The Market – A Mixed Bag

August16

RMLS just released the latest Market Action report chronicling real estate activity for July 2010 and the results are, well, interesting.   Basically, the entire report can be summed up with one sentence: Sales activity is way down, but sales prices have begun inching upwards! Here's the skinny: Sales Activity July 2010 vs June 2010 - Closed sales down 30% July 2010 vs July 2009 - Closed sales down 29% I expected sales activity to drop after the first time buyer tax credit expired, but that's not a decrease, that's falling off the mountain.  I'm going to be very interested to see the August numbers when they come out.  Was July a one month anomaly or have home sales really dried up? Home Prices July 2010 vs June 2010 - Prices increased 2.5% July 2010 vs July 2009 - Prices up 2.9% 12  Month Rolling Average - Prices down 6.4% Very interesting.  Even as the number of homes sold fell way off, prices started creeping upwards.  That's a great sign!  Again, the August numbers will shed some light on the situation.  What's really going on here?  I'm sure part of the increase can be attributed to the ultra low interest rates available.  Buyers can afford to pay a little more with interest rates so low.  The 12 Month Rolling average measures, in this case, the average sales price for  8/1/09 through 7/31/10 as compared to 8/1/08 through 7/31/09 Inventory Inventory is back up to 10.8 months after being in the 7s for the past four months.  New listing…


No Comments 

Top Ten Energy & Cash Saving Tips

  OK, I admit it, I stole this directly from Home Depot.  I'll make up for it with a Top Ten Reasons Home Depot Might Be Evil, just give it a time.  Today, though please enjoy Home Depot's Top Ten Cash & Energy Saving Tips!!! Install a programmable thermostat. You can save up to $180 a year by   installing a programmable thermostat that controls the temperature of   your home while you’re at work or asle…


No Comments 

Classic Home Improvement #4

Proof that just a little water can be a very, very bad thing.  Jump on small issues before they become large issues.  Or just wait until your ceiling falls in and you're forced to fix the problem.  Either way. Thanks to RJ Maguire and his West Coast Construction crew (Jose, Grant and the guys) for all their hard work.  In fact, Jose's upstairs hot mudding the new dry wall as we speak.  …


No Comments 

What Does the Contract Say?

I read an interesting blog in The Oregonian today by an experienced agent regarding the inclusion of appliances in a real estate transaction. The article entitled "Know the Facts When Selling Appliances to the Buyer of Your Home" states that even if a listing advertises that all appliances are included in the sale of the property that the seller is under no obligation to actually leave the appliances for the buyer unless the s…


No Comments 

Classic Home Improvement #3

We've moved on from the retaining walls and are now taking a look at my outside cement stair system that's been victimized by poor drainage and erosion. Ignore the obvious fashion statement I'm trying to make with the leaf in my hair. …


No Comments