Charlie Arthur, CCIM

USDA loans can take upwards of 90 days. This is becoming very, very frustrating for people selling homes right now. This won't work in the long run. When a seller is looking at 2 competing offers(which CAN happen right now) and one buyer is using USDA...they will hesitate before accepting it because of the ridiculously long time lines.

The USDA should hire more processors, but that isn't happening. If you are a buyer right now, I recommend trying to get approved for a different type of loan than USDA if you want to be competitve. As prices have dropped, more buyers have started looking. If you want to have a competitive offer, you shouldn't have a 90+ day closing.

Just my opinion of course.

Rhody festival in Port Townsend. This weekend is one of the biggest events of the year for our little town. Thousands of people flock to visit the carnival, parade, Rhody Run XXXI, pet parade, kids parade, bed races, trike races, live music in all the bars and restaraunts, alumni gatherings, Kiwanis fish fry, the list goes on.

This weekend is the main event for locals. Kind of a "mardi gras" of sorts. Good food, good music and good friends. If you are ever in the area the third weekend in May you need to check it out.

Port Townsend, WA, 98368 was voted by me as THE BEST PLACE TO LIVE in 2009. Home prices are down to a more affordable level. Crime is low. Happiness is up. Rainfall is low. 2 mountain ranges to view. 2 major peaks to see, Mt. Rainier and Mt. Baker. Locals are friendly and considerate. Traffic congestion is non-existent. I couldn't think of a better place to live. So I convened my panel of experts...me, myself and I and after careful deliberation, research and insight...we chose Port Townsend and THE BEST PLACE TO LIVE for 2009. In fact, we couldn't find any other locations worth putting on the list. Check back next year to see if the list has expanded. Due to budgetary constraints we had to keep our research down to one town. Next year we are hoping to have a travel budget and actually look at more than one place, but until then...PORT TOWNSEND, WASHINGTON IS THE BEST PLACE TO LIVE FOR 2009!!

Weare so excited to be representing ideabox in Port Townsend. ideabox and RE/MAX FIRST, INC. have hit the finish line first to get builtgreen prefab homes to Port Townsend. The response has been incredible. Upwards of 3 calls a day just wanting to know about ideabox. We will be using the home on Cherry street in Port Townsend as a demo model for 3-4 months. Check back often for updates.

Foundation work should be complete by March 13th.