Our Spring Newsletter ! hope you enjoy it..
http://www.distinctiveprop.com/pdfview.src?ID=280&URL=/files/files/Spring2013Newsletter.pdf
Our Spring Newsletter ! hope you enjoy it..
http://www.distinctiveprop.com/pdfview.src?ID=280&URL=/files/files/Spring2013Newsletter.pdf
This week, starting on April 19th and going through April 28th the Portland Spirit will me docked and offering cruises in the Tri- Cities. Cruises board from the Dock at the Clover Island Inn and offer lunch, brunch, dinner and Snake River locks cruises. Also the Portland Spirit will be available for one-level rentals as well as private events.
The authentic Historic Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler is a 499-passenger sternwheeler reminiscent of the ships that cruised the Columbia Gorge in the 1800’s. The Sternwheeler is a replica of the historic Bailey Gatzert, which operated on the Columbia from the 1890’s to the 1920’s. The Sternwheeler provides passengers with panoramic views and fresh northwest cuisine, prepared fresh in its on board galley.
For information on prices go to: http://www.portlandspirit.com/tricitiesspring2013.php or call 800-224-3901
If you are like most buyers out there, you are wavering back and forth on whether or not to purchase a brand new home or go with an existing home. There are pros and cons to both, so here is a head to head comparison to help you choose which type of home suits your priorities better.
Sales Price– Draw
With all else being equal between the two, a new home usually has 10-20% premiums over existing homes, but with most of the best new home locations taken right off the bat, the newer homes end up costing a little less because they are usually more remote and have smaller yards. It is hard to compare equally size wise between the two because of this. Most of the time it boils down to the location and size of the yard. Keep in mind when comparing the two to go by lot size and layout, not how the size looks as existing homes are often overflowing with the owners possessions and builders specifically place smaller furniture to make a new home appear larger.
Transaction Speed– Existing Homes
Typically new homes are sold from models before construction even begins. This is great for allowing customization and personal touches, but it will take typically 6-9 months before the home is completed. It can get tricky if you want to list your current home as listing too soon and you could end up without a home for a while and listing too late you could end up with two mortgages, so be sure to check with an agent to see how fast homes in your area are selling.
Cost of Ownership– New Homes
New homes are 30-40% more energy efficient on the average. Lower utility bills, better insulation and tighter sealing give new homes the advantage; whereas, with an existing home you may end up replacing the roof or heat pump within 10 years, costing an average of $18,000 for the roof and $3,000 for a new heating unit.
Near Term Gains– Existing Home
With the exception of sweat equity, new homes give very little room for improvement, causing them to stay roughly the same price as the surrounding homes. An existing home if improved upon can end up giving you a higher return.
With mortgage rates and home prices on the rise, you may be asking yourself whether or not you should just settle for purchasing whatever home is available or wait a little longer and risk paying more. Well, it depends on where you are actually purchasing a home. Home prices are expected to rise this year; however, interest rates are not expected to get much higher. Freddie Mac’s weekly survey states the national average for a 30 year-fixed-rate was at 3.52%, up from last Thursday’s 3.51% and the average rate for a 5/1 ARM was 2.63%, up from 2.61%. However, the mortgage rate a 30 year-fixed-rate is not anticipated to raise much above the 4% mark this year, given the Federal Reserve’s effort to keep the low rates. Those hoping to refinance are going to be affected more by these smaller increases, and it is predicted that by the end of the year, refinancing will shrink to only 40% of total mortgages. This will be down from the represented 75% in 2012. Right now, buyers are in a strong position to have down payments and get financing, with the rising rates improving the economy. If your area has a shortage of homes on the market, you will have to face the question of whether or not to settle, but with the rates not expected to go too much higher, you might not have to pay a ton more.
If you are looking for a fun family Easter event or looking for an Easter Egg hunt for your little ones, here are a few of the events going on around the Tri Cities. You can alway check with your local church to see if they have an event going also.
Starting at 8:30am on Saturday March 30 the Pasco Jaycees will be hosting their annual Easter Egg Hunt for kids age 0-12 There will also be fun games and activities, pictures with the Easter Bunny, and various prizes to be won.
There will be a pancake breakfast provided free of charge for children 12 and under; adults and older children can enjoy the breakfast for a small charge.
This is a free event but any donations are appreciated.
For more information go to: http://www.pascojaycees.org/event/%20easter-egg-hunt
Come visit Mr. and Mrs. Bunny at the Richland Community Center on Saturday, March 30, 9:30 am – 11:00 am. Activities for kids 10 and under which includes egg hunt, crafts, games and prizes, pancake breakfast and photo opportunities with Mr. Bunny. All of this for $5.50 (resident), $6.75 (non-resident)and breakfast only $3.75
Read more here: http://calendar.tri-cityherald.com/richland_wa/events/show/310574763-morning-with-mr-bunny-and-pancakes-too#storylink=cpy
Event starts at 10:00 AM with staggering times for each age group.
Ages 0-2 10:05
Be sure to bring baskets for your little egg hunters and cameras for pictures with the Easter Bunny.
Word of Faith Center in Kennewick will host a Free Family Easter Extravaganza, featuring an egg hunt (ages 0-12), free refreshments, bouncy houses, music and prizes for children and families.
Read more here: http://calendar.tri-cityherald.com/kennewick_wa/events/show/312856203-easter-extravaganza#storylink=cpy