Featured Home: Immaculate Lacey Rambler

Lacey, Washington

Home features 2 suites plus den with French doors. Big, bright and open floor plan in lovely neighborhood. Large great room with stone fireplace, high ceilings, dining area and lovely kitchen w/lots of counter space & ample nook plus desk area for computer.

Guest suite with access to full bath, spacious master suite with walk-in closet and beautiful private bath.

Lovely, well groomed yard with wonderful landscaping and nice sized patio. Garage with storage, all appliances stay. MLS # 60366.

For more information or to see home, contact:

Kim Rucker, 360-481-1863
Roberta Rudnick, 360-791-0688

Prudential Olympia, REALTORS®

2630 Martin Way
Olympia, WA 98506

Buyer's Market?

For the fourth consecutive month, Thurston County home sales fell more than 20 percent on a year-over-year basis in March, the Northwest Multiple Listing Service reported today.

And while Thurston County homes prices largely have remained steady compared to other Western Washington counties, they rose a scant .01 percent in March from the same period last year, the data show.

In March, combined sales of single-family residences and condominiums fell 20.9 percent to 314 units from 397 units last March. Combined median prices increased .01 percent to $249,925 from $249,900, the listing service reported.

Total closed sales in March fell to 314, down from 397 for Thurston County in March 2007. New listings in March were also down, to 626 from 720 a year ago.

Now Is A Great Time To Buy A Home

If you’re ready to buy a home and can afford it, now is a great time to buy. Mortgage interest rates remain very low. In many areas, buyers have a lot of inventory from which to choose and long-term homeownership continues to be one of the best ways for the typical American to build wealth.

Don’t let all of the negative media attention about the “mortgage meltdown” keep you from pursuing your homeownership dream. Mortgage industry woes are primarily limited to subprime loans and other types of creative and comparatively risky financing products. While the mortgage industry stalled briefly to reconsider its more exotic loans, there is plenty of conventional financing available for qualified homebuyers. Interest rates remain at historically low levels – still less than 7% for the typical, 30-year fixed-rate mortgage.

Indeed, the market has changed. It’s gone from a frenzied seller’s market to calmer buyer’s market. In fact, buyers haven’t seen a market this strong in years. When the national median home price dropped for the first time on record, the decline made huge albeit misleading headlines. For starters, there is no such thing as a national real estate market. All real estate markets are local and driven by local factors that include the local economy, housing supply and demand factors and other attributes like geography.

The slight decline followed years of unprecedented steep home price appreciation and the reality is that only a handful of markets experienced price declines. Corrections in markets that experienced exorbitant home price appreciation were expected and signal good news for buyers. According to 2007 third-quarter National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) statistics, the vast majority of the nation’s metropolitan areas showed rising or stable home prices with most areas experiencing modest gains.

Right now there are many homes from which to choose and in most areas buyers don’t have to deal with the harried and hurried competition of multiple bids. The changing market has also changed the inventory landscape to include fewer speculative sellers and a larger share of serious and motivated sellers.

Prospective homebuyers have some time to shop inventory and thoroughly compare home types and prices, amenities, neighborhoods, commutes and other important real estate-related features. And buyers have stronger price negotiation power as sellers compete for their attention by offering concessions or other incentives.

While all real estate markets have ups and downs, Americans continue to consistently build wealth through homeownership. According to the NAR:

· One average, the value of a home doubles every 10 years. During the past three decades, home values have increased an average of 6.6% per year.

· The average homeowner today has 36 times the wealth of the average renter. Homeowners are essentially paying themselves when they pay their mortgages and this means they’re building equity. Homeowners also benefit from some real estate-related tax write-offs like mortgage interest.

· Sixty percent of the average homeowner’s wealth is their home’s equity. For homeowners who’re in their homes for the long-term, home equity typically is their single largest source of wealth.

Because every market is different, it’s a good idea for potential homebuyers to contact a local real estate specialist to learn more about what’s happening in his or her community and real estate market. The bottom line in real estate doesn’t change – if you’re ready to buy and can afford to make a long-term homeownership commitment, it’s always a good time to buy!

Prudential Olympia, REALTORS is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Featured Home: Craftsman cutie nearing completion

Charming craftsman style home in sought after Tumwater school district. Beautiful details inside and out. Exterior features shake & stone accents and front porch.

Great room with gas fireplace, open kitchen with lots of cabinets. 1/2 bath on main floor, upper level bonus area, 3 bedrooms, 5 piece master bath.

Stylish decor with rich, warm colors, painted trim, tile and more.

MLS#: 27213991
Bedrooms: 3
Baths: 2.5
Square Feet: 2012
Built in 2008
Price: $316,950

For more information or a tour, contact:
Kim Rucker
Phone: 360-481-1863
Email: kim@orcalink.com
kimberlyrucker.realtor.com

or

Roberta Rudnick
Phone: 360-791-0688
Email: robertae@orcalink.com
www.olympiahomesearch.com

Prudential Olympia, REALTORS®
2630 Martin Way
Olympia, WA 98506

Be Afraid...

Or not. But Lawrence Yun, the chief economist with the National Association of Realtors, wasn't sounding upbeat when he told the organization's national convention "We're in a time of fear."

What's so scary? This is the first year since the Great Depression to register a nationwide decline in median home prices, Yun says according to a Seattle Times story, and he expects the market to be flat throughout 2008.

Of course, the national average is just that -- an average. Local markets may be doing worse...or better. Here in Olympia, residential sales have slowed somewhat, but we're certainly not knocking on Depression's door. And a number of new projects promise to inject new life into downtown Olympia, including a new Washington State Employees Credit Union headquarters, a new City Hall, and the port development including the new Hands On Children’s Museum.

Don't Let Your Open House Become a House of Horrors

An open house can be a great marketing tool, but it also means exposing your home and family to countless strangers. Don’t assume that every person who visits your home is an earnest, potential homebuyer. It’s important to take security seriously.

Here are some common security measures that can pull double-duty, keeping you and your family safe while enhancing your home’s marketability:

• Remove personal items such as family photographs, your children’s artwork, calendars that include daily routines and other items that may reveal the names of your family members or everyday life. Removing or packing away these items will not only enhance your privacy, it will also help keep the potential homebuyer focused on your home and not your family. A house that’s been depersonalized shows better because it’s easier for the buyer to visualize living in the house.
• Identity theft is a growing problem, so be sure to remove or lock up all credit cards, bills, health insurance information and anything else that contains personal information like social security numbers and bank account numbers. Of course, this step removes clutter from your counters, maintaining visual appeal.
• Remove or lock up jewelry, cash and other valuables; firearms and other weapons; and all prescription medication.
• Make sure the house is well-lit and keep all interior and exterior walkways clear of clutter and other debris.
• After each showing, take a thorough walk-through of your house and make sure all of the doors and windows are shut and locked, and that no items or valuables are missing.

In addition to safeguarding your property and identity, there are precautions you should take to protect yourself if you are present during an open house. Ideally, your real estate professional will be representing you during the open house, so that potential home buyers feel comfortable snooping around, opening cupboards and speaking freely about the home. However, if you do find that you are in the home alone, or are selling your home on your own, consider a few tips from the pros:

• Never turn your back on a potential buyer. Instead, let the buyer lead you through the house. This allows you to watch the buyer and avoid becoming cornered or trapped.
• Employ the buddy system. If you must show the house yourself, enlist the help of family or friends. This rule is especially important if the home is located in an isolated area.
• Have a visitor roster and make sure everyone who tours your home signs it and includes their phone number and address. This will help you keep track of who is viewing your home.
• Know and have a plan for the fastest escape route for each part of your home.

The open house process is just one step toward selling your home. A real estate professional can provide you with a fresh set of eyes and will tour your home and point out safety measures you may have overlooked as well as answer other questions you may have about selling your home.

Prudential Olympia, REALTORS is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company. Equal Housing Opportunity.

How Important Is A Home Inspection?

Should a buyer get a home inspection for a home they are buying? Should a seller order a home inspection prior to putting the property on the market? There are advantages for both.

Simply put, a home inspection is a visual examination of both the physical structure and major systems of the entire home including: walls, ceilings, floors, decks, exterior covering, the roof, foundation, insulation and ventilation, plumbing, electrical, heating and air conditioning. It is not an appraisal to validate the value of a home, nor a pass/fail exam. A third-party inspector will give a report on the physical condition and suggest repairs.

Buyers
For buyers, a home inspection clause in the written offer that makes the purchase contingent upon the findings can provide peace of mind. If a serious problem is found, it allows room to renegotiate the purchase price or “opt-out” of buying the home altogether. However, this is usually uncommon. Typically, the seller will already have told the buyer about any major problems.

More often, inspections reveal less serious defects that aren’t enough to warrant backing out of the transition. However, knowing about these minor problems can prevent major disasters down the road. In addition, if specified in the inspection clause, the cost of the repairs can be at the seller’s expense.

Another advantage to having a home inspection is it offers buyers an opportunity to become familiar with their new home and learn about maintenance to help in its upkeep. Although not required, it’s recommended that buyers be present during the inspection. This allows them to observe the inspection; ask questions about the condition of the home; and receive an objective opinion.

Sellers
For sellers, conducting a home inspection (or pre-inspection) before listing their homes puts the control back into their hands.

When the buyer inspection finds problems, it can impede negotiations and cost the seller more in repairs. By having a pre-inspection, the seller can help eliminate any surprise findings after an offer has been made. The seller can make repairs before placing the home on the market and possibly even increase the value of the home.

A pre-inspection can also serve as a great marketing tool. Sellers are required by law to disclose any known defects in the home. Having a pre-inspection report available for buyers tells them that the seller has nothing to hide. It also gives them a clearer picture of the condition of the home.

If there are major problems found during the pre-inspection, it gives the seller an opportunity to disclose the condition up-front, making it less likely for the buyer to pull out of the deal or try to renegotiate the price.

Knowing the true condition of a home can bring peace of mind to buyers and sellers; and be one less hurdle in the home buying and selling process. Ask your real estate sales professional for a list of certified independent home inspectors in your area.

Prudential Olympia, REALTORS is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Featured Home: North Olympia, Panoramic Views

3100+ square foot rambler with daylight basement, panoramic views of Nisqually Delta, Mt Rainier, Puget Sound, & the Narrows Bridge. This 3-bedroom, 3-bath home boasts a floor design that's open, inviting, & ideal for entertaining.

Gourmet kitchen with island, breakfast nook, pantry, and lots of cabinets. Large living room with gas fireplace, family room, A/C, central vacuum, security and irrigation system, interior/exterior surround sound, extensive wrap-around deck, patio, professionally landscaped front and back yard, den/office. Minutes to I-5 and downtown Olympia.

MLS#: 2704307

Bedrooms: 3

Baths: 3

Price: $549,900

Virtual Tour : More Photos : Printable Flyer

For more information or a tour, contact:

El Sanchez

Prudential Olympia, REALTORS®

2630 Martin Way

Olympia, WA 98506

olympicrealtor@comcast.net

website: http://www.olympiabesthomes.com/

Phone: 360-791-2991

Featured Home: Better Than New!

4 bedroom, 2.5 bath home in a wonderful neighborhood near schools, parks, walking trails, shopping centers, and I-5.

Spacious floor plan with approximately 2300 square feet includes family room with gas fireplace, living room, dining room, large master suite with private bath and walk-in closet. Professionally landscaped, fully fenced backyard, a/c, hardy plank siding. Approximately 15 minutes to Fort Lewis/McChord AFB.

MLS# 27021738
Price: $309,000

More info



For more information, contact
El Sanchez
phone: 360-791-2991
email: olympicrealtor@comcast.net
Web Site: http://www.olympiabesthomes.com/

Real Estate Briefs

Zillow's Make Me Move

Something like eBay's "Buy It Now," real estate info site Zillow has added a "Make Me Move" feature. Would you move out of your house for $300,000? $750,000? A million? All you have to do is register with Zillow, and you can set a too-good-to-refuse price for your home. Of course, many people (including Sellsius) aren't fond of Zillow and their sometimes-wonky data.

Living Oddly

We've recently been enjoying the architectural oddities featured on Unusual Life, including vertical urban gardens (see photo) and the German sewer-pipe hotel. There's a whole world beyond the usual rectangles with doors and glass... You can view other unusual constructions here and here and here.

Waterfront Dreams

If you're intrigued by the sewe-pipe hotel but prefer your accommodations to be designed for liquids on the outside, and you happen to have a cool $2.5M tucked away under the mattress, this might be the home for you. The home sites on nearly 10 acres with 660 feet of private Puget Sound low-bank waterfront. The house is spacious but cozy, with custom details including a breakfast nook with walls of glass and nautical propane heaters, a reading loft/library off the master suite, a widow's walk, a Japanese-style soaking tub, and more. It includes a huge separate garage/shop, with 3744 square feet for your projects, cars, tools, and stuff. But if you want to ignore all that and just relax on this patio framed by conifers and boasting a 270-degree water panorama, who could blame you? [View listing]

Get Your Home Ready for Winter

Although we traditionally think of spring as the season for home maintenance, there are steps you should take in the fall to make sure that your home is ready for the winter months. By performing these common maintenance tips each autumn, you can help protect your home's value and prevent major repairs.

Roof and Gutters
Rain, ice, snow and wind can all cause damage to your roof and gutters. Now's the time to trim back all tree limbs and vegetation away from the roof. You also should remove debris, such as leaves and sticks from your gutters and downspouts. Clogged gutters don't allow water to properly drain away from the home, which can cause seepage in your ceilings and walls. You can also invest in gutter guards, a screen that prevents debris from entering the gutter and directs the flow of water away from the house and into the ground.

Water Heater
You don't want to find out that your water heater isn't operating properly when you need it most. So use this time to perform an annual inspection, which includes having your tank's pressure and temperature relief valve checked. In addition, remove sediment from the bottom of the tank by draining two gallons of water to improve heat transfer and the efficiency of your heater.

Heating and Cooling System
If you have a forced warm-air heating system, you should check the exhaust vent and air shutter openings for dirt and dust. Clean any lint and dirt from the blower blades, motor and burner (if you have a gas heater). Vacuum air passages and check and replace, if necessary, fan belts. To prevent airborne dirt from circulating throughout your home, wash out your reusable filter or replace it if it disposable.

Doors and Windows
To help control heating costs, you want to make sure that your doors and windows are properly sealed. Now is the time to repair or replace weatherstripping around door bottoms and jambs and window frames. Check for loose or missing glazing putty and caulking for deterioration. If you have storm windows, install them.

Water Pipes
Frozen or burst pipes can cause major damage to your home and be expensive to remedy. Before frigid weather hits, protect your pipes in unheated areas from freezing by adding insulation, which reduces heat loss from hot-water pipes and condensation on cold water pipes. This can be accomplished by wrapping the pipes with heating tape or blanket insulation and duct tape or by encasing the pipes with preformed plastic foam. In addition, examine your pipes for cracks and leaks.

Fireplace
Before you light the logs and get ready to settle in front of a cozy fire, make sure that your fireplace is in good working order. Clean the chimney flue and if needed inspected and repaired. Check the seal on your flue, which is designed to keep out drafts. Replace the seal if it is loose or damaged.

If you decide to do the fall maintenance yourself disconnect the power for any electrical or gas systems. In addition, before inspecting, cleaning or making any repairs refer to your owner's manuals for all equipment for proper instructions, which should be the final authority on any maintenance.

Although this list is merely a guide, it can help you keep your home in good shape and have a winter free of major repairs.

Prudential Olympia, REALTORS is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Big Homes, Many Homes

It's unavoidable in the South Puget Sound region. Look around you, or go for a drive, and you'll see plenty of evidence. No, not Bigfoot -- growth. Vast tracts are cleared of forest or brush, roads paved, and soon many, MANY houses pop up on the brown dirt. The housing market is booming, and developers are scrambling to get in on the action, often with big houses on small lots. They argue for convenience ("minimal yard care!"), though the comments on a recent Olympian article suggest the public is split on this kind of housing.

Readers point out some obvious drawbacks of this kind of big-home, high-density housing: more polluted runoff to rivers and streams, a lack of private outdoor space, reduction in wildlife habitat, and a "sameness" to the homes being built. The latter issue is certainly exacrebated by the fact that homebuilders are becoming larger, and fewer. In In 1990, Centrex was the nation's largest builder, closing on 7,549 houses. By 2000, the largest builder was Pulet, which closed on a whopping 36,200 houses. (source)

Still, builders are finding willing buyers for these homes. Is this kind of development happening in your area? Do you see more benefits or drawbacks? Are there other kinds of development that can accomodate the demand for housing and still respect neighborhood esthetics and the environment? The Olympia Master Builders have some guidelines for building green, several of which address some of the issues ignored in cookie-cutter developments. Issues like home orientation relative to the Sun, investing in efficiency and quality, and generally thinking longer term about the home and its residents' needs.

The conversation continues...

Real Estate Dilemma: Rent or Buy?

The market is ripe for buyers right now. Interest rates, although slightly higher than this time last year, are still at an all-time low, and the National Association of REALTORS® predicts that 2006 will be the third all-time best year in real estate. So naturally you should be telling your landlord goodbye and saying hello to your dream home, right? Not so fast. Certainly, owning your own home has its benefits. But, is the dream of homeownership really one you should pursue? It all depends on your circumstance and needs.
Buying a home is such a large investment, possibly the largest purchase you'll make. So, careful deliberation should be made when deciding which is better for you: rent or buy.
The advantages to being a renter is that your monthly costs are fixed. There's little to no responsibility for maintenance of the property. And, it's easier to pick up and move to another location. However, the disadvantages are your rent typically increases each year and there is no guarantee that your lease will be renewed. In addition, you don't earn any equity nor will you reap the tax advantages of owning.

As a homeowner, you have the benefit of security and stability, as well as the freedom to decorate and remodel. Your property also builds equity and you get the tax benefit. However, when the central heating unit breaks or the roof needs replacing, the repairs are your financial responsibility. And, there is always the possibility of losing on your investment if property values go down.

One tool you can use in your analysis is a Rent -vs- Buy calculator that you can find on Web sites such Prudential.com. These calculators allow you to compare the costs of renting and buying. In some cases the amount you spend in rent may be about the same or less than you would pay on a mortgage. However, the tax benefit from owning the home may provide significant savings.

You also need to decide if can you really afford homeownership. If you are on a tight budget it may not be wise to have the added pressure of maintenance costs, property taxes, and insurance. If your credit rating is in need of repair, or you have a high debt to earnings ratio, now may not be the time to purchase a home. Although you may find a lender, your loan may be at a much higher interest rate using a sub-prime lender. You might be better off taking another year to build your credit score and decrease your debt.

Besides costs, another factor to consider is how long you plan to reside in the home. When you purchase a home, there is a substantial initial investment including the down payment, closing costs, and renovations. It typically takes between five and seven years to recover your initial costs. And depending on your loan payments, it may take a few years before you begin to see a return on your investment.

Your lifestyle also makes a difference for whether you should rent or buy. Will you be able to afford the type of property you want and continue to enjoy the lifestyle you have? Are you starting or changing careers or perhaps you are in a job that requires you to move frequently?
Although homeownership has its benefits, make sure it's the right fit for you depending on your financial and personal situations.

Prudential Olympia, REALTORS is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Street of Dreams 2006

For some perhaps it's a realistic dream, for others more of a fantasy. If your real estate dreams include peeping at some new homes with an average price tag of around a million dollars, then you're in luck.

This year's event -- officially called the Countrywide Home Loans Street of Dreams -- showcases five high-end homes in The Reserve at Cooper Point in West Olympia. How high-end? Well... they've got names. There's "The Lakebay," "The Rainier," "The Crescent Bay," "The Arcadia," and "The Deschutes" (pictured). Hmmm. Maybe I my home would sound better if I named it... But then, I don't live in The Reserve.

The 150-acre subdivision, which was developed by Tri Vo and later sold to seven South Sound builders, is known as The Reserve at Cooper Point. Ultimately, 44 homes, ranging from 3,500 to 4,700 square feet, will be built on the site, according to Scott McLean, marketing director for the event. The property is one of the last large-lot subdivisions in the county, with each lot slightly larger than one acre, he said. (The Olympian, 14 September 2006)

You can visit the development's website for free, and get more info and view virtual tours. Or you can dish out the $10 entrance fee to visit in person. The details:

• What: 2006 Countrywide Home Loans Street of Dreams
• When: Show dates will run from Saturday, September 16 thru Sunday, October 1. (The show is closed on Mondays.) Hours are 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM, with ticket sales closing at 6:00 PM.
• Admission: Cost is $10 for adults, $7 for children aged 3 - 15, and free for kids under three. $2 discount coupons available here. (Discount offer valid Tuesday thru Friday only.)
• Parking: Visitors to the show are required to park at the Target Place Plaza. Parking is free, and courtesy shuttles to the event will run every 10 minutes.
• Driving Directions: From I-5, take Exit 104 to Highway 101. Take the first exit to Cooper Point Road. Follow signs for 3.5 miles to the free parking at Target Place Plaza.
• More Information about the Homes and the Development: www.thereserveatcooperpoint.com
• For Further Event Information: Contact Olympia 360-789-3698 or visit www.omb.org.

Mixed Messages on Real Estate

What's the state of the housing market? Like the proverbian story of the blind men describing an elephant, it depends on who you ask, and specifically what they're looking at.

Nationally, a widely reported AP story ("Fresh Data Shows Cooling Housing Market") concludes that the housing market has "lost steam." Or, as the National Association of Realtors' David Lereah puts it, "The housing sector is fragile."

The median price of a home sold last month was $230,000. That was up just 0.9
percent from the same month last year and marked the smallest year-over-year
increase since May 1995.

Regionally, Tuesday's Seattle Times ran a story titled "A couple's house-hunting nightmare." The tale told is one of a Starbucks manager and his partner relocating from quiet Vancouver, Washington to the bustle of Seattle. Among the shocks were the housing prices, the tradeoffs between commute time and home prices, and the speed needed to get an offer in ahead of other buyers. Those familiar with hot Puget Sound markets will yawn and consider the title overblown. Difficult, yes. But "nightmare"? Naw....

Locally, the hot market has cooled, but has avoided any "nightmarish" extremes. The Olympian sees the glass as half full, reporting in yesterday's edition ("Buyers' housing hopes improve") that an abundance of homes for sale is making things easier on home buyers. Sellers are finding their homes lingering longer on the market, with the average selling time at 63 days, up from 45 days last year. And the median sale price is down slightly, from $262,113 in July to $259,500 in August.

As an example of how much the market has shifted, 75 percent to 85 percent of sellers last year received multiple offers, one local real estate professional says. This year it has been 5 percent to 10 percent of his business.

Sellers may lament the cooling of the real estate market, but we're still a long way from anyone in this area seeing their home value drop. And the slight slowdown in the market gives buyers some emotional relief and better buying opportunities.

Real Estate Briefs

Home Sales Down Nationally, Up Locally
Buyer wariness is resulting in slower existing home sales across the US, the Associated Press reports. The drop of 4.1 percent in July from the previous month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 6.33 million units was the lowest level since January 2004, the National Association of Realtors reported.

The picture is different here in Thurston County, where the Olympic MLS statistics show that homes are selling quicker (average days on market down more than 7% between June and July) and for more (average sale price was up 5.3% between June and July). OMLS numbers also show the average home selling price up 21% over a year ago, to $301,129.

Real Estate Superstitions
Will your home will sell faster if you bury a statue of St. Joseph upside down in your front yard? That's what some believers assert. Or maybe it's a buried statue of St. Joe in the backyard that brings homeowners good luck when selling their house. Those are among the practices mentioned in a Daily Press story today. Of course, we're certain that non-Catholic/Christian real estate sellers have a host of other beliefs. What's your story?

Subversive (or Subverted?) Website
Is a certain FSBO website a front for terrorists? Or is it an innocent pawn, hacked into by bad guys? Those are the questions being asked of www.fsboa.com, an ordinary looking for sale by owner site. The insidious part is that if you add a couple letters to the URL, you end up on what frontpagemag.com asserts is the official website of Syrian terrorist Abu Musaab Al-Suri, al-Muqawama al-Islamiyya al-‘Alamiyya (The International Islamic Resistance). Whatever the truth in this case, take this as a warning to 1) know who you're doing business with, and 2) watch for signs of undesirables hijacking your own website for their purposes.

Yanni Was Here...

Not everyone is a big fan of Yanni and his music (which one critic described as "Fabio meets Tesh"). But you've got to be a little curious about the home of such a, um, celebrity. For a time he lived a bit north of us, in North Tacoma overlooking Puget Sound. This home is now on the market, providing a glimpse of how the upper crust live.

For those who can't afford the $2.25 million asking price (or can successfully portray someone with such means), the virtual tour reveals the reality of the rich and famous: breathtaking views, the ballroom where he recorded, an interior atrium and pool, no fewer than six fireplaces. Oh, and the right to call your home a "villa." View the complete listing.

Lacey Housing Boom

Based on MLS data and city officials, Lacey may see as many as 1,400 new homes started by the end of 2006, the Olympian is reporting. The number would dwarf last year's total of 836 Lacey housing starts. The growth is attributed largely to economic refugees from the greater Seattle area who are willing to trade off a longer commute for significantly lower home prices. It will be interesting to see if this trend holds up as gas prices rise and the South Puget Sound is still without a direct transit connection to Seattle.

Today, 70,000 people live within the city limits and the city's unincorporated growth area. That's expected to rise to 125,000 by 2025, according to Olympia Master Builders Executive Officer Tom Krugman. That's a 78% increase. With the newly announced state focus on the health of nearby Puget Sound, the impacts of this dramatic growth will be keenly watched.

View real estate listings in Lacey, WA

Just Act at Home...

It's not breaking news that an industry has sprung up around making homes for sale look more appealing by decorating them with appliances, furniture, and artwork. This practice, known as "staging," is becoming widespread. And it's perfectly understandable: an empty house depends on the viewer's imagination to complete the picture and make it appealing, while a furnished house can instantly draw one into the home's charm.

We have our doubts, however, about a new trend that seems to be spreading. Not content with the charm provided by a well-appointed home, some home sellers are now hiring actors to play the part of a presumably happy and well-adjusted family.

This new realty-TV-meets-real-estate ploy has popped up in Dallas as well as in Oxnard and Santa Clarita, California. Behind all of this seems to be a huge construction company called Centrex Homes. They've garnered a fair amount of press and blog attention, all the way up to the New York Times.

One might presume that Centrex wouldn't push this if it didn't work. But do you really want someone's fake teenage daughter offering you cookies as you inspect the quality of the kitchen cabinets? Is evaluating a bedroom somehow enhanced through the presence of an X-box obsessed fake son?

One clue that this isn't a real family? [The woman actor] is wearing a stick-on nametag that says "mom," [the man actor] is wearing one that says "dad," and the couple is better-looking than anyone you know.

Of course, such a model family would be just that: model. Not only better-looking than you, but better behaved. No tormenting the cat. No chemistry-set accidents. Everyone smiles, picks up their clothes, and is polite to strangers. Welcome to Stepford.

It remains to be seen if this could give some aspiring actor the break she's been looking for Still, the PR firm that spawned this oddball idea has gone so far as to give the "performance" a name: Homelife.

Just bear in mind that it's nothing like the life in your home.

Rezoning Impacts in Thurston County

Growth and rezoning continue as big issues in South Puget Sound. An article in today's Olympian details the tension between property owners feeling the pinch of restrictions and the county's proposed rezoning plan needed to comply with a ruling by the Western Washington Growth Management Hearings Board last year.

Thurston County's proposed rural plan amendments would create three new zoning districts:

1. Rural Protection, with a density of one dwelling unit per 10 acres. This is for areas that must be protected for public health and safety and to maintain the rural character.
2. Rural, with a density of one unit per 20 acres. This is for agriculture, forestry and low-density residential uses.
3. Urban Reserve, with a density of one unit per 20 acres. This is for rural lands adjacent to existing urban growth areas that are being kept on hold until future development occurs.

Interested in getting your two cents in? The Thurston County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. Thursday Aug. 3 on the proposed rural zoning plan. The hearing, preceded by an open house that starts at 5:45 p.m., will be at the Norman Worthington Conference Center at Saint Martin's University, 5300 Pacific Ave. S.E., in Lacey.

To see copies of the plan go to www.co.thurston.wa.us/permitting/GMA/rural-rezoning.htm