Senators agreed Wednesday to extend a popular tax credit for first-time homebuyers and to offer a reduced credit to some repeat buyers.  http://money.cnn.com/2009/10/28/real_estate/homebuyer_credit/index.htm?cnn=yes

Top 5 America’s Safest Cities

1. Minneapolis, Minn.
Violent crime: 9 of 40
Workplace deaths: 1 of 40
Traffic deaths: 7 of 40
Natural disaster risk: 7 of 40

2. Milwaukee, Wis.

Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, Wis.
Violent crime: 24 of 40
Workplace deaths: 11 of 40
Traffic deaths: 4 of 40
Natural disaster risk: 1 of 40

3. Portland, Ore.
Portland-Vancouver-Beaverton, Ore.-Wash.
Violent crime: 1 of 40
Workplace deaths: 10 of 40
Traffic deaths: 5 of 40
Natural disaster risk: 25 of 40

4. Seattle, Wa. (tie)
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, Wash.
Violent crime: 3 of 40
Workplace deaths: 2 of 40
Traffic deaths: 8 of 40
Natural disaster risk: 31 of 40

4. Boston, Mass.
Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, Mass.-N.H.
Violent crime: 10 of 40
Workplace deaths: 5 of 40
Traffic deaths: 1 of 40
Natural disaster risk: 28 of 40

Info from www.Forbes.com

According to NWMLS, both house & condo inventory is moving although the median price drop, especially condo prices.

i) Closed house sales Sep 2008 Vs Sep 2009,

Seattle +16.5 %

King County +14.3%

2) Median house prices

Seattle + 2.8%

Nationwide +1.9%

3) Condo

Seattle -9.9%

Nationwide -12.9%

4) Total condo inventory is also improving.

Seattle -10%

Nationwide -7.2%

WA has not banned styrofoam utensils in restaurants yet.  There was no company nor recycle centers would take it.  We had been trashing tons of styrofoam containers, cups, packing nuggets in landfills for yearsssssss.

Finally, the company who used to work only with trade, who does styrofoam recycling to the public.  Thanks, Lauderdale!   The company requires adequate styrofoam to operate the machine and keep the company survives.  Please contact them and support our local operation in Renton.

There are several collection centers in Puget Sound.  Check that out at www.styrorecycle.com.

It is a good start.  I recommend consumers or agents to hire home inspectors not only with licensed but review inspector’s credentials.  Members with associations in their field assured standard and requirement of practice, ie. ASHI – American Society of Home Inspectors.

Inspectors are expertise in various areas.  Some home inspectors may not do further chemical test, ie. energy audit, mold, building/structure, asbestos.  If you would like to do everything at once, you should better verify with your real estate agent or inspectors.

If you are behind mortgage payments, you may need help from professionals.

The WA Department of Financial Institution organizes FREE workshops:
•Thursday, July 23 – Everett (Cascade High School)
•Friday, July 24 – Seattle (Cleveland High School)
•Saturday, July 25 – Tacoma (Evergreen College Tacoma Campus)

Call 1.877.894.HOME for more information or you can visit www.dfi.wa.gov

If you feel there may be mistake of your property tax, you can show that the value does not reflect the market value, please contact:

• King County Equalization/Appeals:  www.kingcounty.gov/property/propertytaxappeals;
• Snohomish County: (425)388-3433

Good luck!

We should not be surprised that Michigan is the first state that has reached 15%.  States with 10% unemployment  are: Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina and Tennessee.

Our state, Washington, comparatively not the worst but jobless rate has ticked upward as well.

Are we at the bottom yet?! Majority of people like me who get numb in figures and the economy.   Economics involve macro & micro elements, all we can do is to follow the flow, be patience and don’t give up hopes.  Hang in there!

#11 – International School
#18 – Newport High
#34 – Interlake High
#47 – Sammamish High
#78 – Bellevue High

To see Newsweek’s list of top high schools, go to http://www.newsweek.com/id/201160.

FHA just announced that for all qualified first-time home buyers who are allowed the $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit to be applied directly toward home purchase costs by using a FHA-insured mortgage.  However, it will still require home buyers to provide a minimum 3.5 percent downpayment.