[Click Graph to Enlarge] Above: Green Line represents 2011 Avg. Sold Prices. Blue Line represents 2010 Avg. Sold Prices. We started the year below last years Average selling price for the month of Jan. We jumped up in Feb due to slow market activity where two of those six sales were Luxury Homes sold for above 1 million. March put us back closer to Jan 2011 Avg. Sales price. In July, There were a total of 3 large Luxury Homes sold which pushed the overall avg sold price for the area very high. Without these Luxury Sales the avg. sold price for July 2011 is $655,440. While sold prices has gone up for the month of July (due to peak summer season and more Luxury Home Sales), we still believe the market as a whole is still on a downward trend. As I had predicted back in July, home values ha... 10/11/2011

Armed with patience and inspiration, a Virgina homeowner transformers a sparsely planted yard into a lush garden. Click the article to continue reading. For more weekly articles and information on Newcastle's Real Estate Market "Become a Fan" of my Facebook Page or visit www.NewcastleHomeResource.com. If there's anything else I can do to be of assistance to you or anyone you care about with Real Estate needs, please don't hesitate to call me. 10/08/2011

We all know we should be eating better. But we also know that buying healthier foods, such as artichokes in January, asparagus in September, or whole-grain organic bread at any time of the year, does not always make for a healthy budget. But cutting costs at the grocery store doesn’t mean you have to subsist on ramen noodles and canned corn. There is a cheap, efficient way to nourish your family with nutrient-rich foods that do not inflate your spending habits. For our favorite tips, read on. Click the article to continue. For more weekly articles and information on Newcastle's Real Estate Market "Become a Fan" of my Facebook Page or visit www.NewcastleHomeResource.com. If there's anything else I can do to be of assistance to you or anyone you care about with Real Estate needs, please d... 10/03/2011

Childhood was once filled with freedom, exploration, and simplicity; today, many children are overscheduled, overstimulated, and lack the opportunity to be bored. Those days of boredom bred imagination and creative thinking that led us to be inventive problem-solvers. While the latest and greatest toys are impressive, it’s important to encourage many forms of creativity in growing children. Next time you are looking for an after-school activity or just want to make creative connections with the children in your life, think outside the box and consider a few of the following ideas. Click the Article Below to Continue.  09/26/2011

When California-based architecture firm Shubin + Donaldson Architects was hired to design a suburban work studio for a local artist, the architects intentionally planned the space to incorporate an element of surprise. So today, when guests first drive in to the Santa Barbara property, all they can see is the main house and a long shingled wall. It isn’t until they come around the corner that the studio and the sweeping vistas beyond it reveal themselves and offer an unexpected sense of discovery. Click the article to continue reading...     Bonus Article - All Together Now For more weekly articles and information on Newcastle's Real Estate Market "Become a Fan" of my Facebook Page or visit www.NewcastleHomeResource.com. If there's anything else I can do to be of assistance to you or an... 09/12/2011

Newcastle Days has something exciting, interesting, and musical for kids of all ages. The Grand Sponsor of Newcastle Days is Valley Medical Center. Several other sponsors have stepped up to the plate to help make this year’s Newcastle Days quite memorable as well.  Detailed information about the events, schedule and parking can be found online at www.newcastledays.com. The annual community celebration begins on Friday September 9th from 3:00 to 7:00 PM in downtown Newcastle.  There will be a sidewalk sale featuring items for sale from local businesses and an opportunity to win prizes. There will also be a celebration at Lake Boren Park on Saturday September 10th from 11:00 AM to 7:30 PM.  Saturday’s events begin with the Newcastle 5K run/walk, beginning and ending at Lake Boren Park. Re... 09/06/2011

Hazelnut-Crusted Grilled Salmon with Mixed Berry Sauce And MIXED BERRY STREUSEL PIE! Click the Article to view. For more weekly articles and information on Newcastle's Real Estate Market "Become a Fan" of my Facebook Page or visit www.NewcastleHomeResource.com. If there's anything else I can do to be of assistance to you or anyone you care about with Real Estate needs, please don't hesitate to call me. 08/27/2011

Kitchen compositions can be rather complex, but Stephanie Marsh Fillbrandt, principal of Marsh & Clark Design, in San Francisco, likes to keep the concept simple, even when her challenge is anything but. For this particular project, she was asked to create not one, but two distinct kitchens in a distinguished Edwardian duplex in San Francisco. While an architect had already done the majority of the remodeling that was required, the owners were looking for someone to select the finishing touches. Click the article to continue. For more weekly articles and information on Newcastle's Real Estate Market "Become a Fan" of my Facebook Page or visit www.NewcastleHomeResource.com. If there's anything else I can do to be of assistance to you or anyone you care about with Real Estate needs, pleas... 08/23/2011

In a room built for function such as a kitchen, it is vital to create an inviting and effective work space. If the kitchen is well stocked, organized, and accommodating, it will save time and money and will encourage successful meals! Click the article to continue!   For more weekly articles and information on Newcastle's Real Estate Market "Become a Fan" of my Facebook Page or visit www.NewcastleHomeResource.com. If there's anything else I can do to be of assistance to you or anyone you care about with Real Estate needs, please don't hesitate to call me.   08/22/2011

A Buyers' Guide to the Century Old Kitchen Appliance. Click the article below to continue.  For more weekly articles and information on Newcastle's Real Estate Market "Become a Fan" of my Facebook Page or visit www.NewcastleHomeResource.com. If there's anything else I can do to be of assistance to you or anyone you care about with Real Estate needs, please don't hesitate to call me. 08/20/2011

Green Line represents 2011 Avg. Sold Prices. Blue Line represents 2010 Avg. Sold Prices. We started the year below last years Average selling price for the month of Jan. We jumped up in Feb due to slow market activity where two of those six sales were Luxury Homes sold for above 1 million. March put us back closer to Jan 2011 Avg. Sales price. In July, There were a total of 3 large Luxury Homes sold which pushed the overall avg sold price for the area very high. Without these Luxury Sales the avg. sold price for July 2011 is $655,440. While sold prices has gone up for the month of July (due to peak summer season and more Luxury Home Sales), we still believe the market as a whole is still on a downward trend. Current pending sales currently average $498,438*. This number is likely to cha... 08/17/2011

Once again Newcastle, WA makes CNNMoney's Best Places to Live 2011 list! This year we've taken the 18th spot in the top 100 places as reviewed by CNNMoney. Congrats to everyone in the community! Link to Article For more weekly articles and information on Newcastle's Real Estate Market "Become a Fan" of my Facebook Page or visit www.NewcastleHomeResource.com. If there's anything else I can do to be of assistance to you or anyone you care about with Real Estate needs, please don't hesitate to call me. 08/17/2011

It's midway through the summer, and your backyard barbecue beckons you to enjoy a meal outdoors. You bring the meal fixings to the table and retreat to discuss your week, the game, work, or politics, and balance the conversation with the sound of your children’s mischievous laughter. It would be the perfect evening—if only it weren’t for the bugs. Click my article below to view. For more weekly articles and information on Newcastle's Real Estate Market "Become a Fan" of my Facebook Page or visit www.NewcastleHomeResource.com. If there's anything else I can do to be of assistance to you or anyone you care about with Real Estate needs, please don't hesitate to call me 08/02/2011

Looking for new recipe to try? Look no further! Click my article below to view. For more weekly articles and information on Newcastle's Real Estate Market "Become a Fan" of my Facebook Page or visit www.NewcastleHomeResource.com. If there's anything else I can do to be of assistance to you or anyone you care about with Real Estate needs, please don't hesitate to call me. 07/27/2011

Making your home multifunctional without sacrificing style. Click the article for access. For more weekly articles and information on Newcastle's Real Estate Market "Become a Fan" of my Facebook Page or visit www.NewcastleHomeResource.com. If there's anything else I can do to be of assistance to you or anyone you care about with Real Estate needs, please don't hesitate to call me. 07/19/2011

Although it may seem like magic, making a relatively small space seem larger is really all about illusion. And that illusion is created by following simple, yet specific, design techniques. Click on the article to read amount about some great tips from Interior Designer Hilary Unger. For more weekly articles and information on Newcastle's Real Estate Market "Become a Fan" of my Facebook Page or visit www.NewcastleHomeResource.com. If there's anything else I can do to be of assistance to you or anyone you care about with Real Estate needs, please don't hesitate to call me. 07/09/2011

My market report for June 2011 is now available at NewcastleHomeResource.com. Despite the average closed sales price rising slightly in May, the overall market still appears to be moving in a downward trend as June's Avg. Sales price fell to $545,608. Click the graph below to access the full report. For more weekly articles and information on Newcastle's Real Estate Market "Become a Fan" of my Facebook Page or visit www.NewcastleHomeResource.com. If there's anything else I can do to be of assistance to you or anyone you care about with Real Estate needs, please don't hesitate to call me. 07/08/2011

A small space can pose a challenge in any home. Whether it's a comfortable house or a modest condo, most dwellings have at least one room or area that could benefit from an expansion. In the meantime, there are inventive ways to make the most of your square footage by stretching what you already have. For more weekly articles and information on Newcastle's Real Estate Market "Become a Fan" of my Facebook Page or visit www.NewcastleHomeResource.com. If there's anything else I can do to be of assistance to you or anyone you care about with Real Estate needs, please don't hesitate to call me. 07/04/2011

Double Feature for those following my blog and my Newcastle facebook page! Summer Recipes and how to create a better sense of community. Click the images to access my articles. Hope everyone is enjoying their summer! For more weekly articles and information on Newcastle's Real Estate Market "Become a Fan" of my Facebook Page or visit www.NewcastleHomeResource.com. If there's anything else I can do to be of assistance to you or anyone you care about with Real Estate needs, please don't hesitate to call me. 06/26/2011

My market report for May 2011 is now available at Newcastle Home Resource. Despite the avgerage closed sales price rising slightly in May, the overall market still appears to be moving in a downward trend. Market activity appears to be a little slower in 2011 as fewer homes have sold. Click the graph below to access the full report. For more weekly articles and information on Newcastle's Real Estate Market "Become a Fan" of my Facebook Page or visit www.NewcastleHomeResource.com. If there's anything else I can do to be of assistance to you or anyone you care about with Real Estate needs, please don't hesitate to call me. 06/13/2011