Cowlitz County Real Estate Agent Venancio Gonzalez

What does the future holds for the local Cowlitz County real estate market?

As the country's economy is going from bad to worst, oil prices, the value of the dollar among other issues are causing many corporations and small business owners to go out of business or cut back on stuff living thousands of hard working people with out a job through out the Country. As of today Cowlitz County has not been hit as bad as other parts of the country but the worst may still to come according to some experts.

The sub prime loan melt-down mess had hit hard some parts of the states like Arizona, California and Florida among others, here in Washington hasn't been that bad but some experts believe that the worst may still to come especially for Cowlitz County. According to state economist quoted in the Wall Street Journal, over half of the mortgages acquired in Cowlitz County during the last four years were sub prime loans and are do to reset in 2008 and 2009.

As all these mortgages reset to a higher rate many of these barrowers more than likely will be in trouble unable to keep up with the higher mortgage payment and eventually will be force into default joining the masses already in crisis and eventually raising the number of foreclosures in the next couple years. The following link will take you to view all currently available Cowlitz County foreclosures.

Contact Cowlitz County real estate agent, Venancio Gonzalez a GRI, E-PRO Realtor®, with Windermere Real Estate Allen & Associates, 360 751 4001, for a foreclosure consultation, to list your home or to purchase a home in Longview, Kelso, Woodland, Kalama, Castle Rock, Toutle, Silver Lake and Cathlamet.

Our job is not about selling houses is about helping people.

Windermere agents do more than just sell real estate, we are a dedicated group of real estate agents determined to make a difference in the lives of our clients and all those around us, help to keep a good quality of live in the communities and neighborhoods we served by helping to improve and maintain them.

Community Service Day is one of the projects among the many things we do to help and maintain the communities our clients called home. The Community Service Day is a yearly event that has been taking place since 1984, is a day during the year when most Windermere offices close their doors to let all agents participate in many projects around local communities. We participate in painting, cleaning and repairing schools, playgrounds, parks, shelters community buildings among others.

We understand the importance of giving back to the very own communities who make us who we are. So, this year mark your calendar for Friday June 20^th, our office is going to be close all day but you may still see us around your neighborhood working along side of some of you. If you know of some one who may need a helping hand or a community project that may als need some help feel free to contact Windermere or my self, we may be able to help.

If you are looking to buy or sell in the Cowlitz County real estate market, I would love the opportunity to show you what I have to offer to help you get the best home for your buck or sell for the most amount possible.

The Cowlitz County real estate market (slowly but firmly) has kept the upward trend, we have seeing higher numbers each and every month since the beginning of the year. There have been more active listings and sold homes each month, the pending and contingent listings at times are lower but for the most part have been higher.

Below are the numbers of Cowlitz County home sales, active, pending and contingent listings, average prices and days on the market.

Active listings 769 with 130 average days on the market and average price of $293,513.

Contingent listings 9 with 106 average days on the market and average price of $291,022.

Pending listings 53 with 96 average days on the market and average price of $207,370.

Sold listings 77 with 84 average days on the market and average price of $192,433.

Again the most competitive price range is $250,000 - $299,900 with 135 active listings, 3 contingent, 8 pending and 7 sold. More active price range is $160,000 - $179,900 12 sold and 6 pending.

34 homes expired on April more than likely because they were over price.

As stats show homes are selling they just need to be price correctly.

Click the following links to see past months stats; March, February and January.

If you are looking to buy or sell in the Cowlitz County real estate market, I would love the opportunity to show you what I have to offer to help you get the best home for your buck or sell for the most amount possible.

Early this month a child of one of our own in the real estate industry (9 year old Hannah, the daughter of Danni Wicken from Chicago Title) was diagnosed with leukemia. A devastating situation, our harts and prayers go out to her and her family. The incredible support and unity the whole Cowlitz County community has shown has been unbelievable; neighbors, class mates, co-workers, parents and teachers of her school and the real estate community (among others) have jumped on board to help with meals, toy, organized car washes, raffles and other fund raisers. Click here for more on her story.

Since I know Danni through work and my 10 year old daughter (Leslie) attends the same school as Hannah, we decided to team up and volunteer on last Sunday's car wash organized by Dnni's co-workers and other in the real estate industry. I'm happy to say that despite all the unusual crazy weather we been having the last couple weeks, Sunday was nice and the turn out was great. Thanks to everyone that showed up with their donations and made us work none stop for almost three hours, we had a blast.

On Sunday May 4^th the Cowlitz PUD employees, family and friends will be holding another fund-raising car wash from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on the Ocean Beach Highway Les Schwab Tire Store. Come to support Hannah and show your unity spirit or you can also stop by Bank of America and make a donation and don't forget to keep her and her family in your prayers.

Well, this last weekend, here in Cowlitz County we finally had nice weather, for the first time it felt like spring. It is a great feeling to go outside and see the sun shinning, all the colorful trees blooming and the beginning of all the sport activities baseball, softball and spring soccer. My wonderful wife (Martha) and I are the proud parents of three great children Alan, Leslie, and our baby Edgar; all three are in sports so we had a very busy day on Saturday, three games and opening ceremonies spread out through the day from 9:00 am till 4:00 pm.

Our first event was Edgar's T-ball game. We had a great time watching him and his team mates play their first T-ball game, these kid are from 4 ½ to 6 years old (Edgar is 4 ½). As you can imagine it was a lot of excitement there, a lot of proud parents and grandparents gear up with cameras and camcorders ready to capture for the first time those special moments. After that great experience out we went to the next schedule events, Leslie's game then Alan's. We had a wonderful day the kid got to do what they love to do and we got watch them and visit with some of our friend and other parents.

I'm looking forward to the next couple months of practices, games and hopefully nice like this weekend.