Tucked away in the picturesque setting of Grays Harbor County, Cosmopolis, Washington is a charming, tight-knit community that is truly a hidden gem in the Pacific Northwest. Often referred to as "Cozi" by its residents, this small city boasts a unique blend of natural beauty, rich history, and warm community spirit, making it an exceptional place to call home. Despite its relatively small size, Cosmopolis is a place where nature is within your reach. Residents enjoy the proximity to the Chehalis River and the nearby Pacific Ocean, offering a wealth of outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, and birdwatching. Lush forests also surrounded the city, providing plenty of opportunities for hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing. Makarenko Park, a local favorite, serves as a green oasis for family picnics, sports, and community gatherings. The sense of safety and community support here is palpable, making Cosmopolis a great place for families, retirees, and anyone seeking a peaceful, welcoming environment. Cosmopolis thrives on its small-town charm, where neighbors know each other and local businesses are supported. The city hosts several community events throughout the year, including the popular Cosmopolis Festival in the summer, which brings residents together to celebrate the town's heritage and community spirit. In terms of location, Cosmopolis is strategically situated with easy access to the larger cities of Aberdeen and Hoquiam, providing residents with the tranquility of a small town while still offering convenient access to a wider range of amenities and services. In Cosmopolis, you won't just find a place to live—you'll find a community to call home. It's a place where the hustle and bustle of big city life gives way to a slower, more relaxed pace. Whether you're drawn to its natural beauty, its welcoming community, or its tranquility, Cosmopolis, Washington is a wonderful place to live.

WHEN: 07/22/2023 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm WHERE: Moore Wright Group1401 Simpson AveAberdeen WA 98520 COST: Free FREE Family Event!We have all witnessed or experienced a time where we have been underprepared for any emergency situation. Please join us Saturday, July 22nd for the annual Emergency Preparedness EXPO where you can learn how to better prepare yourself and family for the next unexpected emergency or learn about local hazards. Come dunk your favorite Law and Fire Personnel! Enter a Bike Rodeo! FREE Raffle! Go-Bag Scavenger Hunt! Get up close to Emergency Response Vehicles and meet your local first responders! Over 40 vendors and much more!!

If you’re following the news today, you may feel a bit unsure about what’s happening with home prices and fear whether or not the worst is yet to come. That’s because today’s headlines are painting an unnecessarily negative picture. If we take a year-over-year view, home prices did drop some, but that’s because we’re comparing to a ‘unicorn’ year when prices peaked well beyond the norm.To avoid an unfair comparison to that previous peak, we need to look at monthly data. And that tells a very different and much more positive story. While local home price trends still vary by market, here’s what the national data tells us.The graphs below use recent monthly reports from three sources to show the worst home price declines are already behind us, and prices are appreciating nationally.  Looking at this monthly view, we can see the past year in the housing market can be divided into two parts. In the first half of 2022, home prices were going up, and fast. However, starting in July, prices began to go down (shown in red in the graphs above). By around August or September, the trend started to stabilize. But, looking at the most recent data for early 2023, these graphs also show that prices are going up again.The fact that all three reports show prices have been going up for three or more straight months is an encouraging sign for the housing market. The month-over-month data indicates a national shift is happening – home prices are rising again.Craig J. Lazzara, Managing Director at S&P Dow Jones Indices, says this about home price trends: “If I were trying to make a case that the decline in home prices that began in June 2022 had definitively ended in January 2023, April’s data would bolster my argument.” Experts believe one of the reasons prices didn’t crash like some expected is because there aren’t enough available homes for the number of people who want to buy them. Even with today’s mortgage rates, there are more people looking to buy than there are homes available for sale.Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American, explains how more demand than supply keeps upward pressure on prices:“History has shown that higher rates may take the steam out of rising prices, but it doesn’t cause them to collapse entirely. This is especially true in today’s housing market, where the demand for homes continues to outpace supply, keeping the pressure on house prices."Doug Duncan, Senior VP and Chief Economist at Fannie Mae, states home price growth is exceeding expectations thanks to that high demand:“. . . housing prices continue to show stronger growth than what was previously expected . . . Housing’s performance is a testimony to the strength of demographic-related demand . . .”Here’s How This Affects YouBuyers: If you've been holding off on buying because you were worried the value of your home would go down, knowing home prices have bounced back should bring you some relief. It also gives you the opportunity to own something that usually becomes more valuable as time goes on.Sellers: If you've been waiting to sell your house because you were concerned about how changing home prices would affect its value, it might be a good idea to team up with a real estate agent to list your house. You don't have to wait any longer because the latest data suggests things are turning in your favor.Bottom LineIf you delayed your moving plans because you were concerned about home prices dropping, the latest data reveals the worst is already over, and prices are appreciating nationally. Partner with a local real estate agent so you know what's happening with home prices in your area.

Even as some companies transition back into the office, remote work remains a popular choice for many professionals. So, if you currently enjoy working from home or hope to be able to soon, you’re not alone. According to a recent survey, most working professionals want to work either fully remote or hybrid (see below):This trend is good news if you’re looking to buy a home because a remote or hybrid work setup can help you overcome some of today’s affordability and housing inventory challenges.More Work Flexibility Equals More Home OptionsRemote or hybrid work opens up a world of opportunities. That’s because it allows you to broaden your search for your next home since you’re no longer limited to living close to your workplace. With the freedom to work from anywhere, you can explore more affordable areas that may be located farther away from bustling city centers or your office. This flexibility can be a game changer while higher mortgage rates are making it difficult for some homebuyers to afford a home.An article from the New York Times (NYT) highlights how remote work can greatly assist you in overcoming that challenge:“. . . take advantage of the opportunity remote work has presented to move to more affordable communities (either farther out in the suburbs, or in another part of the country).”And, since the supply of homes for sale is still so low, another key challenge for you today may be finding something with all of the features you want and need. Because remote work allows you to broaden your search radius to include additional areas, you may actually have less trouble finding a home with the features you want the most because you’ll have a bigger pool of options to pick from.Working remotely gives you the flexibility to find an affordable home with the features you want. In other words, you have a better chance of getting what you need without blowing your budget. Bottom LineWorking remotely not only gives you more flexibility in your job but also presents a great chance to broaden your search for a home. Since you're not limited to a specific location, you have the opportunity to explore more options. Connect with a local real estate agent to discuss how this can expand your choices and help you find the perfect home.