Modular Homes Are More (or less) Than They Use To Be!!!

Modular Homes Are More (or less) Than They Use To Be!

Have you seen the modular homes made from alternative materials? Does anyone you know have one?

Since I learned about the 'Tumbleweeds', I've been working to increase my knowledge on all types of building construction. Not because I know of any like this in my area - mostly because I find it really interesting.

Shipping or Storage Containers are pretty useful too!

From This --- To This

The number of alternative materials is astounding! All types of structures including freight train containers, concrete slab products, and any number of recycled materials that can be re-recycled again, and of course solarized heating. These are not just for temporary shelters in disaster areas - rather really beautiful uniques living spaces.

The ideas behind it:

Use Less Space

Preserve Natural Resources

Leave a Smaller Ecological Footprint

More Affordable Housing

Lower Energy Bills Up to 40%

I love the idea in theory, but has anyone you know lived in one? A cabin retreat maybe?

And what a great studio space for artists too! Yikes! I think I want one!!!

Selling? Tips on Presentation

STAGING Your House for On-line Photos

Presentation, also known as Staging, can be the most influential step in marketing your home.

Since your home will likely be marketed on-line with photos, these photos must provide the best possible impression to potential buyers.

When buyers are previewing - even on-line - they are looking at the space available for living. They may even begin to imagine their own furnishings in the rooms. So when it comes to those photos...

1) Make sure to include photos of the exterior of the house front and back yards. And make sure the areas are well-maintained, groomed and landscaped. This is your buyers first impression of your home on-line or in person. Be sure you make it say 'welcome.'

2) Always include pictures of the interior of the house on-line - especially the primary living areas and master bedroom/suite/bath. When there are no pictures of the inside of the house, potential buyers are subconsciously wondering why and will likely move on.

3) Make sure your photos are light, bright and show off the home's features and focal points. Make sure potential buyers see that crown-molding, wood floors, living room fireplace and all that your home has to offer.

4) Have the toilet seats down in your photos and during showings. No-one wants to see what's in the toilet until inspection time comes around.

5) Remove all out of season holiday decor (including outdoor holiday lighting) before you take your photos. For the do-it-your-selfers, your potential buyer may think the house has been sitting on the market a long time if out of season photos are in the on-line presentation. And once again, the potential buyer is wondering - why hasn't it sold.

6) Make sure the beds are made, clothes put away, kitchen and bathroom counters are clear of all personal items, toys put away. No-one wants to see your personal stuff - and if the house is messy, it reflects on the underlying condition of the house.

7) Open all the curtains and blinds for your photos and during viewings. Turn on lamps too.

8) Pack up most collectibles and excess furniture before you take your photos. Your on-line photos have to show how spacious and airy it is. Potential buyers should be able to see the features and focal points in the photos of your house not your collection of model cars. Sometimes they can also get caught up in those family pictures and forget about the business at hand to purchase your home. This is especially true for viewings.

9) Make sure your furniture and accessories are placed for optimum visual flow and appeal and that your walls are painted in neutral colors. A poorly designed room in photos with a color scheme that clashes with a potential buyer's belongings can dissuade them from even going to view your home.

10) Leave your pets and their food bowls, beds, cages, etc. out of photos. Some people have allergies and other pet-related issues and if they seem them in your photos it takes away from the home.

Use these tips for taking photos, and you'll have more potential buyers view your home. Before you know it, your house will be SOLD!

Art In The Garden - Enumclaw

ArtsAlive! presents the 7th Annual Juried Artist Invitational!

Art in the Garden 2010

Located at the beautiful Country Gardens in Enumclaw
46626 - 228th Avenue SE
August 7th 9 am - 6 pm & August 8th, 9 am - 4 pm

This event is a must see this year!!
It is going to be bigger and better with live music for your entertainment
while browsing the artists' booths.

• blown glass • garden bells • original paintings • jewelry • rock art •
• wood turning • metal art • photography • pottery •
• whimsical garden art •


Call for more information at 360-802-6787 or visit the ArtsAlive! website.


Arts Alive! is a non-profit organization that support the visual, performing, and literary arts on the plateau.

CFL Light Bulbs - How To Prevent Mercury Poisoning

CFL light bulbs are a great product, just be careful of how you handle them.

The EPA tells us that if every household in America replaced one “traditional” light bulb with an energy-saving compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) light bulb, it would result in $700 million in energy cost savings each year. Not only would our energy bill be reduced, but a greenhouse gas savings equivalent to that of 800,000 automobiles would kick in.

They are pricey, but CFL light bulbs tend to pay for themselves in under a year, and can last for many years in some cases. It’s no wonder they’re so popular.

The actual presence of mercury 'contained' in these light bulbs doesn’t make them dangerous. CFL light bulbs contain an average of 4 milligrams of mercury per bulb. The health risks are minimal if handled properly, and if you follow precautions about how to dispose of them. These tips will help prevent breakage that can make CFL light bulbs potentially dangerous.

The Environment Protection Agency offers some tips:

1. Screw/unscrew the bulb from the base - not the bulb area to prevent breakage

2. Never force a CFL light bulb into a light socket

3. When the bulb burns out, bring it to one of 3,106 recycling centers

The EPA website also provides guidance for dealing with broken bulbs.
Among the recommendations: DO NOT wash mercury-covered clothing - this will prevent contamination of other clothing; and DO NOT vacuum up the poison. There are special handling instructions to prevent poisoning in your household.

The EPA’s CFL mercury fact sheet can be viewed on its web site.

CFLs provide long-term energy and environmental cost savings. Minimize the health risks with just a little thoughtful care of their handling.

Yee Haw and Tally Ho!!!

Washington State Horse Park Ready to Open the Gates!!

It's a proud moment for Washington State - it has its own major Horse Park! Of course all equestrians know that this isn't just for Washington. People from all over American and Canada will be competing in some grand events at this new facility.

The New Washington State Horse Park is about to open it's gates for all disciplines!

For more information you can go to www.washingtonstatehorsepark.org

In brief:

The Northwest Shoot Out I and II event - August 27th - 29th, 2010

Ride the Park Prize Ride event September 25th, 2010

Happy Trails!!!

Who Qualifies for a Short Sale?

Here in Washington State, there is a 3-part test to qualify for a Short Sale.

1) The property needs to be worth less than is owed.

2) There must be a hardship - death, disability, divorce, unemployment, etc.

3) Generally they must be in default (exception with VA and sometimes FHA)

Seems pretty straight forward to me.

There are numerous other points to consider after the 3-part test as to the level of difficulty and reasons to say NO to a listing that is doomed to failure. Things like mortgage insurance issues, and of course deficiency expectations, etc., but the important take home for SHORT SALES is that it is OK and appropriate to say NO - it is highly recommend a homeowner considering this option speak to a reputable real estate attorney. I think then everyone has a better chance of resolving the problem issues at hand.

LIKE TRAINS?

If you like trains you must see the Glacier Pointe Community.

I am hosting an open house for Norris Construction. I'm sure you will be as impressed as I am with the quality of their homes.

This community has a real full sized train running through (not very often)!

I checked to be sure of the sound levels and the stability of the home itself - BOTH CRITERIA PASSED THE TEST. No wine glasses rattling and white noise from the train when doors and windows are shut prove to be no problem. Exceptional quality in these homes based on these points alone.

I couldn't help but think about how impressed my grandchild would be with a real live train at Grandmas's house!!

Styling on these homes is very nice with several models to choose from - all nicely done to fit many budgets.

If you would like to know more, just send me an email!

What is Boomers 55Plus?

I have wanted to do a blog for some time and thought about how to best make it happen. So here it is!!

This blog is for 55+ interested in lifestyle changes and new dreams for their future. You will find ideas, real estate posts, and opportunities of interest. It's about you. I invite you to read and share your thoughts. Let's have some fun...