Housing trends vary around the Harbor, but numbers are good
Have you noticed lots of “For Sale” signs in front of houses around here? If so, our guess is that you have also seen many “Sold” signs. Houses are selling more quickly and for more money in much of Grays Harbor this summer.
In last week’s column we gave you the low-down on encouraging county-wide stats about our area’s housing market using information gleaned from Tom Quigg, founder of the Aberdeen and Ocean Shores Windermere Real Estate offices. Quigg creates monthly reports about Grays Harbor County based on data provided by the Northwest Multiple Listing Service.
For instance in June – the latest figures available – 152 housing units sold, which is up 2.7 percent compared to June 2017. In addition, the average price houses sold for in Grays Harbor County was $202,000, up 9.2 percent compared to last June. The median price was $194,000, up nearly 11 percent from last June. (You may recall that average price is determined by adding up the total of all houses sold and dividing by the number sold. On the other hand the median price is found by lining up all the prices and finding the middle one.)
While overall, Grays Harbor County has been a seller’s market 9 of the past 14 months, each area is a little different. Let’s take a look:
ABERDEEN / HOQUIAM MARKET
In the housing market for the Aberdeen, Hoquiam and Cosmopolis area, the average purchase price for a house sold in June was $147,000, with the median price at $133,000.
The number of homes listed for sale in the Aberdeen (including Central Park), Hoquiam and Cosmopolis area in June was 111, up 2.8 percent compared to last year. The number of homes sold in June was 50, up 13.6 percent compared to June 2017.
In this area of the county, houses were purchased after an average of 42, which is 40.8 percent less than this time last year.
EAST COUNTY MARKET
In the Montesano, Elma and McCleary area, the average purchase price for houses sold in June was $259,000 with the median price at $260,000.
The number of homes listed for sale in the East County area in June was 42, down 8.7 percent compared to last year. The number of homes sold in June was 29, down 3.3 percent compared to June 2017.
In this area of the county, houses were purchased after an average of 57 days on the market.
OCEAN SHORES / NORTH BEACH
In the housing market for the North Beaches including Ocean Shores, Copalis Beach, Pacific Beach and Moclips, the average purchase price for a house in June was $221,000, with the median price at $224,000.
The number of homes listed for sale on the North Beaches in June was 178, down 7.8 percent compared to last year. The number of homes sold in June was 52, down 5.5 percent compared to June 2017. In this area of the county, houses were purchased after an average of 78 days on the market, which is 23.5 percent less than the same time last year.
WESTPORT / GRAYLAND
In the housing market for the Wesport/Grayland area, the average purchase price for a house was $216,000, with the median price at $190,000.
The number of homes listed for sale on the South Beaches in June was 49, down 24.6 percent compared to last year. The number of homes sold in June was 18, up 63.6 percent compared to last year. In this area of the county, houses were purchased after an average of 111 days.
THE HARBOR’S ALLURE GROWS
We are once again encouraged by what is happening in the housing market this year and seeing the trend of new construction and people buying homes in Grays Harbor County.
While it’s currently technically a “seller’s market” here, and while the prices are on the rise – which is great for a seller, buyers are discovering just how much house you can buy for your dollar in our area compared to other areas and are also benefitting!
Perhaps, especially with all this nice summer weather, people are figuring out what most of us have known for a while – with beauty all around, virtually no traffic issues and easy commutes to work, Grays Harbor is a great place to live.
Dave Murnen and Pat Beaty are construction specialists at NeighborWorks of Grays Harbor County, where Murnen is executive director. This is a nonprofit organization committed to creating safe and affordable housing for all residents of Grays Harbor County. For questions about home repair, renting, remodeling or buying, call 360-533-7828 or visit 710 E. Market St. in Aberdeen. Our office is fully ADA-compliant.
Do you have questions about home repair, renting, remodeling or becoming a homeowner or one of our contractors? We have rehab loan funds at tailored rates! Call us at 533-7828, write us or visit us at 710 E. Market St. in Aberdeen. Our office is ADA compliant, complete with a designated disabled parking spot, ramp and ADA compliant restroom.
