LOCAL MARKET UPDATE

The start of fall saw the real estate market heating up. Inventory remains tight. The number of sales were up slightly from a year ago. But the real story was home prices.

  • Prices Soared
    The median price of single family homes sold in King County in September was up 9.5 percent from last year to $460,000. Prices in Seattle rose 12.1 percent to $517,000. The Eastside saw home prices increase 6.3 percent to $605,000.
  • Number of Sales Increased Slightly
    The number of homes sold in King County in September increased moderately, about 4 percent over a year ago. Pending sales – signed contracts to buy homes that haven’t closed yet – were up as well.
  • It’s Still a Seller’s Market
    The number of homes for sale in King County remains tight. While inventory has inched up over the past few months, there is just a little over two months of inventory available. Four to six months is considered to be balanced, so we remain in a seller’s market.
  • Buyers are Considering Homes Outside the City Core
    As rising home values in Seattle and the Eastside are pricing buyers out of the market, some are heading south searching for more affordable options. The median home price in Southeast King County was $305,000 in September; in Southwest King County it was $267,250. Both areas saw a boom in activity last month, with pending homes sales up almost 15 percent in Southeast King County and almost 20 percent in North King County.

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

If you are looking for a one of kind custom piece of jewelry stop by J. Lewis Jewelry in Bellevue. With an expert staff, convenient location, on-site workshop and relaxed showroom, J. Lewis Jewelry has been a favorite destination of mine for years, to casually browse jewelry designs, consult about gemstones, and be inspired to create beautiful one of a kind jewelry. Jill, the owner and namesake of J. Lewis, not only has an eye for gemstones but an eye for horses as well which makes her showroom doubly fun to visit!

An avid horsewoman all her life, Jill has owned and showed her beautiful horses for years and definitely has the insight and creativity to make your custom equestrian piece of jewelry come to life. The diamond encrusted stirrup irons pictured is just one of the gorgeous designs Jill has created. Stop by J. Lewis in October and tell her KiamaLise sent you to take advantage of her October special. You can also visit on-line at www.jlewisjewelry.com or like them on Facebook.

Just in time for Christmas! For any order placed in October, mention this add and J. Lewis Jewelry will waive the $350 wax model fee used to create any custom piece of fine jewelry.”