Do think it is important for Real Estate Agents and Offices to know where their real estate buyers are coming from? Answer is obviously "Yes" and for numerous reasons. However, that's subject for another time.

Many home sellers, in our market, believe that most of the real estate buyers come to our region from Metropolitan areas like Seattle, Tacoma or from States like California.

But they might be surprised by the actual data.

In 2009 there have been 864 sales in the Mason County, Washington Real Estate Market.

Washington State buyers represented 814 of those sales while 50 of the sales came from out of State buyers.

Where, within the State of Washington, did Mason County buyers come from? Here is the breakdown by zip-code:

 536 buyers were "Local"... From Mason County zip code...985xx.

 98 buyers were from zip code... 983xx

77 buyers were from zip code... 980xx

50 buyers from zip code...          981xx

21 buyers from zip code ...         984xx

13 buyers from zip code ...         986xx

12 buyers from zip code...          982xx

 3 buyers from zip code...           989xx

 2 buyers from zip code...           992xx

 1 buyer from zip code...            990xx

 1 buyer from zip code...             988xx

 As mentioned above, 50 Real Estate buyers who bought Real Estate in Mason County came from out of state.

14...California

11...Oregon

 5....Arizona

 3....Montana

 3...Texas

 3...Colorado

 2...Louisiana

 9...From other states

Now that I look over these numbers, we do business from all over the Country. Perhaps my fellow AR peers would consider calling on me and my office for future referrals to the Pacific Northwest.

The Real Estate sales report for Mason County, Wa.for the period of Oct 16 through Oct 31, 2009 reports 51 Total Closed Sales in the amount of $7,256,241.

Area A, (Shelton, Arcadia, Kamilche) and Area D, (Hoodsport/Union) both had a sales count of 16 closed sales. Area A totaled $2,173,491 in sales and Area D came in at   $2,331,500 in total real estate sales. Meanwhile Area B,(Hartstene/Agate area) the sales were continue to improve with a reported 13 closed sales in the amount of $1,463,750. Area C, (Belfair, Allyn, Grapeview), dropped a bit with 12 sales totaling $1,287,500.

Single Family Resale Homes, on less than 5 acres, accounted for 22 of the total home sales.

New Single Family homes were up a bit producing 4 sales and there were 2 Mulit-family units sold. There were no Single Family Resale Homes, on more than 5 acres, SOLD.

Commercial properties sold - 1, Condominiums -0.

Land sales were also up for this period. Land sold with a Mobile posted 6 sales and there were 7 platted lots recorded as sold. Short plats posted 9 sales and there was 6 unplatted parcel sold.

There was only 1 home sold above the $350,00 plus range and there was 1 sold between the $300,000- $349,999 range. 5 homes sold in the $200,000-$249,999 range.

The average price for Single Family Resale's was $171,911 with a Median price of $172,250. The New Single Family homes sold had an average price of $188,760 and a Median price of $185,000.

The Loan count was up from the last report. There were 140 Loans taken out in the amount of $26,707,191 compared to only 102 loans last period. The average conventional 30-year loan rate was 4.81%

A bobbing ball of fur, the sea otter, is making a comeback in the outer coastal waters of Washington State. The North Pacific Sea otters have been on the endangered species list since 1981 and are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has pointed out that Washington's Sea Otter population is healthy and growing.

Sea otters are very vital to the marine life ecosystem, especially to kelp beds. Sea otters keep sea urchins in check so that Kelp beds stay healthy and thereby fish populations thrive.

So if out sailing the coastal waters of Washington State and see one these little whiskered fuzzballs bobbing along side your boat, take a picture and you'll know why he's smiling at you.

The War on Terrorism is ongoing and I am especially mindful on this Veterans Day that dedicated and courageous soldiers, sailors and airmen have set aside their comfortable lives here in America and answered the call of duty to their country.

They are all heroes...they face enemies every day and yet stand resolved to carry out their mission and keep America safe.

Many will return home with the pride of having served their country honorably...others will return to be honored for fighting and falling in the line of duty.

We owe all these men and women a debt of gratitude, respect and big...

 Thank YOU!

 Growing up, I admired those before me who served in war. I never believed I would fight in a war of my own.

I heard the gripping stories of war... the Cold, the Hunger, the Fear.

I saw the Thousand-yard Stare in their eyes as they told their stories of never-to-be- forgotten battles, of lost friends and lost youth.

 I heard that catch in their voices as they fought back tears.

Growing up, I thought, this will not happen to me.

But when I did grow up, I went to the Land called Vietnam.

Now my children and grandchildren see into my eyes, the Thousand- yard Stare. Hear my battle tales... the Heat, the Rain, the Fear.

Now they are wondering if they will fight a war of their own and become one with the Thousand-yard Stare.

Please take time this Veterans Day to honor a Vet and thank them for their service and sacrifice.

And if you happen to come across a Vietnam Vet, just say to them "Welcome Home". He'll be very appreciative.

Formerly: Staff Sgt Richard Bell

Vietnam March 68 - March 69

25^th Infantry Division, 2^nd of the 12^th

It's Official.

The Washington State Board on Geographic Names Friday approved a new "collective" name for the Body of Salt Water that includes Puget Sound, Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Georgia Strait.

 "The Salish Sea".

Both British Columbia and Washington have officially adopted the name. The name has been in use since the late 1980's by government officials, scientists and sailors. The new name does not change the names of the bodies water within the Salish Sea. It does mandate that cartographers must use the "Salish Sea" on maps etc.

The Salish Sea is a fabricated name but is referenced to the peoples who had originally lived here - the Coast Salish Indian Tribes.

By the Way, The Salish Sea is the world's largest and biologically rich inland seas.

GlenAllyn Condominiums is offering Today a special 30 yr. Fixed Rate Interest at 4.74% with only a $500 flat loan fee. There is also NO APPRAISAL FEE.

GlenAllyn currently has 5 units with Special Sale Prices:

Units B4 /B5    Alpine Fir plan    1,760 sq ft.              Price $399,950    Special Sale Price $369,950

Unit 6             Dogwood plan     2,328 sq ft.              Price $465,950   Special Sale Price  $439,950

Units A1/A2     Red Maple plan   2,016 sq. ft.            Price $395,950    Special Sale Price  $379,950

(Prices are subject to change and square footage is approximate.)

For more information go to : GlenAllyn.com or LakeLandLiving.com

I'm Richard Bell reporting from beautiful LakeLand Village GlenAllyn Condominiums.

The Real Estate sales report for Mason County, Wa. for the period of Oct 1 through Oct 15, 2009 reports 59 Total Closed Sales in the amount of $7,786,623.

Area A, (Shelton, Arcadia, Kamilche) had a sales count of 15 closed sales in the amount of $1,804,750. Meanwhile Area B,(Hartstene/Agate area) the sales were a bit higher than past reports with 10 closed sales in the amount of $1,693,500. Area C, (Belfair, Allyn, Grapeview), held steady with 17 sales totaling $3,073,873 and Area D, (Hoodsport/Union area) posted the same number of sales as last reported with14 sales closed in the amount of $1,214,500.

Single Family Resale Homes, on less than 5 acres, accounted for 30 of the total sales. Two New Single Family homes were sold and 1 Mulit-family unit sold. There were no Single Family Resale Homes, on more than 5 acres, SOLD.

Commercial properties sold - 0, Condominiums -0.

Land sold with a Mobile posted 8 sales and there were 13 platted lots recorded as sold. Short plats posted 4 sales and there was 1 unplatted parcel sold.

Area C ( Allyn, Belfair, Grapeview) sold 3 homes for $350,000 and up. A Treasure Island waterfront home sold for $525,000, A North shore Waterfront home sold for $414,000 and a Tahuya home sold for $365,000.

Number of homes sold for more than $200,000 :

$500,000 or More        1

$400,000 -$499,999     1

$350,000 -$399,999     1

$300,000 -$349,000     1

$250,000-$299,999      3

$200,000-$249,999      2

The average price for Single Family Resale's was $181,212 with a Median price of $157,500..

There were 102 Loans taken out in the amount of $15,663,534. The average conventional 30-year loan rate was 4.81%

A Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser for the Humane Society of Mason County will be held at the Theler Community Center in Belfair, Wa. on Friday, November 6^th, from 5 to 8:00 p.m.

The cost for the Dinner will be $10.00 per person and Children under 5 will eat free.

Included with the Spaghetti is a traditional green salad, hot garlic bread, delectable cake, sodas, coffee and water.

In addition, "Wine and Beer" will be offered but at an extra cost.

Also, for your Entertainment, Singer/Songwriter Kel Schmitz, will be playing some oldies, Country, Folk and of course Original Songs.

I hope that all you pet owners, aficionados and devotees will support this worthy fundraiser.  

July 1, 2010 is the date for the new Washington State Real Esate Licensing Law to go into effect. We, in Washington State, often refer to it as RCW 18.85.

What RCW 18.85 does is change license structure and provides for new education requirements.

The New Structure looks like this:

•1.      All licensed Salespersons will be considered Brokers.

•2.      All licensed Associate Brokers and Designated Brokers will be considered "Managing Brokers".

•3.      All Designated Brokers will also be considered "Licensed to the Firm".

The New Education Requirements to Obtain a License:

•1.      Brokers (Salespersons):

     •a.       Pre-license Requirements - 90 hours of education in - Fundamentals (60 hours) and Practices (30 hours).

     •b.      1^st Renewal Requirements - 90 hours of education in - Advanced Practices (30 hrs), Real Estate Law (30hrs), Core: Current Trends & Issues (3hrs) and Elective Courses (27hrs)

     •c.       Renewal Requirements - Core: Current Trends & Issues (3hrs) and Elective Courses (30hrs).

•2.      Managing Brokers (Associate Brokers and Designated Brokers):

     •a.       Pre - license Requirements - 90 hours of education in - Advanced Real Estate Law (30hrs), Brokerage Management (30hrs) and Business Management (30hrs).

     •b.      Renewal Requirements - Core: Current Trends & Issues (3hrs) and Elective Courses (27hrs).

For those who are a new and a currently licensed salesperson and your first license renewal falls after July 1, 2010 you will be required to take all the education listed above for a Broker's first renewal (90 hrs) as well as the Transition Course.

The Transition Course Requirement:

            All licensees will be issued their new licenses upon their first renewal after July 1, 2010. In order to be issued a new license, all licensees are required to take the new 3 hr Transition Course.

Well, there you have it - RCW 18.85.