My brokerage, Coldwell Banker Evergreen Olympic Realty, in Olympia WA has for the last six years held a scholarship contest open to high school students in the area.  The theme each year has been for students to answer the question, "What Makes a House a Home?"Every year it seems the essays get better and better.  This year, I'd like to share with you what the 2016 winner wrote.  (Margaret Maclay pictured here with her mother and siblings.)Here is Margaret Maclay's winning essay, "The History of my Home."  Margaret is a student at Olympia High School. My current house is not my first home. It is the second address to live at the tip of my tongue, and the second set of directions written on the back of my hand. It came later, replacing the house that all three kids were born in, the firs... 08/03/2016

3512 Blacksmith St SE Olympia, WA 98501 3512 Blacksmith St SE Elegant & gracious home in great Olympia location, close to schools, LBA Park, amenities & I-5. Generously sized rooms & special architectural features express elegance & character. Interior Features: Family Room, Appliances, Den/Office, Dining Room, Central Air, Pantry, Walk-In Closet, Fireplace, Hardwood Floors, Main Floor Bathroom, Laundry Room, Forced Air. Exterior Features: Fenced Yard, Deck/Patio, Landscaping. Custom Features: Roof : Composition roof Construction : Stone exterior,Wood exterior Price: $319,000 Type: Single Family Residential for Sale Floors: Multiple Parking/Garage: 2 Bedrooms: 4 Baths:2 Half Baths:1 Square Feet: 2584 Year Built: 2006 MLS #: 974906   www.sandynelsonrealestate.com/listings/E0775857-0E52-... 07/13/2016

5749 Ashbourne Lane SE Olympia, WA 98501 5749 Ashbourne Lane SE Exquisite Indian Summer Golf & Country Club residence, appointed with superb features & craftsmanship. Boasting hardwood flooring, wainscoting, crown molding, tiered ceilings, custom tile work & more. Interior Features: Family Room, Appliances, Den/Office, Dining Room, Central Air, Main Floor Bedroom, Walk-In Closet, Fireplace, Hardwood Floors, Main Floor Bathroom, Laundry Room. Exterior Features: View, Fenced Yard, Deck/Patio, Landscaping. Custom Features: Roof : Tile roof Master Bedroom : Master Bedroom Level: M Construction : Stone exterior,Wood exterior Price: $399,900 Type: Single Family Residential for Sale Floors: Multiple Parking/Garage: 2 Bedrooms: 4 Baths:2 Half Baths:1 Square Feet: 2761 Year Built: 2006 MLS #: 9... 07/12/2016

The discussion of inventory these days permeates the real estate headlines.  There seems to be either too much inventory or not enough.  Right now, there's not enough. Starting off the summer in Olympia WA, the real estate inventory levels are low even though we have had more listings come on the market.  But these new listings have been snapped up by buyers, who were ready and waiting.  A few stats: In June 2015 - 545 new listings put on the market. In June 2016 - 687 new listingsMore listings but also more buyers. The standing inventory in the Olympia WA area is 10% lower than last year.In the last 20 years, 2016 is the 4th lowest level of inventory.  Only 2003 - 2005 had lower levels of summertime inventory.  It can be brutal out there for buyers.Most buyers know or have learned the ... 07/08/2016

Check out this video of Andrew and John Brinton of A-Pro Home Inspection Services checking out a furnace filter that should have been changed out months ago.  You can hear how noisy the system is as the furnace is struggling to get air in.  This can cause the furnace to overheat, which can cause major damage and can be very costly to repair.The best advice is to have your furnace serviced annually by a licensed HVAC technician, and then check the filter once a month to see if it needs to be changed.And when buying a home in the Olympia, WA area, hire a licensed and experienced home inspector like Andrew and John Brinton of A-Pro Home Inspection Services. 07/04/2016

Search current inventory of Single Family Home w/ Basement For Sale in Olympia WashingtonListing DetailsSingle Family Home w/ Basement For Sale in Olympia Washington3741 Goldcrest Hts NW, Olympia 98502Price: $424,997MLS number: 910458Bedrooms: 5Bathrooms: 3Square Footage: 3599Call Wes Neal at 360-402-8130 to see if this property is still available and arrange a showing. You Will Love the Attention to detail of this Single Family HomeAmazing opportunity to own Goldcrest's Finest Home. This single family home w/ basement home, has been adored for the quality and its attention to detail. This impeccable home in Goldcrest Olympia boasts a bright and inviting with tons of cabinet, quartz counters, maple cabinetry and stainless appliances. The rich kempas wood allow you to feel warm with ever... 06/21/2016

Is there more to life than boating, fishing swimming & fun? Not if you make this incredible Lake St. Claire lakefront home yours! Enjoy crystal clear waters and amazing shoreline from this unique no-bank with awesome dock for boats, kayaks & jet-skis! Tastefully Remodeled lake retreat w/2 decks, Plenty of parking (a rare find on lakefront). This home has been loved from many years and is ready for you to love it as well! Awesome set up w/ guest area & kitchen down. Just  minutes to I5 & shopping centers.  3BR Lakefront home w/ dock & plenty of parking space for sale in Olympia WA Search All Homes For Sale Follow This Home! Homes Close to Where You Work Avoid Foreclosure Free Home Values Presented By: Wes Neal CENTURY 21 Northwest Realty 360-402-8130 Schedule a Showing/Request Info   06/16/2016

What happened when the buyer’s agent changed a light bulb at a home inspection? ALL agents should KNOW to NOT do any repairs at the buyer’s home inspection, including changing a light bulb! Here’s what happened at my listing:The exterior garage light bulb was broken (not just burnt out, but broken).  The buyer’s agent stuck her hand up into the fixture to untwist the light bulb with shards of glass sticking out.  (She avoided one mishap and didn’t cut her hand.) She then rummaged through my seller’s home, looking for a light bulb.  She found two, and proceeded to put in the new light bulb.  At the moment of contact, she was shocked and dropped the new light bulb onto the driveway, which shattered glass everywhere.The home inspector jumped into action and shut off the circuit breaker.She... 05/16/2016

3741 Goldcrest Heights Northwest, Olympia, WA Get Directions Click Here Description Photos Maps & Local Schools Print Brochure $ Click for current price of this Single Family home for sale w/ fully furnished basement in Olympia Washington!5 BEDROOMS | 3 (3 full ) BATHROOMS | 3599 SQUARE FEET Westside retreat & defnitely Goldcrest's finest! You'll be amazed at the quality & the attention to detail throughout as you walk through the doors of this impeccable home, that's just mins away from, well everything! Savor the bright & inviting chef's kitchen w/ton of cabinets, Quartz counters, maple cabinetry & stainless appliances & the Rich Kempas wood floors. All rooms are huge & the master is simply incredible, boasting a "To Die For" master bath & jetted tub for you to soak off the day! Sing... 05/13/2016

5040 Puget Road Northeast, Olympia, WA    Get Directions Click Here Description Photos Maps & Local Schools Print Brochure $ Click for current price of Vacant Land for sale w/ 10 + Acres Rolling Terrain in Olympia  Washington Very private 10+ acres in great location. Rolling terrain with forested blend of Fir, Ash, Cedar and huckleberries. Carve out your own your own private homesite from multiple possibilities. Backs up to Foxhall riding trails. Access from Puget Rd through forested easement. You feel as if you are in the middle of a wilderness area. Beautiful blends of fir, Oregon ash, cedar and huckleberries. Easement access off of Puget road. You will not see neighbors from this parcel. Endless possibilities with this Vacant Land for sale w/ 10 + Acres Rolling Terrain in Olympia  W... 05/13/2016

With email hacking on the rise, most financial institutions are resorting to encrypted emails.  I'm all in favor of increasing security but....really?  I just received this from a national lender.  What the heck is my "security image" supposed to be?I really, really hope I can open the email because there is no way I'm contacting customer support and then having to describe my "security image."  04/19/2016

What is an Escalation Clause in real estate and does it work in a multiple offer situation? Escalation ClauseHere in Olympia, WA, an Escalation Clause is sometimes added to an offer when a buyer is competing with other buyers on the same home.     The Escalation Clause tells the seller:1. what the maximum price the buyer is willing to pay for the home, and2. how much the buyer is willing to escalate their offer against the other offer(s). For example, a property is listed for $200,000, and there are two buyers making an offer.  Buyer One includes the escalation clause in their offer which states the maximum price they are willing to pay for the home is $225,000, and they will offer $2,000 over the other offer.Buyer Two does not include an escalation clause but offers $220,000.With every... 04/19/2016

Very private 10+ acres in great location. Rolling terrain with forested blend of Fir, Ash, Cedar and huckleberries. Carve out your own your own private homesite from multiple possibilities. Backs up to Foxhall riding trails. Access from Puget Rd through forested easement. You feel as if you are in the middle of a wilderness area. Beautiful blends of fir, Oregon ash, cedar and huckleberries. Easement access off of Puget road. You will not see neighbors from this parcel. Endless possibilities!! Search All Homes For Sale Follow This Property! Homes Close to Where You Work Avoid Foreclosure Free Home Values Presented By: Wes Neal CENTURY 21 Northwest Realty 360-402-8130 Schedule a Showing/Request Info   04/12/2016

4505 Briggs Dr. SE Olympia, WA 98501 Briggs Village Townhouse Amazing executive townhome in Briggs Urban Village for people who value an easy and low-maintenance life style. Enjoy this beautiful and spacious home and walk to parks, amenities and the YMCA. Interior Features: Family Room, Appliances, Walk-In Closet, Forced Air, Pantry, Main Floor Bathroom, Dining Room. Exterior Features: View, Balcony, Deck/Patio, Landscaping. Community Features: Tennis, Recreation Facilities Price: $307,900 Type: Townhouse for Sale Floors: Multiple Parking/Garage: 2 Bedrooms: 3 Baths:2 Half Baths:1 Square Feet: 1,992 Year Built: 2014 MLS #: 922434   www.sandynelsonrealestate.com/listings/07F3A322-DEAF-BEE2-F9D9B99E74DD909D.shtml   For more information contact: Sandy Nelson Realtor®, ASP, GRI, VAMRES, SR... 04/11/2016

How do Buyer's Find Success in Today's Olympia WA Real Estate Market?From a buyer's point of view, this is an interesting market.  On one hand, there are many more homes coming on the market.  On the other hand, there are more buyers competing for these homes.  The challenge for buyers isn't so much lack of choice as it is the market's fast pace. With quality homes selling in record time, successful buyers need a good plan.  This way they can act quickly when the right home comes on the market, and still have complete confidence in the decision to buy. Here are a few tips for buyers in this market:  Know the market better than the competition. Work with great professionals with a proven track record in our market. Be tuned in to the market everyday - the best home may not be on the mark... 02/22/2016

Why this Seller’s Market is Different this Time Around in Olympia, WAToday, the Olympia, WA real estate market has more buyers entering the market than sellers. The demand from buyers is overwhelming the lesser supply of sellers listing their homes, creating a market that favors sellers.In the last 20 years in this Olympia, WA real estate market, there has been only ONE other year that started off better for sellers, and that was 2005.  However 2005 was a different kind of market that started the decline of the market for the next several years. First Big DifferenceIn 2005, the demand from buyers abruptly stopped.  Notorious lenders had been artificially stimulating the demand by granting loans to many people who couldn’t afford them.  This put more buyers into the market (that shouldn’... 02/22/2016

With just one phone call, my buyer saved about $7,500.  And it was a very simple phone call to make. The BackgroundWe have been working on this short-sale for 10 months now.  The sellers have a law firm who is negotiating with the bank, (but as I've learned, just because a short-sale negotiator is involved doesn't mean this will be a smooth process).We are about 3 weeks away from finally closing when we were hit with the news that the seller's lender will not cover the delinquent homeowner association dues that add up to about $7,500.The buyer was told that they could raise the purchase price to cover this delinquency.  But that didn't sit well with the buyer.  Obviously it's frustrating for a buyer to have to pay this.The negotiator said they will try to negotiate with the bank.  We we... 02/12/2016

Olympia's latest & greatest Home inventory - from $72k on up to $2.7M. Something for everyone, all in one convenient place!Have more specific criteria? Sign up for a free account & set up unlimited listing alerts - right to your email.Current Olympia Homes:  http://www.quallsrealestate.com/listings/areas/45786/propertytype/SINGLE/sort/price+asc/#nwhomes   #olympiahomesforsale   #movetowa  #goals2016   #pugetsound   #jblm  #realestateforthepnw   #quallsteam  #quallsrealestate   #homeinventory   #buyingahome  #pnw   #nw   #realestateagent   #olympia  #southsound   #wastate   #evergreencollege   #spscc  #saintmartins    01/28/2016

1318-1320 Pear St NE Olympia, WA 98506 1318-1320 Pear St NE Adorable 2BR/1BA duplex at end of quiet street, just a short distance to Priest Point Park, East Bay, San Francisco St. Bakery and schools. Interior Features: Appliances, Forced Air, Fireplace, Main Floor Bathroom, Dining Room, Laundry Room, Pantry. Exterior Features: Balcony, Deck/Patio, Landscaping. Price: $285,000 Type: Multi-Unit Residential for Sale Floors: Multiple Parking/Garage: 2 Bedrooms: 4 Baths:3 Square Feet: 2486 Year Built: 1978 MLS #: 881146   www.sandynelsonrealestate.com/listings/28C47885-9029-DEBB-E7FFB3657F8106B0.shtml   For more information contact: Sandy Nelson Realtor®, ASP, GRI, VAMRES, SRESRiley Jackson Real Estate Inc. Cell: 360-789-7505 sandy.nelson@comcast.net www.sandynelsonrealestate.com Copyright ... 01/09/2016

Here is the Summit Lake / Steamboat Island WA real estate market update for January 2016. Summit Lake / Steamboat Island WA real estate market snapshot.  In looking at how 2015 rounded out, there were great strides in recovery for the Summit Lake and Steamboat Island areas.All the numbers look great for the Summit Lake/Steamboat Island area! Sales Prices are up slightly. Number of home sales are down a bit but are very stable. Inventory numbers and number of homes listed for sale are improved.  This is great news for sellers.  Sellers have less competition but buyers have less inventory to choose from. With 3 months of inventory, the Summit Lake / Steamboat Island area sellers are in  a seller's market.  (A sellers' market is 0-3 months of inventory.)  This is a huge improvement when at... 01/06/2016