Anna Matsunaga

Yesterday I did a 10 mile run ( shorter than last weekend since I am looking @ doing the half marathon even for the Seattle marathon next weekend, just have to see if I can still register)

The day was one of the most beautiful I have seen in months and it was a totally perfect run, decent time and lots of fun and not even a touch of knee pain.

Then I came home and made lunch for everyone and got things together with my family before heading to the office to print off my open house fliers for my "Tell 100" on my newest listing. ( this is part of my marketing plan for homes where this really makes sense. ) The home is located @ 4214 North Highland and is a rambler with about 1100 sf, hardwood floors, french doors, a great deck and a nice lay out. I really like it. What I learned however from the door knocking is that the whole neighborhood really loves the area, almost everyone I met told me that they really really like it there. People were friendly and it was a fun day. I met at least 22 people in person.

However the 100 doors proved to be much more difficult than the 10 miles ( took longer too) It was really really fun, but my knees, which were completely happy on the run began to protest when I decided to walk up to 100 houses ( lots with lots and lots of steps!) and introduce myself and invite people to the open house the next day. The first 25 or so were fine, the next 25 okay the last 50 not so much. My feet hurt on the bottoms from running in Cotton socks ( could not find the synthetics!) and of course I was dressed "professionally" which means in heals and slacks. That of course put lots of pressure on the sore spots on the bottom of my feet and my knees, well they were making a real statement too. Thankfully everyone I met at the doors was really nice to make up for it. Even met a lady who who's son needs RE help.

While I was out I also had fun looking closely at the houses in the neighborhood. There is nothing that helps you learn about and notice things in a neighborhood like walking around it door to door. Besides my listing, I had 3 favorites in the neighborhood that I felt were extreemly well cared for and cut as well. These are not for sale, they just represent the kind of care and character common in the neighborhood. I took pictures of them to share with you, the pics do not do total justice since it was just a little before dark with out the best light ( wow it gets dark early!)

It was also nice to talk with the owners of one of the 3 new construction homes that I had shown a couple times back when they were on the market, they really looked well thought out and livable and the owners said they love it! These homes of course were far more impressive than my 3 favorites, but they are almost new, so do not yet give us the chance to see how they will wear and be cared for over time yet.

I am excited to sell this listing even more than when I took it because I know who ever moves there will be very happy with their choice of home and of neighborhood.

How did the open house go? Sue, our buyer's agent sat it today and met 4 different sets of folks, and one lady who has a daughter house shopping in the neighborhood. All in all, a good weekend for marketing this listing!

Want to know more about selling your home in this market, or about what the up to date information on the market that matters to you the most ( the one your home is in)? Call Anna Matsunaga, Team Momentum, Keller Williams Realty Tacoma, 253 212 1252, or email @ anna_matsunaga@kw.com

Just got this from our Realtor Group here in WA, thought I'd pass it along.--

Contrary to what the ForSaleByOwner.com news release says....

1) They are NOT in a partnership with REALTOR.com
2) The settlement between NAR and the DOJ did NOT force REALTOR.com to accept FSBO property listings
3) Properties from sellers not represented by Realtors will NOT appear on REALTOR.com
4) MLSs still get to decide which listings to distribute to REALTOR.com

As Michael Wurzer explained on the Flex MLS blog, "So, this is just another version of a limited service listing, not some revolution in policy regarding FSBOs."

Also, as Laurie Janik, NAR's general counsel, told VAR Buzz,

"Please reassure your members that there are no unlisted properties on Realtor.com.

"We still cannot figure out the basis for the outrageous claims being made by ForSaleByOwner.com in this press release. No relationship exists between that entity and Realtor.com. Listings displayed on Realtor.com continue to be provided by the MLSs, and contrary to the headline, there is NO "agent free access to Realtor.com."

Want real representation in the sale or purchase of your home? Team Momentum believes that everyone is better off well represented. To find out more about navigating the waters of today's market call Anna Matsunaga, Team Momentum, Keller Williams Realty Tacoma, 253 212 1252

I am going to register for the Seattle Marathon, but I am in a quandry which event? I am not ready for the full running marathon for sure. There is also a full marathon walk, half marathon walk and a half marathon run. I know I can walk a half marathon since I ran and walked one this morning. I also know that by Nov 30th I will not be ready to run one all the way ( maybe never will be able to with my knees) Walking a full marathon is past where I will be for milage at that point in time, and I don't really want to walk the whole thing, so....Not sure what I should do. My husband says I should enter the half running one, they will not kick me off the course for walking part of the way. I think maybe he is right. I am suddenly just pretty intimidated by the idea of people who can run the whole way and me walking along....

So any way for those of you who are runners I would love an opinion. I started training in the last week of August of this year. I run about 1/3 to 1/2 of the way and walk the rest when I train. I completed a half marathon and just a tad bit more yesterday morning. ( both walking and running) I need to find out if a certain time is required for the Seattle Marathon, I think that will help too. I have made almost all of my training days although sometimes one day has been substituted with another ( took a rest day on a scheduled run day and ran on a scheduled rest day)

If you run ( particularly the Seattle marathon) I would like your opinion.

If you need a Real Estate Team that goes the extra mile, Call Anna Matsunaga, with Team Momentum of Keller Williams Realty Tacoma, 253 212 1252

WEll, it is about 5am and I am headed out for my long training day. This should be a little over a half marathon. I am a little nervous since I missed my long training day last week since I was working on my office move, and I did not take my Friday rest day, I did 3.5 miles instead.....

I have done a half in a day 2 weeks ago, but a child's soccer game interupted about 25 minutes. ( was @ mile 9 when I got a call from my husband to let me know that the time we THOUGHT the game was was wrong and I needed to come right home. I ran home and met them and we drove to the soccer game right away and while my son played I ran and walked for an hour and a half....but some how that interuption really made me feel I had not done it for "real" Today I plan to do the milage with no interuptions other than potty breaks....we'll see how it goes.

Weather is rainy, but not overly cold. I am taking Chip with me( our dog)....I'll keep you posted.

If you are looking for a Real Estate Team that goes the extra mile in the Tacoma area, Call Anna Matsunaga with Team Momentum of Keller Williams Realty in Tacoma- 253 212 1252 or visit us on line www.teammomentumrealestate.com.

Do you buy mostly organic food? If so you know it is not the most inexpensive way to eat. Those of us who go out of our way to eat organic usually believe that the true cost of eating any other way is much higher than eating organic....but that does not mean we LIKE paying higher to eat more healthily...

So for all of you who like to eat organic food and like to use organic cleaning products and so on, there is a well kept secret on the South End of Tacoma. It is called McGregors. You will find it just off the corner of 84th and Pacific, just past the Walgreens. It is a little 2 story building that does not even look much like a store, but it is.

McGregors is a discount organic food store. What will you find there? Well it's al little different every time. If you find something you and your family eat all the time, be ready to really really stock up!

Mc Gregors's is located @ 8431 Pacific Ave, Tacoma WA 98444, Their phone # is 253 267 5497.

On an average day you would likely find canned goods ( veggies, tomatoe sauces and fruit) Organic Juices, Soy, rice, almond milk, hot and cold cereals, mac and cheese, nuts, candy, broths and soups, cookies, chips and much much more. You will also find things you would not eat, but would still like to have organic, like your shampoos, lotions and soaps as well.

Some of the items are just a bit less than you would spend else where and other things are a really really deep discount. ( Buy by the case when you find this, as likely they will be all gone next time) A recent trip yeilded 32 oz organic chicken and veggie broth 4 for a $1, Organic Tomato Soup and Acorn Squash Soup 4 for a $1 and Organic corn chips 2 for $1. I would have spend $2.75- $3.50 each for those items at a regular store. The last time we shopped there I came home with almost a truck bed full of food for less than $125.00. Can't beat this!

For those of you who've been going there for a long time....good news, they now as of about 2 weeks ago take debit and credit cards, not just cash any more!

I like the friendly atmosphere as well and the kids look forward to seeing the resident cat while we shop.

When our family does our major shopping we go there first and then buy what ever McGregor's does not have elsewhere. Do the same and you could be eating healthier AND saving $200-400 a month for your family too!

Is making healthy sane choices for your family a way of life for you? Need help with a Real Estate question or transaction? Call Anna Matsunaga, with Team Momentum of Keller Williams Realty. We are here to help you make good decisions that will have a positive inpact on your future. --253-212-1252