Cowlitz News and Real Estate

Castle Rock Washington Real Estate - Castle Rock Market Report.

The available homes for sale in the Castle Rock Washington real estate market have slowly declined about 25 percent in the last twelve months, in November there were only 39 active listings the lowest number of the year and compare to 52 in September 2010. Pending sales also shows steady decline, in November only 3 listings went pending compare to 8 at the same time last year. The number of sold homes also shows slightly dropped through out the year with only 4 sold listings in November.

Here are some other stats for the Castle Rock Washington real estate market.

Months of inventory 10

Minimum price $74,800

Maximum price $995,000

Average price $252,005

Median price $197,400

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Info about Castle Rock.

Kalama Washington Real Estate - Kalama Real Estate Market Report.

The Number of homes for sale in the Kalama Washington real estate market has consistently declined in the last couple years, on November there were only 36 active listing on the market, the lowest I ever seeing and compare to 64 on November of last year a big 44 percent decline. Pending sales for the month of November also have declined from the busier months of summer but remain about the same from about the same time last year. The number of sold homes have also dropped from the summer months but are slightly higher from around the same time last year. My opinion is the only the more motivated sellers remain on the market and if the trend continues buyers will be competing for listings and this is good for the Kalama real estate market.

Other stats for the Woodland Washington real estate market.

Months of inventory 9

Minimum price $38,500

Maximum price $1,950,000

Average price $308,958

Median price $225,000

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More info. about Kalama Washington.

Woodland Washington Real Estate - Woodland Market Report.

The number of homes for sale in the Woodland Washington real estate market had remained consistently the same for the most part in the last 14 months as you will see in the chart below, ranging from 31 lowest to 37 highest. Pending sales for the moth of November however spiked to match the highest number of the year with 9 pending listings and 7 pending increase from the same month last year. Sold homes on the other hand have dropped to almost the lowest of the year with only one sale in November and a big drop from 7 sales in November of last year. According to NWMLS numbers and surprisingly to me , the once booming and very busy Woodland Washington real estate market has become one of the County's most sluggish markets, hopefully 2012 will be better.

Other stats for the November's Woodland Washington real estate market.

Months of inventory 36

Minimum price $49,000

Maximum price $1,950,000 

Average price $295,350

Median price $222,500

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More about Woodland Washington.

Cowlitz County Christmas Trees Drop Off Locations

With Christmas over and many families starting to get their Christmas trees down, Cowlitz County and participating city officials want to remind local residents about the Christmas Tree Recycling program and the different locations available for people to drop off their trees.

A free program for Cowlitz County residents and sponsor by the city of Longview recycling, city of Kelso recycling, Cowlitz County recycling and the Department of Ecology. Drop off sites will be open 24 hours, see below information for dates, address locations and contact information.

Longview - 920 7th Ave Longview, WA 98632, available through Jan 22.

Kelso - Cedar St. and 1st Ave Kelso, WA 98626, available through Jan 22.

Castle Rock - Huntington Ave S. Castle Rock, WA 98611, available through Jan 8.

Kalama - W Frontage Rd Kalama, WA 98611, available through Jan 8.

Woodland - Horseshoe Circle Woodland, WA 98674, available through Jan 8.

Dates, times and locations are subject to change, to verify information contact the Recycling Center at (360) 442-5222.

Cowlitz Real Estate Market Asking VS. Selling Price.

What is the difference between asking price and selling price in the local market? In the pas two weeks I have been asked this question at least four time. My answer of course always is that it varies by community, neighborhood, price range, and type of sale. On average the Cowlitz County real estate market sells for about 96 percent of asking price, one thing that I have notice and I believe is worth mention is that foreclosure listings sell for higher percent than traditional listings.

Bank own homes are usually price aggressively and as a result they sell for closer to asking price most of the time, on average foreclosure homes sell for about 97 percent of asking price. Traditional sellers on the other hand, usually, over price their listings and end up chasing the market down and as a result end up selling for lower percent than foreclosures, on average traditional listings sell for about 94 percent of asking price.

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Journey of Bethlehem - Kelso Washington

The Kelso-Longview Seventh-day Advantist Church is inviting the public to come and experience their upcoming popular event that has become an annual Christmas Tradition, Journey to Bethlehem. Journey to Bethlehem takes you back in time 2.000 years to Mary and Joseph's search for a room and the discovery of the humble stable, a unique outdoor experience with sights, sounds and smells of village life back then, a glimpse of what the first Christmas was like. 

Come and join this free journey starting Thursday December 8 and Friday December 9 from 6-9 pm or Saturday December 10 and Sanday December 11 from 5-9 pm. Each day doors will be open an hour before first journey begins. Since this is an outside event it is recommended to dress appropriate for outside weather.

The event will take place at the Kelso-Longview Seventh-day Adventist Church at 1185 Westside Hwy Kelso, WA 98626

Kelso Washington Real Estate Market Report October 2011

Kelso Washington real estate home sales were down 42 percent in October from September with only 7 homes sold compare to 12 sales in September but the same number of sales from October 2010. Even though the Kelso real estate market nose-dived continues it is not necesary all that bad, it is just heading to a normal slow time of the season.

More stats for the Kelso Washington real estate market at the end of October.

Total active homes for sale 132

New listing in October 21

Pending sales 23

Sold homes 7

Moths of inventory 19

Minimum price $30,000

Maximum Price $449,000

Average price $140,468

Median  price $139,000

Search all Kelso Washington homes for sale, foreclosures and short sales. Kelso Washington recently sold listings. Learn more about Kelso Washington. Some Kelso Washington history and information.

Longview Washington Real Estate Market Report October 2011

The Longview Washington real estate listings are down from 260 in September to 238 in October but sales stayed relatively the same, 28 homes were sold in October one more than the 27 that were sold in September. In my opinion and according to  stats form the NWMLS the Longview Washington real estate market is holding pretty strong compare to last year, in October 5 more listings were sold than in October last year.

Here are some other interesing numbers and a graph for the Longview Washington Real Estate market.

Total active homes for sale at the end of October 238.

New listings 34.

Pending homes 25.

Sold homes 28

Months of inventory 8.5

Minimum price $49,000

Maximum Price $1,200,000

Average Price $212,158

Median price $179,900

The above numbers are base on single family residential homes only.

Search all Longview Washington homes for sale, foreclosures and short sales. Longview Washington recently sold listings. Learn more about Longview Washington. Some Longview Washington history and information.

Cowlitz County Real Estate Market Report October 2011

The Cowlitz County real estate market continues adjusting to the normal slow activity of the season with only 44 home sold in October compared to 58 in September, about 24 percent dropped. As discouraging as those numbers are it is normal for this time of year. Even though sales may have dropped the last couple months, more homes have sold every month this year compare to last year, last month there were three more sales than in October 2010.

Cowlitz Conty rela estate home prices have been continually dropping since the market crash in earley 2008 but also the number of homes for sale is dropping. In October there were only 527 homes for sale in the county compare to 643 in October 2010, 116 less homes for sale. In my opinion that is a good sign that the market maybe heading in a path to recovery, now buyers have less homes to choose from and hopefully more competition. Now let's just hope that the economy will do the same and we'll be in good shape.

The Cowlitz County real estate market is definitely shrinking but there is still a good time for home buyer to take advantage of low real estate prices and low interest rates before everything start turning around.

The above nembers are base of single family residential homes only.

Learn more about Cowlitz County.

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Search recently sold homes, local schools and community information.

Coat & Blanket  Drive in Cowlitz County - Help Us Share the Warmth.

The Kelso/Longview Windermere office in participating in the Windermere's Annual event Help Us Share the Warmth Coat & Blanket Drive. Donated items will be distributed to those in need by the local Salvation Army.

We are asking local businesses and the public to participate by bringing new or gently used coats, blankets or sleeping bags. Our office will be taking donations till December 31, Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 5:30 at our drop-off location 209 W Main Street Suite 200 Kelso, WA 98626.

For other drop-off locations through out Southwest Washington and Oregon check out this website.