12/01/08

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Yakima blossoms

Chris Pauling of Prudential Northwest Realty

From the August issue: Famous for its orchards, Yakima is drawing attention for its livability -- and a housing market that is bucking national trends. Nationwide, home prices fell 7.7 percent on average compared to a year ago, but not in Yakima. In June 2008, the average housing price was $191,716 -- a jump of 7 percent compared to the year before. (The median housing price is $167,000.) Several factors are helping sustain housing prices, including the new medical school, a solid agricultural economy and a burgeoning second home and retirement market. The area's slow and steady price appreciation over the past decade -- a few percent a year -- has also helped insulate Yakima from the nationwide housing bubble.

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