Tahoma students will head back to school on September 7, which is TWO WEEKS from tomorrow?! Where did the summer go? The weeks pass, homes come on the market, homes come off the market and we’re happy to provide the numbers for those who like to keep up with what’s going on with real estate sales within the school district boundaries.
So here you go!
These numbers are for single family homes only, listed and sold through NWMLS for the last 180 days.
{ 0 comments }
Time stands still at the water’s edge of this cabin on Lake Wilderness in Maple Valley. Tucked beneath towering fir & cedars, this cozy retreat, originally built in 1948 , was used over the years as a vacation retreat. It is a rustic reminder of simpler times when the Resort at Lake Wilderness was in full swing and busy Seattlites visited the area to “get away” from the bustle of the city.
The city of Maple Valley website offers a historical view of the resort:
“An expanded Gaffney’s Grove resort opened in 1939, capable of accommodating 9,000 visitors daily. This premier lake resort featured baseball fields, tennis courts, dance pavilions, a skating rink, and two swimming beaches with slides, trapezes, and diving towers.”
Currently the structure has no hot water or heat source other than the wood-cookstove, but the tongue-n-groove paneling, ceiling and vintage linoleum create a warm atmosphere from which to enjoy views of the lake. Both front and back yards are fairly level with the front yard sloping slightly toward the lake and the dock. The property is served by an individual on-site well and septic. There is water and sewer in the street for future hook-up or building down the road.
The cabin is being offered at $239,950. Additional information may be viewed here.
For more information, or to schedule a showing, call 425.432.5400 or email us.
{ 0 comments }
Unbelievably low interest rates are bringing the idea of home ownership to the minds of many first timers.
Awhile back, I published a post about the first time home buying process my husband I experienced. If you or someone you know has recently bought as a first time owner, I’d love to hear your story!
A young couple, she rents an apartment while finishing college, he still lives at home. The wedding is 6 months away. They want to buy a home; their first together. They don’t see themselves living in someone else’s home. They want to create “their own place”, be able to paint and knock out walls and have a dog without restrictions.
They are young.
She is 21 and he is 24. They don’t know much about the process, only that they want to own their own home.
They meet with their Realtor who tells them they can’t afford much and that their price range is pretty competitve. There isn’t much available unless they are willing to look in a few areas where they absolutely cannot see themselves living.
They share this with their agent.
One week later, their agent calls to say a new property just came on the market. They haven’t looked at one single home prior to this one, but it’s perfect; great area, great lot, hardwood floors and on a cul-de-sac.
His Dad says it’s good quality construction, but she doesn’t care about that because it’s cute as can be and has a guest room for when her parents come to visit…plus she has vision and can see past the brown carpet & orange wallpaper.
They must decide. It won’t last long.
The payment will be much higher than they are comfortable paying….but it’s a good house and rent would not save them that much more.
They move forward with the purchase. She moves in to save on rent and he moves in three months later after the wedding.
They really had no idea what they were getting themselves into…
We are now on our 4th home….our Dream Home.
Maybe it’s because rates are so incredibly low right now, or because my son is getting ready to buy his first home, but I’ve been thinking a great deal about the experience my husband and I went through 25 years ago.
I’m so grateful we were oblivious to all of the “bad news”… that with interest rates in the 14% range we probably “shouldn’t be buying” (according to traditional schools of thought anyway) but should wait for rates to fall…..or that with the economy in recovery mode our house wasn’t going to appreciate by leaps and bounds.
We just knew that we had to live somewhere and if we were going to make a monthly payment, we wanted it to go towards our own place.
I wonder if “could-be” first time homebuyers today really have any concept of the great opportunities this market presents for them. I hope they are taking the steps to find out if owning is a possibility rather than listening to all the reasons why they should be afraid.
In my case, ingorance (of negative media) has been bliss…..
{ 0 comments }
Maple Valley WA Single Family home sales and market information as of 8/17/10.
Average List/Sales Price
Inventory:
This graph demonstrates the number of active listings within the Tahoma School District boundaries compared to those in Escrow (Pending) and those closed within the last 6 months.
{ 0 comments }
Moving Maple Valley is a blog written by Colleen Fischesser to provide readers with timely information on local real estate trends, market updates, featured homes for sale and other fun, informative topics reflective of life in this small bedroom community South of Seattle, WA. Hopefully you'll want to check back frequently or better yet, help add to the content. If there is a subject or topic you'd like to see here, please suggest it. After all, this site is really for you!
Copyright 2009, all rights reserved. Not portion may be reprinted without written permission.
The information on this site should not be construed as legal or financial advice. Copyright 2009, All Rights Reserved Maple Valley Real Estate, LLC. Sponsored by Colleen Fischesser RE/MAX Select Real Estate.
