Some of you may recall the Rhodes / Gardner real estate Q & A a few months ago in which the following question was asked by a Seattle Bubble reader: I can’t help but notice that the Times’ take on local real-estate prices is often excessively optimistic. For example, during the last NWMLS report, we…
Condo Conversions and Increasing Density
There have been a few mildly-interesting articles in the last couple days on the subject of condo conversion projects and Seattle’s increasing density. Here are a few highlights. Aubrey Cohen updates us on the status of the proposal to condo-ify the Smith Tower: Owners of the Smith Tower have one of two key city approvals…
On the Radar: July 22nd date for new borrowing standards.
Yesterday Inman News had (subscription needed) a piece by Lou Barnes regarding this large blip showing on the Radar screen. The blip kept showing July 22, 2007. The Boston Globe picked up Lou’s piece and you can read it here. New guidelines making it tougher to qualify under interest only mortgage terms begins on July…
Rent Increases Likely to Taper Off Soon
It’s getting more and more difficult for the local press to pretend like everything is roses, bubbles, and white puffy clouds in the local housing market. So, what’s the next best thing to pumping housing? Spreading fear about renting! Renters have been saying loudly that rents are rising steeply and vacancies are few. Now comes…
Miscellaneous Non Sequiturs
Inventory Reaches Big Round Number As some astute readers have noticed, as of noon today, the number of single-family homes on the market in King County passed the big round 10,000 mark (see the left sidebar—which I am continually working to improve based on your suggestions). Since surpassing the previous confirmed high (Sept. ’02 –…