Classic Homes Northwest

Is Tacoma’s Wedge District Historic? Speak Your Mind on March 17th. 2010

Scott Cowan — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 01:58:34 +0000

The City of Tacoma’s Planning Commission is holding a public hearing on March 17th. 2010 at 5:00pm. This hearing will concern the creation and review of the “Wedge Neighborhood” for consideration of being a historic district. This process was started in 2008 when residents of the “Wedge Neighborhood” requested to be designated as a historic district. In 2009 The Landmarks Preservation Commission sent a recommendation to the Planning Commission for the creation of a historic special review district surrounded by multiple conservation districts.

Interested individuals may testify in person or submit comments in writing by e-mail or fax, (253) 591-2002. Written comments will be accepted until 5 p.m. March 26.

So, what exactly is a historic special review district? Glad you asked. Historic special review districts provided guidelines for the design of new construction within the district. Also, modifications to existing structures are reviewed for compliance to the guidelines approved. Properties within a historic district can potentially be eligible and receive certain tax benefits. Conservation districts are buffer areas between historic districts and other areas of the city. The goal is to provide guidelines for new construction and protection of historic buildings. Historic Districts are one way for our community to help preserve the classic and historic character of our neighborhoods. For the people who live within a historic district official designation can bring a sense of pride and community.

Classic Homes Northwest supports the creation of a Historic Wedge District.

Here is a copy of the hearing notice for the Wedge Neighborhood on March 17th.

Here is a copy of the Public Review Documents for the hearing.
Historic Tacoma produced a walking tour of the Wedge District. The walking tour is a fantastic way to learn more about one of the more interesting areas in Tacoma. Historic Tacoma has published the walking tour online and you can find the tour here.

Will we see you on March 17th?

DownPaymentClass.com

Ryan Christensen — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 20:57:17 +0000

The Fastest Way to Get A Down Payment

Without Saving Up For Years

What is it?

DownPaymentClass.com is an event registration website designed to help first-time home-buyers utilize non-traditional down payment assistance programs in the State of Washington.

Why do you need it?

Would you like to learn how to have someone else give you your down payment money? We’re talking about grants, city, county, & state programs designed to help you get into a house! Some money is completely free, some is ZERO % interest for years on end, others cost a little bit more. Of course since I work with a bank I have to tell you the fine print….

“There are many programs available through the WSHFC and the above is only a small representation of the Commissions many programs. The terms, interest rates and conditions are subject to change without notice and are under the authority of the Washington State Housing Finance Commission.”

How much does it cost?

The class is free.

But it’s worth atl east $250.00

You’ll pay nothing when you click below! It’s Absolutely free! (Lol….I’ve always wanted to say that!)

www.DownPaymentClass.com

DownPaymentClass.com has just been launched by Sumner Home Mortgage & the Washington Housing Finance Commission.

Price drop 5420 189th. Ln SW Rochester, WA 98579 Now $218,995

Scott Cowan — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:34:42 +0000

If you are looking for a home and you work in Olympia, Washington we would like it if you would consider looking at our listing located at 5420 189th. Ln. SW Rochester, WA 98579

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This 3 bedroom 2 bath manufactured home is in fantastic condition. We have access to lenders three of them write here on this blog that can help you obtain financing for this property. Located on over an acre and set back off of a private lane this home is just waiting for you to make it yours. Fully paved driveway with a large 2 car garage. Tons of parking for all of your vehicles and an RV. Close to I-5 so your commute is an easy one.

Escape to the country today.

For more information please visit our custom listing page by following this link.

For answers to your questions please contact us today.

Homeowners Do You Want a Rebate on Your Home Appliance Purchases?

Scott Cowan — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 08:24:50 +0000

Whether you are a home owner or if you are going to be a home owner soon the State of Washington wants to give you some money if you purchase new appliances. The Federal Government has approximately 5.6 million dollars available to help you if you purchase a new energy efficient appliances starting March 15^th. 2010. The program will run until the funds are used up.

For example you can receive $75.00 if you purchase an ENERGY STAR refrigerator that is larger than 9 cubic feet. ENERGY STAR washing machines will qualify for a $100 rebate.

Q: What are the eligibility requirements for this recovery fund program? A: The eligibility requirements set forth by ARRA and Washington’s SEEARP include: · Rebates are available to all Washington State consumers on a first come, first served basis until funds run out. Rebates are NOT available retroactively for purchases made before the official start of the program. Rebates are for the replacement of existing appliances in residential occupancies in Washington. Rebates are limited to one refrigerator and one clothes washer per household. Rebates are for appliances purchased from a Washington State store or where proof of payment of Washington State sales tax is evident on the receipt. To receive the state rebate for a refrigerator, proof must be provided that the replaced refrigerator was recycled, or at least decommissioned in accordance with state disposal laws. Rebates cannot be paid to commercial or institutional organizations, Community Action agencies, new construction, or landlords.

Q. Where, how and when do I apply for the rebate? A. The rebate application and instructions will be available on line at www.CashforAppliancesWA.com.

An important point is that the rebates are only good if you are REPLACING an existing appliance. For those of you who are looking at buying a home and purchasing a washer or refrigerator for the home will not qualify for the rebate UNLESS you are replacing an older existing model.

For more information and the necessary rebate forms please visit www.CashforAppliancesWA.com

Lake Lawrence 3 bedroom home just listed! $223,000

Scott Cowan — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 05:24:58 +0000

We’ve just listed a 3 bedroom 2.25 bath 1600 square foot home in the Scenic Shores development at Lake Lawrence. We will be updating our custom listing pages Sunday but for tonight here is a map to the listing and a photo to give you an idea of what it looks like. Please give us a call if you would like more information.

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Classic Homes Northwest Welcomes Rosemary Kendall!

Scott Cowan — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 05:21:01 +0000

We are happy to have another author here in our little part of cyberspace. Rosemary Kendall is a Home Mortgage Consultant with Wells Fargo Bank. She is so excited to post here that she has already contributed her first post before we were able to publish her bio!

Rosemary Kendall is a Tacoma native. She attended Lakes High School and Pacific Lutheran University. She has been in the financial industry for over 20 years, a successful Mortgage Loan Officer for the past eight. Rosemary’s professional passion is helping the first time homebuyer navigate the financing process with confidence that comes from knowledge and having a trusted professional at their side along the way. Rosemary is experienced with FHA and VA loans, FHA 203(k), Washington State Bond “Housekeys” as well as local down payment assistance programs.

Rosemary enjoys living in this region for the natural and cultural beauty that surrounds us!

We are looking forward to reading more about the various home loan programs available for buyers who are looking to buy their first home in 2010!

Welcome Rosemary! we are happy to have you on board.

FHA 203(k) Streamline

Rosemary Kendall — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 04:29:19 +0000

In the real estate market today there are a number of bank owned properties available for purchase at great prices, in “as is” condition. “As is” can mean the house is an ugly duckling or it can mean that it has been stripped to the studs and raccoons have taken up residence. As a potential buyer, purchasing a bank owned home can be a great opportunity to invest in a fixer and earn sweat equity. The problem is, in order to get a mortgage to buy the house it can’t have any ‘health or safety’ deficiencies. Some typical health & safety issues would be: missing carpet, holes in walls, missing plumbing or electrical fixtures, broken windows, water leaks, mold, doors that won’t lock; raccoons or other pests etc. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but adequate heat, plumbing, electrical, roof are absolutely required for financing.

I’ve had a number of buyers tell me that they would be willing to do the work on the house prior to closing on the loan. Unfortunately, I have yet to encounter a selling bank that will allow it. There is a willing buyer, a willing seller but no financing…catch 22.

The FHA 203(k) Streamline loan is ideal for this situation in that it allows borrower to close on the home before the improvements are made. Repairs and improvements up to $35,000 are financed into the loan. Borrower is required to make a 3.5% down payment based on the price of the house plus repair costs. Funds from the loan are disbursed by the bank to the contractor based on FHA guidelines as the work is completed after closing.
I won’t tell you this is a quick and easy loan, but if you follow your Loan Officer’s instructions and do exactly as they advise you along the way it will be worth the extra effort to get the house you want.

A few things you should keep in mind:
*Generally self help is not allowed (can’t do the work yourself)
*House must be for owner occupancy (not for rentals or house flips)
*NOT only for first time buyers!
*NOT just for purchase, you can use this for refinance too which I’ll talk about another time
*not just for required repairs…you can do this for cosmetic upgrades only: new appliances, remodel a bathroom or kitchen, paint, etc.

My comments are intended to give you an idea of how a FHA 203(k) Streamline may be used. A Loan Officer who is experienced in FHA 203(k) financing will be a great resource to give you more specific product guidelines.

Good luck!!!

www.rosemarykendall.com

Finally! Something on Facebook worth checking out!

Ryan Christensen — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 20:47:15 +0000

Maybe you, like me, don’t really care about your facebook friends… Now hear me out before you get all upset! What I’m talking about is that I REALLY DON’T CARE what plant you’re cropping, what your neighbors are farming, or how many liters of milk your blue ribbon cow produces! Lol, but really people is this something you want to spend hours of your valuable life doing?!

I hope not.

At about 1 am last night driving from the Social Media Club of Tacoma to my house I stumbled upon (not literally speaking) & (I’m not talking about StumbleUpon either guys) I found myself on the fan page of

I dont care about your farm, or your fish, or your park, or your mafia!!!

I’ll wait, I know you’re curious what its about! Tic-tock, tic-tock…. ok, times up!

Back to my story…. This fan club is dedicated to the people who get too many facebook updates from their friends facebook applications.

I’m sure you’ve experienced that frustrated feeling when you log on to facebook only to find out about your bosses chickens escaped from the farm. These games literally have NO purpose – at all. In fact, I hate these type of games with a passion, if you feel like this is an ignorant statement – tell me below- why exactly I should care about facebook applications.

For the rest of you, I’m about to tell you news that will make your day!

I CAN TELL YOU HOW TO STOP FARMVILLE, MAFIA WARS, & OTHER FACEBOOK APPLICATION UPDATES

The details are below!

How to stop Farmville Spam

Thanks for reading, until next time!

Ryan C.

pssssstt… I’m looking for a few more social events to go to with realtors doing social media or 1st time buyer programs in seattle/tacoma area – you know of any?

www.SumnerHomeMortgage.com

www.DownPaymentClass.com

Taking a Sunday Drive? Please Join us at our Open House today 1pm to 4pm

Scott Cowan — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 16:34:43 +0000

Today we will be in Rochester holding our listing at 5420 189th. Ln SW open. If you are in the area please stop in and take a look at this very nicely maintained home.

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For more information on 5420 189th. Ln SW Rochester, WA 98579 follow this link.

Tacoma Neighborhoods Walk Scores; How Does Your Neighborhood Score?

Scott Cowan — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 17:13:30 +0000

René Fabre’s post We’re all self educated buyers…..struck a chord with me. What is the walk score of the neighborhoods here in Tacoma? What local businesses do we as occupants of various neighborhoods take pride in frequenting? Just what is so cool about the areas that we call home? Walk Score, Yelp, Four Square, Twitter, and many other tools allow us to give a virtual shout out to the world about the neighborhoods we call home. I think it is a great idea to help spread the word about what makes our neighborhoods tick.

Since I help people buy and sell homes all around Tacoma I know (or at least feel like I should) a bit more than the average person about neighborhoods in Tacoma. That being said I am always looking to improve my knowledge of everything Tacoma. To help me accomplish my goal of learning more about Tacoma I am going to start using the tools René mentioned. I will be writing articles on my efforts which I hope will be both entertaining and educational.

My plan is to pick various established districts (Stadium District, Proctor District, McKinley Hill District, South Tacoma, etc.) and use the tools to provide a detailed snapshot of the various features of each district. From there I will take the information and publish it online for anyone to contribute to. I need to work out the details of how I can allow others to collaborate but I am sure that with the help of some of the really smart people (René Fabre etc.) I am lucky to know that something can be worked out.

From René’s post we learned that the Stadium District in Tacoma has a walk score of 95! that is very impressive. If you were to live here you would have the opportunity to walk to just about everything you need from your home. While the walk score does not take everything into account it is a useful tool to begin to learn more about the particular area you are considering. Our next post will cover the Stadium District in more detail.

I am always looking for more tools to use to help me be a better Realtor® if you know of any cool tools that allows us to join in the conversation about our neighborhoods please share them here.