Cyndi Nelson

There are too many articles out there stating that being an Olympia home owner is not a great idea at the present time. This is far from the truth! There are many positive reasons why home ownership is still a good idea.

A mortgage is a great way to force yourself to save. Gone are the days of a prosperous 401K, Medicare is on the rise, stocks are dropping, and who knows where Social Security will be in the future. Put your money toward a good investment such as a home.

Think of the principle in your Olympia home as a savings account - you are adding equity. The money you put toward rent is going toward someone else's principle and equity.

When you own a home, you can choose the location, the school system, and the landscaping. Renters cannot always find a great location, in a good school system. The landlord is in control of your destiny, can kick you out on whim, or sell the building. A bank cannot kick you out of your own home unless you do not pay.

With low mortgage rates, low home prices, and possible low down payments, one does not have to make a lot of money to own their own home. In the past, mortgages were constantly ballooning, and home prices were often not obtainable for those with smaller incomes.

When it comes to living in an ideal location with a school system, you may have to place your name on a waiting list if you are renting, and if it is a popular location, the prices may see a significant increase by the time your name hits the top of the list.

Choosing to buy a home allows you to lock into a set mortgage rate without fear of an increase.

For more information on how you can get a great deal on a home in a terrific location, please email me or visit my Exit Realty Boardwalk site for a look at the best properties in Olympia, Lacey, Shelton, Tumwater, Dupont, Yelm, Rainier, and Rochester.

Rochester school teacher Carrie Black was honored by fellow co-workers a few weeks ago to help her celebrate a huge milestone in her teaching career.

Black, an 8^th grade teacher, is one of ten finalists selected throughout the state for the Teacher of the Year award. The award, which is presented by the state Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), covers 44 school districts in Thurston, Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason and Pacific counties.

Both nervous and honored, Black says, "...it's a testament to every member of the staff and administration in this school."

This honored teacher can also be found participating in events to help earn money for the student body. You never know when you may find Black running around the track or joining in on a Veterans Day celebration.

Three pages of Black's accomplishments were sent to the OSPI as part of her nomination by principal Will Maus. Maus felt it was almost impossible to note all of her accomplishments in just three pages, and went on to say, "She loves being around the kids, and you see that in every aspect of her work."

Black herself graduated from Rochester High School and City University, and replaced the teacher who taught her eight-grade math at the same middle school she now teaches at.

Her colleagues are proud of her whether she wins or not, and feel it was an honor to have the six-year veteran nominated.

If you want to find out how you can buy a home in an area with an amazing school district, please contact me or visit my Exit Realty Boardwalk site for a look at the best properties in Olympia, Lacey, Shelton, Tumwater, Dupont, Yelm, Rainier, and Rochester. Call Cyndi Nelson today at Exit Realty Boardwalk at 877-288-2932.

Olympia home buyers are now seeking out smaller homes, as downsizing seems to be the trend throughout the country.

In 2009, the average home was about 2,135 square feet, a drop from earlier in the decade when home sizes peaked at 2,300 square feet. Kermit Baker, chief economist for the American Institute of Architects, reports that most people want simpler homes and less space.

The 5,000-square-foot home with a bathroom large enough to party in is slowly becoming a thing of the past. People are not looking for mansions anymore.

Many are looking to cut back on housing size as a way to save money during these turbulent financial times. The days of wanting media rooms, a game room, or a fitness room are behind us now, as buyers are looking for rooms that can serve a dual purpose thus cutting back on overall expenses.

The typical American home today now consists of six rooms, three of which are bedrooms, with two or more bathrooms. More homes are now equipped with central air, dishwashers, and garbage disposals than in the past. Consumers are now looking to design their homes with comforts, instead of extra rooms.

A poll taken in 2009 showed that of the more than 76 million owner-occupied homes, 63 million were traditional detached, single-family residences. More people are now flocking to the suburbs rather than staying in the city as another way to save money.

Whether you are still in the market for a larger home with many rooms, or a smaller one with the needed amenities, I can help you. Please contact me or visit my Exit Realty Boardwalk site for a look at the best properties in Olympia, Lacey, Shelton, Tumwater, Dupont, Yelm, Rainier, and Rochester. Call Cyndi Nelson today at Exit Realty Boardwalk at 877-288-2932.

When you look at your home what do you see? Do you walk into one room, and it is a showcase, and when you move along another, does it spell disaster.

Your home should be comfortable for yourself as well as any potential buyers that may come along. A home should have a warm, relaxing atmosphere. A place you love spending time.

Before you even try to sell your home, it would be in your best interest to remodel your home or make small changes which you will enjoy, as well make it stand out to others.

Paint, lighting, and flooring are three of the easiest, quickest and least expensive ways to update a room, say the experts. Making these changes may take some and thought depending on what your housing unit consists of. If you have elderly parents living with you, making these changes may not be feasible as you do not want make them uncomfortable while work is being done. Pets may have to removed for a few days to accomplish new changes.

If your home is older, lighting may be poor, and making this upgrade will make your home brighter, and much more attractive. This also will make new paint or flooring stand out even more.

A room many people neglect is their own bedroom. This room is very important when it comes to selling your home. You need to declutter your room to make it appear more spacious, and comfortable. Use the space under your bed to store items so it is out of view. Your bed should stand out, while secondary items should match the coloring and wood choice of the bed.

Remember make your home something you enjoy living in, and you would want to pass on to someone else with pleasure.

If you are ready to find a newly remodeled home, please let me show you some of the available homes in the Olympia area. Please call me or visit my Exit Realty Boardwalk site for a look at the best properties in Olympia, Lacey, Shelton, Tumwater, Dupont, Yelm, Rainier, and Rochester. Call Cyndi Nelson today at Exit Realty Boardwalk at 877-288-2932.

Olympia residents should stop throwing away their money on things they can obtain for free. Start saving your hard-earned money and eliminate all of that clutter in your life.

Here are a few great things you should not have to pay a dime for:

Looking to check out how your credit stands at the present time, and are tempted to pay a fee to get a glance at it? Do not pay money for this service, when you can sign up for a free trial at a free credit monitoring service. The catch is you have to cancel the membership before they charge you the next month.

Need certain computer software for your job, but are shocked when you see the price tag? There are many alternative software items for free you can download off the internet. One of the most popular is OpenOffice.

Looking for the newest, and the most user-friendly cell phone, get it for free by signing up for a two-year agreement with your local cell phone provider. Many providers offer the hottest new phones for free as long as you stay on as a customer.

If you are an avid reader, but do not like the prices at the bookstore, head back to the number one place to get a book for free - the library!

For those who are trying to stay fit, but are put off by high gym fees, check out your local park, or swap DVD workout videos with a friend. You will both get a variety of workouts and it won't cost a penny.

Avid Olympia news readers should keep the pocket change they spend on newspapers. All information you need is on the Internet via blogs or various news websites. The information can even be more up-to-date than the paper newspaper you have been buying every morning.

These are just a few items you can stop spending money on, and with more research you are bound to find many more. With all the money you are saving, you can make a down payment on a new home in Olympia.

Please let me show you some of the available homes in the Olympia area. Please contact me or visit my Exit Realty Boardwalk site for a look at the best properties in Olympia, Lacey, Shelton, Tumwater, Dupont, Yelm, Rainier, and Rochester. Call Cyndi Nelson today at Exit Realty Boardwalk at 877-288-2932.