Cowlitz News and Real Estate

Cowlitz County Fair

The 2010 Cowlitz County Fair is up on us once again. This year the theme is music, magic and motion. All four days will be pack of fun things to do for the whole family; games, rides, food, music, rodeo and the popular demolition derby. Come and join the fun Thursday, August 5 through Sunday, August 8.

Once again admission will be free for all.

Times:

Thurday - 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Friday & Saturday - 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Sunday - 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Cowlitz County Foreclosures

Foreclosure is certainly one the most popular word in the real estate industry now days, not only here in Cowlitz County but everywhere inthe country, you see it almost daily in T.V. News, read it on News Papers, read it all over the Internet, see it on for sale real estate signs all over and is constantly the subject of people's conversation everywhere. Obviously the reason for the buzz about foreclosures points to the bad economy we find ourselves in to, people losing their jobs daily and as a result losing their homes to banks foreclosure.

Clearly the numbers of foreclosures have grown greatly in the last couple years and according to experts, the numbers will continue to increase in big numbers. I remember writing a blog over two years ago, Cowlitz County Foreclosures and Bank Own Homes, when foreclosures in Cowlitz County almost double in numbers, I thought it was bad then. The number was 36 foreclosures on the market, back then, compare to 86 residential foreclosures and other 31 vacant land, condos and manufacture homes a total of 117 foreclosures in Cowlitz County, keep in mind that about 1/3 of those are pending under contract and will not come up on any searches.

The growing number of foreclosures is definitely not good news for many people but represent a great opportunity for many others, these type of homes or properties are often good deals, selling for under market value. If you are looking for a deal in the Cowlitz County communities, Cowlitz home finder is a great resource for finding all foreclosures in the area.

Find all Cowlitz County foreclosures.

More about Cowlitz County foreclosures.

Longview Washington, Highlands area home for sale.

Affordable, beautifully done home and ready to move in to. Cute 2 bedrooms, 1 bath with new bamboo floors throughout, new siding, new paint in and out, new tool shed, new drive through driveway, fully fenced with lots of parking. Make your appointment today, you wouldn't be desapointed. View more photos and full details.

285 Baltimore St. Longview, WA 98632

Price $79,900

Cowlitz County Real Estate Market Report

The graphics below shows how the Cowlitz County real estate market has evolve over the last 6 months (first half of 2010). The graphs compares the number of for sale homes vs. new listings, pending and sold, it also shows average price for sold and homes for sale, average price per square feet, days on market and months of inventory.

Cowlitz County real estate report for 2009.

Cowlitz County homes for sale and real estate.

Use Cowlitz Homes Finder to access hundreds of homes for sale in Cowlitz County and thousands listings around the estate listed by all local agent and brokers. An easy and convenience way to search and find all Cowlitz County real estate and homes for sale, set up alerts to get new homes that fit your criteria by e-mail as soon as they come on the market and personalized and save home searches for faster access to your favorite homes.

Cowlitz County Images.

More about Cowlitz County.

Cowlitz County Links.

Longview Washington - July 4^th Celebration

The Longview, Washington Go Fourth Festival is the yearly 4^th of July celebration that takes place around the Lake Sacajawea Park, right in the hart of Longview and is the biggest family event in Cowlitz County that attracts thousands of families from Longview, Kelso and surrounding communities.

The three day event offers something fun for everyone; there is music, over 20 food booths, dozens of booths with cloths, toys, arts, crafts, games, pony rides, kid's carnival and other different competitions. A big parade the day before and best of all, the about 40 minute incredible firework display at the end, so come and join the fun.

Longview Early Edition Rotary Poker Run

Hey motorcycle enthusiast; the Longview early edition rotary club is looking for supporters to help raise money for their humanitarian projects, have some fun and win some prizes doing it. Everyone out there willing to participate, it is time to get ready and polish those dust collecting bikes in the garage. The event is a spectacular breathtaking; 126 miles ride to Mount St. Helens and back and will be taking place on Saturday, August 28, 2010.

The event will begin at the Cowlitz County PUD with first stop at Hoffstad Bluffs for lunch, then up all the way to Johnston Ridge for spectacular views of the mount, third stop Harry Gardner Park, then back to the PUD for prizes. Each rider will be getting a card at all four stops and at the end best poker hand will receive $1,000 prize. A variety of other prices will be giving out for farthest traveler, youngest rider, and older rider.

Poker run will starts and ends at: Cowlitz PUD parking lot, 961 12^th Ave. Longview, WA 98632. Ticket cost is $55 per rider; this includes a t-shirt, lunch and the chance to win $1,000 and some other prices. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m., and all poker hands must be turned in at the final stop by 3:00 p.m.   

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE EVENT

CLICK HERE TO SEE A ROUTE MAP

We are looking for Cowlitz community projects

Our local Cowlitz County Windermere real estate office is looking to find some local projects to do on our community service day this coming June 18. If someone out there knows a Cowlitz County none profit organization or deserving individual or household (homeowner) who needs help sprucing up their yard or home, we would like to hear from you. Our selection will be made based on need and our ability to complete the projects suggested. Nominate an organization, individual or household by e-mail: here or emailus@windermere.com. To learn more about what we do for our Cowlitz communities visit the fallowing links Windermere community service 2008 or Windermere community service 2009

Cowlitz County AARP Free Taxaide Program

Once again tax season is here and as always AARP TAX-AID is here to help. The AARP Taxaide program is a group of volunteers focusing on helping senior citizens, low and middle income tax payers with their tax returns at no cost (free).

The Cowlitz County AARP team of volunteers wants to spread the word out about this free service and let the Cowlitz County communities know that this year they will be in the four following locations; Longview Public Library, McClelland Art Center, Fibre Federal Credit Union and Monticello Jr. High School. This is a group of over 20 well trained and with lots of experience volunteers. Tax returns are e-file and refund can be back within 5 day if direct deposit is chosen. First days available to do your taxes will be January 23 and 30 from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the Longview Public Library only after that starting February 2nd through April 15, Below you'll find the times and places where you can go and have your free tax returns done.

There is usually long lines so to make the process easier and less stressful for everyone, your are required to bring the following documents:

1. Social Security cards for ALL names listed on the returns (including children)
2. Picture ID for spouse and taxpayer.
3. All income and expense relating documents (W-2's, 1099, real estate tax paid, child care, etc.)
4. Previous year tax return to determine if entitled to additional stimulus rebate.
5. For direct deposits bring voided check.

View Tax locations in a larger map

Cowlitz County Real Estate Year in Review, 2009

If you interested to know how the Cowlitz County real estate market change over course of 2009, below you'll find some graphs with the numbers for last 15 months. These graphs will provide comparison of how the Cowlitz County market changed each month, the comparison of for sale versus sold homes, the % price difference of home for sale vs. sold, average price per sq ft and months of inventory. You'll see when the Cowlitz County real estate market hit the highest point, the lowest and how both compares with the current market and so on.

If you would like to have a detail reports for your Cowlitz County city or neighborhood, make a request here.

	1 month	1 year	15 months
	Nov 09	Dec 09	% Change	Dec 08	Dec 09	% Change	Oct 08	Dec 09	% Change
For Sale	627	584	-6.9%	653	584	-10.6%	717	584	-18.5%
Sold	78	40	-48.7%	29	40	37.9%	74	40	-45.9%
Pended	33	66	100%	37	66	78.4%	51	66	29.4%

This representation is based in whole or in part on data supplied by the NWMLS. Neither Venancio, Windermere, the Board or its MLS guarantees or is in any way responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by the Board or its MLS may not reflect all real estate activity in the market. Report reflects activity by all brokers participated in the MLS.