Gig Harbor Undressed

Gig Harbor Real Estate Market Stabilizing

Each week I track what the local real estate market is doing in terms of numbers of units coming for sale and number of units being sold.  Thus far in 2008, the number of available units has been growing weekly, while the number of units pending sales has been stable or even decreasing.

The past few weeks, however, have shown that the number of available units has stabilized while the number of homes selling has increased.  This is good news, as the number of houses selling in Gig Harbor, Port Orchard, and the surrounding areas is now keeping pace with the new listings.  The top chart below shows the total numbers of homes pending sales in Gig Harbor, Port Orchard, and the Key Peninsula.  The bottom chart shows the total number of homes listed for sale.  These numbers are for single family homes only, not condos or multi-units.  I have no idea what caused the spike in pending sales in Port Orchard three weeks ago.

If you have any questions on these numbers, or would like information on specific neighborhoods, please give me a call.  Numbers are taken from the NWMLS and are reliable, but not guaranteed.

Thinking of building in the Gig Harbor area?

If you are looking for land to build your dream home, check out my most recent listing.  20+ acres, subdividable into 4 5-acre lots, on Gig Harbor’s Key Peninsula.  This acreage is mostly level, and ready for your dream home, 4 congruent building lots, horse property, etc.  The Key Peninsula has a great deal of vacant land for sale, but it’s rare to find this kind of acreage. 

If you’re a builder or an investor, make sure you check out this one!

Treat yourself…Gig Harbor Spa Day

Make your way to the Gig Harbor Target Store for an exploration of the scent-ual pleasure of the Amazon Forest. An exclusive event from Boots, Britain’s Health & Beauty Expert. Free Hand Treatments and Massages with our newest organic body butters and scrubs. Plus Self Tanning Tips and Demos.  Sunday, March 30 from 11am - 4pm.

Gig Harbor Open Houses

If you are looking to buy a home or looking for condos for sale in Gig Harbor, here is a list of the open houses in the area this weekend.  Maybe you’re looking for a fun spring…uh, winter, no spring…thing to do and want to see what is available in the Gig Harbor, Wa, housing market.

New this week!  I’ve made a map of the open houses to hopefully help you along the way.  The numbered markers are in no order…the mapping program changed them at random.  As always, this info is from the NWMLS and is reliable but not guaranteed.  I am not the listing agent of these homes, but as a Realtor I am more than happy to answer questions and assist you in the purchase of any of these, or any other home listed for sale.

Simply click on the map for a look at the general locations of the open houses.

Run/Walk in Gig Harbor supports Burma war victims

Gig Harbor High School senior Kate Stuart has organized a 5k run/walk to provide medical and humanitarian support to those displaced by war in Burma.   The event will begin at the Chapel Hill Church parking lot in Gig Harbor, WA.  Race begins at 9am on Saturday, March 29th, with day of race registration running from 8-8:45am.

 Kate (who will be running track and cross country at my Alma mater Westmont College next year!) is putting on this event as part of her senior project at Gig Harbor High.  In addition to the 5k running race or walk for the adults, there will be a kids’ dash for kids age 5 and under. 

This is a great chance to participate in the Gig Harbor community, support a local high school student, and reach out and provide some charitable relief to those in need. Whether you’re a recreational jogger who plods along the Gig Harbor waterfront, or a competitive runner who tears up the McCormick Park trails, or just a Gig Harbor resident or visiting Gig Harbor and just want to go for a walk, this will be a great event for you. 

Entry fee ranges from $5-$18 depending on your age and t-shirt availability.  Visit Chapel Hill’s website to register, or show up at the Chapel Hill parking lot Saturday morning to register day of race.

Gig Harbor’s weather is doing what? Snow way!

Hey Seb, why the long face?  That’s not dandruff on my loyal dog, that’s snow.  Those of you in colder parts of the country may not have any sympathy (and may not consider this real snow), but for those of us in Gig Harbor, Wa, this stinks.

It’s the end of March, it’s not supposed to snow in Western Washington in March (unless you’re in the mountains).  Gig Harbor has had amazing weather this spring, warm and sunny and beautiful.  So where did this come from? 

…and then, 3 hours later!

The Importance of Curb Appeal

When selling a home, especially in a “buyer’s market” such as we’re in now, first impressions matter.  Like it or not, often times what’s on the inside is never given a chance, as what’s on the outside determines our mindset.  I was watching an episode of “American Home Makeover” a month or so ago, and the show featured a 19 year old who had been blind from birth.  He said that he considered blindness an ability, and sight as a disability!  He mentioned that he can’t see what’s on the outside, so all he can judge by is what’s on the inside.  He was obviously talking about people, but sometimes I wish people could be blindfolded as they pull up to a house, and see what’s on the inside first.  Curb appeal matters, however, so here are some tips:

* Keep the grass mowed and remove all yard clutter.
* Weed and apply fresh mulch to flower beds.
* Apply fresh paint or stain to wooden fences, decks and home’s exterior if needed.
* Tighten and clean all door handles.
* Clean windows inside and out.
* Remove cobwebs, bird’s nests, etc.
* Ensure all gutters and downspouts are firmly attached and cleaned.
* Paint the front door.
* Buy a new welcome mat.
* Place potted flowers near the front door

First impressions matter.  You’ve got to get buyers in the front door first!  What’s on the inside matters, too, though.  I received the package shown below yesterday and was really excited.  What could possibly be in a box so large?  Needless to say, though I was happy to get my new earpiece, I was a bit disappointed that what was on the inside didn’t match up with the outside!

Gig Harbor Easter Egg Hunt at Stroh’s

I’m wondering if anybody attended the Easter Egg hunt at Stroh’s Field yesterday?  We took our daughter at about 11:45 (it ran from 11-1) and they had already run out of eggs and prizes!  I didn’t get the impression  that it was poorly run, but rather that it was surprisingly well attended.

If any of you made it out there, I’d love to hear about your experience.

Gig Harbor condo sales increasing

Last Monday I took a look at the current inventory of condominiums in Gig Harbor.  I thought it’d be interesting to take a look at the actual numbers of condo SALES in Gig Harbor as well.

Last year, 53 condos sold in the Gig Harbor area, with a median sales price of $299,999.  So far in 2008, we’ve had 8 condos sell at a median price of $359,250, which was $211 per square foot.  YTD in ‘07 (covering January 1st–March 23rd) Gig Harbor saw 10 condominiums sell at a median price of $339,500, and $168 per square foot.

Gig Harbor has a far greater number of single family homes for sale (615) than condominiums (77), but the condo market is increasing.  For a list of the condos that have SOLD in Gig Harbor, or to get an assessment of what your condominium may be worth, please give me a call.

Open Houses in Gig Harbor

I thought that this weekend, being Easter weekend, would have no open houses.  I was wrong.  There aren’t many, but here is the list of open houses in the Gig Harbor, WA, area for this weekend.

This information is taken from the NWMLS and is reliable, but not guaranteed.  If you see any homes that you’d like more information on, please give me a call.