Phiroum Svy, Covington, WA. Residential Homes, Associate Broker

In today's tough market, anything an everything you can do to prepare your house for sale is very important.

Here are some tips that I am going to be dividing into 2 blog posts as not to overwhelme the reader.

~Stimulate buyer’s imaginations by setting scenes throughout the house, such as a chess game in the corner of your family room.

~Create a spacious feeling while showing your house; open all doors fully.

~Use folded quilts, bright colored pillows and fresh flowers to draw attentio to the positives.

~A bright colored umbrella on the deck invites buyers to use the backyard as long as it doesn’t block any good views in the backyard.

~Disguise unsightly views. Remove dark, heavy drapes and replace with light sheers; let breeze blow in and move sheers.

~Place 3 to 4 inch glass shelves inside window frames for reflective quality. Never block light, and never apologize for a bad view.

~Eliminate bad odors. Breathe fresh outside air, then go indoors and hunt down offensive odors. Use Lysol, potpourri, carpet fresheners, deodorized cat liter, and cedar chips or blocks in your closets.

~Keep front door area (inside and out) clean and uncluttered. Buy a new door mat (avoid mats with cute sayings), clean brass door knockers, and place potted flowers on front porch. Color is important.

~Avoid eccentricities such as beads in doorways, wild posters, dark walls, mirrored ceilings, sacred temples, etc. Your house must appeal to masses.

~Hold a garage sale before listing your home to make certain that all storage areas, closets, and the basement and garage are uncluttered and spacious.

~Find the fine line between clutter and emptiness.

Our local Kent Libray has many free activities and events that you and your children can take advanatage of. It is located near Kent Station.

Activities ranges from computer classes to reading times for your toddlers to activities for different languages - spanish, chinese.

212 2nd Avenue N., Kent, 98030

Read Three, Get One Free (Ongoing Event)
Event Type: Teen Programs
Date: Thursday, January 01, 2009 - Thursday, December 31, 2009
Library: Kent Regional Library
Description: Teens, ages 12 to 18, read three books, write three short, thoughtful reviews and get a new paperback book...free!
Pick up an entry form at any KCLS library, or online at: http://www.kcls.org/goodread...
Age(s): Teens
Other: Sponsored by the KCLS Foundation.

Ready-Set-Read (Ongoing Event)
Event Type: Children's Programs NOT Story Times
Date: Thursday, January 01, 2009 - Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Library: Kent Regional Library
Description: If you are in elementary school, take the Reading Challenge! Read at least 20 minutes per day for 20 days within a month and choose a new paperback book at your community library. Forms are available ...
Age(s): Children & Families

Ready-Set-Read (Ongoing Event)
Event Type: Children's Programs NOT Story Times
Date: Thursday, January 01, 2009 - Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Library: Kent Regional Library
Description: If you are in elementary school, take the Reading Challenge! Read at least 20 minutes per day for 20 days within a month and choose a new paperback book at your community library. Forms are available ...
Age(s): Children & Families

SCORE (Service Corps Of Retired Executives) (Ongoing Event)
Event Type: Adult Programs
Date: Thursday, January 01, 2009 - Thursday, December 31, 2009
Library: Kent Regional Library
Description: Free counseling for small businesses. Please call 253.630.8478 for appointments.
Age(s): Adults

Study Zone (Ongoing Event)
Event Type: Study Zone (K-12)
Date: Monday, January 05, 2009 - Thursday, June 18, 2009
Library: Kent Regional Library
Description: Grades K-12
Drop in during scheduled Study Zone hours for free homework help from volunteer tutors.
Age(s): Teens, Children & Families
Other: Sundays, 1-3pm
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 3:30-5:30pm

Computer Class: Internet Level 1
Event Type: Computer Classes
Date: Thursday, April 16, 2009
Start Time: 7:00 PM
Library: Kent Regional Library
Description: Learn to use the Internet by clicking links, typing addresses and printing useful information.
Age(s): Adults
Other: Registration required beginning two weeks before the class, 253.859.3330.

Spanish Story Time
Event Type: Children's Story Times
Date: Thursday, April 16, 2009
Start Time: 7:00 PM
Library: Kent Regional Library
Description: Enjoy stories, songs and finger plays in Spanish and English.
Age(s): Children & Families

Chinese Story Time
Event Type: Children's Story Times
Date: Monday, April 20, 2009
Start Time: 10:15 AM
Library: Kent Regional Library
Description: Ages 3 to 6
Join Jeniffer Lim for stories, songs and finger plays in Chinese and English.
Age(s): Children & Families

English as a Second Language (ESL) Class
Event Type: English as a Second Language (ESL)
Date: Monday, April 20, 2009
Start Time: 5:30 PM
Library: Kent Regional Library
Description: A formal class to learn English grammar, reading, writing and conversation skills.
Age(s): Adults
Other: Please register in the first class.

Zig Zigglar

"Hope" to get through any rough times.

"Failure is an event, not a person. Yesterday ended last night."

"There are seldom, if ever, any hopeless situations, but there are many people who lose hope in the face of some situations."

"You cannot solve a problem until you acknowledge that you have one and accept responsibilty for solving it."

"Character get you out of bed; commitment moves you to action. Faith, hope, and discipline enable you to follow through to completion."

"The door of a balanced success opens widest on the hinges of hope and encouragement."

It is Spring time. Is now the right time to buy home? Even though there is so much fear in the market right now?

One way to determine whether the time may be right for you to consider buying a home is to start looking at the rents in your community. When paying for a full mortgage begins to equal or fall lower than rental rates, the market is typically near the bottom, and you should see housing begin to stabilize.

In many parts of the country, we have already seen this occur. According to the National Association of Realtors, median home prices nationally fell 15.5% in February from the previous year. The median price, not the average price, represents the market price for a given period of time where half the homes sold for higher and half sold for less.

While the general media would lead you to believe that the sky is falling, things may not be as bad as they seem. It simply makes more sense to own right now than to rent in many communities.

For first-time home buyers, it makes even more sense to buy right now. Not only are home prices lower than they have been in the last five years, mortgage interest rates are near historical lows.

To add to this advantage, the government is offering first-time buyers (anyone who hasn't owned a home in the last three years) a temporary tax credit of up to $8,000 that doesn't have to be paid back. What's great about this credit is one can even amend their 2008 tax return to recapture the credit this year, which means they don't have to wait until next April to get their money.

A number of different factors, including households resulting from divorce, "echo boomers" becoming adults, and a continued increase in immigration could lead to an increase in demand for housing in the near future.

The Greater the Need, The Higher the Price. The more you want or need something, the more you are willing to pay for it. It's simple economics.

Take housing, for instance. Inventories are up, fewer people are buying today as compared to a few years ago, and prices have declined. As prices decline, builders build fewer homes.

With multiple-year declines in new construction, this simply means that as more people come into the market to buy a home, there will be fewer homes from which to choose, and prices will be forced higher.

No one can time the market perfectly and find the exact bottom. But even if you don't, it's okay. Interest rates are at their lowest in decades, home prices are extremely low, and this combination yields the greatest increase to home affordability in years.

It is a new week and many things to do at the newly remodeled Covington Libray. Why not take advantage of these free events. Take your children to the Library, because it is story time.

Take advantage of a beginners computer class to learn to use Microsoft Word or improve your English for the non-English Speakers.

Wee Ones Story Times
Event Type: Children's Story Times
Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Start Time: 10:05 AM
Library: Covington Library
Description: Newborn through prewalkers with adult
Enjoy bouncy rhymes, familiar songs and a wee bit of story in this 20-minute session. A fun way to bond with your baby through books.
Age(s): Children & Families
Other: Story Time will be held in the Story Time room.

Young Toddler Story Times
Event Type: Children's Story Times
Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Start Time: 10:45 AM
Library: Covington Library
Description: For walking babies/young toddlers (or waddlers) up to 24 months with adult
Enjoy bouncy rhymes, familiar songs and a wee bit of story in this 20-minute session. A fun way to start your child on the...
Age(s): Children & Families
Other: Held in the Story Time room.

Pajamarama Story Time
Event Type: Children's Story Times
Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Start Time: 7:00 PM
Library: Covington Library
Description: All ages welcome. Children are invited to come in their jammies to enjoy stories, songs and activities that build language skills.
Age(s): Children & Families

Game On!
Event Type: Teen Programs/Games
Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Start Time: 4:00 PM
Library: Covington Library
Description: Play videogames at the library! We have a Wii, a PS2, Xbox 360s, GameCubes and tons of great games. Just show up and play. It's free!
Age(s): Teens

Toddler Tales Story Time
Event Type: Children's Story Times
Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Start Time: 10:05 AM
Library: Covington Library
Description: Ages 2 to 3 with adult
Nurture a love of books as you and your toddler enjoy reading, rhymes, songs and movement activities.
Age(s): Children & Families

Preschool Pizzazz Story Time
Event Type: Children's Story Times
Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Start Time: 10:45 AM
Library: Covington Library
Description: Ages 4 to 6 with adult, younger siblings welcome
Help your preschooler get ready to read! Enjoy stories, songs and activities that build language skills.
Age(s): Children & Families

Spanish/English Story Time
Event Type: Children's Story Times
Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Start Time: 7:00 PM
Library: Covington Library
Description: Everyone welcome, children must be accompanied by adult
Join us for stories, songs, rhymes and activities in Spanish and English.
Age(s): Children & Families
Other: Registration not required.

Microsoft Word I
Event Type: Computer Classes
Date: Thursday, April 16, 2009
Start Time: 1:00 PM
Library: Covington Library
Description: Learn basic skills for entering, correcting and revising text on a computer. Requires basic computer skills, use of a keyboard and mouse.
Age(s): Adults

Young Readers Brunch Book Bunch
Event Type: Children's Programs NOT Story Times
Date: Saturday, April 18, 2009
Start Time: 10:00 AM
Library: Covington Library
Description: Grades 1 to 3, adult partner welcome
Covington's kids book group will read and talk about books while we munch a mid-morning snack! Snack is provided but you may bring your own if you wish. Our boo...
Age(s): Children & Families
Other: Book group meets monthly. Sponsored by the Friends of the Covington Library

Super Saturdays Story Time
Event Type: Children's Story Times
Date: Saturday, April 18, 2009
Start Time: 3:00 PM
Library: Covington Library
Description: All ages welcome
Enjoy stories, songs and activities that tickle the imagination.
Age(s): Children & Families

Talk Time
Event Type: Talk Time
Date: Monday, April 20, 2009
Start Time: 10:30 AM
Library: Covington Library
Description: Free conversation class to improve basic English. Meet people from around the world and learn about American culture.
Age(s): Adults
Other: Registration not required.