Brian Solinsky CDPE, CNE, ABR

The Puyallup real estate market hit some strides this past week, be it small strides, but strides none-the-less. Residential pending sales were up and closed sales quadrupled from the second week of August.

Most of the sales took place in the $200,000 - $299,000 range, located on the far south end of town. Maybe with the Canyon Road expansion and the project underway on 94th, combined with the new strip mall developments on Meridian, south of 152nd, buyers are finding deals and finding that traffic isn't so bad.

With a new Target, Wal-Mart and other shopping lining the streets of Meridian, the far South Hill is more self-sufficient than it was even a year ago.

Home values continue to decline in that area as well and it appears buyers are finding the deals they need to get in "buying" mode.

Another positive development was the drop in the median days on market from 72 days in August to 67 days on market in the second week of September. Could this be the shift in the market we need or is it more of a late summer push? We shall see.

I need help with designing a logo for my Real Estate Business. I am an agent at Keller Williams Real Estate operating under the name Solinsky Home Team. You can see my current logo at www.SolinskyHomeTeam.com or on my profile page.

As of October 1, I will be changing the name of my business to West Valley Home Team. I'll continue to conduct business at Keller Williams, so West Valley Home Team at Keller Williams would work too.

Currently, I'm using the slogan, "Bringing Home Your Dreams".

I am open to ideas and samples of what you can do to be my logo designer. Let me know if you have further questions.

Submit your design for my logo with your name, phone number and email address by Tuesday, Sept. 16 at 11:59pm. I'll select the one I like best and award the winner (prize to be determined).

Winning logo will be featured on my website on October 1, 2008 and the winner will be highlighted in my blog at www.BlogsByBrian.com

Thank you for your help.

Forza's Coffee opened a new location this month on the South Hill of Puyallup. It's just a little drive through stand, but in a great location for those morning commuters that need that cup of Jo!

Manager, Bryan Reynolds, takes great pride in operating a quality coffee shop. In two years of Forza's presence in downtown Puyallup, under his direction, it has become a regular stop for students and business professionals.

Awaiting you at both locations is always a friendly face with a smile and plenty of choices for your caffeine fix or appetite.

"It's all about the community and the relationships in the community." says Reynolds.

As evidence of this, Forza Coffee has teamed up with the Solinsky Home Team for this special offer.

Special Offer:

For the month of September visit the new FORZA on South Hill, mention the Solinsky Home Team and get a 2 for 1 special on your drinks. Be sure to take a friend!

Visit as often as you like and tell others about this amazing September special.

Location: 128th and Meridian near the Goodwill and Rite Aid (east side).

Looking for convenience on Puyallup's South Hill could not be easier than a quick drive into Pit Stop Express.

Located just off the freeway on South Hill Park drive, next to Bethany Baptist Church, Dennys, and Holiday Inn Express.

Directions Pit Stop.

When you pull into the parking lot you will find lots of other people like to use the convenience of this location as well.

Surprisingly, service is quick and easy as should be expected at a Pit Stop. They want to get you back on the road as quickly as possible.

Drive right up to the front door and run inside to grab a Red Bull,

fill up a fountain soda, or use the restroom (always kept clean).

As you can see the car wash service is touch free. No bristles touching your car to make those nasty scratches you can never get out.

You can pay at the Car Wash entrance or get your receipt inside after pumping gas.

My favorite Car Wash day is Monday, because it is manager special day when you can get the Night On the Town, full-service wash, for just $9,99.

With Night on the Town you get wax and tire buffing along with a great wash.

On days other than Monday you can still find terrific service with reasonable prices on the car wash of your choice.

A typical car wash takes about 10 minutes. Be sure to ask for a dash towel too.

Pit Stop is the place I like to go for convenience when I am in a hurry. It doesn't take long to drop by and fill up my drink (pop refills are only 97 cents). Others enjoy the Bigfoot Java and the Subway that are in the same location.

If you live in Puyallup or are just driving through, make Pit Stop the place to take a break, fill up the tank, and then get back on the road.

For current Puyallup weather and other places of interest in Puyallup, click here.

Brought to you by the Solinsky Home Team.

Puyallup real estate continues to see more activity. Following a June that witnessed the most solds in a month so far this year, the first week of July continued to show an increase in activity.

There were three times as many solds in the first week of July as compared to the first week of June 2008. Interestingly enough the number of active listings in Puyallup dropped from 980 in the first week of June to only 904 in the first week of July.

The trend developing is fewer homes on the market and more people buying homes, which tends to lead to an increase in market value.

Continue to watch what happens throughout the summer to see if Puyallup remains on the road to a more balanced market.

For more information about specific neighborhoods in the Puyallup and Pierce County area, visit the Solinsky Home Team.