Now is the perfect week to get ready for a buyer. Interest rates are low, banks ARE loaning money, and a lot of people will be slowly making their way through your neighborhood to get to grandma's house for Thanksgiving. This is a great opportunity to shine. You may not be home for the holidays, but it should not look that way. Stuff the flier box full, clean off the driveway, rake the leaves, and light the house- Your buyer may be driving by and want to get a closer look. What better time to be ready. After all isn't this the scene every new home owner envisions...the holidays celebrated in their new house! If you would like additional information on a home for the holidays or staging tips please visit us at NowYouAreLiving.com 11/23/2008

It is an old saying- Do you see the glass half empty or half full? It is kind of Corny , but the question is a great test. Are you looking for the bottom of the market, or are you reaching for the top. Are you spending your day whining about what could have been, or are you finding ways to make it better? I have to try harder some days than others, but I see things looking up. I had an open house today with hardley a visitor. I used my spare time to come up with my "09" marketing and business plan. It came together pretty quickly.  Now is a great time to focus on the future. Most of us have the time to plan ahead. I am taking advantage of this. I remember days that I worked 12+ hours. Was concerned about leaving for a vacation, and needed a moment to catch my breath. I believe we are on... 11/23/2008

Mason County Showing Signs of a Solid MarketI think the word is finally getting out.   My Friends...NOW is the time to buy!As we closed the month of October, the activity showed 16 homes going pending and 50 homes selling.  Their prices averaged 94.28% of the asking price. November has not closed as many as October.  But 39 homes have gone pendingand 16 have already sold, at 93.31% of their asking price.   The numbers are looking promising with still a full week to go. Critical thinking.Between October and what has passed of November, the sale of 66 homes supports that people are getting the funding they need to purchase homes and that it isNOT an impossible time to sell. To Learn more about our area, feel free to visit My Website. Josh Murphy Mason County Agent Specialist Windermere Pe... 11/21/2008

... you'd better not cry, I'm tellin' you why... SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN!! St. Nick is visiting Allyn the Saturday after Thanksgiving to kick start the Christmas season! He will be arriving on a bright red fire engine, as the reindeer are still in training for their big night on Christmas Eve. It is quite a site to see, so kids, bring your parents to the Allyn Waterfront Park and Gazebo at 4pm on Saturday, November 29, 2008. There will be hot drinks and homemade cookies to enjoy. Perhaps even some live music under the gazebo. So, come enjoy the gazebo in all it's holiday glory, make your lists and be extra nice. We'll see you there! Happy Holidays!     11/21/2008

In the Third series of economic reports provided by Gardner Johnson Land Use Economics, The Gardner Report points out that our Region has been adding Jobs for the past 12 months ending September 30, 2008. King County posted the most gain with a percentage change of +3.1% in annual employment.   Mason County's percentage change in Annual Employment was -0.5%. This appears to be the norm for a number of rural counties of Western Washington. For Example, Island County reported a -0.1% Change, Grays Harbor had a -0.4%, Skagit at -0.8% and Cowlitz was -1.3%.   The Counties showing positive gains were: Kittitas with a  2.1% change, Lewis at 1.3%, Whatcom 1.2%, Thurston 1.1%, Snohomish 0.8%, Jefferson 0.5%, Kitsap 0.5%,Clallam 0.3%, San Juan and Pierce were even at 0.0%.   While it is true we ... 11/21/2008

I just read in the North Bay Review that this will be the last Holiday Open House for The Old Cedar Forge here in Allyn.  It has been a local tradition here for longer than I have lived here.  Jerry & Ina Culberson are retiring at the end of this year.  In case you don't see the North Bay Review, the Open House is Sat. December 13th  from 9am - 6pm.   11/20/2008

My aunt told me this story the other night.   It was her birthday, so the family took her out to dinner.... The kids, grandkids & great grandkids... They had a really nice dinner and were sitting around just visiting.  Everyone was having a good ol' time until some of the grandkids and great grand kids were starting to get tired, bored or just wanted to go home.  This is when the young ones take control...   Luke who is 2 and will be, for 2 more days, is done... he's crawling over the table, under the table, through table legs, people legs and is now moving into cranky.  Finally my aunt picked him up, put him in the chair next to hers and told him he needed to sit down, and they would be ready to go in just a few minutes.   And he says something like... "If I have to sit here.... I'm go... 11/20/2008

I was reading my favorite blogs today, and I ran across my stat guy Richard Bell-The Real State of Real Estate. His stats and facts painted a much different picture than what the media is sharing. Interest rates are low and houses are a bargain. It reminded me of the listing appointments I went on in 2005,& 2006. People were surprised by the amount of equity they had in their homes in just the few short years they owned them. Buyers would have loved to have had those prices when they were making offers, but bought because they knew that they would gain equity too. There are more people on the planet every day and it is not getting any bigger. I wish we could pay the same for a home that we could in the 80's or 90's, but it is unheard of. My point is that the buyers today have an opportu... 11/19/2008

    Lets face it, when you read today's Headlines all we hear about is the worse case. "Consumer Confidence Falling", "A Recession is Upon Us", "Housing Prices Continue to Fall" and so on. But I don't believe the headlines tell the whole story.   Each week in my local market I write a column in the local paper entitled the Real State of Real Estate. I supply to the public the real numbers, real facts about our local real estate market. For example, according to the Stats, new mortgage applications are up.   I have also noticed that first time buyers are eager to take advantage of the lowering prices. On a personal note, my 23 year old nephew applied for a new FHA loan. He has his approval letter and is now ready to make an offer.   How come the terrible Headlines did not chase my nephew... 11/19/2008

This is my first Post to Active Rain. I've been selling real estate for over ten years now in a rural market that is very seasonable--very busy in the Spring, Summer and early Fall, pretty dead in the Winter. Over the years I've seen some agents really shine while others just seemed to fade away.  For example, I knew of one broker who came to work for Windermere Peninsula Properties a few years ago after I had sold him a home in Twanoh Falls on the south shore of the Hood Canal.  He had been in the business for almost twenty years in Seattle and decided to move to an area with a much less frenetic life style.  How ever, he was from the old school and was unable to come to terms with the advances in technology in our evolving profession.  The last time I saw him he was working as a flagg... 11/18/2008

Just as promised, here is some market information regarding the real estate market along the shores of Puget Sound in Allyn and Grapeview, WA.  In years past the draw to our area was more The Hood Canal Waterfront - a destination for many.  Few people ventured over to Allyn and Grapeview in search of their dream waterfront home or just a recreation spot on the waterfront. Now-a-days, the waterfront homes for sale in Allyn and Grapeview are sure giving the Hood canal Waterfront Homes a run for the money!  Consumers have "discovered" Allyn and Grapeview and its many amenities.  We have seen an increase in the number of homes sold in this area in the last 1-2 years.  Check it out: (this is for the Puget Sound~Allyn & Grapeview Waterfront Homes) Active listings: 16 Pending Properties: 0 Sol... 11/18/2008

While I was in town today I saw a sign that read wastefree holidays. It was advertising a website that anyone living and working in King, Kitsap, Thurston  or the City of Tacoma should take a look at.The site offers links to business owners that are offering discounts on items such as lodging, cruises, museum passes, and gifts in general that are experiences not just stuff. I love the idea. It seems every year I spend a lot of money on storage solutions to find space for the gifts. Then there is hollering at the kids to pick up all the stuff I just bought them, that is now on the floor. Most of the time I think that the stuff is not memorable either. I asked my 11 year old what her favorite gift that she got last year was, and after a long pause I finally asked-" Do you remember what yo... 11/17/2008

I have been reviewing some of the local market statistics - LakeLand Village amongst others I pull specifically every Monday (Hood Canal & Puget Sound Waterfront Homes and our general area of residential homes in Grapeview, Belfair, and Allyn are others I use).... I think it is important for you the consumer to be aware of these market reports as well.  An informed buyer and seller tends to fair better than one who is not. This is one of the reasons that all of my clients receive as much information and knowledge from me on a consistant basis on the CURRENT market happenings so that they can make informed and educated decisions in meeting their goals for real estate.  This applies to both Buyer and Sellers. The more information and knowledge you and your agent share weekly, will help yo... 11/17/2008

Do any of you have trouble starting a remodeling project, let alone finishing it? I have been there too. It seems like one more trip to Home Depot will put you over the edge. They always cost more than you think, and take longer than you can imagine. I have found one way that works for me to speed up completion time..."the shopping trip " My husband currently has our laundry room in about 500 pieces. We went to to Home Depot today for yet another "I still need"... and on the way I stopped at Victoria's Secret, JC Penney's, Bath and Body Works( I threw that one in for good measure,) PAC SUN, and Macy's. My husband suddenly discovered the urgent need for the laundry room to be completed, and my wash is in, as I write this blog. Now I have a COMPLETED remodel, clean clothes,new stuff, a he... 11/16/2008

 As the holidays move closer, I can't stop remembering a very special moment and a very special picture. I have a picture - a very special picture, to share that means so much to my husband and I and of course what would a picture be without a story behind it...!! This is all of our children...seems simple enough for a picture right? Other than it being my children what would be so special about it?? Well there's a catch to it and a special story as well. 4 years ago our home burned down. Very few things salvageable... All of the pictures that were on the wall of the kids when they were little were gone. We lost many but there was one that had meant the world to me.... The four of them together in their older years. I had never had a picture of all of them together and their effort to g... 11/16/2008

Friendly faces and great food make Lennard K's Boat House a great place to eat when visiting Allyn Washington. Bring the family or friends and dine in one of it's three area's, lounge, dining area or the large outside deck. Over looking Case Inlet you are sure to enjoy your meal and the views! Visit them online at their website www.Lennardks.com 11/14/2008

This time I noticed when I hit a century mark. This is blog number 200. I do not have anything that I have to share except that I am having the best evening tonight. I have been listening to holiday music. Bing Crosby, and Burl Ives are my FAVORITES, and they make the holiday for me. I have my special coffee, the girls are having a slumber party- and a lot of laughter, and me, I am reading great blogs, funny, moving, and informative.  So what better way than to blog on #200 how much I appreciate all of you sharing. Active Rain would not be what it is today without all of you. I have made new friends and grown in many ways since I found this site. It is more than blogging, posting, and commenting- it is a way of life I could never give up. The encouragement, and positive attitudes I read... 11/14/2008

I just turned on the radio to one of my favorite stations warm 106.9, and the holiday tunes were cranking out! I did not think I was ready for this, but here I am typing away while rocking around the Christmas tree.Is it to early for a tree, and some festive lights, a poinsettia, and a hot steaming mug of cocoa with candy cane stir stick? Okay, that's it Bing Crosby just came on, and I can't take it any more. I want a White Christmas ,and I want it now! I have to go now and start my Christmas  list... 11/14/2008

Tom Farmer Oysters was established in 1985.  It is a family run business.  They farm their own oysters and clams out of North Bay, Reach Island, and the Hood Canal.  They work out of San Francisco, where their product is shipped all over the United States. Tom Farmer Oysters are sold at the Port Orchard Farmer's Market May-Oct, and are also sold to local restaurants.In Addition they have a retail store on their farm.  Tom and Jean enjoy working with their community, providing a fresh product, and making available the best seafood quality to everyone through out the entire year.  In the summer time, all are welcome to come and walk the gardens, or stroll down to the Mill Pond. Tom Farmer Oysters are a kid and dog friendly farm. If you find yourself in Allyn, just stop by and say hello. T... 11/14/2008

Under a spreading chestnut tree The village smithy stands; The smith, a mighty man is he, With large muscles of his brawny arms Are strong as iron bands. Longfellow, 1841   The Old Cedar Forge offers visitors the opportunity to experience rustic Americana. Take a step back in time as you to step into The Old Cedar Forge in beautiful Allyn, WA. Once there, you'll be welcomed in by the owners Jerry and Ina Culberson. Jerry, a renowned blacksmith artist of 57 years, uses a 2,400 degree forge, anvil and hammers to create his commanding works of art. He is proud to hone his craft and considers it an honor to help preserve an art form that is hundreds of years old. His craftsmanship and expertise are evident in every piece.   In addition to practicing the art of blacksmithing, Jerry also offe... 11/14/2008