About Benton County, WA

Many retirees, when preparing for the beginning of the next phase of their lives, begin the process of retirement by deciding where they will live. Do they want to stay where they've had their careers, near established friends, close to the kids and grandkids or move closer to them? Is temperate climate important, or do they plan on travelling a lot?

For many, the most important question really falls to one. How do we stretch our budget to last the rest of our sunset years?

If the last question is the most important, yet you don't want to settle for a one-bedroom walkup in a mid-west suburb, then the latest issue of US News and World Report is a good guide. This issue offers the report "10 Affordable Places to Retire on the Water" and the Tri City Home Team is pleased once again to find a national periodical that touts our area in a top ten list. Affordability is one thing, but quality of life has to be a part of the equation when decided where to relocate- whether it is for a new job or retirement.

When the article above discusses water element, it mentions Columbia River Journeys and the Hanford Reach National Monument jet-boat tour. This is one of many activities centered around our area's "three rivers" (another much-used moniker for our area). The Yakima and Snake rivers all terminate into the Columbia river here at the Tri Cities.

The area is a bee-hive of aquatic activity. Boating for pleasure with friends and family, water skiing and wakeboarding, kayaking and canoeing, fishing for steelhead or bass, or just strolling along the walk and bike trail (one of the longest contiguous trails in the US) along the Columbia are other activities enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.

Since the Tri Cities of Washington enjoy an average of over 300 days per year of sunshine, these activities are enjoyed much of the year.

When our area's amenities are combined with the low cost of living, it's pretty easy to see why we've become a real mecca for retirees. It only follows that national magazines are constantly pointing this out, year after year.

For more information about our wonderful Tri Cities WA of Richland, Kennewick & Pasco, please contact me at the Tri City Home Team! I love it here...

A few days ago CNN posted an article about the decline of housing values nation wide. However, 33 metro areas were noted as posting gains. Among the 33 areas, CNN noted one area in particular:

"The biggest winner will be the Kennewick, Washington metro area, where home prices have ramped up 8.9% over the past three years and are expected to increase another 3.4% by June 2010."

As a Kennewick Wa Realtor®, we know all too well how well the housing market is doing. If needing a family operated, service oriented Kennewick real estate company, call us! We would love to be at your service. Originally posted at Kennewick real estate.

The wine industry in the wonderful Tri-Cities has significantly boomed over the past few decades. And there are still many other wineries proliferating in different portions of the state.

This is mainly contributed by the area’s suitable climate and abundant water supply from the surrounding rivers. Nearly one third of the state’s vineyards are located within the wonderful Columbia Valley which is federally recognized as an American Viticultural Area.

Just along the stretch, you will find numerous luxurious communities which serve as a fine retreat for all wine enthusiasts. If you’re thinking of relocating, the Tri-Cities is definitely a great option. Originally posted at Tri Cities Wa Wine Country.

If you are consider purchasing Wine Country Properties in the Tri Cities, let us help!

Loan Modification Richland, Kennewick, Pasco, Washington

Richland, Kennewick, and Pasco, Washington homeowners have witnessed the value of their homes fall, often times to less than what they owe on their mortgage loan. In addition, the average income has dwindled to make mortgage payments often impossible to afford. As interest rates rise with adjustable rates jumping to high fixed rates, and home values continue to plummet, refinancing is no longer an option for many borrowers. Coincidentally, most borrowers are finding that their only hope is to modify their mortgage with a home loan modification.

President Obama’s home loan modification program, created to help you save your home and avoid foreclosure, is a government program that was designed to allow every American home owner to access the current low mortgage interest rates. Homeowners can immediately determine what your current mortgage debt-to-income is and how much your monthly payment may be reduced if you qualify for Obama's Loan Modification Program.

Most Washington homeowners now qualify for hundreds of dollars in monthly savings with a loan modification under the Obama administration’s “Making Home Affordable” plan. Thanks to the HAMP program, a homeowner’s mortgage payment cannot exceed 31% of their gross income, and because most home loans exceed 31%, the majority of borrowers are eligible for assistance.

Loan Modification:

• Lowers the homeowner's monthly payments;
• Lowers the loan's interest rate;
• Swaps a rising adjustable rate for an affordable fixed rate;
• Reduces the principle balance of the property;
• Corrects payment delinquencies and defaults;
• Adjusts the length of the loan terms
• Or any combination of the above!

Once a borrower has let their home go into foreclosure, it can take at least 10 years for them to recover financially. For many who are now unable to buy anything on credit for a decade, this has become one of the worst financial decisions of their life. Even after the foreclosure is removed from their financial history, borrowers acquiring an affordable rate will be even more difficult. Often times, it is better for the borrower to default on their loan payments and credit cards than to go into foreclosure.

Keeping all of this in mind, homeowners are scrambling to avoid foreclosure with the help of a modified home loan. Mortgage loan modification allows you to lower your monthly payments, lower your interest, lower your principal, adjust the term of the loan, or any combination of these. Your home is the greatest financial commitment you are going to make in your life, and acquiring secure and successful mortgage mitigation.

Eligible Richland, Kennewick, and Pasco, Washington homeowners now suffering through financial hardships such as credit card debts, loss in income, unemployment, a bad mortgage, or other financial circumstances, can get approved for a 4% mortgage refinancing and modification plan under President Obama’s “Making Home Affordable” plan.

A loan modification can get homeowners lowered interest rates which can prevent you from being foreclosed on, help those in the foreclosure process, and prevent mortgage defaults by saving hundreds of dollars per month on your home loan payments. Even borrowers who have been denied a refinancing or home loan modification in the past have been having success with Obama’s mortgage refinance bailout plan.

Richland, Kennewick, and Pasco, Washington homeowners will be able to save millions by getting a home loan modification or mortgage refinance using President Obama’s “Making Home Affordable” plan. Any homeowner facing foreclosure, or who is about to be facing foreclosure, should immediately begin exploring all the options available, including new government programs designed to help you get a successful loan modification and save your home.

Harvest Fest “Un-Boat” Rally – Saturday, September 19, 2009 Float down a portion of the Yakima River in a homemade unpowered craft, “un-boats”. Registration forms are available at the Chamber office along with the official rules for the captain and crew members. Registration deadline is September 17, 2009.

Harvest Festival – Saturday, September 19, 2009 (11:00am – 4:00pm) Where: Flat Top Park, off Bombing Range Road and Van Giesen Avenue in West Richland Wa. On behalf of the Red Mountain Lion’s Club if you would like to promote your organization or business at this event please contact Darrell Toombs at 967-8000 or wrmgr@yokesfoods.com. Registration forms are also available at the Chamber office, registration deadline is September 10, 2009. The yearly event features music, a karate demonstration, a classic car show and myriad dance exhibitions.

New to the Harvest Festival is a Classic Car Show which will offer a Show & Shine from 1:00pm – 3:00pm (no cost), Poker Run from 3:00pm – 5:00pm ($10), BBQ Dinner at The Sandberg Event Center from 5:00pm – 7:00pm ($15 per couple or $10 single). Registration forms are available at the West Richland Chamber office.

~ Colleen & Joe Lane
Co-Owners, Broker, Realtors®
The Lane Real Estate Team
509.438.9344
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"We work and play in West Richland and love every minute of it!"
Originally posted at Harvest Festival, West Richland Washington.