Kristian's Blog

LakeLand Village rambler

Kristian Schonberg (Windermere Peninsula Properties) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 18:55:20 -0600

This home has a great view of Mt. Rainier and Case Inlet. Only $269,000 for 1850 sq. ft.

LakeLand Village Mt. Rainier and Case Inlet Home

Kristian Schonberg (Windermere Peninsula Properties) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 18:49:44 -0600

Come see this three bedroom home with terrific views.

North Mason Football

Kristian Schonberg (Windermere Peninsula Properties) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 18:35:02 -0600

Here is my son playing with the North Mason football C team. They beat Sequim and Port Angeles to fininsh a successful season.

Spring Football Turnouts

Kristian Schonberg (Windermere Peninsula Properties) — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 17:58:13 -0500

Yes, folks, the football team of North Mason High School (the Bulldogs) under Coach Pugh is getting into shape for the fall season. The ninty degree temps make it a tough week for the team as they get toughened and into shape to take on all the opposition. This week and next will be light or no contact as they are running and learnig play execution, so we expect them to do well!

Heat Wave in Hood Canal and Case Inlet

Kristian Schonberg (Windermere Peninsula Properties) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:49:49 -0500

Yesterday and today, with temperatures reaching into the 90s around here, we have enjoyed swimming to cool down in both the lakes and the saltwater. Late yesteday afternoon, I drove my 2 sons to Stretch Island to beach comb and swim and noticed hundreds of seals on the north side chasing anchovies. With the spectacular Olympic Mountains, Mt. Rainier, and surrrounded by water, this area is the best in the world! We watched an eagle dive down to the water to catch a fish as we swam. We have great deals on this kind of property.

Five Acre Peaceful Building Site Available

Kristian Schonberg (Windermere Peninsula Properties) — Sat, 30 May 2009 15:44:43 -0500

This nice forested building lot is the perfect get-away to live and commune with nature. The land is located adjacent to a seaonal creek and is full of ferns, Douglas Fir Trees, cedar trees, and alders. A recent shortplat and survey have been done. For only $95,000, this is the beginning of a dream home. Only a few blocks from the water, there is a paintball park and Icelandic horse farm on the access road. Grapeview has a marina, boat launch, Stretch and Treasure Island, and encompassed Mason Lake. See more at www.kristianschonberg.com listing #29054750.

Market Report for North Mason County

Kristian Schonberg (Windermere Peninsula Properties) — Sat, 30 May 2009 15:23:51 -0500

Looking at the Northwest Multiple Listing statistics for North Mason on lower Puget Sound in Grapeview, Allyn, and Trails End and Mason Lake, I see that there are 19 pending propeties listed from $110,000 to $349,000. The average days on market is 225 days. There are 24 expired homes and 7 homes since April 1st. The days on market are 100 and the average price/sq. ft. is $155 per square foot overall. The average price was $263,000. Our market activity has increased with the increase in pending sales. I expect that the summer months will continue to see an increase in activity, but not an increase in sales of homes over $500,000. The highest priced sold home in this report was $521,250, a low bank waterfront Grapeview home.

Logging in LakeLand Village

Kristian Schonberg (Windermere Peninsula Properties) — Fri, 29 May 2009 18:42:40 -0500

When my neighbors decided to take down a few trees around the houses, it was a sight to see the loggers cutting the trees down in small sections after first limbing it on the trip up the tree. Once the wood was down came the hard job of cutting it up and stacking it for nice winter fires during the cold, snowy December and January days. Firewood heats you up 4 times!

Fishermans Terminal in Ballard

Kristian Schonberg (Windermere Peninsula Properties) — Fri, 29 May 2009 18:27:30 -0500

These are the halibut that I will be seeking on my trip to Alaska this summer, after we catch many thousands of sockeye salmon. It is great to take the Bremerton ferry across Puget Sound and see the pretty waterfront homes on Bainbridge Island as we cruise to Seattle. The price looks good for salmon, but halibut are down do to the slowed economy and restaurant sales. Now that fishing will soon be starting, I have 2 pending home sales and action is picking up in real estate. My partner Beth will take care of the office and transactions in my absence.

Reduced price on LakeLand Village listing

Kristian Schonberg (Windermere Peninsula Properties) — Wed, 13 May 2009 11:20:43 -0500

I have reduced the price of my listing at 61 E. Soderberg Rd. Allyn, WA 98524. This 3 bedroom home is a 1400sq. ft. rambler on the golf course in Division 12 with golf course views out the front and back. At $234,900, this home is selling for $167.00/sq. ft. Built by Eagle Homes in 1998, this home offers cathedral ceilings, a hot tub, soaking tub, large, open kitchen, and covered front and back decks.

North Mason Schools

Kristian Schonberg (Windermere Peninsula Properties) — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 17:50:34 -0500

Yes, we are at it again! The school programs will have to be cut (especially music and the arts) if we can not pass another $3Million levy ( only 50% vote required). The boiler at Hawkins needs replacing and there are required long term maintenance issues. If it does not pass, there will be 11 teachers and assistants dropped to cause more crowding to overcrowded classrooms. I will help with calling, sign waving and passing out liturature at Safeway for the next 3 weekends.

LakeLand Village Living in Springtime

Kristian Schonberg (Windermere Peninsula Properties) — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 17:36:07 -0500

Living in LakeLand Village in the Springtime!

Now that the weather is warming, morning runs or walks around LakeLand Village Golf and Country Club are more enjoyable. The cherry, apple, and peach trees are blooming, and even the rhododendrens are starting to bloom. We have enjoyed the Bistro Restaurant on the lake now that it is again open for lunch and dinner. The food is great! The lake has been stocked with trout again this year and folks are enjoying the fishing. Every day there are more golfers taking advantage of the sun and warmer weather to hone their skills and get some excercise. This is also the time of year to start mowing the lawns again! I have noticed that people are beginning to show up at my LakeLand Village home listing and we have seen some homes go into pending and sold status. This is very encouraging for the summer.

New Listing

Kristian Schonberg (Windermere Peninsula Properties) — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 10:42:27 -0500

Mynew listing in Grapeview is a great buy! The forested five acres is quiet and peaceful. A dream home here would provide close access to the Grapeview Marina, boat launch, and public beaches in the area. There has been an environmental study showing a seasonal creek on one edge of the property. Neighbors have an Icelandic horse farm. Some of the Douglas fir trees are commercial grade. See this land on Murray Road and Frontier Road intersection.

Fireproof

Kristian Schonberg (Windermere Peninsula Properties) — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 14:38:42 -0500

Last night, I went to our church, Belfair Community Baptist Church, in Belfair to see the movie

Fireproof. It will be shown at 7PM on Sat. the 18th for the public free! What a realistic story. There is

something in this movie that eveyone can relate too, and firefighters will really enjoy it. Come all. There

will be childcare for the young ones.

Tea Party April 15th

Kristian Schonberg (Windermere Peninsula Properties) — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 14:29:35 -0500

Yesterday afternoon, after registering online, I attended my first Tea Party. This one was held in Port Orchard at the intersection of Bethel and Lund. The Kitsap Sun reported that we had about 150 citizens participate in waving flags and signs in patriotic protest over the huge federal deficit and big government polices being implemented. Almost every driver that passed us indicated support for our efforts. I heard from a friend that there were over 6,000 people on the capital steps and grounds supporting the rally in Olympia. I took a few pictures to show everyone what they missed. It was great to see other residents of LakeLand Village on my corner and a great chance to visit and express concerns.

Yesterday I participated in my first Tea Party (taxed enough already).

Mt. Index

Kristian Schonberg (Windermere Peninsula Properties) — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 18:17:24 -0600

Living in Westen Washington is such a joy. In the winter months, our ski industry is running full tilt and I am up to Stevens Pass to teach skiing every weekend. On the way home, I caught some shots of Mt. Index. I know some friends who have actually climbed this peak!

Home tour 3/7/09

Kristian Schonberg (Windermere Peninsula Properties) — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 18:05:17 -0600

Today was a great day to tour waterfront homes on Case Inlet near Allyn and Grapeview, then a coffee break and over to Hood Canal. The buyers from Seattle were very impressed at the peaceful, beautiful beaches and waterfront homes we found in their price range of under $300,000. Right now you can get more for your money than before. The weather cooperated with just one hail/snow shower, but sun and pretty warm with white caps on the Canal. Stretch Island is a perfect get-away! We left at 9:30 and returned at 3:00, going up to Brinnon and Lilliwaup.

Ballard boat work

Kristian Schonberg (Windermere Peninsula Properties) — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 17:58:28 -0600

This week, I have been helping the crew of the Gulf Maiden get ready for the annual trip to Alaska to catch halibut and black cod. The 2 fishholds have been getting a new coating of fiberglass and gel coat, the new satellite compass was installed and connected to the auto pilot, 2 computers, 2 radars, and all networked and programmed to appear on the navigation screen. The dome had to be bolted on top of the highest point of the crosstree above the mast, a most delicate job. Here are some pictures of the Ballard Shell dock, Gulf Maiden, some Bristol Bay gillnetters, and our painting progress;

Nice day to work in the office and get on Facebook

Kristian Schonberg (Windermere Peninsula Properties) — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 12:33:01 -0600

While awaiting tomorrow's skiing trip to Stevens Pass, where there is a lot of new snow, I am working in the office and establishing a new Facebook account. I have already found a high school classmate, Bob Burns, who is an AP reporter working in DC. Meanwhile, I found a nice HUD home on Totten Shores on sale for only $94,500 today. With 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1400 sq. ft. it is a great price. Also, it is on a .5 acre lot and has a well and septic. It was built in 1996, a double wide Guerdon mobile home. There are others in Mason County near Hood Canal for as low as $50,000. Check out my site at http://kristianschonberg.com.

LakeLand Village Housing Market

Kristian Schonberg (Windermere Peninsula Properties) — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 09:42:48 -0600

Here is the Market report for LakeLand Village as of February 20, 2009: There are currently 32 homes active on the Northwest Multiple Listing Service in LakeLand Village, Allyn, Wa. Prices range from a bank owned home on Rainier Dr. for $179,900 to new large homes at $690,000. Since September, 12 homes have sold here. Price per square foot of sold homes remains at $165.00. An active golf course home listing I have on Soderberg is priced at $238,000, and is the 6th lowest priced home in LLV right now. If you need to sell now, I will be happy to provide a Free Comparable Market Report. Call or email me today.

Help our Schools, Share the North Mason Pride

Kristian Schonberg (Windermere Peninsula Properties) — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 18:07:42 -0600

Just a comment that our schools need our help! The buildings are in poor repair, the books are old and falling apart, and the schools in the Allyn and Belfair area are deteriorating. Let's all lend a hand and make our community better. This is certainly a quality of life in our area issue. Go see the video at www.yesnmschools.org and get involved!

Real Estate Action In New Year with New Snow

Kristian Schonberg (Windermere Peninsula Properties) — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 09:53:18 -0600

Happy New Year Everyone from Puget Sound, WA. (Hood Canal and Case Inlet)! School in North Mason and Grapeview is 2 hrs. late, so we stayed up late and built a snowman. My 8th grade sun found the pinecones for the mouth and eyes. Today is warmer and the snow is going fast.

On the real estate action, I am working this week with 3 buyers. All are looking to get a great buy on a home or land which is either a short sale or a foreclosure. I expect to write at least 1 offer this week, the first since November. To keep updated on the market, I check out the latest bank owned listings and keep in touch with lender services. One five acre riverfront parcel is being reduced to $45,000! I have also just listed a home on the LakeLand Village Golf Course Division 12 (the new division) in Allyn,WA for $238,000. This is a 3 bedroom 2 bath contemporary home situated on a teebox with a great view down the fairway! Included is the golf cart and hot tub. Soon I will have a brokers' open house to show it off.

The national news this morning explained that buyers should take warning and plan to buy and hold a home for the next 2-5 years. A strategy of flipping a home quickly may not work well in the market right now. Take care not to get into payments of 50% of your income or more because so many people have run into trouble making the payments. The housing crisis may be lessening, but it is not over yet. Luckily in the Seattle market, with strong employment, home prices have only fallen 10% in 2008, which is much better than San Francisco's 30% drop. Stay tuned for more.

Mason County Tax Sale

Kristian Schonberg (Windermere Peninsula Properties) — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 13:36:25 -0600

Yesterday morning,my friend Doug and I went to Shelton to enjoy the Mason County Treasurer tax auction. There were 10 properties on the list. The sale started promptly at 9. Thinking that there would be few people there with cash or a cashiers check, I had my cash roll ready to find a steal on a Shorecrest or Phillips Lake lot (across rd. from the lake). Unfortunately, both lots went for $6500, more than I chose to pay. About 40 buyers were there and most had quite a bit of cash available. One 10 acre piece went for $19,900 off Wallace-Kneeland Blvd. Someone got a steal on that commercial zoned property.

Living and enjoying life in Allyn, WA.

Kristian Schonberg (Windermere Peninsula Properties) — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 19:04:12 -0600

Now we are in the advent season and the weather is cooler, but today the sun shone on the water and we had blue skies. Here we enjoy so many recreational activities all year long. Our scenery is unbeatable and the Puget Sound waterfront living is like nothing else. Where else can you sail, kayak, row, play golf and ski all through the winter?

Real estate prices are better than ever and the interest rates are in the mid five percent range. Come and enjoy the best lifestyle anywhere!

Christmas Tree Sales in Belfair, WA

Kristian Schonberg (Windermere Peninsula Properties) — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:40:10 -0600

Today I was in Belfair, WA and saw a new business. These are pictures of Christmas trees being sold by Fred in the China Palace parking lot. The trees are Noble fir of stunning quality grown just down the road by Jay and Susie Allen. Since we live in the Christmas Tree Capital of the world, this is a common sight in December. The lot is located just south of our Windermere Peninsula Properties Belfair office and just north of Belfair Community Baptist Church, where Fred is donating 10% of sales for our benevolence fund to help local needy families and people. Anyone who wants a terrific tree and wants to help locals, here is a great place to help out and get the best tree. If you need free real estate advice, come on over!

Windermere Peninsula Properties office next door. Come on in.