If you are considering selling your Olympia WA home but think you should wait until the spring of 2020, you may be missing out on a lucrative winter real estate market here in the Olympia WA area.  You may be thinking you just want to “get through” the holidays before even thinking about selling and moving and that’s understandable but know the Olympia WA real estate market is very busy this time of year.  Here are common objections I hear from sellers that might prevent them from enjoying a nice payoff this fall and winter 2019. “Buyers are not looking this time of year.” Thurston County buyers are absolutely looking for homes this time of year.  And these are the “serious” buyers – the kind of buyers you want.  These may be buyers that have been looking for months and losing out on ho... 11/06/2019

 I’m sharing this newest review from my first-time homebuyer clients because they were born connected to the internet and found out rather quickly the internet didn’t have all the information they wanted and needed.       When they reached out to me by email, I knew it probably took a lot of courage for them to do so.  And then I made them actually come into my office and meet me in person! (I know – so mean, right?! LOL!) But joking aside, they did admit they didn’t know what to do next after looking at homes online and going to open houses on the weekends.   They knew they probably couldn’t do this on their own but they didn’t know what my role was, either.    They are not alone.  Most consumers don’t know what REALTORS do. This was very evident this week when we had a change to one o... 10/03/2019

This weekend, September 28-29th offers 94 open houses in Thurston County - from Olympia to Lacey to Tumwater to Rochester WA. There is a good selection of homes this weekend to tour, but if you can't make it to the open house or just want your own tour, call me! Let's buy a house this weekend!  09/27/2019

As we officially enter the Fall Season, there are plenty of fun things to do this weekend in Olympia WA. Here are just a few events you might want to check out this weekend.  Friday, September 27, 2019 Mama Mia! Broadway musical – The Triad Arts Theater, Yelm – runs through the end of September Led Zepagain – Washington Center, Olympia – a tribute to Led Zeppelin Pinniped – live musical guest – Olympia Farmer’s Market 11 AM to 2 PM Main Stage Saturday, September 28, 2019 Mama Mia! Broadway musical – The Triad Arts Theater, Yelm – runs through the end of September Nisqually Watershed Festival – Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, Olympia – 10 AM to 4 PM – art, music, family fun, a guided nature walk, and the salmon BBQ. Choro Tomorrow – live musical guest – Olympia Farmer... 09/27/2019

Most of us rate the fall as our favorite season, and there is good reason, especially when you live in Olympia WA.  Here are a few fun things to do in Olympia WA that should be on your Fall Bucket List!  Here are more fun ideas of things to do this fall in the Olympia WA area....  Get crafting on your Fall and Thanksgiving decor - check out Michaels Make your Halloween costume or browse Value Village on Sleater-Kinney for ideas Go trick or treating Drink apple cider - find the best at Lattin's Country Cider Mill Watch a scary movie - Netflix and chill! Go to the Westfield Mall theater and check out the luxury theater seats - any movie will do! Play outside - lots of parks but check out Lacey's Regional Athletic Complex Jump around inside at BoomShaka Trampoline Park in Tumwater Watch fo... 09/24/2019

Labor Day is over and the kids are back in school but is there ANYTHING to do in and around Olympia WA this weekend? Yes, there is!! Check out some of the fun events happening this weekend, September 6-8, 2019.  Friday, September 6, 2019 Mama Mia! Broadway musical – The Triad Arts Theater, Yelm – runs through the end of September Demetri Martin and Pete Holmes Comedy – Lucky Eagle Casino, Rochester Blackbird – State Theater – Olympia WA, 8 PM Saturday, September 7, 2019 Mama Mia! Broadway musical – The Triad Arts Theater, Yelm – runs through the end of September Brats, Brew and Bands – Gateway Rotary, Lacey Northwest Glass Pumpkin Patch – Thurston County Fairgrounds, Lacey 39th Annual South Sound Dahlia Show – Macy’s Court at the Capital Mall – Olympia WA 10 AM to 9 PM Blackbird – State... 09/05/2019

Many homeowners who are considering selling their Olympia WA home are looking at the calendar, seeing the school buses back on the roads, sipping their pumpkin spiced lattes and are wondering if they missed the summer real estate market.  Put shortly, the answer is no.  And here’s why the 2019 fall and winter real estate market in the Olympia WA will continue to be a great time to list your home for sale. Less competition.  Your competition may wait to list their home until next year or may take their home off the market, not realizing September through the rest of the year will still be very busy.  Buyers are still looking for homes and sellers have been slow to list their homes this year.  The fall and winter months bring out the serious and determined buyers, and sellers, those are t... 09/04/2019

If you are planning to stay in town this weekend, you'll have lots of fun things to do in and around the Olympia WA area. I hope to check out a few of these events myself. With our clear nighttime skies recently, the Star Party and the UFO Fest look like a winning combination!  Earth UFO Fest and Comic Symposium – Thurston County Fairgrounds – August 30 - September 1 Olympia Harbor Days – Olympia waterfront – August 30 – September 1 PNW Barn Hunt (dog sport) Labor Day Event – Southwest Washington Fairgrounds, Chehalis – August 30 - September 2 Star Party – explore the night sky with local astronomers – Lacey Timberland Library – August 30, 9 PM to 11 PM Flag Football World Championship Tour – Regional Athletic Complex in Lacey – August 31 and September 1 Live Jazz with Kate Dinsmore – M... 08/29/2019

Buyers in Thurston County, WA (which include Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater and Yelm) are seeing higher home prices but are enjoying near-historic low interest rates, making homes more affordable now than last year at this time.     The average home price in Thurston County, WA is $371,323, up 4 percent from last year. But because interest rates have plummeted 1 percent from last year, buyers are seeing their dollars go further.  The average-priced home of $371,323 with the national average 30-year mortgage rate of 3.55% realizes a monthly principal and interest payment of $1,678 (taxes and insurance would increase this number).  Comparing the average home price and interest rate last year, buyers today are paying $130 less per month in principal and interest. (Source for mortgage rates is fr... 08/27/2019

 Get your slip-on shoes on and head out this weekend to visit open houses in the Olympia, Lacey, and Tumwater areas in Thurston County, WA!  Click here for the open houses this weekend, August 24-25, 2019.      There are some great choices this weekend from cute little bungalows to homes on acreage to waterfront properties. And be sure to be kind to your open house hosts! Say hi and introduce yourself. I promise you, the real estate agent hosting the open house won't bite!   Have fun and if you see a house you'd like more information on, please contact me this weekend.  08/23/2019

The back-to-school commercials are airing and I can hear the kids dreading the end of the summer! But there are still fun activities going on this weekend in and around the Olympia WA area.  Friday, August 16 LACEY FORZA – Cupcakes & Wine Happy Hour – 6-8 PM THREE MAGNETS BREWING – Olympia – Taco and Pepper Beer Festival – 6-10 PM THE TOWER AT PORT PLAZA – Olympia – Shakespeare’s The Tempest – 8-9:15 PM Saturday, August 17 HERITAGE PARK DOWNTOWN OLYMPIA – Pet Parade – 10 AM OLYMPIA TIIMBERLAND LIBRARY – One Day Sale of Children’s Books – 10 AM to 4 PM PANORAMA RETIREMENT COMMUNITY – Panorama Car Show – 10 AM to 2 PM NORTHWEST HARLEY-DAVIDSON – FMX LIVE! FREESTYLE MOTOCROSS – 11 AM to 3 PM MATCHLESS BREWING – Live music with Dave Dondereo – 7 PM to 9 PM Sunday, August 18 LACEY WALMART – ... 08/16/2019

 1109 Turkey RD NW Olympia, WA 98502 Almost half acre lot close to Summit Lake. Partial slope with plenty of room for home with possible partial view. Buyers to do all feasibility to their own satisfaction. Neighboring homes have well and septic. Alex Brost541-968-4022KW South Sound1109 Turkey RD NW Olympia, WA 985021109 Turkey RD NW Olympia, WA 985021109 Turkey RD NW Olympia, WA 985021109 Turkey RD NW Olympia, WA 985021109 Turkey RD NW Olympia, WA 98502 08/12/2019

Private, peaceful botanical gardens, easy one-floor living, solar energy are just a few words to describe this immaculate home in Olympia, WA, and the lucky new owners have the rest of the summer to enjoy this oasis in the beautiful Hawks Prairie area. This home was appealing to a wide range of buyers who appreciated the well-thought-out floor plan, the great location and of course, the beautiful grounds.  5135 Hilton Lane NE is located in the north Hawks Prairie area near I-5 exit 114 and is just a few minutes from the freeway for commuting. Interested in reducing your carbon footprint? The outfit of rooftop solar panels saved the past owners hundreds of dollars per year. In fact, on average their annual electric bill was just $350 per YEAR.  The nearly 1 acre of fully fenced yard feat... 08/01/2019

Rare opportunity to own a quality rambler with many updates and special features, and complete with separate 800+ sq. ft.  guest cottage with kitchen, full bath and private deck.The 2,200 + sq. ft. main house features 3 bedrooms, a bonus room and another room with closet and nice bay windows.You'll love living in the county, yet only 10 minutes from all of the amenities Lacey has to offer, such as restaurants, shops, golf, parks and trails. The yard if fully fenced and features fruit trees, garden beds, dog run, large patio, covered RV or boat carport and two storage sheds. The home has been updated with a modern, European-style master bath, new flooring, new heat pump, new furnace, wired generator, new interior doors, new appliances and much more.Anyone looking for a mother-in-law apar... 07/19/2019

Do you own a home in the Bigelow neighborhood and are thinking about selling?  My listing at 420 Henry Street NE, Olympia WA 98506 sold in June 2019 for $280,000 ($30,100 over the asking price), received seven formal offers with more on the way, and a bidding war ensued.  After three days of being on the market, the sellers had to decide on just one buyer.  Six buyers did not get this home and may be still looking to buy.    What made these sellers successful in their sale? The sellers prepped the home by cleaning it.  I cannot emphasize enough how cleaning a home makes buyers excited about a home and ready to buy it and move in.The sellers spruced up the curb appeal.  This home already has great character and style so it didn’t take too much to increase the desirability factor.The sell... 07/01/2019

I blame it all on hand-me-downs for my strong desire to own my own home.   Back then, reusing clothes was a way for our parents to be frugal and to save money.  The downside is the other kids in school just KNEW if you were wearing hand-me-downs and teased you about it.  Nowadays, it’s probably hip to wear hand-me-downs.  After all, you are “upcycling” and “reducing landfill waste.”    All of this is good but who as a child has ever said, “I really like wearing my sister’s old clothes to school.”  In fact, a poem has been written about this unhappy childhood calamity: Hand Me Downs I’m always wearing hand-me-downs. I don’t get stuff that’s new. My mom won’t take me shopping. I don’t know what to do. The dresses always fit me fine, but high heels give me blisters. It’s not that easy grow... 06/28/2019

3227 Cedrona Dr NW Olympia, WA 98502 Beautifully maintained & updated home on an extra large corner lot. Backs up to greenbelt. Updated kitchen with granite counters, large center island w/eating space. Great room, formal dining area & living room, 3 bedrooms, an office plus an additional bonus space on the upper level. 5 Piece master bath, french doors to both the office & master, 6-panel doors throughout. Fully finished 3 car garage with built-in work bench & plenty of storage space. Deck & fully fenced back yard for entertaining. Gail Smith(360)561-0852KW Tacoma | The Ben Kinney Team 05/24/2019

9447 Classic Dr NE Olympia, WA 98516   This home in Classic Heights just needs some TLC to restore it to its former self. Sits on a 1/4 acre lot with lots of room for a garden and outdoor entertaining. No major issues that owners are aware of. Just needs some minor cosmetic clean-up and repairs. Perfect for someone to buy and sell with some fixing up or for that handy homeowner looking for a bargain. Priced to sell fast.   Priced at $259,000, get in contact with Gail Smith today at (360) 561-0852 05/20/2019

Great opportunity for an investment or an owner-occupied duplex in a central location with all city services. Both units have 2 bedrooms, 1.75 baths, separate dining room with oversized single car garages. Meticulously maintained and owner-occupied in one unit until just recently. Both units come with all kitchen appliances. Fenced yards for added privacy and close to bus lines, shopping, restaurants and easy access to I-5. Gail Smith(360)561-0852KW Tacoma | The Ben Kinney Team 04/26/2019

Waterfront home on Eld Inlet at the South End of Puget Sound w/200 feet of medium bank waterfront. Large kitchen w/SS appliances & huge island. Bulkhead, tideland rights w/plenty of clams & oysters for private harvest or to lease out. 1.85 acres w/mature landscaping, small orchard & garden area. 3 bedrooms/3-12 baths with 3744 sqft finished & additional 570 sf+ inside shop area. Expansive deck to take advantage of the SE exposure & panoramic view. Less than 30 minutes to Olympia. Griffin Schools. Gail Smith(360)561-0852KW Tacoma | The Ben Kinney Team 04/11/2019