grapeview: Getting your home ready to appraise for value? Here are some tips - 12/27/10 11:38 AM
Home appraisals are a necessary step in the process of selling or refinancing your home. While many homes today aren't worth as much as they were when they were bought, it is crucial for homeowners to be realistic when it comes to getting their home appraised. If you are in the process of getting your home ready to be put on the market or if you are interested in refinancing, review the following tips from Equity Mortgage Lending as you prepare for your home appraisal.
The appraiser will need approximately 30 minutes to one hour to complete the inspection phase of … (2 comments)

grapeview: Tips for making your home secure - 12/27/10 11:31 AM
 No one likes to talk about it, but burglary is a scary thing. Thieves usually look for potential targets that are the easiest to break into. You can make your home much less attractive to them by taking a few simple steps to beef up home security. Most of these security measures are easy tasks and only require a few simple tools. A little free time is a small investment for your peace of mind. 1. Installing a quality lockset not only adds to your home's beauty, it also sends a message to would-be intruders.2. Deadbolts are an inexpensive and effective … (1 comments)

grapeview: Home improvements that add value when you are ready to sell - 12/27/10 09:55 AM
Do a little landscaping.Potential buyers will get their first impression of your home from its exterior. Sostand outside and take a few moments to look at your home objectively. Could thegrass use some cutting? Do the flowerbeds need a bit of TLC? Trimmedlandscaping indicates a home that is well cared for throughout.l Replace mulch.l Pressure wash the house.l Edge sidewalks.l Remove vegetation between concrete and bricks.l Trim tree limbs that are near the roof.l Cut the grass.l Prune hedges.l Freshen flowerbeds.l Clear away dead trees and debris.Tools: ExtensionLadders, Pressure WasherMake your home more welcoming.Before homebuyers even come into your home, they'll … (0 comments)

grapeview: Making your investment energy efficient ! - 12/27/10 09:47 AM
Most folks work hard for their money. Why sit by while it slips through the cracks? There are simple and inexpensive steps that you can take to make your home more energy efficient and these solutions often bring big returns. As a bonus, they benefit the environment as well as the family piggy bank. In this article we look at some simple and inexpensive ways to reduce energy consumption in the home. Lowe's is happy to provide this information as a service to you.Making Your Home More Energy EfficientInsulating Your Water HeaterIf you always have plenty of hot water, you may … (0 comments)

grapeview: Lighting tips for your home to sell! - 12/27/10 09:33 AM
 
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grapeview: tips for showing - and selling - your home during the season of peace, love and joyous overeating/overspending! - 12/02/10 02:07 AM
If you've been active in the market for long, you know that the real estate pauses for no man, woman or life event. Nor does it pause for any season; while the market usually does a major slowdown around the winter holidays, the very most motivated buyers and sellers are still doing deals.  If your home is currently listed for sale, here are some tips for showing - and selling - your home during the season of peace, love and joyous overeating/overspending!1.  Don't, if you don't have to. During the holidays, the pool of qualified and active buyers shrinks - dramatically.  … (0 comments)

grapeview: Investment updates for the local area! - 09/27/10 06:00 AM
THE BIG ECONOMIC PICTURE (ALMOST)... We get lots of economic news this week, the sole exception being any reports on our beloved housing market. There's Retail Sales on Tuesday, expected to still be up, though at a slower pace. Wednesday has manufacturing, which continues its slow but steady recovery, as measured by the Empire State Index, Industrial Production, and Capacity Utilization. We get wholesale inflation with the Producer Price Index and inflation for the rest of us with the Consumer Price Index, both of which should show prices under control and deflation not a threat. We end with University of Michigan … (0 comments)

grapeview: Great time to buy a home! - 09/20/10 06:42 AM
INFO THAT HITS US WHERE WE LIVE  Fannie Mae released a survey showing 70% of those polled in June and July feel now is a good time to buy a home. This is up from a 64% reading in January. At the same time, 83% of those surveyed think it's a bad time to sell, which isn't such a terrible thing, since there's still plenty of inventory for buyers to choose from. Another group of industry observers concluded that sales of existing homes hit bottom in July and will rebound in the fall. They based this on recent reports for purchase … (0 comments)

grapeview: New Business Kitsap county/ mason county benifits! - 09/04/10 12:55 PM
Best news yet, we are getting a good boat dealer in town!!
BREMERTON NATIONAL AIRPORT -
Opening this weekend off Highway 3 just north of Bremerton National Airport is
 Defiance Marine and Power Equipment, a sports fishing-boat showroom and service center.
On Friday 6,000-square-foot showroom, along with shelves of saltwater fishing gear and racks of outerwear. Initial visitors got their first look around as workers put the final touches on the $1 million building.
THIS IS GREAT NEWS FOR BOATERS, AND FISHERMAN TO THE AREA!
GREAT JOB MR. PALMER!!

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grapeview: Elwha Dam, Elwha restoration helps local fishing! - 09/04/10 12:44 PM
 For a long time the waterways are a lifeline to Hood Canal and other areas, this info below will help to inform you about some of the positive things happening locally!
Elwha River Restoration The largest dam removal in U.S. history will free the Elwha River after 100 years, Salmon populations will swell from 3,000 to more than 300,000 as all five species of Pacific salmon return to more than 70 miles of river and stream.
Renewing a Culture

The returning salmon and restored river will renew the culture of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, who have lived along the … (0 comments)

grapeview: Is your deck ready to show? - 06/10/10 03:31 AM
Many of us love out door living, and when selling your home this should shine.
 
Is your deck ready to show, below as some tips to help you keep your investment looking good and will help you in getting ready to sell!
Clean your deck (once a year)Dirt, grime, mildew, or mold can build up your deck over the course of the year. Not only can they diminish the look of your deck, they can also make it slippery and, in the case of mold and mildew, damage your deck. 1. Visually inspect your deck. Look for dirt, grime, mildew, … (0 comments)

grapeview: Tips for real estate investing - 05/26/10 03:15 AM
Have you heard that planning for the future is a good thing, these tips will help guide you to secure future!
1. Compare property values and rents Financial statistics only go so far; the best measure of a property's market value is often the sale prices of nearby properties. The same holds true for area rents. A low price can often be justified by a reasonable rent; renters who can afford a high rent can afford to buy instead, so reasonably priced rent is a must. 2. Pay attention to tax laws Don't base your tax investment on current tax laws. The … (1 comments)

grapeview: Smart phones and our business - 05/24/10 03:26 AM
SMS mobile marketing enables you to reach a targeted audience in a matter of seconds knowing that most people are likely to respond to your text message within an hour of receipt.
 Proven to be an effective medium for reaching consumers, the fact is now more than ever business professionals are relying on mobile phones to receive and respond to messages that are of value to them.
 That's why it's time for B2B marketers to consider how to effectively integrate mobile marketing into the mix.
Are you thinking its time for an upgrade me too, its time for more business as … (3 comments)

grapeview: Tips for picking up the pace! - 05/24/10 03:14 AM
I find myself overwhelmed by the number and complexity of projects that I have and that need to be completed at work each day? I often feel the day flies by without your devoting the necessary attention to each assignment because other tasks keep landing on my desk.  Have you ever felt that way?
You probably know that effective time management will help you get more done each day. It has important health benefits, too. By managing your time more wisely, you can minimize stress and improve your quality of life. But how do you get back on track when organizational skills don't come naturally? To … (2 comments)

grapeview: Allyn days Mason county - 05/21/10 05:08 AM
Allyn days and salmon bake are traditionally held on the third weekend in July at the Allyn Waterfront Park. This year the festival will be held Saturday and Sunday, July 17-18 and marks the 28th anniversary of Allyn Days!
The festival attracts over 1,000 visitors and residents who come for a delicious alder-smoked salmon dinner cooked outdoors and two days worth of lively entertainment. 
In addition to salmon, the festival also features local micro-breweries and a local winery in an outdoor "garden" near the gazebo. You  can enjoy a brew of choice while listening to lively entertainment.
Hope to see ya there its a blast!
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grapeview: Tahuya Days coming soon! - 05/21/10 04:17 AM
Tahuya is the most remote of any town in Mason County. At the tip of the Tahuya Peninsula and at the end of a long, winding road, Tahuya acquired its first electricity and phone lines less than 20 years ago.
People in Tahuya cherish their seclusion, as well as their view homes from the beach front and steep slopes rising over the Great Bend of Hood Canal.
 The first Saturday of every July the town holds the Tahuya Day Parade, celebrating their unique and quirky heritage as a place you live in "by choice."
Hope to see you there!
Covering much of … (0 comments)

grapeview: Belfair sewer , great for the Hood Canal - 05/21/10 03:37 AM
Construction is underway on the new wastewater treatment and water reclamation facilities in Belfair. This project will convert septic systems within key areas of the Belfair Urban Growth Area to an environmentally-friendly, county-operated sewer utility. These wastewater facilities are needed to provide a sustainable approach to water management that protects Hood Canal and treats wastewater to Class A standards for water reuse. Reuse of treated wastewater provides the highest and best use of local resources and protects Hood Canal.
On a long-term basis the project will support the backbone for urban infrastructure in Belfair as mandated by the Growth Management Act,
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grapeview: Morning coffee - 05/08/10 02:16 AM
Its Saturday mornin, Sun shine on the Hood Canal, I  am racing in my mind the listings that need better pictures, and well the files that are closing for second quarter , its time just to sit on the deck and have a good cup of coffee.
Days like this are great for reflecting on why I have chosen the Hood Canal to live!
I hope everyone has a great weekend!
www.daryldatus.com  
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grapeview: Tell them to fly a kite! - 05/03/10 10:08 AM
Its a windy day in the Northwest, and what a great time to fly a kite.
With the stress we find ourselves know wonder many forget the simple things in life, like flying a kite, out a the park, or on the beach.
Its time to just say"GO FLY A KITE!"
Have a great second quarter!
www.daryldatus.com

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grapeview: Weather affects the market - 05/03/10 02:33 AM
Just what I needed, blue skies and clear view of the Hood Canal.
With the buyers credit over, and moving towards summer, its a beautiful day in the northwest.
Staying positive and looking to the future helps with my out look, so many Realtors have the ho hum drum syndrome, that well its good to reflect and say " today is a good day!" 
www.daryldatus.com
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