About Belfair's Hood Canal

On the second weekend in August, the North Mason community gathers together to celebrate the Taste of Hood Canal. This event combines a host of mouth-watering food booths, wine-tasting, vendors, a chain-saw carving exhibition, live music, entertainers and vintage cars realtors booth. In addition, there are exhibits focusing on the nature of Hood Canal, with hands-on activities for young and old.

This year, the event will take place on Saturday, August 9 from 10am to 4pm on Clifton Lane in the heart of downtown Belfair. Clifton Lane will be closed to normal traffic during those hours.

Festival-goers will want to bring their appetites, as the "Taste" will feature fresh grilled oysters, steamed clams and mussels, Guatemalan chicken tamales, strawberry shortcake and much more.

See ya there.

www.daryldatus.com

Just what I needed, blue skies and clear view of the Hood Canal.

Family friends and a good cup of coffee!!

With the buyers credit over, and moving towards summer, its a beautiful day in the northwest.

Staying positive and looking to the future helps with my out look, so many Realtors have the ho hum drum syndrome, that well its good to reflect and say " today is a good day!"

www.daryldatus.com

Things as you go thru buying process to ask yourself-

1. Does the home include the most important things on the list?
   
2. What qualities made the house you chose stand out from the others you looked at?
   
3. Did you find many houses that met your needs or was this one a rarity?
   
4. If you can back out of the contract, is it realistic to think you will find a house that's "better?"
   
5. What was special about the house just a few days ago and how has it changed--really changed?

Analyzing the facts that lead you to the home will help you sort out your feelings about the contract. Was it truly a poor choice or would you be nervous moving forward on any house?

Happy shoping!!!!!!!!

www.daryldatus.com

For buyers and sellers who are new to the garage sale scene, here are some tips:

What to know if you're selling
-Price low. That should be the goal if you want to get rid of stuff. For pricing guidelines, visit thrift stores, not eBay.
-Heed the signs. Keep signs on every other block and every corner where a turn is required in the city (a half-mile apart along longer stretches in the suburbs). Make sure the address and sale dates are large and easily readable. Add balloons to attract the eye.
-Sell with others. Doing it alone is too much work.
-Sell to early birds, but charge extra, say a $10 "tax" for a purchase. Keep it short. Make the sale one or two, but not three, days.
-Promote yourself. Advertise as much as you can in the newspaper and on Craigslist, Facebook and bulletin boards.
-Cut prices. Advertise that on the last day or last afternoon, everything is half-price.
-Offer details. Be specific about sale items in an ad, such as a leaf blower, musical instruments or furniture.
-Be friendly. Greet everyone who comes to the sale.
-Group small items and sell everything for $1 or more to eliminate coins.
-Plan ahead. Take the spring and summer to collect, price and box items to sell in the fall.
-Choose the best hours- 8 a.m. to noon on Thursday and Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.
-Donate leftovers. Call ahead to have charities pick up what's unsold.

What to know if you're buying
-Don't bring your purse. Leave it in the trunk. Keep quarters, ones and fives in a pants pocket or jacket.
-Cruise around. Check good neighborhoods for better quality goods, but haggle if prices are too high.
-Shop later. Browse in the late afternoon or on the last day for the best bargains. Any offer is fair near closing time.
-Play it safe. Skip cribs, mattresses, car seats and hockey helmets due to possible safety concerns.
-Set limits. If you're concerned about overbuying, commit to limits on spending or the number of items.
-Leave your card. Ask to be called if an item remains unsold and the seller is willing to accept your price.

Hood Canal & Puget Sound Waterfront Homes for Sale~Market Report for January 2010 through March 25, 2010

It is definitely nice to say goodby to winter and hello to spring and summer all around!

It was an interesting winter along the Hood Canal & Puget Sound! Things are starting to come to life along the waterfront as spring blossoms. Buyers are starting to peak their heads out and into some of the homes for sale along the North Shore, South Shore of Hood Canal as well as Case Inlet/Puget Sound, summer is surely around the corner!

A drive along the South Shore of Hood Canal, the North Shore of Hood Canal and Case Inlet/Puget Sound will refresh your memory of the beauty and pristine waters and homes for sale along the water along with the ever-changing scenery that goes along with the change of the tides.

Let's take a look at what has been happening since the beginning of 2010 with homes for sale along the Hood Canal and Puget Sound Waterfront.

Between all three shores, South Shore Hood Canal, North Shore Hood Canal and the Puget Sound/Case Inlet area, there are a total of 37 homes for sale along the Hood Canal & Puget Sound/Case Inlet. This will more than likely start to increase as we move full swing into spring and summer - our waterfront season. There are some really good values on Hood Canal & Puget Sound Waterfront homes for sale.

Homes currently for sale along the Hood Canal and Puget Sound as active listings : 37 -This stayed a fairly consistent number throughout the winter months.

• The average price of these homes : $763,199 (there are so many choices in so many price ranges this number is high because of (3) million $ plus homes for sale) and one home that was listed at $849,000 sold as well). There are 16 waterfront homes for sale under $500,000 and the rest vary on up to $5,995,000.00
• Average dollars per square foot : $364.48
• Average Days on the market : 380

So as you can see there are a lot of choices in a lot of price ranges!

Homes for sale that are currently Pending along the Hood Canal and Puget Sound : 3-not a strong number but I suppose not bad considering the economy, the market and it being winter.

These are waterfront homes that currently have offers on them and are going through the closing process.

• The average price for the pending waterfront homes for sale is : $484,333 with an
• Average dollar per square foot of $405.32
• Average days on the market : 194

Waterfront Homes for sale that sold from January 1, 2010 through March 25, 2010 = three (3); two along the North Shore and one on Case Inlet/Puget Sound.

• Average price: $533,300
• Average Days on the market : 322 ( wow almost a year n the market;although the one on Case Inlet/Puget Sound definitely beat that number at 104; it definitely pays to be priced right!
• Average dollars per square foot : $392.34
• Selling Price % to List Price : 88.94 (Representative of a buyers market and seller concessions).

That's it for now! We're looking forwardto keeping a steady pace of homes for sale along as spring moseys along at a hopefully steady clip. Tis the season - to get ready for SUMMERTIME FUN!!There are some great homes for sale along the shores of Hood Canal and Puget Sound/Case Inlet!!

Previous months' market reports for the Hood Canal and Puget Sound/Case Inlet area.