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.

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. 

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.

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."  :) 

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.

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.

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.

Wild Turkeys

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

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.

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.