This is a great article. We all need to pay close attention to lending these days. A Realtor who deals with these issues ever day is your best source to ensure that you know where you stand.

It is common to see the words "apparent owner of record" followed by ET TAL. Did you ever wonder what the letters were referring too?

ET means -and

UX means- Wife

VIR- means Husband

TAL- means Others

I thought you may like to know the Mystery of the letters the next time you look at a legal description. It can be fun to know a little something that most people don't.

Now you are ready for Jeopardy!

 I shared earlier the video from the Polar Plunge in 2010.This is the Polar Plunge from 2009. I am looking forward to seeing what they all come up with for 2011. This is a not to miss event if you live in the Allyn, Belfair, or Grapeview area. The money raised benefits the Boys and Girls club!

We did it! Once again Windermere Peninsula Properties sent an Agent into the Frigid North Bay waters for a great cause...The Boys and Girls club.

If you don't beleive me watch this video from you tube... The Polar Plunge!

Catch it all again next year as those in our community dive into Case Inlet in January to make a difference for our kids. If you have not stopped by to see all that our local Boys and Girls club has to offer please do so. They are making a difference in our community one smiling child at a time!

So my brand new (actually just over 1 year old) washer locked last night and won't open. My dryer door is being held together with duct tape, and I am mad.

After recently upgrading to these appliances to save on power and water they both fell apart. So in this day of Social networking I sent the message out to all of my Friends on Facebook warning them not to buy Maytag.

A lot of them responded to my frustration and gave me great advice. The message that really got my attention was not from a friend but from Maytag.

Within hours of my post I had a response from the company themselves...before I called them! For all of you who may be doubting how effective this Social Networking thing is this is proof that we are on to something.

I am also getting great results for open houses and new listings. People don't always post comments but they are watching and reading. And in my case trying to shut me up by fixing the problem!

Where have manners gone? I am not old by any means but I remember my mother teaching me proper phone etiquette.

1. Announce who you are when you answer the phone.

2. Ask the caller to hold as you collect the requested person. Do not tell the caller that the individual is in the bathroom, showering, or any other private act.

3.Do not yell for the person requested.

4.Do not call after 7:00 at night.

5. Keep it brief. I had a 10 minute limit...It sucked!

6. When making calls do not ask the person answering the call who they are before you tell them who you are.

7. Ask if they will take a message...do not demand it.

8. Do not call repeatedly.

9. Calls are for appointments to talk in person. Do not share everything on your mind. You need to be able to see the other persons body language while sharing important information.

10. Do not call Canada and tell you Mom that it is free because you "think" it is. Check it out first. You may be racking up a $1,200.00 phone bill while babbling about cute boys. Your mother may faint when she get the bill and the best you will get is grounded for the rest of your life...MEGAN!

One of the first things that buyers look for in a new home are the amenities. So it comes to reason that the first thing that you want to mention when you are marketing are the "Features" and amenities of the home.

What it really boils down to however, are the benefits. Benefits are the result of "Features." A walk score is a benefit, just as the schools graduation rates, and local fire department's response times.

If we focus on marketing the benefits and sharing the details of what makes our community or homes great we are delivering a value that speaks far more to our buyers than mere features in a listing could ever do.

Know your market. Know why people buy in your market and why they call your neighborhood home over other neighborhoods in a given area. When you know these secrets you will have unlocked the key to selling homes to people who can see their true value!

Everyone loves to see a tree with piles of presents underneath.Most of us can agree that it is better to give than receive...that is until it is time to clean up. All of those gift come with a lot of packaging and a lot of wrapping.This can lead to a lot of trash..literally TONS of it!

So what can we do next year to reduce some of this and still enjoy mountains of gifts? We can be selective when we purchase wrapping paper. If it feels like paper you can recycle it if is resembles foil it is garbage. Bags are a great alternative and like bows and ribbons can even be reused. There are a lot of great ways to make a big difference and make clean up quick and easy.

I have provided a link to your local area in Western Washington when you can find even more great info.

• City of Seattle
• City of Tacoma
• King County
• Pierce County
• Snohomish County
• Kitsap County
• Skagit County
• Whatcom County
• Thurston County
• Mason County
• King County Green Holidays

Why use Social Networking?

Social networking is a new media for business that is catching on at a rapid pace. Most people in the beginning questioned the relevance. They ask, "What can it do for my business". Some wonder if a tool that is free, readily available, and easy to use has some sort of a catch. The truth is that it does...It catches business.

Social networking is an easy way to promote yourself as the expert in your field and it can be used in any field. It is a way to get in touch with people you do not talk with that often and it is a way to open a door that you may not have accessed in a while.

Facebook is a tool that I like to utilize. Not only have I found lost friends and family but I have been able to reconnect with clients from my past.

In 2006, I was working with a couple to buy a home in LakeLand Village. We looked at several, and had it narrowed down to one they loved. The day following our showing I followed up with them and was hoping to set up a time to write an offer. The call did not turn out as expected.

The phone rang for a while and when the husband answered I could sense that something was off in his voice and I could hear crying in the back ground. I was informed that their son had been killed the night before. What do you say to that? I spoke my condolences and kept in touch via mailers every so often.

This past year I found them on Facebook. We talked and they are once again looking for a home in LakeLand Village. He still needs to telecommute and our area is perfect for those who want to enjoy a beautiful rural setting and work from home.

I have also met other Agents that through building a relationship online have referred clients to me. Social Networking can be the key to a very successful business. While social networking is a great tool it should not be the only one in your tool box. Follow through and consistency are essential to achieving success. As in any marketing venture you will get out of it what you put into it.

We have reached a time once again in our nation that we must stand up to what is going on all around us. Most of us can say that we would like things to be different, that times are tough and that once again we are going to be calling on our children to pay off a debt that they did not create. There are those among us who are not just speaking out, but are stepping up. They have decided to put their lives on hold for the greater good of us all. One of them is Daniel Glen Griffey.

December 15th, 1970 Dan Griffey was born in Bremerton, Washington to Delmer and Barbara Griffey. The Griffey's had another son Dennis who excitedly welcomed Dan. Referred to by Dennis as Daniel Boone Dooner. The boys were 7 years and 5 days apart, but friends for life. Daniel's sister Jennifer was born just 11 month later. Always just his age for a few weeks a year.

The Griffey's lived in Allyn, Washington in Mason County. In fact most of the extended family lived in houses right next door to the Griffey's home. When In Allyn, even to this day it is hard to run an errand without running into one of Dan's relatives, or lifelong family friends.

Dan's father Del was born in Oklahoma. Del's mother was Cherokee Indian and his father Irish. They relocated the family to Washington when Del was very small. Dan's mother, Barbara was born in Washington while her father was a soldier during WWII. Dan and his Grandpa Gene were inseparable. His Grandpa delighted in taking the family on trips, especially to the old homestead in Montana. He also made sure they stopped by every historical site along the way. He also taught Dan to play the fiddle by ear. Dan's Grandmother, Dorothy still lives in the family home in Tacoma and they are very close.

Community spirit was very valuable to the Griffey's and they brought their children up helping serve the community where ever they could. The children sold booster buttons to help retain the bus services at North Mason School. They joined in many causes over the years, always there to lend a helping hand to a neighbor in need. There were times that they too were in need ,but they always managed to pull through. This taught the children valuable lessons in fiscal conservatism.

Dan's parents were both volunteer firefighters in the 1970's, again giving to the community where ever there was a need. Dan became a volunteer firefighter at the age of 16 and was even allowed to respond to calls from the school, as were a few of his closest friends.

Dan is a fiddler. He was one of the favorites to close the Old time Fiddlers show. He did this not only to honor the memory of his Grandfather but because he loved it, his Orange Blossom Special is his most requested.

Another way the Griffey's honored their commitment to the community was by preserving the past.Dan was a parliamentarian at the local highschool, and served on the board of the Mason County Historical Society . His parents are both still very active, and are instrumental in much of the organization's events. Dan's mother Barb, devoted to preservation of historical sites, is also member of the Allyn Historic Church- St. Hughes, where Dan was baptized. Built in 1909 it is a valued reminder and an icon in the community. 

The past is just as important as the present. Dan serves our community now as a professional firefighter and has since 1992. He has served as the Union President and Vice President. He is also a member of the Allyn Community Association. He is currently supporting the new trail system inviting all to access the beauty of the rustic Allyn waterfront.

Dan married Dinah Lee  Espedal in 1992, and they welcomed Alyssa Marie Lynn, the first of three daughters that winter, followed By Megan Marie in 1994 and Sarah Elizabeth Marie in 1997. They moved the family to Shelton in 1993 and then came home again to Allyn in 2005.

Having a passion for History Dan studied many of the great politician's of both our nation's past and  present. Finding that this great nation was not only founded by great men, but their ideas and methods were timeless and designed to carry this nation on in greatness as prescribed by The United States Constitution. Such inspiration took a hold of Dan and guided him in his decision to run for the State Senate. Dan felt obligated to extend the valuable lessons learned by his community service, knowledge, and hard work and to put them to an even greater use in public office.

 Once elected to the State House, Dan will continue his service to his community with a much farther reach, in hopes of encouraging a love for this state among the people and guiding our youth into opportunities for Washington's future.