Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Average US 30-Year Mortgage Rate Rises to 3.45 Percent

ortgage giant Freddie Mac said Thursday the average for the benchmark 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rose to 3.45 percent from 3.42 percent last week. The average rate is down sharply from 4.04 percent a year ago.
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Sunday, July 24, 2016

Federal grant to help fund employee training in Island County - South Whidbey Record

A $2.7 million federal grant will help manufacturing businesses across Washington pay for worker training at nearly no cost, according to a recent press release from the Workforce Training Board. The grant, according to the board’s press release, is an opportunity for local workers at participating businesses to receive fully paid tuition for a variety of targeted training options, including supply chain management and freight forwarding. Island County will be among 31 rural Washington counties included in the boost in training for those who work at small and mid-sized manufacturers, paid for by the U.S. Department of Labor. Funded online training is part of a larger grant called “Make it in Washington.”
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Friday, July 22, 2016

A Minimalist Manifesto: How To Simplify Your Style at Home

Sometimes, our homes can overwhelm us. What should be a place of retreat and comfort becomes bloated with items not needed, styles experimented with and abandoned, and projects started but never completed. While a good Spring Clean (whenever it happens) is always welcome, sometimes you want to go even further than that and streamline your style, too. Read on for our Minimalist Manifesto, and for ideas on how to simplify your home.
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Thursday, July 21, 2016

Get a FREE - NO obligation, Instant Home Valuation

ATTENTION ISLAND COUNTY WASHINGTON Home Owners! You may be SHOCKED to see what your home value is today!
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Best Places to Live

U.S. News analyzed the 100 most populous metro areas to find the best places to live. To make the top of the list, a place had to have good value, be a desirable place to live, have a strong job market and a high quality of life.
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Sunday, July 17, 2016

Island County Real Estate Market Extends Strong Trend in Home Prices | Published: 7/13/2016 |...

While home sales in the Island County market have been above average, in this week's report they dropped 6.6% to 225 homes sold over the last 30 days. Meanwhile, King County reported 3,453 home sales, the highest number from all the surrounding counties. The median sales price continued to rise, trending upwards for four weeks to reach $326,000. There are only two months of inventory available in Island County, so it's a strong seller's market, even with the decrease in sales.
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Friday, July 15, 2016

130 Designer Kitchens for Every Style

Allow these culinary hot spots to stir up major inspiration for your own home.
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Thursday, July 14, 2016

Brexit unlikely to roil U.S. real estate sector, experts say

The turmoil roiling the United Kingdom real estate market since the surprise Brexit outcome is unlikely to trigger similar impact for the U.S. real estate sector, industry experts predict. In fact, some predict U.K pain ultimately could mean U.S. gain.
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Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Foreign buyers flood US real estate, but buy cheaper homes

The appetite for U.S. real estate continues to flourish, but international buyers are shifting their sights from luxury to less-pricey properties. This may be due to overall higher home prices, along with a stronger U.S. dollar, which both cost foreign buyers more at the negotiating table. There are also fewer nonresident foreigners investing in the market.
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Sunday, July 10, 2016

Island County Real Estate Market Sees Home Sales Increase | Published: 7/6/2016 | Homesnap Real...

The Island County market showed gains this week as sales rose 9.7% to hit 226 homes sold over the last 30 days. In comparison, nearby King County had 3,431 sales in the same time frame, the most of all neighboring counties. The median sales price rose to $349,750, up from last week's $333,000. Along with the increase in sales, the fact that there are a lower-than-normal two months of inventory indicates that Island County is a definite seller's market.
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Friday, July 8, 2016

How To Make Your Outdoor Space Feel Like Another Room In Your Home (for Less than $100)

As soon as summer hits, you may feel the urge to move everything you own outside so you can live under the sun and stars. Utilizing whatever outdoor area you have is especially important when you call a small space home, because it can give you the dining room, living room, or reading nook your place typically lacks.
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Thursday, July 7, 2016

Will a Sparkling-Clean Home Appraise for More Money?

Selling your home is a long journey, but it doesn’t end with accepting an offer.
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Tuesday, July 5, 2016

Thanks, Brexit! Why UK vote is likely to boost US home sales

The net effect will depend on location and price point, but overall, the Brexit will likely result in continuing growth in home sales with somewhat slower growth in home prices. The impact will benefit well-qualified buyers the most, and it will be a boon for sellers in affordable markets and price points.
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Sunday, July 3, 2016

Island County Real Estate Market Sees Sales Numbers Rise | Published: 6/29/2016 | Homesnap Real...

Over the last 30 days, the Island County market warmed up with 199 homes sold, a 3.1% increase from last week's report. In comparison, nearby King County had 3,169 sales in the same time frame, the most of all neighboring counties. The median sales price climbed to $329,000 over the latest reporting period for Island County, up from $328,000. With just three months of inventory available and sales going up, Island County is a seller's market.
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Friday, July 1, 2016

5 Staging Tips to Make a Home Welcoming for an Open House

Buyers will want to put in an offer when you make them feel like they're already at home.
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