Tri-City Area and Real Estate Blog

Richland has been named one of the best places for a second career in America!!!  This study was based off of

• Below-Average Unemployment
• Cost of Living
• Access to Medical Facilities and
• Recreational Opportunities

Many jobs are being creating in the Tri-City area thanks to WSU Tri-Cities and Pacific Northwest national Laboratory (PNNL).    The area also provides affordable homes and the availability of recreation.

Too see a list of available homes in the area, visit us at www.distinctiveprop.com.

August means County Fairs. They’re everywhere. Enjoy the Benton Franklin Fair & Rodeo that’s just around the corner.  Another activity residents of the Tri-Cities engage in is finding just the right home.  Summer is the time of year for buying or selling, relocating, downsizing or upgrading.  Distinctive Properties offers solutions for the needs of clients living in Kennewick, Pasco, Richland and surrounding communities.  Check out the website or stop in and visit with the agent of your choice.  Any of our professionals are happy to assist.  The link below will take you to our latest weekly statistics.

http://www.distinctiveprop.com/files/files/8.2.2010Stats.pdf

Tourism is growing in the Tri-Cities.  June saw 11,000 visitors attending 12 sports activities, generating nearly $3 million in revenue for the Kennewick, Pasco and Richland area.  July promises 7 additional sporting events with the likelihood of 8,500 visitors spending more than $2.4 million.  Hector Cruz, sports development manager at the Tri-Cities Visitor & Convention Bureau indicated that sports organizers appreciate the family-friendly atmosphere of the Tri-City communities.

The Tri-Cities offer close to 3,500 guest rooms for those attending sporting events.  Restaurants and various hospitality businesses partner to offer corresponding discounts to the many visitors who return to the Tri-Cities for a second look after the sporting event is over.  Repeat customers is always a good invitation for staying longer or relocating to the Tri-Cities.  Distinctive Properties, Inc. carries a wide range of listings for homes in Kennewick, Pasco, Richland and outlying smaller communities.  We welcome the opportunity to serve new arrivals.

Congress has passed a bill extending the Homebuyer Tax Credit closing deadlines until September 30,2 010. The extension applies to those transactions that had ratified contracts in place as of the tax credit deadline of April 30, 2010, which have not closed yet.  Many factors contributed to these transactions not being able to close, such as appraisal, overwhelmed closers, lending institutions that were also overwhelmed by so many individuals wanting to take advantage of the $8,000 credit.  So this is really good news for folks who have been sweating the deadline passing without their homes closing.  Everyone can breathe a little easier now.

Making homes affordable… Do you qualify for one of the  incentives to buy a home? Here is a link that may help you determine if you qualify.

http://www.makinghomeaffordable.gov/

Like a car, your home needs to be running efficiently to save you  money. Is your home running as efficiently as it can? Does it need a tune-up? Take a moment and review some easy steps you can make to increase the energy efficiency of your home.

Step 1 – Heating and Air Conditioning

Heating and cooling can account for up to 70% of your electric bill. Upgrading your heating and cooling system and minimizing air infiltration can have a dramatic effect on lowering the money you spend on heating and cooling. Get your system checked annually or as recommended by the manufacturer to ensure it’s running as efficiently as possible. Rebates are now available on qualified systems.

Step 2 – Winterization

Does your home have enough insulation? Ceilings, floors, walls and ductwork must be well insulated to reduce heat loss. A house that leaks air can be made tighter with the result of being more comfortable. Benton PUD in Kennewick can help with rebates for additional insulation of for new windows.

Step 3 – Appliances

Appliances can account for up to 20% of your bill. Like a car’s fuel is gasoline, your home’s fuel is electricity. You will get higher “electricity mileage” if the appliances in your home are operating efficiently. When you are shopping for a new appliance, look for the ENERGY STAR label and available energy usage information. With some extra care when shopping for an appliance, you can save energy and money for years to come. And the best part is you get a rebate from Benton PUD in Kennewick.

Step 4 – Lighting

Increasing your lighting efficiency is a quick way to decrease your energy bills. Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs that will save energy and money over their lifetime. They are four times more efficient, last 6 to 10 times longer and provide the same lighting. They now come in all sizes for all uses.

Source: Benton PUD “Between the Lines” pamphlet