Dupont, WA

Do you volunteer?

My wife and I volunteer with many worthwhile causes and clubs. We call it giving back for how fortunate we have been and continue to be.

One of the downfalls with many of volunteer concepts is that it requires bodies. We find the same people year after year giving their time and energy to make things happen. Volunteers eventually get burned out and not only leave the committee but the club or the organization they have put so many hours into.

We all need new blood, so do our clubs, communities, and causes.

Volunteering is a worthwhile endeavor that all of us should experience. This is not only good for your business and community; it's good for your heart...

Authored by Paul S. Henderson, Realtor ®, RE/MAX Professionals, Dupont & Lacey, WA.

(http://phenderson.net) or http://www.lacey-washington.com

©2009 Paul S. Henderson, Do you volunteer? All Rights Reserved

I go on listing appointments all the time and am confronted by misinformation about sales of houses in the Dupont area. People quote neighbors here-say as being the gospel truth. I decided on tracking these prices for people so they can see the truth. I have combined the first 2 months, which also can be seen here on Localism, but intend on doing this monthly from now on.

I have put the addresses in this post to put a face on what's selling and where.

This information is from the NW Multiple Listing Service and from the Pierce County Assessor. All information is deemed reliable but is by no way guaranteed.

(BR=Bedroom SF=Square Feet DOM=Days on Market OLP=Original Listing Price SP=Sales Price)

Condo Sales

NONE

Home Sales (PRE-EXISTING)

3 BR 2.5 BATH 1650 SF 2088 McDonald St Dupont, WA 98327(DOM) 318 (OLP)$269,950(SP)$240,000

4 BR 2.5 BATH 1880 SF 1846 Bobs Hollow Ln Dupont, WA 98327 (DOM) 99 (OLP)$268,000(SP)$262,000

2 BR 2.5 BATH 1340 SF 1208 Hudson St Dupont, WA 98327(DOM)102 (OLP)$289,900(SP)$297,500

Home Sales (NEW QUADRANT)

3 BR 2.5 BATH 2089 SF 1374 Foreman Rd Dupont, WA 98327PRESALE (OLP)$300,030 (SP)$300,030

4 BR 2.5 BATH 2444 SF 1228 Burnside Pl Dupont, WA 98327PRESALE (OLP)$319,920 (SP)$292,000

3 BR 2.5 BATH 2423 SF 1225 Sheaser Wy Dupont, WA 98327PRESALE (OLP)$323,900 (SP)$323,900

3 BR 2.5 BATH 2423 SF 1321 Foreman Rd Dupont,WA 98327PRESALE (OLP)$326,106 (SP)$324,870

(BR=Bedroom SF=Square Feet DOM=Days on Market OLP=Original Listing Price SP=Sales Price)

Authored by Paul S. Henderson, ABR, CRS, GRI, SRES, Realtor® with RE/MAX Professionals Tacoma, WA.,providing enhanced levels of real estate services to home buyers and sellers in Dupont and NW Landing. Visit my website at www.phenderson.net to search for homes or compare your home with what's on the market. All information is believed to be accurate, but is not warranted in any way.

©2009 Paul S. Henderson, Dupont NW Landing Home Sales from March 1, 2009 to March 31, 2009.

All Rights Reserved

I have found over the last week or so that keeping a positive outlook on life and business really pays off. It seemed 2 months ago that we could have heard a pin drop in our office. It's great to see and hear the change of attitude.

Our office is alive with phone calls and the sound of faxes and copy machines.

• Could it be the weather? A week of spring sunshine never seems to hurt.
• Could it be people seeing that house mortgage rates are at an all time low? I hadn't seen the rates for a week and was astounded when a buyer told me what they locked in at.
• Could it be the inventory of great pre-owned homes? That could be or that most of the houses are priced right to begin with now.

Buyers are taking notice and sign calls are up almost 40% on my listings. I got an accepted offer and 2 back-up offers on one of those houses this week.

First time home buyers are looking at $8000 tax incentives and a positive future. One couple, I'm working with, was not deterred one bit when I told them that they had to stay in the house for a while to see the house appreciate in value. They had lived in a rental for 7 years and said they were tired of paying other peoples mortgage payments.

My buyers are not taking a wait and see attitude anymore. It seems to take the loss of a great house only once to spur the urgency of making an offer as soon as possible.

Another couple told me that they were meditating positive energy towards their offer being accepted. We just use to keep our fingers crossed.

Whatever the turnaround in business is caused by, I hope it continues. One of the pleasures of our business is seeing someone or a couple, achieve home ownership.

That is a positive thought for a negative world...

Authored by Paul S. Henderson, Realtor ®, RE/MAX Professionals, Dupont & Lacey, WA.

(http://phenderson.net) or http://www.lacey-washington.com

©2009 Paul S. Henderson, Positive Thoughts in a Negative World, All Rights Reserved

I work with several elderly people on fixed incomes. I drop by from time to time, not so much as a Realtor but as a friend. If a light bulb is out or they need something else done, I do it. My feeling is we all have one thing in common and that is we will all get older or die trying.

One of these friends has given me several referrals.

But what this post is about is being green. The pressure on older people to recycle and preserve is huge. One day while changing a bulb in a can light for a friend we discovered I had changed that same bulb less than a year before. One thing I've discovered is that seniors are the very best record keepers.

She knew;

• When she bought the bulb
• What she paid for it
• When I replaced the bulb
• The brand and where it was made

Her Granddaughter had told her she should use the new florescent bulbs because they use less energy and are better for the environment.

In fact;

• This bulb cost twice what a regular can light bulb costs
• Lasted less than a year
• Broke up in my hand when I attempted to remove it
• The same wattage regular bulb, operated by the same light switch, has been in service for over 2 years
• Last, the florescent bulb, made in China, is noted as hazardous waste by our Pierce County solid waste authority.

That doesn't seem very environmentally sound to me. How about you?

Authored by Paul S. Henderson, Realtor ®, RE/MAX Professionals, Dupont & Lacey, WA.

(http://phenderson.net) or http://www.lacey-washington.com

©2009 Paul S. Henderson, It Ain't Easy Being Green, All Rights Reserved

Having elderly clients, I try to help whenever I can.

This client was in her early eighties and her family felt she would sign a purchase and sale agreement for a dollar if she liked their smile. My job was to be at every showing and protect her.

The first showing went well even though; my client felt she should offer the people food and refreshments.

The next appointment didn't go as well. The agent never called to cancel and never showed up. This is inconsiderate in any case but to an elderly seller it is devastating. We sat for an hour waiting. She had made cookies to give the right smell to the house. I called the other agent and left a message not to come over. I left with two dozen cookies and a client in tears.

This happened two more times, agents not showing up, before we sold my client's condo. I learned a valuable lesson working with this client. If I make an appointment, I show up, it's only right!

Please show up for your appointments. If you can't make an appointment, please call to cancel. We call this professionalism and consideration!

Authored by Paul S. Henderson, Realtor ®, RE/MAX Professionals, Dupont & Lacey, WA.

(http://phenderson.net) or http://www.lacey-washington.com

©2009 Paul S. Henderson, We call this professionalism! All Rights Reserved