Lots of local real estate related news over the weekend worth mentioning. Here’s a brief roundup of the stories you might be interested in. Let’s kick things off with some good news via Aubrey Cohen at the P-I. Looks like the state’s irresponsible plan to pre-distribute $8,000 tax credit is dead in the water, thanks…
Poll: Is it the government’s job to incentivize home ownership?
Please vote in this poll using the sidebar. This poll will be active and displayed on the sidebar through 07.11.2009.
Happy Independence Day
I’m taking the day off to hang out with friends and family, and enjoy a little kayaking. Exciting Independence Weekend Contest! Whoever guesses the closest lat-long coordinates to the location where the above picture was taken wins a Made in Washington gift bag with some MarketSpice tea, a Fran’s chocolate bar, some Cabernet chocolate cherries,…
125% Refinance: Pricing You IN for a Decade or More
Astute readers have no doubt have learned by now of yesterday’s announcement by HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan that the federal government’s “Making Home Affordable” plan will now allow mortgages owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to be refinanced with loan-to-value ratios of up to 125%. I won’t go into all the details…
Case-Shiller Tiers: Middle Tier Flattens, Low & High Tick Up
Let’s check out the three price tiers for the Seattle area, as measured by Case-Shiller. Remember, Case-Shiller’s “Seattle” data is based on single-family home repeat sales in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties. Note that the tiers are determined by sale volume. In other words, 1/3 of all sales fall into each tier. For more details…