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Gig Harbor, WA Real Estate News

By Sandy Wagner, Short Sale Specialist Tacoma, WA, and Gig Harbor,
(RE/MAX Professionals 253.225.8322)
  This is a wonderful home with a fabulous view. The homeowners did not want to leave, but the economy and hard times forced them out. Because it was a short sale another neighborhood was saved from deterioration and abandonment that bank-owned properties create. Short sales are not fun, but at the end of the day the rewards are many. To be able to lift the heavy burden of foreclosure off someone's shoulder cannot be described. Yes, the commission is one of the goals, but I have (don't tell anyone) given up my commission entirely before to get a short sale closed. Some may say this isn't professional, but what I found was I had 10 more waiting in the wings (not expecting me to give up commission, but knowing I'll do anything to get the deal done). Those decisions have to be made on a ca...
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By Stacia Whatley, StaciaSellsHomes Your Western WA Realtor®
(Hawkins-Poe Inc.)
Home Buyers... Interest Rates Are Low... Get Off The Fence Already... I know we are starting to sound like a skipping record player, but if this doesn't send the message home, I don't know what will. I have been talking with a few potential buyers and they keep saying they want to wait. Well, I am here to tell you don't wait any longer. You might be pricing yourself out of the housing market. Watch my video... If you still think you should wait I want to know a really good reason why. I understand if you financially cannot purchase a home today. That is a completely different issue than you can, and you for some reason aren't. You won't see these interest rates again for a while. I am here to make sure you get the best home for the best price. Some buyers forget the huge impact of the ...
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By Stacia Whatley, StaciaSellsHomes Your Western WA Realtor®
(Hawkins-Poe Inc.)
Back To School For Gig Harbor Washington I am very excited my daughter is back to school. I have felt the last couple of weeks that she is bored and so I have been trying to do extra things with her and I have dropped my job a little. So now I am back in business 100%. This school year I have noticed a difference. I don't know if you have noticed that on certain news stations it has been a hot topic. I have been complaining about our nations educationsystem since I was in school. I will admit, I didn't go like I should have especially once I hit high school. My mother thinks it's because I wanted to socialize more than go to school. I have been trying to tell her for years that she could be further from the truth. School is the best place to socialize so why would I not go... The reason...
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By Stacia Whatley, StaciaSellsHomes Your Western WA Realtor®
(Hawkins-Poe Inc.)
I would like to take over facebook! Psshhhh... I wish... I am going to take over facebook one page at a time. I have a new one that I would like to announce. I want everyone to come to my "like" page so they can find out how great my town is... Gig Harbor, WA http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Gig-Harbor-WA/Gig-Harbor-Unplugged/134830153218056?ref=sgm I have the dorky link for now. I need a few more people so that I can get the actual username. So come and help me out and "like" my page and find out about Gig Harbor, WA. Thanks ar world!
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By Stacia Whatley, StaciaSellsHomes Your Western WA Realtor®
(Hawkins-Poe Inc.)
Interest Rates... A Different Perspective I know that every agent you have talked to has been talking about interest rates. But when someone says they are low can you imagine what that means. Most of us don't walk around with calculators in our pockets, so I am here to help you invision what that would mean when it comes to buying a home. Lets say today you are qualified to spend $400,000 with a 30 year fixed 4.5% mortgage. The home above is currently on the market for $440,000. As you can see is a gorgeous home here in Gig Harbor. Now lets say, you are afraid of many things that are being talked about in the media and you decide to wait a couple of months. In just a couple of months the interest rate goes up 1/2 of a point. With that simple 1/2 point adjustment now you qualify for $25,...
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By Stacia Whatley, StaciaSellsHomes Your Western WA Realtor®
(Hawkins-Poe Inc.)
 Gig Harbor Unplugged... Come "like" this facebook page Come and find us on facebook. It's new and it's exciting to announce our page to give you everything you need to know about Gig Harbor, WA. I want to make this as interactive as possible. You can come and add your own flare and any news about Gig Harbor. If you or you have some one interested in our wonderful city then tell them about our page.  
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By Stacia Whatley, StaciaSellsHomes Your Western WA Realtor®
(Hawkins-Poe Inc.)
Learn how to market before telling me you can... Lenders... I have been getting a lot of emails lately from local lenders and title companies. They have been giving me things from recipes to advice for going back to school. And at the top or bottom of the email it says "If you need any help marketing yourself I can help you achieve that" I am sorry to say that is old school methods of marketing. Send me something I can use. If you aren't doing facebook, youtube, or offering some way to get me high on the SEOthen I am not interested. It's a waist of your time to continue to market in these ways. They don't work anymore.        Only 1 or 2 have been really helpful and kudos to those who have started to realize our needs as agents and what is beneficial to us to help both of our businesses...
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By Sandy Wagner, Short Sale Specialist Tacoma, WA, and Gig Harbor,
(RE/MAX Professionals 253.225.8322)
      If you live in the Gig Harbor, Tacoma, Washington area this is a must attend event of the year.   The grand opening of the museum is September 18, 2010. Harbor History Museum Basket Social-Auction When: September 25, 2010  6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Where: Associate Aviation Hanger Tacoma Narrows Airport, Gig Harbor What: Champagne at the door, silent auctions, gourmet meal, Dessert Dash, and a live auction (including extravagant trips, one-of-a-kind experiences, and unique items). Proceeds of the Basket Social will go towards museum programs and operations, including outreach to local schools, new exhibits, restoration projects, and much more.  
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By Stacia Whatley, StaciaSellsHomes Your Western WA Realtor®
(Hawkins-Poe Inc.)
Thank You Facebook... Again!!! I have said this time and time again, but facebook does work! I got two more messages yesterday from past friends who are ready to sell their homes and buy new ones. It is not hard or time consuming to pay attention to your facebook page. There is no big secret to making social media work for you. All you have to do is get on it and keep in touch with your friends. People have asked me how do you make time? Well, I have scheduled it in my calendar. YES! I have made an appointment with my social media. activerain is also scheduled to keep me blogging. It's part of my business plan. So as long as I have it in my calendar I always have the time. Are you selling your friends? NO... I don't take the hard sales approach. I have a "like" page and make sure I give...
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By Sandy Wagner, Short Sale Specialist Tacoma, WA, and Gig Harbor,
(RE/MAX Professionals 253.225.8322)
Sandy Wagner | RE/MAX Professionals | (253) 225-8322 11012 64th Ave NW, Gig Harbor, WA 3BR/2+1BA Single Family House offered at $479,000 Year Built 2000 Sq Footage 2,255 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 full, 1 partial Floors 1 Parking 3 Car garage Lot Size 15,638 sqft HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION Beautiful Street of Dreams home with all the quality extras. Elegant 3 bedroom, (2 Master Suites, both with well appointed bath) Office/Den, Great Room has floor to ceiling shelves that align the fireplace, large open Kitchen with granite, lots of storage, cherry cabinet, pantry, walls of windows and high ceilings let the light flow in. The covered porch in back overlooks an incredible custom water feature. This one story home has design, location, low maintenance tile roof, tile floors, landscap...
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By Sandy Wagner, Short Sale Specialist Tacoma, WA, and Gig Harbor,
(RE/MAX Professionals 253.225.8322)
Sandy Wagner | RE/MAX Professionals | 253.225.8322 7116 47th Street NW, Gig Harbor, WA The Hawthorne at Maple Glen 3BR/3+1BA Single Family House offered at $844,900 Year Built 2007 Sq Footage 4,900 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 3 full, 1 partial Floors Unspecified Parking 2 Car garage Lot Size 1.093 acres HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION The Hawthorne is a stunning home on 1+ acres. The kitchen is spectacular with oversized island, tons of granite, stainless steel Viking appliances and cabinets galore. Brazilian cherry hardwood floors and oversized dining room with built-in buffet. The den has a see-through fireplace and built-in book shelves. A breathless entry with grand staircase leads to the bedrooms with a Master suite and bath that will have you wanting to spend many hours relaxing. The...
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By Sandy Wagner, Short Sale Specialist Tacoma, WA, and Gig Harbor,
(RE/MAX Professionals 253.225.8322)
Sandy Wagner | RE/MAX Professionals | 253.225.8322 7012 47th Street NW, Gig Harbor, WA The Canyon Maple - Unique and Distinctive 3BR/2+1BA Single Family House offered at $619,900 Year Built 2007 Sq Footage 3,338 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 full, 1 partial Floors 2 Parking 3 Car garage Lot Size 1.520 acres HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION The Canyon Maple - Kitchen is appointed with cherry cabinets, granite counters, stainless steel appliances, Butler's serving area and entertaining bar with wine cooler. Brazilian cherry hardwood floors. Relax in the romantic master suite with 2-sided fireplace with stunning bath. This 3 bedroom, 2-1/2 bath home sits on 1.5 serene and wooded acres. Many extras and details. And it's not a typical floorplan so if you desire exciting & private this may be HOM...
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By Sandy Wagner, Short Sale Specialist Tacoma, WA, and Gig Harbor,
(RE/MAX Professionals 253.225.8322)
Sandy Wagner | RE/MAX Professionals | (253) 225-8322 1907 61st Ave NW, Gig Harbor, WA 4BR/2+1BA Single Family House offered at $498,500 Year Built 1990 Sq Footage 2,828 Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 2 full, 1 partial Floors 2 Parking 3 Car garage Lot Size 0.445 acres HOA/Maint $36 per month DESCRIPTION View Home! This beautiful 2828 sq ft custom home has been exceptionally maintained. New windows, new life-time roof, new carpet, new deck~all this with a gorgeous yard and fabulous view of Hales Passage. Large 3-car garage with extra attic storage. Updated kitchen with silestone counters-open concept to family room & wood stove. Utility, bedroom & ¾ bath on main floor. 3 bedrooms and 2 full baths on upper level. Large master bedroom with breathtaking view from the five-piece master bath. see addi...
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By Stacia Whatley, StaciaSellsHomes Your Western WA Realtor®
(Hawkins-Poe Inc.)
The House That Built ME... I was searching the MLS for new listings a couple of months ago and I noticed that the house that I grew up in was up for sale. My heart sank... I wanted to be able to buy it, but unfortunately I don't have the money. I put it on my watch list and every day I looked at the house it started bringing up all the memories from that home. So much happened in that home. I lived there from birth until I was 10 when my mom sold it after her divorce from my dad. I even remember at age 10 not wanting her to sell the house. I didn't want to let go of what I felt was The House That Built ME... It got me thinking about our current housing market and how people for some time now have only seen a house as a thing to make them rich. We have lost touch of that emotion behind i...
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By Stacia Whatley, StaciaSellsHomes Your Western WA Realtor®
(Hawkins-Poe Inc.)
10 Reasons Why Now Is The Best Time To Buy: Part 4 There is another reason to add to the table when you are thinking about buyinga home and you just  haven't gotten there yet in your mind. Owning a home is still the American Dream! Regardless of the economy there are still homes being bought and sold here in the USA. And if you are one of those great Americans that want to buy a home, do it... It is time to evaluate what is imortant again in our lives. It's family, friends, and our community. We as Americans forgot what it means to live the American Dream and I know you would all agree. For the last 10 years we have treated our homes like investments. We all saw dollar signs until the false value fell out. We all knew it couldn't sustain, but we kept trucking on. Buying a home is still ...
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By Stacia Whatley, StaciaSellsHomes Your Western WA Realtor®
(Hawkins-Poe Inc.)
Calling All Buyers! Get off the Fence Already!   I am sure every agent has heard this same story more than they would like, but I have to make another attempt to make sure that if you are a buyer and you can afford to buy a home today... Get on with it and buy a home already. The home prices and interest rates are not going to get any better. In years past this cycle has happened before. We have seen this time and time again. History is repeating itself. Trust me when I say, you will be kicking yourself if you can buyand don't. Please don't look at the media to be your educational tool for what is going on in our local market. The Real Estate Market is different depending on where you live. Our area has not been effected like most in the country. Kitsap and Pierce Counties have already ...
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By Sandy Wagner, Short Sale Specialist Tacoma, WA, and Gig Harbor,
(RE/MAX Professionals 253.225.8322)
                                                                                            YTD July 2009                           YTD July 2010                          Total Active Residential Listings                  870                                               850                                              Median List Price                                              $488,950                                     $420,000                                    Median Sales Price                                          $335,000                                     $325,000                                    List Price vs. Sales Price Ratio                     68.5%                                           77.30%                                        Average Market Time - all li...
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By Stacia Whatley, StaciaSellsHomes Your Western WA Realtor®
(Hawkins-Poe Inc.)
Buyers Seminar Gig Harbor/Tacoma Washington August 26th, 2010 I want to let everyone know that I am holding a Buyers Seminar with the help of Patty Jo Furst, Rick Price and Laura Ritter. We will be discussing why it's important to use a REALTORfor purchasing your home, how to secure a loan for the purchase of your new home, and all the in's and out's of title and escrow. We are excited to be able to put this on at our new office on the gorgeous Gig Harbor waterfront. If you would like to attend please join us August 26, 2010 at 6:00pm Hawkins-Poe Inc. 8815 North Harborview Drive Gig Harbor, WA 98332 We will also have a drawing for a wonderful prize! You will not want to miss this opportunity. Now is the best time to buy a home with home prices down and Interest Rates at the lowest EVER!...
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By Debra Kay
(John L Scott - Gig Harbor)
If you have been watching Red Rooster on Facebook, you know they just opened on Monday.  Hat's Off to the gang for launching a new business and building the buzz on Facebook.  Over the last 4 months, Red Rooster has used a FB ad to get noticed and now has over 1300 fans.
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By Stacia Whatley, StaciaSellsHomes Your Western WA Realtor®
(Hawkins-Poe Inc.)
They Took Our Jobs!!! I was doing my normal Monday night reading of other member's blogs and it hit me. I keep reading more and more about agents worrying about the Internet taking our place. Whether it be in searching for a home or getting the expert information. What surprises me is that the Internet has been around for quite some time now and it surprises me that people are still afraid of it. I spent the last 11 yrs being a hairstylist. I have always wanted to be a real estate agent and finally decided to take the plunge. When I hear and read agent's talking about the Internet they are talking about it like they are afraid of it. What brought me to write this was I had an a-ha moment. It is the same thing as me thinking that the box haircolor that you can get at the grocery store wa...
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