The West is seeing some huge increases in home sales according to the Seattle Times.

Home sales are up, especially in the west where Boise is up 115% and Seattle up 83%. Click here to see the entire Seattle Times article on the increase of home sales.

Seattle sees gains in home prices, first increase in 2.5 years.

This isn't a trend yet but home prices ticked up .44% in Oct. That's now following the trend that more homes are closing year-over-year. Prices are still down 22.5% from the high in May 2007. At least the trends are moving the right way now. If this continues for 1 or 2 more months we may be past the "bottom" and on the way up. Buyers, better buy now. Click here to see the entire Seattle Times article on the Case-Shiller index increase.

Rents are falling. It's a tough market for landlords, the worst in 30 years, according to this Seattle Times article.

I've got a rental of my own and it has been tough to get it rented. I've had to reduce the rent 9.3% and that might still not be enough. OUCH! All sectors of the real estate market go in cycles and right now landlords are taking a tough hit, but they've also had it good in the past so I don't feel so bad. The positives of real estate right now are that buyers/current homeowners can take advantage of great interest rates and there are a lot of good properties with motivated sellers on the market right now. Call me if you want more specific details for your particular neighborhood. Click here to see the entire Seattle Times article on the touch rental market.

Sales around Seattle are way, way up. Prices are still down but that's got to change soon.

Ok, 6 months straight of more home sales than the previous period a year ago. At some point you HAVE to call this a trend. November sales in King County were up 81% over November 2008. I predict that very soon more people will realize that now is a great time to buy for some people. Buy now before the prices start to increase, and more importantly, while interest rates are so good. Click here for the entire Seattle Times article on the increase of home sales.

Remodeling trends for 2010. Not so big scale.

Here's an entertaining article about what remodeling trends are in for 2010. The additions are out, replacements are in. Click here to see the entire article about home remodeling trends.