Summer is here...kind of.  School has let out in much of the area, and kids are excited, teachers are relieved, and parents are fear-struck.  What to do in Gig Harbor now that school's out?  Here are just a few ideas.  If you've got others, I'd love to hear about them (after all, it's a community blog, and it only works if the community gets involved). Summertime Fun in Gig Harbor, Washington 1.  Enroll your student in a kayaking day camp.  Gig Harbor Rent-a-Boat is hosting a summer day camp for kids in Gig Harbor to learn how to safely and efficiently paddle around our beautiful waters.  This camp is for 9-14 year olds, and runs between $220 and $250.  Click here to get full details on the Rent-a-Boat website.   2.  Gig Harbor has some of the most gorgeous beaches in the Pacific Northw... 06/13/2008

Maybe it's the weather.  Maybe it's the fact that we'll all be at this weekend's Maritime Gig Festival.  Whatever the reason, there are only 7 open houses in Gig Harbor this weekend.  Click on the map below for a list of the opens.  Put your cursor over the pushpins to get the homes' information, date and time of the open, and name of the listing agent.  As always, if you're interested in these or any other homes for sale in the Gig Harbor, Fox Island, or other Puget Sound regions, I'm more than happy to talk with you about the services that I can provide to home buyers. This information is taken from the NWMLS and is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. 06/06/2008

In my pre-real estate life I taught math to 11 and 12 year olds.  I always told them that you can use math and statistics to paint pretty much any picture you want.  That holds true in real estate.  Looking at the Gig Harbor home sales for May, I can either paint a rosy picture of our market or make it look oh so bleak. May saw 44 homes and condos sell in Gig Harbor and Fox Island, that's up 9 from April!  Yeah!  That's down 39 from May of ‘07.  Oooh.  Our median sales price for May was $416,250, by far amongst the highest in Pierce County...YEAH!  In May of ‘07 our median sales price was $485,000...Ooooh.  Numbers are what they are.  Bottom line is that homes that are priced well are still selling relatively quickly (median days on market for this past month was only 87...YEAH!).  All ... 06/02/2008

A great National Historic Landmark visited Gig Harbor this week. Adventuress is an amazing schooner that was built in Maine for the purpose of hunting whales in Alaska. Later she worked as a pilot boat in San Fransico, then during World War II joined the United States Coast Guard protecting San Fransico Bay. About 1960, she was brought to Seattle and today is operatated by the non-profit organization Sound Experience as a platform for environmental education about Puget Sound.    Summer in Downtown Gig Harbor is like being at a boat show every day. There's wonderful parks with pubic docks and viewing decks-- This deepwater harbor is a favorite Northwest boating destination and  there's no telling what you'll see or who you'll meet. Here's another example: Puffin landed at the Jerish Par... 05/31/2008

Gig Harbor, WA, is a doggy's paradise.  Trails, beaches, parks, and lots of folks who love to walk their dogs.  There are a few pet stores in town, my favorite being Green Cottage Pets.  A new pet store has just opened right next door to my Thursday night date spot, El Pueblito.  FC's Pawprints is a new doggy store that is really fun to visit.  Lots of dog treats, accessories, clothes, etc.  I see it as a nice compliment to Green Cottage.  There are lots of fun things to view at FC's Pawprints.  It's a really nice, clean, flowing store which makes shopping easy.                               The doggy bakery is fun to see, too.  Guess what Sebastian's favorite part of Gig Harbor's newest pet store is?                     05/31/2008

Each week I post an interactive map showing all of the open houses that will be available in Gig Harbor and Fox Island.  Click on the map below to activate the map.  Put your cursor over any pushpin to see house statistics and the real estate agent who has the house listed for sale.  If you see any houses that interest you, I'd be happy to discuss with you my services as a buyer's agent.  The information on these homes is taken from the NWMLS and is reliable but not guaranteed. 05/30/2008

Go with the flow. It was golden nugget. Some of the best advice I was to receive in the next 40 years or so and it was hidden in the last paragraph of a book on sailboat racing. It went something like this; "...and most importantly never forget, on the course as well as life's endeavors-- Go with the flow". Well I'm sure that book helped my sailing abilities. But I also remember (you never forget the really big mistakes) being put-off by the passiveness of that statement. Probably some ex-hippie interjecting his philosophy of life where it doesn't belong-- or so I thought. At age 12 I was going to conquer the race course and then move on to anything else I desired to succeed at... (Never mind the book was written by one of the fiercest competitors ever to sail). Much later as I struggle... 05/25/2008

Do You Want to Buy a Home but You Don't Have the Down payment? Are you tired of renting? Do you want to own your own home but have not saved up the traditional down payment? There are programs available to buyers today that will help you buy a home! Today we will spotlight the Nehemiah Program and how it can help you with your down payment. The Nehemiah Program is the largest privately funded down payment assistance program. The program provides gift funds to qualified homebuyers who purchase homes using FHA financing or conventional loans that allow gift funds. The funds provided to homebuyers are an actual gift with no repayment required. There is no 2nd. mortgage. There are no income limitations and no location restrictions. There is a processing fee that is charged and it can be pa... 05/10/2008

Summer is coming and you're (once again) on the waterfront real estate hunt. What- you say? It looks like every beachfront house in Gig Harbor is over a million bucks now? Don't overlook the Key Peninsula-- It's just not that far out anymore! In fact, the farthest point past Purdy is only about 20 minutes away. And much of the prime waterfront is less than half that drive. How does it compare in quality to Gig Harbor waterfront? Well I thought you'd never ask! Answer: In many ways KP waterfront real estate is far superior... THE VIEWS are monstrous. Surrounded by world-class mountains and wide open water, KP brags some of the "largest" views in Western Washington.  THE BEACHES? See above photo. How many like that have you seen on (the entire) Puget Sound? PARCEL SIZE? Waterfront acreag... 05/10/2008

Spring has arrivied in Gig Harbor! Sailboats zig-zag among fishing boats gearing up for a new season. Rhodies are bursting with colorful flowers and these proud parents will have a big job on their hands for the next few months. Raising dozens of fluffy youngsters in Downtown Gig Harbor among dogs, cats, big fish-- even Bald Eagles would be a daunting task. 05/10/2008

My wife left me today.  Not forever, but she and my baby flew down to California to spend time with her family.  But it was a catchy title, right?  So I'm stuck here trying to remember what I did before I had a wife and a baby.  I love being alone, so I thought I'd welcome this break, but it's weird.  So I thought I'd take a trip to The Narrows Park on the south east end of Gig Harbor.  My dog and I used to go there often.  It felt like it was our own private beach, because there was hardly anybody ever there.  It's a dilemma for me...this blog is supposed to introduce you to the great things Gig Harbor offers, but the more folks who learn about places like Narrows Park, the less likely I am to have it to myself.       Today was a pretty good day.  There were people scattered here and t... 05/09/2008

Looking for something to do for mom this weekend?  If you're in the Gig Harbor area, why not take her on a tour of some open houses?  Chances are you can't buy mom that $1M home for mother's day, but don't you think she'd enjoy touring one?  There are 2 homes priced at over $1M open in Gig Harbor this weekend, and Salmon Bay Estates, priced just under $1M, will also be open.  Click on the map below for the 10 properties that will be hosting open houses this weekend.  Information is from the NWMLS and is reliable but not guaranteed.  If your mom falls in love with any of these homes, give me a call.  I'd be happy to talk with you about the process of purchasing these or any other homes in the Gig Harbor, Fox Island, and Port Orchard areas. 05/09/2008

 Gig Harbor Washington Market Update April 2008  During the month of April 2008 26 houses sold in the Gig Harbor area. Compared with 71 homes sold in 2007 during the same time period. Average Sales price in 2008 was $479,378 vs. $513,274 in 2007 Days on market 168 in 2008 vs. 147 in 2007  Average prices have dropped by almost 7% compared to sales a year ago. If you are a buyer now is an amazing time to be looking for a home! With a large inventory to choose from and interest rates hovering around 6% for a 30 year fixed rate loan the Gig Harbor area is a prime area to be looked at.     Contact Scott Cowan, Rainier Real Estate. Licensed real estate salesperson in Washington at 253-219-1194 to list your property for sale or purchase a home in Tacoma, Gig Harbor, Puyallup, and the rest of ... 05/01/2008

Gig Harbor Art Walk Saturday May 3rd 2008   The Gig Harbor Art Walk is held the first Saturday of each month from 1pm to 5pm Featuring local artists working with various materials such as pastels, ceramics, jewelry, woodworking, and much more. Many of the local galleries are open for visitors to enjoy watching artist demonstrations. Visitors can obtain an Art Walk passport. Once the passport has been completed it can be submitted for a drawing for prizes. Sunset magazine has designated the Gig Harbor Art Walk as one of the five top small town art walks in the northwest. The Gig Harbor Art Walk is a great time and wonderful opportunity to see scenic Gig Harbor. I hope to see you there On Saturday May 3rd. Contact Scott Cowan Rainier Real Estate at (253)-219-1194 to purchase or sell home... 04/27/2008

Here is the list of open houses in Gig Harbor for this weekend.  Only 10 homes this week!  Click on the interactive map to find out full information.  Position your cursor over a push pin to see number of bedrooms, bathrooms, price, date and time, and who the listing agent of the property is.  Remember, the push pins are approximate...if you click on "bird's eye view" you'll see a great shot of the neighborhood, but the pin won't necessarily be on the exact home that is open.If you find a home you're interested in, I am happy to provide you with more information about the home and walk you through the process of purchasing a home.  Just call or email! 04/18/2008

March was an interesting month in Gig Harbor, WA.Currently there are approximately 884 homes for sale in all of Gig Harbor / Fox Island. There is about a 15 month supply of homes (if no other homes come to market). The average list price is $660,000. There were 59 homes sold compared to 105 sold in March 2007. For the sold properties, the average days on market was 218 compared to 167 in March 2007.The median sales price was $354,000 compared to $360,000 in March 2007.Lowest sales price was $157,000; highest sales price was $1,500,000.  March 2007 the lowest sales price was $75,000 and the highest was $2,460,000. 04/17/2008

Gig Harbor has some beautiful scenery, and some exciting wildlife as well.  One thing I love about selling homes in Gig Harbor is hearing back from my clients about all the great things they love about their new home.  I've featured photos from John Pleau before, but these may be the most remarkable.  John's a good friend, great photographer, all around good guy, and was a pretty good client, too. Check out these photos he took from the deck of his Ray Nash waterfront home today.  He assured me the baby ducklings all came out safely, and some large geese jumped in the fray to chase off the eagle.  Amazing what you can view in Gig Harbor...who needs a TV?Bald eagle swooping in for a snack.          DUCK duckling!            Momma duck trying to protect her ducklings.       04/17/2008

 The real estate professionals said on HDTV show tonight that the #1 thing to do to sell a home is to STAGE it!  The statistics support this as well...my hope is that realtors will understand what staging really is...it is so much more than anything  taught in a  weekend seminar or on a CD...It can help so many people with the sale of their homes;it should be top on your list when advising your clients...staging helps them, but it also helps you...both benefit! 04/13/2008

Wow!  The weather is cooperating again which means that this weekend would be a great weekend for touring some of the homes for sale in Gig Harbor, Wa.  With sunny skies and temps nearing 70, moving to Gig Harbor never looked better!Here is the list of open houses in the Gig Harbor area this weekend.  Simply click on the interactive map and hover your mouse above any of the push-pins to get info on the home, date and time of the open, and the listing agent of the home.  Be sure to scroll out and pan around to make sure you get all of the homes!Remember, I am not the listing agent on all of these homes, but as a licensed Realtor I can answer all of your questions about these and any other properties listed for sale in the Gig Harbor area.  If you see anything you like, or need more infor... 04/11/2008

Gig Harbor, Wa, is one of God's most beautiful places.  In this beautiful land, there is a beautiful man-made structure.  Here is a little photo tour of Gig Harbor's Tacoma Narrows Bridges.The 2nd Tacoma Narrows Bridge opened in July 2007.                Narrows Park is a great place to view the sunrises in Gig Harbor.                Not my idea of a fun job!            Round one of the bridge decks arrived from Japan.            This incredible shot with Mt Rainier in the background is courtesy of Joseph Becker.  View more of his photos at http://www.seldomseenphoto.com                 The new bridge, minus the decks, created an eerie sensation as you drove by or boated underneath.          The many views of the bridges and the many changing skies make this a limitless photo opportunit... 04/06/2008