This graph shows the number of homes that were sold in Maple Valley in 2008 and broken down by price range. As you can tell a majority of the homes that sold were in the $300 - 400K range with only 5 homes selling under $200K. The numbers were taken from a search off of the North West Multiple Listing Service.

In 2008 there were 446 homes that sold in Maple Valley alone. The graph below has the homes broken down by number of bedrooms. As you can see a majority of the homes that were sold had 4 bedrooms followed closely by 3 bedroom homes. The numbers were configured by searching the North West Multiple Listing Services for homes that sold specifically within area code 98038.

It is that time of year again when our courageous agents of Remax Select get ready for our biggest event of the year. Our Little Miracles Auction.

The event is being held in April at the Olson Mansion here in wonderful Maple Valley, Washington.

It takes several months of preparation and alot of behind the scene hours put in by a great team of "Outstanding Agents" (no Remax pun intended - ok, maybe a little one:) Without the long hours and hearts of these helpers, none of it would be possible. Ok I know it seems like I'm bragging a bit because I am one of them, but it is a great camaraderie!

I spent a majority of my day trying to procure items for the live and silent auction. It's not as easy as you would think. I think I'm beginning to get cauliflower ear I was on the horn so much today, but the cause couldn't be more worth it me.

So, when you have the time, check out our revamped website that is going to be kickin' it this year thanks to our fearless leader. I'm bragging again, yes my daughter is featured on the Little Miracles website - she is the one on the right with the tophat.

If you are interested in making a donation to our wonderful event, please contact me and I have all the information you could possible want.

What a year 2008 has been. It seems like it's gone by so fast. I have gotten so much accomplished this year. I have so much to be thankful for and so much to look forward to. So I'm interested in what you have planned for the New Year.

Are you planning a great vacation with the family, one with just your spouse, or do you want a sabbatical. Where would you want to go to get away this year? Is it warm, tropical, cool, or just beautiful.

Do you have something to implement into you business for the New Year? How are you going to set yourself apart from the crowd? What do you think will be your greatest assets for your real estate career in the New Year?

Have you set New Year resolutions for you professionally, personally, or spiritually? Do you want to share those resolutions?

I have one thing that I want more than anything else in the New Year. What is the one thing you wish for most for 2009 to bring to you?

Please be safe this weekend and be prepared.

The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is about to issue a winter storm warning. NOAA considers a warning to be an imminent or occurring weather event. THIS IS A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION AND CONSIDERED TO BE AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS STORM. People should plan to stay indoors if at all possible starting Saturday morning.  

A very dangerous winter storm is going to disrupt transportation and power in the State beginning Saturday. Specific to the Maple Valley area expect the following:

Strong winds gusting up to 75 mph in the Enumclaw, Black Diamond areas. It is likely that sustained winds will be from 25-35 mph in the Renton, Kent East Hills, and possible higher in the Maple Valley area from about 4PM Saturday to about 10 PM Saturday, but could start earlier and last longer. 1-3" of snow is expected. A high potential exists for extended power outages from downed power lines and falling trees. Winds coming westward off the Cascades are expected to be 50 mph or above, sustained.

For more information about warnings in other areas of the state, please use the following resources:

nwac.us

weather.gov/Seattle

wsdot.wa.gov

www.kingcounty.gov/safety/prepare

Emergency preparedness planning suggests that each person be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours.

The following monthly statistics for the Maple Valley area are for new residential listings per month and the average days on the market for those said listings.

These monthly statistics are listed per month through the month of November. It's a great tool to see the market trend over the last several months.

These are strictly for residential listings only and do not include numbers for Condominiums or New Construction.

I'm going to put myself out there and be pretty vulnerable, but here is goes....

My 12 year old daughter is battling a horrible disease as some of you may all ready know, if you don't, I posted a blog a few months back that you can check out if you want. If not, she has a malignant brain tumor and as her mother, it's a very hard thing to deal with. I can't kiss it and make it better, so I try to do everything that I can to be an advocate for her and many other children that have to go through it.

The purpose of this blog is to help bring awareness to such a horrible disease. I have met some amazing people through this jouney that continue to be helpful and supportive. With the permission of AJ's Dad I am posting the following petition to help bring awareness to Childhood Cancer. All I am asking of you in return is to read the petition and sign it to help us reach the goal! Anyone with an email address can sign it, please take one moment and sign the petition and let them know that I sent you.

This blog is a great resource for me and I'm hoping to tap into the generosity of my fellow bloggers and help bring awareness at the same time. I hope by posting this blog I get signatures for the petition and I also get a real since of camaraderie from my fellow bloggers. Won't you please sign the petition - don't make me beg!

MY GOAL IS TO GET 100 PEOPLE OFF OF ACTIVE RAIN TO SIGN THE PETITION!!!

Did you know...

Childhood Cancer is the #1 killer disease of our children, more than from asthma, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, congenital anomalies and pediatric AIDS combined!

1 in 300 children will be diagnosed with cancer before the age of 20!

Each year 3,000 children die and 35-40,000 are in treatment

The National Cancer Institutes federal budget was $4.6 billion - all the 12 major groups of pediatric cancer combined, received less than 3%.

YOUcan help make a difference - won't you please sign the petition