Spokane Sales Down For YTD January

But it’s not all doom and gloom.  I was asked Monday by a Krem reporter (in response to one of my recent posts) whether I thought the weather had anything to do with the 42% slump in closed & pending sales for the month of January as compared to the same period last year.My answer was No.  I didn’t think that was the only reason.  Some buyers were staying in, but many (at least ones I’m working with) have been out trudging through the snow and looking at properties.  While closed sales are down – the median and average prices are up almost 7%.  The cause – I don’t think there is just one.  There’s a smaller number of people who qualify for loans, the loan underwriting process is a tad tougher than it used to be (and it should be).  Lenders are now requiring you to do more than fog a mirror to get a loan.If you are thinking of buying a home in the next year -START NOW.  Check your credit.  Work with a Mortgage Professional and get a plan in place.  It’s too late to fix your credit when you’ve found the home of your dreams and pull a credit report that day.  Know what’s on your credit, know what you need to do to keep it, raise it or bring it where you need to be.  If you need any information – please contact me – I can point you in the right direction.