How is Snohomish county doing in real estate? Are we still gaining equity in our homes? What is the percentage of gain? These are questions I hear on a daily basis and here is my answer - as a whole, Snohomish county residents are  expereincing appreciation. The percentage depends once again on the location, type, and value of your home. If I had to give a percentage to "blanket" Snohomish county, I would say between 5%- 10%. Is this less than last year? Yes, but the slowing appreciation rate will actually improve the real estate market. If you're wondering how, here is one way - in the last three years the appreciation has been at an unhealthy level, causing drastic price increases that could not be sustained for a long period of time. This actually priced some first time home buyers out of the market. In addition, if you are unable to sell your first home, then you're unable to buy your second home, and if you are unable to sell your second home then you are unable to buy your third home. Another way the drastic increase in real estate values has affected the majority of the public has been in real estate taxes. As values go up, so do taxes! Here is another factor: as home values rise, the cost of land, the cost of developing the land, the cost of raw materials, and other expenses affect the price of the home. With the appreciation now coming to a healthier percentage, all of this should come back into balance. Not to mention that wages in Snohomish county did not and cannot keep up the price of homes when we are consistently experiencing years of double digit appreciation.