December 15th, 2009
Mason County Homes Sales Report
Real Estate Sales and Market report for Mason County, Washington for the period of Nov. 16 through Nov. 30, 2009 reports 62 Total Closed Sales in the amount of $10,614,743 a terrific improvement from the 32 closed sales reported for the first two weeks of November.
Area A, (Shelton, Arcadia, Kamilche) recorded sales counts of 21closed sales totaling $3,372,329. Area B, (Hartstene/Agate area) placed 10 sales on the board in the amount of $1,337,364. Area C, (Belfair, Allyn, Grapeview) reported 18 sales totaling $2,971,250. Area D, (Hoodsport/Union) improved with 13 sales for the period in the amount of $2,933,800
Single Family Resale Homes, on less than 5 acres, accounted for 37 of the total sales.
Two New Single Family homes were sold. There were 2 Multi-family units sold and one Single Family Resale Home, on more than 5 acres, SOLD.
Commercial properties sold – 1, Condominiums -0.
Land selling with a Mobile posted 10 sales and there were 5 platted lots recorded as sold. Short plats posted 3 sales and there was 1 unplatted parcel sold.
There was only 1 home that sold above the $500,000 plus range and there were 2 sold between the $300,000- $349,999 ranges and 3 homes sold in the $250,000-$299,999 range. The $200,000 – $249,999 had the most sales totaling 9, followed by the $130,000-$144,999 range with 7 sales.
The average price for Single Family Resale’s was $187,050 with a Median price of $161,500.
Real Estate Loan counts remain strong. There were 159 Loans taken out in the amount of $27,456,708 compared to the 114 loans last period. The average conventional 30-year loan rate was 4.93%
December 10th, 2009
Mason County Topography and Climate
As I write this post it’s unseasonably Cold outside. For the past several days it has been 7 degrees in LakeLand Village, where I reside.
Visitors to our community often come into our office and ask about the Climate. So I thought a good topic for this post would be a “Mason County Topography and Climate Report”.
Mason County, Washington covers a total of 1,051 square miles, ranking 30th in size among the State’s 39 counties. The County has over 230 Lakes and extensive salt water areas. There is approximately 961 square miles of land for residents.
Elevations are from sea-level, with salt water frontage along Hood Canal, Case Inlet and Totten Inlet, to over 6,000 feet in the Olympic National Park.
With such a wide elevation range, rainfall varies widely and averages slightly over 60 inches per year in the county seat of Shelton which lies at sea-level. Temperatures average 32 degrees in January and averages 78 degrees in July.
November 30th, 2009
Real Estate Sales Report for Mason County, Washington
Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving Holiday.
The following Real Estate Sales data shows our real estate sales are holding steady.
Real Estate Sales and Market report for Mason County, Washington for the period of Nov. 1 through Nov. 15, 2009 reports 38 Total Closed Sales in the amount of $9,067,791.
Area A, (Shelton, Arcadia, Kamilche) recorded sales counts of 12 closed sales totaling $2,617,268. Area B, (Hartstene/Agate area) placed 7 sales on the board in the amount of $3,794,500. Area C, (Belfair, Allyn, Grapeview) reported 15 sales totaling $2,054,132. Area D, (Hoodsport/Union) showed only 4 sales for the period in the amount of $601,900.
Single Family Resale Homes, on less than 5 acres, accounted for 17 of the total sales.
No New Single Family homes were sold. There were 2 Multi-family units sold and once again there were no Single Family Resale Homes, on more than 5 acres, SOLD.
Commercial properties sold – 1, Condominiums -0.
Land selling with a Mobile posted 5 sales and there were 3 platted lots recorded as sold. Short plats posted 9 sales and there was 1 unplatted parcel sold.
There was only 1 home that sold above the $350,00 plus range and there was 1 sold between the $300,000- $349,999 range. 2 homes sold in the $250,000-$299,999 range.
The average price for Single Family Resale’s was $212,948 with a Median price of $190,000.
Real Estate Loan counts remain strong but down from that last report. There were 114 Loans taken out in the amount of $20,179,848 compared to the 140 loans last period. The average conventional 30-year loan rate was 4.93%
November 25th, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone
Thanksgiving Day has always been a special Day to me. To spend time with Family and Friends. To give thanks for all we are blessed with.
So my friends and visitors here is my Thanksgiving Message to you:
May your stuffing be tasty
May your Turkey by plump.
May your potatoes and gravy
have never a lump.
May your yams be delicious
and your pies devine,
and may your Thanksgiving dinner,
stay off your Thighs!
Author unknown.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!
November 20th, 2009
New Extended Tax Homebuyer Tax Credit
Learn about the new extended homebuyer tax credit with this cute video featuring Bob and Sally. This video is provided by Washington Realtors.
November 17th, 2009
Where are Mason County Real Estate Home Buyers Coming From?
Where are Mason County, Washington Real Estate buyers are coming from? You may be surprised.
Many home sellers, in our Market, believe that most of the real estate buyers come to our region from Metropolitan cites like Seattle, Tacoma or from States like California.
Well here some actual data:
For 2009 there have been 864 sales in Mason County, Washington.
Washington State buyers represented 814 of those sales while 50 of the sales came from out of State buyers.
Where, within the State of Washington, did Mason County buyers come from?
536 buyers were Local… From Mason County zip code… 985xx.
98 buyers were from zip code… 983xx
77 buyers were from zip code… 980xx
50 buyers from zip code… 981xx
21 buyers from zip code … 984xx
13 buyers from zip code … 986xx
12 buyers from zip code… 982xx
3 buyers from zip code… 989xx
2 buyers from zip code… 992xx
1 buyer from zip code… 990xx
1 buyer from zip code… 988xx
As mentioned above, 50 Real Estate buyers who bought Real Estate in Mason County came from out of state.
14…California
11…Oregon
5….Arizona
3….Montana
3…Texas
3…Colorado
2…Louisiana
9…From other states
November 16th, 2009
Monday Morning Real Estate Market Report for Mason County, Wa
The Real Estate sales report for Mason County, Washington for the period of Oct 16 through Oct 31, 2009 reports 51 Total Closed Sales in the amount of $7,256,241.
Area A, (Shelton, Arcadia, Kamilche) and Area D, (Hoodsport/Union) both had a sales count of 16 closed sales. Area A totaled $2,173,491 in sales and area D came in at $2,331,500 in total real estate sales. Meanwhile Area B,(Hartstene/Agate area) the sales were continue to improve with a reported 13 closed sales in the amount of $1,463,750. Area C, (Belfair, Allyn, Grapeview), dropped a bit with 12 sales totaling $1,287,500.
Single Family Resale Homes, on less than 5 acres, accounted for 22 of the total sales.
New Single Family homes were up a bit producing 4 sales and there were 2 Mulit-family units sold. There were no Single Family Resale Homes, on more than 5 acres, SOLD.
Commercial properties sold – 1, Condominiums -0.
Land sales were also up for this period. Land sold with a Mobile posted 6 sales and there were 7 platted lots recorded as sold. Short plats posted 9 sales and there was 6 unplatted parcel sold.
There was only 1 home sold above the $350,00 plus range and there was 1 sold between the $300,000- $349,999 range. 5 homes sold in the $200,000-$249,999 range.
The average price for Single Family Resale’s was $171,911 with a Median price of $172,250. The New Single Family homes sold had an average price of $188,760 and a Median price of $185,000.
The Loan count was up from the last report. There were 140 Loans taken out in the amount of $26,707,191 compared to only 102 loans last period. The average conventional 30-year loan rate was 4.81%
November 12th, 2009
Options for home buyers video
Here is a cute video that explains some of the things a REALTOR® can do for you the home buyer.
November 12th, 2009
Sea Otters Population Improving in Washington State
A bobbing ball of fur, the sea otter, is making a comeback in the outer coastal waters of Washington State. The North Pacific Sea otters have been on the endangered species list since 1981 and are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has pointed out that Washington’s Sea Otter population is healthy and growing.
Sea otters are very vital to the marine life ecosystem, especially to kelp beds. Sea otters keep sea urchins in check so that Kelp beds stay healthy and thereby fish populations thrive.
So if out sailing the coastal waters of Washington and see one these little whiskered fuzzballs bobbing along side your boat, take a picture and know why he’s smiling at you.
November 11th, 2009
Thousand Yard Stare
Growing up, I admired those before me who served in war. I never believed I would fight in a war of my own.
I heard the gripping stories of war… the Cold, the Hunger, the Fear.
I saw the Thousand-yard Stare in their eyes as they told their stories of never-to-be- forgotten battles, of lost friends and lost youth.
I heard that catch in their voices as they fought back tears.
Growing up, I thought, this will not happen to me.
But when I did grow up, I went to the Land called Vietnam.
Now my children and grandchildren see into my eyes, the Thousand- yard Stare. Hear my battle tales… the Heat, the Rain, the Fear.
Now they are wondering if they will fight a war of their own and become one with the Thousand-yard Stare.
Please take time this Veterans Day to honor a Vet and thank them for their service and sacrifice.
And if you happen to come across a Vietnam Vet, just say to them “Welcome Home”. He’ll be very appreciative.
Formerly: Staff Sgt Richard Bell
Vietnam March 68 - March 69
25th Infantry Division, 2nd of the 12th