Central location and well suited for budget conscience.  Hardwood flooring in living room.  Kitchen updated.  Detached 2-car garage.

Terrific West Richland rambler.  Home ownership better than renting.  Vaulted ceiling and plenty of natural lighting.

Popular Sagewood Meadows community.  Large rambler with three bedrooms plus den.  Master suite is oversized with double sided fireplace in sitting area; quiet neighborhood with fenced yard for family living and entertainment.

Our absorptions rates increased slightly for homes priced below $200,000 last month.  These homes are now in normal market situation.    Homes priced above $375,000 continue to be in an oversupply situation. 

The Tri-Cities rental market is very active.   It’s very difficult to find a three bedroom apartment and where they exist, waiting lists are present.

With interest rates at historically low rates, this is a perfect time for those eligible for tax credits to purchase.    First time and previous buyers, who qualify, must have a contract written by April 30, 2010 and close prior to July 1, 2010.

Total renovation, from the custom kitchen cabinets, to the heat pump.  10x16 insulated and sheetrocked storage, 13x32 covered patio, side slider out of the 3rd bedroom with deck.  Jetted tub in the master, walk-in closet, full addition to front of this property...covered parking, tiled baths and showers. 

Well designed rambler in established neighborhood with mature landscaping.  This one level home is tucked away on quiet cul de sac.  Wall of windows in living/dining room brings in the natural sunlight.  Kitchen is open to a family room which features a used brick fireplace and a slider to patio.  Shade tree offers natural shelter on patio for summer comfort in the fenced back yard.  Garage has built-in cupboards and long workbench for the handyman.  Extra parking beside driveway.

• It has been a rough four years for the housing recession.
• 2009 experienced more sales than 2008; however the prices were lower during 2009.
• Yun is projecting a 15% increase in residential sales for 2010.
• The first two quarters will benefit from the housing tax credit.
• The final two quarters will benefit from job growth.
• Increase pressures on residential housing will be affected by 16 million renters who have the ability to purchase a median priced home in their areas.   Many of these renters are waiting and watching the market.
• The US population growth is about 3 million each year.
• In many markets prices have overcorrected and are now starting to rebound.
• We have a 6 month supply of houses which means that we should start to see annual appreciation rates of 3-5% for years to come.
• Interest rates for fourth quarter of 2010 most likely will increase to 6%.
• Foreclosures for 2010 will be similar to 2009.  These foreclosures are based upon sub-prime borrowers making loan previously they can’t afford and strategic defaults (home owners who can afford the payments, but are discouraged about reduced property values and stop making payments).
• Foreclosed properties are selling much faster than they did in 2009.
• Commercial real estate will have a bad year in 2010.  Commercial values have fallen 40%.  This situation presents a buying opportunity for those with cash.  
• Temporary employment is rebounding and should precede permanent jobs.

If Lawrence Yun’s predictions are accurate, now is the time to purchase homes in the lower price ranges.  Once jumbo interest rates decline, home buyers in the upper price ranges should start buying.  For those with cash, purchase commercial properties at a discount.

House and yard designed with adult care in mind.  Wide hallways, wheelchair accessible.  No steps (ramp at front door).  Natural gas for cooking, heating and hot water.  Family has glass doors, but can be den or office.  10x12 patio, plus concrete pad at garage back entrance.  Beautiful attractive home with easy maintenance.

So much is offered here!  Beautiful house, outstanding grounds, pool, 60x40 shop with 1/2 baths & extra loft storage.  Seller has run Promise Gardens outdoor wedding business on grounds & gazebo.  Here is a great opportunity to subsidize your house payment.  Pool is fenced separately.  Beautiful waterfall and gazebo in front yard.

"One of a Kind!"  New carpet, interior paint, tile, lights, & 2 new heat pumps.  4th bedroom or den.  Nice sized rooms.  Beautiful yard & great views.  Master bedroom has a loft area.  If you have hobbies, you will love the 2 separate garages; one in front & one on the side w/great workshop space & a great view while you work. 

Better than new three-bedroom rambler with open floor plan. Beautiful home built in 2003
features: great room concept; vaulted ceilings; secluded master suite; high quality siding;
manicured and fenced yard; neutral colors through-out; low-traffic court; “move-in” condition.

High quality home in excellent condition!   

Call The Havre Team today for more information or a personal viewing (509) 783-8400.

This beautiful custom home wiull impress you from the moment you get out of your car!  Meticulously maintained!  Many upgrades throughout.  Great guest suite with private bath & entrance.  Inviting fireplace with built-in bookcases on each side, beautiful cherry cabinetry with granite countertops, classic transome windows, 10 ft. ceilings & 3 ft. wide doorways, added height to the blockwall fencing for added privacy.  Large covered patio, & terrific RV pad to accomadate your motor home & boat.

Home Buyers continue to be highly emotional when they are viewing homes and ultimately identify the home that best meets their needs. It is absolutely critical that a home show well to receive top dollar and sell in the shortest time possible.

A few weeks ago, I recommended to a future home seller that the master bedroom floors be repaired to eliminate squeaking.    The subfloors were not properly secured.   The home owner thought this was a useless repair and if necessary could be done prior to closing.  My observations are that if one hears excessive floor squeaking, this causes doubt with the potential buyers and causes them to ask, “What else is wrong with the home”?

One has to ask why car dealers try to keep their autos extremely clean so they show well.  They don’t let the vehicles accumulate dirt and then offer $20 to have the vehicles washed after purchase.  The marketing principles are the same for housing and autos.

Our December 2009 statistics indicate that all price ranges to $325,000 are leaning towards a “seller’s market”.  Above $325,000 we have a market shift towards a “buyer’s market".   Builders who build in the upper price ranges should be cautioned to be conservative in the number of homes built until the market has a correction.

I believe our market has been positively influenced by the tax credit and stimulus money for Hanford Clean Up activities.   It will be interesting to watch the market after the tax credit period expires. 

For addtional information go to www.Key2Homes.com

During the last ten years, Tri-Cities population has increased by 35%.  Kennewick and Richland increased by 23%, West Richland by 39% and Pasco by 70%.  Today we have approximately 180,750 residents in the local area.  With a more diverse economy, we should continue to enjoy another 10 years of prosperity.

Happy New Year!

We in the Tri-Cities have enjoyed a robust economy during 2009.  Our economy became the Number One Story among the Top Ten identified by the Tri-City Herald.  Business Week ranked the Tri-Cities the third best place in the nation for people battered by the ongoing recession to make a fresh start.  Business Week’s report identified food processing, professional and business services, education and health services, leisure and hospitality and government sectors for providing potential job opportunities.

 In addition to a strong economy, we have enjoyed affordable housing as reported by Washington State University.  The Council for Community and Economic Research has consistently reported the Tri-Cities as among the least expensive places to live in the Pacific Northwest.

Two thousand nine has been a superb year and we look forward to 2010.  

Secondly the annual percentage rates (APR) are dependent upon loan origination and processing fees.  When a present or future home owner combines the loan rate with the loan origination fees, the annual percentage rate (APR) is identified.  The APR is the rate that really informs the consumer about the price of the loan. Therefore, it makes more sense to publish APR’s.  This is the standard for comparisons.   Always ask your lender for the APR and compare this rate with other lenders.   This is a service performed by many mortgage brokers.

 During these 40 years, I expect our economy will continue to thrive in other areas.   The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is expected to continue with its growth pattern. Presently the Laboratory has gone through missions changes from Hanford support, to home land security to most recently energy improvements. Agriculture and transportation are expected to continue their growth patterns.  Engineering and construction companies will continue to find the Tri-Cities an excellent place to locate.