Archive for August, 2008
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Aug
19
Posted by Matt Thomson
When I started this blog, I was advised to not write about politics or any other potentially divisive issues. But today is election day in Gig Harbor and much of Washington. We have our first pick 2 primaries, where the top 2 vote getters, regardless of party affiliation, move on. I think it’s a pretty cool system.
I take the right to vote pretty seriously. I think it’s a great privilege, and I believe that those of us who can vote should. That being said, here are two issues I ran into today that I wanted to vent about.
- While at the polling station, an elderly man came in and announced to everyone that he doesn’t know how the polls work, and he doesn’t care. “Just put a check mark next to all the Democrats so we can run the *7%$#! Republicans outta here.” Great, thanks for voting. Party politics stink. Your character, your beliefs, your competency, your standards, none of that matters. It only matters if you have a (D) or an (R) next to your name. Fantastic. Glad our soldiers are fighting so folks can vote their ignorance.
- I was divided on a local race. My mind was made up on my way to the polls. The picture below was the deciding factor for me. One candidate shows enough fiscal and personal responsibility to not spend wads of money littering the streets of Gig Harbor, the other turns Gig Harbor into her personal dumping ground. Is this junior high? Are you really going to get votes because you have the most and the coolest signs? This candidate’s decision to litter caused me to vote for Larry Seaquist. I hope she picks up all her signs after the election.
That’s all the politics I’ll speak. I hope nobody was offended. I hope I didn’t lose any readers or potential clients. I hope you vote if you’re eligible.
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Aug
18
Posted by Matt Thomson
Mondays are the day that I give an overview of the Gig Harbor real estate market. This past week, however, I did a few real estate reviews, so I thought I’d give you a little different look at real estate in Gig Harbor.
Gig Harbor is not just home to us people. Houses in Gig Harbor come in all shapes and sizes, and the occupants are just as unique. Take a look at these photos taken around Gig Harbor and Fox Island capturing some of Gig Harbor’s sea creatures in their homes.
This giant octopus was estimated at 10′ across! All of these photos are courtesy of Dan Hershman and published on this site with written permission. Please respect his photos and do not use them without permission. To view more of his incredible photos featuring sea life all around the Puget Sound, visit his website at www.hershmanphoto.com
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Aug
16
Posted by Matt Thomson
The Gig Harbor Police Dept and Gig Harbor Community Empowerment group will be hosting their final classes of the summer on Monday, August 18th. The teen class will be from 10am-11am, with a free lunch to follow, focusing on school safety. The parent class will be from 6-8pm, and it is a breakdown of all of this summer’s classes (school safety, internet safety, and drug and alcohol awareness). It’s a pretty cool thing that our community offers these classes. If you are a parent or guardian of a teen or any school-aged child in Gig Harbor, I’d encourage you to attend. Contact myself or the contact info on the flier below if you’d like more information.
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Aug
16
Posted by Matt Thomson
Believer’s Fellowship in Gig Harbor hosted their annual Animal Fair Thursday evening. Geared for kids pre-school through 3rd grade, it’s always a hit with babies (our 10-month old got to pet her first cow) through adults (there were some retired folks with painted faces playing with the water toys). Although temps hit 90, the shaded lot and the ample water play made for happy kids, parents, and animals. Here are some photos of the temporary Gig Harbor “zoo.”
For many kids, this is their first and only chance to ride a horse!
This guy actually climbed up the ladder, ran along the beam, and jumped down on the other side! Amazing!
She also made the kids pretty happy!
Water bucket racing was a hit with the kids.
Come out next year and join us!
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Aug
15
Posted by Matt Thomson
There are lots of open houses in Gig Harbor this weekend (I’ll be holding one in my favorite neighborhood of Millbrooke Saturday from 2-4pm). Keller Williams Realty is holding their inaugural Back to School HOME sale, featuring 16 Gig Harbor homes for sale at discounts up to $100,000! Many of our sellers have agreed to cut their prices for this weekend only. We don’t want to rush anybody, so any potential home buyers who visit any of our open houses this weekend or swing by the Keller Williams Gig Harbor office can pick up a coupon that allows them to buy the home at the discounted price for up to two weeks from this weekend.
Consider this Keller Williams’ economic stimulus package to Gig Harbor home buyers! Inman News has tagged Keller Williams as the nation’s most innovative real estate company, and this sale is just another example of how we do things differently! For a complete list of open houses in Gig Harbor click here. To see the 6 sale properties that will not be open this weekend, please give me a call.
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Aug
15
Posted by Matt Thomson
I kind of like the rhyme to this title. The Gig Harbor Barber. It occurred to me that with back to school coming up, many new families to the area will be looking for a place to get the kiddos’ hair cut. You can drive by a place and say, “Hmmm, let’s try that.” You could look in the phone book under “Barbers” in Gig Harbor, but phone books are going out of style.
So why not take a referral and go see a local barber who’s been in Gig Harbor cutting hair since the early ’90’s? Go see Gail or any of her crew at Soundview Barbers. Price is good, hair cut is good, atmosphere is clean and nice, and conversation is good. It’s gooood. Moving to a new area can present lots of little challenges. Finding a place to get your hair cut shouldn’t be one of them. Soundview Barbers is on Soundview drive just past the Olympic Plaza (on the east side of the street).
Any customers of Gail? Please give us your thoughts!
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Aug
13
Posted by Matt Thomson
Last week I wrote an article about the positives of the Gig Harbor real estate market, focusing on the decreasing days on market. In yesterday’s Tacoma News Tribune real estate blog, the broker from a local real estate company was quoted as saying, “If you’re going to sell a house in the Harbor, you’re going to have to be priced under $400,000.” His comment was in context of the huge inventory of homes that we have on the market right now. His inventory numbers are correct, his assessment of our market isn’t.
The following two charts show home sales from June 1, ‘08-present. The first chart is Gig Harbor and the Key Peninsula. The second chart is just Gig Harbor (zip codes 98335, 98332, and 98333 [Fox Island]). I included the first chart because I believe those are the numbers this broker was referring to. I included the second chart because I’ve found that when people tell me they are moving to Gig Harbor, they generally don’t mean Key Peninsula. KPN is a VERY different real estate market than Gig Harbor, although it has a Gig Harbor address.
52% of the homes that have sold in Gig Harbor and the Key Peninsula in the past 2 1/2 months are under $400,000. Only 37% of the homes currently listed are under $400,000.
Looking at just Gig Harbor (98335, 98332, 98333), that number drops to 40% of the home sales are below $400,000. 23% of the homes listed are below $400,000.
To make a claim that only homes under $400,000 will sell in Gig Harbor when 60% of the home sales are OVER $400,000 is simply wrong. Notice that homes in the $600k-$700k price range have the lowest days on market!
Positive thinking matters. Being realistic is great. I’m not advocating sugar coating or deception. I’m simply advocating positive thinking.
Let me illustrate with 2 quick examples. Your pregnant wife enters the hospital with severe pains. Doctor 1 tells you, “Mr. Jones, your wife has developed a very rare disorder and must deliver immediately to possibly save her life and hopefully the baby’s life.” Doctor 2 tells you, “Mr. Jones, your wife has developed a very rare disorder. We’re going to deliver her now. Fortunately, we’ve got a great staff and we’ve done this several times.” Or try this one…economy’s got you down and you’re trying to find a way to keep your house. Lender 1 tells you, “Mr. Jones, your income is just too low. You’re just not making enough money.” Lender 2 tells you, “Mr. Jones, I can see that your income has dropped and that’s making things difficult. Let’s look at the different options that are out there and see if we can find one that works.” Both doctors and both lenders are being realistic and telling the truth. Doctor and lender 2 are being positive, which I’d prefer.
Inventories are high. The real estate market has shifted. THAT’S OKAY! It needed to shift. Things had gotten out of control. There are great opportunities for home buyers all around Gig Harbor. Home sellers who price their homes well and have them ready to show will get their homes sold. Look at the actual numbers.
I don’t believe in wearing rose colored glasses. I don’t believe in wearing dark, smudgy glasses either. Positive thinking matters.
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Aug
12
Posted by Matt Thomson
Okay, there really isn’t a zoo in Gig Harbor, but for one night only your kids will think there is! This Thursday evening (August 14th) from 6-8pm at Believer’s Fellowship Church on Hunt St in Gig Harbor, animals of all sorts will be on display.
The annual Believer’s Fellowship Animal Fair is a great time for kids pre-school through 2nd grade. We’ll have horse back rides, a cow, Alpacas, and many other fun animals, as well as games, crafts and a hot dog BBQ dinner. Kids are free, adults are asked for $1 if they eat dinner, free if they just enjoy the animals.
If you are in the Gig Harbor area and have young kids who love animals, swing on by Thursday night and join us for some fun. If you need more info or directions, give me a call.
This guy is from NW Trek, not our Animal Fair, but it was the only photo of a fun animal I had.
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Aug
11
Posted by Matt Thomson
If you’re a parent (or grandparent, or guardian) of kids and you live in Gig Harbor or the Key Peninsula, here is something that should interest you. Safe St organized the Peninsula Prevention Forum, a chance for Gig Harbor residents and their children to talk about substance abuse among Gig Harbor’s youth. There’s no question that Gig Harbor is a great place to raise a family, and for the most part Gig Harbor’s kids are a great group, but like anywhere drug and alcohol can be problematic. This forum will be a great place to get together and share ideas. Feel free to contact me or visit Safe St’s website for more information. The forum will take place Tuesday, August 12th from 6-8pm at PHS.
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Aug
11
Posted by Matt Thomson
Oh NO! Canterwood Blvd is going to be closed…for a while. In order to get the roads ready for the new Franciscan Hospital (set to open in March), they have decided to shut down Canterwood Blvd from the Burnham round about past the hospital. What that means is that A LOT of traffic that is accustomed to driving along Canterwood Blvd will now be either re-directed through town and along Peacock Hill, or down through the already backed up Purdy off-ramp.
Be patient!
Mr Bill photo courtesy of Jahdakine on Flickr.
