Rights vs. Responsibilities - 02/29/08 07:26 PM

So often I hear agents blaming other agents, buyers blaming sellers, sellers blaming buyers, loan officers get blamed by everyone, and so on and so forth.  What am I getting at here?  I'm afraid that in our society, many people have become more focused on their rights and what they feel they deserve than on their responsibilities. 
This isn't a religious blog, but we had an interesting teaching in our church a few weeks ago that focused on the very popular passage in Colossians 3 ("wives, submit to your husbands, husbands love your wives").  The main point was that often times this passage … (4 comments)

Gig Harbor Open Houses - 02/29/08 02:37 PM
Here's the weekly look at Gig Harbor's open houses for this weekend.  Not too long ago open houses were beginning to fade away, as they were simply a tool for real estate agents to get more customers.  Now, as the Gig Harbor real estate market shifts, open houses are becoming a more useful tool in getting your home sold.  Especially as our weather here in Gig Harbor gets nicer, more and more people will be out touring. 
As always, this list is taken from the NWMLS.  Info is reliable but not guaranteed.  If you know of a house that will be held … (0 comments)

Gig Harbor's public transportation - 02/28/08 03:12 PM
Many folks moving to Gig Harbor, or thinking of moving to Gig Harbor, often have questions about our transportation system.  Many who are considering buying a home in Gig Harbor will be working in Seattle or Tacoma, and want to know what the commute will be like. 
I've never ridden the public transit system in Gig Harbor, so I'd love to hear from those of you who have.  I know that there are several options, ranging from Park and Rides to Van Pools to buses to trains to ferries.  I'm just not sure which is the easiest and cheapest.  I know that … (1 comments)

Gig Harbor's Galaxy Theater and more Nearing completion - 02/27/08 07:55 PM
Gig Harbor's Uptown Center is getting further and further along.  I didn't really want to say this, for fear that my wife would read it, but Ann Taylor Loft is now open in Gig Harbor.  I'm going to have to sell a few more houses to support her Ann Taylor habit.  Actually, I'm quite fortunate in that my wife, while she enjoys shopping, is extremely thrifty and is a great deal-seeker. 
In addition to the opening of Ann Taylor, Gig Harbor's new Galaxy Theater is set to have their grand opening on Friday, March 7th.  They are offering the first 500 guests a … (1 comments)

Gig Harbor's best home buy? - 02/27/08 03:02 PM
Are you looking to move to Gig Harbor?  Want a home that's in a neighborhood, but still private?  You want to be close in to downtown Gig Harbor?  Do you need a large house?  Maybe you like gardening, playing in the yard, or just lounging in your hot tub.  Pretty sure you can't get all of this for a decent price?
I have the home for you!  How about a nearly 2700 square foot, 4 bedroom, 3 full bath home that sits on 1.15 acres?  There's also an office, a photo dark room, and  a bonus room currently set up as a … (0 comments)

Gig Harbor High School and Peninsula High School spring sports are starting! - 02/26/08 04:51 PM
Before I entered the world of real estate, I taught math for 7 years and was the head track and field and cross country coach at Life Christian Academy in Tacoma, WA.  Coaching cross country was a lot of fun, but it was a completely anonymous sport, and we were up against football and cheerleading so it was tough to get the good athletes out.
Track and field was different.  The first day of practice marked the first day of spring, in my book.  Yes, it was often cold and rainy or sleeting, but it meant that warm weather and the end of school … (1 comments)

The truth about Gig Harbor's weather - 02/25/08 05:47 PM
I frequently get emails and phone calls from folks who are considering a move to the Gig Harbor area.  One of the most common reservations is the weather.  I can't begin to count the number of times I've heard, "Isn't it always rainy in Gig Harbor?"  If by always you mean sometimes, or by rainy and gray you mean sunny and blue, then sure.  Take the past 6 days, for example.  Bright sunshine, blinding blue skies, and temps in the mid to high 50's.  Gorgeous.  Not normal, but gorgeous.
So what is normal?  You can check here for statistics, but I prefer to … (6 comments)

Can I trust you, Mr. Realtor? How can it always be a good time to buy? - 02/24/08 01:42 PM
Some websites have fancy segments like "Wealth-building Wednesdays" or "Fun Fridays" or "Tasty Tuesdays."  I'm going to make today "Story-time Sunday."  I doubt this will be a weekly thing, as stories take a lot of work.  But...I'm feeling inspired.  Enjoy.
Irving Elleson was a very smart, practical young man.  He had just graduated from Seattle U with a degree in Economics, he watched CNN and CNBC religiously, and took everything his professors and the talking heads on CNN said as gospel truth.  He liked quoting theories and using the glossary from the back of his econ book when he talked with people.
Like … (4 comments)

What is your home...really? - 02/23/08 11:36 AM
I need to stop getting so caught up in these online forums that I read.  I just can't believe how negative some people are about everything.  I'm not an outwardly giddy type of person, but some of these folks must just be miserable.  I jumped into the online world with the idea of providing information about my community to those who may want to move here and to those who already love it here.  I need to get back to that and away from arguing with folks about whether or not the economic sky is really falling.  Let me make one quick … (3 comments)

Gig Harbor Open Houses - 02/22/08 04:49 PM
Are you thinking of moving to Gig Harbor?  Maybe you're just visiting Gig Harbor and think touring some homes sounds like fun.  Or maybe you're a Gig Harbor resident and you want to compare your home to other homes that are for sale in the area.  Whatever the case, here is the list of this weekend's open houses. 
Buying a home is a huge decision.  You'll want to make sure that you have a professional in your corner who can help guide you along the way.  I can help you with the purchase of any of these homes listed here, as well … (0 comments)

Slow Down! Enjoy a walk in Gig Harbor, Washington - 02/18/08 09:37 PM

I don't know why I get such a kick out of this photo, but it cracks me up.  I was walking with Sebastian through Canterwood Golf and Country Club yesterday, and when I got about 20ft away, this radar actually picked up my speed!  Since nobody was around, I kept going back and forth, trying to see how high I could get it.  At one point, I had it up to 12MPH, but it's really tough to take a clear picture at those speeds.  I could have gone faster, but Seb's getting old (if you believe that one...).
This afternoon the whole … (4 comments)

Weekly Gig Harbor Real Estate Update - 02/18/08 05:18 PM
For my weekly look at the Gig Harbor real estate market, I wanted to revisit the absorption rate of houses for sale in the area.  As a reminder, the absorption rate measures how long it will take for our current home inventory to be completely sold, or absorbed.  To calculate this number, we take the current number of homes for sale in Gig Harbor, and divide that by the number of houses selling each month. 
Currently there are 572 homes for sale in Gig Harbor.  Over the past 3 months, we are averaging 24 home sales per month (only 20 homes sold … (3 comments)

Gig Harbor, WA Open Houses - 02/15/08 08:20 PM
Here is the weekly look at the open houses you'll find in Gig Harbor this weekend. 
If you would like more information on ANY of these homes, I'd be happy to provide it for you.  If you are looking to relocate to Gig Harbor, or simply purchase a new home in the Gig Harbor area, I'd love to show you what services I can provide.
*This list of open houses is taken from the NWMLS.  Information is reliable but not guaranteed.  If your home is open this weekend but you don't see it on this list, contact your real estate agent.
… (0 comments)

What does community really mean? - 02/13/08 08:53 PM
My goal is to promote the community of Gig Harbor.  I want people to get a good understanding of all the good that goes on here.  The link below is a recent news story featuring a Keller Williams agent from Tacoma, as well as the Gig Harbor Keller Williams' Operating Principal.  It's a great example of what community is.  In the interview, Mike Bastian makes a very profound statement that really grabbed me.  See if you can guess what statement I find the most profound.
Enjoy the video.
… (3 comments)

Gig Harbor, WA open houses - 02/08/08 09:56 PM
Here is the list of open houses in Gig Harbor for this weekend.  If you'd like a list of opens for Tacoma, Port Orchard, or Key Peninsula, please contact me and I'll get that right out to you!
 This information is taken from the NWMLS and deemed reliable.  I am not the listing agent of all of these homes, but as a Realtor am able to show you and represent you in the purchase of any of these homes.  If you see some homes you like, and are interested in buying a home in Gig Harbor, please feel free to contact me.
… (0 comments)

Relocating to Gig Harbor, WA - 02/06/08 08:54 PM
Are you considering relocating to Gig Harbor, Port Orchard, or the surrounding area?  Moves don't have to be intimidating, in fact, I think I can make moving to Gig Harbor quite easy.  First, you need to gather information.  Far too many people seem to bury their heads in the sand and try to avoid gathering facts.
Many of the online forums that I participate in seem to be flooded with people who have grown tired of the home search process, and it often seems as though real estate agents are to blame.  Three times in the past two weeks real estate agents … (0 comments)

Helping Love, INC in Pierce County, WA - 02/02/08 01:26 PM
Later this month, a group of folks from Believer's Fellowship church here in Gig Harbor will be setting out to renovate a barn at Love, INC's headquarters in Puyallup, WA.  Love, INC's mission is to "mobilize the Church to transform lives and communities In the Name of Christ." 
One thing that Love, INC does is provide families who have lost everything to a flood or a fire, or someone who abandoned all they had to flee an abusive relationship, with new furniture for their home.  The furniture is not really new, but to someone who has literally nothing, gently used furniture can be an amazing … (3 comments)

This weekend's open houses in Gig Harbor, WA - 02/02/08 10:01 AM
Following is a list of open houses for the Gig Harbor area this weekend.  For more information on any of these homes, driving directions, etc, please feel free to contact me.  While I am not the listing agent for all of these homes, as a Realtor it is my job to know these houses and show them to prospective buyers.  It is interesting to note that 17 of the 24 open houses this weekend are listed by Keller Williams agents.  You can swing by our office at 11515 Burnham Drive to pick up a Keller Williams open house packet, or simply use the … (0 comments)

 
Contact Rainmaker_large

Matt Thomson Gig Harbor, WA Real Estate & Relocation

Gig Harbor, WA

More about me…

Managing Broker/Owner--Keller Williams Realty

Office Phone: (253) 851-0748

Cell Phone: (253) 655-7595

Email Me



Listings

Links

Archives

RSS 2.0 Feed for this blog