5 Opens in 1!

This weekend I will be holding open FIVE new brand new homes at the same time! Wick Homes, LLC has completed construction on three single-family homes and two townhomes, all located on the same block of SW Brandon St, just off Delridge. Only one of the homes is currently listed in the NWMLS (Northwest Multiple Listing Service) but the builder will accept offers on any or all of the homes. I will set up shop at 2414 SW Brandon St -- a three bedroom, 2.25 bath home listed for $409,950 -- but I will also flit in and out of the other units as people want to see them. Look for my sign boards and come see these great places (variously priced) for yourself! Sunday 1-4PM

College grads covet homes

A recent survey shows that buying a home is high on the wish list for today's college grads. Follow this link for the full article.

http://www.nwmls.com/discover/nwreporter.cfm?SectionListsID=25&PageID=4177

Personal emissions calculator

Wondering what more you can do to reduce greenhouse gas emissions? Here is some information directly off the Environmental Protection Agency website that should provide some answers for you.

"The EPA has developed tools to help individuals (and households) reduce greenhouse gas emissions and take action. Businesses and organizations interested in educating their employees and members about what they can do at home to help protect our climate can also use these tools.

Use this online calculator to obtain an estimate of your personal greenhouse gas emissions or your family’s greenhouse gas emissions. Then move on to the next section of the calculator to explore actions you and/or your family can take to lower your emissions while reducing your energy and waste disposal costs. For each action you choose to take, the calculator displays the amount of emissions you could avoid and how that amount relates to your total emissions."

Follow this link for instructions on how to use and access the calculator:

http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/calculator/ind_calculator.html

Related LinksGreenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator

More good news for buyers

Yesterday's P-I reported recent sales figures showing that Seattle-area home prices are declining somewhat. http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/346385_housing08.html

Whether you see this as a positive or a negative probably depends upon whether you are attempting to sell your home or buy a home. If you have a home to sell AND intend to buy another, then it's pretty much a wash anyway. You aren't going to make a killing on your current home, but shouldn't get soaked on a new one, either.

If you are thinking of buying your first home, you are probably wondering if you should wait? How low the prices are going to go? If you find anyone who can accurately predict that, I guarantee you s/he is already a very wealthy person! The only way to know when the market has bottomed out is when it starts to go back up. As the saying goes, hindsight is 20/20.

So when is the best time to buy a home? That depends on your own individual situation. Life events, financial circumstances and even your emotional state all play important roles in determining the best timing for you. Beyond that, only time will tell whether you happen to have purchased at the top, bottom or middle of the market. But if you are happily sitting in your own home, does it really matter?