the
JULY 2016
Volume 7 | Issue 7
EYE ON THE
market
The summer is in full swing, and buyers aren’t taking a vacation from their home search. While inventory increased slightly at the beginning of the summer, and interest rates have also begun to rise, it remains a swift and challenging market. Buyers seeking affordable homes with more space are responding to the challenge by considering new areas. For many, this means choosing a longer commute in exchange for getting into a home sooner. Where to start looking? If there were areas previously eliminated due to commute times or lack of proximity to amenities, buyers may want to take another look. Commuters from South Seattle, and Snohomish and Pierce counties, now have new HOV lanes, light rail, or other transportation options and improvements to their routes.
LOCAL happenings Many areas have rebounded from the economic downturn of a few years ago and are attracting amenities such as hotels, restaurants, retail and other commercial businesses needed to support a growing, thriving community. While buyers may find relatively less competition in outlying communities, increased interest in these areas has already led to shorter time on the market and higher prices in recent months. NWMLS stats from May show a year-over-year increase of almost 7 percent in closed sales for single-family homes in Snohomish County and 12.8 percent in Pierce County. With new prospective buyers streaming into the area, we can expect tough competition and continuing high demand throughout our region this year. With some additional research and broadening of criteria, buyers may discover new options for their next home and put themselves in a good position to make their next move in the near future.
STAY SAFE ON THE WATER THIS
summer
Use the tips below to keep yourself and your family safe in the water this summer! The best thing is learn to swim.
Inexperienced swimmers should always wear a life jacket in or around water. Never swim alone. Try to swim in lifeguard-supervised areas. Never dive headfirst unless the spot is clearly marked for diving and has no obstructions. Be very cautious in rivers and lakes, as it is harder to see deep down where logs, boulders and stumps are located. Maintain constant supervision of children around any water environment, regardless of their skill level. Even shallow water poses a danger. Check weather reports, and stop boating if you see or hear of a storm.
Anytime you go out in a boat, make
sure someone knows where you are going and how long you plan to be out. Inspect the boat and motor well, and make sure everyone on board has a life preserver. Set water safety rules for your family, and make sure everyone understands them. Adults and teens should take a CPR course. Contact your local fire department or visit the websites below to find a class near you: acprclass.com cprseattle.com cpr1staid.com chealthcare.com redcross.org/wa/seattle
4 An Edmonds Kind of 4th edmondswa.com 4 Bellevue Family 4th bellevuedowntown.com 4 Seafair Summer Fourth at Gas Works Park | seafair.com 4 Tacoma Freedom Fair freedomfair.com 7-9 Arlington Fly-in arlingtonflyin.org 8-9 Redmond Derby Days redmondderbydays.com 8-10 Kent Cornucopia Days kcdays.com 9-10 Ballard SeafoodFest seafoodfest.org 9-10 Mill Creek Festival & Street Fair millcreekfestival.com 14-16 Timber! Outdoor Music Festival in Carnation | timbermusicfest.com 14-17 King County Fair in Enumclaw cityofenumclaw.net 15-17 Bite of Seattle biteofseattle.com 16-17 Tacoma Maritime Fest tacomamaritimefest.org 22-24 Capitol Hill Block Party capitolhillblockparty.com 22-24 Renton River Days rentonriverdays.org 29-31 Bellevue Arts Museum ARTSfair bellevuearts.org 30 Seafair Torchlight Parade seafair.com