YTD October Maple Valley Market Stats ‘07 vs ‘08

These numbers reflect single family homes listed and sold through NWMLS and do not represent any “by owner” transactions which may have closed.

Through October 31, 2007 there were 678 homes closed with the average sales price being $438,802

Through October 31, 2008 there were 427 homes closed with the average sales price being $398,154

On average Prices have fallen 9% and there have been 37% fewer sales.

Maple Valley…By the Numbers

I love stats, which is a bit odd because Math wasn’t my favorite subject in school. When using statistics in analyzing and following real estate trends and market conditions, there will obviously be variables involved. For instance, I define the Maple Market as being comprised of the area falling within the Tahoma School District boundaries. Others may use the Maple Valley zip code, or stay within the City limits.  I like to see what statistics others are compiling and how they compare to my own. 

The other day when I received a Neighborhood Profile of Maple Valley the other day from The Talon Group (A division of First American Title). Most likely these numbers were compiled using Metro Scan. There were some interesting categories which I don’t track so  I thought I’d share:

Assessed Values:

40% of Homes in Maple Valley are assessed between 200,000 and 300,000 and the second highest group, at 29% were assessed between 300,000 an 400,000.

Owner Occupancy:

Approximately 81% of homes in the area are owner occupied.

Age of Homes:

A whopping 59% of homes in Maple Valley were built between 1990-present.

The one area my numbers differer from The Talon Group’s source is in number of sales:

2006: Talon: 942  ME: 1075

2007: Talon: 660  ME: 760

2008 YTD: Talon: 173 ME: 326

I would think their numbers would be higher as they are pulling from County records and would reflect “by owner” sales. My stats typically involve only homes sold through NWMLS, but the difference is likely in the definition of the market area.

 

Colleen Fischesser is the Broker/Owner of RE/MAX Select in Maple Valley, WA. She has been successfully selling and marketing properties all over South King & North Pierce counties since 1990 but specializes in the Maple Valley Washington area. .She may be contacted directly at: 425-432-5400

Copyright 2008, All Rights Reserved Colleen Fischesser

 

Dog Days of Summer Not Stopping Sales

The phrase Dog Days of Summer is used in reference to the hottest days of the year; which typically here in the greater Seattle area would be right now….but I’m wearing a sweater today, go figure! August is also typically a slower time in our market, as many agents and would-be home buyers are squeezing in last minute vacations. But if there is one thing we know about the ‘08 market is that there is nothing typical about it! August has been my busiest month of the entire year and judging from pending sales in Maple Valley since the first of August, I’m not the only one! As of 8/1/08, 30 Single Family homes have gone under contract.

Some of these sales will close in August, others in Sept or beyond. But I think it will be interesting to start tracking these numbers more closely from this point forward given that the Maple Valley market began it’s downward trend last August. Only time will tell if things are truly picking up or if this is an isolated flurry just prior to the start of school.

Colleen Fischesser is the Broker/Owner of RE/MAX Select in Maple Valley, WA. She has been successfully selling and marketing properties all over South King & North Pierce counties since 1990 but specializes in the Maple Valley Washington area. .She may be contacted directly at: 425-432-5400

Copyright 2008, All Rights Reserved Colleen Fischesser

Maple Valley Market Retrospective

This is an interesting look back over the past 3 1/2 years at homes sold in the Maple Valley market area. We were certainly spoiled with low market times which have more than doubled in the last year over a 44 day average in 2005.