Dupont, WA

The city of DuPont as we know it today is a thriving community, but did you know about its explosive history?

In 1906, DuPont was the location of the Powder Works Explosive factory where dynamite was produced up until 1976. Factory workers made this “Village” their home. The Village in DuPont is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and remains the only company town in Washington State with most of its 110 historic homes intact.

In 1994, Northwest Landing, a master planned community, was developed on 3,200 acres. There are 50 acres of parks. Trails, sidewalks and bike lanes make it enjoyable to get out and enjoy this particular beautiful sunny day. And you can leave the car at home as the city center of DuPont offers shopping, restaurants and other services within close proximity.

Many residents appreciate its location to Joint-Base Lewis McChord, and the proximity between Olympia and Tacoma as it offers an easy commute. If you are a golfer, you’ll enjoy two golf courses with views of the Olympic mountain range, Mount Rainier, and Puget Sound.

If you’d like to make this dynamite town Dupont your home, call me today.

To read the 2011 year-end real estate market report, click here.

Visit www.DupontMuseum.com and www.ci.dupont.wa.us.

About Northwest Landing in Dupont, WA

Northwest Landing in Dupont, WA is located just minutes from Joint-Base Lewis McChord (JBLM) on the west side of Interstate 5.

Northwest Landing is still expanding and growing, and when fully built out, there will be approximately 12,000 homes. The residential section of Northwest Landing consists of single family homes, condos, townhomes as well as rental apartments and 55+ housing.

While Northwest Landing is a large community, the design of the neighborhood was carefully planned to create continuity and promote green living. With an extensive system of sidewalks, bike lanes and walking trails, Northwest Landing encourages leaving the car at home when visiting the city center with amenities such as shopping, restaurants, and other services.

Some of the design elements you’ll notice in Northwest Landing are:

• Streets are narrow to slow traffic and make pedestrian crossing easier.
• Many homes have front porches with garages in alleys so cars won’t hit pedestrians while backing out.
• Multifamily housing is designed to look like the single family homes, and blends in with the neighborhood.

Real Estate Update

The good news about the real estate market in Northwest Landing in Dupont is the average home price has remained stronger than the rest of Pierce County. From the peak in 2008 to 2011, Northwest Landing home values saw an average decrease of 14% compared to Pierce County (during the same period), which saw average home prices drop 26%.

This chart includes all home sales – single family homes, townhomes, and new construction.

2012 Real Estate Market Prediction for Northwest Landing?

Northwest Landing in Dupont is still expanding with new construction of single family homes, townhomes and condos. Right now, new construction is a popular choice for home buyers. This neighborhood will continue to have a strong draw for buyers, especially military buyers, due to its excellent location to JBLM as well as it is a mid-point for commuters who need to get to Olympia or Tacoma.

My prediction is home values will see a slight increase for 2012 in this area. I don’t anticipate any future downsizing in the military ranks to affect JBLM nor the housing market in Northwest Landing.

(All data compiled from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service. Data is deemed accurate but not guaranteed.)

Interested in living in Northwest Landing? Call me today to find your next home. In the meantime, check out the current homes for sale.

The last time I checked we still had a leash law here in DuPont Washington. So if we have a leash law, why do I find piles of dog pooh on the front lawns of so many of the fine homes we have for sale?

Something we must face, if we take our dogs for a walk, is they may relieve themselves along the way. I am always prepared when I walk my dog for what may happen. Why do you take your dog for a walk and let him do this to your neighbor.

Your poor neighbor is trying to sell his house and the first thing that "would be" buyer sees is your dog's calling card. What kind of first impression does this give your neighborhood and DuPont in general.

Someday, you're going to want top dollar for your house in DuPont's NW Landing and just think how you would feel if your front yard looked like this.

Please clean up after your pet!

This post was authored and picture was taken by Paul Henderson. ©2011, All Rights Reserved, This content may not be reproduced or reprinted (Except for ActiveRain Re-blogging) without express written permission of Paul Henderson, RE/MAX Professionals, Tacoma, WA.

March/April 2011 Active Condo Listings
Price Range Quantity Average DOM (Days on Market)
$140,000 thru $159,999 1 08
$160,000 thru $179,999 2 49
$180,000 thru $199,999 6 110
9 85
Summary Price Information
Minimum $149,990 Maximum $199,999
Average $182,060 Median $184,900



March/April 2011 Pending Condo Listings
Price Range Quantity Average DOM
$140,000 thru $159,999 1 79
$160,000 thru $179,999 2 82

3 81

Summary Price Information
Minimum $146,400 Maximum $169,990
Average $161,963 Median $169,500


March/April 2011 Sold Condo Listings
Price Range Quantity Average DOM
$160,000 thru $179,999 1 116
1 116
Summary Price Information
Minimum $179,950 Maximum $179,950
Average $179,950 Median $179,950

(Statistics provided by the NWMLS)

This post was authored and the picture was taken by Paul Henderson. ©2011, All Rights Reserved, This content may not be reproduced or reprinted (Except for ActiveRain Re-blogging)
without express written permission of Paul Henderson, RE/MAX Professionals, Tacoma, WA.

How much is my lily pad worth?

I am still amazed how many people call up and ask for a price estimate on their house sight unseen. I do not incorporate a crystal ball in my business and there are so many variables to price a house over the phone. But I still get these phone calls wanting, you guessed it, instant gratification.

So I thought I would take it down to the simplest of terms, the fairy tale. When you look at a pond of lily pads, you see all shapes, colors, and condition of plant life. Is your lily pad, in the middle group (downtown) or are you at the edge (suburbs). You have to know what neighborhood the lily pad is in.

The next thing I like to know is how old your lily pad is and how fresh it is.

1. Has it been taken care of?
   
2. Does a neighbor have a bullfrog the croaks all day and night long?
   
3. Do the lily pads next to yours show pride in ownership?

If I have never been in the lily pad or pond, I can't give you a good estimate of what your home lily pad is worth. Even though I may have sold several homes lily pads in your pond, without being able to look personally at your lily pad I can not give you an educated value as to what your home lily pad will sell for.

So, how many of you would like to put a price on something sight unseen and then be held to that price in future talks and negotiation? If I can see it, I have the resources to give my clients a great price range, the highest and lowest sold prices and the market prices of the active listings and their neighborhood.

All I ask is I be able to see what I am pricing…

This post was authored by Paul Henderson. ©2011, All Rights Reserved, This
content may not be reproduced or reprinted (Except for ActiveRain Re-blogging)
without express written permission of Paul Henderson, RE/MAX Professionals, Tacoma, WA.