Valerie's Belfair WA Real Estate Blog: Washington: Belfair

Majestic Views & Waterfront ~Hood Canal~

Hood Canal offers some of the most breathtaking views to be found in Mason County & Washington state.  

From the pristine waterfront to the majestic Olympic Mountain Range as well as some areas are east facing offering a Mt Rainier View even.

Winter has definitely shown its face here along Hood Canal, but the beauty certainly does not stop when Mother Nature throws a curve ball at us!   A not so ordinary snow storm  left most of the area blanketed with 6+ inchs of snow; It just embellished the majestic views!  Yes, things came to a stop mostly,and sometimes it takes a storm to slow some of us down for a minute, to help us remember and enjoy the spectacular Hood Canal views and waterfront that surround us that we sometimes take for granted daily.

Hood Canal Waterfront ~ Majestic Olympic Mountain View

What a great setting for a waterfront cabin to retreat to any time of the year!   Enjoy the waterfront and views year round! Recreational fun in the summer and wild storms along the waterfront in the winter; no matter what time of the year, the scenery is every changing!

A perfect example of an affordable Hood Canal Waterfront Cabin- check this out!

Located along the North Shores of Hood Canal waterfront, this one story cabin with a partially finished basement is a great getaway!  Built structurally for a second story, it offers great possibilities for growth as well! Currently it has one bedroom, one 3/4 bath,full size kitchen, laminate flooring,and a large open concept living area with spectacular views!

Laminate flooring flows throughout the living area. A wall of view windows and sliding door give you easy access to the waterfront deck.

Kick back on the waterfront deck and enjoy the awesome views or gather by the woodstove inside during those cold winter months and watch the storms roll on by!

Approximately 75 ft of your very own beach - oysters and clams at your feet!

A partially finished heated basement houses the utility room and with just some minor finishes - such as flooring- would make a great rec room or extra sleeping quarters!  A water "toy" garage is also downstairs with a ramp to the water. 

It's time to get ready for some summertime fun!! 

Offered at $250,000- one of the best deals going along the Hood Canal!

 My magical crystal ball fogs up and my head spins everytime I even try to figure out or anticipate what a bank is thinking or what their reasoning is for something.

What are they thinking?

 I can honestly say that I feel a "change in the air" and a new trend coming.....

Yes - I have had numerous clients already this year call and request my services because their lenders told them to list their home with a real estate agent and sell their home - short. 

They did not want to hear back from the borrower or their agent until there was an offer on the table. 

Another client had a buyer for his home, had already submitted his short sale package because his tenant was purchasing the property (all without agent/negotiator involvement), and the bank directed the borrower to list the home with an agent in order to complete the short sale process.  

The banks are suggesting to their borrowers to "short sale" their home  instead of Deed in Lieu or foreclosure. Thinking about it, from the conversations I have had, they are not even suggesting it, they are flat out telling them to find an agent to market the home and short sale it. 

Now mind you - I am not complaining! Because I truly do love a challenge!

 I am just curious to what others are seeing and hearing out there and is this a new trend for the banks?

The client does not qualify for a modification or a modification would do the client no good with it still leaving them in a pickle.... the bank does not want to do a foreclosure,nor accept a Deed in Lieu.

Are they realizing that many of the homeowners that want to modify their loans are still in a pickle - so they move them to short sale the home? 

Okay.. Are the banks moving to the short sale  because it is too costly for them to foreclosure or accept a Deed in Lieu on all of the homes that are upside down?

 Is it because their inventory is already so heavy with non-working assets (foreclosures) that they do not want any more inventory and realize that it is more cost effective to participate in a short sale?

  Is it more cost effective? 

I only know  that this has been the majority of my phone calls for the last two weeks and my mind has started processing this as a new trend and change in the air......

I feel a change in the air and a new trend happening.....Or am I just slow in figuring it out??

Soooooo  .....What do you think?

When IS the right time to sell your home?

I receive a lot of calls with this and other questions this time of year.  

• When is the right season to sell?
• Should I wait til spring to put my home on the market?
• Should I take it off the market during the holidays? 
• Will the market change? 
• Isn't it better to sell in the spring and summer? 

So when IS the right time to sell your home?  

The right time to sell your home, is WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT FOR YOU!!

First - there is no wrong or right time to sell seasonal wise.  The question and the answer falls with

  "when is the time right for YOU?" 

 Second- if you want to sell your home, it needs to be actively marketed. It Needs to be seen to be sold!

That's when its the right time to sell - when its right for YOU and your personal and financial goals. 

And how do I find that answer?

Get the FACTS and information on your local real estate market from a real estate professional.

Get a comparative market analysis on your home specifically from a professional local real estate professional.  A local real estate professional is going to know specifically what is going on in your market, which may be totally different in a neighboring market!  All real estate is local!

Discuss your goals with a professional real estate professional. Determine whether it is the right time for you to sell. For some, it very well may not be the right time. It is and should be a personal choice and decision after reviewing all of the facts of the market and your goals.

If you are waiting for the market to change - be careful! Especially if you are considering moving up, downsizing or relocating.  When homes for sale prices increase, it is going to decrease your purchasing power on the buying end.Typically you will be able to buy MORE home in this type of a market. 

During the holiday season and the fall and winter months, we tend to see the homes for sale inventory reduce considerably.  this means that there are fewer comparable homes for sale that you are competing against!

With the real estate market being as competitive as it is, wouldn't you rather have LESS competition in the sale of your home?  The fall/winter and holiday period offers LESS COMPETITION!  

Are there fewer buyers out there this time of year? It may seem that there are fewer buyers out looking at homes during this time of year and there very well may be. THERE ARE BUYERS OUT PURCHASING YEAR ROUND,  BUT what we typically see during this time of year is a more serious buyer and not so  many "lookie lou's, dreamers, or what ifs."  

It is a fairly serious buyer that is out looking at homes in the cold, wind, rain, possibly snow.  They also see your home at its worst (which is not necessarily a bad thing); this can take allot of questions out of the buyers mind as to how the home will "fair" during rain, wind, snow and so on.  A home can still have good curb appeal especially during the Christmas season when the decorations bring a warm, cozy and inviting feeling to the homes. 

With fewer homes on the market during the fall/winter/holiday seasons, the buyers have fewer choices which brings more attention to your home. You could very well miss YOUR BUYER and delay a sale by waiting for a "season to sell" rather than selling when the time is right for you.

Have questions? Give me a call.  I offer a FREE, NO OBLIGATION comparative market analysis for your property/home.  I would love to provide you factual information re the current real estate market for the Hood Canal, Belfair, Allyn and surrounding areas to help you determine your goals and help answer "when is the right time for you to sell your home."

And remember - My success is YOUR success.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM MY HOME TO YOURS!  

I am not a mind reader. Are you? 

How many people do you know that are mind readers?  That's my question of the day or week or whatever....

Why?   Well because this past month has been the same situation with a few sellers... we all know it is definetely a tough real estate market out there, but you can be successful if you take the "trying to mind read" part out of it.

 Here's the scenario:

A seller receives an offer- it, of course is a "low ball" offer that turns the sellers face red with furry, makes fire come from their eyes,head spin, feet stomp, teeth grit, incoherent language I can't understand as he/she then says to me :

 "I will NOT respond to this ridiculous, how dare you @#$%^&*(&*(!   offer!!!!!!!    Double emphasis - double emphasis - Fists clenched ready to kill me seller.....!!!!!!!"

I know I've got my work cut out for me.  

Breathe Valerie - remain calm - let's talk him through this.....Help him take the emotion out of what is obviously going to be a negotiation process...  (oh and by the way, I LOVE a good solid negotiation process).... 

"Mr./Mrs. Seller," I calmly respond, "I fully understand your furry and fire, but let's respond with what you feel IS acceptable. I am pretty sure neither one of us is a mind reader; come to think of it, the buyer is not either, so let's respond in a professional manner with a price that is acceptable to you, as well as give the buyers the facts of how your price was obtained."  

Mr./Mrs. Seller stomps his feet with:"I absolutely refuse to respond to that no-good,no life, $%^&* son of a gun buyer - who thinks he's going to "steal my house....!!!!"

"Mr./Mrs. Seller," I calmly respond, "I can appreciate your anger and again, I fully understand your fury and fire, but lets send this buyer a counteroffer with what is acceptable to you."

Mr./Mrs. Seller say "NO ! This person is not serious and just wants my house for nothing. They can come up to my price or just go away."

"Puuurrfectt Mr./Mrs. Seller. How about you TELL the buyer that with a COUNTEROFFER in WRITING; unless you or the buyer are one of those mind reader people - how is the buyer going to know exactly what is acceptable?  If you don't ask the buyer to come up to your price, well, you will never know what he would say."       

After another few minutes of mumbling and grumbling, the seller agrees albeit reluctantly.

"Well Okay, but I shouldn't even respond.....@#$%^&*()," 

 I stand with pen in hand poised for his autograph on the counteroffer...and reiterate -  "Let's not rely on trying to 'mind read' the buyer and possibly lose a good solid honest to goodness approved Buyer."

After presenting the facts of comparable properties for the sellers neighborhood and home, along with the sellers' counteroffer, the buyer and seller have come to a mutual agreement.

 Thank goodness I gave up mind reading a long long time ago. You never know where something will end up or go if you don't ask or tell.  None of us are mind readers!

Take the mind reading out of the picture and you too can be successful. Utilize the knowledge and experience of a professional real estate broker.  

Well it has been about a week since Windermere upgraded our websites to bring us the best of the best techonology in today's world.  I for one, well, truthfully, do not like change but have slowly learned to adapt and overcome!  I haven't quite completed or accomplished the look and feel I am looking for on my new website, but I hope you'll hang in there until all the kinks are worked out and we're back on track!

I am fairly computer and internet savvy, but it has been a challenge utilizing the new format, but I know with time and knowledge it will be better than ever for both you, as the consumer,and myself, as a professional broker marketing your home for sale or for rent! 

I have not had much time to learn all the new tricks and widgets and links etc. due to being quite busy in the field,  but I am learning something new each and everyday and working to incorporate it into my new website. 

 I can't thank you enough for your patience as this process evolves and soon - soon I hope to have another very user friendly and informative website up and running.  My goal is to be able to keep you informed and promote all of my active listings with ease and the best exposure possible on the internet!  

Adapt and overcome has been my motto through this process and I hope you will too will take the time to wander through, post your input (good or bad) as we rebuild and accomplish fantastic internet exposure utilizing all of Windermere's excellent and top notch technology resources! 

Hope to hear from you soon!

~Valerie~

Spring  is here and with it brings many explorers, tourists, part time residents and more to the shores of the Hood Canal and Puget Sound. 

Some already own waterfront homes and are coming to enjoy the many amenities that the Hood Canal and Puget Sound bring to the table - oysters, clams from the beaches; water fun - kayaking, water-skiing, fishing - so much to do and enjoy! 

And here's your chance to own a gorgeous waterfront home on the North Shore of Hood Canal and enjoy all the bounty at a great price!!! 

I love spending time at this Hood Canal waterfront home and love showing this home along the North Shore of Hood Canal!  Meticulously maintained, even on a dreary day, this home will brighten your spirits and soothe the soul!

Approximately one hundred feet of bulk-headed Hood Canal waterfront, it is a pleasure to lounge along the shores of this home.  So relaxing and peaceful, you can feel the stress of the day melt away or awaken to a glorious sunrise and serenity. 

Spit shined and ready to go, I love walking through the door to the open concept and the magnificent view! And to know that the pristine beach at your feet is yours! Okay I am jealous of this one! 

Tile counters, hardwood floors, vaulted tongue and groove ceilings, and a complete remodel show off the light and bright finished project that screams with ambiance of a seaside home!

Step out onto the over-sized deck with plenty of room for entertaining or wander over to the fire-pit and lounge area taking in the ever-changing marine scenery. 

Separate guest quarters offer privacy for all with its own large bedroom, sliding door to the Hood Canal waterfront gravel patio and a half bath for convenience.  Be careful your guests may never want to leave! 

An added bonus- acreage across the street that goes with the home!  Lots of room for extra parking with an area already cleared and ready to go or the perfect spot to wander further and travel the trail on up to a quiet spot along the stream.  A total of 2.78 acres comes with the package!  

Ohhhhh you have got to see this place!  It is awesome and you will fall in love with it at first sight!  Check it out at www.valspaulding.mywindermere.com! 

Located approximately 8 miles from the center of town, its convenience to areas beyond, town, schools, shopping and other amenities makes this a favorable location as well.

Spectacular Hood Canal & Olympic Mt View & Waterfront Home for Sale

From the sweeping majestic mountain and Hood Canal view to the "Beach Cabana" this home and property is perfect for a getaway or full time living and built to entertain!  From the great sunsets to watching the storms roll in - the ever changing view will take your breathe away!

Nestled above the Hood Canal gives exposure from all rooms the "WOW" grand views,  Built in 2006, there is not much missed here in the quality and amenities that make this home. 

A lodge setting greets you at the front door with elegance - hardwood floors flow throughout the main floor and windows, windows, and more windows that frame the exquisite view and manicured grounds.

Propane riverock fireplace, french doors, granite slab counters in the gourmet kitchen with upgraded appliances, vaulted ceiings that bring the view and light in, two master suites, one on the upper and one on the lower are just a few of the well thought out and elegant features of this Hood Canal Waterfront Home.

2 bedrooms plus a finished bonus room and an office is more than adequate for those who just can't seem to pry themselves away from the awesome view, waterfront and retreat setting. 

An outdoor patio entertainment area complete with a propane fueled riverock fireplace brings the majestic setting front and center.  An outdoor shower, gas barbecue area and a mini golf green finish the front yard off. 

Wander down towards the waterfront and you will find a self contained beach cabana ready to go! Many will also love the "bunkhouse" on the back of the carport that gives more sleeping quarters! 

There isn't enough to be said about this exquisite home and property...... Come on out and take a look for yourself. You will not be disappointed!

For more information and a full photogallery, visit my website.....

Hood Canal Waterfront Homes Sold and Active~The 2010 Year in Review~

Well, I think we can all agree that 2010 was definitely a tough year all around and we are all glad to move forward into 2011! 

So how did the Hood Canal, North Shore and South Shore and Puget Sound (Allyn, Grapeview & Victor) waterfront homes for sale fair throughout the year of 2010?  Let's take a look. 

There were a total of 13 sold waterfront homes in those areas specific. 

• North Shore Waterfront Homes Sold : (4) total. 
• South Shore Waterfront Homes Sold : (4) total.
• Puget Sound (Allyn, Victor & Grapeview) waterfront homes sold : (5)
• Average sold price: $449,069
• Average $$'s per sq foot? $333.29
• Average Days on the market :  154

It was a fairly slow market throughout the year for waterfront homes for sale along the Hood Canal & Puget Sound waterfront, but interest seemed to increase the last quarter of 2010.  There are some awesome prices on the waterfront homes activey for sale out there! 

Currently there are 37 active listings for Hood Canal & Puget Sound Waterfront Homes  for sale. The inventory is a lot lower than what we have seen throughout the summer.  The breakdown of the areas for the waterfront homes currently for sale is as follows:

• North Shore Waterfront Homes for Sale :  13
• South Shore Waterfront Homes for Sale:  11
• Puget Sound (Allyn, Victor & Grapeview) : 13
• Average Price = $510,296
• Average $$'s per sq foot = $293.78
• Average Days on the Market = 319.

Many waterfront choices out there!  Lots of opportunity, lots of choices, lots of great values! Is it time for YOU to start thinking about your Hood Canal waterfront home for summertime fun??