Kennewick Real Estate Blog

Cari has written recently about the Tri-Cities real estate market staying strong in 2010, and I’m sure most real estate pros in the area would agree that we’ve survived better than most places across the country.

But it’s also nice to see the local real estate market recognized by outsiders, too. That happened this week when CNNMoney listed Kennewick at #2 in a feature about “Best recovery bets” in the U.S.

Here’s the ironic thing: There’s really nothing to recover from. As the image above shows, next to “Value Lost Since 2006,” our real estate market has actually gained 5.7%. That’s not recovery; it’s consistent growth and strength. Here are some stats that CNNMoney includes in its piece:

The median income for the metro area is more than $61,000 while home prices, at a median of $172,000, and other expenses remain low. The cost of living is about 27% lower than Seattle. That should keep housing markets on their steady uphill climb.

I trust that’s all accurate, or pretty close to it. But if you need more details about how the market’s going, give Cari a call. Her number’s right below here.

Apologies for the somewhat self-promotional post here, but I think this is worth mentioning: If you’re a Facebook user and would like to be able to quickly get in touch with Cari about any real estate questions or needs you may have, you can connect with her at this facebook page:

Cari McGee Real Estate

She’s on Facebook quite a bit more often than she’s blogging here, so that’s the best place to keep up with what’s going on the Kennewick real estate market.

The idea is to build 27 homes on 23 acres on the north side of Thompson Hill in Kennewick.

The planners have given the go-ahead to the city council recommending that they approve the plans for Citadel Estates.

I’m all for progress, and I think those homes will have some amazing views and I don’t even think they’ll clutter up the landscape on the currently pristine hillside.

However, next time you’re in the vicinity of Thompson Hill, take a good look at it.  It’s awfully steep.  The article states that they plan to set a portion aside that cannot be built upon due to its slope.  I’m simply saying I’d set the whole thing aside!

You can get an amazing deal if you do, and if you meet the city of Kennewick’s guidelines for a first-time homebuyer. There are income and other criteria applicants will have to meet, and the new owner will be chosen, lottery-style, from the group of qualified applicants.

The Herald goes into more detail in this article, but here’s the basic scoop…the City bought the land (and the condemned house and piles of trash on the land) last year. That house was razed, trash was removed, and builders Ashley-Bertsch created the new house.

From the Herald

The new house has wall-to-wall carpeting throughout, except in the laundry room, bathrooms and kitchen.

“And it is 100 percent Energy Star efficient,” said Evans. That means the windows, insulation, heating and cooling systems and hot water heater incorporate the latest energy-efficient designs and materials.

The whole program is part of something called the Infill Housing Program, where the city removes eyesores and fosters a positive neighborhood environment.

The city has their next project all lined up.

I hope to have a progress report later this year. Check back this summer.