Ken Blodgett, a major figure in the evolution of the Wenatchee riverfront development planning has put 4.7 acres up for sale for 3.5 million dollars.   This is property that was slated for condos.Blodgett's listing agent, Ron Stephenson of Premier One Properties, was quoted as saying: "The reason he decided to do it is because he's 68 years old and he decided he needed to kick back."Does Blodgett see the need for additional condos slowing?  Will all the recent condo conversions in Wenatchee and new builds (around town and at the riverfront) sustain market demand for a while?  Here is a link to the complete article from the local newspaper, The Wenatchee World. It will be interesting to see how much interest there is for the property and how soon development will proceed.  It's an exciti... 04/28/2008

Today's Activities:Entertainment at Memorial Park:Food Fair: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.Wenatchee Youth Fiddlers: 5 p.m. Drew Jaeger: 5:30 p.m., Wenatchee Apollo Club: 6:15 p.m. WVC Hepcats: 7 p.m.Outta Line Dancers: 7:30 p.m.Riverfront Park:Carnival (Pay One Price day): 5 p.m., Tuesday's upcoming activities:Entertainment at Memorial Park:Food Fair: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.EHS Eclipse Jazz Choir: NoonWHS Hy-Tones and 4 Tune Hunters, 12:30 p.mColumbia, Lewis & Clark Mariachi & Folklorico: 3:30 p.m. Foothills MS Mariachi: 4 p.m.Pioneer MS Mariachi: 4:30 p.m.Orchard Folklorico: 5 p.m.WHS Ballet Folklorico: 5:30 p.m.Orchard MS Mariachi: 6 p.m.Mariachi Azteca: 6:30 p.m.Mariachi Huenachi: 7 p.m.Grupo Fugazz: 7:45 p.m.Riverfront Park:Carnival (Pay One Price day): 5 p.m.E N J O Y ! ! ! 04/28/2008

Below is a list of the upcoming Apple Blossom events for tomorrow (Sunday, April 27th), as reported in the Wenatchee World.   Here is a link to complete coverage of the Festival from the Wenatchee World.   This lawn below the Chelan County Courthouse in downtown Wenatchee is known as "Memorial Park" (honoring our fallen war heroes).  This beautiful, peaceful park turns into a mass of activity during Apple Blossom with on-going entertainment, as well as rows of food and craft booths.One of the most popular attractions at Memorial Park is the Food Court that will be open every day and evening through the end of the Festival on May 4th.All the events listed at "Memorial Park", on the list below, is part of ongoing entertainment at the special bandstand set up for this week of activities.  ... 04/26/2008

Here is a group of additional Youth Parade photos from this mornings event.  The police cars and fire trucks always lead off the Parade. This years theme was "A Slice of Paradise" which, of course, is a combination of honoring the apple industry and a play on words for the way we feel about life in Wenatchee... our own little piece of paradise.  After unseasonably cold weather so far this Spring (including snow last Saturday for the Wenatchee Marathon), we had a beautiful day for the kids parade. The Hispanic groups banner said "Education Without Borders".  I am always amazed at how many people line the entire parade route which is a couple miles long.   The early placement of chairs along the Grand Parade route (which is next Saturday) as early as late March is a bit of an anomaly in W... 04/26/2008

One of the really fun events for the kids at Apple Blossom time in Wenatchee is the parade just for kids... the Youth Parade.  It's all things kids.  The schools have bands, and floats and other kid related businesses have entries as well, or the kids can just walk along the route.  Here are some of the pictures from today's parade.  The first photo is the John Newbery Elementary School Float, "A Slice of Paradise".  My friend and business partner, Shelley Granger (waving in the second picture), was the chairperson of the committee for designing and constructing the float.  She had a great group of volunteers to help and they spent the entire week before the parade working on it.    It was so fun and colorful.  I could see the big red apple from way up the parade route, so knew they wer... 04/26/2008

It's that time of year again... the Washington State Apple Blossom Festival !  Plans for this years event have been in the works since the day after last years event ended!  This picture is of one of last years floats, and we can hardly wait to see what is in store for us this year.  Tonight, on my other Wenatchee real estate blog, I posted some information about the upcoming Festival and other events that have been taking place building up to the annual festival of events.It's an exciting time of year in Wenatchee.  Let's just hope the (unseasonably cold) weather warms up a little so we can enjoy the activities without our down jackets on!E N J O Y !If you're thinking about buying or selling real estate contact the TOP Team:Carol Williams  TopTeamCarol@gmail.com Shelley Granger  TopTea... 04/25/2008

I was looking at the latest housing statistics for our Wenatchee real estate market the other day and got to wondering what "median money" bought in other markets across the country.  Our median price as of this month is $248,500 (up from $224,000 last year at this time)Here is a link to a few "median money" houses in the Wenatchee, Washington market area. This link will be active for 30 days.  I am curious about two things:   What is the median price in your market?  AND   What kind of a house does "median money" buy in your market?I prefer to discuss "median" (instead of average) because that means an equal number of houses are sold for a higher price and a lower price.  "Average", in comparison, averages all the sales by totalling the dollar volume and dividing by the number of sales... 03/31/2008

Well, it's not exactly an OSCAR, but it's a pretty big deal.  Wenatchee has been placed #1 on the Office of Federal Housing Oversight's Housing Price Index for the fourth consecutive quarter.  In spite of a national downturn, Wenatchee remains stong!More commentary and a link to the complete article can be found on my primary Carol's Wenatchee blog.  02/26/2008

I have continued to tout a healthy level of sales activity for Wenatchee real estate, in spite of significant negative publicity nationwide.  An article in today's Wenatchee World newspaper confirms my impression.Defying a state and national trend, homes sales in the last quarter of 2007 were up in the Wenatchee area and a six county area including: Chelan, Douglas, Columbia, Walla Walla, Whatcom, and Adams counties.   Here is a link to a complete article published in the Wenatchee World today, with details of recent home sale activity statewide.  Our strong and diverse economy should continue to sustain healthy real estate activity locally.  02/15/2008

This weekend is the 5th Annual NCHBA Home Show in Wenatchee. NCHBA is the North Central Homebuilders Association; so the show is all about construction, remodeling ideas, doors, flooring, decks , windows etc.  And of course I am there to help people finance their construction or remodel project. There are no pots and pans or ginsu knives.  I have participated in all 5 and I like the fact that it is construction focused and that there is an admission charge.  As a vendor, the price of admission keeps it from being overrun with people who are just bored on a weekend, so the people coming through are really serious. This allows us to engage in meaningful conversations with people at our booth as we are not distracted handing out flyers to people who don't want them.The other nice thing abo... 02/05/2008

2007 was a very good year for real estate in the Wenatchee area.  In spite of a national downturn, our home sales remained active... with some slowing in sales activity creating a much needed pricing stabilization.  The slowdown was actually a welcome reprieve from the frenzy of the last couple years.  When you've seen appreciation like we have (#1 in the nation 3 quarters in a row), a slowdown is exactly what was needed to put a reality check on escalating prices.  Increasing interest rates (which are now going down again) and the tightening mortgage atmosphere were the two main factors contributing to our market stabilization.  From my perspective this was a needed stabilization to put some sanity back into our pricing structure.In my humble opinion, Wenatchee will NOT see a real esta... 02/02/2008

 Broadview is a very popular neighborhood in Wenatchee (Chelan County), with very little turnover.  As with Briarwood, there are only 3 homes for sale in Broadview at this time.  On market times for current listings are considerably longer than in 2007:2080 Broadcrest   $479,900   3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms   2962 square feet2067 Broadcrest   $565,000   5 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms   3500 square feet2071 Broadcrest   $575,000   3 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms   3546 square feetThere were 5 sales during the calendar year of 2007.  On market times were generally under 3 months:2017 Broadhurst      $480,000   4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms   3442 square feet2022 Maiden Lane   $497,000   4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms   2942 square feet2010 Maiden Lane   $560,000   4 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms   4176 square feet2... 01/16/2008

On my Wenatchee condo blog I discuss the idea of condos being the new "affordable housing" option.  As prices on single family homes have skyrocketed in the Wenatchee Valley over the last few years, there has been a public outcry for affordable housing.In response to this, many developers and investors have done apartment conversions and built more condos to meet the demand.  Condos start under $100K and offer a high quality of living for the money compared to single family homes in the current market.  Read the entire article at my Wenatchee Condo blog.For current inventory info and a FREE consultation contact the TOP Team:Carol Williams  TopTeamCarol@gmail.com   Shelley Granger  TopTeamShelley@gmail.com FREE search of the entire Wenatchee MLS    Current Wenatchee real estate news, inf... 12/17/2007

Wenatchee real estate is in the spotlight once more, as the latest price index report from OFHEO  has named Wenatchee #1 in the nation for appreciation AGAIN.  If you click on that link, then click on the red "House Price Index" tab to get to the most current report.  Wenatchee has led the nation now for three consecutive quarters.  I don't know if this is a record or not, but it seems pretty phenomenal to me.  So, will this trend continue?  Our rate of appreciation has slowed but it is actually a welcome reprieve from the frenzy.   It is my opinion, Wenatchee will continue to appreciate but, hopefully, at a slower rate than the frenzy of 25% per year for the last couple years.  I am anticipating 10% - 15% per year.  5% -7% would be plenty healthy but there is so much positive economic ... 12/10/2007

Today was an important day for the Wenatchee Valley economy.  The PUD commissioner's approval of a new 17 year power contract with the local ALCOA production facility assures the continuation of aluminum production here for a long time.  In addition to maintaining the 390 existing jobs, it should also generate about 60 new good paying jobs at the production facility.  AND, the trickle down economics indicate another 1.7 jobs will be created for every new job at ALCOA.  All of this appears to be great economic news... just adding to the strong and diverse economy we already enjoy.  The mighty Columbia River , seen in the distance, is a vital part of our local economy providing a huge source of hyrdro-electric power... serving the Wenatchee Valley and many other parts of the country throu... 12/04/2007

Happy Day-After-Thanksgivng.  Here is one of the lucky turkeys who survived!On my other Wenatchee real estate blog, I have posted current inventory numbers and a market activity summary for:   Single family homes   Manufactured homes   CondosWe are seeing a heavy percentage of activity in the manufactured & mobile home category, acceptable activity in single family homes, and very light activity in the condo sector.For details, here is the complete article posted earlier today.FREE search of ALL homes and land in the Wenatchee MLS Current Wenatchee condo  info, news, and trends Happy Holidays!Remember:Information Is FREE.  Knowledge, Experience & Integrity Are Priceless 11/23/2007

Thought I'd post a quick reminder for you to check in on my Wenatchee condo blog now and then.  Tonight I posted two of the most recent condo listings, which are in the Quail Run complex.    This Wenatchee condo development was established in the mid to late 1980's and contains several buildings with town house and rambler units.I've posted a link to the complete listing details and my precautionary comments.  FREE search of ALL homes and land in the Wenatchee MLS areaRemember:Information is FREE.  Knowledge, Experience & Integrity Are Priceless   Current Wenatchee real estate news, info and trendsCurrent Wenatchee condo news, info and trends 11/18/2007

As a Realtor, my seller's look to me for pricing advice.  Our market environment is flush with price reductions and incentives.  Do these efforts really get through to a buyer?This is not an easy question to answer.  First let's look at how the buyer thinks.  The buyer qualifies for a price range and sets out to find the best home in the range.  Location, size, style, condition, and appeal are the most common criteria used to narrow down the possibilities.  Is the buyer enticed by price reductions?  In my opinion, not unless the home has met the initial criteria.  In other words, the buyer is NOT going to become interested in a home that does NOT meet their wants and needs simply based upon price reduction and/or incentives.So what should a seller do that is highly motivated to move?  F... 11/07/2007

Over on my Wenatchee condos blog, I am doing a series on the various condo developments and conversions currently selling in the local market.  We have a wide range of units available in all sizes, prices, and levels of luxury. Answering the call for affordable housing, there is a good inventory of condos under $150,000.  For those on a less restrictive budget, there is plenty to choose from in the higher end as well.So far, I have covered:  Stoney Court, and Sunterra in Wenatchee and The River Street Condos in Cashmere, WA. Still to come in the series will be Aspen Heights, Vista Place, Rocklund, Parkside and the much anticipated Riverwalk along the river front.To do your own FREE search of the entire Wenatchee MLS, visit my primary Wenatchee real estate website.  To keep current with ... 11/02/2007

It is a great time to be a first time homebuyer in the Wenatchee market.  For the first time in many months, there is a great selection of homes under $200,000.  I have enjoyed working with first time buyers and have facilitated the class that qualifies them for the Washington State Housing Finance Commission Bond Loan.  If you would like to get an up-to-date list of homes for sale in this price range, just send me an e-mail.Here is a good article for First Time Buyers:  http://www.kiplinger.com/features/archives/2007/10/swymhome.html  10/30/2007