Monday, May 9, 2016

Latest News Release

KIRKLAND, Washington (May 5, 2016) - Northwest Multiple Listing Service reported strong gains in the volume of new listings its members added during April (up 13.6 percent from March), but inventory remained well below the supply needed for a more balanced market. MLS leaders say the lopsided market is prompting some anxious buyers to take ill-advised risks. Prices showed some signs of moderating with a 5.5 percent year-over-year increase across the MLS 23-county market area. That's the lowest YOY gain since December 2014 when it was 5.45 percent. In its latest statistics with summaries of April activity, the MLS reported 11,407 pending sales during the month, about the same as a year ago when brokers reported 11,384 mutually accepted offers. For the four-county Puget Sound region, pending sales totaled 8,332, making last month the third strongest April in the past 16 years. Compared with prior Aprils, last month's volume was surpassed only in 2015 and 2005. "Our market is near historically low levels of absorption. This has things weighted in sellers' favor," remarked Ken Anderson, president/owner of Coldwell Banker Evergreen Olympic Realty and a former Northwest MLS director. "Successful buyers are working closely with their brokers to study the market, choose great lenders, and make smart choices in composing compelling but not careless offers," he added.
from Steven Schrudder at Windermere http://ift.tt/1LPCwbR