If you’ve been in real estate for awhile hopefully you’ve taken a plant tour at one or more of your local title companies. You’ll find most of them have very detailed land records that predate statehood. I was in Yakima last week for work and during my visit I had a some time to hangout in the back plant (where the really old records are) at First American Title. It was a wonderful walk through time and fun to peruse the old land records of Yakima County, Washington. Recording of a land lease dated October 17, 1898 in Yakima County, Washington. When I started in the title business most of our records were hard copy stored in books and boxes arranged geographically by date. The new recordings were on microfiche rolls back to the early 70’s and some copies of the old hand posted track boo... 10/08/2013

No inventory in the MLS for us, what properties are available are getting multiple offers and driving the cost up. This gave us the idea of looking for a fixer. We found even those weren't in the neighborhood where we wanted to live or were just too small for our family. Thus the dilemma, what do we do? Here are our choice. 1) pay too much for a house at bidding auction... NOT interested 2) Buy a home in an adjacent neighborhood but the schools aren't as good... NOT an option 3) We did find one very small house in the area we want to live in but it is just too small. BINGO!!! This might be the best option. Using the FHA 203k loan program we can add on to the home and thereby increase the size to fit our needs.  Advantages are that you get a partially new home, updating the rest as may b... 04/26/2013

The Journey of a thousand miles... Tuesday afternoon I drove over to Yakima, Washington. From Seattle it’s a beautiful drive over the Cascade Mountains via Snoqualmie pass, hang a right in Ellensburg and head south down Interstate 82. From my place it’s about 160 miles. I love eastern Washington. As Tuesday approached I thought about my increasing odds to see sunshine. I’m headed over to First American Title to teach a clock hour class I wrote, Real Estate in the Social Age. I love these trips and enjoy meeting people in the industry face to face. Every area is different. Each marketplace has its own unique issues. Location, primary economic drivers, diversity of industry, and demographics all play their part in the local real estate market. I like getting to know the real estate broker... 05/24/2012

See Spot Run - Dog Fun in Yakima If you've never been to Yakima you may think it's just this little town in the middle of Washington State, and actually it is! But Yakima offers a great location for families and of course, pets. Yakima is the kind of place where everyone gets to know everyone else. And while the area is best known for its apple orchards, around here, people will tell you that it is the people working together who make Yakima one of Washington States richest treasures. So, it’s no surprise to see the community come together to help out some other friends, dogs and cats that need a home. April 29th the 10th Annual “See Spot Run” run and walk will bring more than 300 animal lovers together to make a statement of support for homeless pets while basking in the warm Spring su... 04/13/2012

Yakima Events - Activities - Information Located in South Central Washington state in the county of Yakima is the valley city of Yakima Washington. The 8th largest city in the state Yakima is home to almost 100,000 residents all living quite comfortably in the valley. As the entrance to the Cascade Mountain Yakima is a wonderful place to settle and relax enjoying all that this fruitful valley has to offer. With over 300 days of pure sunshine and mild climate throughout the year Yakima has a slew of outdoor activities for the young and young at heart. From kayaking and hiking to skiing and snow-boarding Yakima provides the complete lifestyle so many yearn for in Washington state as well as out of state. We are known for our fruit orchards and produce crops that grow so well here in the V... 12/13/2011

For over 40 years now the White Pass Volunteer Ski Patrol has put on the annual White Pass Ski & Snowboard Swap and this year is no exception. This weekend come on out to the Yakima Valley Sun dome for some great deals on new and used ski and snowboard equipment, as well as clothes. Check out our page on the White Pass Ski and Snowboard Swap for more information! 11/05/2010

It's amazing how bombarded we have become over the last few months with prospective home buyers wanting to contact us in regards to purchasing homes in the Yakima area. We all know that the Home Buyers Credit is due to expire very soon, and due to this a lot of people are scrambling to get in contact with an aggressive buyers agent. A good amount of these people need assistance now, to be able to buy their homes as soon as possible. These people truly need an agent whom has the time and experience to respond to these inquiries. We have learned that persistence has proven to pay dividends with these inquiring families and individuals. If you are serious about having the ability to increase the amount of prospective home buyers you contact each month, we would love the chance to talk to y... 04/09/2010

  1.Historical Park Have a picnic, play games, and tour history at Fort Simcoe State Park. Located at the end of SR220, 45 minutes South of Yakima, the park is open daily 6:30AM to dusk through October 2nd. An Interpretative Center and the Historical Buildings are open 9:30- 4:30PM Wed-Sun through Oct. 1st. Call (509) 874-2372 or visit  http://www.parks.wa.gov/ for more information.   2.Art Show  Enjoy art from three very different perspectives, now through June 4th, at Oak Hollow Gallery, Chalet Place, 5631 Summitview Ave., Yakima. (509) 965-3846 "Generational Views: Mother, Daughter and Granddaughter." Works by Ardith Kaiser, Holly Mahre and Lindsey Gaskill. (A Mother's Day outing, maybe?)   3.Kids/Teens Night Out "Saturday Night Live", every Saturday night 7-9:30 at the YMCA, 5 N. Na... 05/07/2008

"Housing market continues to fall", read the headline yesterday on the money page of the local newspaper. It was an AP article discussing the situation nationwide. Quoting statistics from the National Association of Realtors and economic experts, the article suggests that the real estate market is in for a really bad year.National statistics may interest some, but I hear from most people that they'd like to know what is happening here...where they live and work. I would love to see the Yakima Herald Republic print more articles about our local economy because this national doom and gloom reporting is scaring people. I answer panicked calls from sellers and buyers daily.So, today, I'm writing to people in my community and sharing some GOOD news, some SO-SO news, and some LOCAL market inf... 04/10/2008

Outdoor Survival Class at YVCC  First class April 10, 6:30PM and runs for three consecutive Thursdays. Class taught by a Yakima County Search and Rescue veteran includes topics such as positive attitude and programming your mind to succeed and to control fear, as well as basic map-and-compass skills, telling time and direction by the stars and sun, and navigating by reading signs in plants, soils, winds, topography, temperature and wildlife. Call Don Witke, instructor, for more information 509-697-6378. To register call YVCC at 547-4712. Tuition is $30.Temptation: A Mixed Media Invitational.  Opening reception, Thursday, April 10 5:30-7:30PM, Through May 25th, Peggy Lewis Gallery, Allied Arts Center 509-966-0930, www.alliedartsyakima.org . Expressions of temptation by Becky Blair, Bill ... 04/04/2008

In real estate, it’s dangerous to overreach when it comes to providing guidance on structural, legal, and financing matters. Here are some basics, but be sure to send buyers and sellers to the appropriate experts when necessary. 10 structural red flags  No home is perfect. “Owners have reported to us that two-thirds of home inspections uncovered problems,”saysDan Steward, president of home inspection company Pillar To Post, Tampa, Fla.            That’s why many sellers decide to have a pre-sale inspection. “For any homeowner, repairing                             problem areas prior to putting the house on the market can maintain or increase the home’s value and avoid unpleasant surprises during the sales negotiation or at time of closing.”         At the same time home buyers need to... 03/14/2008

Genealogy is a rewarding hobby for history buffs. Not only do you seek and find your ancestors, but the research brings history alive. I began my research as a teenager with the goal of finding the original immigrant to America in each family. Then I thought I was only researching four names, those of my father's parents and my mother's parents. It has multiplied into the hundreds as one surname leads to two more and on and on and on... Twenty-five years later, I still am searching for some elusive families. Eventually, I'd like to publish my research in a book to pass to the next generations.I have ancestors that came on the Mayflower, Jamestown settlers, some that came to America as indentured servants, and one that came to fight against colonists in the Revolution with the goal of de... 03/08/2008

Latino Cultural Film Series, Allied Arts Center, 5000 W. Lincoln Ave. Tapas, wine tasting 6PM, Screenings 6:45PM Discussion Follows. $5.00. 509-966-0930, http://www.alliedartsyakima.org/                                                        March 13, "The Motorcycle Diaries",  March 20, "Crossing Arizona",   March 27, "Quinceanera"  Home and Garden Show, March 14-16 Yakima Valley Sundome, 1301 S. Fair Ave. $6, $8, $16. TicketsWest 800-325-7328, State Fair ticket office, 509-248-7160  Capital Theatre, Best of Broadway Series, 19 S. Third St. Tickets: TicketsWest 800-325-7328, Capital Theatre Box Office, 853-2787"GYPSY" March 14, 7:30PM and March 15, 2:00PM and 7:30pm "LITTLE WOMEN" March 28, 7:30PM and March 29, 2:00PM and 7:30PM Simon Edwards Gallery, 3105 Summitview Ave., 509-248-6886... 03/08/2008

Some Good news for Yakima in-city High School, Eisenhower... Eisenhower High School Principal Stacey Locke was recently named the state's top high school principal for the year. The diverse population in Yakima presented a challenge to Locke when she was hired as the school's principal in 2003. Eisenhower, nicknamed IKE locally, has a student population of close to 2000. Under the guidance and direction of Principal Locke, the school population has become a "culture of one", unifying students, staffmembers, and families as a single community. She has made the high school experience more personal for each individual, raised test scores, and reduced the school's drop-out rate.   The award is handed out each year by the Association of Washington School Principals. This award places her in ... 03/07/2008

It's been featured recently in USA Today and on CNN. None of the national doom and gloom real estate news applies here. So what is going on in Yakima, Washington?Yakima County is a large area and we tend to divide it into Upper Valley and Lower Valley in discussions. I do that when I look at real estate trends, too. I live and work in Yakima, in the Upper Valley, and this is the area I really know and is my focus today. For the last year, I have been tracking pending sales in the area by smaller sub-area and by price point. By doing this, I can instantly see where buyers are buying at any given time. I've been amazed at the number of real estate "experts" quoted in local news media saying that we are in a seller's market. They were so wrong! I track 12 sub-area and 12 price ranges in ea... 03/01/2008