Activity around new construction sites in the Maple Valley market remains somewhat subdued, however inventory seems to be slowly being absorbed. This report is for 2008 built Single Family homes in the Maple Valley market which are listed through NWMLS. Active Listings:  85        Average List Price: $482,383      Average Days on Market: 206 Pending Sales:  9          Average List Price: $352,182      Average Days on Market: 39 (reflecting presales most likely) Sold (last 6 mo)            Average List Price: $382,700      Average Days on Market: 368, 754   The average price per square foot of Active Listings is $170.51 vs The average price per square foot of Sold Listings which is $152.65 Many builders in the Maple Valley market will have proprietary forms and sale procedures which diff... 10/16/2008

If you've been thinking about building in the Maple Valley area in the future, the market is definitely in your favor right now. Prices have come down, there's a good selection available and frankly, the "dirt's" not moving much....meaning a strong buyer's market for vacant land. Currently there are 65 parcels available within the Tahoma School District Boundaries. The average list price for these properties is $341,965. (skewed for sure by the 3 parcels listed between 1250,000 and 1,499,000). There are only 2 Pending sales at this time, with an average list price of $247,250. And 2 Listings have sold within the last 6 months-average sales price: $197,500. * Compare the 2 sold this year to the 19 Sold in 2007 during the same  six month time period and you have an 89% drop in the number ... 10/10/2008

One of the things I pride myself on as a Listing Agent is the power of my internet marketing program. When I meet with potential sellers in the Maple Valley area, I am able to demonstrate to them through statistics and anecdotes how an effective internet marketing strategy, combined with an experienced eye on local trends can help them be successful, even in today's market. One of the features I offer to website visitors is the ability to sign up for automatic Listing updates for the Maple Valley market. A few weeks ago I received an email from a soldier in Iraq who had signed up to have new listings emailed to him. He is researching different communities in the Seattle area, trying to determine where he and his family will settle when he comes home. Here's a snippet of his email: We re... 10/10/2008

Condos & Townhomes in Maple Valley are a small niche market. Many buyers like the low maintenace lifestyle and close proximity to shopping & school condominium living offers. This market report for Condominiums and Townhomes sold in the Maple Valley area reflects only homes listed and sold through NWMLS, and does not take into account any sold "by owner". Currently on the Market: 13 Average List Price: $292,377 Average Days on Market: 76 Pending Sales: 3 Average List Price: $330,317 Average Days on Market: 47   Condos Sold Last 6 Months: 6 Average List Price: $298,825 Average Days on Market: 77   As you can see, there have been 6 units sold over the last 6 months. With 13 units on the market, there is aapproximately 1 year of inventory currently on the market. These statistics do not in... 10/04/2008

This past Summer I was contacted by a couple moving to Maple Valley from out of state. They had been working with another agent who did not know the area very well and asked if I would be willing to help them find a home quickly. On the first day out, they found a home they liked quite a bit, and another on the same street. Both of the homes backed to a golf course and had a nice fairway or greens view. I shared with them that the golf course was leased from King County and part of the "Donut-Hole" about which Jay Leno had  joked this past Winter. (The do-nut hole is a 167 acre piece of County owned property completely surrounded by the City of Maple Valley) As always, I let the buyer's know what I knew about the potential sale, and that as far as I knew the sale had stalled, but that t... 09/26/2008

Although  Bank owned properties in Maple Valley represent only about 4.5% of all active inventory in the area we are definitely seeing a higher number on the market than ever before.   As of today there are 17 available listings in the Maple Valley area owned by Banks or Asset Managers in the Maple Valley area. This number only reflects single family homes listed in the NWMLS database. The lowest priced property is $165,000 and the highest is $545,000. If you're considering buying a bank owned home in Maple Valley, you may want to visit this previously published post.     Colleen Fischesser is the Broker/Owner of RE/MAX Select in Maple Valley, WA. She has been successfully selling and marketing properties all over South King & North Pierce counties since 1990 but specializes in the Map... 09/26/2008

It looks like Microsoft is expanding it's commuter bus service to accommodate more employees in outlying areas.  According to a recent article in the Seattle PI, Microsoft will expand it's connector bus system to add routes both North and South of it's Redmond campus. A Maple Valley route will be added in October, which has to be great news for local Microsoft commuters. Not only will they be able to save money on gas, but can make good use of the time given that the buses are wired for internet access. The Maple Valley area market offers a strong school district as well as significantly more affordable housing compared to the Redmond area which is why so many "Microsofties" have chosen to put down roots here. Now they can add commuting convenience to that list of reasons to buy in Mapl... 09/26/2008

Many Maple Valley area home owners are opting to lease their homes rather than sell at a reduced price, and renters now have more variety of homes from which to choose.  In the last 6 months, 33 homes have been listed in the NWMLS and rented for an average of $1885/month. (These numbers only reflect homes listed in NWMLS database). Compare that to last year when only 8 homes had been rented during the same period of time. Currently the lowest active rental price is $1500 for a 3 Bedroom 1100 square foot home, and the highest is $2750 for a 3400 square foot home. Most of these properties are offered for a 12 month lease term, but occassionally a property owner is willing to negotiate on terms. Since opening our property management division this year, we have helped many would-be sellers ... 09/23/2008

Maple Valley, WA Tahoma High School is going to be featured on KING 5's morning news segment called PEP RALLY! Tune in early Thursday morning at about the time students arrive at school to see Maple Valley students at Tahoma dressed in their BLUE and GOLD spirit wear, and sharing with the rest of the Pacific Northwest all that great TAHOMA spirit! Students are asked to arrive at 7:30 -- dressed in school colors! - Julianna Hind, Proud Tahoma Mom! 09/17/2008

Casting Call for Talented Youth! Well, I love live theater, so I thought I would share the news that there are open auditions for an upcoming production of Disney's High School Musical have been announced by Burien's Hi-Liners. Auditions are on Saturday September 27th from 12:30 to 4 PM at Lake Burien Presbyterian Church, while performances will be at the Renton Carco Theater, 1717 SE Maple Valley Hwy ~ Renton Excerpt from a Press Release: Warm up your dance moves and start practicing those foul shots as The Hi-Liners DownStage Center presents Disney's "High School Musical, On Stage!"  From "Wildcat Cheer" to "We're All in This Together" the cast of students, ages 7-18 will bring Disney Channel's smash hit musical to life.  Incorporating elements from "West Side Story", "Romeo and Julie... 09/16/2008

Thinking about moving up? A loss on your current Maple Valley Home may be a gain in your NEW Maple Valley home! In Maple Valley, many homesellers feel they have been hit hard when it comes to the market slow-down due to the wide availability of mid-range homes, thus contributing to the "buyers market" we are currently experiencing.  So, while the market is adjusting, does that mean it's time to make due, putting off your dream home, the space you need, and the features you want by waiting to list and sell your current home and stay put where you are?  Not necessarily!  Take a look at these two homes... here we see how a loss on the sale of a home in Maple Valley can be made up by a gain on one of the area's larger, newer, yet higher priced homes.  You see, many homes, even new homes, in... 09/16/2008

HUH? Yep, that's what I thought when I opened this week's Voice of the Valley paper to read a Letter to the Editor entitled "DOG POOP". It caught my eye and figured it was a letter written by someone complaining about unwanted, um....surprises, in their yard.  I was going to skip the letter altogether because this is a tired beef I'm frankly sick of hearing about. But when I saw it was written by the students at Glacier Park Elementary school, I was intrigued. It turns out that some canines in the area are using the facilities (pun intended) at Glacier Park and their companions are not being good neighbors. I've noticed some "baggie" stations at parks here and there, maybe this would be a good idea to have at the schools as well. Afterall, we can't have the kids focused on other smells ... 09/16/2008

The leaves are beginning to fade into yellow on my Dogwood and Maple trees so I know football is just around the corner. When my 3 guys were little, they couldn't wait to play football. They had seen pictures and football cards of their Grandpa when he had played and they were just chomping at the bit to suit up and get out on the field. Fortunately for them, Maple Valley has a very popular Junior Football Program, the Maple Valley Raiders which was established in 1978.  The Raiders program offers little guys the opportunity to play by age & weight class from as young as age 7.  I will never forget the night my son Graham received his equipment and helmet for the first time...when I woke him up for school the next morning I saw he had slept with his helmet right next to his pillow!  The... 08/31/2008

The countdown is on!  Summer is almost "officially" over. Personally, I have no idea where the summer went (or if it ever even arrived), but here we are just four days from the start of the new school year. I imagine there are more than a few parents scrambling to buy last minute school supplies, backpacks or clothes.  Hopefully everyone received their copy of the Voice of the Valley this week which has all the bus routes for the Tahoma School District. In case you missed it or have replaced it, the transportation department has posted the schedule on their site by individual school. Enjoy the peace & quiet!     Colleen Fischesser is the Broker/Owner of RE/MAX Select in Maple Valley, WA. She has been successfully selling and marketing properties all over South King & North Pierce counti... 08/28/2008

The phrase Dog Days of Summer is used in reference to the hottest days of the year; which typically here in the greater Seattle area would be right now....but I'm wearing a sweater today, go figure! August is also typically a slower time in our market, as many agents and would-be home buyers are squeezing in last minute vacations. But if there is one thing we know about the ‘08 market is that there is nothing typical about it! August has been my busiest month of the entire year and judging from pending sales in Maple Valley since the first of August, I'm not the only one! As of 8/1/08, 30 Single Family homes have gone under contract. Some of these sales will close in August, others in Sept or beyond. But I think it will be interesting to start tracking these numbers more closely from th... 08/20/2008

Even in Maple Valley, where homes are priced somewhat more moderately in comparison to other communities east of Seattle, starter homes were still unobtainable for many first time home buyers because prices were still a little more than they could obtain financing for.   Well the market is different, changing, and with that change is a drop on entry level home prices, even new construction is selling as much as 40 K  less than they sold for 18 months ago. Pair that with the surge of new construction and growth that Maple Valley and the entire Southeast King County region has experienced in the last 2 years, and the first time home buyer will find they have a lot of inventory to choose from... even below 300K and a lot of new construction just above 300K. For a "hot list" of properties, ... 08/17/2008

Last week's Music in the Park event at Lake Wilderness drew members of the community together for some fun picnicking, swinging and dancing under the tall pines against the beautiful backdrop of Lake Wilderness. The West Seattle Big Band played old favorites and new revivals, like Bare Necessities, and Jump n Jive. The kids were the first to start dancing around the grass, parents and grandparents were soon to follow! Tonight's entertainment: The Night Train Blues Band Come out and visit Maple Valley! Julianna Hind, The Maple Valley Home Finder FREE ONLINE HOME FINDER   08/14/2008

Valley Green in Maple Valley, Washington Valley Green the Community: Valley Green is a great community of single family homes and town homes. It is located just off the Maple Valley-Black Diamond Highway, go east on SE 240th Street, and Valley Green is accessed by a nicely manicured drive. The Valley Green III phase and community park is on the right, adjacent to Valley Green I & II. Homes in Valley Green: Since 1974 Schneider Homes has been developing distinctive neighborhoods in Greater Seattle. Valley Green I and II is a community with homes that reflects that special attention to quality and design.   Recreation at Valley Green: Valley Green Community has a large recreation area, whre families can play, relax, and even go sledding in the wintertime!   Valley Green Area Schools: Vall... 08/09/2008

Maple Valley is uniquely situated in the Pacific Northwest by being "away from it all" and still in the "middle of everything!" Our little valley, located just 25 miles southeast of Seattle and about 25 miles northeast of Tacoma provides community members with easy access to all the greater Puget Sound regions fabulous culture, nature, and communities. Some locations boast gorgeous views from the Cascades to Mt. Rainier, and the Mountains or the Sound is only a few miles away. Maple Valley was known as rural community, with historical roots born out of the natural resources the area had to offer, but with its unique positioning in the greater Puget Sound area, Maple Valley grew and developed, and finally incorporated as a city in 1997. Now, as a robust and flourishing city, Maple Valley... 08/09/2008

On my way home from the office tonight I stopped at the Maple Valley Market to pick up a few things for dinner. This is what awaited me....Gotta LOVE it!   Colleen Fischesser is the Broker/Owner of RE/MAX Select in Maple Valley, WA. She has been successfully selling and marketing properties all over South King & North Pierce counties since 1990 but specializes in the Maple Valley Washington area. .She may be contacted directly at: 425-432-5400   Copyright 2008, All Rights Reserved Colleen Fischesser 08/05/2008