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About Yakima County, WA

Yakima, Washington Relocation - Relocating to Yakima, Washington? - Free Yakima Relocation Packages!

The Relocation Professionals: Real Estate - Other in Encinitas, CA
Yakima, Washington is located in south central Washington at the intersection of the Naches and Yakima Rivers. Yakima is the gateway to the lush Yakima Valley in one direction and the stunning Cascade Mountains on the other. Yakima is the county seat of Yakima County and is the second largest sized county in the state with 4,296 square miles of land. The Yakima Valley is known for its production of forest products, manufacturing aircraft parts and supplies, and machinery used in food product packaging. One of the top industries in the region is agriculture specifically tree fruits, hops, mint, vegetables, livestock, dairy and wine. The Wine industry in the Yakima Valley has boomed in recent years, with international recognition of Yakima wines and vineyards.

The Yakima Valley lies at the same latitude as the famous wine regions of France. Due to the northerly latitude, Yakima receives more hours of sunshine (17.4 hours per day - 2 hours more than the Napa Valley) each day during the growing season than does California. This, coupled with a long growing season, cool desert nights, rich volcanic soil makes a perfect environment for ripening premium wine grapes with a proper sugar/acid balance. People used to ask if the Napa Valley produced wine as good as French wine. Napa Valley wines are different from French wine because of the difference in latitude. Today people want to know if Washington State Wines are as good as Napa Valley Wines. Actually, Washington State Wines are as good as the best French wines!

Yakima is a strong community experiencing healthy growth. The active participation of Yakima's citizens was recognized in 1994 when Yakima was named "All-America City". Community members and leaders are proud of their achievements and stand firm in the commitment to work together to keep Yakima a beautiful and thriving community. The population in the city limits of Yakima is 71,845 residents. This is a 33% increase over the past decade. Housing in the area ranges from Lakeside homes and condominiums, to turn of the century historic homes and large sprawling ranches. The median household income in Yakima is $29,475 per year and the median selling price for a house is refreshingly affordable at $190,000. The weather in Yakima is enviable with 300 days of sunshine on average per year. The average winter temperature is 37 degrees and in the summer it is 88 degrees. Yakima and the surrounding area offers camping, fishing, kayaking, hiking, mountain biking, skiing, snow boarding, boating, and incredibly beautiful sight seeing. The turn-of-the-century Capitol Theatre, Yakima Valley Museum, and the Visitors and Convention Center, in addition to sports teams such as the Yakima Bears, baseball, and the Sun Kings, basketball, and the Central Washington State Fair, all add to the recreational opportunities and quality of life in the area.

For a Free Relocation Package for Yakima, Washington click here!

10 Fun, Free Family Activities in Yakima, May 2008

Shannon Drew, Hometown Realty, Yakima WA: Real Estate Agent in Yakima, WA

 

1.Historical Park Have a picnic, play games, and tour history at Fort Simcoe State Park. Located at the end of SR220, 45 minutes South of Yakima, the park is open daily 6:30AM to dusk through October 2nd. An Interpretative Center and the Historical Buildings are open 9:30- 4:30PM Wed-Sun through Oct. 1st. Call (509) 874-2372 or visit  http://www.parks.wa.gov/ for more information.

 

2.Art Show  Enjoy art from three very different perspectives, now through June 4th, at Oak Hollow Gallery, Chalet Place, 5631 Summitview Ave., Yakima. (509) 965-3846 "Generational Views: Mother, Daughter and Granddaughter." Works by Ardith Kaiser, Holly Mahre and Lindsey Gaskill. (A Mother's Day outing, maybe?)

 

3.Kids/Teens Night Out "Saturday Night Live", every Saturday night 7-9:30 at the YMCA, 5 N. Naches Ave., Yakima. Free fun for ages 7-15. Activities include swimming, basketball, volleyball, foosball, and pool. (509) 248-1202.

 

4.Dance Not just any dancing, but Los Bailadores Del Sol. This dance group is so energetic and great fun to watch, and the public can participate as they practice, too. 6:30-8:30 Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at the Castlevale EPIC, 2902 Castlevale Rd., Yakima.

 

5.Music  This month you can listen to Ryan Schultz on the Tuba at Englewood Christian Church. The Second Sunday Series falls this month on May 11th and starts at 2PM. The church is located at 511 N. 44th Ave., Yakima. Donations are accepted if you'd like to contribute.

 

6.Book Club  On the second Wednesday of each month you'll find the Passionate Readers Book Club in deep discussion at Borders Books. Meetings begin at 7PM. Borders is in the Union Gap Mall at 1700 E. Washington Ave., Union Gap. (509) 248-4018.

 

7.Car Show The American Reflections Car Club is hosting their 8th Annual "Open" Show Sunday, May 18th at Moxee Park. There is a registration fee to enter, but looking and enjoying is free! Features custom cars, classics, streetrods, stock vehicles, trucks, vehicles under construction, foreign vehicles, tuners, lowriders, SUVs, motorcycles and even bicycles! Music and food vendors, too!

 

8.Storytelling "Tales of the Rails" is songs and storytelling by Nancy Stewart and MaryLee Sunseri. Fun the whole family will enjoy! Show is May 23rd at 7PM in the Yakima Valley Museum at Franklin Park, 2015 Tieton Dr., Yakima. (509) 248-0747. Have a picnic in the park and then enjoy the show!

 

9.More Music An electric-folk/rock presentation by Raining Jane, May 27th at 7PM at the CWU Student Union and Rec. Center Pit off Chestnut Street in Ellensburg. (Okay, this isn't Yakima, but it's close, and it sounds like a lot of fun...)

 

10.Campfire Talks Every summer the Yakima Sportsman State Park hosts what they call the Summer Campfire Program. Each event has a different topic and host. Bring a lawn chair and stick around to roast marshmallows (provided) after the talk. The park is located at 904 Keys Rd., Yakima. (509) 575-2774

  • May 24th, "Vineyards of Yakima Valley"
  • May 31st, Bob Tuck, "Local Yakima Birds & Animals"                                                                                                                                                                           

Yakima MLS Residential Sales Data 1st Quarter 2008, 2007, 2006

Shannon Drew, Hometown Realty, Yakima WA: Real Estate Agent in Yakima, WA

Total Sold Volume $

Total Sold Units

Average Sale $

Average Sold Days on Market

03/2008

31,347,423

165

189,984

142

02/2008

20,086,927

135

148,792

122

01/2008

19,855,632

115

172,657

146

1st Qtr '08 total

71,289,982

415

03/2007

39,200,633

229

171,181

168

02/2007

18,622,910

138

134,948

157

01/2007

20,947,394

138

151,792

134

1st Qtr '07 total

78,770,937

505

03/2006

22,267,254

164

135,775

107

02/2006

15,232,599

114

133,619

192

01/2006

15,067,321

109

138,232

121

1st Qtr '06 total

52,567,174

387

This includes all residential sales, including condos, townhouses, single-family site built homes, manufactured homes on leased land, and manufactured homes on land. The data was pulled from the MLS and compiled by me.

Total volume and total units sold are lower this year than last year, but the average price has increased and the average days on market has declined. So, while we are seeing some slowing, homes are selling faster and for more money.

I've been reporting that Yakima is a strong market despite the slight declines in volume, but thought it would be more believable if I brought out some real numbers.

The Good, the So-So, and the LOCAL

Shannon Drew, Hometown Realty, Yakima WA: Real Estate Agent in Yakima, WA

"Housing market continues to fall", read the headline yesterday on the money page of the local newspaper. It was an AP article discussing the situation nationwide. Quoting statistics from the National Association of Realtors and economic experts, the article suggests that the real estate market is in for a really bad year.

National statistics may interest some, but I hear from most people that they'd like to know what is happening here...where they live and work. I would love to see the Yakima Herald Republic print more articles about our local economy because this national doom and gloom reporting is scaring people. I answer panicked calls from sellers and buyers daily.

So, today, I'm writing to people in my community and sharing some GOOD news, some SO-SO news, and some LOCAL market information....

GOOD NEWS: Local non-agricultural job growth is at the second highest level in Yakima County since 1990. The new Osteopathic college will open it's doors to the first class this fall. The HOP market has gone crazy and all those farmers planting extra acres are going to bring loads of money into the local economy. Downtown Yakima has been born-again as a hip, fun, artsy place to be and be seen. New construction homes are selling here...more and more homes are being built and most are purchased in advance. (Have you driven around West Valley lately!) I hosted an open house in Yakima last Sunday and was bombarded by buyers...I haven't done an open house that busy since last spring!

SO-SO NEWS: Lending standards have changed. You now need to have some money and good credit, in addition to a pulse, to get a home loan. Sub-prime loans have gone bye-bye. This just means that young first-time buyers will need to plan and save before becoming homeowners. Gas prices are up, just like everywhere else, and this is affecting local businesses. Those who rely on shipping products in or out, folks in the trucking or repair industries, or real estate agents driving to showings have seen it first-hand in their wallets. This is forcing us to be more conscious of our driving habits, and also urging the faster exploration of alternative fuels. We all need to buy as much locally as possible. The Farmer's Market will be back soon and even bigger this season!

 LOCAL REAL ESTATE MARKET NEWS: That headline about the falling market was all about the number of pending home sales. In Yakima, the pending sales are down, too. For the last thirty day period compared to 2007 for the same 30 days, we are down 4 pending sales. FOUR. That could just be four folks that couldn't get a loan this year, or four that were too afraid to try because of all the negative media. We have 10% more houses on the market this year-to-date compared to the same period last year (114 more residential listings, which is less than one month's inventory). But average sale price is up 4% (GOOD). Average Days On Market from list date to closing date is longer, though. Four days longer. FOUR. Four days longer to sell, Four pending sales worse than 2007. Prices up 4%. This isn't the same real estate market the AP reporter was writing about. We are affected by some of the same things happening nationally, but not nearly at the same level.

If you are waiting to buy or sell in the Yakima area because of the bad news reports...STOP IT! Now is a fine time to shop for a house. The extra inventory is a treat if you're buying, lots to choose from...and sellers that price right for the market and present their homes well are still getting them sold. Call a local Realtor if you have questions. We have ready access to the facts and are willing to share the information.

Yakima Events in April...Fun Things to Do This Month!!

Shannon Drew, Hometown Realty, Yakima WA: Real Estate Agent in Yakima, WA

Outdoor Survival Class at YVCC First class April 10, 6:30PM and runs for three consecutive Thursdays. Class taught by a Yakima  County Search and Rescue veteran includes topics such as positive attitude and programming your mind to succeed and to control fear, as well as basic map-and-compass skills, telling time and direction by the stars and sun, and navigating by reading signs in plants, soils, winds, topography, temperature and wildlife. Call Don Witke, instructor, for more information 509-697-6378. To register call YVCC at 547-4712. Tuition is $30.

Temptation: A Mixed Media Invitational. Opening reception, Thursday, April 10 5:30-7:30PM, Through May 25th, Peggy Lewis Gallery, Allied Arts Center 509-966-0930, www.alliedartsyakima.org . Expressions of temptation by Becky Blair, Bill Brennan, Brian Holtzinger, Carol Hassen, Gary Dismukes, Justin beckman, Leo Adams, Lucy Valderhaug, Marcia Blevins, Penn O. Shelton, Rob Prout, and others.

Yakima Area Arboretum, 9th Annual Arbor Festival April 12, 10AM-3PM Activities for kids and adults, FREE!

Seattle Opera Young Artists, with the Yakima Symphony Orchestra April 12, 7:30PM at the Capital Theatre. Two one-act comedic masterpieces: Maurice Ravel's Fantastical L'enfant et les Sortil ges and Puccini's Gianni Schicchi. Tickets available at 509-853-ARTS, or toll free 877-330-ARTS.

YVCC Visiting Faculty Lecture Series April 14, 7:30PM. Kendall Hall Auditorium. Free. Call 509-574-4646 Diandra Leslie-Pelecky: "Building Speed: The Physics of NASCAR"

 Earth Day Hike, Cowiche Canyon April 20, meet at 1PM at the Weikel Trail trailhead. (Dir: West on Summitview for 7 miles past 40th Ave., right on Weikel Rd., half-mile later turn right into parking lot for Cowiche Canyon) Participants go one way with a naturalist, who will point out local flora and fauna, and the other way with a geologist who can explain the history of the rock structures and how and what the different colors and layers mean.

Yakima Valley Community Band Spring Concert April 21, 7:30PM, Eisenhower High School's Little Theatre, 702 S. 40th Ave., FREE Broadway, Classical and Patriotic music. 509-965-2115, www.yakimacommunityband.org.

Capital Steps April 24 at the Capital Theatre. 853-ARTS, or 877-330-ARTS for tickets. Don't miss the show all of Yakima talks and laughs about for days. A highlight of the year on stage!

The Wizard of Oz, April 24-26 and May 1-3, 7:30PM, or April 26/ May 3 aat 2PM at the Davis High School Auditorium. $7 adults, $5 ages 12 and under. Presented by Davis High School drama department. 509-573-2500