Zillow's Economic Forecast for Snohomish County

Wednesday Mickie and I attended Zillow's Economic Forecast for Snohomish County held at the Lynnwood's Lowe's Theater. The Economic Forecast was hosted my friends at First American Title and the folks from Wells Fargo and the focus was a few fold:

1. Explain how Zillow Zestimates are generated.
2. Look at the national housing trends.
3. Drill down forecasts for the Snohomish County housing market.

Instead of diving into the abyss of Zestimates and how housing markets are local and not national; however, I will breeze onto Snohomish County's Economic Forecast.

Considering a Home Renovation? Window Treatments are a Great Place to Start!

Often overlooked when first thinking of home renovation, window blinds are an integral part of many home makeovers. Far from just being just another ‘thing’ in the window, blinds offer unique solutions to many household problems that other window hangings simply can’t. Here are some blind recommendations for green renovations, child proof homes, light sleeping families and design savvy DIYers.

What is a WDO (Wood Destroying Organism)?

Homeowners and potential home buyers should concern themselves with WDOs but what is a WDO? A WDO is short for “wood destroying organism”. These are organism that feed on or live in wood and what better source than a Snohomish County stick-built home. Remember the Orkin commercial? Mmmmmmm, is that oak?

The Legend of Big Foot in Snohomish County

One of the biggest mysteries of the 20th century has been the legend of Bigfoot and Snohomish County, as well as the Pacific Northwest, is no stranger to this mythical creature. While many local reports claim to have seen Bigfoot most are just written off as crack heads staying up for days seeing shadow people. If you have been a resident of Snohomish County for some time then you may have heard stories and/or have first hand accounts. There were even bumper stickers floating around saying “I saw Bigfoot in Smokey Point”. Not sure if those are even available anymore.

Snohomish County Housing Statistics for July 2013

Snohomish County housing statistics for July 2013 are published and here are the take aways.

Months of Available Housing Inventory

The standout statistic is housing inventory is on the rise. Now is that because more folks are listing their homes for sale? Probably. Personally, Mickie and I took more listings since March. This is all in light of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and FHA reporting REO inventory decreasing – CalculatedRiskBlog.com.

15 Items to Consider When Applying for a Home Loan

In every real estate transaction, whether it be buying or investing, someone has to consider financing to purchase property. None of us are strangers to the term mortgages or home loans but what many don’t realize is the complexity of the financing world. Since the real estate collapse of 2007 and the fiscal cliff debate, real estate financing has become tighter and more demanding on the borrower. However, time and time again I hear frustrations from borrowers who think obtaining a home mortgage should be a casual walk in the park.

Energy Saving Tips to Save More Money

As summer quickly slips away from us Washingtonians it is time to start thinking energy savings. With 9 months of rain, snow, freezing temperatures and more rain, overall household energy cost will be on the rise. Previously, 3 money saving energy tips where discussed, (lighting, faucets and idle electronics) but that was just a shortlist of energy saving tips.

Bodie Ghost Town in Northern Washington

Traveling east on Highway 20, to the north Okanogan, and then north on County Road 9495 (Toroda Creek Rd) you will find the remains of Bodie. Established in the early 1900s, Bodie was a small mill town that processed ore that was taken from the surrounding mountains. Like the many of the ghost towns in Washington Bodie prospered until around the 1930s when Perkins Milling Company closed its doors.

Why is the Government Shutdown Bad for Real Estate?

The ever approaching debt ceiling deadline looms closer and closer each day. Still in negotiations, Congressional government is still opening government agencies in a piecemealed fashion. I am glad portions of the government have reopened and people can receive benefits, have needed treatments, attend war memorials, and visit the national parks but it still bewildering on why some divisions, IRS and USDA, are still not opened.

Snohomish County has 2nd Lowest State Unemployment

Have economic times changed since the 2007 financial / real estate melt down? It appears so. According the United States Department of Labor Snohomish County has the 2nd lowest unemployment is in the State at 5.7%, just behind King County’s 5.1%. Breathing a collective sigh of relief over the 787 Dreamliner’s being cleared to fly and the demand for popular Boeing lines, Snohomish County residents enter into Summer with the best economy in years.