North Kitsap Closings: Nov 8-15

Market action continues at a slug's pace. The only Silverdale home to close took over 32 months from original listing date to selling date--and look at the selling price! Poulsbo improved from last year's week, Silverdale kept pace with last year. Bainbridge very slow.

If you would like the details of the home that sold in your neighborhood, email me.

North Kitsap Closings: Nov 1-7

With the exception of Kingston, activity was up sharply this week over the same period last year. Expect more as pending sales close in time for the original tax credit deadline. 

If you're interested in the details of the home that sold your neighborhood, email me.

Almost nothing annoys me more than the Fox NFL robot. It dehumanizes the players.

But I think it's doing more than that. I'm concerned with the increasing number of injuries, from Pop Warner football all the way through the NFL.

The most serious of these injuries are clearly the result of collisions. The collisions are encouraged by the increased sophistication of the equipment worn by these athletes. The more protection they are wearing, the more they believe they can play with "reckless abandon."

The recent controversy over Alzheimers and dementia resulting from concussions suffered up to forty years previous has brought a promise by organized football to improve the design of the helmets.

But let's consider another approach. Instead of improving the armor, let's take the armor away. Rugby and Australian football is every bit as exciting as American football, but the incidence of serious injury is far lower. If today's players were limited to high tech shoes and minimal protection (yes--leather helmets), I guarantee that there would be fewer concussions.

Nothing else would change (except the shapes of the players, which would appear more human and less Transformerish). The skills (blocking, tackling, running, throwing, catching) would still obtain. Oh, and their life expectancy might improve.

What do you think?

The market is improving in North Tacoma! More homes closed in less time.  The average selling price was less, but that is clearly the result of more realistic listing prices.  Expect an increase in transactions this month as the deadline for the first-time homebuyers tax credit (November 30) approaches.

If you'd like details of the home that sold in your neighborhood, email me.

I was chatting with  Karl Buchmeier this week about insurance matters and asked him to share a story about why health insurance is valuable. 

Last November Jim, a 42-year-old general contractor from Port Orchard, met with Karl to explore health insurance options.  Jim had no coverage at all.  He chose a high-deductible plan with a monthly premium of $160. In February, after suffering for several weeks with an intense headache, Jim went to the doctor.  A series of tests revealed a large and growing brain tumor.
Jim immediately went into surgery but it did not go well.  Another surgery was performed in March, and then again in June. 

Finally in mid July, Jim learned that he was going to be okay.  But the good news had some bad mixed in. Jim's medical bills exceeded $800,000 dollars, of which all but $80,000 was covered. 

Jim called to complain about the uncovered amount.  Karl advised him to plead hardship. He did, and the remaining bills were written off.

For $540 in premiums, Jim received $800,000 in benefits and kept his business and his home.

This is not a typical case, of course. but you never know what might happen.  I know Karl and recommend his services.

I have a close friend who passionately declares that all chiropractors are quacks. I'm writing this to tell you he's wrong--at least in one instance.

From time to time I hope to recommend Tacoma professionals, restaurants, films, etc. I'm recommending a health care professional--George ("Dr. George") Keogh at Proctor Chiropractic. I've been seeing Dr. Geogh for three months now--he's removed my chronic back pain and taught me a great deal about causes and remedies.

Dr. George is a well-educated, caring professional who goes beyond the expected manipulation. He cares about the whole person, not just about the spine.

I'm putting my own reputation on the line here by recommending him so highly. When the need arises, please make an appointment for a consultation. I think you'll be as pleased as I am.

Market activity very slow, with fewer homes closed this week than last year's comparable period.  If you are interested in the sellling details of the home that sold in your neighborhood, email me.

Rumors that Realtors are leaving the profession in droves to take salaried positions, thus leaving homeowners at the mercy of legal sharks, are completely unfounded. We continue in our optimism that, as in the past, the market will turn around.