Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Okay, This Really Is a Good Deal

There is a home here in Shelton that overlooks Hammersley Inlet, and in fact from the deck in front you can see not only the Inlet, but down to Oakland Bay, and of course see the Olympic Mountains in the background. The present owners love to sit on their deck and watch the shipping traffic go by, or just enjoy the changing moods of the mountains. They have a room that is just inside the door leading out to the deck that is a little bonus room, and they've set up their coffee bar there, and when it's a little chilly can sit and still enjoy the view.  The couple who live here enjoy their home immensely and are sad that they have reached a stage in life where they have to consider moving on to something simpler. You see there is also about an acre and a half of property to take care of, with a stream running through it and a trout pond, too. And lots of rhododendrums -- 150 of them, of 50 varieties that bloom for 5 months of the year.
 The picture above is seen by looking down on one of the homes below, and out to Hammersley Inlet, and below is a shot of the Olympic Mountains on a clear day. Of course right now the snow is not as abundant as in this picture.
When you live in the Shelton area, you live in the Gateway to the Olympics, and are only an hour and a half away from the Pacific ocean. It's a good place to live, or to vacation. The present owners think that people may like their small home as a vacation home. The home is just a bit over 1000 sq ft, so it is not very big.  But it has 2 bedrooms, and 2 bonus rooms, a small living room, and a pretty kitchen with eating space. The kitchen has Italian tile floors, by the way, and is quite charming. There is a garden room attached to the house.  And there is a single car car port, and the driveway is circular.  Further more there is a Windsong park model on the property that has served as a guest house.  This little guest home has 1 bedroom, a sleeping loft, a living area, a bathroom and kitchen and sits away from the main house for privacy. It also has a deck. Here is a picture of the house from a couple of different angles.  You'll need an appointment to see the inside.

The house and acreage started out at a price of $161,950 but because the owners really need to start making plans for changing their lifestyle to meet the new requirements of age, they have lowered the price to $149,950.  This is a really good deal.  They are hoping that people who will love the house like they do will buy it. It has been a peaceful retreat for them, and they have had so many guests who come and share this place with them. By the way, here is a picture of the Windsong guest home. 
 You can see more pictures of this property HERE.  Share this around and lets see if we can help this couple find a buyer or buyers who will appreciate the home that they have loved for so many years.
It is MLS# 348110.  Tell your real estate broker to call for an appointment to see it soon! 

Monday, August 13, 2012

Fawn Lake Community

There are a number of lake communities in Mason County because we have a lot of lakes, and people naturally like to live around them. One of my favorite communities is Fawn lake. The lake is about 70 acres in size and is one of the largest non-power boat lakes in the area. The people who planned the community were careful to make sure there are enough parks around the lake to keep all the residents happy. Sometimes you find communities with only one or two accesses to their lake, but Fawn Lake community has at least six parks on the lake, and then there is the park with the tennis court, too.
The community likes to gather for various events in one of the parks that is known as the Cabana park. Here you can prepare a BBQ, sit at picnic tables, or take a swim in the lake. They have a fishing derby every year, too, and keep the lake well stocked with fish. 

Right now I have a listing in Fawn Lake community for a vacant lot.  You can find out more about it HERE. I really like this lot because it is ready to go... it has water, power and a septic.  It is priced just right at $39,950.  I think someone ought to take advantage of this lot and join the Fawn Lake community.  

Friday, July 13, 2012

Loans for Members of Tribes in the USA

Recently we had a meeting with Jason Roberson who is the loan officer at Wells Fargo in our area who takes care of Native American Lending. He helps people get HUD Section 184 loans.  There are many participating Tribes that are eligible for these loans. However, not everyone knows about the loans. We who work with people in Real Estate need to be aware of these loans, especially in areas where we may be helping people who are members of one of the eligible Tribes.

The loan is great and has many advantages. For one thing, the interest rate is only 2.25%, and are based on market rates not on Credit Scores!  There is a hands on approach to underwriting and approval of the loans, and no monthly mortgage insurance payments to make. Section 184 loans cannot be used for Adjustable Rate Mortgages. These loans can also be restoration or rehab loans!

So if you, or someone you know, is currently an enrolled member of a Federally recognized Tribe I think you should check out this loan.  Verification of enrollment will be required.

You can contact Jason at 360-486-3657 for more information. 


Thursday, July 5, 2012

Sad, But We Need to Know

Unfortunately, when we are dealing with real estate we have to know how to find out if a property has been used as a Meth Lab. There is a useful website that gives us at least a place to check.  It has lots of disclaimers, but it does say it provides: "...locations where law enforcement agencies reported they found chemicals or other items that indicated the presence of either clandestine drug laboratories or dumpsites."

Go to the DEA, National Clandestine Laboratory Register.We are pretty fortunate as I notice there are very few addresses showing up in our Mason County, WA.
If you find out there is a problem, you can go to another website.  It is called Meth Lab Cleanup.

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Western WA Weather

This picture is a pretty accurate depiction of what it looks like right now in our area. We are having one of those days when it is very pretty with sunshine and blue skies, then clouds move in and it rains, then it's back to sunshine again. There is a bit of wind going on out there now, too. But when I consider what the rest of the country is going through, I am so very, very grateful to live here in beautiful Western Washington.  We have this wonderful temperate climate that is really not often too hot, and not often too cold. Yes, we get our gray skies and rain maybe more than most people would want, but we also have lots of green growing trees and shrubs, too.

On another note, I'd sure like to have a buyer come along for a property I have listed out on Walker-Park Road here in Shelton. This property is about 1.60 acres, and has an older home that has been very well maintained. The grounds are well looked after, too. The owners have added a Park Model to their property for guests. If you are not familiar with these wonderful little homes, you should look them up on the Internet. They are not only very cute, but they are very comfortable, which means that their guests like to come and stay. They are willing to sell this beautiful property for only $161,950.  It is listed as NWMLS# 348110, if you wan to look it up and see more information and pictures. You can also see more here.

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Spit Bugs and Deer Repellant

There are a couple fun new Garden Articles on one of the Shelton Land & Homes, LLC websites. We put lots of Garden articles on this particular website, but this week it is so much fun.  One article is about spit bugs, and the other about deer repellents. Check the articles out here. You will see a list of garden articles, and spit bugs and deer repellents are at the top. The latest articles are always found on top.

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Tent Caterpillars

We've got Garden Articles for Western WA on another website for Shelton Land & Homes, LLC. This article caught my attention today, because there was a caterpillar that looked a little bit like this one crawling up my house along side the front door.  Here is the article:

Tent Caterpillars Rarely Kill Trees
Tent caterpillar infestations are being reported throughout our coastal area. They are easy to notice with their unsightly tents and defoliation of deciduous trees. These notorious caterpillars attack a wide variety of plants including alder, apple, ash, birch, cherry, cottonwood, willow, fruit trees, and roses. During heavy infestations the caterpillars will migrate and feed on many other plants.
Early in their development, tent caterpillars tend to eat all of the leaves on one branch before moving on to the next. Later, they split into smaller groups and attack several branches. A single tent may result in 20% defoliation of a small tree.(read more here.)

Monday, June 4, 2012

Face-Lift

The office building for Shelton Land and Homes is getting a face lift. The decks needed some work, and after the repairs they got a coat of this stuff that's used on docks and around pools to prevent slipping. I like the color that was used.  However, there is a problem. The rain came before the stuff was perfectly dry, and so if you come to the office today you'll see warnings to stay off the "wet paint."  They didn't know the stuff was still wet this morning until I walked through it and lest footprints!  Why did it have to be me that did this? Before the rain, others had walked in with no problem, but it rained enough before I arrived to make a difference, and I left tracks.

The exterior of the building is getting cleaned up, too. We have hopes for a new fence in our future. That's the thing about being one of the oldest Independent Real Estate offices in Shelton. Our poor old building reflects our age!  We are still working on the inside, helping people buy and sell their homes and land.
Shelton Land & Homes, LLC

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Yard Sale in Fawn Lake

Every year the community of Fawn Lake in Shelton Washington holds a huge community yard sale. This is the weekend!  Fawn Lake is a gated community that surrounds a 70 acre lake. They will open the gate for the weekend so all the shoppers can come and browse. People wait all year for this sale, and there are always good bargains. Of course, what happens is that people who live in the community go around the neighborhood buying from each other, too. It is a lot of fun. 

The only problem this year is that it looks like there is going to be some sprinkles and showers, so it could be harder to display some items. If you want the best items be sure to come on Saturday, but there will still be enough things left on Sunday to make it worth your while to show up. 

The yard sale is June 2 and 3, this weekend.

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Falling Prices on Vacant Lots

Wow!  The prices on vacant lots keeps falling. I have 5 lots that I am listing, and the sellers are willing to lower their asking prices to try to entice buyers. I noticed that other agents are having the same experience, and just today saw a waterfront listing in Fawn Lake come up at only $50,000.  It already has a septic, too. I have another lot in Fawn Lake, not on the waterfront, that has power, water and septic, and the sellers have brought the price down to $39,950, and I was surprised when they said to list it at that price. And a lot in the Lake Limerick community that started at $65,000 is now down to $35,000.

So, if anyone is in the market for a vacant lot, now is the time to buy one. You can match up with a home builder like HiLine or Adair and they will help you do a building contract loan, and you can end up with a new home.  As I said, it's a good time to do something like this. 

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

The Scotch Broom is Blooming

Scotch Broom! This time of year this invasive shrub is in full bloom. It is really pretty, but also very annoying. It was originally brought to Western WA as an ornamental shrub. I can see why, because it is so pretty. BUT, it is also so happy with our climate, soil and other qualities that it has spread everywhere. It doesn't spread all that fast, but it is very, very persistent. Birds and ants spread it by the seeds. It crowds out other plants, and can become a serious fire hazard.

Some people hire a herd of goats to go to work on it, and clean it out. Goats would rather eat blackberry plants, but they will eat Scotch Broom if they don't have much other brush to eat. It is better to tackle it by being just as persistent in cutting it down over and over again, until it finally gives up. Of course, you can also use certain herbicides against it.

It's too bad that Scotch Broom has become the enemy, because I still think it is really pretty this time of year. If you are in the market for vacant land, it is good to look at it this time of year, because you will spot the Scotch Broom easily.

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Weather???

So, yesterday we had early morning showers, then sunshine, then later that evening thunder storms with lightening, and a downpour of rain. Today it is one of those perfect Western WA days -- sunshine, blue skies and not too hot!  This is why we live here in "God's country."  :) 

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Interest Rates, and Why We Care

The interest rate on a loan can make a huge difference in the price of the home you can buy. This is how the Interest Rate affects your purchasing power with a monthly payment of $1200:

 3.79%$257,849.22 (4/23/2012)
 4.50%   
$236,833.39
 5.00%      $223,537.94
 6.00%$200,149.94
 7.00%$180,369.08
 8.00%$163,540.19
 9.00%$149,138.24
10.00%$136,740.98
11.00%$126,007.62
12.00%$116,661.10

So, if you are planning to purchase a home, it's a good idea to do so while the interest rates are low.




















Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Seattle Mariners Grand Slam!

If you live in Western WA, you gotta love these guys! 


We are still hopeful for a great season in baseball this year. So far so good.  Some great young players.

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Rhododendroms

One of our Shelton Land & Homes, LLC websites, known as www.sellingwastate.com, has a ton of Garden Articles. The newest one is on the fertilizing of rhododendrons, and other ornamentals in your garden.  These articles are from the Washington State Extension Services. They are really helpful articles. Rhododendrons are quite popular in Western WA. Some of them grow to great size, especially in the wild. Right now they are just starting to bloom. So pretty!  Warning, however, they can be quite poisonous to animals that like to browse on bushes. You shouldn't let your goats any where near them.

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Wild Turkeys


Wild Turkeys sometimes visit our area. They can really fly well, unlike domestic turkeys.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Another truly beautiful day here in Shelton WA. We are enjoying it a lot in our office. A good place to live when there is weather like this is the Fawn Lake community here in our area. There are about seven parks around Fawn Lake so that everyone who lives there can easily get to the lake to play, or fish. One thing I've noticed is that more people are getting those pontoon boats. You know, the things that look like floating docks. I see people riding around on the lake sitting in lawn chairs, sipping their drinks, and taking it easy. Here is a picture of the lake.  It is about 70 acres in size, and is a non-power boat lake.  This is a gated community, so if you want to see it you have to find someone to let you in -- like one of us real estate agents.
There is a vacant lot for sale right now that is ready for someone to build their home. It already has power, water and septic on the property. This lot is worth about $65,000 but the sellers only want $39,950 for it. It is located on Barberry Place. 



One of the parks in the Fawn Lake community has a Cabana, and a fenced off swimming area, with a swimming dock. This park is located very close to the land bridge that crosses the lake.

The people who live in the Fawn Lake Association have some fun times together in this park. And today is a great day to be part of this community, and take advantage of this beautiful day.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Okay, so I'm starting this new real estate blog. We'll see where I go with it over time. I'm in the Shelton Land & Homes, LLC office today, and we just turned on our air conditioner!  We are actually too warm! The view outside my office window is wonderful with sunshine and blue skies.

I have a relatively new listing that would sure be pretty to see today, if anyone is interested. It has a view of Hammersley Inlet. This is the Inlet that comes out of Oakland Bay and there is a lot of shipping/boating traffic to watch, so it is a fun view to own. The home that is for sale was built back in 1956, but it has been enhanced over time, and the couple living there maintain it very well. It sits on about 1.6 acres, and has a fish pond up in back. The property slopes. Here is a picture of the house:

Here is a picture of the view:

The picture of the mountains was taken with a zoom. You can see Hammersley Inlet while sitting on your deck, or from the windows in the living room, or bonus room. The bonus room is like a little sitting room, and has a wet bar that has been used as a coffee bar. The present owners like to sit and read there, and look at their view.

The house is not big, only around 1002 sq ft, but the space is used well. None of it is wasted. It has two bedrooms, and two bathrooms, a laundry room, living room, kitchen with dining area, and two bonus rooms.

The property also has a small hermitage (sort of a guest room) and a park model single wide with a bedroom, kitchen, bath, and living room. The sellers like to have guests that stay. The property is lovely, and just right for someone who likes a quiet retreat. Lots of rhododendrons, trees, and a creek. I like this place a lot.

Any way, it's the listing I'd like to sell the most right now, because it is such a nice place, and the couple selling it have loved it for many years.