The NWMLS “recap” sheet for September has been posted, for those of you that prefer the summary version of the monthly statistics. And if it’s the day of the recap sheet, that means it’s the day of the Seattle Times’ “blurb” article. Amazingly, Elizabeth Rhodes finally acknowledges that the Seattle market is slowing, even using the phrase “definite slowdown” in the headline:
Latest home-sales numbers show definite slowdown
Newly released September home-sales numbers show a marked cooling throughout Western Washington.
Median prices for completed sales of detached houses and condominiums were up 9.4 percent throughout the 17-county region — the first single-digit increase in 24 months, according to the Northwest Multiple Listing Service.
…
September’s pending sales, which reflect transactions signed but not sealed, dipped sharply throughout the region, while the number of properties for sale climbed significantly.
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Agents report that sales activity within Seattle has eased but remains strong in some areas.
I’m actually quite interested to see what she has in store for tomorrow’s “angle” article.
(Elizabeth Rhodes, Seattle Times, 10.07.2006)