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Sandy Nelson Realtor® Olympia Real Estate

Olympia - A city is as unique as the people who live in it.

Olympia is a quirky town. You'll encounter cars with expressive bumper stickers, unique houses and interesting public art.

In Olympia it's okay to be expressive, unique and to stick out. Diversity is welcome and is encountered everywhere. That's what makes Olympia so welcoming and interesting. One example is this car that I keep seeing in different places across town. I can't help but smile whenever I come across it in a parking lot, or see it pass me on the street.

It literally screams "happy" and "fun". I just wonder how it holds up in a car wash.

Sandy Nelson
Olympia Realtor®, GRI, ASP, Built Green
360-789-7505
www.SandyNelsonRealEstate.com

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All the real estate information on the Internet can not compare to the real time, on-the-ground expertise of a local, skilled Realtor ®. Among all the South Sound real estate resources available, the most powerful tool is my phone number.
Planning a home purchase or the sale of your home will be much more enjoyable when you work with a friendly and knowledgeable professional. I'm dedicated to helping you make informed decisions and providing you with exceptional skill and service.

Briggs Village - Olympia's Urban Village

The location of the Briggs Village master planned community is a prime spot close to all the conveniences. Residents can walk or bike to Pioneer Park and enjoy inner tubing on the Deschutes river, or walk their dog at Watershed Park. Children can walk to the various schools' sports fields and playgrounds or take a swim in Ward Lake across the street. The Briggs YMCA, attached to the community, offers two swimming pools, a weight room and youth activity center. As if two supermarkets just a few miles down either side of Yelm Highway weren't enough, Briggs Village will have its own new Thriftway supermarket built soon.

Located on over 130 acres, Briggs Village will consist of single family homes, condominiums, town homes, duplexes and a residence for seniors. The village will have a town square and a commercial and retail district, complete with shops and cafes. It will offer plenty of open spaces, walking trails and an arboretum. Upon completion, the community will be comprised of single family homes, town homes, condominiums, lofts, duplexes and senior living.

Several of the single family residences have been built and most of the streets have been put in. Due to a recent foreclosure of one of the local builders, the bank is now selling these fully developed building lots to individual buyers at prices starting around $69,000.

Olympia does not have an abundance of developed vacant land lots, so these parcels are a great opportunity to live close to town, good schools and all the amenities.

I'm excited about the Urban Village concept and look forward to watching it develop.

Sandy Nelson
Olympia Realtor®, GRI, ASP, Built Green
360-789-7505
www.SandyNelsonRealEstate.com

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

All the real estate information on the Internet can not compare to the real time, on-the-ground expertise of a local, skilled Realtor ®. Among all the South Sound real estate resources available, the most powerful tool is my phone number.
Planning a home purchase or the sale of your home will be much more enjoyable when you work with a friendly and knowledgeable professional. I'm dedicated to helping you make informed decisions and providing you with exceptional skill and service.

Are there any funny looking homes in your neighborhood? Part One

Every town and community has some unique homes that just stand out (no, I'm not talking about dilapidated tear-downs).

I'm talking about structures that are unusual and over the top.

These buildings will make you do a double-take:

I don't know what these houses do for neighborhood home values, but they sure are sign of creativity, spunk and fun to look at.

More funny houses to follow soon.

Sandy Nelson
Olympia Realtor
Broker, GRI, ASP
www.SandyNelsonRealEstate.com

Olympia Trader Joe's Update

Signs are finally showing that Trader Joe's is actually coming to Olympia. No, I have not heard a ship's bell ringing yet, or seen a bunch of hip people in Hawaiian shirts, but I did recently notice the construction work under way.

The old "The Good Guys" store is being remodeled to make room for Olympia's Trader Joe's store on Black Lake Boulevard. It should open for business sometime in the third quarter of 2009.

The Trader Joe's website has the Olympia store already listed:

With the boating supply store in the same building going out of business, it's good to see new businesses filling the empty spaces. My suggestion for filling the boating store space is a Panera bakery. In my opinion, Panera Bread and Trader Joe's go perfectly together.

Sandy Nelson
Olympia Realtor®, GRI, ASP, Built Green
360-789-7505
www.SandyNelsonRealEstate.com

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

All the real estate information on the Internet can not compare to the real time, on-the-ground expertise of a local, skilled Realtor ®. Among all the South Sound real estate resources available, the most powerful tool is my phone number.
Planning a home purchase or the sale of your home will be much more enjoyable when you work with a friendly and knowledgeable professional. I'm dedicated to helping you make informed decisions and providing you with exceptional skill and service.

Questions and Answers about Mortgage Modification

Why would banks want to modify their mortgage terms?

Loan modification will improve the value of distressed mortgages through achieving long-term sustainable cash flow for the lender that exceeds the estimated costs of foreclosure.

What are the expected benefits for Borrowers?

Loan modification will allow borrowers to keep their homes as long as they are able to make the adjusted mortgage payments. It will also provide immediate payment relief and stable mortgage rates.

How is the affordability achieved?

Affordable payments are achieved through mortgage term extensions, interest rate reduction, and, or principal forbearance.

Who is eligible for loan modification?

  • Borrowers with loans that are at least 60 days delinquent where the loan is considered one day delinquent on the day following the next payment due date.
  • Borrowers who are not currently in bankruptcy, or have not been discharged from Chapter 7 bankruptcy since the loan was originated.
  • Borrowers whose mortgages have originated on or before January 1, 2009.
  • Home owners who occupy the home they're delinquent on as a primary residence.
  • Owners of single family 1-4 unit properties.
  • First lien loans must have an unpaid principal balance of equal of less than $729,750 for a one unit residence, $934,200 for a two unit residence, $1,129,250 for a three unit residence and $1,403,400 for a four unit residence.

What does the process look like?

After eligibility is determined, the lender will calculate an affordable payment by looking at the borrower's income and debt. The lender will then determine the best strategy of achieving affordability through either interest rate reduction, mortgage term extension, and, or debt forgiveness. The lender will then verify that the modification will achieve a positive economic scenario for the investor. A modification offer will be drafted that will state the new payments and terms of the loan.

What is the first thing a delinquent borrower should do?

Contact your lender and ask for a loan modification application.

Keep in mind that this program is new and that guidelines and requirements may change. Even if you don't think you qualify for the program, don't count yourself out. Lenders may make exceptions.

For more information check the official loan modification guidelines at http://www.ustreas.gov/press/releases/reports/modification_program_guidelines.pdf

Sandy Nelson
Olympia Realtor®, GRI, ASP, Built Green
360-789-7505
www.SandyNelsonRealEstate.com

All the real estate information on the Internet can not compare to the real time, on-the-ground expertise of a local, skilled Realtor ®. Among all the South Sound real estate resources available, the most powerful tool is my phone number.