Auburn, WA

The news media provides an overall look at what the real estate market is doing coast to coast. If you regularly read the local Sunday papers, you may even get a feel for what's selling in various counties or even in your local community.

Graphs bring that information down in a visual, manageable method, making it a bit easier to figure out what's really going on.

The graphs here are for the Auburn, Algona & Pacific areas of King County, known by the Northwest Multiple Listing Service as Area 310. At the time we look at your home's individual value, however, this information will be localized even further, helping everyone involved understand what the appropriate market price for your home really is. It's tough to make educated decisions without the hard facts backing them up.

This first graph illustrates the average price for homes on the market (active) vs the average price for those homes where the sale was completed (closed) in the same month. Here one can see that there was a spike in sold prices in July, with a drop in August.

This next chart shows the average sales price for homes in Area 310 (not just Auburn --gotta fix that chart title) .. by month since the start of 2005. So .... if you purchased your home in August 2005, it's easy to see that your home's value may be slightly less than that $$ amount in August 2009.

Next: The number of new listings coming on the market each month since 2005. Good for helping decide when the right time to list might be.

And look how the number of closed sales went month by month for the same period. (still gotta change these titles -- this is for Auburn, Pacific & Algona, not just Auburn Addresses!). Remember that sales typically receive a mutually accepted offer 30-45 days prior to closing. Look at August -- there's that July housing shopping in action!

I like this next chart! Look how far the inventory has fallen. Either houses are selling, or listings are being cancelled or expired. There are certainly fewer of them! It's really important to remember here, however, that this little chart only compares one month's of active listings to one month's of closed sales -- That's a bit limited in scope, but gives you an idea.

These are just a few of the statistics I use to help you work on your own home's value. Don't hesitate to give me a call or an e-mail if you want to examine your own situation!

I just came back in the house and to my home office desk. The weather is gorgeous -- clear blue sky and the garden just called for a quick walk through. Picked a few dahlias and stuff to put in a vase on my desk.

Such peacefulness.

Yes, I know that owning a home is tremendous commitment. It's hard, daggone it! Like many of you, we're close to being upside down on our house. We bought right in the middle of the 2005 upswing of prices. Four plus years later, we're back to where we started.

At least once a week I walk through the house and the yard and mutter about all of the remodeling that's still undone. And bemoan the hundreds ... make that thousands... of dollars we've spent on it thus far. With thousands yet to be spent.

Sometimes we make mistakes in our home choices. Sometimes we've spent too much or picked the wrong neighbors or painted the walls the wrong colors. Sometimes we just flat out can't afford our choice due to circumstances beyond our own control. Sometimes we have to face up to those mistakes and start over.

Every seller I've helped sell that had to sell for one reason or another--not just because they wanted a bigger or better house but because financially the house just didn't work for them--told me they couldn't wait to buy another one.

Homeownership IS a tremendous responsibility. But the Buyers with whom I work constantly remind me just how important it is to have one's own space. How badly they want it . It's an American obsession this desire to own a home. To be able to walk about one's own rooms or yard and look about.

There's a certain peacefulness about owning a home. I'm hooked. The dahlias are calling.

Visiting the Western Washington State Fair in Puyallup is a yearly tradition in my household. What can I say? ... I love looking over the pen at the massive momma sow with her bazillion piglets! Must be a frustrated farmer in here somewhere.

The fair starts next Friday, the 11^th and runs through the 27th, so I wanted to get the schedule out to you right away. After all, maybe you really want to go to the Rodeo. I know my son loves it!

Have fun! Get in line for scones, but don't eat too many fair burgers & fried Twinkies this year; after all I KNOW you'll want to ride the Extreme Scream!

Here's a quick schedule and info about transportation. For more, visit The Fair!

"Tubby" is a well-loved member of our family that, obviously, lives up to his name. Shortly after this photo was taken, he did gain a bit more room, thanks to his move to the country with the rest of the family.

For help with your next move, call Tubby's "mom." I'm always delighted to be of help for your own growing pains.

Farmers markets are the best place to stock up on fresh fruits, veggies, flowers ... and kettle corn! That's definitely the case at the Auburn International Farmers Market, held every Sunday from June 14th into September or so.

In addition to the food goodies, there's typically a guest chef cooking up farm fresh goodies, along with kids activities such as face painting and the Auburn Library storytelling time.

Held at the Auburn Sounder Train Station, 23 A Street SW, from 11am to 3pm, you'll want to stop in and stock up for the week!

Want to exhibit or sell at the market or just need more information? Visit the official Auburn International Farmers Market site.