I often get calls from my active buyers asking “when to buy”. My sellers are asking me “when you sell”. Each party wants to know how long to wait before pulling the trigger.  My answer is “when it is the right time for you, your budget and your family”.  Each person has a different life event that calls to buy or sell real estate.

Northwest Multiple Listing Service (MLS) reported as following stats for Dec 2009.

As seen above chart, Residential active listings units dropped 19.01% from 4362 units in 2008 vs 3533 units in 2009 for the month of December while Pending Residential units increased 38.02%, as Dec 09 pending listings were 628 units compare to 455 units in December 2008.  There is a huge increase in sold units at 89.02%, 654 units closed in 2009 vs 346 units in 2008.

As seen above chart, Median Price declined all across for Active, Pending and Sold Listings.  For December 09 sold median price was $287,000, dropped 19% compare to Dec 2008 while year to date Median price dropped further to 13.06%.

As seen above chart, one other important factor to watch is “Days on the market” (DOM). Due to better pricing of the homes as they get listed, DOM has dropped 12.3% for sold listings in December 2009 vs 2008.

Over all, Days on the market is shortening, Inventory of homes dropping while sold home units are increasing. December 2009 Market Trend is showing a promising future for buyers and sellers. Yes, values are declining as there is activity out there…..

If you would like more personalized information for your area, please contact me via email Sebnem.oden@exprealty.com or visiting my websitewww.ProKeyRE.com

Wishing you a prosperous real estate future….

OLD ROBE TRAIL - Mountain Loop Hwy, Granite Falls

Last weekend the day before Memorial Day, my family and I went on a great hike up in Granite Falls. This was our first time hiking there, having received information previously indicating there are at least four hikes in this area. Through my real estate related excursions in Granite Falls, I know it to be beautiful country. The Glacier Basin Trail is considered strenuous, but the other three are considered easy. They are The Big Four Ice Caves, Monte Cristo, and The Old Robe Trail.  We hiked Old Robe.

There is a bit of a descent down to the river which in the reverse, makes for an ascent, which can get a persons heart rate up a little for about 15 minutes.  It is beautiful scenery from the get-go and once down by the river, the trail remains relatively flat. The trail leads to part of what was once an old railroad line, and I’ve walked and maybe even ridden along tracks before, but I’ve never seen the likes of this. There are several tunnels or caves in the hillsides which the trains used to travel through. Although the trail is supposed to be closed at this point, we ventured on and the terrain does get a bit dangerous with unstable footing and debris on the trail. I’m glad my husband brought some rope and thankfully, we didn’t need it!

I did imagine myself back in time, traveling by train on this route….being the setting is breathtakingly beautiful, I imagined those providing any type of service not having to deal with unpleasant travelers with the setting exuding such a sense of peace.

Another place my boys and I have hiked is Wallace Falls in Gold Bar. This hike also takes one along the river for a while, and again, leading to levels of ascension. There are at least three different trails to hike with trails leading to the lower falls, middle falls and upper falls.  I’m not sure if each trail gives a different vantage point of the same thing since the lower falls has always been an enjoyable hike which provides a good workout and takes 2 1/2 – 3 hours round trip. My eldest sons 6th grade Language Arts and Social Studies teacher, proposed to his wife on this hike and they actually had their wedding there. I believe they were married at the Upper Falls so one of these days, I’m going to have to remember to ask him how many were in attendance!

Wallace Falls, April 2008

Having spent a large portion of my life in Hawaii and explored much of the aina (land) there, I have to say the natural beauty of Washington state rivals it.

I hope to have a our next hiking excursion a little closer to home, perhaps Mt Si in North Bend.  This one may be a little more challenging but I understand the views are amazing so hopefully the rest of the family will appreciate having to make the additional effort!

Happy Trails Everyone!