tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-221408172024-03-05T19:38:40.097-08:00Snohomish County Real Estate BlogYour real estate blog dedicated to issues concerning Snohomish County, Washington Buyers and Sellers.Washington Real Estatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09835310310540525416noreply@blogger.comBlogger122125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22140817.post-34597299344430781702009-04-17T13:43:00.000-07:002009-04-17T13:44:46.244-07:00Great News for First Time Home Buyers in Washington StateGreat news and big news for the residents of Washington State regarding home ownership, buying and selling.The Senate Ways and Means Committee last night unanimously approved a measure designed to help first-time homebuyers come up with a down-payment. The committee adopted the measure as an amendment to the proposed Senate biennial operating budget.The proposal would make the $8000 federal tax Unknownnoreply@blogger.com148tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22140817.post-48546433178297650662009-03-27T08:05:00.000-07:002009-03-27T08:07:59.192-07:00The members of the Snohomish County-Camano Association of REALTORS® are committed to giving back to the communities in which they live, raise their families and derive their incomes. We provide community service, both individually and as a group, donating money talent and time to many worthy causes. The philosophy of our Association is that as members of this community, and as real estate Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22140817.post-49426131447631958022009-03-12T18:27:00.000-07:002009-03-13T10:34:56.144-07:00First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit - New InformationGreat news today. The IRS has revised it's Form 5405 that allows a first time homebuyer to get a tax credit for $8,000. The most important change is they can claim it on their 2008 TAXES!That's correct, if you purchased a home in 2009 you can check a box that states you are collecting the $8,000 credit on your 2008 taxes and get the money immediately. If you have already filed your return for Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22140817.post-29126681446642782262009-02-26T16:20:00.000-08:002009-02-26T16:22:53.477-08:00Extended Tax Credit Available for 2009 First Time Home BuyersThe Internal Revenue Service announced today that taxpayers who qualify for the first-time homebuyer credit and purchase a home this year before Dec. 1 have a special option available for claiming the tax credit either on their 2008 tax returns due April 15 or on their 2009 tax returns next year.Qualifying taxpayers who buy a home this year before Dec. 1 can get up to $8,000, or $4,000 for Unknownnoreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22140817.post-59870006068696583692009-02-24T12:00:00.000-08:002009-02-24T12:03:28.734-08:00Update on Federal Economic Stimulus Plan - What It Means for Snohomish CountyFannie Mae and Freddie Mac are restricted by law to purchasing single-family mortgages with origination balances below a specific amount, known as the “conforming loan limit.” Loans above this limit are known as jumbo loans. The national conforming loan limit for mortgages that finance single-family one-unit properties increased from $33,000 in the early 1970s to $417,000 for 2006-2008, with Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22140817.post-50513239484802067662009-02-09T15:19:00.001-08:002009-02-09T15:20:01.238-08:00Beautifully Remodeled Tri Level on Private LotRemodeled Tri Level on Large Private Lot with RV ParkingLocation: Silver LakePride of ownership is evident here with a fabulous remodel. New roof in 2008, fresh decorator paint on the interior, new carpeting, tile flooring in kitchen, gas range, pergo flooring upstairs. White mill work and white doors accent the living areas. The living room has a bayed window and there is a window wall in the Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22140817.post-33924034152314932142009-02-09T15:09:00.000-08:002009-02-09T15:12:39.543-08:00Changing Times or NotHaving just cleaned out my desk recently with my new business plan in place, I found an old newspaper, The Everett Herald, from March 1992. The headlines read: "Boeing Gives Layoff Slips to 3,000"; "Unemployment rate rises to highest level in more than six years" - 7.3%.And then I compare the headlines with a more recent post February 2009: "Boeing Gives Layoff Notices to 6,000", Unemployment Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22140817.post-75829691892507268432008-11-24T09:27:00.001-08:002008-11-24T09:27:53.617-08:00Four Bedroom Two Story With Master On MainFour Bedroom Two Story With Master On MainLocation: Candle RidgeBuilt in 2000 this home has four bedrooms with the master on the main. The second master is located upstairs. The home sits on a 10,000+ sq. ft. lot that is fenced and has RV parking in addition to the three car garage. There is a sprinkler system with timer to keep your garden on track and a very sunny, private yard for Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22140817.post-13204369933104345912008-11-24T09:22:00.000-08:002008-11-24T09:25:12.838-08:00Four Bedroom Two Story with Master on MainPhoto GalleryFormal Lving RoomKitchenCook Island and Eating AreaFamily RoomFamily RoomPlay SetDeck and Hot TubYardDescriptionBuilt in 2000 this home has four bedrooms with the master on the main. The second master is located upstairs. The home sits on a 10,000+ sq. ft. lot that is fenced and has RV parking in addition to the three car garage. There is a sprinkler system with timer to keep your Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22140817.post-62002498176757599832008-11-24T09:18:00.000-08:002008-11-24T09:22:04.321-08:00Remembering The Needy at Holiday TimesThis year when sending out your Christmas/Holiday cards please send one to this address:A Recovering American Soldier, c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center, 6900 Georgia Ave. NW, Washington, D. C. 20307-5001If we pass this along, think of how many cards these special people that have done so much for this country would get.Send an email to your clients, post it on your blogs, tell everyone. This Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22140817.post-89374963081711104282008-10-06T08:48:00.000-07:002008-10-06T08:51:45.111-07:00Medical Identity TheftWith identity theft on the rise these days, most of us are already taking steps to protect ourselves. But did you know that there’s now a growing form of identity theft known as “medical identity theft” that can not only devastate victims’ finances, but also compromise their health, too. According to Joy Pritts, JD, author of Your Medical Record Rights, here’s what you need to know.What is Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22140817.post-15039141351372599562008-10-04T15:11:00.000-07:002008-10-04T15:12:35.152-07:00Autumn TipsFALL MAINTENANCE TASKSOutside* Replace weather striping and caulking around doors and windows* Clean and remove screens* Drain outside faucets* Remove leaves from guttersInside* Test your smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector*Change batteries in both (twice a year)*Service heating system and change filters*Clean refrigerator coils*Check fire extinguishersOCTOBER HOME DECORATING TIPS*Hollow outUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22140817.post-86775912689077201472008-09-16T15:03:00.000-07:002008-09-16T15:07:12.410-07:00What Steps Consumers Can Take To Protect Themselves from a "Hurricane Wall Street"This information comes as a courtesy from my lender, Ken Allen, Branch Manager with MetLife Home Loans. You can reach him at 425-6702418 or ken@kenallen.com.With Wall Street engulfed in the biggest financial crisis in a generation, there are a few things that consumers can do to protect themselves from this perilous storm,” said Gibran Nicholas, Chairman of the CMPS Institute, an organization Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22140817.post-13703975455139026212008-09-10T08:49:00.000-07:002008-09-10T08:58:12.280-07:00Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Take OverHere is a quick video of what is occurring since the government bail out of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. This was created by my lender, Ken Allen, of MetLife. You can reach Ken at 425-670-2418 for all your financial questions or ken@kenallen.com.Hopefully this will encourage buyers that are "sitting on the fence" to start shopping for homes and this should reduce our standing inventory.Should youUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22140817.post-20936644994857484552008-06-20T13:31:00.000-07:002008-06-20T13:33:08.216-07:00National Association of Realtors Code of EthicsThe Code of Ethics of the National Association of Realtors is the promise to the public that when dealing with a real estate agent that is a REALTOR, they can expect honext and ethical treatment in all transaction-related matters. Only REALTORS pledge to abide by the Association's Code of Ethics and only REALTORS are held accountable for their ethical behavior.Some of the basic principles of the Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22140817.post-60337267105405861142008-06-20T13:15:00.000-07:002008-06-20T13:24:39.287-07:00The Buying Process in Washington StateMany of you think that when we find your dream property, write an offer and get it accepted, the Realtor's job is done. Far from that point.....our job is just beginning.In addition to helping you find your dream home through the listings we have sent you, making appointments to show you these listings, we are always working FOR you.When we first met we gave you a copy of the "Laws of Real EstateUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22140817.post-63271176083367779972008-05-28T18:45:00.000-07:002008-05-28T18:47:33.223-07:00Are The Financial Heavens Opening up in Washington StateJP Morgan Chase is expanding it's home lending business in Washington State and will more than quadruple it's market share by the end of the year. Chase has seven branches and plans to open up four more offices this year. As reported in the Puget Sound Business Journal "The financial's giant's plans are reflective of the state's rosy reputation among mortgage bankers, and also could indicate a Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22140817.post-15351336033895068072008-05-10T13:34:00.000-07:002008-05-10T13:35:36.407-07:00Washington Real EstateWashington State - The Sky is NOT Falling With all of the attention on the failing national housing market, many people have lost sight of the fact that Washington State is a unique market place. We have not seen the crash that most other states have. The median priced single family home in Snohomish County has dropped only .92% since last year. Here is why:1. Washington has an extremely Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22140817.post-22961956497250215112008-05-08T14:32:00.001-07:002008-05-08T14:36:22.034-07:00Washington Realtors Leadership Institute NorthwestI have the privilege of having been chosen as one of seven applicants accepted from a pool of 25 applicants for 2008 to attend the Leadership Institute Northwest for Washington Realtors. It is an intense 9 day session broken into three two and half day sessions over six months. The goal is to identify future leaders of the Washington Realtors Association. They bring in national speakers, do Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22140817.post-42990594414475233662008-05-08T14:15:00.000-07:002008-05-08T14:16:56.968-07:00Jones Soda Partners with Alaska AirlinesSeattle based Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air just announced a partnership with a local soft drink company, Jones Soda.Visit their web site, they have such a unique product, they solicit their labels from their customers. In 1995 they created WAZU Water (named for a local university), Washington State University, (WAZZU) NOT to be confused with the University of Washington (UDUB). We do have Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22140817.post-63204780372084296772008-05-08T14:13:00.000-07:002008-05-08T14:30:22.970-07:00Send Out CardsDon't know if any of you have seen this program; it is called Send Out Cards.It's an online service where you can join and have the capability of sending cards (real cards by real mail) to your family and friends. You have a choice of ove 12,000 cards in varying categories.You have the capability to upload photos of yourself, family, friends, animals, sporting events of the kids and add them to Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22140817.post-22845660922386512142008-05-08T14:11:00.000-07:002008-05-08T14:12:44.395-07:00Good News for Vacation and Second HomesThere is a new IRS Code for established vacation and second homes.This revenue procedure, which will be effective for exchanges occurring on or after March 10, 2008, establishes a safe harbor regarding when a vacation home can be considered investment property and traded in a §1031 exchange. The ruling states that a vacation home qualifies for a §1031 exchange if the investor owns the home for Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22140817.post-4351394616650713772008-05-08T14:08:00.000-07:002008-05-08T14:11:29.388-07:00First Time Home Buyers in Washington StateFirst Time Home Buyers in Washington StateDo you fit that category? You will want to visit this website, a dedicated page on the Washington Realtor's Web site that will give you great information on the home buying process and a step by step guide to accomplish this.Here's an sample of what is available to you:Congratulations! You are thinking of buying your first home. We know this is a big Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22140817.post-52897030731477505222007-11-29T07:31:00.000-08:002008-12-09T20:38:33.251-08:00Washington Real Estate Market Trends ReportTemporary problems in the mortgage market are expected to free some pent-up demand, but disrupted existing-home sales and distorted prices on sales closed in September, according to the National Association of Realtors®. Even so, prices continued to rise in some area. Because of this and other factors, total existing home sales fell 8% and are 19% below the level that they were in September 2006.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22140817.post-7234001931213588022007-11-21T07:12:00.000-08:002008-12-09T20:38:33.578-08:00Happy Thanksgiving, Snohomish County!May your Thanksgiving be blessed with the bounty of the season and the love of family and friends!We’ll be back next week with more of the latest Snohomish County WA real estate news and information! In the meantime, please feel free to contact me at 425-308-3669 or visit KarensVillas.com.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0