Slow to the crunch

Posted on March 24, 2008 by Annie

For the past week, I’ve noticed on several local RE websites and blogs that people seem to be saying not much has changed around the Puget Sound area, that the economic crunch hasn’t really been felt yet. But I’ve seen evidence elsewhere that points directly to the opposite.

My husband works for a stone wholesaler (granite, marble, etc) and February and so far, March, have been very slow for them. This is a company who sells slabs and tile to builders and contractors and the fact that their business has slowed down, tells me that we are indeed seeing some of the crunch in Snohomish County.

I’m just not convinced everything is rosy here. I find it odd in some ways, because trends in many areas of the country are showing it’s actually cheaper to build your own home right now than it has been for at least a decade, if not longer. Yet building has slowed tremendously here and as I mentioned already, slabs and tile are not selling.

Additionally, there are a couple of homes in our neighborhood that have been for sale for going on 4 months or so now. In the past few years, homes like these would have sold within 45 days, tops. One of them is a spacious home on a corner lot, about a block from a prime elementary school and whose price has been reduced at least twice since it came on the market. It’s even vacant! Someone could move right in! But there it sits . . . And a block away from us, is a duplex that was built last summer. It is still sitting there with a for sale sign as well.

You might remember my post last week “Real Estate Local: Tanked” and this is why I’m still trying to justify all this information in my own mind. Statistics from various sources and the news from those same sources are in conflict with one another. It’s baffling.

Historically, the Pacific Northwest has been slow to feel an economic crunch and while we haven’t noticed the same effects as the rest of the country even now, I think we are catching up to the recession everyone else has been feeling for quite some time.

What have you noticed? How is real estate being affected in your neighborhood?

Until later,
Annie

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Weekend Easter events: Snohomish County

Posted on March 20, 2008 by Annie

Today is the first day of Spring, the Equinox. Tomorrow is Good Friday and of course, Sunday is Easter. There are many events happening around Snohomish County this weekend. There’s bound to be an activity or two close to you for the whole family.

Check these out -

Easter Egg Hunts

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Easter egg hunt in Edmonds. Prizes include eggs filled with toys, candy and other prizes. Starts at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Edmonds Lutheran Church, 23525 84th Ave. W., Edmonds. For ages 12 and under. Live music by Eric Ode. Sponsored by Edmonds and Trinity Lutheran churches. Free. Call 425-778-2159, or go to www.edmondslutheran.org, www.trinitylutheranchurch.com, www.ericode.com.

Dinosaur egg hunt at Everett Mall. Starts at noon Saturday for ages 3-5 only and at 1 p.m. start for ages 5-10. Also Saturday, “Dig It! The Fossil Workshop,” Everett Mall, 1402 SE Everett Mall Way, Everett. Free. Prizes. Call 425-423-8506 or go to www.digitfossils.com.

Egg hunt in Everett. 10 a.m. Saturday, Walter E. Hall Park, 1226 W. Casino Road, Everett. Free for all ages. Call 425-513-6178. Sponsored by Word of Grace South Everett Foursquare and Sonrise Chapel churches.

Marysville Parks and Recreation Easter egg hunt begins at 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at Jennings Memorial Park, 6915 Armar Road, Marysville. For ages 8 and under only. Canned food donation to food bank requested for admission. Call 360-363-8400. Also sponsored by Marysville Noon Rotary Club and Grandview Village.

Arlington city egg hunt from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Held behind the Stillaguamish Athletic Club at 4417 172nd St. NE, near the Arlington Airport. Free admission. Activities for kids ages 1-12. Eggs redeemed for prizes and refreshments will be provided, but bring your own Easter basket and camera for pictures with the Easter Bunny. Go to www.ci.arlington.wa.us. Sponsored by city of Arlington and Arlington Firefighters Local 3728.

Egg hunt in Lake Stevens at 11 a.m. with free activities until 4 p.m. on Saturday at the Haggen store, 8915 Market Place NE, Lake Stevens. For all ages. Also Easter craft projects, face painting and more. Call 425-377-7100.

Egg hunt in Granite Falls beginning at noon Saturday in Eagle Park at E. Galena Street in Granite Falls. Pictures with the Easter Bunny and egg hunt for ages 1-10, in separate groups; child who collects the most eggs gets a prize; $5 and $7 for pictures with Easter Bunny.

Snohomish’s big Easter egg hunt starts at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Echo Lake Community Church, 13306 Lost Lake Road, Snohomish. Free, but canned food donations accepted. Call 360-668-5528.

Easter egg hunt in Stanwood area at 2 p.m., other activities from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Haggen store, 26603 72nd Ave. NW, Stanwood. For ages 2-12. The event is free and also includes Easter egg decorating, face painting, a visit from the Easter Bunny and more. Call 360-629-4400.

The Shiners’ Easter egg hunt in Mountlake Terrace begins at 11 a.m. on March 22 (Saturday) at the Nile Shrine Center located at 6601 244th St. SW in Mountlake Terrace. For small children to age 5, children ages 6-9 and children ages 10-13. Free. Call 425-774-9611.

Mountlake Terrace city egg hunt is at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Evergreen Playfield, 22205 56th Ave. W., Mountlake Terrace. For ages 12 and younger with parent. Treat-filled eggs and other prizes. Free. Sponsored by the Mountlake Terrace Seniors Group. Call 425-672-2407.

Easter egg hunt in Lynwood starts at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Lynnwood Free Methodist Church, 6519 188th St. SW, Lynnwood. For ages 1-11. Prizes and candy-filled eggs. Free. Call 425-775-3696.

Country Village Eggs-travaganza in Bothell starting at 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Saturday at the Country Village shops, 23718 Seventh Ave. SE, Bothell. Families can collect one egg per store; eggs contain candy, prizes or gift certificates. Call 425-605-0425, www.­countryvillagebothell.com.

Golden egg hunt in Arlington for adults that begins at 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday in downtown Arlington. Three gold eggs are hidden at participating businesses. There will be prizes. Sponsored by the Downtown Arlington Business Association.

Lake Stevens Kiwanis egg hunt is at 1 p.m. on Sunday at Highland Elementary School, 3220 113th Ave. NE, Lake Stevens.

Breakfasts and other events

  • Easter breakfast 9 a.m. Sunday, Word of Grace South Everett Foursquare Church, 206 E. Casino Road, Everett. Free. Call 425-513-6178.
  • Easter breakfast 9 a.m. Sunday, Lynnwood Free Methodist Church, 6519 188th St. SW, Lynnwood. Free. Families encouraged. Call 425-775-3696.
  • Pancake breakfast and car wash 7 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, corner of 51st Avenue NE and Grove Street, Marysville. Enjoy breakfast and get your car washed. Proceeds benefit support youth attending summer camp.
  • Bunny Blast 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Lynn­wood Fire Station 15, 18800 44th Ave. W., Lynnwood. For ages 7 and under. Free with canned food donation. Features professional pictures with the Easter Bunny, Easter-themed craft activities, face painting, balloon clowns, fire truck tours, stories and more. Call Lynnwood Parks, 425-771-4030, or go to www.ci.lynnwood.wa.us.
  • Easter and spring carnival 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Faith Lutheran Church of North Lakewood, 1424 172nd St. NE, Marysville. Free games, bouncy house, prizes, refreshments and more. Call 360-652-9545.
  • Snohomish’s 28th annual Easter festivities Saturday in downtown Snohomish. Free activities include an Easter bonnet contest with sign-ups at 9:30 a.m., egg hunting at 9 a.m. at Harvey Field for ages 12 and under; Easter parade at 10:30 a.m. at First Street between Union Avenue and Avenue D. Call 425-754-4518 or go to www.cityofsnohomish.com.
  • Future of Flight Aviation Center’s Easter event 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, 8415 Paine Field Blvd., Mukilteo. A ping-pong ball “egg drop” from a helicopter. Balls redeemed for prizes. Adults pay $9 ticket and then can bring up to three children ages 12 and under for free. Call 425-438-8100 or go to www.futureofflight.org.

    • If I find anything else that looks fun, I’ll post it as well.
    ~ Annie

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    National trends: government policy

    Posted on March 18, 2008 by Annie

    This isn’t a political blog and generally, I don’t really share my views with anyone but perhaps my husband. However, I just watched an incredible video that I feel compelled to share especially given the topic of yesterday’s post.

    You may have noticed a small icon above here in support of Ron Paul and this video also gives you a glimpse as to why I believe in Dr. Paul.

    Here’s the video

    I encourage to watch it, think about the current issues in the news and really try to understand just what the long term effects are if the current policies are not changed quickly. It’s imperative that every adult in America who is legally eligible to vote, do so.

    Our country depends on it – Our future generations –

    OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN

    – depend on it.

    Until next time,

    ~ Annie

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    Real estate local: Tanked

    Posted on March 17, 2008 by Annie

    In many areas of the country, the real estate market has slowed to all but a crawl. And although it is certainly getting slower here in the Seattle area, I think we’re still in better shape than many cities. Although, I just heard today that the home prices in suburban areas just outside Seattle and Bellevue are falling by as much as $100,000. That’s huge for a lot of people.

    This is good news for buyers, actually. Even though the mortgage industry is in crisis, people might still be able to purchase homes – and even homes they couldn’t touch a year ago – because prices are now becoming more affordable. Additionally, the Fed lowering interest rates again might be helpful. I’m not sure that’s they right way to “stimulate” the economy, though, but that’s a topic for another post. ;-)

    Frankly, I’ve always thought the housing prices in North King and Snohomish Counties were grossly over-inflated in the last 10 years. I’m glad to see pricing that more accurately reflects where prices likely should have been all along.

    Of course, the bad news is that folks who’ve bought more house than they could afford or who have to move for job reasons and what-not, likely won’t recoup what they paid. Will those people end up in foreclosure? I think a good number of them will and many already have. They won’t really have much other choice. And that’s incredibly sad.

    These are the people the Fed should be helping. I mean, the government can back the purchase of Bear Stearns by JPMorgan Chase but it’s unwilling or unable for whatever reason to help the average homeowner? Isn’t the government supposed to help it’s citizens? (Don’t answer that – it’s rhetorical.)

    This isn’t a political blog so I won’t get into that any further . . . So back to the topic at hand.

    I don’t think the Seattle area will see the problems that have plagued Las Vegas, Phoenix and Florida over the past few years but the picture certainly isn’t as rosy as some would like to pretend. There are real problems and I don’t think we’ve seen the lowest end of it yet. I heard that foreclosure rates rose 60% in February – I think that’s low compared to what’s coming over the next 6 months.

    Do you live in an area that has been hit hard by this? What are your thoughts?

    If you live in the Greater Seattle area, what are your thoughts?

    Feel free to post in the comments, but do please keep in civil and clean. ;-)

    Thanks,

    Annie

    UPDATE 3.17.08 – 9pm PDT: Very interesting article on Huffington Post about the Bear Stearns bailout and foreclosure crisis. Rather eye-opening. Check it out.

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