South Sound Real Estate: Olympia, Shelton and all around

Horizon Pointe charmer with large yard ~ $260,000

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:17:02 -0600

Sarah Nopp | RE/MAX Professionals & Four Seasons | sarahnopp@remax.net | Primary: (360) 357-3336
Fax: (360) 357-8274

7116 Radius Lp SE

$260,000

Click here to view the full details of this property.

Year Built:	2006
County:	Thurston
Bedrooms:	3
Baths:	2.50
Sqr Footage:	2202
Garage Spots:	2.0
Garage Desc:	2.0 car garage attached
Subdivision:	Lacey - Horizon Pointe
MLS Number:	29155745

COMMENTS

The upgrades begin at the front door! Step inside to pretty wood entry floors & Craftsman style white painted millwork, including coffered ceilings in den, and in formal dining room. Spacious kitchen has maple cabinets, large island for gatherings and opens to living room with fireplace & mantle. Bonus room upstairs near all the bedrooms & laundry. And a big backyard, fully fenced! This home is being sold as-is. There's a lot more to tell you about, but we would rather show you!

ADDITIONAL FEATURES

Approximate Square Footage: 2202
HOA Dues: $37
Interior Features: Bath Off Master, Dining Room, Double Pane/Storm Windows, Jetted Tub, Security System
Appliances: Dishwasher, Microwave, Range/Oven
Site Features: Cable Television, Fully fenced, Gas available, RV Parking, Sprinkler system
Parking Features: Attached garage

Sarah Nopp
CRS
RE/MAX Four Seasons - Olympia
3009 Pacific Avenue SE
Olympia, 98501
Email: sarahnopp@remax.net

Primary: (360) 357-3336
Fax: (360) 357-8274

Office: 800-518-1104

View My Properties

$189,000 ~ Hawks Prairie rambler

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:00:16 -0600

Sarah Nopp | RE/MAX Professionals & Four Seasons | sarahnopp@remax.net | Primary: (360) 357-3336
Fax: (360) 357-8274

8735 Hawks Glen Lp SE

$189,000

Click here to view the full details of this property.

Year Built:	1983
County:	Thurston
Bedrooms:	3
Baths:	1
Sqr Footage:	1102
Garage Spots:	2.0
Garage Desc:	2.0 car garage attached
Subdivision:	Olympia - Hawks Prairie
MLS Number:	29158429

COMMENTS

Clean as a whistle! Lovingly maintained home minutes from I-5. You will love the large, fully-fenced yard with apple, pear & cherry trees & garden space. Immaculate, finished garage with workbenches. (Gas forced air furnace and central A/C too.) Nice big kitchen looks to backyard with covered patio. Enjoy the turn of the seasons from the charming window seat in large living room. A great location for anyone Ft Lewis bound, near all the new shopping in Hawks Prairie. No HOA dues!

ADDITIONAL FEATURES

Approximate Square Footage: 1102
Interior Features: Ceiling Fan(s), Double Pane/Storm Windows
Appliances: Dishwasher, Range/Oven
Site Features: Cable Television, Fully fenced, Gas available, Patio, RV Parking
Parking Features: Attached garage

Sarah Nopp
CRS
RE/MAX Four Seasons - Olympia
3009 Pacific Avenue SE
Olympia, 98501
Email: sarahnopp@remax.net

Primary: (360) 357-3336
Fax: (360) 357-8274

Office: 800-518-1104

View My Properties

Central Lacey WA Rambler- $199,000

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:02:19 -0500

Sarah Nopp | RE/MAX Four Seasons | 360-789-7898

5602 29th Ct SE, Olympia, WA

Single story starter!

3BR/2BA Single Family House

offered at $199,000

Year Built	1996
Sq Footage	1,223
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	2 full, 0 partial
Floors	1
Parking	2 Car garage
Lot Size	4,356 sqft
HOA/Maint	$12 per month

DESCRIPTION

A great opportunity in the small neighborhood of Hidden Oaks, just off Ruddell Rd in Lacey. One story home has been well maintained and is ready to be Your New Home!

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

- Central heat	- Fireplace	- High/Vaulted ceiling
- Walk-in closet	- Dishwasher

OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES

- Easy maintenance, fully fenced yard

- Vaulted ceilings & great room design

- Central location!

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Photo 1	Gas fplc, Vaulted ceiling
Open kitchen	Master bath

Contact info:

Sarah Nopp

RE/MAX Four Seasons

360-789-7898

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Oct 11, 2009, 5:38am PDT

Rambler in Countrywood- $370,000

Sun, 27 Sep 2009 12:13:39 -0500

Great opportunity in the popular Countrywood neighborhood in East Olympia!

5130 81st Ave SE, Olympia WA 98501
Offered at $370,000
4 bedrooms, with split bedroom plan
2.5 bath, including master bath with soaking tub
2320 square feet, plus 2 car garage on 0.39 acre lot

Flower gardens surround this open concept rambler. Vaulted ceilings with skylights bring in lots of light. Formal dining room, large kitchen with eating bar, separate laundry and a split bedroom floorplan. Home is set against the 80+ acre Community Owned forest land, next to the Chehalis Western Trail

Call or email with any questions:

Sarah Nopp & Cambria Miller, RE/MAX Four Seasons

Under $200k- just listed south of Tumwater!

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 23:41:46 -0500

Opportunity is Knocking!

Listed just in time if you are looking for the perfect home to qualify for the $8,000 First Time Buyer Tax Credit dates!

3 bedrooms
1 3/4 bathroooms
1377 square feet
.27 acre fenced yard
Tumwater School District
And so much NEW!

1325 88th Ave SE Olympia WA is offered for sale at the great price of $194,900.

Featuring new laminate wood floors in the living room and family room, a new roof, new 4 inch trim and 6 panel doors throughout, new carpets in the bedrooms, plus new paint inside & out, this home is ready to go. You will love the covered deck this fall when you are having your BBQs, and the mostly fenced yard is private with shed & well house.

Take a look at what you can get for a great price!

Listing agents:
Sarah Nopp & Cambria Miller, RE/MAX Four Seasons
Call or email for additional information.

Or click here for map and more photos.

Beautifully updated & Affordable

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 11:05:42 -0500

Sarah Nopp | RE/MAX Four Seasons | 360-789-7898

6100 Laguna Ln SE, Lacey, WA

Like New! Updated and charming inside & out

3BR/2.5BA Single Family House

offered at $189,950

Year Built	1991
Sq Footage	1,344
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	2 full, 1 partial
Floors	2
Parking	2 Car garage
Lot Size	.06 acres
HOA/Maint	$57 per month

DESCRIPTION

Like new home in central Lacey neighborhood The Park, complete with clubhouse & pool. Home is set on private road, against St Martin Park.
Come see what a lovely home you can enjoy for a affordable price!

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

- Walk-in closet	- Hardwood floor	- Tile floor
- Living room	- Dishwasher	- Refrigerator
- Stove/Oven	- Laundry area - inside	- Balcony, Deck, or Patio

COMMUNITY FEATURES

- Garage parking

- Clubhouse

- Swimming pool(s)

OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES

- You will be delighted with all the lovely updates throughout!

- Beautiful bamboo floors throughout the main floor.

- Tile floors, counters & backsplash in the open style kitchen.

- Tile floors & trim in the updated bathrooms.

- New carpets, doors, trim & more!

- Freshly painted inside & out.

- Newly landscaped a 6 foot privacy fencing.

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Photo 1	Photo 2
Photo 3

Contact info:

Sarah Nopp

RE/MAX Four Seasons

360-789-7898

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Sep 23, 2009, 7:53am PDT

Join me for Open House in South Bay today

Sun, 09 Aug 2009 14:32:06 -0500

OPEN HOUSE

Sunday, August 10th, 1 pm to 4 pm.

3620 Sleater Kinney Rd NE, Olympia WA 98506
1920 square foot rambler
4 bedrooms
2 bathrooms
0.92 acre lot
Built in 2003

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PHOTOS AND MAP HERE

Large and well built open concept rambler w/ room to play. Large and inviting entry, vaulted ceilings, open and light kitchen with great gathering space. 4 bd 2 ba 1920 sq. ft. home all on one shy, fully fenced acr. Garage has partially converted space for extra room or office. Back yard is large,flat and big enough to build shop. Jonagold and gravenstein apple and Red Maple and Dogwood trees. Includes 10x12 storage shed. Seller will leave John Deere riding lawn mower with accepted offer.

OFFERED AT $321,000

DIRECTIONS:
From I-5, take Martin Way Exit and head west. Turn North on Sleater Kinney to home on right- it is directly across from South Bay Elementary ball field. Look for cedar fence with RE/MAX Balloons.

Hosted by Sarah Nopp, RE/MAX Four Seasons.
360-789-7898

Do something about taxes!

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 22:50:19 -0500

Everyone likes to complain bout taxes. Yes? (Who said No! Now is the day for you to get a job and start paying them.)

My question:

How many people really do something about taxes? Who can say "I made a Stand!" "I let my voice be heard!"

And who can say "I did it with grace, humor and I respected my fellow human."

I have no clue...

I don't even know if it is possible.

(In fact, if you start talking taxes at me I am likely to cringe in horror, my eyebrow will raise, I will slowly start backing away and will make a really clumsy excuse to leave the conversation area.)

But that is beside the point. Actually, all those questions are rhetorical. I don't actually care.

My POINT was that I needed to go blah-blah-blah for a bit so I could post this picture:

I hope it made you smile :)

If you would like to see if in real life, you will need to visit Shelton Washington and have a scoop of ice cream at this place:

The Olympic Station Deli, sister shop to the Olympic Bakery near Spencer Lake.

This newish location is on Hwy 3, right in downtown Shelton.

I recommend the always amazing and delicious Olympic Mountain Ice Cream

This is the same amazing, foodgasm inducing treat I went on & on about at this other blog post.

TMI?

And don't forget to have a cup of coffee, maybe a fresh rugelach. You will definitely need to pick up some freshly baked sourdough rye. And maybe an eclair for the road?

And of course a laugh at the 6 foot tall pig.

Because no matter your political leanings, it sure strikes a certain note.

And all we can really do is grin and bear it :)

SOLD: near The Evergreen State College

Sun, 26 Jul 2009 14:31:53 -0500

Sarah Nopp | RE/MAX Professionals & Four Seasons | sarahnopp@remax.net | Primary: (360) 357-3336
Fax: (360) 357-8274

3224 Overhulse Rd NW

$274,900

Click here to view the full details of this property.

Year Built:	1962
County:	Thurston
Bedrooms:	3
Baths:	1.75
Sqr Footage:	1185
Garage Spots:	3.0
Garage Desc:	3.0 car garage attached
Subdivision:	Olympia - Cooper Point
MLS Number:	29102410

COMMENTS

Lovely forested parcel in NW Olympia 2 blocks from The Evergreen State College. Solid older home with 3+ bedrooms, lots of parking and its own septic & well for low utility bills. Excellent investment opportunity, with nearly 5 acres zoned for low density used. Or just enjoy the beautiful forest! Trails lead from the back door and there is plenty of room for a garden. Private location, set back from the road. Bank owned, sold As-Is. Please verify all information to your satisfaction.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES

Approximate Square Footage: 1185
Interior Features: Double Pane/Storm Windows
Appliances: Dishwasher, Dryer, Range/Oven, Refrigerator, Washer
Site Features: Boat House, Gas available, Outbuildings, RV Parking
Parking Features: Attached garage

Sarah Nopp
CRS
RE/MAX Four Seasons - Olympia
3009 Pacific Avenue SE
Olympia, 98501
Email: sarahnopp@remax.net

Primary: (360) 357-3336
Fax: (360) 357-8274

Office: 800-518-1104

View My Properties

$37,000 for acre outside Shelton

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:09:37 -0500

Sarah Nopp | RE/MAX Four Seasons | 360-789-7898

Christian Ln, Shelton, WA

Forested, private & peaceful!

0.98 acres Vacant Land

offered at $37,000

Lot Size

0.98 acres

DESCRIPTION

Beautiful, quite, usable forest. Nearly one acre of sloped land waiting for your dream home. Lots of choices for your homesite, with the best choice at back.

see additional photos below

LOCATION FEATURES

• 15 minutes from Shelton

• Electric & Broadband at site

• Forested with a gentle slope

• No CC&Rs!

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Photo 1	Photo 2
Photo 3	Photo 4

Contact info:

Sarah Nopp

RE/MAX Four Seasons

360-789-7898

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Jul 9, 2009, 9:47am PDT

I feel bad for Buyers

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 23:36:11 -0500

I feel bad for Buyers.

Why? Because they believe all the hype about the "Buyer's Market".
They expect to find the deal of the century, with all their closing costs paid, there will be absolutely no deferred maintenance, it is painted & has all the appliances and they will have plenty of time to choose from the huge number of homes available.

The reality in my recent experience is quite different:
First time buyers have a LOT of competition right now. Homes under $200,000 are getting multiple offers (I know of one bank owned ficer that had 20 offers!). Pretty homes are getting offers in the first few days on the market.
And Seller's whose homes are getting this kind of response are resistant to making huge concessions.

I think the problem really comes from Language: the term Buyer's Market, or even worse, The Market.

"The Market" may be considered as a whole for averaging and trending. But it give s a very non-specific picture to buyers who have specific needs- beds, baths, square footage and PRICE. "The Market" for waterfront homes with over 3,000 square feet on acreage is incredibly different from "The Market" for entry level 3 bed, 1 bath homes near I-5.

Here is what I mean:

For all of Thurston County (as of June 5, 2009)

Active Homes: 1,638
Pending Homes: 680
6 months of Sold Homes: 1,097
Expireds/Cancelleds Homes (6 months): 1237
Days on Market Average: 104

This translates to about 9 months of inventory; square in the Buyer's Market territory as far as the statistics go. (A 6 month inventory level is considered a Balanced Market, with even Supply/Demand) But this covers the entire range of availability- which is way too broad for a clear picture of what is happening.

Sold Price Range: $57,000 to $850,000
Average Sold Price: $264,223
Days on Market Range: 0 to 981

See? That kind of range tells me nothing for the specific client I am helping.
In order to get a sense of what is going on for actual buyers who have really specific needs (like price) we have to narrow in.
Anecdotally, we know that the homes at the lowest price range sell faster with higher demand. But what part of the county? And what is entry level?

Let's imagine a pretty typical first time buyer for the Olympia/Lacey/Tumwater area.
They want to look for a home under $200,000 but are willing to consider up to $225,000 since that is an affordable monthly payment for a 2-income family.
They also need to be close in to the city to be able to get to schools and job, plus easy access to the freeway to get to Fort Lewis.
This puts them in the north half of Thurston County.

That is a pretty vague picture.
But take a look at the results:

Active: 178
Pending: 193
Sold (6 months): 259
Expired/Cancelled (6months): 214
Average Days on Market: 80

Inventory Level: 4 MONTHS

This is no longer a picture of a Super Buyer's Market. This is heading firmly into Seller's Market territory. And look at the difference in the time it takes for the houses to sell! Almost a whole month shorter.
Compare the number of Active to Pending: There are more pendings than actives in this niche.
And look at the number of Solds in this segment of the market compared to the whole of Thurston County: 1,097 vs 259.
Nearly 25% of all sold homes were in this part of Thurston County, in this price range!

This certainly casts a different light on the First Time Buyer portion of "The Market".

Let's flesh out this Buyer's needs list. We will add the following criteria to Price & Area:
At least 3 bedrooms
At least 1 1/2 bathrooms
At least 1200 square feet

THE RESULTS:

Active: 98
Pending: 126
Sold (6 months): 156
Expired/Cancelled (6 months): 104
Average Days on Market: 88

Inventory Level: 3.75 months

So you can see why I feel bad for Buyers. Because I work with a lot of first time buyers and that is where a huge amount of all the activity is right now.

Yes, I know not everyone loves numbers. And statistics can be a bit overwhelming.
But Buyers need to know about these kinds of trends. Because the Sellers do.
And if you are looking for the kind of deals I know you want, you need to know about the competition.

-----

If you would like help finding your first home, give me a call! You are welcome to take a look at everything that is available for sale in Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater and nearby on my website. I would love to sit down together and get you started!

A cookie story :)

Thu, 07 May 2009 22:36:40 -0500

Hi, my name is Sarah and I have a cookie problem.

Late at night, after having eaten a healthy meal of lean meat, garnished with nuts and twigs, and rounded with the one-glass-of-red-wine the heart conscious survive on.

I HUNGER for a cookie. The sweetness... the chewiness...

I wander through my house, looking, hoping, dreaming I will find a cookie that has somehow escaped my earlier hunts. This is an often fruitless hunt, usually in resulting the much needed second-glass-of-red-wine. Sometimes I find a marshmallow and stud it with chocolate chips, in a depressing attempt to sate the cookie need. Rarely is the hunt successful.

But now I will have a new focus during these late evening searches!

Rainier Washington!

(That is south of Olympia and Lacey WA by about a 20 minute drive. Out in the country.)

No, I have not moved. But I have FOUND the cookies of my dreams.

As I drive through Rainier on an almost weekly basis, I have noticed a charming old-town style sign on the south side of Main. It announces "Main Street Cookie Company". But I am mostly in Rainier on Tuesdays... which is the day the Company is sadly not open.

But this week, the cookie gods were with me! I was in Rainier on a Wednesday!

So I stopped. Of course. The first thing that caught my eye was the sign on the door for other cookie-hunters, calmly reassuring us that cookies are available across the street.

Then I stepped inside.

Ahhh- you know that smell of lovely fresh baked cookies, right? I now know the feeling of cookie mecca. There were ONLY cookies in the case. That is it. Not donuts, not bagels, not banana nut bread. Just cookies! Chocolate chip (of course), chocolate with frosting, butter cookies with pink frosting or lemon frosting, cookies with nuts and many more.

There was one more sign, to tell me I had indeed found The Right Place.

"We Bake with BUTTER" was proudly proclaimed across the far wall. (And rightly so! Have you ever tried an oatmeal raisin cookie made without butter? shudder!) I was also greeted by the cookie elves, merrily packing the boxes of cookies to be delivered to the many coffee shops and restaurants in the Thurston County area.

I think it was obvious that I had a problem. I may have had a slightly glazed look as I introduced myself and asked a million questions. They simply pulled out cookie after cookie and placed it neatly in a little bag, chatting with me all the while. And a cup of drip coffee. Cream please. Then I left in a daze, back out looking at houses.

I chose to eat the Chocolate Chip cookie on my drive back to Olympia. It was huge, It was buttery. It had melty chocolate chips in. It SATISFIED me. In fact, I ATE ONLY ONE delicious cookie as I drove home. And I saved one for my friend (chocolate with icing). And I brought one home to my husband (butter with lemon frosting). And I saved the last one for breakfast the next day (oatmeal with nuts and fruit).

I no longer wander the kitchen searching for the cookies. I know where they live. Now I have a bigger problem. I know where they live! Thankfully, Rainier is simply a 20 mile bike ride away, where I will have earned the cookie and coffee I long for.

If you live in SW Washington and need directions on locating this wonderful shop, you are welcome to shoot me a note: sarahnopp@remax.net. The shop's phone number is in the top picture, or down below.

And here is the link to the Google Map:

Main Street Cookie Company
112 Binghampton St W Rainier, WA 98576
(360) 446-0232

******

Are you looking for a home in Rainier, WA? Maybe in another part of Rural Thurston County, like Yelm or Tenino or Rochester?
Click Here look at my website for a map of homes available in Southern Thurston County. You will find homes of all sizes and prices in the Rainier area and surrounds, some with small yards, some with many acres. Call me to learn a bit more living in this charming town named for the amazing mountain to the east.

Lovely home & manicured forest estate

Fri, 01 May 2009 16:46:40 -0500

Sarah Nopp | RE/MAX Four Seasons | 360-789-7898

60 Furford Ln, Elma, WA

Lovely home, private acreage

3BR/2.5BA Single Family House

offered at $364,900

Year Built	1983
Sq Footage	2,748
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	2 full, 1 partial
Floors	2
Parking	4+ Car garage
Lot Size	5.27 acres
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

DESCRIPTION

This is a home you must see to appreciate! Gated drive reinforces the sense of privacy of the manicured forest. Formal dining, large kitchen, extra storage and so much more. Architectural details and unique touches make this home stand apart. Additional photos and Virtual Tour at http://www.SarahNopp.com Please call for an appointment to view.

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

Fireplace	High/Vaulted ceiling	Family room
Living room	Bonus/Rec room	Office/Den
Dining room	Breakfast nook	Dishwasher
Refrigerator	Stove/Oven	Microwave
Basement	Washer	Dryer
Laundry area - inside	Balcony, Deck, or Patio	Yard

OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES

Amazing forested 5.27 acres of hemlock & cedar & rhododendrons

2748 sq ft + sun room, large patio & deck

2nd kitchen on lower level, w/ 3/4 bath and family room

3 large bedrooms, with potential 4th downstairs

Meticulous attention to detail and maintenance throughout!

Large shop with RV parking, wood shed, gated drive, more!

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Photo 1	Photo 2
Photo 3	Photo 4
Photo 5	Photo 6

Contact info:

Sarah Nopp

RE/MAX Four Seasons

360-789-7898

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: May 1, 2009, 1:36pm PDT

Details make a house a Home!

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 19:02:29 -0500

Sarah Nopp | RE/MAX Four Seasons | 360-789-7898

8342 16th Ave SE, Olympia, WA

Freshly painted and ready for a new owner!

3BR/2.5BA Single Family House

offered at $234,900

Year Built	2001
Sq Footage	1,983
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	2 full, 1 partial
Floors	2
Parking	Unspecified
Lot Size	3,920 sqft
HOA/Maint	$60 per month

DESCRIPTION

Come see what a great deal you can find in Union Mills! Large 2-story on corner lot has lots of natural light and great details to help you call this home. Generous master bedroom with 5 piece bath, high ceiling throughout the main level, large dining room, island kitchen with huge amounts of storage. Lots more- just call to see inside!
Additioinal information at http://www.sarahnopp.com

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

Central heat	Fireplace	High/Vaulted ceiling
Walk-in closet	Living room	Bonus/Rec room
Dining room	Dishwasher	Refrigerator
Stove/Oven	Microwave	Washer
Dryer	Laundry area - inside	Yard

OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES

Lots of space here- even the small bedroom are big!

You will love the huge upstairs bonus room!

Friendly neighborhood is just minutes from Hawks Prairie.

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Great location!	large kitchen
porch	Bonus rm w/ nook
Garden tub	living/dining

Contact info:

Sarah Nopp

RE/MAX Four Seasons

360-789-7898

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Apr 1, 2009, 3:41pm PDT

Free This Saturday: class sponsored by WSHFC

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 17:35:24 -0500

I am an instructor for the WA State homebuyer course, and we have openings for the class this Saturday in Olympia. Call or email with any questions, but this is a Free class open to the public.

This class is intended to be the first step in purchasing a home!

It is sponsored by the Washington State Housing Finance Commission, taught by local experts (myself, a lender, a title rep and an inspector) and covers the whole process of purchasing a home, or as much as can be covered in one day!

We will discuss a variety of topics: deciding on the right financing for you, narrowing your home search criteria, issues to look for during an inspection, warnings & tips on how to stay out of trouble with your mortgage, and even ideas on how to maintain your new home when you move in.
And of course, be lots of handouts and information resources to take with you and plenty of opportunity to have all your questions answered.

About the Commission-sponsored seminars & certificate:
* free and open to the public
* includes information about the Commission's low-interest rate mortgage program, down payment assistance, and other programs
* accepted by all affordable housing loan programs as meeting or exceeding educational requirements.

The instructors have gone through WSHFC's House Key and Homebuyer Education Instructor training class.
There will be No direct marketing or sales presentations by the instructor or any guest speakers.
If you plan to use one of the Low-Interest Rate State Bond House Key programs to purchase your home, you must complete the seminar before your loan officer can lock in your interest rate.

Additional information at http://www.wshfc.org/buyers/index.htm

Reservations are required.
Please call 360-236-9970 to reserve your seat.
If you are unable to attend on this date, please contact the instructors for additional future dates.

Date & Time:
This seminar is Saturday, April 4th, 2009.
9:30 to 3:00, please bring a lunch. Light snacks & coffee will be provided.
Location:
Eagle Home Mortgage, 3825 Martin Way E, Olympia WA 98506

What can you find for $150,000?

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 18:29:08 -0500

Are you looking for a starter home or investment property in North Thurston County?

Check out 4730 Gallup Dr SE (MLS# 28158542).
Offered at only $150,000 as a Short Sale opportunity, this is one of the least expensive properties in the area.

Four bedroom, 1 bathroom 1144 square feet.

Large 0.33 acre yard perfect for a lovely garden

Lots of updates inside, with just a few things that need to be finished:

Pergo floors

Newer roof

Vinyl windows

Bathroom counters

Located just east of Lacey WA, this is an excellent location for anyone commuting to Ft Lewis or McChord AFB, or anywhere northbound. Yelm School District.

Call me @ 360-789-7898 to make an appointment to visit this great "opportunity" property!

******

I work throughout the South Puget Sound region, helping buyers, sellers & investors. If you want to find single family homes for sale in Thurston County at a great price like $150,000, just get in touch with me and I will be happy to sit down and talk with you.

Beautiful townhouse style Tumwater Hill Condo

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 20:53:24 -0500

Sarah Nopp & Cambria Miller | RE/MAX Four Seasons | 360-789-7898 or 360-349-5555

3643 Simmons Mill Ct SW B, Tumwater, WA

Ready to fall in love with Home?

3BR/2.5BA Condo

offered at $259,000

Year Built	2004
Sq Footage	1,800
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	2 full, 1 partial
Floors	3
Parking	2 Car garage
Lot Size	3,920 sqft
HOA/Maint	$155 per month

DESCRIPTION

You will fall in love with both this pretty townhouse style condo, as well as the price! Move in ready! Nothing needs to be done. Just move right in and enjoy your morning coffee on the private deck off the master bedroom. Or invite the neighbors over for a BBQ on the front deck! Plenty of parking inside & out, plus storage. Call today for a private tour!

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

Central heat	Fireplace	High/Vaulted ceiling
Living room	Dining room	Dishwasher
Stove/Oven	Microwave	Granite countertop
Stainless steel appliances	Laundry area - inside	Balcony, Deck, or Patio
Yard

COMMUNITY FEATURES

Garage parking

OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES

Lovely craftsman style detailings throughout

Vaulted ceilings & entry archways

Brushed nickel fixtures

White woodwork stair-rail

Open kitchen with granite counter island

New stainless appliances

Great price!

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

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Contact info:

Sarah Nopp & Cambria Miller

RE/MAX Four Seasons

360-789-7898 or 360-349-5555

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Apr 3, 2009, 1:27pm PDT

More wine in Olympia!

Sun, 15 Mar 2009 13:54:33 -0500

The Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater area has for many, many years enjoyed a lovely swath of forest & river (namely Fort Lewis and the Nisqually Delta) to the north, separating us from the metropolitan central Puget Sound.
But we do have all the little gems of city city life- great theaters, music, political sideshows, etc. We just get to enjoy them in a more relaxed, personal setting.

The slow pace fosters a whole bunch of wonderful family-owned businesses too. And because they operate on personal scale, they are unique from each other, and very different from the big stores selling so much of the same stuff in strip mall after strip mall (I just returned from Tucson, if you want to hear about strip malls).
It also means we rely on each other to share when we find a new gem! So I am doing my duty as a South Sounder to bring you news of yet another wonderful Winery, right in our backyard!

MADSEN FAMILY CELLARS

A couple weeks ago I was driving through the Hawk's Prairie area of Lacey (NE of I-5, out near Cabela's & Shipwreck Beads in the Meridian Campus area) after showing some houses. I was headed toward the I-5 exit off Marvin Rd and saw the small sign out of the corner of my eye. My car decided to follow it (my car is well trained to look for things like this). After going past some sports fields I saw some metal buildings. Thankfully it was a Sunday, they were open for tasting!

I was greeted by the proprietors (not pictured) and the very friendly wine greeters/ wine guardians (pictured). Inside was much as you would imagine a metal building housing a wine makers to be: full of wine in barrels and a small counter at which to sample & chat & purchase.

I was on my way to lunch, so was not able to stay too long or try everything, but the proprietors were very friendly and I was able to sample a few of their offerings.

The wines:

Of course they have the Washington classics: Cab sauv from Red Mountain grapes, a Yakima Riesling and even a couple Chardonnay- they are very proud of their unoaked.

Right now (March 2009) they have a small batch of a Raspberry white wine blend which I liked (I am not a big fan of these usually) as it is not sweet, but tart. It is undergoing a secondary fermentation in the bottle, so it would be a lot of fun to use a variety of ways. I am thinking summery vinaigrette? Maybe a special sparkling mixer? I told my restauranteur friends to check it out.

My personal favorite (and the wine I took home that day): a dry Gewurztraminer! I loved this wine! It was light and dry and really balanced. In fact, it is all gone now. I need more. So I have to go back soon, and this time I will try more of what they have to offer. (For those who wine-shop by the eye, they do have a lovely label- the whole local artist / local business connection is great.)

I hope all you South Sound wine lovers take some time to stop in too.

Hours: Saturdays & Sundays, 12 to 4.
Directions: From I-5 take Exit 111 to North on Marvin Rd (I-5 is going east-west at this point) past the 2nd roundabout, and watch for the little sign on the Left and follow to the shop.
The address (and map link): 2825 Marvin Rd NE, Lacey WA.

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If you are moving the the Olympia / Ft Lewis area and believe that small businesses like this winery are important to your quality of life, I would love to help you make this your home and learn about the area. (And all those shops!)
I help Buyers, Sellers & Investors throughout the South Puget Sound buy & sell homes.
Call me or email me with any questions, or CLICK HERE to find homes for sale in NE Lacey near the winery.

Local Winery + Chocolate = Valentines Day!

Sat, 14 Feb 2009 19:41:51 -0600

"Chocolate Extravaganza with Walter Dacon Wines"

If you are from the South Sound, hopefully you have tired some of the outstanding wines made at Walter Dacon Winery, located just south of Shelton & north of Olympia. Washington state is getting so well known for excellent wines, and Western Washington has some outstanding boutique makers. This one is a gem!

Looking for something special to do with your sweetie?
I recommend a trip to the winery.

All Valentine's Day weekend, (February 14th, 15th and 16th, President's Day) from 12 to 6 p.m. each day, for only $7.

Gourmet Chocolates
Chocolate Fountain with dipping snacks
Walter Dacon Wines, of course!

Expect a lovely crowd this weekend.

This afternoon, it was full of friendly happy customers & friends, and even the outdoor seating was full! (There is covered & heated seating outdoors, just in case of rain.)

Directions:
From Olympia or Shelton take Hwy 101 and go East onto Lynch Road at TaylorTown, (near the drive-in theater and Taylor Shellfish Company) and follow for a little over a mile to just down the dill and on your Right.
Link to a google map with directions here.

What came home with me?
The C'est Syrah Belle.It will go perfectly with some sausage and pasta.
I also really enjoyed their semi-sweet Viognier, which I tried for the first time today, but they are SOLD OUT!
I am just glad I can find this great locally made wine at local stores and restaurants.

Walter Dacon Wines

SE 50 Skookum Inlet Rd
Shelton, WA 98584
360-426-5913
winemaker@walterdaconwines.com
http://www.walterdaconwines.com

And now they have a Facebook Page too!

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If you are moving to the Olympia / Shelton area and enjoy how small, locally owned businesses enhance your quality of life, I would love to help you make this your home and learn about the area. (And all those shops!)
I help Buyers, Sellers & Investors throughout the South Puget Sound buy & sell homes.
Call me or email me with any questions, or CLICK HERE to find homes for sale in the Arcadia / Kamilche Pt areas of South Mason County near the winery.

Affordable, Easy Commute, Updated! Lacey WA

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 16:24:26 -0600

Are you looking for a great house to buy, something to get a start in? Where you can just move right in? And you don't have to do any work until you have had time to choose the color you want to paint the living room?

Visit 8606 Queets Dr NE, Olympia WA 98516

Turn Key & updated throughout:
Thermal windows, roof, electric service, heating, bathroom with granite counters, and much more! Even new appliances. Set on a nice big lot that is fully fenced with a big shed too.

A very affordable $199,500.

Set in a neighborhood right off I-5 for easy commutes, and if you want a house that is close to all the amenities, this is it! Just around the corner you will find Safeway, Home Depot, Panera Bread and even Cabela's is close by.
This fast growing part of Thurston County (Hawks Prairie) is home to just about anything you could want, even an extension of South Puget Sound Community College!
And it is an excellent location for anyone who needs to be close to Ft Lewis or McChord AFB, as you are about 15 minutes from the main gate.

And who knows... Maybe this will be that "First Home" you buy. That one you keep as a rental when you grow into a larger home. This may be your opportunity to start thinking about real estate as an investment!

Click Here to see more photos and map.

Call me to make an appointment to see inside:
Sarah Nopp with RE/MAX Four Seasons
360-789-7898.

I have helped many first time home buyers relocate and PCS to the area. Real estate in Lacey (and neighboring Olympia, Tumwater and other parts of the South Puget Sound) is a great investment, and this is a wonderful place to live.
Give me a call or email and I would be happy to help you get your start!

More Graphs (Not Scary!): Mason County WA, 2000-2008

Sat, 13 Dec 2008 17:55:00 -0600

Here are some NOT-scary looking graphs showing you what is happening in the local real estate market of Mason County– all the way back from the year 2000. The thick black line is this year (2008).

Average Sales Price
As you can see, the average price for each month is dancing around a bit, but is staying above the $200,000 mark. The first time Mason County had average sales prices of over $200,000 was in August of 2005. Current price averages are just about on par with November of 2005 too.
5 year Perspective: Average Sold prices are about 25% higher than November 2003.

Time to sell
Consistency seems to be the description here: Consistently taking a looong time to sell. The last time it took this long to sell a house was back in 2000 & 2001. And it was not for this extended time frame.
Note: The seller’s market spike was 2004 & 2005.

Actual Sales per Month
As you can see, there was a rather sudden drop in the number of homes that are selling each month. It can be tracked to the October 6 market crash– portfolios got hammered! We are in uncharted waters with this type of sharp decline in # sold.
The Silver Lining: December is looking up, with 14 closed sales already, which is more than 50% of November, and the month is only one-third over.

My Forecast for Mason County Residential Sales
No clue. My crystal ball is broken. How is yours?
This is not a time to "try" selling a house. Sell if you NEED to sell. Expect to make concessions to Buyers.

Let me know if you would like a closer look at statistics in your particular area of Mason County- every area is a bit different. I am never too busy to answer the questions of clients & friends.

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Mason County is located on the West side of Puget Sound, about 20 miles northwest of Olympia. Mason County is a lovely wooded place full of places to hike & hunt & fish with a HUGE number of lakes & salt water inlets & bays, with small communities throughout. Newcomers are delighted by all the lovely fjords in the area too.

The largest towns/communities are Shelton (County seat) Belfair, Allyn, Union & Hoodsport, Timberlakes, Mason Lake, Lilliwaup, Lake Cushman & Grapeview. The zip codes for the region are 98584, 98592, 98546, 98588, 98528 and 98548. Telephone area code is 360.

While I am not expert in all of Mason County, I know the agents who know every nook and cranny and can tell you when & where to find the best steelhead. If you are thinking of moving to this gorgeous unspoiled part of the Pacific Northwest, give me a call. I can either help you find you your new home, or introduce you to a professional from the area who can.

Take a look at my website to view everything currently for sale in Western Washington, including Shelton & Mason County.

Insert Food Here

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 19:13:54 -0600

Local food banks are having a tough time meeting the rising needs of people in our communities.

Need has 30% increased monthly since January of ‘08
The expect even higher demand in coming months
They have no reserved stores of food- Nothing “extra” to put aside for next year

My office is collecting non-perishable foods and money to help. Other local Realtor offices are also doing this in conjunction with our annual Auction for Charity tomorrow. Hopefully this will help keep people from being hungry this winter. (And if you are reading this but don't live in Thurston County, please take a moment and find out how hard hit your local food bank is this year. The needs are growing everywhere.)

The food bank says they especially need canned fruit at the moment. But ANYthing is worth giving.

Want to help?
You can drop off donations at my office through the month of December. We are just off I-5 Exit 107 at 3009 Pacific Ave SE in Olympia. We will be collecting all month long.

Stats since Year 2000, Thurston County

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:47:41 -0600

Here are some scary looking graphs showing you what is happening in the local real estate market– all the way back from the year 2000. The thick black line is this year (2008).

#1 Are Any Houses Selling?
As you can see, about as many houses are selling now as in 2000 & 2001. November saw a sharp drop in the #s. The October 6 market crash hammered portfolios. And my websites were very quiet for a short time.
So far in December, 47 homes have Closed, which puts it on par for November numbers.

#2 Haven’t prices Tanked?
As you can see (black line) Thurston County’s average price isn’t doing the sharp drops we keep hearing about. Of course, that is dependent on your specific neighborhood and property. Micro-market is the word of the day.
5 year Perspective: Average Sold prices are about 43% higher than November 2003.

#3 How long to sell?
A long time.
Average time to get a property sold is higher than anything Thurston County has seen in the past decade. Unless you price your house very aggressively. Remember, these are just averages– you control your own destiny!
Note: Average is about twice as long now as 2005 & 2006.

My Forecast
Snow sometime this winter and rain. And blue skies too. Other than that, my crystal ball isn’t showing much! But I would be happy to sit and do the "what-if" game with you. Just give me a call.

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If you are looking for a home to buy in Thurston County, from Olympia, Lacey & Tumwater to Yelm or Rochester or Tenino or Steamboat Island, give me a call. Or take a look at my litsings website, where you can browse all the available properties throughout Western Washington.
-Sarah, (360) 789-7898
http://www.sarahnopp.com

No words needed

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 22:31:14 -0600

Shop local, Buy handmade

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:47:46 -0600

Here is an opportunity to let your wallet vote your Values!

Join the Olympia Weaver's Guild for their 25th Annual Show & Sale this weekend:
December 6 & 7 2008
10 am to until 6 pm
At the Boston Harbor Firestation (5046 Boston Harbor Rd NE).

There is a lot of talk about spending your dollars locally and all the benefits to the community, but sometimes there are few options to do that. Which is why the hoilday season is such fun! You will be able to find all sorts of unique handmade items, from finished clothing like scarves & hats to stocking stuffers like hand-dyed yarns from the spinners own flock.

You can't get much more local than yarn dyed with local plants, spun from the wool of sheep living a few miles away!

This annual event was previously held at the WA State Capitol Museum, but has moved now, so be sure to get the address correct. Other events that weekend

The silk painting pictured above is by the Guild's own Erica Plotkin.
(And in the interest of full disclosure, I am a newbie member of the Guild too.)

If you are interested in joining the Olympia Weaver's Guild, or are just curious what we do, please visit our website at http://olympiaweaversguild.org/ and join us for one of our fantastic meetings!