Yesterday the government recorded that new home sales rose during the month of May 7.6%, according to CNN.com. Existing home rates slowed a bit, but with Mortgage rates at record lows we have seen an increase of activity here in the valley!
If you have not refinanced in the past few years, now would be the time to check out what awesome rates you can get if you plan on staying in your home for a few years. One of our clients was quoted a 2.85% on a 15 year mortgage. Amazing!
Tomorrow is the first day of summer. Do you do anything special in your home to celebrate this day? Summer seems to always be the busiest time for us in Real Estate. We have definitely seen that in the past couple of weeks. Several houses are under contract right now, and we are busy showing property consistently.
With summer around the corner, the events for the LC Valley are starting to line up! Make this summer a great one by trying out an event you have never attended before. Our valley is a great host for some fun community events such as:
Hot August Nights
Rockin’ on the River
Alive after Five
4th of July Celebrations
Red Barn Farms Summer Concert Series
Kids Sports Camps/Events
and so much more!
Be sure to be checking our Chamber website periodically to stay up to date on local events!
Clarkston, Washington was put on the map last week after a community member got bit by a snake at our local Walmart! We are so thankful that the victim is recovering well!
Good News! Our area has excellent numbers considering what the national media would want us to believe…NOW is the time to buy real estate! Don’t wait! Buy while the interest rates are at a near all time low! And qualifying First Time Buyers can recieve up to $7500 off the top of their 09 Income Taxes!
Local Certified Appraiser, Gary Chase, of Chase Appraisals, gave the following report: The FHFA house-price indicators for the 3rd Quarter of this year show Lewiston, ID -Clarkston,WA, as up a cumulative 4.0% for the last 1 year 32.5% for 3 years and 65.5% for the past 5 years. The one year figures compare to a -2% for Idaho overall and a -2.1% for Washington overall.
Year end stats will be available next week, but a quick glance at market conditions in the LCValley show that our sales numbers are down significantly per the LCAR MLS. Our sales prices remain stable, and the number of foreclosures is stable. National News stat’s are incorrect for our area! Good News!
Rarely do we see the Lewiston Clarkston hill “snow white” for more than a day or two! The weatherman says we will be having this ‘snowscape’ for the next week to 10 days. The Snake and Clearwater Rivers are also showing signs of icing over at the confluence, another rarity! We are thinking positive – – the blue sky and the crisp air are energizing. Remember- this is referred to as the Banana Belt of the Pacific Northwest. We’re not used to sub freezing temperatures! Our friends have blanketed their horses to keep them toasy warm!
There will be a County Planning Meeting at the Clarkston City Hall tonight, 12-2-08, 5:30 PM. Anyone interested in attending can do so, but there may not be any time to speak to any issues. One issue is whether the City of Clarkston will opt out of the 0.3 tax levy which would allow the Aquatic Center to stay fully open and continue to serve the needs of the entire valley, as was previously agreed upon and budgeted for until the City changed its mind and decided to opt in. The figures show that the Aquatic center is used by all age groups, from infants to the elderly, for recreation as well as health and therapy, and there are over 70,000 yearly swims! Its presence in our Valley is far reaching!
Just in from our local lenders, NOW is the time to buy a home in the Lewiston Clarkston Valley! Conventional 30 year fixed rates fell again today, and some lenders offer no points to qualified buyers! FHA/VA/IDFHA rates are also down today. Don’t miss out this time! There are many wonderful buys, as sellers who must sell are just waiting for buyer’s! A list of properties in your price range is available upon request!
| August | ||
|---|---|---|
| Lewiston | 2006 | 2007 |
| Min of Sold Price | 22,500 | 70,000 |
| Max of Sold Price | 485,000 | 349,500 |
| Average of Sold Price | 165,414 | 188,680 |
| Min of Days On Market | 1 | 19 |
| Max of Days On Market | 399 | 378 |
| Average of Days On Market | 82 | 110 |
| Total Sold | 33 | 29 |
| August | ||
| Clarkston | 2006 | 2007 |
| Min of Sold Price | 11,100 | 63,000 |
| Max of Sold Price | 381,900 | 545,000 |
| Average of Sold Price | 147,434 | 172,994 |
| Min of Days On Market | 5 | 13 |
| Max of Days On Market | 256 | 456 |
| Average of Days On Market | 76 | 99 |
| Total Sold | 29 | 44 |