Matt Thomson Gig Harbor, WA Real Estate & Relocation

Here is the list of open houses in Gig Harbor for this weekend. If you'd like a list of opens for Tacoma, Port Orchard, or Key Peninsula, please contact me and I'll get that right out to you!

This information is taken from the NWMLS and deemed reliable. I am not the listing agent of all of these homes, but as a Realtor am able to show you and represent you in the purchase of any of these homes. If you see some homes you like, and are interested in buying a home in Gig Harbor, please feel free to contact me.

Are you considering relocating to Gig Harbor, Port Orchard, or the surrounding area? Moves don't have to be intimidating, in fact, I think I can make moving to Gig Harbor quite easy. First, you need to gather information. Far too many people seem to bury their heads in the sand and try to avoid gathering facts.

Many of the online forums that I participate in seem to be flooded with people who have grown tired of the home search process, and it often seems as though real estate agents are to blame. Three times in the past two weeks real estate agents have been referred to as "used car salesmen" on these forums I read. From the context, I know that's supposed to be an insult, but I really like most of the car salesmen I've dealt with, and if I don't like them I tend to "fire" them and "hire" another. Same deal in terms of finding a Realtor in Gig Harbor. Don't hide from us, get to know your area real estate agents and interview them. When you find one you like, hire them. Don't ever feel as though you have to settle on an agent because they're the first you found, or your cousin went to high school with them, or they send you the most postcards. A good Realtor can be your best friend when it comes to relocating.

If you're moving to Gig Harbor, I'd recommend two things. Gather as much information about the area as you can, and find a Realtor whom you trust and like. This blog is designed to bring attention to Gig Harbor, to be Gig Harbor's "Good News Source." I want small businesses in the Harbor to gain attention here, I want visitors to learn about the area here, I want Gig Harbor's scenic beauty to be displayed here. I also want to earn people's business. I hope that this blog provides the information about Gig Harbor that you are looking for, and if not I'd hope that you contact me and ask. I also hope that my personality shines through in this blog and that through reading it daily you can come to know and trust me a little bit. I can't imagine moving to a new place, not knowing the area, and working with a real estate agent whom I didn't fully feel comfortable with. I truly believe that if you hire me to introduce you to our community and to show you the home inventory we have available and to represent you in the purchase of your Gig Harbor Home, you'll be able to hold your head up high and know you made a good choice.

Many Realtors and real estate offices will offer you a "relocation package" with all of the information you could want on the area. I view that kind of like a fast food burger...it is indeed a burger, but it's pre-made and not likely to satisfy you. My Gig Harbor relocation package is sure to fit your needs exactly. How do I know this? Because I haven't made it yet, and won't make it until you order it (did I steal that line?). Folks looking to move to Gig Harbor can contact me, and we'll chat briefly about what's important to YOU, and then I'll provide you with relocation information that matters to you. Why do you need stats on the schools if you have no kids? Do our golf courses matter to you if you hate golf? I don't suppose you care about boat rentals if you're afraid of the water. I want to know what you want to know about the area, then I'll compile the relevant information and get it out to you. Gig Harbor is full of good real estate agents and good real estate companies. My clients seem to agree that they've found the best. Some have even made some pretty lofty claims, like I can walk on water.

Okay, that last one isn't true. I have a different approach to real estate, and I hope that this blog is just a small sampling of that difference. If you're relocating to Gig Harbor, or if you are selling your house in Gig Harbor, I'd love the opportunity to interview with you and earn your trust.

Later this month, a group of folks from Believer's Fellowship church here in Gig Harbor will be setting out to renovate a barn at Love, INC's headquarters in Puyallup, WA. Love, INC's mission is to "mobilize the Church to transform lives and communities In the Name of Christ."

One thing that Love, INC does is provide families who have lost everything to a flood or a fire, or someone who abandoned all they had to flee an abusive relationship, with new furniture for their home. The furniture is not really new, but to someone who has literally nothing, gently used furniture can be an amazing gift.

Currently, Love, INC doesn't have the space to store the donated furniture that they distribute to folks in need. That's where we come in, and where we can use your help. On Saturday the 16th, we will begin by clearing junk out of a barn currently on Love, INC's property. Then on the 17th, we'll pressure wash the inside of the barn and begin painting the lumber. The following Saturday (the 23rd), we will begin building the structures that will transform the old barn into an adequate storehouse for furniture. Then, on Saturday March 1, will will need to fill the re-habbed barn with furniture. IF YOU HAVE ANY FURNITURE THAT YOU'RE WILLING TO DONATE, please bring it to Believer's Fellowship on March 1st.

If you have the desire to serve the community, we would love your help at any of these stages. You don't have to be a member of our church (well, I guess there are no members of our church as we don't have membership...if you join us you're as much a member as anyone!) to help out. This is just a group of Pierce County residents, most of whom happen to go to church here in Gig Harbor, who have decided to help out a great organization in need.

If you'd like to help with any of the construction phases or by donating furniture, please contact me so we can plan for any necessary transportation and tools. Caring about our communities is what makes us a community.

Following is a list of open houses for the Gig Harbor area this weekend. For more information on any of these homes, driving directions, etc, please feel free to contact me. While I am not the listing agent for all of these homes, as a Realtor it is my job to know these houses and show them to prospective buyers. It is interesting to note that 17 of the 24 open houses this weekend are listed by Keller Williams agents. You can swing by our office at 11515 Burnham Drive to pick up a Keller Williams open house packet, or simply use the form here.

Be sure to check back each Friday for the new list!

Last week I began a weekly segment showing the home sales activity in Gig Harbor, Port Orchard, and the Key Peninsula. I like to compare homes that have come active on the market versus homes that have gone to "Pending," meaning they have a signed around contract between buyer and seller that is simply pending a close. I believe that these comparisons give a good glimpse into Gig Harbor real estate (as well as Port Orchard real estate and Key Peninsula real estate).

The numbers from week 2 of 2008 are almost identical to week 1's numbers, with one notable exception. Port Orchard saw 16 homes go to Pending this week, compared to only 2 in week 1. Both Gig Harbor and the Key Peninsula only had 2 homes go Pending in week 2. Gig Harbor had 33 new homes come active on the market, while KPN only saw 12, and Port Orchard had 40.

Keep in mind that some of these numbers can be a bit skewed. For example, a home that has been on the market for 6 months may "Expire," then re-list, thus showing as a "New listing." It's always a good idea to ask your Realtor what a home's property history is. How long has it been on the market, any price reductions, etc.

For full reports on the Gig Harbor area real estate market, please email me at mthomson@kw.com or call me at the number listed on my profile.