After becoming a member of the committee for our new park set to be built on Camano Island in May, I am super-charged to be a part of this event!  The park, designed by kids from local elementary schools, is going to be built by over 700 volunteers in FIVE days!  That’s right, FIVE days!  If you’ve ever been to a park designed by Leathers and Associates (www.leathersassociates.com), you understand how exciting and important this event is.  If you have never visited one, I encourage you to visit www.iheartparks.org to see pictures of other parks.  Also, while you are there, you can sign up to volunteer during those five days.  We need help for everything from childcare to physical labor.  There is a spot for you!!!  You can also become a fan of I Heart Parks on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/group.php?gid=162170511605.  I encourage you to post this to your wall to get the word out to your friends!  If you have any questions about the park, feel free to visit the “contact us” on www.iheartparks.org.  Let’s do it!

I get so excited when it comes to my family’s history in the Stanwood Camano area.  I love to read about how our community was formed, and how it continues to change.  My family came here in 1889 as farmers.  I have original pictures, in original frames of Nels and Kristi Lien, who emigrated from Namsos Norway.  What a treasure.  When browsing the history links today, I came across this short but sweet history of Stanwood.  My family is mentioned as the Lien Bros. Packing Co.  As I continue to be a part of the development of our community by selling real estate and being involved with the community, I know my family would be proud!  http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=8557

According to Trendgraphix stats, the number of pendings in December 09 compared to the number of pendings in December of 08 is up 133.3%.   Solds are up 53.8%.  There are currently 33 homes pending right now on Camano Island.  Last year there were 6.  The average list price of all homes currently pending is $285K according to the NWMLS stats, the lowest being 85K and the highest 780K.  For more expert market information, please contact me at jamie@windermere.com or call 425.268.7291.

We slurp soup when we are ill.  Or when the day is dark and gloomy, we hunker down and make soup.  Why?  It’s good for us, and gives us comfort.  That is exactly what our real estate market has needed….a good soup recipe.

2010 is bringing a new “energy” to our business.  Pending sales almost doubled in November compared to November 2008.  The market is back in a big way.  Think of our market as the perfect soup recipe.  What is your favorite soup?  Clam chowder?  Chicken noodle?  Whatever it is, it wouldn’t be good without all the ingredients to make the soup perfect.  Too much salt, and it’s not edible.  No chicken, well, then it wouldn’t be chicken soup.

The current housing market is the perfect soup for buyers and sellers.  There are three main ingredients that make it yummy.  Here is the recipe:

Market Soup

First ingredient: Low prices.  If you are a seller, you may say “this is not good for me.”  But think of it this way….if prices were not low, there would be no buyers.  And if you are looking to move into another home (most people are; they need a place to live!), you are going to find a GREAT buy on your next home.

Second ingredient: Low interest rates.  Hovering around 5% right now.  Wow! Almost free money!

Third Ingredient:  Tax Credit.   $8,000 for first time homebuyers, and $6,500 for repeat homebuyers.  (more info at: http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/).  Since the beginning of this tax credit, we have seen a rise in interest in the first time home buyer market.  Clients have been using the money for  down payments or to simply upgrade their new home.

Directions: Combine all ingredients, heat up, and stir.  Enjoy.

What is your favorite soup?  Think about it.  And jump.  The perfect recipe doesn’t come around often.

http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/2009/index.html

http://frame.windermere.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=listing.listingDetail&listingid=66078984

Good news if you are a buyer or seller on Camano Island….stats are looking up!  We currently have 23 pending homes, compared to 15 last year at this time.  Inventory is down, so if you are a seller, less competition for you.

It’s still all about price.  Be the best price and the best value.  And hire a good realtor who will work 110% for you.  I can think of a good one you can call (me of course!)!

Interest rates are still great, and banks are starting to let the lending flow.  Prices are down.  Come end of summer, inventory will start to drop.  If you are buyer, you want as much to choose from as possible.  So don’t wait….now is the time!

Click this link to see:

http://frame.windermere.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=listing.listingDetail&listingid=35542454

If you are a first time home buyer, or have not lived in a primary residence for 3 years, you are eligible for the 2009 REFUNDABLE tax credit of up to $8,000 (or up to 10% of purchase price).   If your total refund from the IRS is less than $8,000, they will refund you the remainder amount up to $8K!  There are some stipulations for your income level, however.

To get the credit, the home must be your primary residence.  No investment property! 

For more information please visit these sites:  http://www.sccar.com/UserFiles/File/tax-credit-details.pdf and http://www.realtor.org/government_affairs/gapublic/american_recovery_reinvestment_act_home?lid=ronav0019

Facts and figures for this post were derived from http://www.sccar.com/UserFiles/File/tax-credit-details.pdf  author Ken Trepeta