About Cowlitz County, WA

Cowlitz Summer Youth Employment Program

This summer, with the help of the Federal Government, the Longview Goodwill is bringing some great opportunities to Cowlitz County young workers and local employers who qualify. Along with the below press release, some TV, Radio and News Paper campaigns will be running making interested candidates aware of this great opportunity. You only have till June 20^th to contact the appropriate person to see if you qualify as a worker or as an employer.

Fed stimulus money to pay for young workers
Goodwill's Vocations Unlimited searching for youth, employers

LONGVIEW - If you're a young adult, 14 to 24 years old, a Cowlitz County resident, and searching for a summer job then visit Goodwill's Vocations Unlimited Office.

Through the Southwest Washington Workforce Development Council, Goodwill is using federal stimulus money to pay employees it places in jobs up to $1,500 this summer. The application deadline is June 20.

For information, contact Paul Spears or Rosalind Mallett at 360.425.6929 or by email to pspears@tacomagoodwill.org or rmallett@tacomagoodwill.org. Information is also available at the Vocations Unlimited Office, 1030 15^th Ave., in Longview.

"The goal of the Summer Youth Employment Program is to get young adults employed and helping the economy right away," said Spears, a Vocations manager. "This helps young adults get them involved in the work world or at least aware of other services we have available."

Employers are also sought who have part-time, temporary work to be done. Employers can be non-profit or public agencies. Some for-profit companies are included if they meet guidelines.

"We don't want it to appear that these jobs would prohibit someone else getting a job," Spears said. "The ideal situation would be a company needs extra staff for a specific task."

WHAT: Summer Youth Employment Program
WHEN: Summer 2009
WHAT: For up to 100 young adults in Cowlitz County, 14 to 24 years of age
TO APPLY: Contact Paul Spears or Rosalind Mallett, 360.425.6929 or pspears@tacomagoodwill.org, rmallett@tacomagoodwill.org by June 20

Venancio Gonzalez - GRI, e-PRO Realtor® with Windermere Real Estate Allen & Associates, serving Longview, Kelso and surrounding Cowlitz County real estate markets. gonzalezq@windermere.com or (360) 751 4001.

Cowlitz County real estate market report for single family only - April, 2009

Cowlitz County real estate market report for April 2009, compared to the previous few months there was more activity in April, more homes sold, one more pending and more active listings. Studies show that spring always have been the busiest time of the year for real estate and this year is not the exception.

This report will give you an insight of how the Cowlitz County real estate market is doing, number of active, pending and sold homes, average and medium prices, and average days on the market and what price range is more competitive and what price range is moving (selling) faster.

Cowlitz County Homes - Active, Pending and Sold Listings at the end of April, 2009

Active Listings - 604

Pending Listings - 99

Sold Homes - 57

Average List Price - $238,016

Average Selling Price - $182,706

Medium List Price - $206,950

Medium Selling Price - $173,250

Average Days on Market - 135

Most Competitive Price Range - $200,000 thru $249,999

Actives Listings at this price range - 107

Pending Listing - 16

Sold Listings - 6

Most Active Price Range - $180,000 thru $199,999

Pending - 15

Sold - 9

See March Cowlitz real estate market report or Cowlitz real estate report for 2008.

Venancio Gonzalez - GRI, e-PRO Realtor® with Windermere Real Estate Allen & Associates, serving Longview, Kelso and surrounding Cowlitz County real estate markets. gonzalezq@windermere.com or (360) 751 4001.

Cowlitz County First Time Home Buyer Resources and Assisting Programs

Because of the mortgage crisis banks did tight up guide lines qualification to get loans and everyday, one way or another; we are reminded about how hard it is to get one. Well, this still true to some degree but we have been experiencing some positive changes lately and hopefully with newly signed "American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan" things get back to normal soon.

Despite everything that is going on out there it hasn't been a better times to buy a home in years than right now, especially for first time home buyers. According to experts, never before in history the right combination of things were available at the same time, lowest home prices in years, history low interest rates, high inventory of homes for sale including many foreclosures and short sales.

A variety of incentives and even 100% financing programs are available for first time home buyer but these opportunities are not for everybody only for those with steady income and good credit. Other opportunities like Owner Financing or Lease Option, just to name a couple, may work for those with a challenge credit but with good steady income. Contact me with any questions or to request a list of Owner Financing homes.

The following are some of the programs that I know of; there may be other one out there.

1. First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit - this is an incentive of $8,000 offer to first time home buyers if they buy before December 1, 2009.
2. Express Loan Program - This is 100% loan offered to first time buyers by the Washington Estate Housing Finance Commission.
3. USDA Home Loan Programs - United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) offer variety of 100% loans to low and moderate income home buyers.
4. Self-Helping Housing - a chance to help build your own home, a unique opportunity offered by CAP to families who qualify.
5. Habitat For Humanity - Habitat for Humanity works in partnership with people in need to build or renovate decent, affordable housing.

Visit a first time home buyer tips article I wrote and learn more about buying a home.

Venancio Gonzalez - GRI, e-PRO Realtor® with Windermere Real Estate Allen & Associates, serving Longview, Kelso and surrounding Cowlitz County real estate markets. gonzalezq@windermere.com or (360) 751 4001.

Easter Egg Hunt - 2009

Once again the Kelso Lions Club is inviting kids to bring their baskets and join the annual Easter Egg Hunt. The event is taking place at the Coweeman Middle School field, this Saturday April 11^th at 11:00 am. There will be a designated area for small (Pre-Schooler's) kids.

Last year, I took my two little ones and they had a lot of fun, it was perfect day to be outside enjoying the out doors. Let's hope for a nice weather again this year.

Venancio Gonzalez - GRI, e-PRO Realtor® with Windermere Real Estate Allen & Associates, serving Longview, Kelso and surrounding Cowlitz County real estate markets. gonzalezq@windermere.com or (360) 751 4001.

A day at the beach

For the first time this year, here in Cowlitz County, we are experiencing the wonderful weather the kid have been waiting for. Since it was over 70 degrees on Sunday, we decided to take a trip to the Beach, Long Beach Washington to be exact. A lot of people just playing around, flying kites, having fun with kids, dogs and some just relaxing, enjoying the sunshine. It turn out to be a great ride down there, the kid had lots of fun burying themselves in the sand and playing with the dog and even though the water was cold they still went in for a swim. As you could imagine, they are eager looking forward to do this again in the coming summer and having a lot of fun.

Venancio Gonzalez - GRI, e-PRO Realtor® with Windermere Real Estate Allen & Associates, serving Longview, Kelso and surrounding Cowlitz County real estate markets. gonzalezq@windermere.com or (360) 751 4001.