Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Average US 30-Year Mortgage Rate Rises to 3.45 Percent

ortgage giant Freddie Mac said Thursday the average for the benchmark 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rose to 3.45 percent from 3.42 percent last week. The average rate is down sharply from 4.04 percent a year ago.
from Jason Fleming - Washington Homes http://ift.tt/29Wm3Xk

Latest Washington real-estate gold rush: farms

You know about home prices and rents soaring across the Puget Sound region and Washington — but you might be surprised at the latest type of property to get swept up in the state’s real-estate wave: farms. The average sale price of high-quality Washington farmland has increased 25 percent in the last year, and is up 47 percent in the last four years, according to new data from Farmers National Company. The current average price of $12,500 per acre is the highest among 18 states tracked in the report, mostly in a central swath from Minnesota to Texas, up from fourth-highest a year ago. Washington was the only state surveyed to see prices rise in the past year. City folk might not think much about farmland, but it’s a big deal across Washington. The state has 14.7 million acres of farms — the size of about 270 Seattles. And costs for farmers can factor into how much you pay for that Honeycrisp apple at the grocery store, the summer squash at the farmers market or a local cabernet at the tasting room.
from Jason Fleming - Washington Homes http://ift.tt/2a6IAOA

Friday, July 22, 2016

A Minimalist Manifesto: How To Simplify Your Style at Home

Sometimes, our homes can overwhelm us. What should be a place of retreat and comfort becomes bloated with items not needed, styles experimented with and abandoned, and projects started but never completed. While a good Spring Clean (whenever it happens) is always welcome, sometimes you want to go even further than that and streamline your style, too. Read on for our Minimalist Manifesto, and for ideas on how to simplify your home.
from Jason Fleming - Washington Homes http://ift.tt/1JoX1Vk

Thursday, July 21, 2016

Best Places to Live

U.S. News analyzed the 100 most populous metro areas to find the best places to live. To make the top of the list, a place had to have good value, be a desirable place to live, have a strong job market and a high quality of life.
from Jason Fleming - Washington Homes http://ift.tt/1Qsdq2V

Tuesday, July 19, 2016

Easy, Affordable DIY Projects to Increase the Value of Your Home

Consider tackling these jobs before crunch time.
from Jason Fleming - Washington Homes http://ift.tt/29RsnNP

Sales Down in King County Real Estate Market | Published: 7/15/2016 | Homesnap Real Estate News

While home sales in the King County market have been above average, in this week's report they fell 6.9% to 3,453 homes sold over the last 30 days. In comparison, nearby Pierce County had 1,408 sales in the same time frame, the most of all neighboring counties. The median sales price dropped to $515,300 over the latest reporting period for King County, down from $523,342. Despite the slip in sales, a relatively low one month of inventory indicates that King County is a solid seller's market.
from Jason Fleming - Washington Homes http://ift.tt/29NHQLO

Friday, July 15, 2016

130 Designer Kitchens for Every Style

Allow these culinary hot spots to stir up major inspiration for your own home.
from Jason Fleming - Washington Homes http://ift.tt/1TKykw0

Thursday, July 14, 2016

Brexit unlikely to roil U.S. real estate sector, experts say

The turmoil roiling the United Kingdom real estate market since the surprise Brexit outcome is unlikely to trigger similar impact for the U.S. real estate sector, industry experts predict. In fact, some predict U.K pain ultimately could mean U.S. gain.
from Jason Fleming - Washington Homes http://ift.tt/29EBdOO

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Foreign buyers flood US real estate, but buy cheaper homes

The appetite for U.S. real estate continues to flourish, but international buyers are shifting their sights from luxury to less-pricey properties. This may be due to overall higher home prices, along with a stronger U.S. dollar, which both cost foreign buyers more at the negotiating table. There are also fewer nonresident foreigners investing in the market.
from Jason Fleming - Washington Homes http://ift.tt/29V4NB2

Sales Increase in King County Real Estate Market | Published: 7/8/2016 | Homesnap Real Estate News

The number of home sales in the King County market climbed 3.2% to 3,431 homes over the last 30 days. Within the same time period, Pierce County had 1,389 sales, the most of all counties in the area. Prices are rising in King County, and the median sales price this period increased from $515,650 to $525,000. Along with the increase in sales, the fact that there is a lower-than-normal one month of inventory indicates that King County is a strong seller's market.
from Jason Fleming - Washington Homes http://ift.tt/29wkFuA

Sales Increase in King County Real Estate Market | Published: 7/8/2016 | Homesnap Real Estate News

The number of home sales in the King County market climbed 3.2% to 3,431 homes over the last 30 days. Within the same time period, Pierce County had 1,389 sales, the most of all counties in the area. Prices are rising in King County, and the median sales price this period increased from $515,650 to $525,000. Along with the increase in sales, the fact that there is a lower-than-normal one month of inventory indicates that King County is a strong seller's market.
from Jason Fleming - Washington Homes http://ift.tt/29wkFuA

Friday, July 8, 2016

How To Make Your Outdoor Space Feel Like Another Room In Your Home (for Less than $100)

As soon as summer hits, you may feel the urge to move everything you own outside so you can live under the sun and stars. Utilizing whatever outdoor area you have is especially important when you call a small space home, because it can give you the dining room, living room, or reading nook your place typically lacks.
from Jason Fleming - Washington Homes http://ift.tt/29mP6Q2

Thursday, July 7, 2016

Will a Sparkling-Clean Home Appraise for More Money?

Selling your home is a long journey, but it doesn’t end with accepting an offer.
from Jason Fleming - Washington Homes http://ift.tt/29wSRCo

Tuesday, July 5, 2016

Thanks, Brexit! Why UK vote is likely to boost US home sales

The net effect will depend on location and price point, but overall, the Brexit will likely result in continuing growth in home sales with somewhat slower growth in home prices. The impact will benefit well-qualified buyers the most, and it will be a boon for sellers in affordable markets and price points.
from Jason Fleming - Washington Homes http://ift.tt/297bcqB

New Expansion in Price Cuts for King County Real Estate Market | Published: 7/1/2016 | Homesnap...

Sales in the King County market fell to 3,169 homes sold over the last 30 days, while the number of sellers reducing their list prices reached 1,451, which continues a prolonged upward trend in price reductions. As the lowering of listing prices trended higher, sale prices themselves have been increasing. The median sales price hit $517,300, extending a 16-week long spike. Despite the slip in sales, a relatively low one month of inventory indicates that King County is a solid seller's market.
from Jason Fleming - Washington Homes http://ift.tt/29ftwAr

Friday, July 1, 2016

5 Staging Tips to Make a Home Welcoming for an Open House

Buyers will want to put in an offer when you make them feel like they're already at home.
from Jason Fleming - Washington Homes http://ift.tt/29f6NlE