About Clallam County, WA

I did an FHA appraisal inspection this morning, and the owner casually mentioned what she and her husband thought their house should be worth. Of course, I always make a note of what they say, just for my records, and then proceed to explain the current reality of the market.

Funny how while I'm explaining that the market has dropped off about 12% in 2008 vs 2007, I can see the glazed over look in their eyes, and the reaction on the owner's face... you know, the one that says 'Well, that may be what the numbers say and how the overall market's doing, but that doesn't apply to my house.'

Of course not, your house is the exception.

Your house is worth WAY more than everyone else's, even though you still have the original vinyl flooring and formica counters from 1987 in the bathrooms, and the indoor/outdoor carpet in the kitchen and dining room.

No, your house is totally different and better than all the others, so of course it's worth whatever you think it should be worth, because that's what you told the lender, and that's what you need to make your loan work, and besides, you know the market.

I just smile and think to myself wow... some people just don't get it.

Delusion... coming soon to a community near you.

So the results are in for 2008 real estate sales, based on data in OLS (Olympic Listing Service), Area 300 (All of Sequim address), and while they're not great, they're not so bad either...

Here are the highlights:

For 2008, this includes sales of site built homes, off-site built homes (manufactured homes on non-leased land) and condos:

Total number of sales: 349

Average price: $294,298

Median price: $272,500

Average DOM: 128

This is a 12% decline in Average price, and an 8% decline in Median price vs 2007, and a 22% decrease in the number of transactions.

I have an Excel spreadsheet with more detail if anyone would like to see it... just send me an email and I'll send it to you.

Marti

So the results are in for 2008 real estate sales, based on data in OLS (Olympic Listing Service), Area 300 (All of Sequim address), and while they're not great, they're not so bad either...

Here are the highlights:

For 2008, this includes sales of site built homes, off-site built homes (manufactured homes on non-leased land) and condos:

Total number of sales: 349

Average price: $294,298

Median price: $272,500

Average DOM: 128

This is a 12% decline in Average price, and an 8% decline in Median price vs 2007, and a 22% decrease in the number of transactions.

I have an Excel spreadsheet with more detail if anyone would like to see it... just send me an email and I'll send it to you.

Marti

The real estate sales market may still be slow in Sequim, but I'm really busy with appraisals now, and with the exception of 1 sale I did a couple of weeks ago, the rest are for refi's.

I talked to one of the reps at RELS today, and she said they were really busy too, which is great news...

Let's hope the sales market picks up too.

Sequim and Port Angeles seem to be escaping some of the nasty winter blizzards in Western Washington, in large part because of the rain shadow that shields our area.

The National Weather Service reports:

A blizzard warning will shortly replace the current winter storm watch for the Western Strait (from about Joyce westerly) and the North Coast in Clallam County, including Forks, LaPush, Neah Bay, Clallam Bay, and Sekiu. Blizzard conditions are expected to start Saturday afternoon and continue through the evening, moderating by Sunday morning. The NWS defines a blizzard as large quantity and/or a blowing snow with winds of 35 mph or stronger, and visibility of 1/4 mile or less for more than three hours. For Western Clallam County the NWS expects 6 - 12" of snow accumulation, and winds of 35 - 45 mph and gusts to 60 mph. This is a potentially dangerous situation for the West part of the County and citizens are advised to prepare now.

For the east end of the County, lowland areas are expected to see new snow accumulations of 1 - 3" and winds of about 20 mph. The NWS is not however declaring a storm warning for the Eastern part of the County. The shadowing effect of the Olympics is expected to make Port Angeles and Sequim one of the least impacted areas from this storm, however, I would emphasize that these forecasts are subject to change. Residents are advised to watch weather forecasts for updates. Furthermore, even in Eastern Clallam County, those living at higher elevations may experience considerably greater snowfall.

In the Olympic Mountains, snowfall is expected to be extremely high (2 - 3 feet.) Also for the Olympics the NWS has issued an Avalanche Warning. Earlier "weak" snow is going to be covered with a large accumulation of new "strong" snow, creating extremely hazardous avalanche conditions. The possibility of triggering an avalanche by mountain travel, particularly on side hills is significant. Accordingly, winter activities in the higher elevations of the Olympics should proceed only with great caution.

Read updated National Weather Service reports for Sequim. Read updated National Weather Service reports for Port Angeles. Finally, you can compare the weather in Sequim and Port Angeles LIVE right here.

Plan your trip Local Radar Detailed Forecast

Plan your trip Local Radar Detailed Forecast

Bookmark this article so you can come back periodically and see the weather comparison yourself. Courtesy of Chuck Marunde and Sequim & Port Angeles Real Estate, LLC.