How You Can Help Cle-Elum Residents

The fire that started Monday in Cle Elum is still burning.  You can see the haze here in Tri Cities.   As of this afternoon, 70 homes , 100’s of outbuildings and over 28,000 acres of land have been destroyed.  With only 10% of the fire contained, the 900 evacuated residents are holding their breath and praying for relief.    We here at Distinctive Properties are watching with hope and optimism for the families and animals who are experiencing this devasting event.

 

The Red Cross is taking donations of personal items, non-perishable food items and cash.  Local Yakima Businesses are also collecting donations for victims on behalf of the Red Cross:

-Holiday Inn in Ellensburg, 1620 Canyon Road, 509.962.9400 (All fire victims can go to the Holiday Inn in Ellensburg 24/7 to get what they may need)

-Bubba’s Custom Tattoo in Selah, 316 South 1st Street

-Speak Easy Sports Bar in Yakima, 104 South 3rd Street

Families are  in need of Shoes, infant care needs ie: Formula and Diapers.  Also, Clothing, Blankets, Pillows, Coats, Shoes and Personal Hygiene Items.   Don’t forget our animals as well.   Local animal shelters are assisting lost pets and food donations are also needed.

Please keep this town and it’s residents in your prayers.

 

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Get More With Less!

In 1981, it took 36% of the family’s budget to buy a home.  Today, the average family only needs 15% of that income to purchase a home.

History is on your side…..Call an agent today to find out how to take advantage of these historic figures and own your piece of the pie!

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Free Paint This Saturday!

So for those of you that know me, you know I love to coupon. While writing blog articles for Distinctive Properties that are Real Estate, it is difficult to combine the two.  Imagine how excited I was when I visited my favorite coupon blog site to find a coupon for a free quart of Clark & Kensington paint at Ace Hardware, this Saturday, August 4.

What a great time to polish up your home for sale or make a color change to your home.    For your coupon, head to www.acehardware.com/coupon/

Happy Painting!

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Badger Mountain Flat?

Yup, that’s right!   A new mile long, flat trail below Badger Mountain will open this weekend!  The trail has been under construction since last year.  The trail will provide an alternative to those who would like to experisnece Badger Mountain without the “hike”.

The trail will be of gravel surface and totally level.   The surroundings consist of sagebruch and grasses, as well as wild flowers in the spring time.    Great way to get out and get some excersice without all the hiking!

See you there!

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Lamb West Columbia Cup Schedule

July 27

8:15 a.m. — Grand Prix West testing
9:10 a.m. — H1 Unlimited Hydroplane testing
11:30 a.m.-1:30p.m. — HAPO Community Credit Union air show
1:50 p.m. — H1 Unlimited Hydroplane qualifying
4 p.m. — Legends Casino Vintage Hydroplane Exhibition
4:35 p.m. — Grand Prix West Dash for Cash
5:05 p.m. — Charter Business Unlimited Hydroplane Dash for Cash

July 28

8:15 a.m. — Grand Prix West qualifying
9:10 a.m. — Unlimited Hydroplane testing
11:30 a.m.-1:30p.m. — HAPO Community Credit Union air show
Noon — Metz Mobile Marine autograph session
1:45 p.m. — Legends Casino Vintage Heat 1
2:15 p.m. — Plumbers & Stea.m.fitters UA Local 598 Grand Prix West Heat 1A
2:45 p.m. — Cascade Natural Gas Unlimited Hydroplane Heat 1A
2:30 p.m. — HAPO Air Show autograph session
3:05 p.m. — Cascade Natural Gas Unlimited Hydroplane Heat 1B
3:35 p.m. — Plumbers & Stea.m.fitters UA Local 598 Grand Prix West Heat 2A
4 p.m. — Legends Casino Vintage Heat 2

July 29

8 a.m. — Unlimited and Grand Prix West Hydroplane testing
9:30 a.m. — Legends Casino Vintage Hydroplane Exhibition
10:15 a.m. — Opening ceremonies
10:45 a.m. — Connell Oil Unlimited Hydroplane Heat 2A
11:05 a.m. — H1 Unlimited Hydroplane Heat 2B
11:30 a.m.-1:30p.m. — HAPO Community Credit Union air show
2 p.m. — Atomic Screen Printing Unlimited Hydroplane Heat 3A
2:20 p.m. — H1 Unlimited Hydroplane Heat 3B
2:45 p.m. — Plumbers & Stea.m.fitters UA Local 598 Grand Prix West Final
3:15 p.m. — Legends Casino Vintage Final
4 p.m. — Lamb Weston Columbia Cup Final

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Boat Race Weekend Begins Early….

 

Today at 4:00 p.m.!

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Mistake No. 8: Procrastinating after an offer.

Always ensure that the communication between your Realtor and yourself is exceptional and that you are both reachable at all times. Once an offer on a home is made time is of the essence, for instance if you reside within a homeowners association or a condo, you must provide association documents within a certain amount of time, otherwise the potential buyer can break the contract. Don’t lose a sale due to miscommunication and failure to provide some paperwork!

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Mistake #7: Anger Over Repair Requests

Remember  Mistake No. 3;  being dishonest about the home?  “A seller risks losing a potential sale by hiding something they know is wrong with their house.   When it’s found, inevitably during the Home Inspection, your buyer will wonder what else you are not telling them”.

So here we are, time for a Home Inspection.

An offer has been made on your home and the buyer wants a home inspection.  You have maintained the home very well, but realistically, there is always something to find, no matter how small it is.  And chances are, the buyer will want some repairs made.

Don’t make the mistake of getting angry at the buyers for the repair request, no matter how small or ridiculous it may seem.  Accept that your home is not perfect, no home is perfect.  Remember  that the home sale contract is still being negotiated and failing to fix items can end negotiations and lose a potential sale.  That’s why you have a Realtor; he/she is your negotiator.  If the report
uncovers some major issues, you, as a seller may need to lower your price, or make the requested repairs.   Talk to your Realtor for information and guidance.

Next week’s mistake…..  Not being prepared.

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Seller Mistake No. 6: Making Sale Price Personal.

Home.   It is the backdrop of our lives, the place we played and argued, hung the kids artwork on the refrigerator, Tracked the kids growth on the door jam with a pencil, where the lawn got cut, the paint got freshened up and maybe a pool or jungle gym was added in the backyard.  Your house is not just an asset to you, to you; it’s the place where your domestic affections have been centered, sometimes for generations.

There are emotions and memories packed into every wall and every corner.  So when you are presented with a low priced offer, for the life of you, don’t understand why the buyer doesn’t see the home the same way you do.

Remember…when you are selling your home it is a business transaction, not a personal one.   It may be disheartening to receive a low priced offer, but don’t be offended, it does not represent you or the care you took in the home, it represents the market conditions in your  area.    It may also be the buyer’s agent’s way of negotiating and not intended as an insult.  While there are offers that will  go nowhere, every offer is a potential sale. Your agent is there to represent you in any transactions and will work in your best interest.

Our professional Realtors may just turn that low ball offer into a sale!

 

 

 

 

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