If you are interested in taking advantage of the low prices in this market, maybe you should look at Bank Owned properties. The advantage of Bank Owned vs Short Sale is the process. In general, Bank Owned purchases would be handled similar to a situation when you are working with an individual seller. The sale is still negotiated with a bank as the owner, however, you are not in the middle a short sale process. A short sale process is a combination negotiation between bank, current owner, as well as A LOT of time spent waiting.
Remember, with prices and interest rates this low, qualified buyers have an advantage to get into this market. For first time home buyers, it is a time when the prices are low enough that your monthly house payment is competing with (or very close) what you pay for rent. A first time home buyer could now begin to gain equity in a home instead of wasting the monthly rent payment.
Also, the tax credit for first time buyers is offering up to $8000 assuming you purchase by Dec. 1 2009! This is an incredible opportunity for anyone who qualifies for this credit.
For investors, now is a time to pick up the rental property where the numbers make sense!
Please contact me directly if you would like a copy of the latest Bank Owned Property in Pierce County.
Do you have cedar shingle siding? Older siding, not the newer sheets that look like shingles! When it needs to be re-stained, the dilemma begins with:
1) do you stain it the same color?
2) when using a different color that is lighter than the existing, will you be able to see the dark through the cracks?
3) do you use semi-transparent or full coverage stain?
4) how much pressure washing is too much or not enough?
I think the most important point to consider is color. Cedar shingles are reminiscent of an era and seen a lot on Craftsmen or Cape Cod architectures. They are also used in many newer home styles which sport a mix of wood products and stone. I love cedar shingles and like to see natural earth tones as the color selected as the shingle-look reminds me of the forest and living among nature.
Pressure washing is the other thing to consider ~ don't let your husband or son get too close with the pressure washer wand or you might find your shingles on the roof! :) Yes, we had that hapen.
July 2007 I made the decision to take an early out of my corporate career in order to pursue my dream in real estate. It was challenging to know that my start in the business would be at a time when the market was heading for a downturn. One year later, the depth of the downturn still has not been realized and may not be for another 9 months. This is a discouraging thought for a newer agent!
I am watching many agents leave the business. There are few answers. The number of houses available for sale in my neighborhood are increasing daily. The number of those listed for sale that are in a short-sale or bank owned situation are greater than 45%. I cannot count the number of foreclosures that are going to auction.
I wonder if we will see many homes "EMPTY" and "FOR SALE" as happened when Boeing laid off 60,000 in the '70's? The saying on the airport billboard was "will the last person leaving Seattle turn out the lights?"
By the way, why are the Boeing union workers striking during a time when most are struggling with making their mortgage payments?
Sunnyside Beach in Steilacoom is a great place to spend the day. The beach is sandy with large lawn area, volleyball setup, BBQ, restrooms.
I like to spend time walking the beach during low tide, you can go as far as Chambers Creek. This park has a lot to offer and so convenient if you live in or near Steilacoom. Another reason to check out homes in the South Puget Sound.
:)
P.S. Don't forget your sunscreen - we finally have nice weather.
April 18: The puppies are 4.5 weeks old. There are 3 males left and one female. Please call if interested.
Brenda, 253-222-3503
April 8: This is off topic, however, I've been talking about my litter of puppies that were due in March. They are here and it's been a crazy 3 + weeks! It started with emergency c-section and my supplementing the puppies until their mother was better!
These little black lab puppies are now available for reservation. They will be ready May 9th. There were 9 in the littler, 5 females and 4 males. They are AKC, parents have OFA Hip and Elbows certified. They have been declawed and will have shots and worming. Champion Blood lines. Mother was a chocolate and the father was a black lab. Females are $650 and Males are $600. They are beautiful and sweet. Call Brenda at 253-222-3503
UPDATE 5/20/08 - all puppies have been sold and are gone. I do miss them but not the work. I still have one pup as I am keeping for my son until next Tuesday! They were cute.
Do you want to retire and relocate to a more relaxing and peaceful area? Are you someone who has worked hard all of these years and now it's time for your dream?
Maybe you are thinking of getting out of the city and owning that waterfront or view property? Maybe you are interested in remaining close to the Seattle/Tacoma area so that you can be near your children and grandchildren! It is possible to do it all!
Are you a Baby Boomer? Did you know, it takes one to know one?
I hope to talk with you soon! Brenda Rix
P.S. Southern Puget Sound is great. Specifically real estate in Lakewood, Steilacoom, Dupont, Fircrest and University Place.
For supplemental heating options, we've been on a dedicated path to reducing our heating bills.
Most everyone is experiencing the same problem as our weather in the Pacific Northwest has been particularly cold this past January. This is not a new problem for us as our house was built in 1938 and is heated by a radiant heat system. Although radiant heating is fairly cost effective, the rates for natural gas have not.
We recently installed a Jotel wood stove insert to supplement the heating of our home and also purchased an EdenPure heater to stabilize the heating in the house.
My very good friend Bonnie Tinsley, Chamber's Bay Real Estate, is in Maui for her son's wedding! It is so VERY exciting having our children marry and add more members to our families. AND grandchildren too.
Bonnie has 3 sons, and this will be her second daughter-in-law. I have 2 sons and will eventually have 2 daughter-in-laws. I keep waiting from my youngest son to get busy and get engaged! Any day now!
I recently rolled my 401k account into an rollover IRA. I did this in order to have control of my retirement investments outside of the basic 401k account. The basic 401k account only allows you to have your money in various Mutual Funds that are managed by the Mutual Fund Managers.
If you investigate your Mutual Funds, you will find that the funds are sometimes invested in company stocks for companies that not only you may not believe in, but are also companies that have nothing to do with the fund that you thought you were invested in.
So needless to say, I am working on my investments like it is a full-time job! I guess that is what we all should be doing to secure our future and retirement finances.
I know you are all waiting and wanting to know about my dog, Busy, the chocolate lab.
The verdict will be in next Tuesday, February 19th. Busy will see her vet, Dr. Smith, to determine whether the breeding that took place three weeks ago resulted in pregnancy.
Busy is a 3 year old lab. She is 68 lbs a short stocky lab with a beautiful face. Let's hope we have a positive result.
By the way, if you are a breeder and looking for an excellent vet with recognition in her specialty, please take time to meet Dr. Smith at the Pet Doctor in Lakewood, Washington.
Real Estate in Lakewood, Steilacoom, University Place, Tacoma, Pierce, Thurston, Clallam, military, families, relocation, real estate, for sale, buyers, sellers
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
;)
;)
