An insiders look at the Wenatchee and North Central Washington real estate market
When you make an offer on a home
When you make an offer to buy a home, the seller has the option to accept it, reject it, or counter your offer with a different price and/or terms. In a market with strong demand, a seller may not counter an offer but merely choose the highest one.
When you find the home that fits your needs, we can help you negotiate a price that you can feel good about. Here are a few ways to strengthen your position when making an offer:
* Take the time to get pre-approved, not just pre-qualified.
* Keep contingencies to a minimum (only necessary ones like inspection, financing, etc.)
* Have a substantial earnest money deposit to show the seller that you're serious.
We're happy to help you with any questions you have about finding a home and navigating the home buying process. Please visit our website for buying and selling tips, MLS property searches, town and community information and more. You may also email or call us any time.
Aug 19 2008
Blaine's Recipe of the Week: 7/14/08
For me, a wonderful sauce can make any meat tast amazing. Here's one of my best that compliments any beef or lamb dish and provides that wow factor.
Dijon/Port Lamb or Beef Reduction Sauce
Drippings from meet
¾ cup port
¾ cup beef stock
¾ cup heavy cream
¾ cup shallots
3+ tablespoons fresh mint
3+ tablespoons unsalted butter
3-6 tablespoons Dijon depending on your taste (add at end)
Throw all items except the butter and dijon into a sauce pan and whisk/reduce considerably on high heat. Toward the tail end of the reduction process, add the butter and dijon.
Enjoy!
Jul 14 2008
Some Easy Ways To Maintain Home Values
The easiest way to maintain and improve your home's value is consistent maintenance and repair. Keeping up with seasonal issues like inspecting your roof for weather damage in the spring or cleaning gutters and downspouts in the fall keeps the time you have to spend on these tasks at a minimum. When you're thinking about the value of your home, also keep these things in mind:
__ Overall condition of your property. In addition to the above tasks, inspect your property regularly and maintain a clean home. With the pace of life getting faster, many people just don't have the time to "fix up" a new home. They want a home they can move into easily. Keeping up with maintenance and small repairs also allows you more time to enjoy your property.
__ Bedrooms and bathrooms. How many are there? Have they been remodeled or updated?
__ Outdoor area. How big is the yard? Is there a deck or patio?
__ Garage. 1, 2 or 3 cars?
__ Kitchen. How up-to-date is it? Has it been remodeled?
__ Is there a family room? How big is it?
Visit The Davidson Team at www.WenatcheeHouses.com for home maintenance tips, buying and selling tips, MLS property searches, town and community information and more!
Warm regards,
The Davidson Team
"Start Packing Today!"
Jul 02 2008
Wenatchee World: Today's Real Estate Articles 6/26/08
Wenatchee housing market still bucks trend
By Christine Pratt
World staff writer
Posted June 26, 2008
"WENATCHEE — Soaring inventory and slowing sales could be driving down area home prices, but Wenatchee is still among the nation's strongest markets for home-price appreciation, recent industry reports show. A report released last month by the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight showed that home prices in Wenatchee grew 8 percent in the first quarter of 2008, compared with the last quarter of 2007. This was the nation's third-strongest metro-area growth, after Houma/Bayou, La., with 11.2 percent growth, and Grand Junction, Colo., with 9.1 percent growth. Wenatchee topped OFHEO's fourth quarter 2007 home-appreciation list with 14 percent growth. Wenatchee has bucked the nationwide trend in declining prices. A June 24 OFHEO report shows that house prices nationally dropped 4.6 percent during the 12-month period ending in April, compared with the same period a year ago."
Click here http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080626/NEWS04/810587185/1001 for entire story!
Warm regards,
The Davidson Team
www.WenatcheeHouses.com
"Start Packing Today!"
Jun 28 2008
Safety and Security After the Sale
When the move is over and you have unpacked, it's always good to do a safety check of your new home. Check the sturdiness of handrails, check for loose floorboards or tiles and put fresh batteries in the smoke alarms. You'll also want to make sure to put your transaction records in a safe place where you can easily get to them when you need them (i.e. tax time). These records might include:
- Your property deed
- Closing documents & loan papers
- Warranty information
- Repair/home improvement receipts
- Insurance policies
Call or email The Davidson Team anytime with questions or concerns about records or security and we'll help you any way we can.
Warm regards,
The Davidson Team
"Start Packing Today!"
Jun 23 2008
