How has home buying changed? Take a look at what a difference 10 years makes: Percentage of U.S. homebuyers who:        1999                2009 Bought a single-family home                      82%                 78% Bought in a suburban neighborhood             46%                 54% Began their home search online                 37%                 90% Were married couples                              68%                 60% Were single women                               15%                 21% Were single men                                    7%                   10% [...]

 KIRKLAND, Wash. (May 5, 2010) – “While the tax credit has gone away, the buyers haven’t,” observed a board member of the Northwest Multiple Listing Service. Commenting on the MLS summary report for March, the member described the tax incentives, which expired April 30, with being the “lubricant the market needed,” but credits rising consumer [...]

Time is running out to get  the home buyer tax credit!  Get the key to your new home & money back, but you have to act NOW!  Homebuyers who qualify and have not owned a home for 3 years, can receive up to an $8,000 tax credit.   Existing homeowners who qualify and have lived in their current residence [...]

March 29, 2010—As the April 15 deadline to file 2009 federal tax returns approaches, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) is providing answers to some of the questions home buyers are most frequently asking about the home buyer tax credit. “NAHB’s website that provides information about the home buyer tax credit, www.FederalHousingTaxCredit.com, has received [...]

Now that spring is here many homeowners begin remodeling projects.  Everyone knows that is is a good idea to hire a professional remodeler, but it is also wise to consult with a REALTOR before you you start your plan.  Why?  It is always wise to remodel with an eye toward resale. Also make sure you stay in budget and [...]

KIRKLAND, Wash. (March 4, 2010) – Northwest Multiple Listing Service members reported strong gains in home sales during February, with brokers pointing to several encouraging signs for a busy spring season. Improving consumer confidence and a looming deadline for homebuyer tax credits are helping to boost activity, according to NWMLS officials. “We are entering what [...]

Do your part to help the economy recover and buy that dream home today! Home sales produce vital economic activity that includes not only the transaction but also other related actions such as preparing and marketing the home for sale as well as purchases by the new buyers to equip and furnish the home. Home [...]

KIRKLAND, WA (Jan 5, 2010)  “Home for the holidays” took on special meaning for 4,399 buyers whose purchase offers were accepted during December, according to the NWMLS. That volume of pending sales was up more than 35 percent from a year ago and marked the best December since 2006. Shirnking inventory, the extension of the [...]

The 2009 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report has been published.  This annual report shows the average return that homw owners recieve from home improvement projects compiled from estimates furnished by REALTORS. This year’s report shows that exterior projects are the most profitable at resale.  On a national level, eight out of the top 10 projects in [...]

Please click on the graph to enlarge.  If you would like to see this chart for your price range, for a different time period, or for a different geographic area, please contact on of our Coldwell Banker Island Living real estate agents for more information.