North Snohomish Co Quarterly Market Trends • July 27, 2018

North Snohomish Co. Quarterly Market Trends – Q2 2018

by Jen Bowman

As we head into the summer months we are seeing a healthy jump in inventory in our area. In May, we saw the biggest jump in new listings in a decade! Price appreciation has created this phenomenon, motivating many people to make big moves with their equity. In fact, prices are up 11% year-over-year. We currently sit at 1.4 months of inventory based on pending sales. This more-equal balance of homes for sale compared to the first quarter has created great opportunities for buyers, finally! While it is still a seller’s market, it has eased up a bit. The average days on market in June was 21 days and the average list-to-sale price ratio was 101%.
North Snohomish County real estate has been an affordable option compared to “in-city” real estate. In fact, the median price in June was 86% higher in Seattle Metro. Sellers are enjoying great returns due to buyers choosing to lay down roots in our area, and buyers are securing mortgages with minor debt service due to low interest rates. The easing of inventory is a welcome change and is helping to temper price growth.
This is only a snapshot of the trends in north Snohomish County; please contact me if you would like further explanation of how the latest trends relate to you.

North King Co Quarterly Market Trends • July 27, 2018

North King Co. Quarterly Market Trends – Q2 2018

by Jen Bowman

As we head into the summer months we are seeing a healthy jump in inventory in our area. In May, we saw the biggest jump in new listings in a decade! Price appreciation has created this phenomenon, motivating many people to make big moves with their equity. In fact, prices are up 13% year-over-year. We currently sit at 1.1 months of inventory based on pending sales. This more-equal balance of homes for sale compared to the first quarter has created great opportunities for buyers, finally! While it is still a seller’s market, it has eased up a bit. The average days on market in June was 16 days and the average list-to-sale price ratio was 103%.
North King County real estate has a very high premium due to close-in commute times and vibrant neighborhoods. In fact, the median price in June was $800,000. Sellers are enjoying great returns due to buyers choosing to lay down roots in our area, and buyers are securing mortgages with minor debt service due to low interest rates. The easing of inventory is a welcome change and is helping to temper price growth.
This is only a snapshot of the trends in north King County; please contact me if you would like further explanation of how the latest trends relate to you.

Eastside Quarterly Market Trends • July 26, 2018

Eastside Quarterly Market Trends – Q2 2018

by Jen Bowman

As we head into the summer months we are seeing a healthy jump in inventory in our area. In May, we saw the biggest jump in new listings in a decade! Price appreciation has created this phenomenon, motivating many people to make big moves with their equity. In fact, prices are up 11% year-over-year. We currently sit at 1.5 months of inventory based on pending sales. This more-equal balance of homes for sale compared to the first quarter has created great opportunities for buyers, finally! While it is still a seller’s market, it has eased up a bit. The average days on market in June was 19 days and the average list-to-sale price ratio was 101%.
Eastside real estate has a very high premium due to close-in commute times, great neighborhoods and strong school districts. In fact, the median price in June was $980,000. Sellers are enjoying great returns due to buyers choosing to lay down roots in our area, and buyers are securing mortgages with minor debt service due to low interest rates. The easing of inventory is a welcome change and is helping to temper price growth.
This is only a snapshot of the trends on the Eastside; please contact me if you would like further explanation of how the latest trends relate to you.

Housing News • July 9, 2018

KCM Pent Up Demand

by Jen Bowman

Have you been considering a move? Folks are staying in their homes longer than before, this is attributing to the increase in inventory as people choose to come to the market. Where is your next move?

Housing News • July 9, 2018

KCM Home Equity by County – Nationwide

by Jen Bowman

Equity levels have improved quite a bit over the last 10 years. Appreciation and the size of down payments play into this. This overall position is one that can be utilized to make moves or sustain your nest egg by staying in place. What are your goals?

Uncategorized • June 14, 2018

Outdoor Movie Schedule: Summer 2018

by Jen Bowman

Don’t forget your blanket and the popcorn! It is the time of year when it’s nice enough to grab a movie outdoors – how fun! Here is a list of local outdoor movies planned for this summer.

Snohomish County

Arlington’s Old Time Movies

Terrace Park

7/6 Star Wars: The Last Jedi (at the Airport Fly In)

7/12 Early Man

7/19 Peter Rabbit

Edmond’s Outdoor Movie Night

Frances Anderson Center Field

7/27 Moana

8/3 Wonder

Everett’s Cinema Under the Stars

Thornton Sullivan Park, Camp Patterson Field

7/20 Early Man

7/27 Coco

8/3 Wonder

8/10 Moana

8/17 Guardians of the Galaxy Vol

Marysville Popcorn in the Park

Jennings Park, Lioins Centennial Pavilion

7/14 Despicable Me 3

7/21 Jumanji

7/28 Cars 3

8/4 Wonder Woman

8/11 Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Sundquist Family Movies in the Park

Willis Tucker Park

7/12 Jumanji

7/19 Ferdinand

7/26 The Greatest Showman

8/2 Coco

8/9 Wonder

8/16 Beauty and the Beast

Eastside

Bellevue Movies in the Park

Downtown Park

7/10 Despicable Me 3

7/17 Boss Baby

7/24 The Lego Ninjago Movie

7/31 Goodbye Christopher Robin

8/7 Paddington 2

8/14 The Greatest Showman

8/21 Ferdinand

8/28 Ghostbusters

Crossroads Movies in the Park

Crossroads Park

8/2 TBD

8/9 TBD

8/16 TBD

8/23 TBD

Carillon Point Outdoor Movies

Carillon Point Plaza

7/7 Despicable Me 3

7/21 The Wedding Singer

8/4 Jumanji

8/18 Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Movies at Marymoor

Marymoor Park

6/28 The Goonies

7/5 Wonder Woman

7/11 Jumanji

7/18 Coco

7/25 The Greatest Showman

8/2 10 Things I Hate About You

8/8 Thor: Ragnarok

8/15 Ferdinand

8/22 Black Panther

8/29 The Princess Bride

Seattle Area

Bite of Seattle

Seattle Center Mural Amphitheatre

7/20 A League of Their Own

Cinema under the Stars

Columbia Park

7/14 Best of the Children’s International Film Festival

8/18 Coco

Movies at the Marina

Shilshole Bay Marina

8/3 Overboard

8/17 Moana

Movies at the Mural

Seattle Center Mural Amphitheatre

7/28 The Princess Bride

8/4 Get Out

8/11 Little Shop of Horrors

8/18 I am Not Your Negro

8/25 Wonder Woman

Seattle Outdoor Cinema

South Lake Union Discovery Center

6/16 The Goonies

7/21 Jurassic Park

8/25 Black Panther

West Seattle Outdoor Movies

Fauntleroy Triangle

7/21 Wonder Woman

7/28 The Secret Life of Pets

8/4 Star Wars: The Last Jedi

8/11 A Wrinkle in Time

8/18 Coco

8/25 Black Panther

*Check websites for start times, pre-movie activities and to make sure your favorite movie hasn’t been canceled or changed!

Uncategorized • June 14, 2018

Where to Watch Fireworks 2018

by Jen Bowman

The Fourth of July is right around the corner. With it being on a Wednesday, keeping it local makes sense. Here is a list of local firework shows to help you celebrate the great U.S. of A!

Bellevue – Downtown Park 10:05 p.m.

Des Moines – Marina 10:20 p.m.

Edmonds – Civic Stadium 10 p.m.

Everett – Port Gardner Bay 10:20 p.m.

Federal Way – Celebration Park 10:15 p.m.

Kent – Lake Meridian Park 10 p.m.

Kenmore – Log Boom Park 10:00 p. m.

Kirkland – Marina Park 10:15 p.m.

Lakewood – Joint Base Lewis-McChord 10 p.m.

Newcastle – Lake Boren Park 10 p.m.

Renton – Coulon Park 10 p.m.

SeaTac – Angle Lake Park 10 p.m.

Seattle – Lake Union 10:20 p.m. BIG!

Tacoma – Ruston Way 10:10 p.m. BIG!

Tukwila – Fort Dent Park 10 p.m.

Uncategorized • June 14, 2018

Local Splash Parks

by Jen Bowman

It is that time of year when the sun comes out and the kids need to cool down and get their wiggles out outside. My blog has a list of local splash parks that are sure to beat the summer heat!

South Snohomish County

Daleway Park

19015 64^th Ave W, Lynnwood WA 98036

Edmonds City Park

600 3^rd Ave S, Edmonds WA 98020

North Lynnwood Park

18510 44^th Ave W, Lynnwood WA 98037

Rotary Centennial Water Playground

802 E Mukilteo Blvd, Everett WA 98203

Willis D. Tucker Park

6705 Puget Park Drive, Snohomish WA 98296

Seattle

Georgetown Playfield

750 S Home St, Seattle WA 98108

Northacres Park

12718 1^st Ave NE, Seattle WA 98125

Pratt Park

1800 S Main St, Seattle WA 98144

Eastside

Crossroads Water Spray Playground

999 164^th Ave NE, Bellevue WA 98008

Grass Lawn Park

7031 148^th Ave NE, Redmond WA 98052

Sammamish Commons

801 228^th Ave SE, Sammamish WA 98074

Local Market Analysis • May 3, 2018

Does it Make More Sense to Rent or Own?

by Jen Bowman

The current break-even horizon* in the Seattle metro area is 1.6 years!
*The amount of time you need to own your home in order for owning to be a superior financial decision.

With rising rental rates, historically low interest rates, and home prices on the rise, the advantage of buying vs. renting is becoming clearer each month.

In fact, Seattle has seen some of the sharpest rent hikes in the country over the last year! Snohomish County has seen a huge increase in apartment growth and rising rental rates as well. There are several factors to consider that will lead you to make the best decision for your lifestyle and your financial bottom line. Zillow Research has determined the break-even point for renting vs. buying in our metro area. In other words, the amount of time you need to own your home in order for owning to be a superior financial decision. Currently in Seattle the break-even point is 1.6 years – that is quick! What is so great about every month that ticks away thereafter is that your nest egg is building in value.

I am happy to help you or someone you know assess your options; please contact me anytime.

These assumptions are based on a home buyer purchasing a home with a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage and a 20 percent down payment; and a renter earning five percent annually on investments in the stock market.

Home and Garden • May 3, 2018

Veggie Planting In Seattle

by Jen Bowman

It’s not too late! If you’re thinking about planting some fresh veggies but haven’t started yet, you still have time to get things in the ground for a late summer/early fall harvest. On average, the Puget Sound’s frost-free growing season is mid-March through mid-November, so with a little knowledge of when and how to start things, you can still see a bountiful harvest this year.
Some plants can be direct seeded into your garden, while others should be started indoors before being transplanted to your garden space. Deciding what to grow is the fun part! Plant what you like to eat, keeping in mind that some plants do better in our area than others.
Broccoli is arguably one of the most productive veggies you can grow in this area, although it can be vulnerable to root maggots and aphids. Giant Italian Parsley is easy to grow, highly productive, and expensive in the grocery store. Leeks are another that can be costly to buy in the store but trouble-free to grow in your own small space. Chard, Kale, Lettuce and Arugula are all full of vitamins and great for Northwest gardens. Carrots, Snap Peas, Snap Beans, Tomatoes and Basil all taste amazing fresh from the garden and grow relatively well in this area.
Check out the great resources at Garden.org for a full list of when to plant all these vegetables and more. They have detailed timelines for both spring and fall gardening; as well as information on transplanting seedlings vs. direct-sowing seeds.