Holiday Events and Things To Do in December 2018 in Olympia WA        December in Olympia, WA offers much to do for everyone.  Get out your calendars and save the dates for these fun events, concerts, tree-lightings, festivals and more.  Get your Christmas Trees Hunter Family Farm Schilter Family Farm    Bazaars and Craft Fairs Hawks Holiday Happening Gift & Craft Fair River Ridge High School December 1st  Duck the Malls The Capitol Theater December 8th  Arts and Crafts Fair Matchless Brewing December 16th    Live Music Forest BeutelMatchless Brewing Tumwater, WA December 1st  The Daedalus Quartet The Washington Center for the Performing Arts December 1st  Yuletide Celebration, A Holiday Concert Masterworks Choral Ensemble The Washington Center for the Performing Arts December 1st  Tari... 11/29/2018

The Northwest Multiple Listing Service, which I am a member of here in Olympia, WA, has recently added features to our database in order to identify properties that will fit the needs for people with physical limitations.  This undertaking by two NWMLS brokers (Barry Long and Tom Minty) earned the NWMLS a “Best Practices Award” from the Northwest Access Fund, a nonprofit organization serving individuals with disabilities.  For listing brokers, we now have listing input options that include how the property can be accessible, from entrances to the home to interior entrances to the kitchen, for example.  What defines accessibility?  The NWMLS has responsibly created an “Accessibility Information Supplement” for brokers with 48 definitions.  Listing brokers and sellers can review the defin... 11/12/2018

The real estate market trend for the Olympia, WA area is starting to level out as we head into the winter months.    The recently released data shows a modest decline in closed sales (down 3.6%) and pending sales (down 4%) from a year ago, however, both figures made this the second-best October on record.  Combined with fewer closed sales, active inventory inched up a bit to 723 homes for sale in all of Thurston County, WA.  That rise is just 6.5% up from last month yet that rise did not push the market into a balanced market.  The Thurston County market is still strongly in a sellers’ market with an absorption rate of 1.52 months of supply.  This is due to the continuing strong demand from buyers.  (A balanced market is 4-6 months of supply.)     Where are we headed? The trend here is ... 11/08/2018

Greetings, Earthlings.  My spaceship has landed in Olympia, WA.... where there is a great potluck happening at the Coldwell Banker office! Happy Halloween!  10/31/2018

    Give where you live this season!  The Community Foundation of South Puget Sound (www.thecommunityfoundation.com) is an organization in Olympia, WA that manages charitable gifts from donors by administering and professionally managing donated funds to make the most of the gifted funds.  Between October 31 to November 20, 2018, the Foundation is running the GIVE LOCAL campaign.  This three-week online giving campaign will support non-profits in Thurston, Mason and Lewis counties in Washington State.  There are over 75 organizations that have been reviewed by the Community Foundation.  And 100% of the funds raised from GIVE LOCAL are passed along to the charities!  How many times have you donated and wondered how much actually went to the people you are trying to help?  During this 3-w... 10/29/2018

Fall 2018 Olympia WA Real Estate Market Update – is the market finally softening?  Have you read the headlines that the market is correcting and we are heading towards a downturn?  That might be a little premature but anytime there are fewer closed sales or an increase in inventory, the media is quick to sound the “market correction” alarms.  But in looking at the broader context, the market is still firmly set in a seller’s market despite the media reports. Here are the facts for the Olympia WA area real estate market.  FACT: Closed sales were down 14.9% from September last year.  MEDIA'S RESPONSE: The real estate marketing is coming to a halt!  CONTEXT: September 2017 broke all records, coming in 20% higher than any other September in our market’s history.  It would be difficult to re... 10/28/2018

I see a lot of neighborhoods, and there is always that ONE neighbor that stands out (but not in a good way).  Nearly all of my buyer-clients want a well-maintained neighborhood with “nice” neighbors.  But what does it take to be a great neighbor and have that great neighborhood?  It’s pretty easy.  Here are the top issues I hear about what owners don’t like about that ONE neighbor.  (I know this isn’t you so feel free to give this to that ONE neighbor!)   Mow your yard Having no curb appeal is a top complaint from your neighbors.  It’s a great feeling to drive through a neighborhood that is well-maintained and it should make you happy, too, to drive up to your home.  If you are not happy when you pull into your driveway, start by mowing, weeding, edging and sweeping the front.  Pick up ... 10/25/2018

I am on a continuing journey to simplify my life. And to my surprise, I’m finding that going back to basics and living a “green” and organic life is actually easier than what I had been doing. (Growing my own tomatoes is actually way easier, more convenient,  and cheaper than going to the store to buy them!)  I recently stumbled across an article about the Zero Waste Movement and the goal to reduce what goes into landfills, oceans, and incinerators. I learned that there are many other ways to lessen what goes into the trash besides just recycling. Here are a few more R’s we should be aware of (besides recycling):  Refuse – look for products with little to no packaging and avoid single-use packaging. Reduce – reduce your purchases to avoid waste. Reuse/Repurpose/Repair – look to find way... 10/23/2018

5012 87th Ave SE Olympia, WA 98501 Beautiful 6500+ sf custom-built home on over 3 acres. This home has every feature imaginable. Main floor master with elevator to both upper and lower floors+wood elevator for fireplaces. 4+bedrooms. All hardwood floors, top of the line custom cabinets & trim. Plumbed for 2nd kitchen downstairs w/all appliances new & still in boxes. Walk-in safe. 4 car attached garage. Open expansive floor plan with huge composite wrap around deck for outdoor entertaining. 80'X100' Shop w/4 double doors will hold R/V and cars/trucks in each bay 4 deep. New $50,000+ asphalt driveway from front to shop.Gail Smith(360) 561-0852The Ben Kinney TeamKeller Williams Tacoma 09/27/2018

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. Gail Smith(360) 561-0852The Ben Kinney TeamKeller Williams Tacoma 09/27/2018

I was driving along Capitol Boulevard in Olympia, WA this morning.   The sun was out on this September day, traffic was light and I was getting to the office in record time.  What a great day!   Then I get a phone call.  I look at the caller ID and the caller is me!    Is it my future self calling?   Of course, I answer the phone to hear this potential prophesizing message.  Instead, I hear a recording alerting me that my Microsoft Office license is expiring and I need to press 1 to reactivate it now.Well, that was a major letdown.I was hoping to hear my own voice on the other end giving me life-changing advice from the future.  Instead, it was just yet another spam call. How many spam calls do you get a day?  I get at least two or three spam calls a day on average.  These calls are an ... 09/13/2018

Looking for a new home can start out to be a fun process but can quickly turn very frustrating in a market where new listings are few and far between.  Here are some tips if you are looking to buy a home but just can’t seem to find the right one.  Revisit why you are moving.  Usually, a change in job, marital status, family status and/or financial position are the main reasons why people move. From here, buyers develop their list of wants and needs for their next home.  This list may have some things you can compromise on. Then there is timing. When do you HAVE to move?  Are you in a lease?  Are you waiting for the kids to finish school for the year?  Are you waiting to get financially qualified? The answers to these three main questions will affect how you shop for a home.  If you have... 09/13/2018

7722 99th Lane SW, Olympia 98512Great Rambler perched atop 5 rolling acres with peek-a-boo view of Mt. Rainier. This 1800 sf, 3 bedroom, 2 bath home features a family room with vaulted ceilings and a wood stove, open kitchen/ nook, large master w/walk in closet, separate living room and office off the entry. New laminate floors throughout. Partially fenced. New roof & newer well pump and equipment. Secluded area with room for horses and/or other livestock, yet minutes to Tumwater and I-5. Riding JD Lawnmower w/trailer stay.Gail Smith(360) 561-0852The Ben Kinney TeamKeller Williams Tacoma 08/23/2018

What’s Driving this Hot Market?  The South Sound continues to set records in the housing market.  I’m often asked, “what’s next in store?”  (How long will this last?  What is the longer-term impact on our market?)  Forecasting is a tricky business, but we focus on many trends to anticipate things to come.   One of those is regional home prices. Coming out of the recession, our market’s gains primarily came from a huge rush of pent-up demand from local buyers.  This pool of buyers is still robust.  However, going forward a big impact is coming from in-bound migration of buyers in search of “affordability.”  They are an ever-growing percentage of our buyers.  Our market has seen significant price increases since the bottom of our market in 2012—up 42%.   (This graphic shows increases from... 08/03/2018

8415 Ski View Lane SW, Olympia 98512 Beautiful home in gated, lakefront community. Elegant 3 bedroom, 2 bath custom home on 2/3 acre w/130' of lake front. Gourmet kitchen w/granite counters. Large master suite overlooks the lake w/custom master bath complete with steam shower. Hardwood floors throughout most of the main floor. Upper loft office/bonus room, plus theater room for indoor entertaining & 1800+/- sf covered custom deck w/gas ignite fire-pit & dock for outdoor enjoyment. Oversized 3 car garage plus 28'x13' attached shop.   Gail Smith (360) 561-0852 The Ben Kinney team Keller Williams Tacoma   07/27/2018

How are my Thurston County, WA real estate property taxes determined?Every year, Thurston County, WA homeowners get a notice of their assessed value and how much their property taxes will be for the year.  If you track your property tax values, you’ll see that they go up and down every year, and don’t seem to be based on current market values (which is a good thing, and I’ll explain why later in this post).First, let’s discuss the tax collection budget.  Let’s pretend we have a small town where there are only four homes. The assessed values for the homes LAST YEAR were: Home #1 - $325,000 Home #2 - $270,000 Home #3 - $185,000 Home #4 - $320,000 Totals $1,100,000 in assessed value.    Last year, the tax collection budget was $14,000. To determine how much each homeowner pays in taxes, th... 07/03/2018

14xx Evergreen Dr SW Olympia, WA 98502 Beautiful, Wooded 1.7 acres on the Westside of Olympia. Easy commute to downtown, the Capitol and shopping. Directly across the street from Evergreen Park. Just off Highway 101 and minutes to I-5. Zoned PUD (Planned Unit Development). Buyer to perform feasibility study for planned use. Robin Nichols | Keller Williams Realty | Ben Kinney Team (253) 632-5904 06/26/2018

5004 72nd Lane NE, Olympia 98516  Diamond Ridge beautiful 4,191 square foot home w/ formal living & dining rooms, 4 bedroom/office, 2.75 bath home with lovely hardwood floors, large bonus space above the oversized three car garage. Eighteen foot ceiling with grand staircase in the entry. Fourteen foot ceilings in the formal living and dining room. Two gas fireplaces and gourmet kitchen w/large island & granite counter-tops. Less than 10 min. to Downtown. PRICED BELOW MARKET VALUE. TAX ASSESSED $798,200. BUYER MOTIVATED TO SELL Gail Smith(360) 561-0852The Ben Kinney teamKeller Williams Tacoma 06/22/2018

908 East Bay Dr NE 101 Olympia, WA 98506 908 East Bay Dr NE 101 Interior Features: Family Room, Walk-In Closet, Appliances, Pantry, Pets Allowed, Dining Room, Central Air, Main Floor Bedroom, Disability Features, Fireplace, Main Floor Bathroom, Laundry Room, Forced Air. Exterior Features: View, Balcony, Spa/Hot Tub, Swimming Pool, Landscaping, Grill/Barbeque, Deck/Patio. Community Features: Guest Parking, Parking Lot, Additional Storage, Exercise Area, Recreation Facilities Custom Features: Roof : Metal roof Views : Sound, Capitol, Mountains Storage : 189 sq. ft. Storage Room Amenities : Hot Tub, Pool, Sauna Price: $335,000 Type: Condo/Townhouse for Sale Floors: Single Parking/Garage: 1 Bedrooms: 3 Baths:1.75 Square Feet: 1770 Year Built: 1979 MLS #: 1310574   www.sandynelsonrealestate... 06/21/2018

   3520 Surrey Dr NE, Olympia 98506   Newly updated 3 bedroom, 2.25 bath home in a quiet and convenient location a mile from St Peter's hospital & Kaiser Permanente Main Campus All new commercial grade luxury water proof plank flooring throughout main floor & completely painted on inside. Great room wired for Surround Sound. Large island kitchen. Utility room on main floor with washer & dryer that stay. Covered front porch, large fenced back yard with patio. Great neighborhood. Perfect to come home to or great investment property.   Gail Smith (360) 561-0852 The Ben Kinney team Keller Williams Tacoma   06/14/2018