USDA! It's More Than Beef... There is great news on the mortgage front. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that they have money to lend again! There are a few criteria for a buyer to qualify for a USDA loan, but more people qualify than you would think. I will walk you through a few criteria to help you decide if this loan program is right for you.   LOAN PROGRAM BASICS: Rural Housing Direct Loans are loans that are directly funded by the government. These loans are available for low and very low income households to obtain home ownership. Applicants may obtain 100% financing to purchase an existing dwelling, purchase a site and construct a dwelling, or purchase newly constructed dwellings located in rural areas. Mortgage payments are based on the household... 08/02/2010

10 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD BUY A HOME TODAY! PART 3 MORTGAGE RATES ARE AT AN ALL TIME LOW! If you have been wondering if you should buy a home now or wait, then you have come to the right place. In my area Gig Harbor, WA there has already been a slow price increasein consecutively in the last four months. Including Pierce and King Counties. These are real numbers reported from the Northwest MLS. Now it hasn't been huge, but it's there and it's slowly creeping up. If that continues and then in a few months the interest rates start creeping up (because they will have to go up soon) then you will be paying substantially more than if you just bought now. This proves that not ALL AREA'S are the same when it comes to the housing market. The interest rates are going to have to go up soon. They... 07/30/2010

Special Rules for Members of the Military, the Foreign Service and the Intelligence Community Information sent to me from my lender Rick Price with Republic Mortgage. Our Military members need to know this and I have been told that most of them don't. One more reason why today is the best time to buy a home. Congress has acknowledged the unique circumstances affecting members of the military, the foreign service and the intelligence community by making the following exceptions that apply to both the $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers and the $6,500 tax credit for repeat home buyers. Exemption From Tax Credit Recapture Rules •·   Typically, homes that are sold or that cease to be used as a principal residence within three years of the initial purchase are subject to recapture o... 07/30/2010

If you are planning your summer road trip don't forget to add Gig Harbor as a destination!!  We have it all - water, mountains, arts, theater, shopping, water sports, fishing, clamming, restaurants, local farmers' markets and so much more!!  Make sure and stop in at 8815 Harborview Drive - the new real estate office for Hawkins-Poe - since 1946 a leading name in residential real estate for all of Pierce and Kitsap Counties!  We are a botique office offering buyers and sellers the best of everything!! Enjoy the Sunshine!!  Enjoy Life!! 07/28/2010

Check out Pat Giles blog post to the Wall Street Journal.  We all have agents in our marketplace that think that their photos represent the home and serve the seller.  Pst "Pass it on" John L. Scott Real Estate Our own Pat Giles contributed to this Wall Street Journal post about how NOT to take bad real estate photos: http://blogs.wsj.com/developments/2010/07/22/awful-real-estate-listing-photos-how-not-to-take-them/ 07/28/2010

Buyers Only Seminar! Why NOW is the best time to buy a home Me and Patty Jo Furst are going to host our first Buyers Only Seminar! We are going to invite all buyers new and old to come and join us for the latest information on how to buy a home in this housing market. We will be discussing home prices and interest rates. How to obtain a mortgage. The home buying process from finding that perfect home to how to negotiate an offer to closing. Dates are to be announced soon. I want to hear from you! If there are any topics you would like to know about or if you have any specific questions that you know every buyer would be wanting to know. Then leave a comment on this blog to ask! I look forward to helping all new and old buyers! It's a great time to buy a home. Let me tell you why! Stay t... 07/27/2010

The Trouble with Summertime Traffic in Gig Harbor is just that.  It is summertime and there is more traffic.  Gig Harbor has a couple of serious round-about intersections designed to keep traffic moving and guess what...they are under construction. Knowing how to navigate a roundabout is important, so here is what the driver's manual says about roundabouts.  Yes the drivers manual...when was the last tine you brushed up on driver safety. RoundaboutsA roundabout is an intersection control device with traffic circulating around an island. Approaching vehicles must yield to the traffic in the circle. Always yield to pedestrians and bicyclists who are legally crossing the road. Inside the circle, always drive around the circle to the right.   How to drive in a roundabout: 1. Slow down as yo... 07/24/2010

Beauty Contest & Price War! Sellers Pay Attention! There are a few things that a seller needs to know when it comes to selling their home in this current housing market. This will be a hard truth to hear, but if you want or NEED to sell your home in this market there is more you need to do then just stick a sign in the yard. 1) Beauty Contest - There are so many homes on the market today that you have to take some time to look at your home from a buyers perspective. If there are any cosmetic things that need to be fixed then fix them. If you know that the flooring needs to be replaced, then replace it. Buyers aren't interested in taking the time, even if you offer a flooring allowance, to replace the carpet. They know that down the street they will find what they are looking for. 2) Pri... 07/22/2010

INCEPTION...Only if it were possible...hhhmmmmm.... I went to the movies today with my hubby and saw the Leonardo flick "INCEPTION". It was a great movie, and it got me thinking. Without giving it away it was about going into your dreams and tapping into your sub-conscience and getting information. They wanted to also create idea's in people's brains without them knowing who did. Kind of a type of manipulation of the mind. When I left I couldn't stop thinking of the idea of getting into my subconscience to make me tap into some great idea's. I thought, maybe I could play my own voice and make recordings of things I want to do or accomplish. And listen to it while I sleep. I have always been a firm believer in creating goals and affirmations, but maybe if I do the recording it would get ... 07/21/2010

The Narrows Bridge... Out of the office today and headed for Gig Harbor, Washington for a day of social media marketing conversations with Amy Kalafatich at The Talon Group. A new wave of real estate professionals are discovering the necessity of having a good online presence.  The dynamics of relationship building are essentially the same as they've always been, but where they start and how they develop has changed. So much of our conversation within a group or community takes place online now. We speak to each other in person and live over phones, yet more and more via texting and over the web through networks. A lot of our conversation is asynchronous. We say something and may get an instant reply, or it may be later like a minute, an hour, day, or years later. One of the principles ... 07/21/2010

In this market, the first four to six weeks is the most critical time to attract attention to a newly listed home on the market.  This time period is where most of the time, effort and money goes to market the home to as many potential buyers as possible.  My marketing campaign includes a Listing Launch providing the sellers are willing and that is exactly what I was doing this last weekend. Launching a listing is intense marketing to the public and brokers.  As soon as I know the listing is signed I start planning. This will be a marketing blitz beginning Thursday with the Brokers Tour.  I am going to want to get as many brokers there as possible to see the house before the weekend.  Thursday afternoon I'd follow up with any broker that said they might show the house.  On Tuesday of th... 07/20/2010

10 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD BUY A HOME TODAY! PART 2 FHA Loans Are Available There are many choices for buyers looking for mortgages. One option, FHA home loans, are a viable alternative for many first time buyers. The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) - which is part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) - insures the loan, so your lender can offer you a better deal, including a low down payment and low closing costs. The FHA single-family loan program is alive and well. As specialty mortgages have faded away, FHA is stepping in. In fact, the FHA market share is up to more than 30%, from just 6% in 2007. FHA loans are a great way for buyers to take advantage of buying a home today! If you still don't have the huge downpayment then FHA is for you to take advanta... 07/19/2010

Downtown Gig Harbor was the site for the Peninsula Art Show Theanks to the local businesses inconvenienced by closing Judson Street on Saturday and Sunday for the venue. I spoke with a couple of artists that thought the "Judging was great" I also overheard Wows from the crowd as they viewed the artist's work. The threat of rain made for some cool shopping as the ice cream vendors will attest. Kudos to all who helped put on the show. It is a huge undertaking to be able to bring local artists wogether with regional works to delight us all. 07/19/2010

GIG HARBOR HOME FOR SALE – BEST BUY SELECTION This week’s Best Buy Home for Sale is located in Gig Harbor, WA.  This two story Gig Harbor home was built in 2002 and has 3 bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths, 3234 square feet, and sits on 1.34 acres.  The home is located at 13004 Point Richmond NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98332, in the Gig Harbor community of Point Richmond.  Point Richmond is a private community with a community beach, park, barbeque/party area and a boat launch.  This Gig Harbor home has a partial water view of the Puget Sound and sits adjacent to a wooded area.  The home has two covered decks, with one running the full length of the house.  A large gourmet kitchen sports a Wolf range and stainless steel appliances, custom cabinets and granite counter-tops.  Some other features of this Gig ... 07/14/2010

10 Reasons Why You Should Buy a Home Today! part 1 Today's real estate marketis ever changing and evolving, but it is still one of the best times in history to buy a home. These are the times that have occurred in the past when people like Donald Trump became rich. But richness aside, there are so many other benefits to purchasing and owning a home. Benefits of Ownership: Owning a home is the American Dream. A home not only provides financial benefits but it also provides shelter and security to families. Did you know that: Home owners move less and are more likely to vote and volunteer time for political and charitable causes then renters. Children of home owners tend to perform better in school and attain higher levels of education than children of parents who don't own a home. Dollar... 07/14/2010

Come join me out at Salmon Bay Estates today from 1-4pm for a wonderful Open House! I invite all to come and check out these spectacular new homes with one acre lots! Just Completed! Fox Island Home Overview Maps Photos Description Open House Market Stats $555,000 Single Family HomeFor Sale Main Features 3 Bedrooms2 Bathrooms1 Partial BathroomInterior: 2600 sqftLot: 1.00 acre(s) Location 911 7th CourtFox Island, WA 98333 To get updates on open home dates and other property events, please click the "Like" button below: Stacia Whatley Hawkins-Poe Inc.(253) 426-8785staciawhatley@gmail.comhttp://www.staciasellshomes.com Listed by: Hawkins-Poe Inc. Our recent listings Just Completed! Fox Island HomeBuild Your Dream Home on Fox Island Gated CommunityGorgeous Home on 1 Acre in Fox Island Gated... 07/10/2010

Remove Redo Realtor If nothing else this real estate market is challenging. Gig Harbor still has more inventory than other places around the Sound. So sometimes you have to think outside the box. I took this clip and added the Kareoke version of "Matchmaker, Matcher" from "Fiddler on the Roof" and came up with some new lyrics. Check it out.   Goodrich take 3_0001.wmv www.youtube.com Sing a long May 3 at 8:02pm · Comment ·LikeUnlike · Share · Report 07/09/2010

SalmonChantedHarbor is an array of beautifully decorated artwork that will be displayed around downtown Gig Harbor from May-October 2010. Fifteen locations will host the artwork within the historic downtown area. This year's artistic theme is the heron, one of our area's most beloved residents. Each heron has been created exclusively for SalmonChantedHarbor by a local artist. The event will culminate in an auction of each heron to raise money for Peninsula Hands on Art, an arts educational program in four of our local schools. www.salmonchantedharbor.org   07/08/2010

Summer is finally here in Washington State and I am loving it. Unfortunately, we have had a very cold summer until today. We went from 66 degrees to 90 at my home right now in Gig Harbor, WA. This is just one thing I love about this wonderful city and state. When the sun comes out it is so beautiful that you just need to get out in it and enjoy! Especially, Gig Harbor! We have the water and the most gorgeous view of Mt. Rainier. Everyone thinks it rains here all the time, but that can be further from the truth. Our rain amounts are much less than a lot of southern states. Yes, it is gray in the winter, but this weather today makes up for it. If you want to live here or just visit or have a vacation property here you can't go wrong. Come out and enjoy the sun and heat today and for the r... 07/07/2010

OPEN HOUSE AT SALMON BAY ESTATES! For more info click on the link. RE-POST THIS AS MUCH AS YOU WOULD LIKE. SPREAD THE WORD! Map these properties   Powered by RealBird.com 07/06/2010