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Navy Relocation

CenturyLink Field and Midnight Lights [Video]

By Toby Barnett | Published: February 2, 2012

As a huge Seahawks fan, previous season ticket holder, I get excited when videos pop of the fan, stadium, and the team. Making the rounds yesterday and today on Facebook, even shared by Coach Carroll’s song of the day status, is jimmydiebold‘s video titled Midnight Lights. Midnight Lights takes Halloween and Christmas light displays to a whole other level with the Seahawks’ (Sounders and now Huskies) CenturyLink Field in what can only be described as an AWESOME show.

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President Obama’s Refinancing Plan for Homeowners

By Toby Barnett | Published: February 1, 2012

This morning, in Falls Church Virginia, President Obama announced his Refinancing Plan for responsible homeowners. From the press conference, it was mentioned that homeowners can qualify for historically low interest rates while potentially saving homeowners $3,000 annually on their mortgage payment. The keyword is qualify and historically the government has not made it super easy for responsible homeowners to take advantage of programs.

The refinancing plan will not help anyone who’s decided that walking away from their home is the best option – it is unclear how being behind payments will affect qualification. With that said, if a homeowner has been adversely affected by job loss that this plan will be able to help those folks, that is my understanding anyways. According to the HuffingtonPost.com:
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Enjoying and Surviving Snowpocalypse 2012 [Pic] [Video]

By Toby Barnett | Published: January 20, 2012

The Puget Sound region is going through Snowpocalypse 2012 and Washingtonians are getting reprieve with warmer temperatures. It all began Saturday the 15th with the news media predicting a Snowpocalypse and the terror ensued. With traces of snow fall around Snohomish County it seemed residents where in the clear. That was until Martin Luther King Day arrived with a fresh blanket snow and a day to go ride Stevens Pass. The snow was so deep I couldn’t resist skiing the day away with good friends. I posted a ski video on YouTube from skiing Southern Cross on the Backside.

The story doesn’t end with a loads of snow on MLK day. Oh no! Hold onto your britches as its about to get real. Tuesday I spent the day with a lovely couple relocating from Las Vegas trudging through the snow to look at Granite Falls riverfront and Arlington resales. As the snow piled up we decided to call the showings for the day and headed back to the office. Wednesday and Thursday continued to produce heavy amounts of snow and the news crews had no shortage of information: people without power, car crashes, school closures, more accidents, snowman contests, and freezing rain that contributed to deaths – so sad.

Today marks the beginning of the end of the Snowpacolypse with the arrival of rain. Terrible! I could handle more snow. With a bitter sweet ending to the snow here are pictures taken from the area.
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Residential Real Estate Statistics for December 2011

By Toby Barnett | Published: January 19, 2012

Snohomish County is well into 2012, with another day of snow, and December 2011′s real estate statistics are published for review. Personal Experience Moment: To the disappointment of current clients, I noticed many homes in the $75k – $150 price range dropping off the market right at the first year.

Q: Why would homes be taken off the market this time of year?

Homes are taken off the market for many reasons 1) sellers decided to rent (one of our clients rented their home), 2) sellers fire their listing agent and take time to hire another or choose to go FSBO, 3) the seller and listing agent’s contract to sell the home expired on 12/31/2011 and 4) sellers decide just to stay in the home and not sell. With bank owned properties I see item 3 be the case.

With that said, take a look at SUPER low housing inventory levels.
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Going DARK to Protest SOPA & PIPA – Stop Censorship

By Toby Barnett | Published: January 18, 2012

Stop Censorship - Say no to SOPA & PIPA

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Boeing to Close Wichita Manufacturing Plant [Poll]

By Toby Barnett | Published: January 4, 2012

Jobs, jobs and more Jobs. Washington residents want more jobs and who better to provide local jobs than The Boeing Company.

Last year, Boeing announced the winning of the Air Force’s tanker contract which brought many out from Wichita to Snohomish County yet with today’s closure announcement will the same thing happen?

According to USA Today’s article “The company will move 200 tanker jobs to its plant in Washington” which seems like a drop in the hat when compared to the 11,000 tanker contract jobs. The Seattle Times reports that it will net only 100 jobs to the Puget Sound region. Though the job figures are low I am still a fan of more jobs.

In November 2011 Washington State’s unemployment rate was down to 8.7% which is the lowest point since March 2009 – unemployment in the State was 9.1% when the tanker contract was awarded.
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USDA Home Financing Option for Snohomish County Residents

By Toby Barnett | Published: December 31, 2011

The New Year is right around the corner and this will be the final post of 2011. People promise to make little and big changes. Losing weight, traveling more and buying a new home are among the popular resolutions. Sadly, the “buying a home” resolution proves difficult to accomplish.

Some people don’t even try because of the misconceptions of home buying. Homeownership is not unachievable, even for people with bankruptcies on the report or low credit scores. Conventional loans have gotten a bad rep for a reportedly extreme down payment requirement—as high as 20%. When in actuality, lenders are accepting 5% on down payments all the time. The Federal Housing Administration Loan requires 3.5%. Other government-backed loans such as the VA loan for active duty and veteran soldiers and the USDA home loan do not require a down payment at all.
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Residential Home Inspections: Why Are They Important?

By Toby Barnett | Published: December 29, 2011

On the surface the residential home inspection may seem like a insignificant item that could be done without yet when buying a home it is a critical step. What appears to be a little elbow grease work can really mean remolding an entire bathroom or a roof replacement. The more knowledge about a property the a better decision can be made to either purchase or not to purchase.

So what is a Residential Home Inspection?

Picture of an Attic - Home InspectionA home inspection is an independent property review by a licensed home inspector whom the buyers have hired (a home inspection is different from a residential home appraisal yet there are similarities) to give them a written unbiased property condition report. A qualified home inspector will be able to breakdown everything good, bad, and ugly about the property. Identifying the problem areas are their expertise. Inspectors are impartial, have no emotional attachment and are not blinded by the curb appeal of a particular home. Home inspectors look at the foundation, siding, roof, drainage, hot water tanks, plumbing, wiring and much more then supply all that information in a written report containing pictures to the interested parties.
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F18 + GoPro = Awesome!

By Toby Barnett | Published: December 21, 2011

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Residential Real Estate Statistics for November 2011

By Toby Barnett | Published: December 14, 2011

When meeting new people or spending time with friends the question that always arises is “how’s the real estate market?” and my response is “quite good”. With inventory levels still at record lows, for the moment, and with banks holding back a lot of inventory its allowed some stability to take hold. Prices are not decreasing at rates seen a few years ago, good news for sellers, and according to the NWMLS statistics the median home price in Snohomish County for November 2011 is only down 6.3% compared to November 2010. Seller’s are still taking a hit every month their home is on the market yet the price softening has made it affordable to own again.

Last month, clients closed on a Marysville home for $152,000 that was move in ready, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathroom, on .22 acres and almost 1,400 sq/ft. In 2007, that would have been $260 – $280,000. The buyers are extremely happy with their purchase because when they move, due to new orders, the home can then turn positive cash flow as a rental.

Brushing up on October 2011′s statistics the big change I noticed is which price range homes are selling for more than listed price.
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Home Buyer & Seller Advice

  • New Construction by Polygon Homes

    Despite sluggish 3rd quarter lot sales there still is new construction available in Snohomish County. Polygone Homes is currently building two new developments in the City of Lake Stevens, Crosswater and The Pointe. The two communities vary in housing design [...]

County Activities, Events, & News

  • Everett Waterfront from Marine View Drive

    Last night, on my way to The Irishmen on Colby, I drove down Marine View Drive to take in a the scenic view and smell the fresh air. It was really nice outside so I stopped for a quick picture [...]

Real Estate Statistics & Updates

  • Residential Real Estate Statistics for December 2011

    Snohomish County is well into 2012, with another day of snow, and December 2011′s real estate statistics are published for review. Personal Experience Moment: To the disappointment of current clients, I noticed many homes in the $75k – $150 price [...]

Washington Recreational Activities

  • Rosario Beach at Deception Pass State Park

    Last weekend I had the chance to visit a Washington destination I’ve never visited before, Rosario Beach. Described as a hidden treasure of the Deception Pass State Park, Rosario Beach offers Washington beach goers a protected cove with smooth rocky [...]