But sales were up...a lot.

Mixed string of news about the market over the past year, which is why I'm so hesitant to say we have recovered. The economic and housing situation is not simple; many factors still at play that are influencing pricing, demand from buyers, and supply of housing being released.

Quoted: According to data collected by the Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS), the average sale price of a home in King County last month was $415,581, down from $421,521 in October and well off the average sale price of November 2008 of $440,062. The median (half sold for more, half for less) sale price in King County last month was $337,000, down from $349,950 in October and down from $365,000 in November 2008.

My mom's family has one of these towers in Guangdong province and it is also in disrepair since her family there doesn't take care of it. It was on its way to getting protected status and money from the government, but the people living there have to move out - which so far they have not agreed to.

Quoted: Towers and mansions built in the early 20th century by wealthy overseas Chinese are being left to rot as relics of a bygone age.

Short sales and foreclosures affect homeowners differently depending on individual situations, but the experts generally agree that short sales are less damaging to one's credit.

Quoted: You have to keep in mind that credit scoring is accumulative, everything is factored to come up with those three scores that are suppose to reflect your current credit. The only real good news about credit scoring is that your scores are temporary–they are changing constantly. Pay down a credit card, establish good payment history on your installment loan and your scores will improve over time.

It's about time measures to incentivize banks and home owners to get short sales done is introduced.

Quoted: HAFA allows the borrower to receive pre-approved short sale terms before the property is listed and frees them from future liability for the debt. Also, servicers utilizing the program are prohibited from requiring a reduction in the real estate commission agreed to in the listing agreement. The borrower also receives a $1,500 incentive for relocation after the transaction. The servicer receives a $1,000 incentive to cover administration and processing costs, and investors will be paid a maximum of $1,000 for allowing up to $3,000 in short-sale proceeds to be paid out to subordinate lien holders. In total, each transaction under HAFA will cost the Treasury up to $3,500 of incentive payments.

Quoted: <p>There are more than 400 parks and open spaces in Seattle. While everyone has their favorites, there are dozens you've probably never heard of.</p>

Quoted: Among Washington cities, Tacoma is No. 34, Kent is No. 83, Among Washington cities, Tacoma is No. 34, Kent is No. 83, Yakima is No. 88, Everett is No. 90, Spokane is No. 121, Federal Way is No. 141, Vancouver is No. 215, Spokane Valley is No. 261, Bellingham is No. 286, and Bellevue is No. 343.

The worry is that, just like the cash for clunkers program, we're attracting all first-time buyers to buy now to buoy the health of the market, but that will reduce the amount of first-time buyers down the road, which could again hurt the market.

Quoted: Thanks in part to an $8,000 tax credit, first-time buyers accounted for a record 47 percent of all home purchases this year, according to the National Association of Realtors.

Quoted: The problems started after mortgage giants Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae decided to take steps earlier this year to limit exposure in what it viewed as a risky lending segment that’s been loaded with foreclosures, Sachenbacher says.
As a result, the two biggest insurers of mortgage loans now require 70% of a condo property’s units to be sold, up from 51% less than a year ago, before it will insure or buy the loan, thereby allowing it to be sold on the secondary market.

FHA funding for condos is changing big time - times will be tough for condo buildings in a price range that appeals to first-time buyers using FHA financing

Quoted: The spot approval process will be eliminated for all case numbers on or after Feb. 1, 2010 under the new guidelines. The FHA created the process, allowing consumers to purchase a unit in a non-approved condominium project that has limited FHA involvement.