Actually if you connect “median average housing type” to “median average price” it happens to work, at least at the moment in Seattle and on the Eastside. That the median price doesn’t fit what you personally want, doesn’t mean it doesn’t fit the median housing decision…just not your decision of what you want to purchase.

If you want “starter housing” as in a condo at $175,000, that would be below the median. If you want a starter townhome or single family attached dwelling, then you would at or below the median. If you want a great condo or townhome or a starter detached single family home, then you will be at or above the median, with the sky the limit.

So if the median prices is $436,000, then yes, you can get a nice townhome on either side of the Lake, and that is a median house type choice. “Median housing type” is not a four bedroom single family home, it s a townhome or single family attached or starter single family detached.

So just match your median price to median type and it makes more sense.

If you use NWMLS data in your stats what permission do you have to sell the data (i.e. in your reports)? Does anyone who signs up for your service have to have a download agreement with the mls? We have customers who would be interested in your service.

What real meaning does a “median price” have in a city like Seattle? It’s the middle. Umm so what? There are thousands of homes for sale. How’s your neighborhood? What’s your price range? Is there a lot on the market? Are they moving quickly? Is Microsoft (or Zillow) hiring?

The price chart always grabs the headline, but to the real data hounds, it’s ultimately unsatisfying. We use dozens of metrics to bring understanding to a market. It narrows our target customers a bit, but feeds our soul better

btw. here’s a prediction for you. In the next few months you’ll see the zillow chart crest as its data catches up to what’s happening now.

Dustin’s explanation is correct. Tim Kane posts on Seattle Bubble under the name “S Crow.” All of his posts have a dashed outline box around them, in addition to the usual “posted by S Crow” at the bottom of the post. If I had more than two contributors, I’d likely move to a format similar to RCG, with the poster’s pic at the top of the post eliminating any question. I’ve been thinking maybe I should add the “posted by” part just under the headline for additional clarity. I appreciate you pointing out the confusion.

Dustin,

Thank you for the kind words. I respect all the hard work you’ve put into making RCG what it is, and I look forward to the continued success of RCG and SB.

Zillow says the median price of Seattle real estate is about $436K.

Altos Research says the median price is about $479K.

And Caffeinated Software’s NWMLS database says the median price for a single family home in Seattle is $499,500.

So many cool charts, so little good data.

I’m not positive, but I think they are two different people.

Both Tim Ellis (The Tim) and Tim Kane write for the bubble blog. Tim Kane is also a contributor to RCG. In reading the bubble post I think you are referring to, I noticed that Tim Kane wrote that article under the name “S Crow”. I’ve noticed that Tim Kane likes to shake things up a bit, so that would likely explain his numerous pen names.

Does that help?

http://seattlebubble.blogspot.com/2006/09/11pm-news-fiscal-responsibility-is.html