Cowlitz News and Real Estate

Cathlamet, Washington River View Home for Sale

Cowlitz County Real Estate Agent Venancio Gonzalez (Windermere Kelso/Longview) — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 01:11:39 -0700

Cathlamet, Washington River View Home for Sale

Amazing river view property! Every room was designed to take advantage of the Columbia River ship channel and Mount St. Helens. Custom designed dream home with 3 bedrooms and office/den, 4 full bathrooms, gated entrance, 2 heat pumps, Brazilian cherry wood floors, tile elevator and much more.....

Directions: West on Ocean Beach Hwy (SR4) about 2 milse past County Line Park on right hand side.

View full details and more photos

1663 E State Route 4 Cathlamet, WA 98612

Columbia River ship channel view

View of Mout St. Helens

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More about Cathlamet.

Venancio Gonzalez - GRI, e-PRO Broker with Windermere Real Estate Allen & Associates, serving Longview, Kelso and surrounding Cowlitz County real estate markets. gonzalezq@windermere.com or (360) 751 4001.

Longview Washington Makes Forbes' List of Americas Prettiest Towns

Cowlitz County Real Estate Agent Venancio Gonzalez (Windermere Kelso/Longview) — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 01:50:20 -0700

Longview Washington Makes Forbes' List of Americas Prettiest Towns

Forbes Magazine well known for its flagship publication lists of world's billionaires, richest Americans, leading companies and top celebrities - has place Longview Washington number six on its most recent list of America's prettiest Towns.

Longview was mention as "one of the Pacific Northwest's most charming towns" and as being the "home to the well-planned but serene beauty of Lake Sacajawea Park", "one of the most beautiful parks I've ever seen" stated the author. See full article here.

Read some Longview history.

More about Longview.

Longview - Kelso Easter Egg Hunting Places

Cowlitz County Real Estate Agent Venancio Gonzalez (Windermere Kelso/Longview) — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 22:39:30 -0700

Longview - Kelso Ester Egg Hunting Places

Looking Easter egg hunting places in Longview or Kelso Washington? Here are few places for kids to have some fun this Easter.

Longview, Washington:

St. Rose Catholic Church Easter Egg Hunt at 701 26th Avenue Longview, WA 98632. The Church is inviting all children ages 2-8! Come join the fun on Saturday, April 7th at 2:00 p.m.

KLOG/KUKN/The Wave - Fibre Federal Credit Union Easter Egg Hunt at Roy Morse Park Way Longview, WA 9832. Saturday at 11:30 for four age groups 9 and younger, candy and prices.

Easter Carnival and Egg Hunt at Robert Gray Baptist Church, 2448 46th Ave Longview, WA 98632. Saturday at 10:00 a.m. for kids age 2 through sixth grade, carnival games, egg hunt with prices.

Kelso, Washington:

Three River Mall at 351 Three Rivers Drive Kelso, WA 98626. This free event features special appearance by the Easter Bunny and a surprise character, Easter egg hunt games, face painting, crafts and more. The hunt begins at 11:00 a.m. near the Sears Court and everybody is invited and welcome to attend.

Kelso Lions Club Easter Egg Hunt at Coweeman Middle School Field - 2000 Allen St. Kelso, WA 98626. Saturday at 11:00 a.m., Special area for preschoolers.

View Longview/Kelso Easter Egg Hunting Places in a larger map

Why Are Taxes So Low On This Cowlitz Property?

Cowlitz County Real Estate Agent Venancio Gonzalez (Windermere Kelso/Longview) — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 15:33:52 -0700

Why Are Taxes So Low On This Cowlitz Property?

This is a question that quite often comes up from buyers that I work with and potential buyers looking at information on homes on my Cowlitz County Real Estate website. So, I have decided to write this blog and try to answer this common question to the best of my ability.

Taxes on some Cowlitz County homes can be lower than other similar properties for number of different reasons but normally is due to property owners taking advantage of the Property Tax Relief Programs the Cowlitz County offer to local residents. The most common programs are Property Tax Exemptions and Tax Deferrals.

Property Tax Exemptions are granted to only qualified recipients and do NOT have to be repaid. To be eligible for these exemptions you must meet specific requirements about income, ownership, age or disability. For more information about these and other program's requirements visit the Cowlitz County website.

Property Tax Deferrals are basically postponed taxes to BE PAID at a later time with interest when you sell or no longer use the property as personal residence. To be eligible for this program you must be Limited Income Homeowner, Senior or Disable Citizen, meet ownership, residency, income, and equity requirements.

Kelso Washington Real Estate Market Report for 2011

Cowlitz County Real Estate Agent Venancio Gonzalez (Windermere Kelso/Longview) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 02:14:29 -0800

Kelso Washington Real Estate Market Report for 2011.

The Kelso Washington real estate market is slowly showing signs of improvement, home sales were up, days on market is shorter, the foreclosure market has slowed down and available inventory keeps on shrinking. In my opinion this is good sign for home seller and the real estate market.

Kelso Washington home sales were slighly up form the previous year with 192 homes sold in 2011 compare to 160 in 2010. At the end of the year inventory was the lowest in over two years with only 125 homes on the market.

The graphics below will show market trends over the last 15 months.

Number home homes for sale, pended and sold in Kelso.

Kelso average home prices

Kelso Average day on market and percent difference of asking and sold price.

More about kelso Washington.

View all Kelso Washington homes.

Kelso foreclosures.

Kelso short sales.

Recently sold homes, local schools and community information.

Longview Washington Real Estate Market Report for 2011

Cowlitz County Real Estate Agent Venancio Gonzalez (Windermere Kelso/Longview) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:39:12 -0800

Longview Washington Real Estate Market Report for 2011.

Even though in the County sales were up in 2011 From the year before, the Longview Washington real estate sales were slightly down compare to the previous year, 333 single family homes were sold in 2011 compare to 341 in 2010. And the inventory keeps shrinking, see graph below, at the end of the year there were only 210 homes on the market, the lowest inventory in a long time.

Some encouraging changes I notice from last year are; one, in 2011 homes were selling on an average of 97% of asking price compare to 93% in 2010, two, foreclosure inventory is down about 38% form the beginning of the year and three, dates on market is also down from the previous year, all positive signes in my opinion.

See the graphs below to for more information about average price, days on market, average price and months of inventory.

Number of homes for sale, pending and sold in Longview

Average price per sq. ft. in Longview

Average price of active and sold listings

More about Longview Washington.

View all Longview Washington homes.

View all Longview Washington foreclosures.

View all Longview Washington short sales.

Recently sold homes, local school and community information.

Cowlitz County Real Estate Market Report for 2011

Cowlitz County Real Estate Agent Venancio Gonzalez (Windermere Kelso/Longview) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 03:35:27 -0800

Cowlitz County Real Estate Market Report for 2011

The Cowlitz County real estate market had its ups and downs through out the year but overall home sales were up 7 percent form the year before, 737 single family homes were sold in 20011 compared to 684 in 2010. The Cowlitz County real estate market inventory keeps shrinking, there are currently only 472 homes on the market, the lowest in over five years and way lower from the 818 available homes in this market report from July 2008.

The low inventory, in my opinion, is a good sign that the real estate market soon will start turning on a positive direction. Another positive sign we are seeing here in Cowlitz County is the reduction number of foreclosed listings coming on the market.

See the graphs below to get better understanding of average price per sq. ft., days on market, average price and months of inventory.

Average price per sq. ft.

Difference percent from original and sold price

Months of inventory

Learn more about Cowlitz County.

Search Cowlitz homes for sale.

Search Cowlitz County foreclosures.

Search Cowlitz short sales.

Search recently sold homes, local schools and community information.

Cowlitz County Real Estate Market Report for September 2011

Cowlitz County Real Estate Agent Venancio Gonzalez (Windermere Kelso/Longview) — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 03:57:02 -0700

Cowlitz County Real Estate Market Report for September 2011

Cowlitz County home sales slowed down tremendously in September with only 48 homes sold, the lowest since February of this year, compare to 77 sales on August a 37 per cent drop. It is normal for the Cowlitz County real estate market to slow down this time a year, usually because summer is over, kids going back to school and the change of weather (rainy season is here) but is not normal a drop that big of per cent, it usually slows down between 5-10 per cent, hopefully that will be a one time thing.

Even though sales were down the Cowlitz County real estate market activity was pretty high, at the end of September there were 106 pending (under contract) residential listings, the highest number of pending residential listings since April of 2010. The high number of pending homes brought down the number of active listings, homes currently for sale, to only 551, the lowest number of listings I have seen in years.

Looks like the Cowlitz County real estate is shrinking and with it the opportunity of many home buyers hoping to take advantage of the low real estate prices and interest rate. If you thinking about buying now is the time.

Learn more about Cowlitz County.

Search homes for sale.

Search bank own homes.

Search recently sold homes, local schools and community information.

Castle Rock Washington Real Estate - Castle Rock Market Report

Cowlitz County Real Estate Agent Venancio Gonzalez (Windermere Kelso/Longview) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 03:12:59 -0800

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

Search Castle Rock homes for sale.

Seach foreclosures.

Info about Castle Rock.

Kalama Washington Real Estate - Kalama Real Estate Market Report

Cowlitz County Real Estate Agent Venancio Gonzalez (Windermere Kelso/Longview) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 00:07:01 -0800

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

Search for Kalama homes for sale.

Search Kalama foreclosures.

More info. about Kalama Washington.

Woodland Washington Real Estate - Woodland Market Report

Cowlitz County Real Estate Agent Venancio Gonzalez (Windermere Kelso/Longview) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 14:58:39 -0800

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

Search Woodland Washington home for sale.

Search Woodland foreclosures.

More about Woodland Washington.

Columbia Heights Home for Sale

Cowlitz County Real Estate Agent Venancio Gonzalez (Windermere Kelso/Longview) — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 02:02:16 -0700

HOME IS OFF MARKET

Columbia Heights Home for Sale

Well care for home with beautiful landscaping in the great desirable Columbia Heights area. Features include 3 bedrooms plus den/office with master on main floor, 2.5 baths, tiled counter tops, family room and kitchen floors. Oversizes corner lot, Cover enclosed deck, nice and big koi pond, heated 10x12 greenhouse and a big shop area. Only minutes to downtown Longview, Kelso and freeway.

Direction:

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Cowlitz Real Estate Market Asking VS. Selling Price

Cowlitz County Real Estate Agent Venancio Gonzalez (Windermere Kelso/Longview) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 18:54:05 -0800

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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Search Cowlitz County foreclosures

Cowlitz County Christmas Trees Drop Off Locations

Cowlitz County Real Estate Agent Venancio Gonzalez (Windermere Kelso/Longview) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 01:47:00 -0800

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.

Journey of Bethlehem - Kelso Washington

Cowlitz County Real Estate Agent Venancio Gonzalez (Windermere Kelso/Longview) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 04:13:55 -0800

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