New sets of skills have emerged in the Real Estate market that have Real Estate Brokers looking for people with an appreciation for and who are utilizing these new skills.

The business still requires product knowledge, communication skills, developing new prospects, integrity and honesty. (And let's not forget having a positive attitude no matter what kind of market it is).

Today's agent should become proficient with some of the following new skills.

Generational Communication...  (Speaking the language of the different generations- have you listened to a 20 yr old talk today?)

Negotiation...  (A competent negotiator is still an essential)

Technology...  (Must be automated today)

Online Social Skills... (Social networking - ever hear of Facebook)

Writing Skills... (A lost art that is making a comeback)

An Agent in today's market that comprehends and applies these skill sets can find success in the real estate business.

The Agent should also have a Broker who has the know how to provide well-timed training in these key skill areas.

The fact remains, hard work in this business still really pays off no matter how the real estate market may be or how much time we spend in the new emerging skills.

Just like in a good market we only get what we put into it. Besides, the market does not determine how successful we will be.

And whatever we do, we can't let what the media reports on the market alarm us.

Real Estate Sales and Market report for Mason County, Washington for the period of May 1 though May 15, 2010 reports 43 Total Closed Sales in the amount of $6,645,081.

Area A, (Shelton, Arcadia, Kamilche) recorded sales counts of 20 closed sales totaling $2,468,131. Area B, (Hartstene/Agate area) placed 5 sales on the board in the amount of  $942,900. Area C, (Belfair, Allyn, Grapeview) reported 11 sales totaling $2,423,650 Area D, (Hoodsport/Union) posted 7 sales for the period in the amount of $810,400

Single Family Resale Homes, on less than 5 acres, accounted for 18 of the total sales.

There was 1 New Single Family home sold. There were no Multi-family units sold. There were 4 Single Family Resale's on more than 5 acres sold.

Commercial properties sold - 0, Condominiums -0.

Land selling with a Mobile posted 7 sales and there were 6 platted lots recorded as sold. Short plats posted 5 sales and there were 2 unplatted parcels sold.

Two Homes sold in the $500,000 or more range and 1 sold between the $400,000 to $499,999 range. Other sale prices ranged from a low of $60,000 with most of the sales in the $145,000 to $200,000 range..

The average price for Single Family Resale's was $219,567 with a Median price of $167,500. Lots sold averaged $33,917.

Real Estate Loan numbered 121 taken out in the amount of $20,685,100. The average conventional 30-year loan rate was 4.95%

Hot Dogs, Bratwurst, Hamburgers.

Is there anything I forgot?

Those who Sacrificed.

REMEMBER

Red, White and Blue

In Memory of all who

Have Sacrificed.

REMEMBER

Hot Dogs, Bratwurst, Hamburgers,

Beer, Soda and Chips.

Honey, What're are the flowers for?

"To say thanks to our fallen Veterans."

REMEMBER

The price of Hot Dogs...$2.25

The price of Gasoline...$3.09

The price for Beer...$6.69

The price for freedom...those who have fallen-Priceless.

REMEMBER

You, who have fallen in Battle

Gave all Your Tomorrows

So we could have ours.

REMEMBER

Kids, I'd like to introduce you

To a Real "American Idol"

A Fallen Veteran.

REMEMBER ON THIS MEMORIAL DAY

I will be observing Memorial Day at the Allyn Waterfront Park, Monday May 31, 2010 at 12:00. Where I will Remember and honor those who have fallen in Battle.

Where will you be?

Staff Sgt. Richard Bell

2/12th 25th Infantry

Viet Nam 1968-1969

A bit tardy in getting this bi weekly Mason County Real Estate Sales report out to all you Market Report junkies. Like most of the Country, our sales have been "Slow" but sorta "Steady". The Tax Credit helped in some areas. The Secondary Housing Market is picking up just a little with reports of Waterfront Properties, valued at more than $500,000, begining to go Pending.

The following is Mason County, State of Washington Sales Report:

Real Estate Sales and Market report for Mason County, Washington for the period of April 16 through April 30, 2010 reports 57 Total Closed Sales in the amount of $10,643,757. (double to the number sold the first weeks)

Area A, (Shelton, Arcadia, Kamilche) recorded sales counts of 21 closed sales totaling $4,204,800. Area B, (Hartstene/Agate area) placed 6 sales on the board in the amount of  $1,277,850. Area C, (Belfair, Allyn, Grapeview) reported 19 sales totaling $3,619,857. Area D, (Hoodsport/Union) posted 11 sales for the period in the amount of $1,541,250.

Single Family Resale Homes, on less than 5 acres, accounted for 30 of the total sales.

There were no New Single Family homes sold. There were no Multi-family units sold. There were 5 Single Family Resale's on more than 5 acres sold.

Commercial properties sold - 1, Condominiums -0.

Land selling with a Mobile posted 6 sales and there were 7 platted lots recorded as sold. Short plats posted 5 sales and there were 3 unplatted parcels sold.

The highest selling price for a single family home was in the $500,000 or more  range and 1 sold between the $400,000 to $499,999 range. Other sale prices ranged from a low of $40,000 up the $200,000 price point.

The average price for Single Family Resale's was $217,394 with a Median price of $178,000. Lots sold averaged $37,536

Real Estate Loan numbered 131 taken out in the amount of $23,123,290. The average conventional 30-year loan rate was 5.06%

Real Estate Sales and Market report for Mason County, Washington for the period of April 1 through April 15, 2010 reports 34 Total Closed Sales in the amount of $5,633,199.

Area A, (Shelton, Arcadia, Kamilche) recorded sales counts of 11 closed sales totaling $1,924,999. Area B, (Hartstene/Agate area) placed 7 sales on the board in the amount of  $1,152,000. Area C, (Belfair, Allyn, Grapeview) reported 8 sales totaling $1,716,500. Area D, (Hoodsport/Union) posted 8 sales for the period in the amount of $839,700.

Single Family Resale Homes, on less than 5 acres, accounted for 15 of the total sales.

One New Single Family home was sold. There were no Multi-family units sold. There were no Single Family Resale's on more than 5 acres sold.

Commercial properties sold - 3, Condominiums -0.

Land selling with a Mobile posted 4 sales and there were 7 platted lots recorded as sold. Short plats posted 4 sales and there were 0 unplatted parcels sold.

The highest selling price for a single family home was in the $400,000 - $499,999 range and 2 sold between the $350,000 to $399,999 range. Other sale prices ranged from a low of $60,000 up the $299,999 price point.

The average price for Single Family Resale's was $210,600 with a Median price of $187,000. Lots sold averaged $24,100.

Real Estate Loan numbered 114 taken out in the amount of $16,259,496. The average conventional 30-year loan rate was 5.06%

On Wednesday, April 21, 2010 at 9:45 a.m. the State of Washington is holding an Earthquake Drill.

The purpose of this drill is to increase awareness of the potential for Earthquakes in the Northwest.

During the drill people should practice Drop, Cover and Hold.

What does that mean? If an earthquake starts you should Drop to the floor under a protective object, Cover your head to protect yourself from falling objects and Hold on until the shaking is over. (When I lived in California, I counted to 100. If I made it, everything was cool.)

If and after you have survived the shaker, according to State Criteria, is to survey the damage and evacuate if necessary.

Some people believe getting in a door frame will provide sufficient protection but I have heard that the shaking may cause the door to swing and injure anyone standing in the door frame. Others believe it is best to run outside but if you do that you risk being injured by falling objects.

The State of Washington has decreed that the best option in an earthquake is to Drop, Cover and Hold. 

The State is encouraging everyone to participate in the Drill and afterwards discuss disaster preparedness.

So, Tommorrow April 21, 2010 - Earthquake Drill - 9:45 a.m.

Drop, Cover and Hold!

Real Estate Sales and Market report for Mason County, Washington for the period of March 16 through March 31, 2010 reports 43 Total Closed Sales in the amount of $5,930,490.

Area A, (Shelton, Arcadia, Kamilche) recorded sales counts of 15 closed sales totaling $2,382,007. Area B, (Hartstene/Agate area) placed 6 sales on the board in the amount of  $600,000. Area C, (Belfair, Allyn, Grapeview) reported 11 sales totaling $1,327,673 Area D, (Hoodsport/Union) posted 11 sales for the period in the amount of $1,620,810.

Single Family Resale Homes, on less than 5 acres, accounted for 18 of the total sales.

One New Single Family home was sold. There were no Multi-family units sold. Three Single Family Resale's on more than 5 acres sold.

Commercial properties sold - 0, Condominiums -0.

Land selling with a Mobile posted 6 sales and there were 8 platted lots recorded as sold. Short plats posted 3sales and there were 4unplatted parcels sold.

There was only one home selling above the $500,000 plus range and 1 sold between the $400,000 to $499,999 range and  2 homes sold in the $300,000 - $349,000 range.

The average price for Single Family Resale's was $191,067 with a Median price of $143,405. Lots sold averaged $45,938.

Real Estate Loan numbered 113 taken out in the amount of $20,503,505. The average conventional 30-year loan rate was 4.89%

Real Estate Sales and Market report for Mason County, Washington for the period of March 1 through March 15, 2010 reports 33 Total Closed Sales in the amount of $8,702,486.

Area A, (Shelton, Arcadia, Kamilche) recorded sales counts of 13 closed sales totaling $4,161,000. Area B, (Hartstene/Agate area) placed 6 sales on the board in the amount of  $1,642,086. Area C, (Belfair, Allyn, Grapeview) reported 7 sales totaling $1,783,900 Area D, (Hoodsport/Union) posted 7 sales for the period in the amount of $1,115,500

Single Family Resale Homes, on less than 5 acres, accounted for 24 of the total sales.

No New Single Family homes were sold. There were no Multi-family units sold and zero Single Family Resale Home, on more than 5 acres, sold.

Commercial properties sold - 0, Condominiums -0.

Land selling with a Mobile posted only 2 sale and there were 3 platted lots recorded as sold. Short plats posted 4 sales and there were 0 unplatted parcels sold.

There were "two" homes sold above the $500,000 plus range and 1 sold between the $400,000 to $499,999 range. Also, 3 homes sold in the $300,000 - $349,000 range, while 5 homes sold in the $200,000-$249,999 range, 3 sold in the $180,000, to $199,999 range and 2 in the $160,000 to $179,999 range.

The average price for Single Family Resale's was $242,427 with a Median price of $193,700. Lots sold averaged $50,483.

Real Estate Loan numbered 113 taken out in the amount of $16,433,378. The average conventional 30-year loan rate was 4.89%

Tonight is our Commissioners meeting in Belfair.

Normally the meetings are held every Tuesday morning in Shelton, but...on the fifth Tuesday of the month the commissioners travel to the North end of the County. We don't get this opportunity all that often and it is great to have a chance to share our issues and listen to the locals discuss their concerns.

As a Realtor, its important to attend these meeting so you are aware of what your local government is up to.

Keeping your clients informed puts them at ease and places you in as an informed professional.

Do you agree, as a Realtor or Lender, that being informed by what is happening in your community benefits your business and your clients?

According to U.S.News and World Reports the next hot market will be right here in Washington State. Actually in Mason County's back yard. The Bremerton, Silverdale area of Kitsap County is expected to pick up and Realtors are already seeing positive signs.

Moody's Economy.com expects home prices in the Bremerton/Silverdale area to increase by an average of 5.2 percent annually from the fourth quarter of 2008 through the same period of 2018.

This is great news for Home Owners and Sellers but even better news for Buyers. Not only is there tax incentives for first time buyers as well as repeat buyers, but they have a chance to get in before the market heats up again. Inventory is still offering many choices and Sellers are still ready to make a deal.