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

Hood Canal & Puget Sound Waterfront Homes for Sale~How was the year in review?

2009 was a very tough year all around - the economy overall and the housing market in general, so what went on with Hood Canal & Puget Sound Waterfront Home Sales?  Surprisingly enough there were 23 homes sold along the shores of Hood Canal and Puget Sound in 2009.  I decided to take a look at 2009 and compare it to 2008, 2007 and 2006 to see how much of a difference there was in price, homes sold, and the time on the market. 

Waterfront homes as a general rule, tend to be more for recreational, part-time summer use, but there has been an increase in the number of waterfront homes that are lived in full time along the Shores of Hood Canal and Puget Sound. 

When reviewing Puget Sound Waterfront homes for sale, I am reviewing the statistics for my market area of Puget Sound which consists of Victor, Allyn, and Grapeview -all along the shores of Case Inlet & North Bay.  Shelton is also in my market area but there does tend to be a slight difference in marketing and values so I did not include that area in the statistics but will be reviewing it in another blog.

The statistics I am looking at regarding the homes for sale and sold on the Hood Canal are along theSouth Shore and North Shore of the Hood Canal in my market area which includes the towns of Belfair, Union and Tahuya in  Mason County. 

We carried quite a large inventory of waterfront homes for sale throughout the year of 2009. The end of the year we did see some come off the market which did lighten the inventory some.  We also saw an increase in the showings of waterfront homes for sale  above the $500,000 price range during the month of December and into the new year.  A lot of these buyers are also cash buyers-possibly taking advantage of the great homes for sale with great prices and values as opposed to placing their hard earned dollars elsewhere... 

So here's the wrap up:

2009 there were a total of 23 waterfront homes sold along the Hood Canal & Puget Sound in Mason County.

• (9) were sold along the South Shore of Hood Canal
• (5) were sold along the North Shore of Hood Canal
• (9) were sold along the shores of Puget Sound - North Bay and Case Inlet.
• The average sale price wasas $391,283
• The average market time was 235 days
• The average dollars per square foot was $338.63

2008 there were a total of 23 waterfront homes sold along the Hood Canal & Puget Sound in Mason County.

• (8) were sold along the South Shore of Hood Canal
• (6) were sold along the North Shore of Hood Canal
• (9) were sold along the shores of Puget Sound - North Bay and Case Inlet
• The average sale price was $604,158
• The average market time was 152 days
• The average dollars per square foot was $337.95.

It is interesting to see the difference in the market times and the fact that 2009 the buyers were focused on homes under $500,00 for the most part.  It is also interesting to see that the dollars per square foot for both these years stayed fairly consistent.

2007 there were a total of 27 waterfront homes sold along the Hood Canal & Puget Sound in North Mason County.

• (9) were sold along the South Shore of Hood Canal
• (5) were sold along the North Shore of Hood Canal
• (12) were sold along the shores of Puget Sound - North Bay and case Inlet.
• The average sale price was $584,815 (3 of the homes sold for over a million dollars)
• The average market time for these homes was 119 days
• The average dollars per square foot were $379.49 - roughly a 12% difference from 2008 and 2009.

One more year to take a look at - 2006 - I think it is safe to say that 2007 was the peak of the market but let's see how it compared to 2006.

2006 there were a total of 42 homes sold along the Hood Canal & Puget Sound in North Mason County.

• (12 ) were sold along the South Shore of Hood Canal
• (16) were sold along the North Shore of Hood Canal
• (14) were sold along the Puget Sound - Case Inlet and North Bay
• The average sale price was $$480,970 (the highest sale was one at $1.06 million. 
• The average market time for these homes was 129 days
• The average dollars per square foot was $330.34

Interesting..... the average dollars per square foot was higher in 2007, but there were more Hood Canal and Puget Sound Waterfront  homes sold in 2006.  Good numbers to take a look at.

So in a nutshell would you agree 2007 was the peak of the north Mason County waterfront home sales along the Hood Canal and Case Inlet/North Bay-Puget Sound as far as values go?  Overall the average dollars per square foot has stayed consistent as well as the number of sales for the last few years.  Even in 2008 and 2009 the average dollars per square foot was higher than in 2006. 

Got to say, that it is nice to see that the waterfront homes for sale have pretty much held their value!

I hope this information was helpful. If you would like more detailed information or a market specific report for your waterfront home, I would love to help you out with that.  Drop me a line, give me a call or stop on in!

As 2009 winds down, we are all looking forward to a Successful, Happy, Healthy and prosperous New Year! 

With that said, which kind of driver are you when it comes to driving your business?

Are you focusing on the rear-view mirror more than you are focusing on looking forward through the windshield?

"Focus on looking forward through the windshield to achieve your goals; use the rear-view mirror to reflect upon what is behind you" is something one of my friends is always telling me.

He is always reminding me that we need to "see" where we are going all the while using the rear-view mirror for an occasional look at where we have been and what could be creeping up on us; Knowing that we can't change that part, but use the past as knowledge and experience.

Our true attention needs to remain focused on looking forward through the windshield to see where we are going.

We can't change where we have been but we can learn from it as well as take direction from it while looking through the windshield to the future.

The rear-view mirror shows us places we have been and things that are done. Gone. Can't change. But we can use them to our advantage while facing forward and focusing on what is to come.

Granted there are more than likely going to be a few curves thrown in front of us that we weren't anticipating but it's all in how we use our (rear-view) past experience to successfully navigate and help us through it.

Knowledge gained from our rear-view mirror experiences will make us better drivers facing forward looking through the windshield.

Which are you going to do? Are you going to drive your career and goals focusing on what has happened in the rear-view mirror or look forward to new experiences and better roads to come through the windshield in front of you?

Here's to everyone a wish for a very successful, happy, healthy and PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Short, simple and sweet, courtesy of the Washington Association of Realtors, the following  short video is an explanation in a nutshell. I just learned something new as well - did you know that you might be able to qualify for the expansion credit part (up to $6500.00 tax credit) if you lease your current primary residence and purchase a new one?? Yep - Listen.......

I would be more than happy to answer questions you might have about our local Belfair, Allyn, Hood Canal and Puget Sound Real Estate Market, as well as area information. Remember, all real estate is local so it is important to talk with an agent who KNOWS your market area!

If you would like more information about selling or buying a home in Belfair, Allyn, Hood Canal, Grapeview or the surrounding area, give me call, drop me a line, or stop on by....

I believe people come first and building lifelong relationships with my clients...

Valerie

Associate Broker Windermere Peninsula Properties

360-710-5622

 My web page: www.valspaulding.mywindermere.com

My Belfair Blog : www.BelfairWARealEstate.com

 My Email : vlsallyn@windermere.com

 My Address : 30 NE Romance Hill Rdm Suite 102, Belfair, WA 98528

RED SHIRT FRIDAY.....

This came to me in an email.  I do not know who the originator is so I can't give credit where credit is due other thanking the person who sent it to me... Brian McLellan thank you for serving and forwarding this on to me.

Whoever the originator is and this "man" thank you for the story and sharing it....

Also - it came in a very nice format, but I have no idea how to change the font and stuff so here it is in its raw format...

   
If the red shirt thing is new to you, read below a man's story and how it went for him.

RED SHIRT

"Last week, while traveling to Chicago on business, I noticed a Marine sergeant traveling with a folded flag, but did not put two and two together. 

After we boarded our flight, I turned to the sergeant, who'd been invited to sit in First Class (across from me), and inquired if he was heading home.

No, he responded.
Heading out I asked? 

No.  I'm escorting a soldier home.

Going to pick him up?

No. He is with me right now.  He was killed in Iraq ; I'm taking him home to his family. 

The realization of what he had been asked to do hit me like a punch to the gut. It was an honor for him. He told me that, although he didn't know the soldier, he had delivered the news of his passing to the soldier's family and felt as if he knew them after many conversations in so few days.  

I turned back to him, extended my hand, and said, Thank you Thank you for doing what you do so my family and I can do what we do.  

Upon landing in Chicago the pilot stopped short of the gate and made the following announcement over the intercom. 

"Ladies  and gentlemen, I would like to note that we have  had the honor of having Sergeant Steeley of the  United States Marine Corps join us on this flight He is escorting a fallen comrade back  home to his family. I ask that you please remain in your seats when we open the forward door to allow Sergeant Steeley to deplane and receive his fellow soldier. We will then turn off the seat belt sign."

Without a sound, all went as requested. I noticed the sergeant saluting the casket as it was brought off the plane, and his action made me realize that I am proud to be an American. "

So here's a public Thank You to our military Men and Women for what you do so we can live the way we do.

Red Fridays.

Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing Red every Friday. The reason? Americans who support our troops used to be called the "silent majority."  We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for God, country and home in record breaking numbers. We are not organized, boisterous or overbearing. 

Many Americans, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize that the vast majority of America supports our troops. Our idea of  showing solidarity and support for our troops  with dignity and respect starts this Friday --  and continues each and every Friday until the  troops all come home, sending a deafening  message that .... Every red-blooded American who supports our men and women a far will wear something red. 

By word of mouth, press, TV -- let's make the United States on every Friday a sea of red much like a homecoming football game in the bleachers. If every one of us who loves this country will share this with acquaintances, coworkers, friends, and family, it will not be long before the USA is covered in RED and it will let our troops know the once "silent" majority is on their side more than  ever, certainly more than the media lets  on.

The first thing a soldier says when asked "What can we do to make things better for you?" is. "We need your support and your prayers." Let's get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example, and wear something red every Friday.

IF YOU AGREE -- THEN SEND THIS ON.Reblog. Email it.

IF  YOU COULDN'T CARE LESS -- THEN DO NOTHING.

Yes it is true and official.... Obama signs extended Tax Credit Into Law. And it's not just for First Time Home Buyers anymore.

What's it about? Here's a quick run-down:

The First Time Home Buyers Tax Creditpretty much remains the same - $8000 credit ($4000 if married filing separately) with a new deadline of April 30, 2010 to have a written binding contract in place to purchase a home that will close no later than July 1, 2010.

The Expanded part is that now a current homeownercan sell or who has sold a home that has been used as their principal residence consecutively for 5 of the previous 8 years can receive a $6500 credit ($3250 if married filing separate) for purchasing a new principal residence so long as they are in a written binding contract to purchase by April 30,2010. They too will have until July 1, 2010 to close on the new home. 

What do you have to do to claim the credit? You need to attach documentation of the purchase to your tax return. Now how simple is that?

Great News!  So what are you waiting for?  Let's go SHOPPING FOR YOUR NEW HOME!!!

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If you would like more information regarding the homes for sale in Belfair WA, drop me a line, or give me a call. I would love to help you achieve your real estate goals. Remember real estate is LOCAL.

I also offer a FREE comparative market analysis for sellers tailored specifically for your home or property. If you would like more information on selling your home in this market, please give me a call, drop me a line, or stop on in!  I believe in building relationships for life... YOUR SUCCESS IS MY SUCCESS!

We believe homes are where memories are made and living takes place!

~~Valerie~~

Associate Broker

Windermere Peninsula Properties : My Belfair WA Real Estate Blog : www.BelfairWARealEstate.com

My Website : www.valspaulding.mywindermere.com           Email : vlsallyn@windermere.com

Direct Cell : 360-710-5622               Fax # 360-277-5006

The amount of pending sales on homes for sale in the local Belfair WA area has kept a fairly steady pace throughout the last couple of months.  There are still a lot of choices available and some great buys. Buyers might want to jump on the bandwagon as soon as possible as we have also started seeing certain price ranges lacking in inventory and multiple offers on the ones available.  Let's take a look at specifics.

The Belfair real estate market seemed to be a lot more active in the last month.... Let's take a look and see what fall has brought to the Belfair, WA real Estate market. 

• Homes for Sale in Belfair, WA- (These are homes only for sale that are actively listed with real estate agents).
• Active Listings : 90 
• Average Median Price : $383,871
• Average Market Time : 203
• Price range : Lowest $89,000; highest is $5,995,000 (waterfront home on South Shore Hood Canal)

There are a lot of great choices and opportunities out there!  Buyers don't miss your chance!

This is an overall look at all homes in the 98528 zip code and includes waterfront homes for sale, so the median price is a little skewed due to the list price of the higher end waterfront homes. Call me for more specific information on homes for sale in Belfair that meet YOUR specific criteria and price range

Pending homes for sale in Belfair- 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 on various factors.

• Pending Feasibility - 1
• Pending Back up offers (sellers would like back up offers) - 2
• Pending Inspection : 12 
• Pending: 14
• Average Median Price : $302,984.25 (this is high due to a waterfront home for sale pending at $599,000) 
• Average Market Time : 193 days  
• Average Dollars per square foot : $254.12  (Again, this number is high due to the waterfront home for sale pending. The Average per square foot without it is : $$137.97)

So that is a total of 29 pending homes for sale in Belfair. 

Sold Homes in Belfair from September 1, 2009 through October 31, 2009:

• 9 sold in JSeptember of 2009
• 5 sold in October  2009
• Average Median Price: $144,080.00
• Average $$'s per square foot : $107.76
• Average Days on the Market: 183

Another important statistic that showed in September and October, was the selling to list price ratio.... It is at 96.46% overall.Still indicating a buyers market on sales.

Previous Belfair WA Homes for Sale and Sold Market Reports:

April 2009 Belfair Wa Real Estate Market Report

March 2009 Belfair Wa Real Estate Market Report

February 2009 Belfair WA Real Estate Market Report

January 2009 Belfair WA Real Estate Market Report

Belfair WA offers many amenities to its residents and tourists as well.  There are many recreational opportunities close by and in Belfair offering for hiking, sailing, boating, and kayaking along many of the waterways and lakes; There are golf courses close by such as  LakeLand Village Golf Course, Alderbrook Golf Course and Gold Mountain as well.

The gateway to both the South Shore and North Shore of the Hood Canal is another attraction for many. Being convenient to both the Southern Puget Sound and ease of access to Bremerton and the ferry,Port Orchard, Tacoma and Seattle as well as areas south such as Olympia.  All within easy driving distance.

~~VALERIE~~

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If you would like more information regarding the homes for sale in Belfair WA, drop me a line, or give me a call. I would love to help you achieve your real estate goals. Remember real estate is LOCAL.

I also offer a FREE comparative market analysis for sellers tailored specifically for your home or property. If you would like more information on selling your home in this market, please give me a call, drop me a line, or stop on in!  I believe in building relationships for life... YOUR SUCCESS IS MY SUCCESS!

We believe homes are where memories are made and living takes place!

~~Valerie~~

Associate Broker

Windermere Peninsula Properties : My Belfair WA Real Estate Blog : www.BelfairWARealEstate.com

My Website : www.valspaulding.mywindermere.com           Email : vlsallyn@windermere.com

Direct Cell : 360-710-5622               Fax # 360-277-5006

Hood Canal & Puget Sound Waterfront Homes for Sale~Market Report for October 31, 2009

What a beautiful summer it was along the Hood Canal & Puget Sound! And even though we have turned the corner into fall and approaching winter, the crisp days are spectacular with the leaves in full color. 

A drive along the South Shore of Hood Canal and the North Shore of Hood Canal will refresh your memory of the beauty and pristine waters and homes for sale along the waterway. 

The waters and area of Puget Sound are also just as beautiful. The grapes have been harvested on Stretch Island, the salmon have been jumping. Life along the shores of Puget Sound is settling into the winter pattern which offers a calmer, slower pace as we move into the holidays and the festivities.

Let's take a look at what has been happening with homes for sale along the Hood Canal and Puget Sound Waterfront for the month of September and October.

There has actually been some good activity in the last few months on waterfront homes for sale:

Between all three shores, South Shore Hood Canal, North Shore Hood Canal and the Puget Sound/Case Inlet area,  there are a total of 38 homes for sale along the Hood Canal & Puget Sound/Case Inlet.  That is a substantial decrease from the summer months. But even with the lower inventory, there are still some really good values on Hood Canal & Puget Sound Waterfront homes for sale.

Homes currently for sale along the Hood Canal and Puget Sound as active listings :  38

• The average median price of these homes  : $828,389 (there are so many choices in so many price ranges this number is high because of (4) million $ plus homes for sale). There are 16 waterfront homes for sale under $500,000 and the rest vary on up to $5,995,000.00
• Average dollars per square foot : $362.62
• Average Days on the market : 334

So as you can see there are a lot of choices in a lot of price ranges!

Homes for sale that are currently Pending along the Hood Canal and Puget Sound : 7

These are waterfront homes that currently have offers on them and are going through the closing process. 4 of the 7 pendings were offers written in the month of October. That's a pretty good amount of activity for the waterfront homes

• The average median price for the pending waterfront homes for sale is : $501,597.50 with an
• Average dollar per square foot of $371.59
• Average days on the market : $185.55

Waterfront Homes for sale that sold during the month of October : 4

• Average median price: $448,475
• Averate Days on the market : 199
• Average dollars per square foot : $348.21
• Selling Price % to List Price : 94.77%   (Representative of a buyers market).

Looking back almost a year at the waterfront homes for sale along the Hood Canal and Puget Sound/Case Inlet area, the statistics show the following numbers:

Hood Canal and Puget Sound waterfront homes sold : 23

• Average Days on the market : 249
• Average Median Price : $495,232
• Average dollars per square foot : $325.70
• Selling Price % to List Price : 96.01%

That's it for now! We're looking forward to keeping a steady pace for waterfront home sales through the year as buyers realize - the market could and will change (it's just a matter of time) and they can find some great values on Hood Canal and Puget SOund/Case Inlet Waterfront homes for sale.

Previous months' market reports for the Hood Canal and Puget Sound/Case Inlet area.

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If you would like more information regarding the homes for sale, drop me a line, or give me a call. I would love to help you achieve your real estate goals. Remember real estate is LOCAL.

I also offer a FREE comparative market analysis for sellers tailored specifically for your home or property. If you would like more information on selling your home in this market, please give me a call, drop me a line, or stop on in!  I believe in building relationships for life... YOUR SUCCESS IS MY SUCCESS!

We believe homes are where memories are made and living takes place!

~~Valerie~~

Associate Broker

Windermere Peninsula Properties : My Belfair WA Real Estate Blog : www.BelfairWARealEstate.com

My Website : www.valspaulding.mywindermere.com           Email : vlsallyn@windermere.com

Direct Cell : 360-710-5622               Fax # 360-277-5006

You have to leave the Emotions at Home to sell your House. 

It's Okay you are selling your HOUSE not YOUR HOME....

Selling your home is a business decision for your "home and future home." As well as for living your life in the future and making memories.

A home is where memories are made and lives are lived. It is within your heart. That means that your HOME goes where ever you go!

A house is a stick built material  box where you can achieve that. YOUR home is and always will be within your heart, memory and future memories.

No one wants to hear that someone is offering a lower than asking price on their home.

 BUT selling your home is a negotiation process. 

It is not like going to the grocery store and paying exactly what the grocer is asking for a price. It is an agreement between the buyer and seller of mutually acceptable terms including price. 

A HOME IS WORTH WHAT A BUYER IS WILLING TO PAY FOR IT AND A SELLER IS WILLING TO SELL IT FOR - A MEETING OF THE MINDS.  A mutually accepted agreement.

It is not a clear cut and dry process by any means and that is one of the many important reasons to use a professional, knowledgeable, local and SKILLED Realtor; to guide you through that process and help you price your home correctly as well as more importantly, look at any and all offers objectively based on your goals as well as the market.

DO NOT LET YOUR HOME EMOTION INTERFERE WITH YOUR HOUSE SALE....

~Valerie~

For more information on selling your home in the Belfair, Allyn Real Estate Marketor if you are thinking of buying a home for sale in the local Belfair and Allyn Real Estate area, give me a call.

Windermere Peninsula Properties

My website : www.valspaulding.mywindermere.com

My Belfair Real Estate Blog & More : www.BelfairWARealestate.com

360-710-5622

email: vlsallyn@windermere.com

Okay so I called it Silent Sunday and the Sunday theme was supposed to be speechless maybe not silent?? There was no way this Sunday was silent that's for sure!  SPeechless? YOU BET!!!

We rode into Anacortes about 8:30AM to get our usual parking spot in front of the Post Office. this year there were more Motorcycles already in town than the 3 previous years that we've been...

It was a picture perfect day too....

We wandered down to have breakfast at the cafe only to find a waiting line. Again an unusual thing! This was starting to look like there was going to be a busy day with a lot of motorocylces!   event...

Back to the bikes to watch them all roll in...... and boy did they roll in....

 It was hard to get pictures - there were so many bikes coming into town... I wasn't quite tall enough!

This was actually the calm before the storm.  By 10:30AM, Main Street was tail light to tail light of bikes rolling in looking for a parking spot.

The variety of bikes, the styles, the variety of people -everything is a sound, taste,smell, see, hear sensory alert around each and every corner...

Specialty bikes like the "school teachers" GoldWings that we see there each year.....

How about this One??? "YEEHA!"  is the license plate!

If it could be thought of it was probably there ! As well as a lot of beautiful bikes!

Does your niche market reflect in your niche office? Virtual or not? To be or not to be.....

There is a lot of discussion going on regarding whether to be a virtual office or having a standing physical office location. Everyone has a different opinion and strategy and of course I do have my own opinion!

But my humble opinion is based on what has and is working for me.  Your office, whether it be virtual or physical, needs to fit your niche market and what works for you, your clients and prospective clients. I am all for keeping up with the times and do implement where and when what works for me.

What works for me, may not work for you.

I think you first need to know who you are trying to target.

• DO you have a niche?
• Or are you looking for that niche?
• Are you looking for "out of thin air lead generation" or producing mass leads that you have to filter through to find "A" buyers and sellers?
• or working from an established database?
• Do your target clients require face to face contact?
• What type of community do you live in?
• What type of buyer does your community draw?
• Are you well known in the community?

There's a lot more to think about as well, but those are partly or mostly going to determine whether you need a physical location or you can be virtual...or maybe both is the way to go?(although I do think no matter what you do you have to also have a good online presence as well).

I am a huge, huge Customer Service person as well as a local resource.  Being that local resource, it is important to me that when I am out in the small communities of Belfair, Allyn, Hood canal and Puget Sound,  that they KNOW where to find me - whether it be on the internet or IN THE OFFICE. My presence is there for both.

I want anyone and everyone to be able to stop by and see me; ask me about the market, or just stop by for the "hello" and/or to ask a question. I also feel that I have a better chance at them stopping by if I have a centrally located professional office rather than saying "sure just stop by my house"??  Probably very few people who want to physically meet with me are going to come by my house.

And as for meeting in a location within the community, to me I would rather have the resource of an office where I know all of my tools are available and is a professional and quiet atmosphere. I want my clients to be able to focus on the matter at hand, not what's going on around us in a different location. 

My niche market (although I like to think of my success market as my "niche "service") brings with it a fairly good following within the Belfair and Allyn community. Small communities also tend to be more "face to face" in general, where familiar faces walk and drive the streets every day- With that said, I base how I run and work my office for that niche.

My main focus is small town "Customer Service" and local resource.  Sort of like a "live" person on the phone rather than 400 buttons and instructions to get to MAYBE a live person. If I am only VIRTUALLY out there in this community, I am not going to be very well known or looked for if I don't have a centrally located resource center (that would be my office).

We all have use of pretty much the same tools out there, but its how and what you utilitize that is important and tayloring it to fit YOUR needs and YOUR clients needs - not following what I do.

LEAD your business utilizing the tools that fit it.  Just because "virtual" seems to be a wave of the future - don't give up on what actually works for YOUR business.  

and that's just my humble opinion....

~~Valerie~~

If you would like more information about the Allyn, Belfair, Hood Canal and Puget Sound area and homes for sale, you can visit me on the internet at : www.valspaulding.mywindermere.com or my blog www.Belfairwarealestate.com; or if you would prefer to stop in and say hello or request some information stop on by at my LOCAL Belfair Office at 30 NE Romance Hill Rd, Suite 102, Belfair WA!