Island County Housing Data

Here is some interesting and helpful housing data:

According to the Washington Center for Real Estate Research 2008 Third Quarter Housing Analysis; Island County home re-sales were down -9.2% from the previous quarter, and down -31.4% from the third quarter in 2007.  Statewide home re-sales were down -5.1% from the previous quarter and down  -26.0% from the third quarter in 2007.  Overall building permits in Island County are down -46.0% from the third quarter of the previous year, in comparison to the -42.5% reduction statewide.  The median re-sale home price in Island County is down to $282,500, above the statewide median of $281,500.  The 2008 third quarter Housing Affordability Index (HAI) was 87.3 for Island County, lower than the statewide index of 96.9.

See all WA county info: http://www.wcrer.wsu.edu/WSHM/2008Q3/Snapshot_q308.pdf

Snohomish County Housing Data

Here is some interesting and helpful housing data:

According to the Washington Center for Real Estate Research 2008 Third Quarter Housing Analysis; Snohomish County home re-sales were down -6.2% from the previous quarter, and down -37.8% from the third quarter in 2007.  Statewide home re-sales were down -5.1% from the previous quarter and down  -26.0% from the third quarter in 2007.  Overall building permits in Snohomish County are down      -45.7% from the third quarter of the previous year, in comparison to the -42.5% reduction statewide.  The median re-sale home price in Snohomish County is $340,000, above the statewide median of $281,500.  The 2008 third quarter Housing Affordability Index (HAI) was 88.3 for Snohomish County,  lower than the statewide index of 96.9.

See all WA county info: http://www.wcrer.wsu.edu/WSHM/2008Q3/Snapshot_q308.pdf

Skagit County Housing Data

Here is some interesting and helpful housing data:

According to the Washington Center for Real Estate Research 2008 Third Quarter Housing Analysis; Skagit County home re-sales were down -12.7% from the previous quarter, and down -35.3 % from the third quarter in 2007.  Statewide home re-sales were down -5.1% from the previous quarter and down  -26.0% from the third quarter in 2007.  Overall building permits in Skagit County are down -46.2% from the third quarter of the previous year, in comparison to the -42.5% reduction statewide.  The median re-sale home price in Skagit County is down to $255,000, below the statewide median of $281,500.  The 2008 third quarter Housing Affordability Index (HAI) was 96.1 for Skagit County, slightly lower than the statewide index of 96.9.

See all WA county info: http://www.wcrer.wsu.edu/WSHM/2008Q3/Snapshot_q308.pdf

Whatcom County Housing Data

Here is some interesting and helpful housing data:

According to the Washington Center for Real Estate Research 2008 Third Quarter Housing Analysis; Whatcom County home re-sales were down -6.0% from the previous quarter, and down -26.0% from the third quarter in 2007.  Statewide home re-sales were down -5.1% from the previous quarter and down  -26.0% from the third quarter in 2007.  Overall building permits in Whatcom County are down -38.2% from the third quarter of the previous year, in comparison to the -42.5% reduction statewide.  The median re-sale home price in Whatcom County is down to $275,000, below the statewide median of $281,500.  The 2008 third quarter Housing Affordability Index (HAI) was 90.0 for Whatcom County, lower than the statewide index of 96.9.

See all WA county info: http://www.wcrer.wsu.edu/WSHM/2008Q3/Snapshot_q308.pdf

There are so many innovations taking place in building technology, it is difficult to keep up!

Here are some interesting web sites with a ton of information:

Tool Base Services is the housing industry's resource for technical information on building products, materials, new technologies, business management, and housing systems. :  http://www.toolbase.org/index.aspx

Path -The Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH) is dedicated to accelerating the development and use of technologies that radically improve the quality, durability, energy efficiency, environmental performance, and affordability of America's housing.
http://www.pathnet.org/index.asp

US Department of Energy:  Residential Buildings: Energy Efficient Building Practices.
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/residential/

Per City of Bellingham website: "Pike presented his Waterfront Connection Plan to the Bellingham City Council and community on Sept. 29, and expects to engage the public in considering its pros and cons.

Public open houses scheduled for Nov. 13 and Nov. 17 offer public opportunities to review the Waterfront Connections Plan and weigh in on options that will shape the look and feel of our downtown and waterfront for generations to come."

The PDF can be viewed here: http://www.cob.org/documents/issues/waterfront-connections-plan.pdf

Ferndale's Mayor issued his 2008 State of the City Address, there are some interesting updates on traffic and transportation in the area which include: Second Avenue to Portal Way, Second Avenue to Thornton Road, Washington Street and Vista Drive, Main Street: Fourth Ave. to Church Rd, Church Road: Main St. to Thornton Rd, and Church Road: Main St. to Slater Rd. See the map in the pdf.

There is also info about the new law and justice facility, and new library.  It is worth the read at:  http://www.cityofferndale.org/mayor/State%20of%20the%20City.pdf

If economic worries are enough to keep you up at night, here is a sleepy time aid.... just read through the 451 pages of the revised Emergency Stabilization Act.

For a one page synopsis here it is: http://banking.senate.gov/public/_files/EESASummary1.pdf

 Here is a summerized version section by section: http://banking.senate.gov/public/_files/SECTIONBYSECTIONANALYSISOFTHELEGISLATION.pdf

For the whole thing(all 451 pages) : http://banking.senate.gov/public/_files/latestversionAYO08C32_xml.pdf

Here is more information: http://dodd.senate.gov/index.php?q=node/4581

With all of this scary financial news, it is difficult to keep up with all the latest developments!  One place to gather information about Washington State Financial Institutions is the WA DFI: http://www.dfi.wa.gov/

This website has an excellent question and answer section that covers such current changes in the market such as; deposit safety, money market funds, AIG, mortgage payment issues, etc. here: http://www.dfi.wa.gov/consumers/economy.htm

Another helpful link (FDIC) on the financial health of your current baking institution can be found here: http://www2.fdic.gov/idasp/main_bankfind.asp

A helpful link o the finacial health of your credit union can be found here: http://www.ncua.gov/indexdata.html

Here is a set of links put together by the FDIC on the different bank and financial instituion ranking systems:  http://www.fdic.gov/bank/individual/bank/index.html

Just saw a news clip on this computer energy saving software and it looked pretty cool.  Per the Edison website the program was "created by Verdiem's patented PC power-management technology, which is used by major corporations the world over, Edison is an innovative application that brings dramatic PC energy savings into homes like yours. Easy to download and install, Edison enables you to manage your PC's power usage, save on energy costs, and help preserve the environment."

Check out the link: http://www.verdiem.com/edison/