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Gig Harbor, WA Real Estate News

By Sue Rand, ...Helping You Make the Move that's Right for You!
(Windermere/Gig Harbor)
Gig Harbor Neighborhoods Some Gig Harbor neighborhoods are just a little nicer than others.  And not necessarily because they have the nicest or newest homes.  You know what I mean - you can just feel it as you drive down the street.  A sense of peace and comfort and pride of ownership without the "keeping up with the Jones" attitude.  A Gig Harbor neighborhood that you want to call home because being there makes you feel good.  Sunrise Trace is one of those Gig Harbor neighborhoods that welcomes you as soon as you enter.  The tree-lined streets provide privacy between homes.  There are walking trails, tennis and sports courts, as well as entry to one of the largest undeveloped areas in Gig Harbor where residents can go to ride horses or bikes, walk dogs, or just explore the natural bea...
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By Brenna Harrington
(Windermere Real Estate/Gig Harbor)
Conserving water is always something I keep in mind, though lately it has been something not to take for granted.  It was late Wednesday night, as we were doing the last of the dinner dishes, when the water just stopped.  We went to bed and hoped the problem was as simple as needing to change the filter on our well.  The next day, when changing the filter on our well did not solve the problem, we had to call the company who put in our well.  In the meantime, our family of 3 had to figure out how to survive on low-flow, intermittent water.  I came up with a few tips. #1:  Keep a small tub in the sink filled with water at all times.  When dishes are dirty, it is easy to use the tub to rinse food off before putting them in the dishwasher.  In a pinch, you can add a little soap and even do ...
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By Carole Holmaas
(Windermere Real Estate Gig Harbor)
Gig Harbor Home Sales Stabilize in September A snapshot of Gig Harbor home sales for September shows a stabilization, or even increase, of median sales prices for Gig Harbor mailing addresses. The 98332 area produced a 4.5% median price increase over a year ago with 26 closings while the 98335 zip code equaled 2008 numbers. Even "no change" is a big deal after more than a year of double digit declines. One month is too soon to predict a trend but Gig Harbor home sales are encouraging to local Realtors. These statistics compare September 2008 with September 2009 for Gig Harbor home sales in zip codes 98332 and 98335.                                                 98332                          98335 Number of active listings           no change                  ▼22.2% Number of homes so...
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By Sue Rand, ...Helping You Make the Move that's Right for You!
(Windermere/Gig Harbor)
More and more as I talk to people who don't live in Gig Harbor, they mention how they would love to live in Gig Harbor, but just can't afford to buy a home here.  They want their kids to attend Gig Harbor schools, they want to walk along the waterfront before or after work, they want to participate in the local events, they want to live in one of the many great neighborhoods and take advantage of the local parks, beaches, boat launches, walking trails, and new YMCA.  Now that the commute to Tacoma or Seattle is a non-issue due to the new Narrows Bridge, the only thing holding them back is the cost of housing.  But is that really a hindrance?  I checked it out and here's what I found. Right now there are over 90 homes for sale between $150,000 and $250,000 in Gig Harbor, the Key Peninsul...
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By Sue Rand, ...Helping You Make the Move that's Right for You!
(Windermere/Gig Harbor)
When people ask me "Why Move to Gig Harbor, WA?" I can list dozens of reasons.  The small town activities, the proximity to Seattle, the Pacific Ocean, the Olympic Peninsula, Mt. Rainier, and Mt. St. Helens, the abundance of outdoor activities, the natural beauty of the Puget Sound, the people, and yes, even the weather.  But that's because I've been here for several years now and have come to think of it as one of the best places in the world to live.  So I tell them the story of how I decided to move to Gig Harbor, WA from the Midwest. In 2002 I was ready to leave Kansas (although not quite as abruptly as Dorothy did...)  My youngest daughter was graduating from high school and we were college-shopping on both coasts.  As we wandered around Portland, OR I took the opportunity to talk...
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By Peter Olsen, Rent To Own Homes, LLC
(Rent To Own Homes, LLC)
    Rent To Own!  50% rent credit!  4 bedroom / 2 bath 1632 square foot home in beautiful Gig Harbor, WA!!! The home sits on approximately 1/4 of an acre with a great deck and view of Stansbury Lake!  House has 2 levels and has a fireplace, central heat, and a 2 car garage.  Rent is $1400/mo and first months rent and low down required to move in. Please contact us with any questions at www.50statesrent2own.com. Until next time.... Pete Olsen Rent To Own Homes, LLC www.50statesrent2own.com www.activerain.com/blogs/peteolsen01
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By Peter Olsen, Rent To Own Homes, LLC
(Rent To Own Homes, LLC)
Rent To Own!  50% rent credit!  3 bedroom 3 bath 1820 square foot home in beautiful Gig Harbor, WA!!!  The home sits on 2 acres with beautiful landscaping.  There is a 2 car garage and everything in the house is brand new.  There is electric baseboard heat and each room has its own thermostat.  Rent is $1500/mo and first months rent and low down required to move in. Please contact us with any questions at www.50statesrent2own.com. Until next time.... Pete Olsen Rent To Own Homes, LLC www.50statesrent2own.com www.activerain.com/blogs/peteolsen01
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  Residential Transaction Study 6/15/2009 Project description: 98329.SDF   monthly market Most recent transaction: 5/29/2009 Market (homes): 2970 month year sales mrkt% $/sqft avg price median Jun 2009           May 2009 10 0.3% $131 $187,829 $202,050 Apr 2009 9 0.3% $145 $283,217 $252,000 Mar 2009 5 0.2% $129 $220,886 $229,000 Feb 2009 3 0.1% $134 $197,578 $197,735 Jan 2009 4 0.1% $308 $417,966 $325,000   property characteristics 1 story 2111 w/ bsmt 533 platted 1,340 1.5 story 167 avg bsmt sqft 1,153 avg lot sqft1 21,812 2 story 686 w/ garage unplatted 1,630 3+ story 0 avg garage sqft avg lot sqft2 118,481 avg % imprvd 54% avg year built 1984 avg bldg sqft 1,901 avg # beds 3 avg # baths 2       1avg lot sqft of all platted properties 2avg lot sqft of all unplatted properties     The ...
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By Matt Sweet
(Ticor Title)
I live Just outside of Gig Harbor perched on a hill above the Burley Lagoon in Wauna/Purdy and I love it. I love the smell of the fresh salt water air. I love being able to look out my window to see if the tide is in or out. I love the sea-level drive along the Purdy Spit in the morning that exclaims the weather conditions, whatever they may be that day... And as of this last weekend, I love one more thing about Purdy - The guy on the corner selling fresh seafood. I've seen him there for a while now but never stopped to look until last Saturday. I'm not sure why, but something compelled me to check it out. I'm glad I did because now I feel like I have the inside scoop on fresh seafood. I "know a guy" as they would say. And his name is Steve. Steve happily told me what he had on hand. An...
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By Matt Thomson, Helping you find success through real estate
(Fathom Realty Colorado)
Often times when you're on the inside of something, you can miss what the outside perspective is.  The old can't see the forest through the trees analogy.  A colleague of mine mentioned that the perception of Keller Williams Real Estate here in Gig Harbor is that we're a new company, a little start-up, kind of a mom and pop.  I want to share the following information not to toot our horn, but simply to introduce many Gig Harbor home buyers and sellers to our great company, maybe for the first time. Keller Williams was formed in the early 1980's in Austin, TX, by Gary Keller and Joe Williams.  They wanted to form a new kind of real estate company that was run by the agents in a manner that they (the local real estate experts) felt would best serve the needs of their clients.  Keller Will...
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By Matt Thomson, Helping you find success through real estate
(Fathom Realty Colorado)
I tried to think of something witty about loving houses, or buy a house instead of a box of chocolates, but I came up empty.  So with no fanfare, nothing witty or creative, here is the map of open houses in Gig Harbor this weekend.  If you see anything you like, or if you have any questions about buying a home in our area or the Gig Harbor real estate market in general, give me a call.
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By Matt Thomson, Helping you find success through real estate
(Fathom Realty Colorado)
As we push into February and the weather begins to warm up, open house season is warming up as well.  There are several open houses this weekend, both Saturday and Sunday.  If you're looking for a new home in Gig Harbor or on Fox Island, there's a little something for everyone.  From a $155k trailer in a highly sought after retirement community (over 55 living) to a $1.295M waterfront home, there's plenty to check out this weekend.  With the new economic stimulus package looking like it will pass, it is becoming more and more attractive to buy a home now.  Gig Harbor is offering more affordable housing than ever, and the luxury homes in Gig Harbor have dropped into a whole new price range that more buyers find themselves in.  You can view my interactive open house map that gives you the...
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By Matt Thomson, Helping you find success through real estate
(Fathom Realty Colorado)
Since it's Super Bowl weekend, the open house slate in Gig Harbor is pretty slim this weekend.  There are a few open however.  I'll be hosting Chaffey Homes' new gated community The Highlands at Rosedale Saturday from 2-4 and Sunday from 1-3pm.  If you want a great new construction luxury home in a beautiful gated community in Gig Harbor (just minutes from Discovery Elem and Gig Harbor High School) come and visit me! View a complete map with details of all of Gig Harbor and Fox Island's open houses here.
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By Roberta Anderson, Hearth & Home Staging, Staging Kitsap County
(Hearth & Home Staging)
Staging is so important in today's real estate market. Discover why and receive ample tips that will give your property greater interior and exterior appeal, thus selling faster for the highest price the market will bear. Enjoy this class at our Gig Harbor Campus, 3993 Hunt Street, Gig Harbor, WA 98335 Click here to register      
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By Matt Thomson, Helping you find success through real estate
(Fathom Realty Colorado)
My 2009 Gig Harbor photo calendar is done, I just need to wait to get it shipped back to me.  Several folks have ordered one (and some more than one) for $15.  If you'd like one (or more), please email me at mthomson@kw.com.  I don't know of any other Gig Harbor calendars that are available.  I heard that the Elks puts one out, but I've never seen it.  This year, my calendar includes photos from 3 other great photographers in the Gig Harbor area.  Below is a sneak peak at the photos that are used.  Like everything this time of year, "It makes a great gift!"
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Well, here's a new concept for our friends buying and selling homes in Gig Harbor, WA.  We're going mobile!  As of December 1, 2008 Ticor Title & Escrow will be 100% Mobile in the Harbor area.   What does this mean?  It means that we're offering free mobile escrow signings in the Gig Harbor market during normal business hours.  It means that we'll meet our clients in a location that is convenient for them.  It means that we are running light and flexible and green.  It's a more efficient &  lower cost way of maintaining our presence in a valuable part of Pierce County.  We appreciate our Gig Harbor clients very much and look forward to providing Title Insurance and Escrow service to them with the same great staff, same trustworthy service, but with a fresh new take on the location.  See...
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By Matt Thomson, Helping you find success through real estate
(Fathom Realty Colorado)
It seems as we move towards the winter, fewer and fewer open houses are being hosted.  If you're looking to sell your home in the Gig Harbor area, I'd check with any real estate agents you're thinking of hiring and ask them what their policy on open houses is.  In buyers' markets like the Gig Harbor real estate market is in right now, anything to get buyers into your home is a good thing!  That being said, here's the interactive map of open houses in Gig Harbor and Fox Island for this weekend.  There are some pretty nice ones.  I'll be hosting an open house on a property I have listed for sale over in Tacoma.  If you have a chance, swing by Saturday from 10am-1pm to say hi. Remember, all of the information here is from the NWMLS and is reliable, but not guaranteed.  If you're looking to...
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For anyone who happens to be looking for a wireless internet service in the South end of Puget Sound, I wanted to share my experience with Verizon's Wireless Internet service.  I live in Gig Harbor and work in Pierce and King Counties and have used the Verizon service with great results.  And for my fun and your benefit, I have created a google map that shows the places where I have used the service.  If you click on the markers on the map, you can read a quick blurb about the connection quality in each place.  Here's a link to my Real Estate Tech blog for the map and a quick read about it.  Enjoy! Matt Sweet Ticor Title
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By Matt Sweet
(Ticor Title)
I recently learned that search engines treat blogs differently than regular sites.  Because blogs get updated so frequently, the search engines need to scan and index and rank them more often than a reqular web site.  And I learned that including media content in your blog, such as video is even better for your ranking since this tends to be 'stickier' content.  Also, I've noticed that agents are starting to do more of their own video tours of their listings to attract more attention. So I decided to jump in and try it out with my Blackberry Curve.  The curve has a video feature built in that is ultra easy to use.  I just put a memory card in the phone and basically just hit the record button and it makes a movie that can be easily uploaded to YouTube.  Once the video is on YouTube, I c...
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By Matt Thomson, Helping you find success through real estate
(Fathom Realty Colorado)
There are only 11 open houses in Gig Harbor this weekend, but they're 11 good ones!  Tomorrow (Saturday October 25th) I'll be hosting an open house at what I believe to be Gig Harbor's best view home value.  Over 3100 square feet of beautifully remodeled home, large fenced yard, huge bonus room, large home office, and amazing views for only $599,000.  I don't think that you can find view properties in Gig Harbor with views as wide open as these at this price, and in a cost per square foot comparison, I doubt you can find any Gig Harbor view homes this low.  Value is created not only by low price, but more so by what you get for that price.  This gorgeous view home on Point Fosdick Drive not only gives you a great house with a great floor plan, not only do you get amazing Puget Sound vie...
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