I think it’s a good time to revisit the median price discussion that I first brought up last August. The median price is a decent indicator of the general direction of home prices, but it definitely has shortcomings. The biggest problem is that the median is largely influenced by the mix of sales between high…
A remarkable period in time: a changed market.
I’ve got so many topics to talk about but very little time. I have to start somewhere. Just months ago it was not uncommon (understatement) to see 100% financed nothing down purchase transactions with various ARM’s tied to LIBOR or other indices coupled with hefty pre-payment penalties, interest-only hybrids with no escrow impounds for taxes…
Strong Local Economy Faltering, County Facing Large Deficit
If you think our “strong local economy” is going to protect the Seattle area from feeling a pinch in the housing market and elsewhere as recession looms on the horizon, think again. The pinch is here. With a cooling economy pinching tax revenue even as government costs rise, King County faces a $45 million budget…
February Neighborhood Months of Supply Update
I was going to spread out the stats posts a bit, but since people have been asking for months of supply (a.k.a. “absorption rate”) data after yesterday’s inventory post, I’m posting it today. For an explanation of what months of supply means, please refer to the original neighborhood MOS breakdown post. Keep in mind that…
February Neighborhood Inventory Update
Here’s an update to the King County single-family neighborhood inventory growth charts I first posted last month. The data that makes up these charts is publicly available from the NWMLS, and can be found in the NWMLS King County Breakout pdfs. Keep in mind that what’s being plotted here is total percent growth since January…