Tax Credit Deadline Extended for Closings

Thursday, July 1st, 2010

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.

Tags: $8, 000 tax credit, home buyer, homebuyer tax credit, homes, homes in tri cities, houses in kennewick, kennewick real estate, lending institutions, pasco real estate, richland real estate, tax credit extended, TRAC

Kennewick schools administration offices to move

Wednesday, June 9th, 2010

With boxes stacked in individual offices and conference rooms, congested hallways,  and desks shoved into any spare space; having room to breathe is a welcome theme for the new Kennewick School District administration offices as they look forward to their upcoming move.  The district purchased the old Buttreys/Fiesta Foods grocery store on West Fourth and currently are having it remodeled to suit their needs.  It is hoped that the move will take place at the end of the year.

Originally, the new building contained 4,500 square feet but the new contractor will be adding an approximate 2,500 square foot partial 2nd story, which will bring the usable space to almost 7,000 square feet.  Currently, the district offices comprise the old Benton PUD building at 6th and Benton Streets, and the old admin building to the north of Kennewick High School, which was built in the 60’s.  This new facility will allow all departments to come together under one roof and will include a large conference room, a classroom for adult classes, and a board room for school board meetings in addition to it’s many office spaces.

 

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Outstanding Executive Home In Kennewick – Wonderfully Convenient Location!

Monday, June 7th, 2010

tricitymls165824

Stunning 4 BR rambler in high-end subdivision with granite kitchen and classy tile accents. This home is beyond super good cents. Windows are triple pane and walls are R38, attic is R49. Low energy bills plus! 2 BR suites—(mother-in-law). The master is gorgeous and even has heated floors. There is also a tankless hot water heater system. Elegant water fountain at the entrance with stamped concrete and a cozy stamped concrete covered patio 2 ceiling fans. LOW MAINTANANCE YARD!!! Give Terri Allender a call for your private showing, (509) 948-2324 or (509) 783-1431 Distinctive Properties, Inc.

For more information, click to this link. http://www.distinctiveprop.com/mls/detail.src?ID=165824&Action=Detail&LX=&LN=1&DPL=&04b704319d

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10 Big-Impact, Low-Cost Remodeling Projects

Tuesday, March 16th, 2010

1. Tidy up kitchen cabinets. Potential buyers open kitchen cabinets and look inside.  Home owners can add rollout or organizing trays so when buyers peek in, they feel like there’s lots of room for their stuff.

2.  Add or replace tile. By retiling very inexpensively, you can make a room look way cleaner that it was. Every city has stores that offer $1 to $2 tile, so home owners have to pay only for the low cost tile and labor to replace a dated background or add a new one.

3.  Add a breakfast bar. When a wall separates a kitchen from a family room, suggest cutting out an opening to create a breakfast bar.

4. Install granite tile instead of a slab. Granite kitchen counter tops are the rage, but that can be a $5000 upgrade. Instead, home owners can put in 12 inch granite tiles for about $300  materials and can have a very high impact for little money.

5. Freshen up a bathroom without retiling. To update a bathroom, consider putting in a new medicine cabinet for $100-150, light fixtures for about $100, a faucet for $50-75, and a vanity for $200-300. Instead of replacing the tile, the existing grout can be lightly scraped and regrouted, which will make the tile look brand new. Installing glass shower doors makes for a brighter appearance. French doors can add a bit of flair and class for about $250, which of course will take people’s eyes off the tile and onto the doors!  This bathroom remodel would run $1000 to $2000.

6. Freshen up the basement. If your cement blocks or poured concrete walls in the basement are cracked, have a contractor fill the cracks with hydraulic cement, paint with waterproofing paint, add a top coat to add color, paint the basement floor and like magic, the basement isn’t finished but certainly doesn’t have the dark, damp dungeon feel anymore.

7.  Add a room. Look for large spaces that can be enclosed to create a new bedroom, for just the price of creating a wall.  For a job that can run in the low hundreds, can net you in the thousands or tens of thousands.

8. Spruce up cabinet fronts. Suggest home owners update tired-looking kitchen cabinets. reconditioning is the least expensive move for under $1,000. For $1,500 to $4,000 owners can replace the cabinet doors and drawer fronts, and for $4,000 to $12,000 home owners can have all the cabinets refaced.

9. Replace light fixtures. In a foyer, bathrooms & kitchens, replacing overhead lighting provides a great deal of pop for a little money.

10. Tech up the garage. Replacing the garage door opener with a remote touchpad entry system can make it look like a high-end system, for about $425.

Tags: affordable real estate in tri cities wa, kennewick real estate, pasco real estate, richland real estate

Grape Fest in Kennewick a stompin good time!

Monday, September 28th, 2009

A spectacular fall day ushered in the downtown Kennewick Grape Fest on Saturday, and upbeat marimba music danced through the air as folks participated and looked on at event’s based on “the Grape” took place.

The festival goes as far back as 1911 and although it hasn’t taken place every year, it has the distinction of being the oldest festival in the Tri-Cities.

There were three team of stompers ready to take on competitors for the grape crush competition.  There were several events to participate in, food vendors and arts and craft booths were available as well.

Each week in the fall there seem to be wonderful events for tourists and Tri-Citizens to enjoy – this is a wonderful place to live and work in! Pasco, Kennewick and Richland are thriving communities with friendly people, afffordable real estate and lots of job growth. Come take a look at us!

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“Green” homes growing the Tri-Cities

Monday, September 28th, 2009

101 and counting! That’s the number of certifiedgreen homes in the Tri-Cities according to the Home Builders Association and their Tri Cities Built Green Program. In the program, homes are promoted to be built green and when done so, they are certified to the Built Green standards.

There are three levels to which builders can certify their homes. It is the desire of the HBA to expand the program to also include light commerical, developments and remodeling projects.

Yes even here in the desert, a little green can shine brightly through in our real estate/housing market.

Tags: desert, green homes in Tri Cities, hba, home builders association, kennewick real estate, pasco real estate, real estate market, remodeling projects, richland real estate, tri cities, tri cities real estate