grapeview: common questions that buyers have on tax credit - 12/19/09 02:22 AM
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions on the changes to the Homebuyer Tax Credit
Question: Existing homeowner credit: Must the new house cost more than the old house?
Answer: No. Thus, for example, individuals who move from a high cost area to a lower cost area who
meet all eligibility requirements will qualify for the $6500 credit.
Question: I am an existing homeowner. On October 25, 2009, I signed a contract to purchase a
new home. I have lived in my current home for more than 5 consecutive years and
am within the new income limits. I will … (0 comments)

grapeview: Thawing frozen pipes - 12/08/09 10:29 AM
Unless your water pipes freeze at night while your family is asleep (and this is often the case), you may recognize that your pipes are beginning to freeze by a reduction in water pressure. At this point, action should be taken immediately. If the pipes are allowed to freeze completely, blocking the flow of water, the pipes are likely to burst. Water expands as it turns into ice, and there is only so much room in the pipe. When the water expands beyond what the pipe can handle, the pipe may burst.
If you can catch the situation before the pipes … (4 comments)

grapeview: Tips to avoid frozen pipes - 12/08/09 10:12 AM
Pipes may freeze even if they are not exposed to outside air. In extremely cold weather, even pipes that run along exterior walls or through crawl spaces may freeze. Residents of mobile or modular homes are particularly susceptible to this problem.
There are steps you can take in advance to minimize the possibility of frozen pipes. Pipes may be insulated with foam rubber sleeves or fiberglass insulation. Pipes which run through unheated areas may also be wrapped with special heating strips before being insulated. Rather than providing passive protection, these strips use electricity to provide heat to potential problem areas. Do … (2 comments)

grapeview: Tips for sellers to maximize there return - 11/25/09 01:46 AM
Tips for SellersThe key to selling your home quickly and at the right price is in preparing it appropriately. Here are some tips to help you get started.
Give home a though cleaning. Oil door hinges, tighten door knobs. Have carpets professionally cleaned, or replaced if damaged. Repair dripping faucets and leaky toilets. Replace all burned out light bulbs. Repair defective light switch. Get rid of clutter both inside and out. Cut and edge grass. Trim hedges and weed gardens. Paint, fix or wash railings, steps, storm windows, screens and doors. Clean out the gutters. Wash the windows. Tidy up the … (3 comments)

grapeview: Black Friday/ Fourth quarter - 11/25/09 01:30 AM
The Commerce Department says sales rose 6.2 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 430,000 from an upwardly revised 405,000 in September. Economists surveyed by Thomson Reuters had expected a pace of 410,000.
Home shoppers in October were acting before lawmakers decided to extend a tax credit for first-time buyers and expand it to existing homeowners. Nevertheless, sales were up 5.1 percent from a year ago, the first yearly increase since November 2005.
This is great news, and will continue to help the coming 1st quarter!
Stay positive the best is yet to come!
 
http://www.daryldatus.com
… (0 comments)

grapeview: morgage assistance program news - 11/24/09 12:34 AM
The mortgage assistance program, off to a slow start, has now helped 650,000 homeowners with trial loan modifications, with average savings of $500 a month. The administration aims to help between 3 million and 4 million over three years, but that is $50 billion that won't get repaid directly to the Treasury.
It will continue to help those in need and assist us in not competing with foreclosed properties!http://www.daryldatus.com
… (1 comments)

grapeview: great place - 11/22/09 02:22 AM

Great Place to be, the south some of the best fishing and the people are great too!http://www.daryldatus.comhttp 
… (2 comments)

grapeview: New Jobs in Belfair/ more home buyers too! - 11/21/09 12:55 PM
Just a note to help us thru the week, QFC inBelfair id geting a new gas station,with that come new people to the area, and the need some place to live!
Jobs can be found on QFC web site, for those that need housing once you get here , well I hope you think of me!
Have a great winter!
Daryl has lived in Belfair since 1973 and has a home on the Hood Canal   where he and his family relax and enjoy Boating, fishing, crabbing, clamming relaxing & good cup of coffee.
Navigating the multifaceted decisions needed in today's real … (1 comments)

grapeview: 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!
… (0 comments)

grapeview: 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)

grapeview: 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)

grapeview: 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)

grapeview: 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
… (0 comments)

grapeview: 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)

grapeview: 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!
 
… (0 comments)

grapeview: 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.
… (0 comments)

grapeview: 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)

grapeview: fall is in the air-warm drinks - Allyn-Belfair - 11/01/09 03:57 AM
 the Pacific Northwest is beautiful, October has definitely ushered in Autumn. The chillytemperatures,wind and rain leave us in no doubt that Summer is over. We've traded in ourwarm-weather for boots and rain coats, and we're building cozy fires to stay warm at home.Change is in the air.
Taking our cue from Nature, and get some of those recipe's for drinks by the fire,`
```````if you have a good one send it to me, I am always up for new things to try!
… (0 comments)

grapeview: new loan limits extended -Allyn,Belfair, Mason Kitsap - 10/31/09 03:15 AM
Congress hasr quick action in continuing these higher limits during a time for recovery in the housing market and national economy. The higher limits, along with the home buyer tax credit extension, are necessary to keep the markets moving at this critical time !
Home sales have shown significant movement upwards in the past six months and reduced inventory in some segments of the housing market, but not in all.
 Home purchases in the middle-income and higher brackets have not moved much, and those markets must improve before we can experience a fully sustained housing recovery.
These higher loan limits will … (0 comments)

grapeview: tax credit may be extended thru july of next year great time to buy,Allyn,Belfair Mason & Kitsap - 10/29/09 11:08 AM
 This is great- Key lawmakers in the Senate have tentatively agreed to extend the existing $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers and also offer a new $6,500 credit for existing homeowners who have lived in their current residence for a consecutive five-year period in the past eight years.
That's the grease for the wheel to get us thru winter!Home buyers must be under contract by April 30, 2010, and close before July 1. House Democrats have expressed concern about the cost of the tax credit for the government, get this someone claimed their 4 year old on tax credit, their is … (0 comments)