Di Kawell Real Estate Blog

Improvement in Federal Way Real Estate Stats? YES

Months of Inventory is at 8.3 versus 13.2 in June. That is a huge improvement! 

And, although selling prices are still trending down, sellers (and agents) are beginning to get realistic about not overpricing as evidenced in the narrowing gap between asking price and final sales price. Today the average asking price is at $380,000 and the average sale price is $331,000. Back in May avg asking price was $414,000 and avg selling price was $302,000 - thats from a 27% spread down to a 13% spread - this is another excellent improvement.

The above two improvements are beginning to show in slightly shorter days on the market (still about 79 to 116.)

(Facts and Trends(tm) Report thru Trendgraphix, Inc. All reports are published Nov. 2008, based on data available at the end of Oct. 2008)

Today - Realtors Advise Congress On 2nd Economic Stimulus Bill

NAR (National Association of Realtors) urges Congress to include the following provisions in a possible 2nd economic stimulus bill this month:

1. Make the $7,500 Tax Credit Available To ALL Purchasers & Eliminate the Repayment Requirement.
2. Make the 2008 FHA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Loan Limits Permanent.
3. Get the Emergency Treasury Bank Relief Program Back On Track.
4. Permanently Bar Banks and Banking Conglomerates From Engaging In Real Estate Brokerage and Management.     Read More Details Here

Learn About VOCs & All About "Going Green" before you buy/remodel.

Going Green 

Indoor Air Quality and VOCs  (Volatile Organic Compounds) - We should all be paying attention to our health, and this is timely info for anyone thinking about replacing their flooring and painting or doing other remodeling projects for the holidays.

 I highly recommend that you check out a newer "Dummies" series book called:

Green Building & Remodeling For Dummies (For Dummies (Home & Garden)) written by Eric Freed, $14.95 on Amazon - use the link here to preview and order now if you like.

My website address to view other timely real estate info in a 1 page Newsletter is http://www.KawellRealEstate.com and then look for the Newsletter link in the toolbar.

More Great Things About Federal Way!

Two of my favorite things about Federal Way are:

1. We have so many properties and neighborhoods with Spectacular Views and Waterfront Settings!

    Properties with Puget Sound, Vashon Island and Olympic Mountain views all in   combination; properties with outstanding views of majestic Mt Rainier and the Cascade range; and several fresh water lakes with boating, fishing and swimming opportunities.  Many of our homes are waterfront - either salt water (Puget Sound) or fresh water lakes. In the Redondo community there's a public boat launch for getting out onto the Sound, and there's also a half mile long pedestrian boardwalk to get out and enjoy fantastic salty air while taking in the scenery.

2. Culture & Higher Education

   The Federal Way Symphony is World Class! We have Centerstage Theatre which brings live theatre to us throughout the year at the Knutzen Family Theatre. We have the Federal Way Chorale, which brings us some of the best voices in the region. We have 2 great libraries, a Highline Community College campus, and a University of Washington campus is just a stone's throw away in Tacoma.

Sign of Success - Federal Way - Twin Lakes

After 8 months ... Tada ... We Finally Hit The Sweet Spot!

And I swear it was the 1 hour of professional staging that made it happen. Just 2 days after the stager & I rearranged the living room, changed some artwork, and reset the dining room table - a buyer waltzed in and fell in love. They had been looking for many months.

As homeowners and agents, we need to be totally open to having a "fresh set of eyes" come in and put the right spin on our properties for sale. I truly believe this home would have sold faster, and possibly for more money, had we had Jenny out sooner. I highly recommend Jenny Eglian, owner of JacketUp  professional staging and organizing services.

Who Has The Highest Advantage in This 2008 Real Estate Market?

All right already, we know it's buyers, but there is a subgroup that stands out heads and shoulders above in my opinion: FIRST TIME BUYERS. Who do you know that's been waiting but really is ready to follow the homeownersip dream? Please pass this great article along to them. It explains "WHY THIS COULD BE YOUR HISTORICAL GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY."

This article was written by fellow Realtor(c) BethAnn Long of Spokane, WA and is referenced with her permission.

First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit

Good News .. Good News .. Every first time buyer will want to know about this tax credit which expires July 1, 2009. It amounts to up to $7500 credit for singles with under $75,000 income, couples under $150,000. For details on this program, check out this link, and talk with your mortgage broker about it as well:  http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/index.html