Tri-City Area and Real Estate Blog

This Saturday and Sunday, April 28-29, the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (NAR), will host thousands of Open Houses coast to coast educating consumers on the benefits of homeownership and allowing buyers to see what’s on the market.  Buyers use Open Houses to find that perfect home!, great opportunity for both buyers, sellers and our economy!

According the NAR, the sole purpose of this National Open House is to provide an opportunity for those interested in homeownership to connect with a Realtor® who can offer expert guidance and advice on the home buying process.

This idea, originally started by a Washington Chapter of Realtors in 2009 was so successful, it was noticed by the National Association and in 2010 the idea went national and just about every state participated.  2010 was so big that the National Association of REALTORS® is helping to promote the event for its 2nd year.

Distinctive Properties believes in the value of homeownership and the importance of community and we are proud to be holding the following Open houses this weekend:

Saturday April 28, 2012

3904 W 47^TH AVE, Open 9-12:00.   $389,000.  (181768). Host: Amanda Compson, 392-2591 or 783-1431.   Canyon Lakes Dr, Olson, W 47^th Ave, Kennewick.

4121 W NIXON, Open 9:30-11:30.  $189,000.  (182223). Host:  Susan Bond, 521-5167 or 783-1431.  Sylvester to N Road 42 to Nixon, Pasco.

4302 KINGWOOD,Open 10-11:30.  $155,000.  (181763).  Host:  Zara Ramonova, 528-7588 or 783-1431.  Gum to Kingwood, Kennewick.

465 COLUMBIA POINT, Open 10-12:00.  $279,900.  (181559). Host:  Terri Allender, 948-2324 or 783-1431.  Columbia Pt Dr, Crossings, Richland.

4808 MARIOLA LN, Open 10-12:00.  $274,900.  (180158).  Host:  Ana Cartagena, 987-8671 or 783-1431.   Burden, Adobe, Antigua, Pasco.

2111 SYCAMORE CT, Open 10-12:00.   $120,000.  (181179).  Host:  Michael Lavering, 528-7400 or 783-1431.   Lewis to Cedar, left on Alvina, right on Sycamore, right on Sycamore Ct, Pasco.

300 COLUMBIA POINT DR, J-139, Open 12-2:00. $325,000.  (182242).   Host:  Bill Prussing, 947-2497 or 783-1431.
Columbia Point, Richland.

8 SUNFLOWER CT, Open 12-2:00. $217,000.  (180288).  Host:  Susan Bond, 521-5167 or 783-1431.  W Court, S on Heather (Rd 72) to Ivy Ln to Sunflower Ct, Pasco.

664 SHERWOOD ST, Open 1-3:00.  $299,999.  (181545).  Host:  Wendy Bruchman, 308-0113 or 783-1431.  Keene, Westcliffe, left on Gala to Sherwood. Richland.

274 PIPER, Open 1-4:00.  $370,000.  (181956).  Host:  Michael Lavering, 528-7400 or 783-1431.  Leslie to Willowbrook, left
on Piper, Richland.

6675 SHALE, Open 1:30-3:30.  $294,990.  (178653).  Host:  Terri Allender, 948-2324 or 783-1431.  Paradise, Jade, Shale, W
Richland.

8524 W RICHARDSON, Open 3-5:00.  $385,000.  (180989).  Host:  Ana Cartagena, 987-8671 or 783-1431.  Court to Rd 84 to W on Richardson, Pasco.

Sunday April 29, 2012

6675 SHALE, Open 9:30-11:30.  $294,990. Price Reduced! Host: Terri Allender, 948-2324 or 783-1431. Paradise, Jade, Shale, WestRichland.

2105 DAVISON, Open 10-12:00.  $327,000.  Host: Ana Cartagena, 987-8671 or 783-1431.  GW Way, right on Newcomer, left on Davison, Richland.

224 E 8^TH PL, Open 10-12:00.  $96,000.  Host: Michael Lavering, 528-7400 or 783-1431.   10^th, Date, 8^th Place, Kennewick.

1620 S PALOUSE PL, Open 11-1:00.  $165,000.  Host: Melissa Montgomery, 948-3147 or 783-1431.  Olympia, W on 16^th
to Palouse, Kennewick.

2002 W 51^ST AVE, Open 11-2:00.  $389,900.  (182331).  Host: Heather Wiser, 521-7049 or 783-1431.  Ely to 45^th, right on Conway, left on 50^th Ave, left 51^st Ave, Kennewick.

2109 SHERIDAN, Open 12-2:00.  $215,000.  (181613). Host: Bill Prussing, 947-2497 or 783-1431.  Leslie to Greenbrook, Richland.

3904 W 47^TH AVE,  Open 1-3:00.  $389,000.  (181768).  Host: Amanda Compson, 392-2591 or 783-1431.   Canyon Lakes, Olson, W 47^th Ave, Richland.

664 SHERWOOD ST, Open 1-3:00. 299,999.  (181545).  Host: Ana Cartagena, 987-8671 or 783-1431.  Keene, Westcliffe, left on Gala to Sherwood, Richland.

197803 E BERNATH RD, Open 1-3:00.  $295,000.  (174808).  Host: Sid Hodge, 366-3916 or 783-1431.   Chemical Dr to Bernath to address, Kennewick.

1610 HARTFORD, Open 1-3:00.  $155,000.  (181663). Host: Michael Lavering, 528-7400 or 783-1431.  10^th, S on Garfield, right on Park Hills, left on Hartford, Kennewick.

507 ROAD 37, Open 2-3:00.  $155,000.  (179557).  Host: Melissa Montgomery, 948-3147 or 783-1431.   Sylvester, S on Road 37, Pasco.

1738 MEADOW HILLS, Open 4-6:00.  $499,900.  (182138).  Host: Ana Cartagena, 987-8671 or 783-1431.  Keene, Shockley, Queensgate, Meadow Hills, Richland.

So, take advantage of this wonderful spring weather and find your dream home, learn about the market, the community and the vauled services you can receive from one of our Realtors at Disntinctive Properties!

See you this weekend, and look for the blue ballons!

Here is a great video regarding information for Washington State homeowners on the Foreclosure Fairness Act Mediation Program.

Click the link below to view the video.

Washington Foreclosure Mediation Program

30-year fixed rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 4.22 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending September 1, 2011, matching the previous week when it also averaged 4.22 percent.  Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 4.32 percent.

15-year FRM this week averaged 3.39 percent with an average 0.6 point, down the previous week when it averaged 3.44 percent.  A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 3.83 percent.

5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) averaged 2.96 percent this week, with an average 0.6 point, down from the previous week when it averaged 3.07 percent.  A year ago, the 5-year ARM averaged 3.54 percent.

1-year Treasury-indexed ARM averaged 2.89 percent this week with an average 0.6 point, down from the previous week when it averaged 2.93 percent.  At this time last year, the 1-year ARM averaged 3.50 percent.

With these rates at or near historic LOWS…it is the perfect time to buy your dream home.  If you are ready to buy, sell or relocate contact Distinctive Properties, Inc. today!

509.783.1431  |  800.510.1726  |  www.distinctiveprop.com

Our credit score strongly affects our daily life.  One way it does so is in our ability to purchase a home.  Luckily, if you are looking to improve your credit score, the Board of Governors of the Federal System offers five tips for doing just that. 

1.  Get copies of your credit report-then make sure information is correct.

Your can obtain your credit report from the only authorized online source at www.annualcreditreport.com.  By law, you can obtain a copy of your credit report from this site, from each of the three national credit reporting companies once every year.

If Internet isn’t an option for you, then you may also call 1-877-322-8228 or complete the Annual Credit Report Request Form and mail it to P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.

2.  Pay your bills on time.

The best way to improve your credit score is to ensure your bills are being paid on time.  One option for this is to set up automatic payments from your bank; however, be sure that you always have sufficient funds to cover the payments being withdrawn from your account.

3.  Understand how your credit score is determined. 

The usual ways in how your credit score is determined is by answering the following 5 questions:

• Do you pay your bills on time?  Have you paid your bills late, had any accounts sent to a collection agency or declared bankruptcy?  All of these things will show up on your credit report.
• What is your outstanding debt?  Most scores are determined based on how close your debt is to your credit limits.  If the debt is close to the limit, then this will probably be negatively effecting your score.
• How long is your credit history?  Someone with shorter credit history may have a negative effect; however, this could be offset by things like timely payments and low balances.
• Have you applied for new credit recently?  If you request your own credit report or if creditors are monitoring your account to make pre screened credit offers, then your credit history will not be effected.  However, if you recently applied for many new accounts of credit, this may affect your score negatively.
• How many and what types of credit accounts do you have?  Most credit scoring models compare what types of credit you have.  A mix of credit cards and installments loans may improve your score; whereas, too many credit cards or finance company accounts may hurt your score.

4.  Learn the legal steps to take to improve your credit report.

To learn how to correct errors and tips on dealing with debt and avoiding scams, read The Federal Trade Commission’s “Building a Better Credit Report” at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre03.shtm

5.  Beware of credit-repair scams.

Repairing your credit by yourself is sometimes the best way to do it.  By reading “Credit Repair: How to Help Yourself,” at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre13.shtm explains how to improve your credit score.  It also lists legitimate resources for low-cost or no-cost help.

*Source: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System website: http://www.federalreserve.gov/consumerinfo/fivetipes_creditscore.htm

Ever wonder what is going on in your local Real Estate Market? 

There is no need to wonder any longer.  At Distinctive Properties, Inc., we provided a weekly report showing what is happening in the area!

Check out our statistics for this week right HERE.
When you are ready to buy, sell or relocate….

Contact

Data analysis firm, ProximityOne, has made their population predictions stating the U.S. Population will rise from 2010 to 2020 to a total of 337.1 million people; this will be a 8.9% increase. 

Tri-Cities is ranked number 2 of 10 to see this population increase.  They predict our area will see a 35.3% increase, raising the population from 255,485 in 2010 to 345,779 in 2020.  Below are the other areas that made the top 10. 

Kennewick, Richland, Pasco was ranked #2 following the 32.6% population increase seen from 2000 to 2010.  Due to the areas relatively low unemployment rate (7.3 percent in April) and a multi-industry economy, Inman’s voted Tri-Cities #5 in their top ten Real Estate markets to watch in 2011.

Among the 366 metro areas in the U.s., 43 areas are expected to see population decreases. 

If you are ready to buy, sell or relocated….Contact Distinctive Properties, Inc.!!  (509) 783-1431!