Tony Meier – Part of EastsideHomes.com – Seattle’s Eastside Real Estate Resource

February 26, 2009

2009 FHA and Conforming Loan Limits just released!

Filed under: Information for Buyers — tonymeier @ 8:49 pm

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has released new FHA and conforming loan limits based on changes enacted last week as part of the massive economic stimulus bill.

Under the legislation, loan limits in high-cost areas are increased to $729,750, the same as last year. They had dropped to $625,500 this year before passage of the legislation.

In a Mortgagee Letter released yesterday on the change, HUD says the new loan limit for an area will be based on market calculations from either this year or last year, whichever is the higher of the two calculations

Given current market conditions, many areas are staying at the 2008 mortgage limit.


Here are the current limits for SEATTLE – BELLEVUE – EVERETT – TACOMA, WA METROPOLITAN DIVISION


Single Family / Condo = $567,500


Duplex = $726,500


Tri-plex = $878,150


4-plex = $1,091,350


 


If you have any questions on this information, I welcome you to email me at tony@eastsidehomes.com


Posted By:
Tony Meier
Eastside & Seattle Realtor
EastsideHomesBlog.com
EastsideHomes.com
Seattle’s Eastside Real Estate Resource
tony@eastsidehomes.com

February 25, 2009

Cost vs. Value 2008 – The Kitchen

Filed under: Information for Buyers, Information for Sellers — tonymeier @ 9:19 am



Thinking of remodeling your home?  In this week’s cost vs. value segment we’ll be looking at the kitchen. Remodeling the kitchen can be one of the most dramatic changes made to enhance a home’s value and general appeal. After all, isn’t that where most good parties are! Here are the latest numbers for the Seattle area.



Minor Kitchen Remodel   Project Description: In a functional but dated 200-square-foot kitchen with 30 linear feet of cabinetry and countertops, leave cabinet boxes in place but replace fronts with new raised-panel wood doors and drawers, including new hardware. Replace wall oven and cooktop with new energy-efficient models. Replace laminate countertops; install mid-priced sink and faucet. Repaint trim, add wall covering, and remove and replace resilient flooring.


Project cost:  $22,476                     
Resale value:  $22,595                  
Cost Recouped:  100.5%



Major Kitchen Remodel – Midrange   Project Description: Update an outmoded 200-square-foot kitchen with a functional layout of 30 linear feet of semi-custom wood cabinets, including a 3-by-5-foot island; laminate countertops; and standard double-tub stainless-steel sink with standard single-lever faucet. Include energy-efficient wall oven, cooktop, ventilation system, built-in microwave, dishwasher, garbage disposal, and custom lighting. Add new resilient flooring. Finish with painted walls, trim, and ceiling.


Project cost:  $61,570                     
Resale value:  $57,600                  
Cost Recouped:  93.6%



Major Kitchen Remodel – Upscale  Project Description:  Update outmoded 200-square-foot kitchen with 30 linear feet of top-of-the-line custom cherry cabinets with built-in sliding shelves and other interior accessories. Include stone countertops with imported ceramic or glass tile backsplash; built-in refrigerator, cooktop, and     36-inch commercial grade range and vent hood; built-in warming drawer, trash compactor, and built-in combination microwave and convection oven. Install high-end undermount sink with designer faucets, and   built-in water filtration system. Add new general and task lighting including low-voltage under-cabinet lights. Install cork flooring, cherry trim.


Project cost:  $118,374                   
Resale value:  $101,470                
Cost recouped:  85.7%


 



All of the statistical information was provided by
c 2008 Hanley Wood, LLC.  Reproduced by permission.  Complete city data from the Remodeling 2008 Cost vs. Value Report can be downloaded for free at www.costvsvalue.com


If you have any questions on this information, I welcome you to email me at tony@eastsidehomes.com


Posted By:
Tony Meier
Eastside & Seattle Realtor
EastsideHomesBlog.com
EastsideHomes.com
Seattle’s Eastside Real Estate Resource
tony@eastsidehomes.com


             




February 23, 2009

Monday’s Market Update – Seattle Area Residential

Filed under: Seattle Housing Statistics — tonymeier @ 11:03 pm

Eastside & Seattle Market Absorption Rates
By: Tony Meier
Eastside & Seattle Realtor

 

This week we will be looking at the Residential market absorption rates for the Seattle Area over the last 7 weeks. When looking at these numbers, keep in this in mind:

  • These are an average of the all price ranges in the area. Some price ranges are definitely moving faster than others! If you would like to know how things break down in a specific price range for an area, send me an email at tony@eastsidehomes.com
  • These numbers are a result of the sales activity over the last 7 weeks when comparing the number of active listing vs. the number of pending sales to determine what the market absorption rate is for a particular area.
  • When measuring the heat of the market, the following rules apply:
    • 12 weeks or less = Seller’s Market
    • 12-24 weeks = Balanced Market
    • 24 or more weeks = Buyer’s Market

Residential Only, NWMLS Area 140 (West Seattle) = 23.5 weeks of inventory

Residential Only, NWMLS Area 380 (Central Seattle) = 35.6 weeks of inventory

Residential Only, NWMLS Area 385 (SODO/Beacon Hill) = 21.6 weeks of inventory

Residential Only, NWMLS Area 390 (Central Seattle) = 37 weeks of inventory

Residential Only, NWMLS Area 700 (Queen Anne/Magnolia) = 31.8 weeks of inventory

Residential Only, NWMLS Area 705 (Ballard/Greenlake) = 15.5 weeks of inventory

Residential Only, NWMLS Area 710 (North Seattle) = 18.7 weeks of inventory

Residential Only, NWMLS Area 715 (Richmond Beach) = 20 weeks of inventory  

Residential Only, NWMLS Area 720 (Lake Forest Park) = 41.4 weeks of inventory

Interesting to note: The seller is firmly in control under $400k in areas 705 & 710!

If you have any questions on this information or would like to know the strength in your area and price range, I welcome you to email me at tony@eastsidehomes.com

Posted By:
Tony Meier
Eastside & Seattle Realtor
EastsideHomesBlog.com
EastsideHomes.com
Seattle’s Eastside Real Estate Resource
tony@eastsidehomes.com

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February 16, 2009

Monday Market Update – Eastside Residential

Eastside & Seattle Market Absorption Rates
By: Tony Meier
Eastside & Seattle Realtor

This week we will be looking at the Residential market absorption rates for the Eastside over the last 7 weeks. When looking at these numbers, keep in this in mind:

  • These are an average of the all price ranges in the area. Some price ranges are definitely moving faster than others! If you would like to know how things break down in a specific price range for an area, send me an email at tony@eastsidehomes.com
  • These numbers are a result of the sales activity over the last 7 weeks when comparing the number of active listing vs. the number of pending sales to determine what the market absorption rate is for a particular area.
  • When measuring the heat of the market, the following rules apply:
    • 12 weeks or less = Seller’s Market
    • 12-24 weeks = Balanced Market
    • 24 or more weeks = Buyer’s Market

Residential Only, NWMLS Area 500 (Bellevue, South of I-90) = 42.6 weeks of inventory

Residential Only, NWMLS Area 510 (Mercer Island) = 97.5 weeks of inventory

Residential Only, NWMLS Area 520 (Bellevue, West of 405) = 68.8 weeks of inventory

Residential Only, NWMLS Area 530 (Bellevue, East of 405) = 32.9 weeks of inventory

Residential Only, NWMLS Area 540 (East of Lake Sammamish) = 42.3 weeks of inventory

Residential Only, NWMLS Area 550 (Redmond/Carnation) = 45.5 weeks of inventory

Residential Only, NWMLS Area 560 (Kirkland/Bridle Trails) = 39.1 weeks of inventory

Residential Only, NWMLS Area 600 (Juanita/Woodinville) = 45.1 weeks of inventory

If you have any questions on this information, I welcome you to email me at tony@eastsidehomes.com

Posted By:
Tony Meier
Eastside & Seattle Realtor
EastsideHomesBlog.com
EastsideHomes.com
Seattle’s Eastside Real Estate Resource
tony@eastsidehomes.com

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