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Maple Valley Swimming Holes..Where to Cool Off

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Maple Valley Swimming Holes..Where to Cool Off

I posted this a year ago just prior to a VERY hot weekend here in town. It’s been a popular post and with Summer almost “officially” here, I thought it might be helpful to repost. If I’ve missed any good locations please share. We all want to “stay cool” this summer! Origianlly published June 25, 2008 It’s going to be HOT here in Maple Valley this weekend! To me, 70′s is perfect, 80′s is HOT and 90′s are intolerable! I was born and raised in the Midwest so it’s odd that I consider mid-80′s to be HOT, but I’ve lived here for 21 years and seem to have acclimated to the cooler Northwest Climate. One thing’s for sure though, I definitely don’t miss the muggy heat of Cincinnati or the gnats….I hated them! (I do miss fireflies though) When my husband and I moved to the Puget Sound area in the late ’80′s I was dismayed to find there weren’t very many options for outdoor pools for our kids. There were indoor pools, but how fun is that on a hot day? Silly me, I didn’t realize that when you live in the Northwest and it gets hot, you head

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Tahoma National Cemetery

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Tahoma National Cemetery

Memorial Day weekend brought forward thoughts of our troops overseas as well as those who have lost their lives in battle serving our Country. Here in Maple Valley, we are fortunate to have one of our Country’s National Cemetary’s just a short drive away. On July 17, 1863 the United States Congress approved legislation to give the President authorization to purchase private property to be used as national cemeteries for soldiers who would die having served their country. One hundred and thirty years later, Washington State established it’s first and only national cemetery approximately 20 miles South East of Seattle in Covington, Washington. Dedicated on September 26, 1997, the Tahoma National Cemetery is located on 160 acres next to Tahoma High School. It is a beautiful place with curving roads leading to a circular drive around the flagpole. When you look back, to the South you are awed by the magnificence of Mt. Rainier framed by trees. The landscape design firm who laid out the cemetery was awarded an “Honor Award” by the Washington Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects for the impressive design which features the view of Mount Rainier. Any honorably discharged Veteran or immediate family

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HOT BUY 2.54 Acres w/ HUGE Shop!

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This is a great opportunity for you to own your own private retreat on Taylor Creek. Professionally appraised in September 0f ’08 for over $620,000…the owners of this property have just reduced the price to $429,950….an amazing price for this unquie property. The home is a Lindal-style with Master Bedroom and loft upstairs overlooking the tongue-n-groove vaulted great room. The main floor has 2 bedrooms and a full bath, island Kitchen and Dining space. The basement features a large finished office or rec room area with separate outside entry. This space would function perfectly for in-home office, home schooling or as arts and crafts. There is also a temperature controled wine room and loads of unfinished storage space. Outside is a wrap around deck which overlooks the lawn and creek flowing by….the perfect spot to relax and unwind, daydream or entertain! The detached shop is 24×60 with carport area and some overhead storage….all totaled there is covered parking for at least 6 vehicles. Take the virtual tour or email us for more information

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The Serenity of Lake Winterwood

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Offered at an unbeatable $424,880, this Schneider built 4 Bedroom + Den is  situated on a quiet cul-de-sac and backs to a Greenbelt. The floorplan flows effortlessly and lives very well with spacious rooms and volume ceilings. The rear yard is perfect or entertaining with an oversized patio and lawn that looks like putting greens! Just down the road is the private Community Lakefront park; Lake Winterwood where you can relax, unwind and soak in the beauty of Northwest living. More information & virtual tour here!

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Maple Valley Bank Owned Inventory Report 3/09

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Maple Valley Bank Owned Inventory Report 3/09

Sometimes Bank-owned properties (or those which have gone through foreclosure and are now owned and available for sale by the Bank/Lender/Asset Management Co) are a “good deal” and sometimes they aren’t. Here are a few tips if you’re looking at Bank-owned properties: If you’re looking to purchase a bank-owned property, enlist the help of a professional in your area who knows your  market and can help you navigate the Bank-owned process. These companies will often have their own forms and “quirky” requirements. Make sure you understand all the implications before signing on the dotted line Do your due-diligence, talk with the neighbors, find out about all “the skeletons“, if any,  before you buy. Sometimes the bank will have conducted an inspection of the property but there are things even an inspector cannot find….for instance flooding in the back yard, past leaks or plumbing problems now undetectable. Hire your own inspector! Even if he/she finds nothing, it will be money well spent on future peace of mind. Here is the March Bank Owned Inventory Report For Maple Valley, WA 10 Homes on the Market Prices Ranging from $130,000′ to $600,000 Size Ranging from appx: 900 square feet to over 5,000 square feet

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10 Reasons to Avoid Foreclosure

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10 Reasons to Avoid Foreclosure

Sometimes when I meet with homeowners who are either behind on payments or about to be, they ask me why they should bother pursuing options other than  foreclosure. We’ve all been overwhelmed at times and felt as if it would be easier to just throw our hands up and walk away from it all. But my job is to help my clients get as much information as possible in order to make informed, educated decisions about their financial future. Here are some answers to the most common question I get from distressed home owners: Why shouldn’t I just let the bank have the house? Issue Foreclosure Successful Short Sale Future Fannie Mae Loan — Primary Residence (Effective May 21, 2008) A homeowner who loses a home to foreclosure is ineligible for a Fannie Mae backed mortgage for a period of 5 years. A homeowner who successfully negotiates and closes a short sale will be eligible for a Fannie Mae backed mortgage after only 2 years. Future Fannie Mae Loan — Non Primary Residence (Effective May 21, 2008) An investor who allows a property to go to foreclosure is ineligible for a Fannie Mae backed investment mortgage for a period of

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Major Price Reduction Taylor Creek Chalet!

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Major Price Reduction Taylor Creek Chalet!

Your own private playground on 2.58 acres on Taylor Creek in Maple Valley, this chalet style home has been designed to fully enjoy the privacy and serenity of the park-like acreage. If you like to entertain, this home is for you with outdoor speakers and wrap-around deck. Inside, the vaulted Great Room offers floor to ceiling views of the creek and outdoor greenery. Upstairs, is a large loft which looks onto the Great Room the remaining upper level is commanded by the Master suite with it’s own private balcony. The basement features a climate controled Wine Room, unfinished storage space as well as a large Office are with seperate outside entrance….this is an ideal set-up for in-home buisness, daycare, preschool (buyer should verify use with the County). In addition, there is a large, 20×60 detachd shop, plus 2 carport bays. Whether you have toys or want a place to keep them when you get them….there’s room galore here! Appraised in September for over $600,000, this home is now being offered at the very aggressive price of $487,950. For more information call 425.432.5400 or your Realtor to arrange a showing.  View virtual tour

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Pending Sales Up…. Median Price Down

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Pending Sales Up…. Median Price Down

When sales begin to increase in the Spring we often attribute it to an improvement in weather…but we can’t really use that excuse given the snow and heavy rains we’ve had this month. But do we really need to attribute the nearly 32% increase in pending sales this month over last to anything other than incredibly low, bargain basement pricing, amazing (think 5 or just under) interest rates and very motivated sellers? Pending sales (those with mutually accepted contracts) have risen by 32% in the Maple Valley market this month over last. Of these sales however, the median price has fallen from $326,250 to $299,950-most likely reflecting the high percentage of short sales and bank owned homes. Over 65% of the pending sales in our area are properties priced under $350,000. If you’re selling in the higher price ranges….hang in there!

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