Cowlitz News and Real Estate

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.

Cowlitz County Home Buyers Workshop  

The Time to Buy a Home is NOW and if you are ready to take advantage of the current economy, $8,000 tax credit, low home prices and interest rates but don't know where to start or have some concerns, no problem! Windermere will be having home buyer workshops every Thursday in the month of January and anyone interested on learn about the tax credit or any aspect of the buying process is invited attend one of our weekly workshops. Workshops are FREE and will be held every Thursday in January from 7:00p.m.-9:00p.m. Workshop location, Windermere new office, 209 West Main St. Kelso, WA 98626. Come and find out the many options available for home buyer to buy or to build a new home! Don't hesitate... your home is waiting!

Workshops will be January 7^th, 14^th, 21^st, and the 28^th.