Here is the Summit Lake / Steamboat Island WA (Northwest Thurston County) current real estate market update as of January 2014 (area 441 on the map below). Northwest Thurston County not only features the major areas of Summit Lake and Steamboat Island but also Carlyon Beach and other beach communities. Some of the residents in this area enjoy water views, lake and inlet front properties, horse properties, private lots yet have good freeway access to Olympia. The school district is Griffin School District.
MARKET SNAPSHOT:
| Northwest Thurston County (Area 441) | This Year | Last Year | + / – / = |
| Average Sales Price in 2013: | $287,386 | $295,922 | Down |
| # of Homes Sold in 2013: | 97 | 67 | Good! |
| Absorption Rate in January (how long it takes the market to absorb the inventory): | 6.0 months | 8.8 months | Balanced Market |
| # of Homes Currently Listed: | 45 | ||
| Current Listed Home Price Range: | $47,250 to $2.9 million | ||
Northwest Thurston County’s average home sales prices have fluctuated slightly downward but have stabilized over the last couple of years. Thurston County overall has seen incremental home sales price increases (2.4% last year) but this slight downturn for Northwest Thurston County isn’t a red flag for home prices decreasing. Thurston County’s average home sale price for January 2014 was $225,006.
The number of homes sold is great to see! Buyers are coming back and sellers are pricing appropriately, according to the market.
Along with the increase in the number of homes sold is a better absorption rate. Thurston County is seeing more areas that are balanced and moving towards a seller’s market. Northwest Thurston County has seen tremendous recovery over the last two years. The average absorption rate for Thurston County is 5 months.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR SELLERS?
The bottom has hit and we are moving passed the lowest point of the market. This doesn’t mean prices will skyrocket upward. The market still has many months of recovery but the downward spiral has stopped.
Sellers still need to price appropriately with the market. No matter if it’s a “hot” seller’s market or a slow buyer’s market, sellers still need to price right according to the conditions of the market in order to have a successful sale.
Less inventory. This is good for sellers as there is less for buyers to choose, and we have seen multiple offer situations with several buyers competing for the same property.
Overall, it’s been a long time coming, but the market has improved enough for many sellers to consider their next move.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR BUYERS?
Buyers need to act – no more fence-sitting. The luxury of waiting and watching the market are over for buyers. With less inventory and more buyers entering the market, buyers may find themselves competing for a property.
Pay attention to where interest rates are heading. Even though interest rates below 6% are considered very low, many buyers over the last five years have enjoyed rates at half that – 3% to 4%. Lenders are anticipating interest rates of 5% by the end of 2014.
Be prepared. Buyers need to be prepared financially to purchase a property. That means working with a quality local lender and getting pre-approved so that you are ready to make an offer when you find the right house. Secondly, buyers need to be prepared that a seller may not agree to pay a buyer’s closing costs.
See all the homes currently listed for sale in 441 Northwest Thurston County.
If now is the time for your next move, contact me today!
Local statistics compiled by Francine Viola from NWMLS data. Statistics not compiled or published by NWMLS (Northwest Multiple Listing Service).
Originally posted and written by Francine Viola at www.InTuneRealEstate.com, her blog site where you can learn more about the Thurston County real estate market and get tips and advice for a smooth real estate transaction!
Click here to see the market updates for other areas of Thurston County.