While many real estate brokers are enjoying the holidays; we are here bringing you the latest real estate statistics. Terrifically exciting no; useful and informative yes. Over the last year, and back into 2012, real estate prices have recovered from a slump only to boom while inventory has gone from excessive to a real shortage. What do we make of all the rapid changes? Hard to keep up with or "is what it is"? Here are housing values, days on market, months of available inventory and supply, and a 90 day snap shot.

Increasing Snohomish County House Values

The average closed sales price comparing November 2013 to 2012 shows gains of 9.3% and November's 2013 and 2012 Y-T-D comparison increased 11.7%. The median closed sales prices are 12.6 for the month-to-month comparison and 13.0% for the Y-T-D comparison.

Change is something to expect and at the beginning of the 2013's 4th quarter more is on the horizon. Average days on market increased, housing inventory decreased, the number of sold homes decreased, and the hottest price segment was $300,000 - $400,000.

Questions I've been discussing with sellers who are thinking about selling are:

• Will housing continue to gain market time?
• Will home values remain steady, decrease or increase after the first of the year?
• Will housing inventory increase or decrease?

Nosy neighbors, the neighbor that has to much time on their hands, has fun spreading false information, is a bit off kilter and pokes their nose where it doesn’t belong, or is the neighborhood safety patrol exercising false authority. Whatever their deal may be, a nosy neighbor is always troublesome for the homeowner trying to sell and their real estate broker.

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.

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.

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.

Well I am not hear to prove nor disprove claims of Bigfoot but just to share what I’ve found when exploring the County’s Bigfoot history. One of the earliest reports found was from August 1977, near Hannan Lake – Monroe area – and the story goes:

"A creature was standing in knee deep water in the back of the cove facing outward but bent over splashing water on its chest the way a person tests the temperature before getting in. Someone said “WHAT IS THAT?” Altogether the boaters looked to shore and the creature straightened and looked directly at them. Without hesitation or hurry it turned and walked out of the lake and into the woods. The boaters rowed over to the shore intending to see what might be found. They abandoned the effort when the boat got into murky, weed choked water. The shore was covered by dense trees and was creepy under the circumstances. The sighting distance was about 100 yds. – BFRO.net"

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.

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.

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.