We invite you to take a look at the Coldwell Banker Real Estate Search app for iPad. It lets you search for your dream home across the globe, watch real estate videos from the #1 real estate channel on YouTube, Coldwell Banker On Location, get community ratings from Yelp! and much more. It's a real estate app like none other.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cG3yP3juCdY&feature=player_profilepage
For other on-the-go searches, you can also check out our mobile website that is optimized to fit smart phone screens. Log on to www.cbolympia.com to start your home search today.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Children's Museum Benefit at Xtreme Golf
Local business, Xtreme Golf is hosting an event to benefit the Hands On Children's Museum. Saturday, March 26 from 10 a.m. - 11 p.m. you can play fun, indoor virtual golf and support the Hands On Children's Museum. Play Pebble Beach, hit the driving range or practice your putting! Bring your own clubs! $25 per person per hour or try the Sports Package for 4 people which includes 3 hours of golfing, hot dog and beverage for $25 per person.
Seventy-five percent of the sales will be donated to the NEW Hands On Children's Museum. Join us in supporting two great local treasures.
Xtreme Golf
7135 Martin Way E.
Olympia, WA 98516
(360) 455-4450 - Call ahead for tee time
Seventy-five percent of the sales will be donated to the NEW Hands On Children's Museum. Join us in supporting two great local treasures.
Xtreme Golf
7135 Martin Way E.
Olympia, WA 98516
(360) 455-4450 - Call ahead for tee time
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Reaching the Real Estate Finish Line
Guest Blog: Jodi Ashline, Coldwell Banker Evergreen Olympic Realty may be reached at 352-7651 or email at jodiashline@gmail.com or tour Jodi's listings at http://www.jodiashline.com/
My last column got you started on your purchase by determining how much you could afford, getting loan pre-approval, finding the right agent to tour suitable homes. Now what? Get “comparables” from your representative for each appealing home, review property disclosures, and research restrictions.
Now you’re armed to make your offer,which should include contingencies regarding financing and inspections, as well as any special requests or repairs, and also a closing date and earnest money deposit. There may be some negotiation, but once both parties have agreed on the terms, you’ll have fully executed Purchase and Sale Agreement.
Now you’ll apply for financing, order an appraisal and inspections, and possibly renegotiate after those reports are complete. You’ll need to secure homeowners insurance and complete the loan process. You’ll want to have cash ready for your down payment and closing costs, and do a final “walk through” just before closing.
You and your agent will be able to review all the settlement documents in advance of the closing date, to be sure everything is correct and to dot the “i”s and cross the“t”s. You’re finally ready to make an appointment with the closing agent, get an Official Check from your bank for downpayment plus closing costs, and sign the papers giving you the coveted status of “homeowner!”
Thursday, March 17, 2011
South Sound Commercial Real Estate Update
Looking back over 2010 we see a common theme through much of the commercial real estate landscape - affordability. Corporate profits are solid and larger companies have record amounts of cash on hand. At the end of the year, borrowing by small businesses jumped to the highest level in more than two years. You can bet with banks being more selective in lending, borrowing was for the solid growth prospects rather than simple survival needs. The presence of government programs to help banks shoulder the risk provided further impetus to help folks buy their own space.
While banks are getting healthier, we expect lending on purely investment properties will remain somewhat constricted. However, investors with cash or enough solid collateral will look for buying opportunities with bank-owned properties that are still emerging in our marketplace.
While banks are getting healthier, we expect lending on purely investment properties will remain somewhat constricted. However, investors with cash or enough solid collateral will look for buying opportunities with bank-owned properties that are still emerging in our marketplace.
On the leasing side, smart businesses continue to look at this down cycle as the chance to invest in their future. Right-sizing, finding a more appropriate location, or revamping current space was occurring a lot last year.
For their part, building owners looking to ensure cash flows and make the best possible returns today were working to redefine what a win-win means today. In many cases this meant lower rent but a shorter term at that rate. In other situations, different concessions were made to keep rents up and a longer length of lease.
Going forward through 2011 there is quite a mix of positive and still challenging news. Keeping a weather eye on all indicators will help reveal where things are really headed. Trailing indicators, like jobs, are certainly important to the real estate markets in the near term, but the leading indicators are more important for longer range planning. Investments will start to be made as we progress through the year, but they are likely to come at a slower pace than prior post-recession recoveries. Interest rates continue to be favorable. Surveys of traders show that short-term rates are expected to remain flat through 2011 before finally trending up in the first half of 2012. Longer-term rates are bouncing up and down, as inflation and the lagging recovery tug and pull. Businesses planning to grow will look to lock-in with today’s lower rates.
On the challenging side, local unemployment is the great unknown. How far the Legislature and Governor cut the budget and jobs remains to be seen. Our market’s unemployment rate has come a long way off the high of 9% set just last February. Yet at 7.6% we still have a ways to go.
Another X factor in the market is the unknown flow of foreclosures still on the horizon. The residential market has seen a steady flow since mid-2008. The commercial side has only recently seen the volume pick up. We expect more properties to come back to lenders before the economic recovery takes firm hold. Prices, as ever, will be impacted by this extra supply.
For their part, building owners looking to ensure cash flows and make the best possible returns today were working to redefine what a win-win means today. In many cases this meant lower rent but a shorter term at that rate. In other situations, different concessions were made to keep rents up and a longer length of lease.
Going forward through 2011 there is quite a mix of positive and still challenging news. Keeping a weather eye on all indicators will help reveal where things are really headed. Trailing indicators, like jobs, are certainly important to the real estate markets in the near term, but the leading indicators are more important for longer range planning. Investments will start to be made as we progress through the year, but they are likely to come at a slower pace than prior post-recession recoveries. Interest rates continue to be favorable. Surveys of traders show that short-term rates are expected to remain flat through 2011 before finally trending up in the first half of 2012. Longer-term rates are bouncing up and down, as inflation and the lagging recovery tug and pull. Businesses planning to grow will look to lock-in with today’s lower rates.
On the challenging side, local unemployment is the great unknown. How far the Legislature and Governor cut the budget and jobs remains to be seen. Our market’s unemployment rate has come a long way off the high of 9% set just last February. Yet at 7.6% we still have a ways to go.
Another X factor in the market is the unknown flow of foreclosures still on the horizon. The residential market has seen a steady flow since mid-2008. The commercial side has only recently seen the volume pick up. We expect more properties to come back to lenders before the economic recovery takes firm hold. Prices, as ever, will be impacted by this extra supply.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Break Out the Green: St. Patricks Day Celebrations in the South Sound
1) Event: St Pats with The Straw Hat String Band at Ramblin Jack's, Thursday, March 17, 6:30p.m. Join The Straw Hat String Band for a raucous evening of Irish music and song while enjoying the great food and drink in the atmosphere of Ramblin' Jacks.
2) Event: Johnny Lewis Dance Band Celebrates Saint Patrick at Hallen Hall, Friday, March 18 6:00p.m. Celebrate Saint Patrick, the real man behind the legend, with a dinner dance featuring the famous Johnny Lewis Band. Evening includes a buffet dinner by Pellegrino's Catering. Proceeds benefit programs for homeless, impoverished, or uninsured men and women served by the Olympia Union Gospel Mission. Event will be held at Hallen Hall, 812 Bowker Street, Lacey, WA.
3) Event: Little Leprechaun Jump At Pump It Up Tacoma! Thursday, March 17 10:00-11:30 a.m. Ages 2-6 Will Jump, Do A Craft and Leave With A Lucky TREAT! JUMP-n-JACKPOT Family Jump Thursday March 17 5:30-7:30 p.m. Ages 2-12 Will Jump, (Ages 2-6 In One Arena/Ages 7-12 In The Other Arena) Eat (2 Slices of Pizza & Drink) & Play Family Bingo! Admission Includes Pizza For Kids. Additional drinks and pizza available. Socks and signed waiver are required. Ticket sales are final, no refunds.
4) Event: St. Patrick's Day at The Spar Tavern, Thursday, March 17, 6:00p.m. Celebrate St. Patrick's Day at the Spar tavern in Tacoma's Old Town with Tacoma's Irish band, mooncoyne. Thursday March 17 from 6-10 p.m. Help mooncoyne celebrate the release of their new cd: "Rolling Glory."
5) Event: St. Patrick's Day at The Valley Pub, Thursday, March 17 5:00p.m. Come and enjoy Corned Beef and Cabbage on Thursday, March 17, 2011 from 5pm to 7pm @ The Valley Pub 1206 Puyallup Avenue Tacoma, WA 98421 (253) 572-8321.
Source: TheOlympian.com
2) Event: Johnny Lewis Dance Band Celebrates Saint Patrick at Hallen Hall, Friday, March 18 6:00p.m. Celebrate Saint Patrick, the real man behind the legend, with a dinner dance featuring the famous Johnny Lewis Band. Evening includes a buffet dinner by Pellegrino's Catering. Proceeds benefit programs for homeless, impoverished, or uninsured men and women served by the Olympia Union Gospel Mission. Event will be held at Hallen Hall, 812 Bowker Street, Lacey, WA.
3) Event: Little Leprechaun Jump At Pump It Up Tacoma! Thursday, March 17 10:00-11:30 a.m. Ages 2-6 Will Jump, Do A Craft and Leave With A Lucky TREAT! JUMP-n-JACKPOT Family Jump Thursday March 17 5:30-7:30 p.m. Ages 2-12 Will Jump, (Ages 2-6 In One Arena/Ages 7-12 In The Other Arena) Eat (2 Slices of Pizza & Drink) & Play Family Bingo! Admission Includes Pizza For Kids. Additional drinks and pizza available. Socks and signed waiver are required. Ticket sales are final, no refunds.
4) Event: St. Patrick's Day at The Spar Tavern, Thursday, March 17, 6:00p.m. Celebrate St. Patrick's Day at the Spar tavern in Tacoma's Old Town with Tacoma's Irish band, mooncoyne. Thursday March 17 from 6-10 p.m. Help mooncoyne celebrate the release of their new cd: "Rolling Glory."
5) Event: St. Patrick's Day at The Valley Pub, Thursday, March 17 5:00p.m. Come and enjoy Corned Beef and Cabbage on Thursday, March 17, 2011 from 5pm to 7pm @ The Valley Pub 1206 Puyallup Avenue Tacoma, WA 98421 (253) 572-8321.
Source: TheOlympian.com
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Thurston County Food Bank
Guest Blog: John Duerr, Coldwell Banker Evergreen Olympic RealtyCommunity Food Drive To Benefit Thurston County Food Bank
Saturday, March 12th - 11:00 am to 3:00 pm Copper Creek Coffee, 4120 Martin Way, Lacey
NE Corner of Sleater Kinney Rd. & Martin Way
Join me and Coldwell Banker Evergreen Olympic Realty in this community wide event to benefit those in need. We have a long history of supporting our local Food Bank and are excited to be a part of this latest effort. The Thurston County Food Bank is one of the reasons I am proud to call Thurston County home. It is truly a great place to live, work and raise a family. Several local businesses are supporting this event and will have coupons and giveaways. ROXY radio will also be there. Bring food and join us this Saturday to support one of our best local treasures and aid those friends and neighbors that need us most.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Ready To Buy A Home?
Guest Blog Post: Jodi Ashline, Coldwell Banker Evergreen Olympic Realty, tour Jodi's listings at www.jodiashline.com or contact Jodi directly at jodiashline@gmail.com or 352-7651.
What’s the first question you ask yourself when you’re ready to buy a home? It should be, “How much can I afford?” Without that crucial piece of information, you can’t even begin your search. Figure your monthly income and debt payments and determine how much you can put down. Now, apply for pre-approval from a lender, to shop for the best interest rate and terms. You can choose fixed or adjustable rate, and a conventional or government or jumbo loan, among the most common types of mortgages. Now, what do you want out of your new home? Want a location within the city, right downtown, in the suburbs, or a rural setting? How many bedrooms and bathrooms, in a single family home or townhouse or condo? Now that you’ve figured out what you’re looking for and what you can afford, locate the neighborhoods that satisfy your requirements. An area real estate agent can give you information about schools, your work commute, and proximity to shopping and recreation. Find your agent through referrals and interviews to get the right “chemistry.” You can browse listings online, but the agent should be able to provide a list of suitable properties right away. Make appointments for tours and attend open houses if available. My upcoming blog will guide you through the next steps!
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