Shelton, WA

There are 27 days remaining to take advantage of the first time home buyer tax credit and this doesn't take into account weekends.

If a first time home buyer were to meet with us by November 11th, 2009, we can still close their purchase in time as long as they provide their information in full and provide all documentation up front.

This would mean the borrower must provide the following documentation on day one:

• Copy of Identification (driver license/state issued id, military id and social security card if needed)
• 2-months account statement for all asset accounts that funds to pay closing costs and/or down payment will come from. (all pages)
• Tax returns with W2s for most recent 2 years (all pages)
• Most recent pay stubs covering last 30 days
• Names and addresses of each employer for the most recent 2 years of employment
• Landlord contact information for the past 2 years

Additional items will be required depending on the circumstance:

• Bankruptcy
  • Copy of Bankruptcy papers (all pages)
• Paying/receiving child support and/or spousal support
  • Copy of child support order and/or spousal support order
• Receiving disability income
  • Copy of award letter

There may be other items needed and that will be discovered at the time of the interview.

The need for these items up front is to identify any potential obstacles that could delay a speedy closing and to ensure a solid approval.

NOTE: There are some loan programs that cannot close quickly enough to meet the November 30th deadline, but most can and those are the programs that we are speaking of.

Our goal is to close the transaction as quickly as possible so you or your referral can take advantage of the first time home buyer tax credit.

Call today or complete an application while you are visiting my website.

I want to Fly

To drift through the air. The wind choosing my direction as my heart finds my destiny.

Above me the glorious sun and far below me the thoughts of yesterday.

To look beyond my time into the whole of eternity.

Living for a moment my dream of freedom. Untethered to the course of mankind.

To Fall with grace until my feet find the hard earth once again.

Touching the clouds and watching the sun etch the rounded horizon from memory.

This is my day. This is my time and this is my unstolen moment.

My wife and I recently moved back to Island Lake in Shelton, Washington after moving away 2-1/2 years ago. We had always beat ourselves up for selling our home and moving away and we are so happy to be back.

It's been great becoming reacquainted with the surroundings and seeing what has changed or not changed.

Last night we drove downtown and found that a store we had been a patron of was no longer in business but had been replaced by the Mason County Habitat for Humanity reclamation store. If you have never been, it's a must see for any "do-it-yourselfer". Even if you don't want to take on any projects they have much more than you would expect. We saw books, furniture, lamps and more. What a fantastic place to rummage through.

I had also noticed that Lumberman's is now Pro Build. I believe that transitioned a while ago, but we've been gone so it was new to us.

Island Lake is absolutely beautiful and is perfectly sized. 109+/- acres and at it's deepest, 30 feet deep, give or take a foot or two. In the summer the water is at a perfect temperature for swimming. If you like kayaking, you can go along the shores edge get a nice workout while looking at the beautiful homes (some even have For Sale signs). The bass and trout are plenty and the people that live on the lake are fantastic and very friendly.

You should become acquainted with Island Lake too! It's a great place to live.

Mason County Real Estate Market Report for July16 through July 31 2009 reports 70 Total Closed Sales in the amount of $12,993,555. The Shelton district lead the sales count with 24 closed sales in the amount of $4,117,221 followed by the north end of the county with 23 sales totaling $4,512,484. On the Westside of the County in Hoodsport and Union 12 sales closed in the amount of $2,452,900. Hartstene/Agate area posted 11 closed sales in the amount of $1,910,950.

Single Family Resale's, on less than 5 acres, accounted for 32 of the sales. Three New Single Family homes sold and 1 Resale of a single home on more than 5 acres sold

There was 1 Multi-Family Unit sold. No Commercial property or Condominiums were sold.

Land with a Mobile posted 10 sales and 13 platted lots were recorded as sold. Short plats posted 7 sales and 3 unplatted parcels sold.

The highest sold price for a Single Family Resale, during this period, was recorded at $600,000 for a waterfront property in the Lilliwaup area. The lowest price homes sold in the $80,000-$99,999 range. A large parcel of forest land sold for $908,354.

The average price for Single Family Resale's was $235,859 with a Median price of $222,500. Sold Lots averaged $40,195.

There were 186 Loans taken out in the amount of $35,728,160. The average conventional 30-year loan rate was 5.02%

Everyone likes to complain bout taxes. Yes? (Who said No! Now is the day for you to get a job and start paying them.)

My question:

How many people really do something about taxes? Who can say "I made a Stand!" "I let my voice be heard!"

And who can say "I did it with grace, humor and I respected my fellow human."

I have no clue...

I don't even know if it is possible.

(In fact, if you start talking taxes at me I am likely to cringe in horror, my eyebrow will raise, I will slowly start backing away and will make a really clumsy excuse to leave the conversation area.)

But that is beside the point. Actually, all those questions are rhetorical. I don't actually care.

My POINT was that I needed to go blah-blah-blah for a bit so I could post this picture:

I hope it made you smile :)

If you would like to see if in real life, you will need to visit Shelton Washington and have a scoop of ice cream at this place:

The Olympic Station Deli, sister shop to the Olympic Bakery near Spencer Lake.

This newish location is on Hwy 3, right in downtown Shelton.

I recommend the always amazing and delicious Olympic Mountain Ice Cream

This is the same amazing, foodgasm inducing treat I went on & on about at this other blog post.

TMI?

And don't forget to have a cup of coffee, maybe a fresh rugelach. You will definitely need to pick up some freshly baked sourdough rye. And maybe an eclair for the road?

And of course a laugh at the 6 foot tall pig.

Because no matter your political leanings, it sure strikes a certain note.

And all we can really do is grin and bear it :)