Gig Harbor's local real estate market continued along its current trends-unpredictable.  Numbers are up from last month, down from August of ‘07.  Bottom line still seems to be that we are in a solid buyers' market (absorption rate is about 20.6 months in Gig Harbor).  For potential home buyers who have some money with which to invest, there are some great opportunities in real estate right now.  With rental prices rising, many smart investors are using this market to increase their real estate portfolio and take advantage of the opportunities that are being presented.  Sellers who are being open and real about the market continue to price their homes well (which usually means well below what they'd like!) and they are still selling quickly. The following chart shows a few comparisons f... 09/07/2008

If you're in town, you've been lucky enough to experience why I love Gig Harbor so much.  These past 3 days have been perfect!  Low 70's, a slight cool breeze, nothing but sunshine...perfect!  With the weather expected to stay nice through the weekend, why not spend a little time and tour the open houses?  There are 11 properties being held open in Gig Harbor, Olalla, and Fox Island this weekend for you to view.  As always, if you'd like more information on any of these homes, or if you'd like to tour any other home for sale in Gig Harbor that is not being held open, give me a call.  I'd love to chat and set up a plan.  Click here for an interactive map of all of the homes that are open tomorrow and Sunday.  This information is from the NWMLS and is reliable but not guaranteed. This pho... 09/05/2008

I had to run this search a few times...only 4 open houses in Gig Harbor this weekend!  I had to go out to Olalla to grab a 4th!  There are just over 800 homes for sale in Gig Harbor at this time.  4 of those are open for viewing.  If you'd like to see any of the other 795+, give me a call, I'd be happy to chat with you about private showings!  I don't think we could get that done in a weekend, though. Click here for the interactive map of this weekend's open houses.  As always, information is from the NWMLS and is reliable but not guaranteed.  I'm always available to answer questions about these or any other properties in the area. "Come on dad! Faster!  I want to see that open house!" 08/29/2008

The sun's back out and the temps are back up.  After going to the Family Fun Fest tomorrow, why not check out a few open houses?  There are 11 properties in Gig Harbor, Fox Island, Olalla area that are open this weekend.  Click here to view the interactive map.  If you find something you like, or if you have any questions regarding real estate in Gig Harbor, please give me a call. Gig Harbor Lighthouse will not be open this weekend.  Homes listed on the map will.  Information is taken from the NWMLS and is reliable but not guaranteed.  08/22/2008

There are lots of open houses in Gig Harbor this weekend (I'll be holding one in my favorite neighborhood of Millbrooke Saturday from 2-4pm).  Keller Williams Realty is holding their inaugural Back to School HOME sale, featuring 16 Gig Harbor homes for sale at discounts up to $100,000!  Many of our sellers have agreed to cut their prices for this weekend only.  We don't want to rush anybody, so any potential home buyers who visit any of our open houses this weekend or swing by the Keller Williams Gig Harbor office can pick up a coupon that allows them to buy the home at the discounted price for up to two weeks from this weekend.  Consider this Keller Williams' economic stimulus package to Gig Harbor home buyers!  Inman News has tagged Keller Williams as the nation's most innovative real... 08/15/2008

Okay, there really isn't an invasion here, but for one night only your kids will think we have a zoo!  This Thursday evening (August 14th) from 6-8pm at Believer's Fellowship Church on Hunt St in Gig Harbor, animals of all sorts will be on display. The annual Believer's Fellowship Animal Fair is a great time for kids pre-school through 2nd grade.  We'll have horse back rides, a cow, Alpacas, and many other fun animals, as well as games, crafts and a hot dog BBQ dinner.  Kids are free, adults are asked for $1 if they eat dinner, free if they just enjoy the animals.  If you are in the Gig Harbor area and have young kids who love animals, swing on by Thursday night and join us for some fun.  If you need more info or directions, give me a call. This guy is from NW Trek, not our Animal Fair,... 08/12/2008

If you're a parent (or grandparent, or guardian) of kids and you live in Gig Harbor or the Key Peninsula, here is something that should interest you.  Safe St organized the Peninsula Prevention Forum, a chance for Gig Harbor residents and their children to talk about substance abuse among Gig Harbor's youth.  There's no question that Gig Harbor is a great place to raise a family, and for the most part Gig Harbor's kids are a great group, but like anywhere drug and alcohol can be problematic.  This forum will be a great place to get together and share ideas.  Feel free to contact me or visit Safe St's website for more information.  The forum will take place Tuesday, August 12th from 6-8pm at PHS.  08/11/2008

I read a lot of news pertaining to real estate.  I spend more time than I care to admit scanning real estate blogs and articles online.  I recently found a blog written by another Gig Harbor real estate agent that seems to be nothing but bad news.  She's not alone...a majority of the blogs I read tend to be bad news.  Nothing false, nothing made up, no distorted facts, but nothing positive either.  True,  July wasn't a great month for home sales in Gig Harbor.  But I want to keep this website focused on the good, so I'll say this:  Buyers have a great inventory of homes to choose from, and a pretty good bargaining chip.  I'll also throw this in:  Sellers who chose to price their homes well sold their homes quickly this past month, with the average Days On Market being only 55 days.  In ... 08/08/2008

You will never believe the story I am about to tell.......... Recently I was contacted by one of my clients that a home I had staged for sale was broken into and my furniture and accessories were stolen. I gasped because another one of my homes in another area had been broken into and appliances stolen as well. So I figure out the value amount for the police and getting ready to claim it on the insurance when I get a call from the cops. They said they have photos of some items they think might be mine. Sure enough......it was mine! Unfortunately they knew who the suspect was, but not where she was. They received the photos because this clever little thief was living in vacant rentals without legally renting them and setting up "house" with my stuff! The best part is, she used her full ... 08/04/2008

Another light weekend for open houses in the Gig Harbor, Fox Island, and Olalla areas.  Only 11 this weekend.  Click on the photo below to be taken to an interactive map giving you information on the homes, time and date of the open house, and the listing agent's name.  If any of these homes strike your fancy, or you're interested in learning more about any other homes you've seen for sale, feel free to give me a call or shoot me an email. Information is from the NWMLS and is reliable but not guaranteed. 08/01/2008

There are several open houses being held in the Gig Harbor area this weekend, but none so important as the one that I'll be holding open (#11 on the map)!  While the address says Port Orchard (4576 SE Keystone Ct, Port Orchard), you're only 12 minutes away from Gig Harbor's YMCA, Costco, and other amenities of Gig Harbor North (that's much closer than many parts of Artondale and Cromwell in Gig Harbor).  It's 3bedroom (4 actually, but a 3 bed septic) with a HUGE bonus room.  Don't forget the 3 car garage, views of the Olympics and Mt Rainier, and great proximity to a boating lake.   Only $468,950, open Saturday 1-4pm. Click here or on the photo of the home for the complete list of open houses this weekend. Information is from the NWMLS and is reliable but not guaranteed. 07/25/2008

It's a Buyer's Market: Get more for your money: For the first time in a long time, relax. You're buying a home and you're in the driver's seat. At least for now, you can get a great deal on a new home in the Tacoma, South Puget Sound area. Builders are offering upgrades, mortgage interest buy-downs and a host of other incentives. Tax Benefits: Looking for a way to lower your taxes? Who isn't? As a homeowner, if the value of your home exceeds your mortgage, you can subtract the interest incurred from your mortgage payment as well as deduct your property taxes from your taxable income, saving you money. Great Selections: You're ready to move now. You don't want to wait 6 to 7 months for your dream home to be built. Plan a weekend to visit communities in Tacoma, Gig Harbor, & Puyallup, and... 07/22/2008

With the Gig Harbor Art Festival happening this weekend, I wasn't sure whether agents would all try to hold open houses to capture all of the visitors of if nobody would hold opens so they could enjoy the festival.  I'll take B.  Only 9 open houses in Gig Harbor this weekend, and I had to go out to Olalla to get the number that high!  Click on the map for details. Information is from the NWMLS and is reliable but not guaranteed. 07/18/2008

If you're visiting Gig Harbor this weekend, or if you're a Gig Harbor resident who likes to see what folks in the area are doing with their homes, there are 15 open houses this weekend.  Several are slated for Saturday, so be sure to check the date and time before you head out the door.  Ranging from a $269,950 condo (a great price for a condo in Gig Harbor) to a $1.55M home (not an unusual price for Gig Harbor waterfront and Gig Harbor waterview homes), there's a little something for everyone this weekend. Click on the interactive map to see the open houses, their basic statistics, who the listing agent is, and when the open will be held.  If you're interested in purchasing any of these homes, or any other homes or condos in Gig Harbor, please give me a call.  I always enjoy chatting w... 07/11/2008

Small towns are fun.  Gig Harbor is a small town.  Therefore Gig Harbor is fun.  One of the fun events that you'll find in Gig Harbor this summer is the Gig Harbor Concert in the Park series.  Various local artists set up under the pagoda (I think that's what it is) in Skansie Brothers Park right on the downtown waterfront and put on a free concert.  It's a pretty fun deal.  You can't beat the view, and the music is usually pretty good too. Click here for scheduled performers and more information on the concerts in Gig Harbor. Photo courtesy of the Butner Family on Flickr. 07/05/2008

Sometimes blogs don't need words...come enjoy Gig Harbor, Washington. Photo courtesy of LaVeta Jude and Flickr.  Posted here with written permission. 07/05/2008

There are several open houses in the Gig Harbor and Fox Island area this weekend.  With temps expected to hit 90, why don't you hop into your air-conditioned car and tour some great area homes?  I've added one home (#5 on the map) that is a bit out of the area because it's right next to a home I have listed for sale.  If you're looking for a large, new home just minutes from Long Lake recreation area and less than 15 minutes from the Gig Harbor North area, you should check out the SouthLake Ridge neighborhood.  You get way more home for way less money and lower taxes!  The home I have listed there even has views of Mt Rainier and the Olympic Mountains!  Click on the map below for open house details, including date and time, price, and the listing agents' info. The info contained here is... 06/27/2008

I'm happy now.  I love softball.   I'm not sure what it is that I love so much, but I just love playing.  Yesterday was the first game of the season for our team, the Believer's Fellowship Harborites.  At 6:15pm, we gathered at Harbor Ridge Middle School underneath a glorious sun filled sky.  You know that picture you always see of Gig Harbor, the one with the boats on the harbor and Mt Rainier in the background?  That's the view from Harbor Ridge.  With temps in the 70's our team met up with the folks from United Methodist Church.  They can hit.  They can hit far.  They did hit far.  At the end of 1 1/2 innings, we were down 8-0 thanks to 3 balls that they hit over the trees that make up the outfield fence.  I was ready to bench our pitcher, Phil Hoffman (owner of Phil's Landscaping in... 06/25/2008

There are some really nice homes for sale in Gig Harbor, and many of them are open for viewing this weekend.  A few that I'd recommend are a nicely remodeled waterfront home for only $494,000 (#7 on the map).  Well worth seeing if you're looking for a fun waterfront get away.  There's also a really cool "Green-built" home right in the downtown Gig Harbor area (#8 on the map).  If nothing else, it's fun to see how energy efficient and environmentally friendly a home can be.  You may also want to check out the great new construction homes just behind the North Crescent Lake neighborhood (#13 on the map).  I think you'll like the unique floor plans of these homes. Click on the map below to see home details, open house date and time, and the listing agent of the home.  This information is f... 06/20/2008

Today was Community Service Day for Windermere Real Estate. We always try to choose a project that will benefit our community. This year we chose the "Grange". A historical building in the Artondale area. This building is over 80 years old, and we took on the grueling task of painting it. I think the building will stay up now (physically) because of our efforts.What is a grange? Who knows...... All I remember is that my parents voted there when I was young. And what an experience that was....you sat in this stenchy old building with chairs lining the walls (still the same inside now) and you moved over a chair at a time whenever someone finished voting. When it was my mom's turn she would go behind this SCARY curtain and leave me outside wondering if she was going to be eatin' by some S... 06/18/2008