Matt Thomson Gig Harbor, WA Real Estate & Relocation

Real estate companies are interesting things. Real estate agents are essentially small business owners in it for themselves, right, so what does the company matter? Quite a bit, actually. I'm not going to make this a long post about the various business models and pros and cons of all of Gig Harbor's real estate companies; that'd bore even me. As I was browsing my Facebook account this morning I saw the owner of a local company had posted "Yea us, we're #1″ (or something similar) as his status. Can't argue with it, as his company does have more local market share than any other company.

Gary Keller, founder of Keller Williams Realty, and his early team of agents gave the company the following mission statement, one that Keller Williams Realty in Gig Harbor has adopted and whole-heartedly embraced: To have Careers worth Having, Businesses worth Owning, and Lives worth Living. For me, a career worth having is one that makes a positive impact on the community around me. Does my job allow me to wake up excited each morning because I not only enjoy what I do but I also am assured I am making a positive difference in the Gig Harbor community? Check. A business worth owning is profitable. Period. Does my business provide me with enough income to support my family? Check.

A life worth living is what is most important. Am I able to spend time with my family or does my business take all my attention? Am I able to give some of the money I earn to others or do I have to hoard it all? Does my life matter...are other's lives better because of mine? Check. On a large scale, check. Read this "Thank you" email I got from our company charity, KW Cares, today.

To date in 2009, KW Cares has granted over $700,000 to Keller Williams Associates and their immediate families in 24 of 30 Regions. In 2008, KW Cares provided substantive financial assistance totaling $1,233,000 to 237 Keller Williams associates and their immediate families in 25 of the 30 regions. We helped children, seniors, and those in between. Victims of hurricanes, floods, wildfires, house fires, have received food, shelter, and clothing, and grants to help restore their homes and their lives. Associates faced with life altering accidents and serious medical illnesses have received financial assistance to help with co-pays and deductibles, medicines, therapies, and rehabilitation services not covered by medical insurance. We have helped those recovering from emotional illnesses. More that one KW associate has received assistance to obtain surgical intervention in order to not lose the gift of sight. KW Cares assistance augmented assistance already provided from within the associate's market center. Working together, market centers, regions and KW Cares are providing much needed emotional and financial support to those in dire need..

KW Cares is able to assist KW family members faced with hardship due to an emergency, with expenses for higher education. In 2008, a young widow who lost her husband suddenly to cancer received a KW Cares education grant to pursue a nursing degree, enabling her to provide a better future for her sons

Keller Williams Realty, the 3rd largest real estate company in the nation, may not be #1 in market share in the Puget Sound region, but there's nowhere else I'd rather be!

My 2010 Gig Harbor photo calendars are only $7 this year! Don't worry, if you were one of the ones who ordered them when they were $15, you'll get the $7 price as well! Thanks to DPI of Gig Harbor, I can offer this year's calendar at 1/2 of what I was able to do in previous years!

This calendar features photos from 7 Gig Harbor photographers that will truly amaze you. It's an 11″x17″, full size, full color 12-month calendar. If you've ever visited Gig Harbor, lived in Gig Harbor at one time, are a current Gig Harbor resident, whatever, if you know like I know just how picturesque Gig Harbor is, this calendar will be perfect for you. Like every item around this time of year, it "Makes a great gift" too!

I started making these calendars 5 years ago as gifts for my clients. The past few years I've had so many requests for them from folks who've seen them at businesses or homes around town that I figured I'd start offering them to everyone. They're not available in any stores yet, so you have to order through me directly. You can simply email me at gigharborinfo@gmail.com and tell me how many you'd like to order. If you're in the Gig Harbor area, I can deliver or arrange to have you pick them up. If you're out of the area I am happy to mail them to you if you agree to pay the shipping.

Below is a sneak peak at one of this year's photos from Jim Nelson.

Beware of foreclosure predators. Those who are trying to take advantage of the fear that's still prevalent surrounding foreclosures. People who prey on others' fears and perhaps lack of information regarding their house payments.

I received a letter in the mail today that begins, "Records indicate that you are currently in default on your mortgage. Your lender may be in the process of foreclosure proceedings." It's a very official looking letter. They have my address, they refer to the government stimulus act, they make it look similar to an IRS form. They provide sample payments that their plan can get me and give me a 1-800 number to call or a website to visit.

It's easy for me to see how an elderly person or widow or anyone who may not be completely up to date with their finances could be fooled by this letter and sent into a panic. This kind of thing drives me nuts. Far too often in my business now I'm encountering folks who are fearful about the housing market, and folks like this choose to prey on that fear rather than do something worthwhile with their lives.

Please, if you get a notice like this, call a local Realtor or mortgage professional first. Don't become a victim of these jerks. Fear isn't a good decision maker.

The Gig Harbor High School Tides and Peninsula High School Seahawk cross country teams had incredible showings yesterday at the District Championships! Both the Gig Harbor boys and girls won the championships, as did the Seahawk boys. The PHS girls were 3rd of 16 teams to qualify for the state meet!

Check out the results from yesterdays District Cross Country Championships.

My 4th annual Gig Harbor calendar is just about ready to be shipped, which means it's ready for order! This calendar has 12 of the most gorgeous photographs taken in Gig Harbor over the past year from a variety of photographers, and is a full size 11"x17" calendar for only $15.

If you live in the Gig Harbor area, you can either pick it up at my Keller Williams Realty office or I'd be happy to deliver it to you. If you live out of the Gig Harbor area, I'll be happy to mail it to you for the cost of shipping.

This isn't a money maker for me, just a way to share my love of Gig Harbor and my love of photography! If you would like to order a calendar (or several), just email me with how many you'd like, and if you'll need them shipped, delivered, or if you'd like to pick them up.

I'll be able to take cash or check, and maybe be set up with Pay Pal!

To order your 2010 Gig Harbor calendars, email GigHarborInfo@gmail.com

Pictures from 2009 calendar