Well, my previous information was not correct! The Mall is going to start. We received an announcement yesterday that indicates they are moving forward and announced several of their stores. It will be an outdoor venue which fits the general model for malls currently. It will be so good to have the area filled with vibrant activity and more tax dollars for the area.
I just read in some real estate news about inventory, and days on market across the country – trends which I see are accurate in Walla Walla as well as nationwide. The typical pre-owned house for sale was on the market for just 50 days last month across the country, compared with 64 days a year ago this same month. The strong demand is pushing up median home prices, which jumped 7.1% percent from a year earlier to $228,900. My companies days on market was 86 days and our median price is somewhat lower, but our inventories are very low which could force prices up this early spring. Just 1.69 million homes were on the market nationwide in January, near the lowest level since records began in 1999.
I attended an Exchange meeting yesterday and they have several major programs going this spring. The weekend of March 10th is the annual Community College Rodeo at the fairgrounds. Also, this spring is the Big Ducky Derby event. All the members will have tickets for the drawing. Buy tickets to support their program.
Spring is coming. Call me if I can help.
Dennis M Ledford, Owner/Broker
Coldwell Banker First Realtors®
What a good day for us! Sunshine and not too cold – this is good news at my home, because I saw about 20 Robins in my backyard. I have always felt that if I see Robins, that Spring isn’t that far away. I need to work on several Spring projects soon to be ready to plant in early April. I just completed my order form from Gurney’s to get all my seeds to Walla Walla and ready to go when the soil is warm and ready to nourish them to burst into life.
Another shout out to the road crews at both cities and our county for working through all of our snow and ice. I was talking with County Commissioner Jim Johnson and he said they are already about a half million over budget for their system and I am sure both cities have felt the same financial pain. If you have a complaints on your service – keep them to yourself. You did not have to get up at 2-3 in the morning and work 12+ hours in the freezing cold, to help the road system be as good as it could be. They worked hard for our valley!
We have a lot of families looking at 2017 to be the year they buy a home or make a change. Lots of buyers are out looking but inventories are low. If you’re looking at buying, you should get in and get pre-qualified for a loan, so when you find the home you know your chances are very good you can close on it.
planting my early spring crops, radish, lettuce, spinach, and broccoli. I have over the years cut back on my planting to only plant what my wife will eat. It makes it easier to eat the crop.
The renovation and rebuild of the old Blue Mountain Mall is dead again, I heard from a good source. The key tenant would not sign a lease so all the others that follow that company withdrew as well. I do not know where that is going to go. I feel we should re-zone some of the east part to allow multiple family construction. We have no other large spots with that zone to build on. My company manages over 600 doors in Walla Walla and we have over a 95% occupancy, and I feel that is the case in most of the complexes in town. If we do get some new jobs where are they going to live? Just my thoughts.
Interest rates are still good, but inventory low. If you are thinking of making a move in the Spring that requires the sale of your home, starting now might be good for you in so many ways. Talk to a Realtor and get some advice, and hopefully you will use one of my great Realtors at Coldwell Banker First Realtors.
Walla Walla Real Estate 