The stars seem aligned as local Realtors take part in this weekend’s “Nationwide Open House” in Jefferson and Clallam counties:
Hundreds of houses and condos on display, depressed prices, still-low interest rates and a fast-approaching deadline for homebuyer tax credits.
Today (Sunday) is the last day of the two-day event — from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Clallam County and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in Jefferson County.
It’s an ideal situation for lookers — 340 homes are available.
A listing of open houses in Clallam County is available at the Peninsula Daily News’ Web site home page, www.peninsuladailynews.com.
Click on “Home” (above, in the navigation bar), then click the “Open House” box below the Peninsula Poll on the home page.
In Jefferson County, a list of homes and addresses is available at http://tinyurl.com/y8kmch7 (click on 2010 Open House List) and at any Jefferson real estate office, all of which are participating in the Open House.
House hunters can also drive around looking for blue balloons that mark homes participating in the sales event.
Homes available for viewing are concentrated in more populated areas in both counties to allow multiple visits by would-be homebuyers.
A federal tax credit of up to $8,000 is available for first-time homebuyers who have a purchase contract in place by April 30.
The same deadline confronts so-called “move-up” buyers who want to use a $6,500 credit to help buy their next house.
Participating Realtors are showing 210 homes and condos in Clallam County — 107 in Port Angeles and west to Lake Crescent, including one in Sekiu, and 103 in Sequim and east to Gardiner.
Prices range from $149,000 for a two-bedroom home off Mount Pleasant Road to $659,000 for a home on Lake Sutherland.
Jefferson County Realtors are showing 130 homes and condos in Port Townsend, Port Ludlow and Port Hadlock.
Prices range from a $69,999 home on Flamingo Road in Port Townsend to a $950,000 home on Oak Bay Drive in Port Ludlow.
The Open House is a collaboration between numerous state and local Realtor associations across the country to spur home sales throughout the nation.