LOCAL MARKET UPDATE

  • More sellers put their homes on the market during July compared to a year ago, but there is still less than two months of inventory in King County. Four to six months is considered to be balanced, so we’re still in a solid seller’s market.
  • Inventory in King County is up 35 percent since April. More available inventory should take away some of the frenzy that we experienced in the spring, but in highly desirable neighborhoods multiple offers and bidding wars are still occurring. According to a Seattle Times analysis, almost 40 percent of homes sold for more than list price between April and June in King and Snohomish counties.
  • The median home price in King County in July rose to $468,000, an 8 percent increase over last year. Home prices in Seattle jumped 17 percent to $543,500. The Eastside showed the highest median price in King County, up 10 percent from a year ago to $624,900.
  • Homes are selling quickly. According to Realtor Magazine, the Seattle-Bellevue-Everett area is the third fastest moving market in the country, with homes here selling in an average of 30 days.

If you’d like information on your specific neighborhood, give me a call and I’ll be happy to send you a report.

EASTSIDE EQUESTRIAN LIFE

Premier Therapeutic Riding Academy Right in our Backyard

Did you know that right here in Redmond, WA we have one of the largest most successful therapeutic riding centers in the country? Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center was founded in 1976 by Margaret Dunlap who suffered from Multiple Sclerosis. Ms. Dunlap found that being on the back of a horse slowed the progression of her disease and was inspired to share her therapies with others. 38 years later Little Bit serves over 230 riders and patients each week with over 20 horses and 350 volunteers.

Little Bit’s mission is “to improve the bodies, minds, and spirits of children and adults with disabilities through equine-assisted therapy and activities, and to be an inspiration and educational resource to the therapeutic riding profession, both regionally and nationally.” Volunteers are a key part of Little Bit’s success. If you’ve ever dreamed of working with horses but didn’t know where to begin, sign up for Little Bit’s volunteer program. You will be trained in the proper and safe handling of their equine partners and you can become a major support to the adaptive riding therapy or hippotherapy program. No experience required! I suspect you will be just as inspired and uplifted by contributing your time as the riders and patients are to receive it. Just like the back of the Little Bit t-shirts states “Does your therapist weigh 1200 pounds?”

To learn more about Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center please go to www.LittleBit.org or go to Facebook and “like” their page to read some inspiring stories of how these gentle equine giants have changed the lives of countless children and adults with special needs.