Classic Homes Northwest

2010 Fiscal Year USDA Loan Program Expected to be Out of Funds by End of April

Scott Cowan — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 12:51:44 +0000

The USDA program funding for 502 Guaranteed loans is expecting to be out of money by the end of April. Once the funds are gone the agency will not be issuing conditional commitments “subject to receipt of appropriated funds” This is due to the uncertainty of when additional funding will be available.

This does not impact at this time the 502 Direct Loan Program.

What does this mean to you the potential home buyer looking in rural areas of Pierce County? The limited funds along with the expiration of the $8,000 tax credit will be motivating factors for some people to get off the fence and make an offer on the home that they feel will be a good fit for their needs. If you have been looking online and as of yet have not actively started looking today would be a great day to make a few calls to Realtors to see who would be a good fit to help you purchase a home in the next 30 days.

If you have not started talking to a lender to see if you are qualified for a USDA loan pick up the phone today and call a lender to see what you need to qualify for a USDA loan. You can start by calling any of the three lenders who are authors here on this blog. All three can do USDA loans.

Happy House Hunting!

Site upgrades completed

Scott Cowan — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 06:56:28 +0000

Well, I am calling it a day. The site has been updated with a lot of the little loose ends that I have been trying to get taken care of. I have a few more plug-ins I want to install but I am testing them on the test server for a few more days.

Thanks for your patience. Now back to our conversations on buying and selling homes in Tacoma Washington.

Go Huskies! Pac 10 Mens Basketball Champs!

Upgrades to site in progress…

Scott Cowan — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 20:58:15 +0000

Hello everyone. This is just a quick note to let you all know that I am working on making some upgrades to some of the things that happen behind the scenes. I have been testing the upgrades on a back up copy of the site hosted on another server. It appears I have all of the “bugs” ironed out and I will be doing rolling upgrades to the site over the next week.
One of the upgrades might be a new theme which will change the look and structure of the blog. I will be testing this so the site might look a bit different if you visit it often during the next few days.

Until upgrades are finished I apologize for any interruptions to the site and the sites availability.

Best wishes,

Scott Cowan
Classic Homes Northwest
Keller Williams Realty West Sound

Visit our regional real estate weblog

Direct: (253) 353.2194
Mobile: (253) 219.1194
Fax: (253) 857-8700

Buffini

Rosemary Kendall — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 04:11:16 +0000

I went to the Brian Buffini live nationwide cinemeeting that Wells Fargo Home Mortgage sponsored today. It was great! I haven’t heard Buffini speak before. Made me feel very encouraged that the market is improving. He makes a strong case for the fact that there could well be a housing shortage in the coming years. Those of us in the industry that are consistent and stick with it can look forward to a brighter futurer. Everything he has to say about doing business is common sense. Problem is we often don’t take the time to be disciplined and systematic. Being reactive rather than proactive will hold us back. Here’s the bottom line: call your past clients and check in with them. Don’t be afraid to sound like a pushy sales person. If you don’t keep in touch they’ll think you are indifferent. Your past clients are your best resource for new business. Simple but we forget..

I’m encouraged. SO encouraged that I decided that I’m going to buy a house!! (actually a condo) Wish me luck!!

www.rosemarykendall.com

Classic Homes Northwest Welcomes Marguerite Giguere!

Scott Cowan — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 01:32:01 +0000

We’re adding another author! Please welcome Marguerite Giguere The Skydiving Agent! to Classic Homes Northwest! Marguerite is with Crescent Realty. She is very active around Tacoma and has been kind enough to post some of our articles on her blog Get Real Tacoma. Having her contribute her views on the Tacoma real estate market is something we will all benefit from.

When we pressured her to provide a bio she shared this with us

Marguerite Giguere is a lifetime resident of Pierce County and currently resides in Downtown Tacoma. She’s a REALTOR Specializing in homes and condos in Downtown Tacoma and the surrounding neighborhoods under $400,000. She has special expertise in buyer representation and foreclosures. Marguerite loves Tacoma, Karaoke, and jumping out of perfectly good airplanes.

Welcome aboard Marguerite! we’re happy to have you here and we’re looking forward to doing a cross sale one of these days!

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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