Gig Harbor home sales follow western trend

Nationally home sales rose 21% and in the West 10% in October, compared to a year ago. Gig Harbor home sales were up slightly less--8% from 2008.

These numbers are certainly an improvement but October 2008 was a sobering sales month after the financial crises of AIG, Lehman, and others. November 2008 was even worse but this year Gig Harbor home sales are on track to beat 2008 by at least 25%.

 The median price is up in 98333 and 98335 from September, an improvement from the year-over-year figures. We are cautiously optimistic we have reached the bottom for prices for Gig Harbor home sales as we are seeing some higher price sales currently. Another month of similar figures and we might call it a trend.

Here are current trends for the three zip codes constituting Gig Harbor.

 Inventory is down across all three zip codes. Fewer homes on the market equates to upward price pressure for Gig Harbor home sales.  In zip 98335 where inventory shows the biggest decrease, the ratio for 12 months of sales compared to current inventory is 87%, but in Fox Island the ratio is 52%. This is largely explained by more higher-priced homes-view and waterfront-on the island.

 Sales are up 8% across the board for the year but down 35% from September, not surprising going into winter. The gain in 98332 represents Canterwood breaking out of the doldrums as well as homes selling for $350-400,000, including four builder's houses with multiple offers in short sale conditions.

The "sweet spot" for Gig Harbor home sales currently is pending contracts not yet closed, listed between $300-400,000 in Gig Harbor North and Arletta/Artondale. For the most part, these are 2600-2800 square foot homes built between 1992 and 1998.

In Gig Harbor, as the nation, foreclosures and other distressed homes in the lower end of the price spectrum still accounted for a large percentage of Gig Harbor home sales. This is a drag on the median price which is down about 38% from the 2005 peak in the West but up 8% from the bottom last spring.

 Buyers, waiting for the bottom, should consider ramping up their home search, as the inventory of certain price range homes is very slim locally. With the expanded $6500 credit incentive for existing homeowners who have lived in their home for at least five years, and interest rates under 5%, the time to buy could be NOW.

Carole Holmaas is an Associate Broker at Windermere Real Estate, licensed since 1967. She may be reached at 253.549.6611 or Carole@ISellGigHarbor.com. Her blog is posted at http://blog.ISellGigHarbor.com.

$39.99 NOW TRY FOR $1

Because we know how important implementing technology is for our future success and because we know adding video is on everybody's list to look into. We are giving all AR members a $1 trial to use our Fully Customizable Video Newsletter. We provide 6 High Quality videos for you each month(that you pick out of our library, a spot for listings, and custom branded for you to match all existing marketing efforts. Our service is a one time $39.99 set up and $39.99 a month regularly. All of the costs can be off set also, can provide you additional moneys to help cover other advertizing you do.

We are waving our set-up fee and allowing you to sign-up for $1. We have no cancelation fees, and our service is a month to month plan, if you want to continue after the first month, you can enjoy another $120 off the year @ just $29.99 a month!

Happy hollidays and we hope this boosts your Marketing efforts, and allows you to appeal to a different kind of audience, as well as to continue to provide high quality, revelant and helpfull info for your clients!

Goto www.myvideomag.com and type in "showspecial" under offer code, and the price will go down to $1!

See what Mega Agent, StarPower Star, National Speaker and now Author has to say about us!

This morning I read a wonderful blog post by Norm Werner titled, One In Four Borrowers is Underwater. I just loved the way Norm talked about how we as professionals and individuals need to come from a place of compassion. To piggy back on that topic I came across this incredible video that gives us a graphic depiction of how unemployment has impacted this country over the course of the last 2 years.

We all see the numbers. We all know how our friends, clients and familys have been impacted by unemployment and the economic downturn.

Just in case clicking on the graphic doesn't work  - here is the actual link so that you can watch this live

As a community, professionals we must find solutions to help us recover from the stark reality of this economy.

I'm wondering, what do you see happening in your communities to help combat this epidemic? 

Any ideas?

I am Kate Bourland. I help my clients get out of debt and establish a debt free lifestyle.  You can reach me at 530-419-3967.

Silva Construction and Chapman Realty are pleased to offer this new home in Brunswick, Georgia.  Offering Location, Location, Location and Price, Price, Price. You can have it all.

This new single-family home in Brunswick, Georgia offers stucco exterior, architectural shingles and landscaped lawn with irrigation system on a lakefront lot and is located in a community with curb, gutter, streetlights and a future amenities center.

An island kitche, vaulted ceiling, arched ceiling, ceramic tile flooring in kitchen, baths and laundry are a few if the beautifully appointed interior features of this home. 

The over sized great room overlooks the lake and has a vaulted ceiling and details including arched entryway to foyer and kitchen. 

The owner's retreat offers pop up ceiling with crown molding and ceiling fan, bath with garden tub and tile surround and walk in shower as well as dual vanities in gentlemen height vanities. 

For information or viewing of this or other homes in Brunswick, Georgia and the surrounding areas, call Julie Chapman at 912-280-0088 or email chapmanrealty@yahoo.com.

Santa visits two local communities on Saturday November 28th

Uxbridge @11am and Port Perry @ 5pm

For my first post here on ActiveRain, I thought I'd introduce all the ways to find Standard Pacific Homes - Charlotte on the web. Whether you're a real estate agent or a potential homebuyer, here's where you'll find the best information on our homes and communities in the Charlotte area:

• Standard Pacific Homes - Charlotte on Facebook
• Standard Pacific Homes - Charlotte on Twitter
• Charlotte New Homes Blog - our blog
• Standard Pacific Homes Carolinas YouTube channel
• Standard Pacific Homes - Charlotte web site

This will crack you up! Have you ever misplaced your keys?  Forgotten names?? Here is the secret

Misplace your keys and glasses twice a day? You'll recognize yourself in this hilarious "video" by comedian/speaker Mack Dryden.

I almost forgot that it was Friday.Therefore I think this is a perfect "video" to post.

Friday is my favorite day on ActiveRain.It is the day I post my Jokes.

So I hope you enjoy this "video" instead of my standard jokes..

Here is the "video"

ODE to FORGETFULNESS

I am looking forward to the 2009  Carolina Farm Stewardship Association 24th Annual Conference.

Possibly most exciting to me is having the opportunity to touch bases with and learn from respected organic educators who will be at the Conference.  The good luck that the Conference will be held just a hop-skip-and-jump from Asheville is a real bonus.  The event provides educational workshops for beginning gardeners, advanced organic farmers and folks interested in sustainable living. 

 This year, the gathering will be at the Blue Ridge Assembly, a retreat center on 1200 acres of Appalachian mountains and home to hiking trails, mountain streams, historic buildings, and also offers a crafts center for the kids. 

Often conferences offer food that makes me want to bring my own. But the Carolina Farm Stewardship Conference features local and organic farm food, including breakfast both days. Hope to see you there.

Photo shows one of my favorite farm stewards surveying his farmland near Asheville, NC on a summer day.

A few weeks ago, I was conducting an interview with Doug Minor, the credit expert.  In conversation the subject of establishing new credit after a short sale came up.  I starting to think...is it possible that agreeing to promissory note that is unsecurred after a successfully closed short sale could be a good thing?  Many of our members would have to agree that it seems like servicers / investors have been leaning towards promissory notes lately as a cherry on top of the deal in order to satisfy the deficiency debt.  In my personal experience, it is almost never a note for the full balance.  Usually it is right around 25% (give or take a few percentage points).  Many times, if homeowners were never informed that this may be required, they may object to such requests made by the servicer / investor.  This trend will probably increase in popularity as more and more seconds are being asked to release for $3,000 or so.  So the homeowner looks at you with this "are you kidding me" face as you communicate the servicer / investors request.  What do you say in response.  Now if you're a PSC, hopefully you discussed this possibility with them from day 1.  But if you didn't, it is time to have a heart to heart with your client.  Disclaimer: we as Realtors cannot "advise" a Seller to sign a promissory note nor advise them that it is their best option.  That could be considered legal advice.  However, it is our job to relay to them all communication we have with the servicer.  If the servicer requests a promissory note, we must let them know. 

Now back to the original idea of a promissory note possibly being a good thing.  Doug Minor told me explicitely that establishing a new unsecurred credit account (i.e. promissory note) will very likely improve the Sellers credit.  How?  After the missed payments on the mortgage, the "paid in full for less than the full balance" language, and the recent negative source codes (severly deliquent accounts), the FICO system wants something good to report.  A promissory note is a start in the right direction towards credit recovery.  I thought, as an active agent in the trenches, that this was important information to share with our clients who desperately need some good news.  Bottomline, it's not pretty but it may be the difference between a successful transaction or not.  Thanks for the info Doug.  I'll keep the conversation going...

Millions of homeowners are upside-down on their mortgages and don’t know what to do.

Having all the right information is the surest way to find the right answers.

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The site is designed as a community service to help protect people who need help and simply do not know who to trust.

When you visit San Jose Short Sale Specialist, download a free report—prepared just for you—on the truth about mortgage modifications. Loan modifications can be ideal for distressed homeowners. It is important to safeguard yourself from being taken advantage of. This is why I became a Certified Distressed Property Expert, equipped to guide homeowners through all of the options available.

Get the facts regarding your situation and always have a contingency plan. Together we can formulate a strategy and work toward a real solution.

Chances are, you or someone you know in San Jose California is facing the possibility of foreclosure. You need to understand that you are not alone.

Today, 1 out of every 10 homeowners in America is behind on mortgage payments. These are tough and frustrating times. Now more than ever, it's important to identify your options. Foreclosure can be avoided, your credit can be saved, and your financial future can be salvaged.

As an agent with the CDPE® Designation, I have a strong and unique appreciation of the factors affecting the market, and know that there are options available for struggling homeowners. If you, or someone you know want to learn more about the alternatives to foreclosure, please visit San Jose Short Sale Specialist.

We are here to help … in any way we can.

Intero San Jose Ca

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