Localized Data                                                                                              

 

Glenn E. Crellin

Director, Washington Center for Real Estate Research

Washington State University

 

All too often these columns focus on work produced by the Washington Center for Real Estate Research, but there are other groups of civic-minded individuals who work together to ensure information is available to help business people and consumers make informed real estate decisions in local markets.  Many of these groups have been operating for more than 25 years.

 

The longest history as a purveyor of real estate information falls to the Central Puget Sound Real Estate Research Committee, which just released its Spring 2003 report (Vol. 54, No. 1).  In roughly 100 pages, they provide semi-annual updates on sales prices of homes and condos, apartment rents and vacancies, office and industrial rents, vacancies and absorption, trends in hotel industry, building permit activity, plat activity employment, business conditions and demographics.  Data covers King, Pierce and Snohomish counties. 

 

On the other side of the state, the Spokane-Kootenai Real Estate Research Committee has been around over a quarter century.  Its spring report is nearing completion.  Reports are typically 250 pages, produced semi-annually.  Each report includes several “feature articles” on topics of interest to real estate locally.  Data sections include economic indicators, real estate activity indicators, housing inventory and vacancy surveys including apartments, mobile home parks and commercial property.  Most statistics are available for both Spokane County, Washington and Kootenai County, Idaho.

 

Smaller markets also produce reports.  The Whatcom County Real Estate Research Committee is currently finalizing its 25th annual volume.  The report includes data on real estate sales, permit and plat activity, mortgage lending, residential rental property, commercial activity, construction costs, and business and economic indicators.  Only limited text appears in a typical volume.

 

Finally, Kitsap County Trends covers the economics and real estate markets in the Bremerton area.  The format of the report is a bit less statistical than in the other three communities, but is still highly useful.

 

The WCRER Web site has links to all four regional reports, so interested parties can learn about purchasing a single issue or subscribing for a year.  While the data is contributed by various community groups (including the Washington Center for Real Estate Research), the production and mailing costs are covered by purchase fees.

 

Statistics on Washington’s housing market and other useful information are available on WCRER’s Web site: www.cbe.wsu.edu/~wcrer. For other information on real estate markets around the State of Washington, or general information about the real estate industry in the state (excluding legal questions), readers can reach the WCRER at 1-800-835-9683.

 

April 2003