Home prices are up both nationally and in Seattle according to the Case-Shiller report.

OK, for 3 months in a row the prices in the Seattle market of the Case-Shiller report (King/Pierce/Snohomish Counties) have risen. It's starting to look like a trend. Conversely, sales of new homes are down in January so there is still some conflicting information. Click here to see the entire Seattle Times article on the price increases of the Case-Shiller report for Seattle.

Ruby Condos; nice finishes and views of Lake Union.

I toured Ruby Condos yesterday (http://www.rubycondos.com/) and was impressed by their finished product. Nice use of interior materials and the floor plans were open and very bright. I was concerned that I-5 might be loud but was also surprised that you couldn't hear much of it. The location is good and even some of the 1st level condos have some water views.

Annual Seattle Real Estate wrap up; a few bright spots as viewed in the Seattle Times.

The number of sales were up and the prices were down. Interest rates at record lows and a lot of great product on the market. Though prices were down 16.5% from the 2007 peak they are still up $100,000 from 2002. Click here to read the story and see the nice graphic of this information found in the Seattle Times.

Another positive sign, home prices in Seattle are up this January compared to January 2009.

The number of pending sales are also up. Now this is the second article that reflects a rise in home prices in Seattle; one survey said they were up slightly for the last two months and this article says it is up Y/Y. Click here to see the Seattle Times article about Seattle home price increases.

List of cities where you should buy...now. Variance between rental rates and home prices are the lowest in 15 years.

Markets are always changing and some markets are ripe right now to purchase a home. Click here to read the entire MSN.com article on where to buy.