Residential Real Estate in SW Washington State

Residential Real Estate Services with Passion, Integrity, Knowledge

Archives for November 2009

Just for Fun — 50 Strange Buildings

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wurm houseSome time ago I stumbled on a quirky little site, Random Web Site , that specializes in taking one to random sites, usually obscure. It’s a fun timewaster, but, of course, one has to be careful not to get too sidetracked (you know … that NEVER happens to me!) And, as you can imagine, browsing the Web at random sometimes leads one to the oddest things.

Now, before showing you these goofy buildings, you must know that I’m a pushover for houses and architecture. I mean, you know me! Always up to go see the newest subdivision, the biggest home show, the best in designer home tours!

Random Web site took me to see Village of Joy this morning! This fun and crazy Web site specializes is a very different look at buildings! What a step away from the usual mix of staid, ho-hum architecture!

So … without further adieu, visit Village of Joy’s 50 Strange Buildings of the World! Oh Yes! And while you’re there, visit their other links — I thought their 50 Weird and Crazy Cars post was a hoot too!

AR Gay Sig

5-Acre Mini-Ranch

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P1010358
Sale Pending!

Got horses, goats, alpacas, mini-beef?

Close to Auburn, Lake Tapps and city commuting, this five-acre mini-ranch is the best value in the neighborhood and perfect for your equestrian or other animal pastimes.

From the moment you enter the property through the remote-controlled gate, you’ll both be charmed by the thoughtful touches surrounding the house itself, and completely impressed by the two huge shops! There’s way too much to describe here, but consider that the flower beds are surrounded by poured concrete edges, there are numerous little water features, the house is surrounded by a walk-around deck, and entered through a wonderful covered porch. Step inside to a sun-lit entry (complete with a sun-tube), and then on to the generous formal living room/dining room combination, and a family room with a free-standing woodburning stove.

This home was well loved and it shows. Set up as a warm haven after working out on your own five-acre parcel, you’ll appreciate all the little touches that make this it truly a home. As you come in from the back into the mudroom, you’ll find plenty of places to stash the boots, even a built in window seat with storage. The kitchen is well appointed with new(er) black appliances and loads of cabinets.

The master bedroom has a huge walk-in closet complete with loads of wire shelves & storage units, and a five-piece bath with tiled double-sink vanity and soaking tub. The 2nd bedroom is just off the family room and also has private access to the 2nd full bathroom.

Outside are five fenced and cross-fenced, hot-wired acres plus two shops, RV-size carport, barn with hayloft, 2-horse (only one stall) loafing shed, well house, a fish pond, your own private well and septic system.

P1010272Barn measures 42′ x 50′

Hayloft 11′ x 50′

Five stalls (four with outside gates) with concrete pads

Three additional rooms on opposite side of stalls. Corner room is plumbed with utility sink

Extended covered storage on back and sides

1st shop

1st Shop as you enter the property

42′ x 24′, plus 12′ x 24′ attached carport, all with concrete floors

2 rollup doors with openers, plus one sliding door

Shop/storage room at one end

Pull-down ladder to additional loft storage

Insulated, 220V

2nd shop angle

2nd Shop, behind the house

36′ x 24′, plus shop bay

Insulated, 220V

Concrete floors throughout, plus parking pad

2 rollup doors & sliding door & barn doors

Edged by large kennel

 

Don’t You Love to Color?

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color butterfly

While working with some delightful clients a while back, I had a chance to interact with their two young daughters, Katy & Sarah. We let their Mom & Dad plow through some paperwork while we colored pictures and talked about playing on the computer.

Inspired, I decided to see what I could find that might be fun for them next time we had a chance to play! These sites look like SO much fun! 

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              • coloring.com   Oh this site is FUN with simple designs for the younger crowd! Click on a page to go to electronic coloring!
              • thekidzpage.com  This is  a flashy site with busy ads for all sorts of things for kids. The printable coloring pages are worth it though!
              • learn about the weather color pages by NOAA   Downloadable stories you can color about different types of weather … think Tornados, Thunderstorms, Snow!
              • color book links  WOW, this site contains links to tons of other sites that have .pdf  downloadable coloring pages! PERFECT!
              • Dover Publications  I get updates from Dover Publications periodically that show off their newest books. Most of them have sketch pages that can be downloaded and then colored. These are generally the high-end adult-type coloring pages for those of us that enjoy coloring with markers with lots of detail. Brings out the “kid” in all of us!
              • National Institute of Environmental Health  Okay, another site where the youngest of us can learn a bit about environment responsibility … these are fun pages that can also be colored online.
              • Crayola.com  Of course there has to be a page with a nod to our favorite crayons, right?

Okay, just one more … apparently there are hundreds of these sites. Who knew?

  • Coloring Pages for Kids  So here’s a resource references what looks like hundreds of other sites containing coloring pages. Have fun!

AR Gay Sig

8 Requirements for the New Homebuyer Tax Credit, Effective NOW!

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dont twiddle thumbsOkay all you first time homebuyers, you’ve been given a second chance! The Homebuyer Tax Credit passed and was signed into effect on Friday, November 6th! What GREAT news!

And it gets even better! Not only do first time homebuyers benefit from the tax credit … to the tune of $8,000! … any homebuyer could potentially benefit, up to $6,500!

Here are some of the highlights. Of course you’ll want to verify this information with your own accountant; as with most bills of this sort it’s many pages long and there are requirements that must be precisely met.

  1. A first time homebuyer is one that has not owned a home for at least three years.
  2. To qualify, a repeat homebuyer, must have owned their current home for at least five consecutive years out of the last eight years. So … imagine that you owned a home for at least five years, but sold it and have now been renting for the last two years. You qualify.
  3. If you’re a single person, you cannot earn more than $125,000; if you’re married, you can earn up to $250,000.
  4. You must be in a contract to purchase your new home on or before April 30th … but you have until June 30th to close the transaction.
  5. There’s no lag between the old deadline (November 30th) and the beginning of the new period … it’s as if the November 30th deadline never existed. The new deadline is April 30th (see #4).
  6. The maximum purchase price for your new home is $800,000.
  7. Your new house does not have to cost more than your last house. It’s okay to downsize!
  8. Oh yes! And as a measure to prevent fraud, you’ll have to attach proof of purchase to your tax return in order to qualify. I haven’t read the entire Bill, but I would anticipate that a copy of your final HUD (closing) statement will probably suffice. But do ask your tax accountant. They’ll know.

SO, Congratulations. Now, don’t twiddle your thumbs and let this run out AGAIN! Call me and let’s get shopping!!

AR Gay Sig