This is not a pipe dream... This is my business and a lot of my life....and I LOVE IT and I wouldn't trade it for anything.... well ok maybe retirement and riding my Harley. The last week has been a crazy week, both in business and personal items that needed addressing. It's given me a lot to think about (although not much time to think about it); especially, how I run and want my business to continue.  I have always considered my work in real estate as my own business - not a job; and treated it as such. It is what I DO.  I treat it as a business as well and that means at times (a lot of times) putting in hours when others wouldn't and don't.  Someone asked me why?   Customer service is important in my business, in order to provide the best service I need to be available when they need... 09/06/2009

Even though there are many Homes For Sale in Belfair, sitting on the Fence can be costly.... (You'd think the buyers that are still on the fence that by now their butts would hurt from those pickets as well!).... And then there are still some that are dangling half off and half on the fence.... wishy washy...want to buy but want it there way or no way. After all it is a buyers market right? That means the buyer has the upper hand and that the buyer can make a low offer and get away with it. They HAVE to give in right? Cuz no one will buy their house if they don't right?  Cuz It is a BUYERS market right???  NOT NECESSARILY! If you are hanging half off and half on the fence, you are going to lose out on one of the best opportunities to purchase a home.  Not to mention the $8000 first Time... 08/24/2009

I had a very interesting conversation this morning with a friend on Facebook. She wants to get involved in a career in Real Estate. She is local to my area, and I know her fairly well. She started this morning- "Josh, can I ask you some questions about real estate?" "Of course" "Im thinking about getting into real estate, can you explain the process?" It was a refreseher course, what a trip down memory lane. Then came the juice, she asked me, "Josh, why did you choose to work at the local Belfair Windermere?" I told her that the great thing about real estate, is that there is an office to fit every type of agent and what you are looking for. It's all preference, but here is my reasoning. I explained how Windermere fit me personally, and what I look for in a brokerage. The reputation of ... 08/19/2009

Hood Canal & Puget Sound Waterfront Homes for Sale~July Wrap Up~ Pristine Waters, Spectacular Views, and lots to do on the Hood Canal! Kayaking, fishing, swimming, and jet skiing are just a few of the many summer activities to be enjoyed on the Hood Canal. Year round activities are un abundance from Owning a home on the Hood Canal has never been more affordable or had as many choices and opportunities as there is now. For the month end of July 2009, Hood Canal and Puget Sound Waterfront Homes for sale and Sold are in abundance. South Shore of Hood Canal currently has: 18 waterfront homes for sale. A coveted and destination location offering easy access too many recreation activities in the area.There have not been this many choices of homes for sale along the South Shore of Hood Canal i... 08/07/2009

Yesterday before writing an offer with some dedicated clients, the curious mans question came up. "So Josh, how many days a week do you get off, I mean every time we call you, and you are always there...do you ever take time off?" I chuckled. Well... I answered this question strategically. Well, I get time off as I need it, but generally, I am working 7 days a week, if I have work to do. I might not be working all day, but normally 7 days out of the week, there is something for me to do. This surprised him, then he realized, that was what would give him the best representation when doing real estate, an agent that is available all the time. Now I have my limitations, but I rarely make myself unavailable. Some one always knows where I am, and if I am completely unavailable, there is an a... 08/02/2009

North Shore Hood canal Waterfront Homes~The Bounty of the Sea at your Feet! Not to mention all the fun you'll have swimming, boating, kayaking, kicking back - all those things we love to do and CAN DO  whenever you want when you own your own North Shore Hood Canal waterfront home. Doesn't that sound good right about now as we bake in the unsual hi 90 degree heat for our area?? Just think - dinner from the beach - clams, oysters - mm,mm.mmm.. yum yum yum.... Try cooking those oysters in the shell on the barbie......yummy! Here's my husband's recipe for them: Place on bbq in shell on med lo heat. When they pop open they are done . Open the shell loosen them from the shell. Put them back on the barbie on the half shell. Top them with mozarella, parmesan cheese and pesto sauce. Let heat til... 07/28/2009

Localism is a great way to promote yourself, your community. Consumers are not searching for agents, they are searching for HOUSES. They way to have clients find you is to talk about and promote the area that they are trying to research. Be the one to tell them what they watn to know. People searching for a house online do not care how many houses you have sold, or how much money you make, the kinda car you drive, how big your house is, or how cute your dog is. Period. Tons of agents are having success using the new Localism Feature. Ideas for promoting your neighborhood. Advertise the homes in your community for sale, this is your golden ticket and where the consumer will find you! * Talk about community features and the wonderful things that your community offers. * Community events a... 07/28/2009

SOoOoOoO..... your eyes are open, but are you really SEEING? What am I talking about? I'm talking about what is going on around you? Are you really processing what you are seeing or are you running on auto-pilot - you know - remote control? My previous close encounter started me thinking about what you DON'T realize or see in our normal every day routines - especially while driving your car.  I didn't notice the difference or realize it until I started riding a motorcycle and went through the motorcycle safety course. Your eyes are open while you are driving, but what are you really seeing? How aware are you of your surroundings? Or are you a statistic waiting to happen? Do you drive home on remote thinking about your days events, or talking on your cell phone - just totally lost in tho... 07/26/2009

Government Insured Loans... Let me start off by saying I am a HUGE fan of them. The majority of my clients are First Time Home buyers, looking to get their $8,000 tax credit. These government loans in my opinion are GOOD loans. They provide stable loans with major incentives to help ease these first timers into the process of home ownership, often for zero money down, which is important to these buyers. It makes their offer stronger when they can afford to pay their own closing costs. The BAD thing about these loans is that with the popularity of them comes some pretty lengthy turn times... try a month in USDA underwriting. This my friends, is where it gets UGLY. Last week a smoking deal of a house came on. My anxious buyers and myself headed to check it out. It wasn't a bank owned, it ... 07/25/2009

Non-Distressed Homes for Sale in Belfair bring Multiple Offers! That is the latest scenario that we have been seeing on homes for sale in the Belfair area that are under $250,000 and are a good value for the price.  Buyers are shying away from the short sale homes for sale because of the frustration in the length of time it takes the short sale lenders to respond to their offers never mind actually close the transaction.  Bank owned properties are getting a lot of looks, but they are not always quick to sell because of the condition that they are in.  This means that the buyers are out looking at non-distressed, non-bank owned homes for sale and realizing that when they find it and it is within their price range of under $250,000, they had better jump on it quickly.  Many, if not most, ... 07/23/2009

Trails End Lake Waterfront Community with South Shore Hood Canal Community Waterfront Access~ ~Located in Belfair~ Located 5.5 miles from the center of Belfair, Trails End Lake is a residential waterfront community offering a 74 acre lake.  Gas powered boats are not allowed on the lake.  The lake is also stocked with fish for the communities fishing pleasure!  It's convenience to Belfair makes this a great residential location and its dual water access is an added bonus!  The community offers a community beach area along the South Shores of Hood Canal which gives the homeowners access to saltwater recreational activities as well! It's maximum depth is about 30 ft. A community beach and paly area offers esy access for all its residents as well as there are lakefront homes and properties.... 07/23/2009

Right now, the market has appeared to pick up in the lower price ranges. The first time buyers have been motivated by the Federal Housing $8,0000 Tax Credit. What happens when that goes away? Is their motivation going to dissolve just as that tax credit will on November 30, 2009. Will things get WORSE? I have had clients who decided to buy this year, as apposed to in the future, just for the sake of that. What do you think? Are we in for a cold winter? Or do you think that the first time buyers will continue with their enthusiasm, despite not receiving any tax credit? Personally, I hope they continue to be motivated by the loan programs available to them. So my question to you, is the expiration of this tax credit/ first time motivator going to negatively impact our course to a recoveri... 07/22/2009

99% of the posts I write are Real Estate Related, this is the 1%. This post will get personal, if you don't care... click back now :) I am 19 years old, young, energetic, and full of fire and determination. I have been doing real estate since I was 18, just over a year and a half's time. My entire life I have wanted a career helping people. Recently an opportunity to do that has created itself, but there is minimal guidance. There is no one telling me what to do, or even how to do it. I am on course to be an Emergency Medical Technician for Mason County Fire District 2, here in my hometown of Belfair. It has been quite the process. You start out as a volunteer firefighter, but I want more. I want to be able to help directly and provide medical services.   Today I signed up for my EMT cl... 07/21/2009

So as I continue to learn, this techy stuff gets so intricate. As I am on the hunt to learn as much as I can about Search Engine Optimization, I am trying to dial in my behind the scenes details. What I want is simple. When people search: Belfair Washington Real Estate or Belfair Washington Homes For Sale... I want them to be able to find me, Josh Murphy, some how some way. WHAT is my best way to do this? Does adjusting meta-tags keywordshelp dial this seo? Do you need to be careful when using the meta-tag? If you know what you are doing, help us out. Some of you guys know so much about this, and I know I ask a lot. But help us out. What is your advice when using Meta- tags and related search engine facilitation. What are YOU doing to get your results on the top? If you have something g... 07/21/2009

Windermere Peninsula Properties is pleased to offer assistance with your property management needs. We offer maximum exposure to help get your rental home rented. If you have a rental home and would like to talk about enlisting our services, or what they are, I would love to talk to you about them. Leave the work to us! Windermere Peninsula Properties / Property Management Services Josh Murphy, Property Manager Call today! 360.710.3972 07/14/2009

In October 2008 I set out on my journey into the Active Rain realm. I began participating in other Social network platforms. I was encouraged to do so by several of my net savvy agents. It was not easy for me at first, in fact, it is still a challenge to learn, to organize and be consistent.   As a real estate Broker, I felt it was important for me learn all I could about the newer marketing concepts, technology innovations and of course Blogging. If I was going to promote these activities to my crew, I had better be prepared.   I have observed a number of my agents cultivate and prosper with WEB 2.0 systems and have seen others who just ignore this course of action.   For example, I really enjoyed Josh Murphy's, AR Blog, entitled "Social Networking... is it a Generational Thing?" By th... 07/09/2009

Walking along the wooden planks I find myself in a new world. The birds shrill call and the splash of a frog takes me miles away from where I was just a moment ago. The ducks paddle in the still reeded waters and the ducklings follow behind forming a line. One must hurry to catch up. The snake makes his way across the shaded pebbled trail and a cow swings her tail in the field. All witnessed by the clouds and sung in a melody only nature remembers. Welcome to the Theller Wetland Trail. 07/07/2009

The amount of pending sales on homes for sale in the local Belfair WA area has picked up dramatically. There is still a lot of choices available and some great buys. Buyers might want to jump on the bandwagon as soon as possible as we have also started seeing certain price ranges lacking in inventory and multiple offers on the ones available.  Let's take a look at specifics. The Belfair real estate market seems to be a lot more active in the last month.... Let's take a look and see what summer has brought to the Belfair, WA real Estate market.  Homes for Sale in Belfair, WA- (These are homes only for sale that are actively listed with real estate agents). Active Listings : 119 - this is a decrease from the month of April . Average Median Price : $367,362 Average Market Time : 193 Price ... 07/05/2009

SUMMER DAYS, CLOUDS DRIFTING, SANDY SHORES, SEA FAIR,TRAIL RIDING, QUADING ON THE BEACH, MOUNTAIN CLIMBING, SUNSETS, TALL EVERGREENS, HIKING, SURFING, JET SKIS, PADDLE BOATS, ROCK CLIMBING, OCTOPUSES, PARACHUTING,MT. RAINIER, CANOES, CAVE EXPLORATION,BUILDING SANDCASTLES, CAMPING, OLD FORTS, KAYAKING, SWIMMING, FISHING, HUNTING,HOOD CANAL, PAINT BALL,THE MARINERS, GARDENING, HORSEBACK RIDING, DINNER TRAINS, THEATER, FERRY RIDES, OYSTERS, CLAMMING, MISTY MORNING, READING IN THE AFTERNOONS,SCUBA DIVING, THE WONDERLAND TRAIL. ALDERBROOK RESORT AND SPA, HYDRO PLANES, PIRATES, THE SKAGIT VALLEY TULIP FESTIVAL,ORCAS, MEMORIES TO LAST A LIFE TIME! 07/03/2009

Hood Canal & Puget Sound Waterfront Homes for Sale~Something for Everyone! Are you dreaming or have you been dreaming about a waterfront home on Hood Canal or Puget Sound?  Well ..... you might want to start taking a good look because there are some phenomenal opportunities and homes for sale along Hood Canal as well as in Grapeview and Allyn along the Puget Sound. Lots of Choices, Lots of Style, Lots of Prices!!!  For the month end of June 2009 here is where things sit for waterfront properties along the Hood Canal & Puget Sound.... South Shore of Hood Canal currently has: 17 waterfront homes for sale. The amount of waterfront homes for sale along the South Shores of Hood canal seems to be the popular spot for sales..There have not been this many choices though in a long time. Don't mi... 07/03/2009