belfair: storm is coming - 11/16/09 12:38 AM

What a storm, I am glad I dont deal with this type of weather anymore! 
The southern states are a great place to visit but I am glad I dont live there anymore!
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belfair: Recovery of housing is in the air! - 11/16/09 12:26 AM
The number of first-time home buyers rose to 47 percent of all home sales from 41 percent of transactions in last year's study, and was the highest on record dating back to 1981. The previous high was 44 percent in 1991. It's interesting to note the last cyclical peak of first-time home buyers was during the last noteworthy economic downturn, with first-time buyers starting the chain reaction that led the nation out of recession.
The profile shows the median age of first-time buyers was 30 and the median income was $61,600. The typical first-time buyer purchased a home costing $156,000, down … (3 comments)

belfair: Making a name for ourselves - 11/14/09 02:13 PM
Many have said a Realtor with a good name thats what I want!
Do we think of that as we deal with the public, as well as others we deal with ,agents, brokers,appraisers,etc..?
I have noticed it takes a lot of work to build on a name for the good!And yet it takes 1 act of indiscreation to ruin it!
As we go thru in our minds of this last years transactions think of what we have done to the good and well pat yourself on the back for the good, also think of the not so good things and reach down inside … (0 comments)

belfair: a stable market is coming! - 11/13/09 07:44 AM
The national median existing single-family price was $177,900, which is 11.2 percent below the third quarter of 2008; the median is where half sold for more and half sold for less. Distressed sales - foreclosures and short sales - accounted for 30 percent of transactions in the third quarter, which continued to weigh down median home prices because they sell at a discount relative to traditional homes. The decline in the national median price has moderated recently, and a shrinking supply of unsold inventory suggests we are getting closer to price stabilization in many areas, but we need a steady stream … (0 comments)

belfair: some stats for 3rd quarter, western washington - 11/11/09 01:23 AM
The median existing single-family home price in the West was $224,000 in the third quarter, which is 16.4 percent below the third quarter of 2008. The best metro price performance in the West was in Yakima, Wash., where the median price of $158,400 rose 2.7 percent from a year earlier; the Denver-Aurora area at $229,100, up 1.8 percent; and the Kennewick-Richland-Pasco area of Washington, where the median price rose 0.7 percent to $172,200 This gives us great info for those that work this price range, weather its buyers or sellers. This is whats moving.
http://www.daryldatus.com
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belfair: Feelings of positive thinking - 11/10/09 01:03 AM
As we in the northwest go into winter it rains a lot, but have you ever thought that the sun is just above the clouds?
When things slow down we can be glad for the slow pace due to all the things we would like to do but couldn't because we had been to busy! I like to think the winter is a way to reflect on the past year and what I would like to do in the coming year,
Its been often said
Have you ever seen a skinny bird?
Of course not and yet they don't stress out … (2 comments)

belfair: the balancing act ! - 11/08/09 01:33 PM
Between you and me this business is allways a balancing act-between family ,work, clients , other agents,bankers, the list could go on.
Some days it is all up hill, then well it smoothes out or goes back the other way.
Have you ever felt its a big circus? I like to lead and not follow, but there is always someone that has it better and well I follow a bit and tweek it with a spin and wala its the lead again!
 
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belfair: REALTOR benifits - 11/08/09 02:31 AM
Congress to extend the tax creditNearly 5000 REALTORS® in Washington (morethan 27% of our members) helped convinceCongress that the home buyer tax credit iscritical to the nation's economic recovery.Washington REALTORS® was recognized by theNational Association of REALTORS® because ithad the fifth largest state associationresponse rate to the Call for Action in thecountry.This victory helps the economy, helps putmore Washington residents into homes andhelps generate transactions for our members.This is a major benefit of being  a memberof the REALTOR organization.Great job and more work to come.
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belfair: crab reciepe - 11/08/09 02:17 AM
I wanted to share a reciepe that does well with crab or shrimp.

Ingredients
Old Bay Seasoning TM to taste 5 pounds new potatoes 3 (16 ounce) packages cooked kielbasa sausage, cut into 1 inch pieces 8 ears fresh corn, husks and silks removed 5 pounds whole crab, broken into pieces 4 pounds fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined newspapers beer Directions
Heat a large pot of water over an outdoor cooker, or medium-high heat indoors. Add Old Bay Seasoning to taste, and bring to a boil. Add potatoes, and sausage, and cook for about 10 minutes. Add the corn and … (1 comments)

belfair: Snow day - 11/06/09 02:53 PM
As winter is upon us, it seems we are waiting for the appraisar,or Obama to sign something,or the check in the mail, or fill out our taxes, or vacation,
I guess what I am saying is lets not forget to take care of ourselves, whether its a snow day, down time or just not answering our email and phones for a while,
We need our breaks more than ever!
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belfair: Data for buyers and sellers tax credit info - 11/06/09 05:47 AM
Congress has extended and expanded the homebuyer tax credit. The modifications in the column labeled"December 1 - April 30, 2010" become effective when President Obama signs the bill. All changes madeto the current credit become effective on that date, as well.FEATURE Jan 1 - November 30, 2009Rules as enactedFebruary 2009December 1 - April 30,2010 Rules as enactedNovember 2009FirsttimeBuyer -Amount of Credit$8000($4000 marriedfiling separate)$8000($4000 marriedfiling separate)FirsttimeBuyer -Definition for EligibilityMay not have had an interestin a principal residence for 3years prior to purchaseSameCurrent Homeowner -Amount of CreditNo Provision $6500($3250 marriedfiling separate)Effective Date -Current OwnerNo ProvisionDate of EnactmentCurrent Homeowner -Definition for EligibilityNo Provision Must … (0 comments)

belfair: A well to dip into! - 11/06/09 05:11 AM
People with significant assets in their individual retirement accounts can tap that cash to invest in a retirement home, but there are many complexities involved. They have to establish a self-directed IRA with an independent trust company . They have to treat the home as an investment, so they can't use it as a vacation home or rent it out at below-market rates to friends and relatives. When it is time to retire and they want to start using the home, they have to pull it out of the IRA, and if it's been held in a tax-deductible IRA, that would force … (1 comments)

belfair: A.B.R skills /check this out! - 11/06/09 02:22 AM
Its  estimated approximately 3 million renters are now financially well-qualified to buy a median-priced home. As long as buyers do not overstretch and stay well within their budget, a sizable pent-up demand can be tapped among financially qualified potential buyers,
Its interesting that the tax credit is greatly reviving the existing home market, new-home sales may continue to struggle as home builders hold back production to drive down inventory.
With the tax credit and all these buyers it should be a great 4th and 1st 2010 quarter!
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belfair: Rainy day Ideas - 11/05/09 05:32 AM
We've all had those long and dreary days, filled with miserable rain outside and miserable and whining kids, inside. "What's there to do?" they ask every five minutes. "Why can't we go outside?" "Will this rain ever stop?" 
Well, rainy days may ruin some cheerful plans of outside activities, but it doesn't have to be dull, boring, or frustrating inside. With a few careful preparations ahead of time, you can plan on the next rainy day being a day the kids will remember. In fact, they may be wishing for more days of rain.
· Play "I Spy" or "20 Questions". … (1 comments)

belfair: Boating in the northwest allyn,belfair,Hood canal - 11/05/09 02:01 AM
The waters of Washington state are a national and international resource. Recreationally and commercially, these waters contribute to the well-being of residents of the Pacific Northwest and are a blast to be on! To help maintain this valuable resource, it is essential that all users of these waters, including recreational boaters, recognize their role in keeping these waters clean. Additionally, it's important that boaters operate their vessels in a safe manner that includes their children, to protect themselves and others from needless accidents and injuries the state has a wonderful program to educate all boaters and their families for safe boating!
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belfair: If the mountians could talk ! - 11/04/09 01:09 AM
The majestic mountians are one of my favorite things to just look at !
Sitting and having a cup of coffee wondering what the day will bring,its all part of a bigger picture that we sometimes forget about,
I hope everyone has a great fourth quarter! 
These mountains have arisen from the sea. For eons, wind and rain washed sediments from the land into the ocean. Over time these sediments were compressed into shale and sandstone. Meanwhile, vents and fissures opened under the water and lava flowed forth, creating huge underwater mountains and ranges called seamounts. The plate(s) that formed the … (1 comments)

belfair: do you know how to use cell phone? - 11/03/09 01:37 PM
I thought you would laugh at this.
I have a  deal with local REALTOR ,transaction to close this week, she sends me phone message about twice a day?
She calls my broker and wants to know why I dont call back?
Little did she know I had left her messages on her phone!
When asked if she had checked her messages she stated she doesnt know how,this realtor has been in the business since 1988 and I dont see how she does it without knowing how to use her Phone?
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belfair: fall leaves that bring refreshment - 11/03/09 06:39 AM
We all enjoy the colors of autumn leaves.
It seems so nice to color up the day before we know it winter is upon us.
Did you ever wonder how and why a fall leaf changes color? Why a maple leaf turns bright red? Where do the yellows and oranges come from? To answer those questions, we first have to understand what leaves are and what they do.
Leaves are food factories. Plants take water from the ground through their roots. They take a gas called carbon dioxide from the air. Plants use sunlight to turn water and carbon dioxide into … (0 comments)

belfair: tax credit extension may be approved tomorrow!!Allyn,Belfair and mason county - 11/02/09 01:44 PM
Looks like Congress will be extending that homebuyer tax credit afterall. First time homebuyers, known to the IRS as people who haven't owned a home in the last three years, have been frantcly trying to get into contract on a house in time to get an $8,000 federal tax credit due to expire on Nov. 30. But some of them have had such a hard time outbidding cash buyers that they despaired of making the deadline.
Well, they're in luck. The Senate just passed a cloture motion to end debate on this bill, 85-2. that will extend the tax credit to April … (0 comments)

belfair: pumpklin bread for the coffee !! - 11/02/09 07:15 AM
 I thought with this fall weather you the public would get a kick out of this -A thick slice of moist pumpkin bread Starbucks-style is the perfect companion for your morning cup of joe. Many other pumpkin bread recipes produce sad, squatty loaves - but not this clone. Here's a custom formula that makes enough batter to fill up a medium loaf pan. And when the bread is done, you'll slice the beefy loaf into eight thick square hunks of goodness that perfectly mimic the weight, color and flavor of the real thing. 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking … (3 comments)