Leavenworth Real Estate

Lake Wenatchee State Park : Update

In an earlier post, I described how Lake Wenatchee State Park might be mothballed due to budget concerns.

Recently a proposal to save the Washington State Parks has been added to the 2009-11 budget.

According to an article in the Daily Olympian:

The new 2009-2011 state budget, which awaits Gov. Chris Gregoire’s signature, includes enough money – in the form of an expected $23 million in “opt-out” donations from motor vehicle registrations and money from boater and trail rider gasoline taxes – to keep parks open.

People renewing their car or truck registrations will be charged a $5 donation toward state park operations unless they check a box to opt out of the donation.

No Washington State Parks will need to be mothballed at this point, although some will be losing staff and some will still be sold to other local agencies like counties and cities.

This is great news for Lake Wenatchee State Park and for all who enjoy using the lake. This means beach access this summer, nordic ski trails next winter, use of the boat launch this summer, and of course, the Polar Bear Swim next January.

As of this date the Washington State Parks website has no new information on closures or cuts.

Cashmere Real Estate Update | Sold Homes April 2009

 

Two homes sold in Cashmere during the month of April.

 

 

216 Perry Street, Cashmere

List price: $99,000.  Sold price: $82,500. 

Days on Market: 172

1 bedroom | 1 bath | 486 sqft| .05 acres.

Small home on a small lot in downtown Cashmere.  The lot is zoned multi-family.

 

 

 

 

 

5977 Webster Way, Cashmere

List price: $200,000.  Sold price: $161,000. 

Days on Market: 151

2 bedrooms | 1 bath | 1000 sqft| .50 acres.

This home has lots of garage space.  Living space is above the three car garage and sits on a large lot outside of town.

 

 

More Leavenworth  and Cashmere Real Estate Info

•  Click Here to See Cashmere Sold Homes for March 2009
• Click Here to See Leavenworth Sold Homes for April 2009
•  Click Here to Search for Cashmere Homes for Sale 

 

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Required Disclaimer

NOTE: This representation is based in whole or in part on data supplied by the North Central Washington Association of Realtors or its Multiple Listing Service. Neither the Association nor its MLS guarantees or are in any way responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by the Association or its MLS may not reflect all real estate activity in the Market.

Leavenworth Real Estate Update | Sold Homes April 2009

Two homes sold in the Leavenworth area in April, one in town and one out off of Chiwawa Loop Road.  No condos sold this month.

 

416 Burke St, Leavenworth

List price: $269,000.  Sold price: $250,000. 

Days on Market: 90

3 bedrooms | 1 bath | 2326 sqft| .22 acres.

Former US Forest Service house, this home has a full basement with two additional non-legal bedrooms.  It also sits on three city lots and has a garage.

 

 

 

 12310 Allen Road, Leavenworth

List price: $459,950.  Sold price: $393,000. 

Days on Market: 197

3 bedrooms | 2 bath | 1712 sqft| 2 acres.

Cute cabin in the Shugart Flats area.  Great Patio and part of the acreage is parked out with a nice area for kids to play.

 

 

More Leavenworth Real Estate Info

• Click Here to See Leavenworth Sold Homes for March 2009
• Click Here to See Cashmere Sold Homes for April 2009
• Click Here to Search for Leavenworth Homes for Sale 

Leavenworth – No Swine Flu in Our Market

The Leavenworth real estate market might be a little sluggish, but it’s not dying of swine flu.

Home buyers (or would be home buyers)  - Leavenworth is not Detroit, Las Vegas, or even Seattle. 

In the last few weeks I have written or received 6 offers to purchase real estate in the Leavenworth area. 3 of these offers have been outright REJECTED (with no counteroffer) by the sellers because they were so low.

In one, the would-be buyers wrote a letter ( a poor substitute for $50,000) to my sellers.

“M, our agent, has explained that Leavenworth has declined 10-25%, depending on its type and location”

 Really, I’d love to see the source of your data for that little piece of info.

Here is my latest Leavenworth real estate report from the 1st quarter of 2009. Here is a similar report from Al Lorenz at the North Central Washington Real Estate Blog.

While activity has been low, prices here have remained stable. We have a huge inventory of unsold homes, but they aren’t foreclosures or recently built spec homes.

A handful of sellers may be motivated, but very few are needy.

 

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Required Disclaimer

NOTE: This representation is based in whole or in part on data supplied by the North Central Washington Association of Realtors or its Multiple Listing Service. Neither the Association nor its MLS guarantees or are in any way responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by the Association or its MLS may not reflect all real estate activity in the Market.

Leavenworth Real Estate – Great Deals

It’s no news that the real estate market is quieter now than it was in 2007 or 2008. Luckily (for home sellers) home prices have not really fallen in Leavenworth like they have in places like Seattle or worse, Detroit.

A quiet market can be a great opportunity for a savvy real estate buyer, so with that in mind, here are my thoughts on some great bargains that can be had.

Kahler Glen Condos

Condos at Kahler Glen have always been popular. They are large for two bedroom units ( 1266 sqft) , located on the golf course, and can be easily added to the Kahler Glen rental pool.

In 2004, the median condo sold for $170,000. In 2006, it was up to $275,000. In 2007 and 2008, the sales prices were up to $325,000. 

Currently, there are 3 condos available, each with listing prices of $299,000. I would be surprised if a buyer couldn’t get a discount off that price and be closer to the 2006 prices.

You can see all the Kahler Glen Homes for Sale Here.

New Construction Condos in Leavenworth

Let’s face it. The Leavenworth condo market is overbuilt. There are currently over 40 newly built condos for sale in Leavenworth which is probably 3 times as many as could possibly sell in one year.

Click to here to peruse the selection of Leavenworth Condos for Sale and don’t be shy about making lowball offers.

Cabins in Ponderosa Estates

The Ponderosa neighborhood outside of Plain, has offered some of the best values in cabins over the past few years. In 2008, 13 homes sold in this neighborhood at an average of $340,000 with a median price of $314,000. Currently there are 12 homes available at an average of $259,000 and median of $306,000. Not every home for sale is a bargain, but there are some great ones here if you have been looking for a Leavenworth or Lake Wenatchee area cabin.

You can click here to see everything for sale in Plain’s Ponderosa Neighborhood.

Building Lots in Ponderosa Estates

In 2007 I scoured the market trying to help builders find decent lots in the Ponderosa Estates neighborhood. A flat lot on a decent street was selling for about $100,000 and everyone was looking for a deal.

Currently there are 4 lots for sale in Ponderosa ranging from $79,000 to $99,000 and some are on great streets with pancake flat topography. Remember, these are listing prices. Sales prices are likely to be even lower!

First Time Homes in Leavenworth

Currently there are 9 single family homes for sale inside the Leavenworth city limits for sale for under $300,000.  Houses aren’t cheap in Leavenworth, but you can get more for your money in 2009 than you could in 2008.  There are a number of programs available to make it easier for first time buyers.

• $8000 tax credit from the Federal Government
• 0% down USDA loan program for “rural development”
• 3% down FHA loan

 
Click here to Search for Leavenworth Homes for Sale

 

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Required Disclaimer

NOTE: This representation is based in whole or in part on data supplied by the North Central Washington Association of Realtors or its Multiple Listing Service. Neither the Association nor its MLS guarantees or are in any way responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by the Association or its MLS may not reflect all real estate activity in the Market.