories have been growing for 7 months now and are 5.8% higher than a year ago.
30-year mortgage rate falls to 4.1%, a 2014 low!!!!
DID YOU KNOW?… The oldest surviving houses are in Turkey, in a Neolithic settlement built around 7500 B.C. People entered these mud-brick homes through a hole in the ceiling that also provided ventilation for the fires within.
BUSINESS TIP OF THE WEEK… It’s not about what you get, it’s about what you give. Focus on giving your clients more and the rewards will follow.
News You Can Use~ Mortgage Rates 4.27%
Check out these articles for great information about our community and the real estate industry.
MORTGAGE & FINANCE news
10 reasons to take the plunge into homeownership
Americans now consider real estate best option for long-term investments
http://www.gallup.com/poll/168554/americans-sold-real-estate-best-long-term-investment.aspx
Average 30-year mortgage rate falls to 4.27%
http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/2014/04/17/mortgage-rates/7823375/
Earth Day: Energy-efficient mortgages have you spending now to save money later
REAL ESTATE news
Is your home ready for your retirement?
http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2014/04/18/home-remodel-design-aging-in-place/
10 home feature trends for 2014
http://www.cbsnews.com/media/10-home-feature-trends-for-2014/10/
Earth Day: 15 tips to make your home more green
http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2014/04/15-tips-to-make-your-home-more-green.html
LOCAL news
Price gains in 2014 don’t indicate a bubble, correction and inflation the cause of increases
Pierce County still cheaper to buy than rent a home
Earth Day: Downtown Bellevue and Seattle’s Columbia City among top 10 green neighborhoods in the nation
http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2014/04/top-10-neighborhoods-for-green-homes.html#.U1SWO-aMWRM
WEEKLY DOSE OF awesomeness
Did you know Earth Day was first announced in 1969 at a conference in Seattle?
http://www.history.com/topics/holidays/earth-day
Earth Day: 3 free apps to help you go green
http://parade.condenast.com/280529/viannguyen/3-free-apps-to-help-you-go-green-this-earth-day/
Short and Sweet Mortgage & Real Estate News you can use~ for the Puget Sound Region
Thanks to one of the wonderful Title and Escrow companies I use here are some great tips and articles I wanted to forward to all my readers. Great information!
MORTGAGE & FINANCE news
Tips for preparing your 2013 taxes:
Top 10 Mortgage Tips for 2014:
King County home prices rise 10.5% for 2013:
REAL ESTATE news
Why 2014 is a good year to buy a home:
Dont forget I am here when you are ready to buy or sell!
Tips for downsizing:
LOCAL news
Steady job growth in 2014
Have a wonderful Wednessday! Half way through the week already…… and GO HAWKS!
Home of the Week
Now that the holidays are over the listings newly coming on the market is picking up!
In December I would see only 20 listings a day coming on the market as of today there are already 116! Great news for buyers and potential sellers considering making a move. Prices do rise in the spring so now is the perfect time! I have 3 picks this week that I think are stand-out homes. Drum roll please…….
First we have a beautiful Silver Lake 2-story home with central location. New gourmet kitchen with granite counter tops and tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances included, attached family room with eating bar, and cozy gas fireplace. Large master bedroom with walk in closet, attached bathroom with dual vanities. New paint inside and out, all new carpet and flooring. 2 car garage. New roof. House is next to green belt for privacy. House is move-in ready and staged. Lots of extra parking in front.
Priced at $324,950
The second home I chose is a beautiful rambler in Snohomish. With 2400+ SF open floor plan w/4 bdrms, 4 bths incl. 5 pc master bath w/jetted tub. Heated floors, wood stove, newer roof, windows, flooring & appliances. Hot tub, 25X50 detached shop w/living quarters. House is wired for generator. Well maintained, fully fenced yard. Corner lot w/driveway access from two sides. 10,000+ SF gravel parking. Private, serene setting w/walking trails, pond/year round wildlife. Private community access to Pilchuck River. 15 min to Everett. The picture does not do it justice!
Priced at $459,900
Great 4 bed 2.25 bath home in Woodinville! Fenced yard with deck & RV parking. Walk-in closet & master bath. Hardwood floors & wood cabinetry. New carpet, int/ext paint, doors, dishwasher, fence. Roof cleaned. This Bank owned home under 350K in Woodinville is a definate steal!
Priced at $339,000
Want any information on these or other homes? I am here for you! Please feel free to contact me.
Winter Coziness and Home Tips.
“Winter is time for comfort and warmth, it is a time for home” Edith Sitwell
Just a few hightlights of warmth for this month
Check out Zillows cozy cabins and rustic fireplace designs they look all so heavenly!
And with all this coziness I just have to add a “Did you know”?
Of about the 350 million cans of chicken noodle soup of all commercial brands sold annually in the United States, 60 percent is purchased during the cold and flu season. January is the top-selling month of the year!
Today January 10th is National Cut your Energy Costs Day. Here are a few energy tips and Winter Home Maintenance Tips for this Winter. Do these first and then enjoy a cozy fire!
Maintenance TIPS Winter
YOUR HOME may be the biggest investment you make. Proper house maintenance
ensures a safe and comfortable environment for you and your family. Here are helpful tips
and reminders of chores you may have overlooked for preparation this winter season.
• Clean faucet aerators and showerheads.
• Clean refrigerator drain pan and vacuum condenser coil.
• Clean kitchen exhaust fan filters.
• Vacuum bathroom vent fan covers.
• Clean dishwasher food filters and check that openings in spray arms are clear.
• Examine caulk and grout in shower, repair as needed.
• Clean and seal grout.
• Exercise (turn on and off) plumbing shutoff valves. Just in case you may need to in an emergency.
• Exercise circuit breakers.
• Test relief valve on water heater.
• Vacuum smoke detectors, heating registers, vents, ducts and radiators.
• Clean out dryer vent duct.
These will save energy and ensure a safe home!
Jen Murrweiss RE/MAX Elite 