Pierce County Property Pro

Beautiful Large Lakewood Rambler

admin — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 16:40:09 +0000

No disappointments here! This beautiful well kept 4568sf daylight rambler has many custom features and is located across from the Lakewood Gardens at 12230 Gravelly Lake Dr SW, Lakewood WA 98499, MLS 107175. The property sits on a private setting with nearly an acre of land loaded with trees and mature landscaping, including an in ground swimming pool and large 1000sf deck for entertaining and your enjoyment. There is a custom and unique floor to ceiling waterfall located in the entry to greet you and your guests. The kitchen is loaded with custom cabinets, granite, and a walk in pantry, upgraded appliances and an eating area with a fireplace (1 of 3). The large master bedroom has three large skylights, a fireplace, and a large walk in closet, a slider to the deck and a 5pc bathroom with heated tile floors. The fully finished, 2000sf+/- basement has a wet bar, fireplace, bedroom, full bathroom and a large game area. There is a possibility for a mother-in-law or apartment with the separate entrance. Check out the pictures below and the virtual tour, than call me at 253-209-9701 for a private showing to see even more details and custom features not mentioned above! Bring offers!

Property Details

Listing Price: $724,950
Address: 12230 Gravelly Lk Dr SW
City: Lakewood
State: WA
ZIP: 98499

MLS # (if any): 107175
Square Feet: 4568
Bedrooms: 5
Bathrooms: 3.5
Basement (full, 1/2, finished, unfinished): Finished

Property Photos

Property Map

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12230 Gravelly Lk Dr SW, Lakewood, WA 98499 (MLS # 107175)

(all data current as of 7/30/2010)

View Virtual Tour

Price	$724,950
Beds	5
Baths	3 full, 1 part baths
Home size	4,568 sq ft
Lot Size	40,600 sq ft
Days on Market	7

No disappointments here! Beautiful well kept home with many custom features. Private setting on nearly an acre with an in ground swimming pool and large 1000sf deck. Custom floor to ceiling waterfall. Kitchen with custom cabinets, granite, walk in pantry, upgraded appliances and eating area with fireplace (1 of 3). Master bedroom with skylights, slider to deck, 5pc bath w/heated floors. Fully finished 2000sf+/- bsmt w/wetbar, large game area. Possible MIL/Apt W/separate entrance. Bring offers!!

Mortgage Overhaul and What it Means for You

admin — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 18:04:23 +0000

Mortgage Overhaul & What it Means for You

By the time you are reading this, the new 2300 page financial reform bill is likely to be making the headlines. The Senate has already approved the new bill and President Obama is expected to sign it into law this week ..despite the fact that many of the provision related to specific regulations have yet to even be written. If that sounds faintly disturbing, don’t worry…your concern is noted and shared by many experts through the nation. However, there are sweeping changes that are already apparent despite the lack of specific details.
Although broad in scope, home buyers and sellers are likely to be among the first impacted by the new provisions. They represent one of the most comprehensive – top to bottom changes to the finance, valuation, types of mortgage products offered and how lenders are compensated to take place in decades. In fact, there are even new rules for investors that provide capital for the purchase of mortgages.

A few of the most important points likely to make immense impact to buyers, sellers and investors is the language dealing with any type of mortgage outside of the “traditional” or “plain vanilla” category. Unfortunately, regulators have yet to fully define what will constitute a “traditional” mortgage under the new plan but it is clear that the line will be drawn to reduce the number of sub-prime borrowers as well as offerings of owner finance and other alternative forms of finance. Experts predict an immediate severe impact on many minority and low income borrowers; many who have already been impacted by far less severe measures. For example, according to FHA, rejection rates for African American and Latino borrowers have substantially increased among non-FHA loans.

The new FDIC and other regulatory oversight standards contained in the bill are expected to provide safer mortgage(s) instruments but at a higher cost and more stringent requirements for both banks and individuals. It is estimated that only five banks currently control more than 65% of the current mortgage market; the new bill is expected to further consolidate this trend by favoring big banks over small. In part, this is due to the belief that big banks are easier to regulate. However, at the same time, new controls and rules regulating private investors are also expected to take another two to three years to fully define…leading many to believe the bulk of mortgages will still be backed by the United States government for the foreseeable future.

Lake Tapps Waterfront House For Sale

admin — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 20:43:52 +0000

Own the largest piece of property for sale on Lake Tapps. The property is located at 21214 23rd St Ct E; Lake Tapps WA 98391, MLS# 80536 and has 3.83 acres of mature landscaping with 340ft of waterfront. Currently it has a 1568 Sq Ft Rambler with a lovely deck to enjoy the breath taking views of Lake Tapps and a 2 car detached garage, but you can build your custom dream home and use the current house as a guest house or mother in law home. The current home would also be a great summer retreat. This is a great home where you could put your own finishes to make it yours. Room for your horses, RV and all your lake toys. Pre-inspection and Septic inspection done. Adjacent .81 acres with 90 ft of waterfront is also for sale MLS#80530. Together you could own 430 continuous feet of Lake Tapps waterfront!
For more information on this property go to www.OnLakeTapps.com

Property Details

Listing Price: 699,000
Address: 21214 23rd St Ct E
City: Lake Tapps
State: WA
ZIP: 98391

MLS # (if any): 80536
Square Feet: 1568
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 1.5
Basement (full, 1/2, finished, unfinished): None

Property Photos

Property Map

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21214 23rd St Ct E, Lake Tapps, WA 98391 (MLS # 80536)

(all data current as of 7/30/2010)

Price	$649,950
Beds	3
Baths	1 full, 1 part baths
Home size	1,568 sq ft
Lot Size	166,711 sq ft
Days on Market	63

Own the largest piece of property for sale on Lake Tapps. Property has 3.83 acres of mature landscaping with 340 ft of waterfront. It has a 1568 Sq Ft Rambler with a lovely deck to enjoy the breath taking views of Lake Tapps and a 2 car detached garage. This is a great home where you could put your own finishes to make it yours. Room for your horses, RV and all your lake toys. Pre-inspection and Septic inspection done. Adjacent .81 acres with 90 ft of waterfront is also for sale MLS#80530

Property Type(s): Residential

Last Updated	7/16/2010	Tract	n/a
Year Built	1970	Community	Lake Tapps
Garage Spaces	2.0	County	Pierce
Total Parking	2

Price History

Prior to Jul 5, '10	$720,000
Jul 5, '10 - Jul 7, '10	$699,000
Jul 7, '10 - Jul 13, '10	$720,000
Jul 13, '10 - Jul 20, '10	$699,000
Jul 20, '10 - Today	$649,950

Schools

Elementary School	Buyer To Verify
High School	Buyer To Verify
Jr. High School	Buyer To Verify
School District	Dieringer

Additional Details

Area	109	Bedrooms, lower level	0
Bedrooms, main level	3	Bedrooms, upper level	0
Fireplaces, total	1	Fireplaces, lower level	0
Fireplaces, main level	0	Fireplaces, upper level	0
Total covered parking	2	Home Owner Dues	0
Monthly rent (if rented)	0	Square feet finished	1568
Square footage source	Metroscan	APN	0520104003
Annual taxes	10244	Tax year	2010
Waterfront footage	340

Features

3rd Party Apprvl Req	None
Appliances That Stay	Dryer, Range/Oven, Refrigerator, Washer
Architecture	Traditional
Bank/REO Owned	N
Basement	None
Building Condition	Good
Building Information	Additional Dwelling, Built On Lot
Bus line nearby	N
Dining Room	Main
Energy Source(heat)	Electric
Entry	Main
Exterior	Wood
Floor Covering	Laminate, Vinyl, Wall to Wall Carpet
Form 17	Exempt
Foundation	Poured Concrete
Heating/Cooling	Baseboard, Wall
Interior Features	Dbl Pane/Storm Windw, Dining Room
Kit with Eating Spc	Main
Living Room	Main
Lot Details	Dead End Street, Open Space, Secluded
Lot Topog./Veg.	Fruit Trees, Garden Space, Level, Partial Slope, Wooded
Parking Type	Carport-Detached
Possession	Closing
Potential Terms	Cash Out, Conventional, FHA
Preliminary title ordered	Y
Property type	RESI
Roof	Cedar Shake
Senior exemption	N
Sewer	Septic
Show map link	Y
Site Features	Deck, Dock, Outbuildings, RV Parking
Status	A
Style Code	10 - 1 Story
View	Lake, Territorial
Water Source	Individual Well
Waterfront	Lake

Location

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

Listed with Windermere R E/Lake Tapps, Inc

(view all details for MLS # 80536)

Below is the vacant waterfront land that is next to the above property. If bought together you would own 430ft of prime Lake Tapps waterfront!

0 214 Ave E, Lake Tapps, WA 98391 (MLS # 80530)

(all data current as of 7/30/2010)

Price	$250,000
Beds	n/a
Baths	0 baths
Home size	n/a
Lot Size	35,357 sq ft
Days on Market	63

Beautiful vacant lot on Lake Tapps. Property has .81 acres with 90 feet of water front on Lake Tapps. Build your dream home with breath taking views of the Lake. Property could be accessed from 214 Ave E with water and power to street. Property has an outbuilding on the lot. Dont miss out on this fantastic opportunity to own property on the lake. The adjacent 3.83 acres with 340 feet of water front with a home is also for sale. MLS# 80536

Property Type(s): Vacant Land

Last Updated	7/5/2010	Tract	Lake Tapps Orchard
Year Built	n/a	Community	Lake Tapps
Garage Spaces	n/a	County	Pierce
Total Parking	n/a

Price History

Prior to Jul 5, '10	$309,000
Jul 5, '10 - Jul 7, '10	$250,000
Jul 7, '10 - Jul 8, '10	$309,000
Jul 8, '10 - Today	$250,000

Schools

Elementary School	Buyer To Verify
High School	Buyer To Verify
Jr. High School	Buyer To Verify
School District	Dieringer

Additional Details

Area	109	Lot dimensions	90 x 319
Project	Lake Tapps Orchard	Approved number bedrooms	0
Soils feasability available	N	APN	5070300080
Annual taxes	5238	Tax year	2010
Waterfront footage	340

Features

3rd Party Apprvl Req	None
Bank/REO Owned	N
Electricity	In Street
Form 17	Exempt
Gas	Not Available
General Zoning Class	Residential
Improvements	Garage
Lot Details	Paved Street, Secluded
Possession	Closing
Potential Terms	Cash Out, Conventional, FHA
Preliminary title ordered	Y
Property Features	Brush, Comm. Grade Timber, Evergreens, Lightly Treed, Partially Cleared
Property type	VACL
Reports/Docs Compltd	See Remarks
Restrictions	Unknown
Road Information	Access Easement, Privately Maintained, See Remarks
Senior exemption	N
Septic designed applied for	N
Septic system installed	N
Sewer	Not Available
Show map link	Y
Soils feasability available	N
Status	A
Style Code	40 - Res-Less thn 1 Ac
View	Lake, Territorial
Water	Available, In Street
Waterfront	Lake

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

Listed with Windermere R E/Lake Tapps, Inc

(view all details for MLS # 80530)

International Investors Want US Homes

admin — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 16:17:54 +0000

International Investors Want US Homes

According to the National Association of Realtors 2010 Profile of International Home Buying Activity, international home buyers are increasingly attracted to property in the US Several factors, including the strength of the dollar, the value and desirability of US real estate, and the emerging economic recovery, continue to drive international interest in owning a home in this country. “While all real estate in the US is local, the same is not true for property owners,” said NAR President Vicki Cox Golder, owner of Vicki L. Cox Real Estate in Tucson, Ariz. “The US continues to be a top destination for international buyers from all over the world. Foreign buyers understand the value of owning a home in this country and can rely on Realtors to help guide them through the complex process of buying property in the US With expertise, knowledge and experience, Realtors have a global perspective.”

The survey, released today, covers the period between April 1, 2009, and March 31, 2010. During that time foreign buyers, including those with residency outside the US as well as recent immigrants and temporary visa holders, are estimated to have purchased $66 billion of US residential property, or 7% of the residential market. Slightly more than a quarter of Realtors, 28%, reported working with at least one international client in the past year. This is a significant increase from the 2009 report, when 23% of Realtors worked with foreign clients. Eighteen% of all Realtors were estimated to have completed at least one sale, compared to 12% last year.

Housing Market Improving

admin — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 16:14:42 +0000

Housing Market Improving

The housing market has improved in the last two years to the extent that John Burns Real Estate Consulting sees the market as possibly approaching the beginning of its next up cycle. Three factors needed for such a transition include demand, supply and investment, as the firm noted in a March 2008 report. More than two years later, job growth is coming back slowly and renters are beginning to recognize favorable buying conditions. New home construction is at an all-time low and is likely to remain low until REO inventory clears. As for the investment situation, mortgage rates and home prices fell dramatically since March 2008, creating the best buyer affordability conditions in about 30 years, the firm said. “We are at Stage 1 (The Bottom) and heading into Stage 2 (The Beginning),” CEO John Burns said in a statement today. “While we think Stage 2 will last longer than usual, we want to point out that the downside of investing in housing right now is about as low as you will ever see.”

The Most Amazing Video I’ve Ever Seen

admin — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 14:42:55 +0000

I just found this REALLY amazingly cool video.

I can’t say enough about the animation/illustration…but the message is what’s really important.

This really has some incredible ideas on what really motivates people and it may change the way you think about incentivising your team members, assistants and buyers agents. The ideas in this video can even be applied in your everyday life and with family members. Watch the video, it’s only 10 minutes long.

Let me know what you think, post your comments below.

Home Buyers Could Get More Time For Tax Credit

admin — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 18:41:47 +0000

Home buyers could get more time for tax credit

First-time home buyers looking to land an $8,000 federal income tax credit may have a little more time to close on their purchases if a Senate amendment unveiled Thursday makes it into law. As it stands now, home buyers must have signed contracts by April 30 and must close the deal by June 30. They could be eligible for an $8,000 tax credit if they are first-time buyers or a $6,500 credit if they owned and lived in their previous home for five of the last eight years. The closing deadline, however, could be pushed back to Sept. 30 under an amendment offered by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., and Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn. The senators said they want to make sure banks have time to process the transactions — especially short-sales, which is a more involved process. It remains to be seen, however, whether the amendment will go anywhere. It is part of a controversial jobs and tax bill that may be radically changed before the Senate approves it. Lawmakers are not scheduled to vote on the bill until next week at the earliest.

Extend Home Closing Deadline For Tax Credit: Senator Reid

“You may recall on Tuesday we all discussed the home buyer tax credit, and specifically how many potential buyers rushed in to sign contracts by the April 30th deadline but wouldn’t make it to the June 30th closing deadline. Now Senate Majority leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is offering an amendment to the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act of 2010, to extend the closing deadline to September 30th. Again, no new buying opportunities here, just a longer period to close. I spoke with Senator Reid’s office after the announcement, and spokesman Jim Manley said their chief concern, especially in their home state of foreclosure-ridden Nevada, is timing to complete short sales. That’s where the bank allows the troubled borrower to sell for less than the value of the mortgage. Here’s Manley’s full explanation: “The Realtor’s believe there will be a lot of home buyers who will not be able to meet the June 30 deadline through no fault of their own.

There are a lot of transactions that need to be closed which is overwhelming the system. And many of the homes that are being bought are short sales which require the sellers lending institution to agree to take accept less than full payment on the outstanding mortgage. The financial institutions are taking a very long time to come to that decision and the home buyer is helpless to move the process along. This amendment gives those home buyers an additional three months to close the transaction.”

Are We Having A Housing Shortage

admin — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 17:21:12 +0000

Is a housing shortage coming?

If shrugging off the worst housing crash since the Great Depression, it is not hard enough, you have to brazen for a housing shortage. Just 672,000 new homes were started in April, less than half the long-term run rate needed to meet the nation’s natural population growth. “It is ironic, but there is a growing consensus that there may be a new housing shortage coming,” said James Gaines, a real estate economist with Texas A&M. So far, the shortfall has been masked by a weak economy that has put a damper on home buying. Once the job market rebounds, however, people will look to have their own homes again. This pent-up demand could get unleashed on unprepared markets, causing shortages and rising local prices. But, those doubting a new bubble is near, point to a large inventory overhang. As many as 7 million homes are vacant but not for sale, according to the Census Bureau, which should provide cushion to offset increased demand.

Ordinarily, the nation’s home builders can react quickly to meet surges in demand. But several factors are preventing them from being nimble. The biggest is the difficulty getting loans, according to Jerry Howard, CEO of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). Too, many builders went out of business in the bust, so there will be fewer companies out there to do the building. The survivors will confront a transformed regulatory environment, according to Howard, that will make new homes harder to build and more expensive.

Existing Home Sales Continue to Improve in April

admin — Tue, 25 May 2010 20:35:03 +0000

Existing-Home Sales Continue to Improve in April

Existing-home sales rose again in April with buyers motivated by the tax credit, improving consumer confidence and favorable affordability conditions, according to the National Association of Realtors®. Existing-home sales, which are completed transactions that include single-family, town homes, condominiums and co-ops, increased 7.6 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.77 million units in April from an upwardly revised 5.36 million in March, and are 22.8 percent higher than the 4.70 million-unit pace in April 2009. Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said the gain was widely anticipated. “The upswing in April existing-home sales was expected because of the tax credit inducement, and no doubt there will be some temporary fallback in the months immediately after it expires, but other factors also are supporting the market,” he said. “For people who were on the sidelines, there’s been a return of buyer confidence with stabilizing home prices, an improving economy and mortgage interest rates that remain historically low.”

Total housing inventory at the end of April rose 11.5 percent to 4.04 million existing homes available for sale. The national median existing-home price for all housing types was $173,100 in April, up 4.0 percent from April 2009. Distressed homes accounted for 33 percent of sales last month, compared with 35 percent in March. Single-family home sales rose 7.4 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.05 million in April from a pace of 4.70 million in March. NAR President Vicki Cox Golder, owner of Vicki L. Cox & Associates in Tucson, Ariz., said buyer traffic is mixed. “It looks like the level of home sales that close in May and June will stay elevated, but many buyers remain in the market even without the tax credit,” she said. “Some Realtors® tell us they are very busy with clients who are entering the market now as a result of improved conditions, while others are welcoming a slowdown from frantic market conditions in recent months.”

Finding Freedom In Real Estate And Yourself

admin — Fri, 21 May 2010 15:42:00 +0000

Finding Freedom

Learning how to buy and sell short sale and other real estate investments for profit is actually pretty simple; like many of the most important things in life, the important lesson isn’t understanding the process or even figuring out the math…it’s understanding the identity traps and negative thinking that keep you from success.

Over the years a lot has been written about the power of positive thinking but one of the most enduring classics is the out of print book “How I Found Freedom in an Unfree World”. Although originally penned in the 70′s, the content is still as fresh and relevant today as it was 30 years ago. Short Sale investors and real estate pro’s alike would do well to contemplate how these mind games and identity traps restrain growth and keep you from living the life you love. For those who haven’t managed to track down a copy of this somewhat elusive book, here are just a few of the primary reasons “Why you are not free” according to the former Harry Browne:

1. Identity Traps – do you have a negative self image? Believe you can never be “rich” or associate a certain lifestyle or stereotype with the trappings of success? Forget everything you think you know about wealth. Instead, learn to live life on your terms.

2. Intellectual & Emotional Traps – Fear, anxiety, guilt. These are just a few of the most common intellectual and emotional traps the trip people up. You have choices – get counseling or start interacting with others that have learned how to leave these behind.

3. The Morality Trap – This is actually a big one for short sale investors. The popular media like to paint a very negative picture about evil investors or greedy landlords…in fact, being a victim is all the rage but woe to those that pull themselves up by their own bootstraps. Don’t fall for it! It’s not immoral to take control of your financial future.

4. The Government Trap – Fear “Big Brothers” control over you? You aren’t alone. Research shows that many high net worth individuals, investors and small business owners are increasingly weary/leery of good old Uncle Sam. Take appropriate steps to stay informed while understanding the real rates of risk involved in investing.

5. The Despair Trap – It’s easy to fall into a state of despair especially if life has tossed a few set-backs your direction. On the other hand, learning to overcome and accept these as a natural course of action is part of thriving rather than barely surviving. Surround yourself with the news, information and examples that are relevant to a life of success.

6. The Rights Trap – Modern society is literally suffocating from the number of individuals with an entitlement attitude. You have two choices in life…take responsibility for your life or wait until someone decides to take notice and do it all for you. Just remember the old adage “beggars can’t be choosers”.

7. The Previous Investment Trap – This works for and against investors every day. The fallacy of believing the future can be determined from the past is simply that…a fallacy. Whether you won or lost – this time it really is different because every transaction is individualized.

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