Would you believe that I CAN'T find the one that turns them on? A house - A "home" - you know - the one that POPS in their mind and heart with a few compromises.  Nothing has "turned them on" - no sparkle in the eye; or running from room to room from the kids...no "my furniture would fit perfectly here...."  just hmmm.... well it might work with no sparkle but a feeling of resolve... I sat and listened to their criteria and their tastes and goals and my first initial thought was "piece of cake."  They were very realistic.... and we should be able to look at quite a few choices... Well it isn't and there aren't.. .  The inventory has been reduced considerably in the range of $225 -$300k that is stick built and a reasonable value and something they would consider... Their choices that fit... 04/28/2009

Doesn't mean they didn't make a few changes. So here is a simple scenario. You submit an offer, they want to change the purchase price, so instead of chicken-scratching all over the purchase and sale, they submit it on a counteroffer form, and send it ALL over signed, you sign the one line on the counter offer form if you agree... BUT Who says its that simple.     YOU need to read through the ENTIRE contract again and make sure they haven't made a few other changes as well. In my case it was the title company, no big deal. Obviously you would have to initial next to the changes they have made for the contract to reactivate, but that doesn't mean that they are not there. As you thumb through the contract you may be surprised at a few changes that they have made, but not addressed on the ... 04/27/2009

Surrounded by nature and loving the sunshine... I walk. This trail plays out differently before me, and everyday I discover something new.  A calf that is learning to stand in a nearby field. Goslings that have just hatched and are following their mother everywhere she goes. A red-wing black bird, a snake gliding on the water. A child in a stroller relaxing as her mother jogs. A couple who have seen decades together still holding hands as they hold onto the moment. Time, sunshine, new birth and growth, smiles and waves... Welcome to the Theller Wetlland Trails in Belfair, Washington 04/26/2009

!!!!!!INFORMATIVE FREE WORKSHOP/SEMINAR FOR EVERYONE - !!!!!!!!!   Want the straight scoop on what's happening out there in our current housing market?  Have Questions? April 23rd - THURSDAY - THAT'S THIS COMING THURSDAY-  A FREE WORKSHOP FOR ALL WHO WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT the current real estate market in our area including - SHORT SALES, LOANS, TAX CONSEQUENCES, AND LEGAL QUESTIONS   IT IS FREE TO ALL!!!! This was put together for YOU - THE CONSUMER- by Windermere Peninsula Properties to help EVERYONE out there understand, ask questions, and become informed and educated in numerous areas of these trying times in our economy when dealing with purchasing and selling a home, as well as tax benefits, credits, loans, terminology -such as foreclosures, bank repo's, REO's, short sale... 04/21/2009

When I started in the business I was young and new. A lot of people questioned my experience. And rightfully so. I had an answer though. My Broker Richard Bell- You know him as the SURFERDUDE,he has been in business about 30 years. This was my source to tap into anytime I had a question. He had been there and done that or knew of someone who had. He could pull out answers from his vast knowledge of many different markets, and had solutions that were tried and true for almost any scenario. Nothing surprised him even the market like we are experiencing today.In fact he was warning us about it long before it ever hit- so we could be prepared. To bad he could not have tipped off the government. My Point in this post is this. We on Active Rain have tapped into a gold mine of knowledge. Not o... 04/17/2009

Last night, I went to our church, Belfair Community Baptist Church, in Belfair to see the movie Fireproof.    It will be shown at 7PM on Sat. the 18th for the public free!  What a realistic story.  There is something in this movie that eveyone can relate too, and firefighters will really enjoy it.  Come all.  There will be childcare for the young ones. 04/16/2009

On Thursday April 23rd, 2009 from 6-8 pm at the LakeLand Village Club House, Allyn, Washington, the Windermere Peninsula Properties, Allyn and Belfair offices will be teaming up with Lender Vickie Nunez from Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Real Estate Attorney Mike Spence, Tax Accountant Catherine Wolf & Real Estate Managing Broker Richard Bell of Windermere Peninsula Properties to get the latest information on the current housing market. We expect a great attendance and RSVP is recommended. You can reach the Windermere Peninsula Properties office at 360-275-5002. Or e-mail Rbell@windermere.com There will be Straight Answers for Home Owners and Buyers given by experts in the field. The focus will be on short sales, foreclosures & loan modifications. Know who to ask and what to ask from those... 04/16/2009

Princess and I were once again a team. On the road. Each of us giving something back to each other. She was stretching her RPM wings and I was stretching my mind. We both needed this. She sat dormant through the winter as I ran rampant through the winter working endless hours and days, pushing through the turmoil of the market, maintaining, changing tactics, striving to be the best I could be knowing it would pay off in the end. Now it was time for me to re-group, re-focus, take some time for me, clear my mind, as well as expand my mind and my network. Princess was the way to do that. I rolled her out of the garage, set the choke and knew she was going to give me her best from the first turn of the key. She's never let me down. A little rough around the edges her rumble was from sitting... 04/12/2009

Sometimes it can feel like there are just to many options. Which way do you go? Right, left, up or down. Decisions need to be made. No one wants to make a bad choice and sometimes it is the waiting to make a choice that really lets you down. Just remember to take it one simple step at a time soon you will be in a place where you can clearly see your options and proceed ahead. 04/08/2009

I wanted to take this time to thank you for purchasing a home that you are certain to love for years to come. I also wanted to congratulate you on your smart choice of timing. Interest rates have hit historic lows and you have been able to take advantage of this tremendous opportunity. Not only have you saved money on your monthly payments you were able to use the $8,000.00 First Time Home Buyers Tax Credit, because it had been at least three years since you have owned your own home. I was also impressed that you made an offer on a short sale, and even though it took an extra few weeks to close- you were patient and in the end you were able to get a terrific deal, and help the home owner out. I know from experience that you and I will be sitting across from each other one day when you d... 04/06/2009

Sometimes I feel like my job is too easy. We live in the beautiful Northwest and while we may be used to the tall mountains and deep waters, those who are new to our area can't seem to get past the beauty. Sunny days are the best for showing homes, but often leaving pictures behind that were taken from the property are enough to showcase it in all it's glory. Amenities are frequently found included with the sale, from beach rights on private lakes, to community salt water beaches, even pools and private libraries are offered in some locations.Breath taking nightly sunsets are always complimentry. Some areas will entail more time seeing what the community offers than it will to see the value priced homes. It is certainly not an exaggeration to say that there is a terrific sale going on r... 04/06/2009

It seems as though we are really turning a corner. My skeptical, superstitious side said don't type that, but it is true. We are seeing a lot of activity now, and it is resulting in offers!. I expect it to pick up in the next few weeks. I will admit that in the past this would have seemed like a typical market in Spring. But after the last year I feel like it is booming. I will not take a normal market for granted again. So bring it on. Offers, offers, and more offers! If you are looking at buying or selling in the Belfair, Allyn, Hood Canal, Shelton, Hartstine Island, Treasure Island, Stretch Island, Grapeview, South Shore, North Shore, Alderbrook,Port Orchard, Tahuya, Bremerton, Lake Bay, Or Gig Harbor areas just give us a call at 360-551-8888 or visit Dinah Griffey, Michelle Roethle ... 04/06/2009

Sometimes it is just a meant to be moment. I was in the car and snapped this picture of an old weathered barn.  The fence rambling on though the landscape as the trees hid their tiny green leaves inside hoping to let them loose soon.The snows had just been by as the mountains in the distance testified. The sky broke through the birds call with a simple blue, and the sun warmed the ice into retreat. Spring will come and the barn will be alive with excitement once again. 04/05/2009

    Has Spring Sprung in the Belfair, WA real Estate Market?  Our local Belfair real estate market shows the following for the end of March 2009. Homes for Sale in Belfair, WA- These are homes only for sale that are actively listed with real estate agents. There are currently 100  homes for sale in Belfair. This is up from last month by 20 homes. The prices range from $89,000 on up to $839,000 with many choices in between offering a lot of options in all price ranges.   Inventory has increased  offering a lot of great choices and opportunities out there!  Buyers don't miss your chance!  Homes that are Pending in Belfair, WA- These have a mutually accepted purchase and sale between buyer and seller and they are going through the closing process; typically a 30-45 day time line depending ... 04/02/2009

 There are some awesome waterfront homes  for sale out there right now! Hood Canal Waterfront homes for sale along both the North Shore and South Shore are in a fair abundance for this month.  There are many choices and many price ranges all offering many unique waterfront home opportunities.    There are currently 14 North Shore Hood Canal Waterfront Homes for sale.  Prices range from a low of $399,000 on up to a high of $1,495,000. One home has just come on the market at $1,495,000; The average market time for homes actively listed is 240 days along the waterways of Southern Puget Sound and the North and South Shores of Hood Canal. A great example of some of the fantastic waterfront homes, would be the home at 10811 North Shore Road for $449,900. It includes 3 tax parcels for over an ... 04/02/2009

Spring is in the air?  Okay - so a few snow showers here and there still, but the calendar says its Spring and that means it's time to start thinking about summertime fun! Let's see what is happening along the South Shores of Hood Canal for waterfront home sales...   Waterfront Homes for Sale and Sold along The South Shore of Hood Canal There are currently 19 South Shore Hood Canal Waterfront Homes for sale.  Prices range from a low of $289,000 on up to a high of $925,000.   There are some awesome values out there right now! There is currently 1 pending sale along On South Shore with an asking price of $274,900.00, with a market time of a short 5 days! This home was a foreclosure (owned by the bank) and the home was priced at 1/2 price to generate the best and highest offer quickly. Ch... 04/02/2009

I am really excited about the current real estate market. It seems to be coming alive and crawling out of hibernation. There are positive signs to be seen and heard all around us. Houses are selling, Interest rates are low, Loans are being funded and we are enjoying success. Have you been noticing positive improvements in your neck of the woods? Please share you inspiring stories here! 03/25/2009

I was floored to hear this morning that IBM is laying off more workers in the United States. It has been occurring all over the place and to see it once again is devestating. All of us in the Real Estate Industry and around the nation are painfully aware that every job lost is going to effect each and every one of us. From the Grocery store clerk, the truck driver to the Barista,the Real Estate agent and the Lender, we all feel the effects of lay offs and lost wages. Like and Aftershock of the Stock Market the jolts just keep coming. What is frustrating me about the IBM layoffs is that they are sending the lost American jobs to India. How is that helping out when times are tough? I try to buy made in the USA any time that I can. I try to support all of the local jobs and businesses in m... 03/25/2009

Bursting out of a hidden world only to be glimpsed in ours for a moment. Splashes sound and once again nothing is to be seen but the circles that surround the empty space...dissipating until he surfaces again. The deep waters of Hood Canal hide the native Ocras. The Olympic Mountains surround them and the Stoic Eagles fly watch over them. what a day to be. What a beautiful moment in time. 03/24/2009

Like an ocean of goodness it flows out before me. I want just a bite but I will not settle for less than all of it! I try to deny my true feelings... and I am met with the notion of bliss. It can't hurt to just inhale a few whiffs of the rich dark chocolate, a dip of my finger just to test the plates resolve, one little bite is innocent, who is going to know... Thick rivers of fudge, cool icy vanilla clouds melting and mingling in the crumbly delight of a dark devilish pastry. I smile and turn away only to realize my true weakness and I fall in love all over again. Powerless to stop, but not yet regretting the temptation... After all when the scale tells the truth tomorrow we all know who really is to blame...it is all the chocolates fault...Who can resist. 03/21/2009