Each month I publish a real estate market report for Kitsap County WA on my local blog, SOUNDBITEBLOG. It provides an analysis of the combined single-family home and condo market within Kitsap County, Washington for each particular month, including data for Bainbridge Island WA.

Included along with the relevant market statistics is my own personal take on the current markety dynamics/conditions.

In addition, I always provide engaging information that highlights our area and showcases all that Kitsap County WA has to offer.

This week, I share about the pending extension of the $8000 1st-Time Home Buyers Federal Tax Credit and where to find your 'Sushi' fix.

To access the latest market report, go to Kitsap County WA Real Estate Market Report for November 2009.

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Rich Jacobson is a licensed real estate professional providing knowledgeable empowerment and relentless representation for his clients of residential properties and vacant land throughout all of Kitsap County WA and portions of Pierce, Mason, and Jefferson Counties. You can also find him at KitsapLife.com, SOUNDBITEBLOG and Crabbing in the Hood, or e-mail:  kitsapagent@gmail.com

Now appearing at a Holiday Inn Holidome nearest you! A Ricky Ricardo Cover Act!

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Rich Jacobson is a licensed real estate professional providing knowledgeable empowerment and relentless representation for his clients of residential properties and vacant land throughout all of Kitsap County WA and portions of Pierce, Mason, and Jefferson Counties. You can also find him at KitsapLife.com, SOUNDBITEBLOG and Crabbing in the Hood, or e-mail:  kitsapagent@gmail.com

According to an article today on Forbes.com, it appears that the $8000 Federal Housing Tax Credit for First Time Home Buyers is very close to being extended!...

With everything else that's been going on out in Washington D.C. of late, i.e. massive debt to bailout Wall Street, dismal 'Cash for Clunkers' program, government take-over of Health Care, indecision on Afghanistan, etc., it's encouraging to see progress on legislation that is truly effective for a change, and makes a difference for taxpayers and the economy.

For additional coverage on this breaking story, go to the full article at SOUNDBITEBLOG (opens up into a separate window for your viewing ease)

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Rich Jacobson is a licensed real estate professional providing knowledgeable empowerment and relentless representation for his clients of residential properties and vacant land throughout all of Kitsap County WA and portions of Pierce, Mason, and Jefferson Counties. You can also find him at KitsapLife.com, SOUNDBITEBLOG and Crabbing in the Hood, or e-mail:  kitsapagent@gmail.com

Time to play "Follow the Leader!"....

"Moderation in All Things"

Terence - Roman comic dramatist (185 BC - 159 BC)

For those of you who are new to ActiveRain, Social Media, and blogging, one of the most difficult lessons to learn is the importance and discipline of balancing your online marketing efforts with your past, more traditional methods of promotion/business development.

In our industry, there is a natural tendency for people to become so caught up in the latest and greatest marketing craze, to the extent that they often neglect to continue doing those things which have worked effectively in the past.

Let's face it, accessing and utilizing Social Media tools, especially social networks like ActiveRain, can be fun and extremely addictive! And, the more addicting they become, the more time-consuming they become as well. Eventually, we end up expending a lot of time and effort that doesn't necessarily translate into increased business/revenue.

And isn't that really the reason you began your Social Media Adventure? Because someone told you that ActiveRain and blogging was the latest and greatest method for generating business and attracting potential clients?

Well, allow me to share just a few basic suggestions to help put your Social Media involvements into perspective:

Don't Throw the Baby Out with the Bath Water

Remember that Social Media (blogging, social networks) is simply one more tool in your marketing tool belt. Don't neglect those methods and practices you have used in the past to generate business and promote your services. While is could be argued that utilizing Social Media can be a more efficient and effective use of your time and energy, it should not replace those methods you've employed in the past. It should supplement and compliment them.

Be Deliberate and Disciplined

What are your goals for using Social Media? Develop a detailed and intentional Social Media marketing plan. What tools, platforms, applications will you use that will enable you to achieve your goals? Remember that the effective use of the right Social Media tools should SAVE you time, not rob you of your time. Schedule your Social Media involvements as part of your daily ritual and routine. Discipline yourself to stay within the allotted time-frames you establish.

Consistency is the Key

Whatever plan or schedule you determine, stick with it. Any meaningful kind of successful marketing effort takes time and consistency to be effective. This is especially true when it comes to blogging. In order to develop any traction with the search engines, and be 'found' by potential clients, you will need to regularly publish good, relevant content to your blog.

Pace Yourself

If you're new to ActiveRain, Social Media, or blogging, things can be a slight bit daunting and overwhelming. Take baby steps at first. Don't bite off more than you can chew. Trying to do too much at once will only leave you feeling frustrated and defeated. Do one thing at a time until you gain a sense of confidence and comfort. Then move on to the next thing.

I hope you've found these suggestions insightful. For more helpful information, check out the Blog Tips for Rain Drips Archive.

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Rich Jacobson is a licensed real estate professional providing knowledgeable empowerment and relentless representation for his clients of residential properties and vacant land throughout all of Kitsap County WA and portions of Pierce, Mason, and Jefferson Counties. You can also find him at KitsapLife.com, SOUNDBITEBLOG and Crabbing in the Hood, or e-mail:  kitsapagent@gmail.com

Maybe it's just a bad dream, a horrible nightmare, or worse, another badly produced installment of 'Saw' or 'Friday the 13th'!

But's it's the Halloween season on the spooky Kitsap Peninsula, and another one of my transactions has fallen prey to the "Curse of the VA Appraisal!".....

What began as a seemingly normal and relatively smooth contract between my Sellers and some wonderful Buyers, has suddenly spiraled into the deepest, darkest recesses of VA Hell...

To read the rest of the spine-tingling tale of VA terror, follow this link to SOUNDBITEBLOG (opens up into a new window for your viewing pleasure)

UPDATE:  I just received the following email from the Buyer's Lender that further re-states VA's extremely subjective and baseless requirement:

"Yes, I spoke to our underwriting manager and she said since the SAR (staff appraisal reviewer) ruled that the deck needed a rail in order to be in compliance with VA guidelines regarding Safe, Sound, and Sanitary conditions. I also spoke to the VA office in Denver and the gentleman I spoke with gave me pretty much the same answer. (except not so kind) I also asked both parties if this was documented anywhere and they said the section of the handbook addressing the Safe, Sound and Sanitary conditions would cover this issue."

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Rich Jacobson is a licensed real estate professional providing knowledgeable empowerment and relentless representation for his clients of residential properties and vacant land throughout all of Kitsap County WA and portions of Pierce, Mason, and Jefferson Counties. You can also find him at KitsapLife.com, SOUNDBITEBLOG and Crabbing in the Hood, or e-mail:  kitsapagent@gmail.com

Few things in life are better than watching your own kids participate in athletic competition.

Especially when their team wins!....

Alright, I know, winning isn't everything,.... but it sure beats losing!....

For the past several years, our youngest son, Luke, has played football. He was involved in our local Silverdale Pee Wee Football league for 3 years. In his last year, he was the starting quareterback.

When he played for Central Kitsap Junior High here in Silverdale WA, he was fortunate to earn the starting quarterback postion for both his 8th and 9th grade years.

Now in his first year at Central Kitsap High School, things are a bit different. The school is larger, there are more students, and sports are much more competitive. There are two teams - the Varsity Squad, and the Junior Varsity Squad. For the Varsity home games, everyone suits up and stands along the sidelines. But unless we're ahead by a gazillion points, the Senior and Junior starters are the only ones playing. At the Junior Varsity games, most of the remaining Juniors and Sophmores get the opportunity to rotate in.

And so it's been a year of change, struggle, and adjustment. Instead of being the primary 'Go-to-Guy' Luke has been relegated to the 3rd-string Sophmore dweeb back-up. In order to get more playing time, he's learned to play strong safety on defense. A few weeks ago, he scored his first high school touchdown when he recovered a blocked kick and ran it into the end zone.

Last week, while on defense, he intercepted a pass that set-up for a score. He later went in as quarterback and led the team down the field, where he threw his first high school touchdown pass!

Still, most of the time, he's either on defense, or watching someone else take the snaps.

We've had a number of great Father/Son conversations in the car on the way home after his games. I always try to say something encouraging and how proud I am of him. He's usually more concerned about whether or not I'm going to stop by Taco Bell.

Playing high school football is a lot like living life when you're grown up. It takes hard work to succeed. Things are rarely handed to you, you have to earn them through commitment and solid effort. Life isn't always fair. Sometimes you get passed over. Someone else gets promoted before you. You can become bitter and complain, or you can focus on becoming better. You learn the importance of contributing to the success of the team, rather than simply being concerned on what's in in for me.

But for now, I just enjoy watching my son play, and I'm proud of the man he's becoming.

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Rich Jacobson is a licensed real estate professional providing knowledgeable empowerment and relentless representation for his clients of residential properties and vacant land throughout all of Kitsap County WA and portions of Pierce, Mason, and Jefferson Counties. You can also find him at KitsapLife.com, SOUNDBITEBLOG and Crabbing in the Hood, or e-mail:  kitsapagent@gmail.com

Perception Versus Reality

I remember when I first began my career in real estate back in Lawrence, Kansas.

(Rockchalk, Jayhawk, GO KU!)

I was affiliated with Realty Executives/Hedges Real Estate, a franchise owned by Bryan and Laura Hedges, great friends and even better brokers. I had a wonderful experience there and it served as a solid foundation for the years ahead.

Follow the Leader

When you're a new agent, you seem to spend an inordinate amount of time observing what everyone else is doing. Right, wrong, or indifferent, we real estate folks have the habit of playing 'Follow-The-Leader' and simply mimick the behaviors and practices of those who have gone on before us. And many times, we make the mistake of trying to be something we're not.

Smoke & Mirrors

There was this agent in another office across town who appeared to be very successful, or at least, created that perception through her promotional advertising. She used glamor shots that would rival the air-brushed photos in Cover Girl. She took out ad space at the local theater, and before the previews would run, the audience would have the privilege of viewing her glorious visage plastered across the big screen.

Weird thing was, when I finally had the opportunity of meeting this agent in person, she actually bore very little resemblance to the image she had created and promoted. I remember feeling disappointed and slightly deceived. I learned then that perception can be reality, until such a time as reality contradicts perception.

Monkey See, Monkey Do

And so it is with blogging. When we first enter the social media fray, we lurk around conversations. As we feel braver, we add a comment or two to various threads. We spend time observing what others are doing - what they're writing about, how they convey themselves, how they format their blog, etc.. We then attempt to mirror the efforts and style of those who are seemingly successful. But eventually, we make the painful discovery that we're trying to be something or someone we're not.

Finding Your Voice

For beginning bloggers, it's usually referred to as 'finding your voice.' It's the journey that most of us are familiar with, a road we've traveled before. I call it the "3 P's of Conversational Blogging" - Personality, Perspective, and Passion. It's the process where you learn to comfortably communicate a sense of who and what you are through your writing. It's where the essence of what makes you different and unique is revealed in your blog posts.

Being Comfortable in Your Own Skin

And therein lies the real beauty and effectiveness of blogging as it relates to our real estate business. Do our clients and potential clients want hardcore real estate information? You bet! Do they want market conditions and statistics? Absolutely! Are they interested in currently available listings? Of course! But additionally, they want to know our convictions, our ethics, what distinguishes and sets us apart from the masses of other agents out there.

And they also want to know the 'real' you, the genuine you, the 'authentic' you.

When you are fortunate to finally meet-up with clients you've attracted through your blog, will they recognize you? Will your profile picture match-up accurately with what you look like today? When you speak to them, will your words and style be identical to what they've come to know about you through your blog? Or will they feel disappointed and deceived?

For more "Blog Tips for Rain Drips" go to the archive HERE.

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Rich Jacobson is a licensed real estate professional providing knowledgeable empowerment and relentless representation for his clients of residential properties and vacant land throughout all of Kitsap County WA and portions of Pierce, Mason, and Jefferson Counties. You can also find him at KitsapLife.com, SOUNDBITEBLOG and Crabbing in the Hood, or e-mail:  kitsapagent@gmail.com

One of my fave bloggers, Matt Gosselin, author of the book "My Blue Goose," just posted an inspiring vlog on his blogsite, 'Blog of Geese' that talks about the tendency in our current market for agents to sit back and wait for things to change. In other words, become comfortable and complacent, while other more agressive enterprising agents go out and find/capture the business.

Now is definitely not the time to hold back or become hesitant in our marketing efforts. Now more than ever, we need to be relentless and passionate in all that we do, and clearly distinguish ourselves from the masses!

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Rich Jacobson is a licensed real estate professional providing knowledgeable empowerment and relentless representation for his clients of residential properties and vacant land throughout all of Kitsap County WA and portions of Pierce, Mason, and Jefferson Counties. You can also find him at KitsapLife.com, SOUNDBITEBLOG and Crabbing in the Hood, or e-mail:  kitsapagent@gmail.com

My dear friend, Jeff Dowler, conveys some of the same sentiments many of us would agree with. ActiveRain was a life-changing dynamic in my RE business and served to foster hundreds of lifetime friendships....