local real estate news, statistics, and commentary without the sales spin.
Let’s take another look at what share of the monthly sales are being distressed sales—bank-owned and short sales. In February 2012 22.8% of the sale of single-family homes in King County were bank-owned, the highest level on record. In February 2013 that number was just 9.5%. This represents a slight increase from January, but if…
It’s time once again for the monthly reporting roundup, where you can read my wry commentary about the news instead of subjecting yourself to boring rehashes of the NWMLS press release (or in addition to, if that’s what floats your boat). To kick things off, here’s an excerpt from the NWMLS press release: Western Washington…
February market stats were published by the NWMLS this morning. Here’s a snippet from their press release: Western Washington housing indicators aligned "for spring market to remember". Real estate brokers around Washington state agree today’s market is far different than two years ago, with one industry veteran summing it up by saying key indicators “are…
Let’s check in again on the cheapest homes around Seattle proper. Here’s our methodology: I search the listings for the cheapest homes currently on the market, excluding short sales, in the city of Seattle proper. Any properties that are in obvious states of extreme disrepair based on listing photos and descriptions will be excluded. This…
A reader wrote in with the following question about Seattle-area property management companies for the rental of their home: I’ve been able to save up a sizeable down payment to buy a bigger home, and rather than selling my current home I plan to rent it out. Since I have no interest in being a…