About Pierce County, WA

February 2012 Real Estate Market Update

The real estate market in DuPont, WA (in Pierce County) is holding steady.

In February 2012, there were six single family home sales with an average sales price of $307,250. Year-to-date, the average home sales price is $298,011.

In all of 2011, the average sales price was $285,349.

In all of 2010, the average sales price was $313,576.

With Pending Sales up, buyers believe we may have hit bottom. Pending Sales means there is an increase in activity. Buyers are making offers on homes and sellers are accepting those offers. Not every pending sale results in a closed sale but nonetheless, buyers are showing their confidence.

According to Lynn Franco, director of The Conference Board Consumer Research Center, consumers were more optimistic about the short-term outlook than they were a month ago.

“Consumers are considerable less pessimistic about current business and labor market conditions than they were in January. And despite further increases in gas prices, they are more optimistic about the short-term outlook for the economy, job prospects, and their financial situation.”

Nationally, the overall direction for the housing market is positive, according to analysts with the National Association of Realtors. Its latest figures show the past few months of contract activity are the highest in more than four years. The market isn’t as strong as it could be because of overly restrictive lending standards and contract cancellations due in part to appraised values coming in below a negotiated price. Locally, others believe that the only reason why we are not in a hot, thriving market is because of short sales and foreclosed properties, which represent about one-third of the transactions.

About Northwest Landing in Dupont, WA

Northwest Landing in Dupont, WA is located just minutes from Joint-Base Lewis McChord (JBLM) on the west side of Interstate 5.

Northwest Landing is still expanding and growing, and when fully built out, there will be approximately 12,000 homes. The residential section of Northwest Landing consists of single family homes, condos, townhomes as well as rental apartments and 55+ housing.

While Northwest Landing is a large community, the design of the neighborhood was carefully planned to create continuity and promote green living. With an extensive system of sidewalks, bike lanes and walking trails, Northwest Landing encourages leaving the car at home when visiting the city center with amenities such as shopping, restaurants, and other services.

Some of the design elements you’ll notice in Northwest Landing are:

• Streets are narrow to slow traffic and make pedestrian crossing easier.
• Many homes have front porches with garages in alleys so cars won’t hit pedestrians while backing out.
• Multifamily housing is designed to look like the single family homes, and blends in with the neighborhood.

(All data compiled from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service. Data is deemed accurate but not guaranteed.)

Interested in living in Northwest Landing? Call me today to find your next home. In the meantime, check out the current homes for sale.

My neighbor, John, got X for his house, he told me so...

I had a listing appointment today and I decided to approach the price question in a different way. I often get shot down when I give my price opinion and I thought I would ask the seller what she thought her house was worth and then I would give my opinion and justify it with my data.

How refreshing it was to have the seller say, she had no idea what her house is worth and that is why I was sitting at her table. Most of the time, I am at loggerheads with the seller who has a predetermined price in mind. After all they know, or I should say, they think they know what the guy across the street got for his house or what he told them, he got. Many times they base their information on what the house was originally listed for. Not what it eventually sold for.

I have lost many a listing, when the client, I'm trying to help, tells me that the guy just next door, with a house, not as nice as his got $30,000 more than what the county records and MLS say he got. Of course that neighbor has moved on and can't be cross examined with the data. I have even called the neighbor's listing agent to verify the selling price. Most often, to my chagrin, the prospective selling client goes with another agent who buys the listing.

How do you handle, the know it all, next door neighbor that seems to have all the answers but no facts to back it up?

This post was authored by Paul Henderson ©2012, All Rights Reserved, This content may not be reproduced or reprinted (Except for ActiveRain Re-blogging) without express written permission of Paul Henderson, RE/MAX Professionals, Tacoma, WA.

ClipArt by Microsoft

Millions of homeowners fell behind on their mortgage payments last year, and then proceeded to fall further behind every month.

These are tough times and there are no easy answers.

The fact is, major lenders, the federal government, and local agencies across the country have stepped up their efforts to stem the tide of foreclosures. More help is available than ever before.

As a real estate professional who has earned the Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) designation, I am knowledgeable and adept at navigating among the full range of solutions for helping financially distressed homeowners to make a fresh start.

Looking to learn more? Check out my free report: "Tipping the Scales Toward Foreclosure? Resolve to Shed the Weight of an Unmanageable Mortgage in 2012."

And if you, or someone you care about is looking to tip the scales back into financial solvency, contact me today for a confidential consultation!

Sandy Wagner

Short Sale Specialist in Tacoma, WA and Gig Harbor, WA

Helping people find a way out of foreclosure

253.225.8322

www.sandywagnerhomes.com

When families are tapped out financially and faced with the uncertainty of not knowing how much longer they'll be able to stay in their home, the prospect of planning or having a positive outlook on the future seems out of the question.

Many financially strapped homeowners feel frozen in action and it's no wonder, but here's the most important point that you need to know:

Even though millions of homes have been lost to foreclosure, you and those you care about absolutely do not need to add to that statistic.

More help is available now than ever before.

As a real estate professional who has earned the Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) designation, I am adept at navigating among the full range of solutions for helping financially distressed homeowners to make a fresh start.

If you, or someone you care about is looking to get out from under the cloud of unmanageable mortgage contact me today for a confidential consultation!

Sandy Wagner

Short Sale Specialist in Tacoma, WA and Gig Harbor, WA

Helping people find a way out of foreclosure

253.225.8322

www.sandywagnerhomes.com