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HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 19:39:54 +0000

Yes, its time. I saw my first house with Christmas lights, lighting the night sky about a week ago. Yesterday, next door to one of my current listings, ( http://felidahomes.com/featured-listings-2/featured-listings ) the neighbor was busy stringing up lights on the roof line, while the pumpkins still lined the driveway. (We have had a long and Beautiful Fall in SW Washington)

But this is an especially exciting Christmas, for a couple of my clients that gives HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS, a whole new twist! A NEW HOME, for the holidays, closing December 16th, and December 21st!!!

IF YOU HAVE A HOME LISTED, during this time of year …the Answer is YES, ..people DO buy homes for Christmas! If you presently have a home listed for sale, here are a few tips.

KEEP IT SIMPLE: DONT OVER DO IT!

On the exterior, there were mismatched icicles all around, trees lit, and a bunch of random blowup carnival-looking characters grouped on the front lawn. One had clearly expired. It didn’t look as overdone as the Christmas Vacation movie, but it was distracting nonetheless.

The interior had multiple santas, trees, things that made sounds (actually danced) as you walked past, and well, I am sad to say, a lot of Christmas “chachkies” on display. Don’t get me wrong. I LOVE Christmas, but there is a time and place for everything and decorating your house that is for sale with a little too much spirit is distracting to say the least.

Remember that buyers looking at houses during the holidays are generally ready to buy.

1. Remember how your agent badgered you to de-clutter your house before you listed? Don’t re-clutter it with lots of decorations and dancing santas.

2. If you historically put up a huge tree, think about downsizing a bit. While a tree can add appeal to a room, it shouldn’t take up too much space and should be in an out-of-the-way corner. Remove a piece of furniture or two if you have to in order to compensate for the space the tree is occupying. Leave the buyer some ‘room’ to envision living in that space.

3. If you like to display gifts under the tree, now is not a good time to do that. Tuck them away securely and enjoy them on your holiday.

4. Keep outside lighting and any seasonal wreaths, sprays, bows, to a minimum remembering that the exterior can generate that cluttered…and unappealing….look as well. Maybe just use a front door wreath with a soft spotlight and some candles in the windows. Understated yet inviting.

5. Invest in some flameless battery operated candles and place them strategically around the house to create a warm, cozy feeling. Maybe use in a festive centerpiece, fireplace mantle, or even in the bathroom. The ambient glow will convey a nice, homey appeal.

6. If you have a fireplace, you might consider getting a fireplace candelabra and lighting that up with battery operated candles to show off the fireplace, set the stage and help the buyers imagine themselves using that room and fireplace.

7. Be careful with using scents. Whether it’s potpourri or maybe lighting a scented bayberry candle to make the house smell good (to you but maybe not to someone else) before showings….. just leave it for another time.

Prepare your home for sale AND the holidays by strategically enhancing its appearance and ambiance with tasteful, minimal holiday decorations. By doing so, you just might be on your way to getting something special in your Christmas stocking and some GREEN in your bank account! Need a consultation CONTACT ME, I am happy to help!

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Realtor in Vancouver, Active Rain Profile: http://activerain.com/ggmatthews

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October Homeowner tips – Aging in Place

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 17:02:48 +0000

Happy October,The leaves are turning and the air is chilling. Autumn has officially begun! It’s the perfect time of year to enjoy a little outdoor maintenance before winter sets in.Whatever your needs, Lowe’s is here to help. With expert advice and home remodeling supplies from paint to lighting and everything in between, Lowe’s has you covered.-Gloria Matthews, REALTOR® | contact me

B. Brown/Shutterstock

Kzenon/Shutterstock

5 key home upgrades for aging in place

It’s something we’d all just as soon avoid, but there’s no getting around it: We’re all getting older. And that’s something worth keeping in mind as you plan and remodel your home. The concept of “aging in place” — making changes to your home to make it more comfortable and more adapted to your needs as you age — is one that’s been gaining a lot of popularity, especially in these tough economic times.

3 commonly overlooked roof repairs

Before winter’s bad weather can catch up to you, if you’re having any problems with your roof, this is the time to get those repairs out of the way.

TRENDS UPDATE

Retrofit bathroom doors for more universal design

Q: In past years, I seem to remember a movement to have architects and builders promote universal design, with at least one bathroom with doors wide enough for wheelchairs. Did this idea totally die because of cost?

BUYING & SELLING

Rules of canceling a real estate purchase

There can be serious consequences if you back out of a home purchase transaction.

Top 6 reasons mortgage applications are rejected

Half of refinance applications are abandoned or rejected, as are 30 percent of purchase mortgage applications, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Some real estate sellers better off as landlords

Hopes of a housing recovery in the second half of 2011 were dashed when low consumer confidence, high unemployment and the debt crisis debacle were exacerbated by Standard & Poor’s downgrade of the United States’ credit rating.
Read more »


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Luxury Ranch Home – Lake view

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 01:21:05 +0000

Great Room

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10202 NW 33rd Court, 98685

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Kitchen -2

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Great Room

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Fireplace and Dry bar

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Dry bar in Great Room

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Bedroom

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Dressing Room

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Master Bath

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Office

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Covered deck / Enclosed Porch

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BBQ Station / covered and screened deck

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Back Yard

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Lake View

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Listing Price: 550,000
Address: 10202 NW 33rd Ct.
City: Vancouver
State: Wa
ZIP: 98685

MLS # (if any): 11086038
Square Feet: 2800
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2 1/2
Basement (full, 1/2, finished, unfinished):

GENERAL INFORMATION

Lot Size:

10K-14,999SF

# Acres:

0.24

Lot Dimensions:

10,152 sq ft

Waterfront:

View:

LAKE, TERRITR

Lot Desc:

LEVEL, TREES, GRNBELT

Body Water:

Vancouver Lake

RESIDENCE INFORMATION

Upper SQFT:

SFSrc:

blueprints

#Bdrms:

# Bth:

2.1

#Lvl:

Year Blt:

2008 /

RESALE

Main SQFT:

2800

TotUp/Mn:

2800

Style:

CUSTOM, 1STORY

Green:

Lower SQFT:

Parking:

#Garage:

ATTACHD

#Fireplaces:

GAS, WOOD

Total SQFT:

2800

Roof:

Exterior:

STONE, FIBRCEM

Bsmt/Fnd:

CONCRET, CRAWLSP

Public:

Fabulous CUSTOM single story home in park like setting. Chef’s Kitchn & great-rm are an entertainers dream! Formal living & dining. Master suite has dressing room, & jetted walk-in shower. Adjacent office w/custom built-ins. 2 more bedrms are a Jack n Jill Suite. Covered Deck is fully screened w/built-in grill. Custom finishes, crown moldings & woodwork throughout. Lake View!

APPROXIMATE ROOM SIZES AND DESCRIPTIONS

Living:

15 X 13

BLT-INS, FIREPL

Mstr Bd:

12 X 18

DRES-RM, SUITE

Baths – Full.Part

Kitchen:

17 X 13

GRANITE, COOK-IS

2nd Bd:

10 X 18

BATH, SUITE

Upper Lvl:

0.0

Dining:

14 X 12

HARDWOD

3rd Bd:

10 X 12

WI-CLOS

Main Lvl:

2.1

Family:

15 X 29

BLT-INS, FIREPL

DEN/OFF

14 X 10

BLT-INS

Lower Lvl:

0.0

SUNPRCH

8 X 47

BI-GRILL

UTILITY

BLT-INS, BI-VACM

Total Bth:

2.1

FEATURES AND UTILITIES

Kitchen:

COOK-IS, GRANITE, COOKTOP, BI-RANG, PANTRY, GASAPPL, PLB-ICE, BI-OVEN, FS-REFR, SSAPPL

Interior:

GAR-OPN, HARDWOD, LAUNDRY, OWSECUR, TILE-FL, CEILFAN, GRANITE, WOODFLR, JET-TUB, SOAKTUB

Exterior:

YARD, COVDECK, SPRNKLR, PORCH, BBQ-PIT

Accessibility:

1LEVEL, WALKSHR, WD-HALL

Cool:

CENTAIR

Heat:

FOR-AIR

Water:

PUBLIC

Sewer:

PUBLIC

Hot Water:

GAS

Fuel:

GAS

FINANCIAL

PTax/Yr:

$5,089.34

Rent, If Rented:

Short Sale:

Bank Owned:

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Corner Lot? how to maximize your price appeal

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 15:59:49 +0000

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Always Maximize the curb appeal of your home, by playing on strengths!

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Inspection updates

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 19:19:21 +0000

I learned a new thing at an inspeciton today

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24203 NE 112TH AVE Battle Ground, WA 98604

trscully — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 12:13:12 +0000

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Immaculate in & out,Large Entry,Country Kitchen, Nook, Familyroom,extra room off master suite, claw foot tub may be converted into soak tub area. Covered deck overlooking creek. Income Potential,Agricultural LOW ppty Taxes,400amp service,220&vaccuum system in garage, WALKING DISTANCE TO SHOPPING,SCHOOL,& BUSINESS.Level treed Acreage.

Please use the form below to send an email

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trscully — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 00:25:54 +0000

Here at Vancouver Portland Real Estate, you will find everything you need to know about Vancouver real estate, Battleground, Camas & beyond in one easy to use website. With information about buying or selling a home in and around Vancouver, and Portland. Get Real Estate market trends in real-time, Washington and Oregon Schools including School District Maps plus all the community & neighborhood details as well as neighborhood & Zip Code Maps! Plus enjoy using the BEST SEARCH TOOLS anywhere featuring Vancouver homes for sale with property community facts.. The latest technology available will make your house hunting fun & easy!

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Brush Prairie 4.29 acres Luxurious and Spacious

Sun, 31 Jul 2011 06:34:21 +0000

Brush Prairie Beauty Inside and Out!

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Living Room

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Fabulous Kitchen with Granite and Stainless

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Beautiful hardwood floors

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Master Suite

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Bonus Room

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Master Bath

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Sauna

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Bonus room and office

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Covered Patio and Hot Tub

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Patio and Outdoor Entertaining

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Look out or "Camp Out"

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Almost 5 acres, you’ll love this Retreat! Wonderful Valley and Mountain views with your own “look out’. This home features four bedrooms and 3.1 baths! The Master Suite is generous, well appointed and a fireplace too.

Notice the expanded living via TWO Covered outdoor patios on the upper and lower level which has a hot tub. The miniature cottage is another space for hobbies or playspace.

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HYPER LOCAL REAL ESTATE – “Micro Climates”

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 22:19:39 +0000

I’ve said it so often, it could be my theme song: Real estate is hyper-local. Recently I read a well written article by Tara-Nicholle Nelsony. She effectively outlines some of the variations on real estate values and trends and reminds us… REAL ESTATE IS HYPER LOCAL.

Markets move up and down on their own time frames, and to varying degrees depending on factors like their job markets, whether or not the area happens to be a college town, patterns in population growth (or decline), and whether homes are overbuilt in the area.

The fact that real estate is hyperlocal also means that there are no national rules of thumb in American real estate; The national news is full of the negative stories about severly affected parts of the country that have having little or no recovery in real estate. But of course the NEWS service is doing little to shed the light on markets that are showing signs of rebounding or recovering… they exist.

Some think the home will be available to see next week…ONLY TO FIND IT HAS ALREADY SOLD. So, the days of …well how about next tuesday …in some cases may be over.

“Hyperlocal also means that real estate market dynamics can be different even in different areas within the same city. Even when markets are moving roughly in sync, as now, when home prices and sales activity are relatively depressed everywhere, there can be multiple offers in some neighborhoods while across town it’s nearly impossible to move a property.”

There are many local factors that affect pricing from neighborhood to neighborhood. Proximity to schools, parks, overall stability of certain desireable neighborhoods, proximity to transportation routes, and jobs.

Locally, we may also be seeing signs of additional JOBS in the region with many projects undersay and an uptick in commerical building permits. Mike Bomar of Southwest Washington Contractors Association shared some statistical information and updates, recently.

Perception is everything… and a local realtor is always your beat on the street. Not a syndicated national news clip.

Vancouver Recently Sold Homes

Gloria Matthews
Adamas Realty
360-600-3042

http://www.ggmatthews.AdamasRealty.com

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Pleasant Highlands – 1.25 Acres , 4 bedroom Home

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 23:58:50 +0000

Pleasant Highlands

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Living Room - Fireplace

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Dining

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Granite Counters in kitchen

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recent kitchen remodel

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Kitchen

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Private Deck and Hot Tub

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Beautiful Landscaped Acreage

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Lovely 4 bedroom home PLUS office or 5th bedroom placed on beautifully landscaped acreage with mature trees. 1.25 acre parcel in Pleasant Highlands, Close in and convenient to WSU, Legacy Hospital and Salmon Creek, near I-5/I-205 salmon creek interchange. Inside the Kitchen has been nicely updated with Granite Counter tops. A large master suite, 3 more bedrooms and 5th bedroom or office. Dont miss the lovely deck and hot tub, in your private retreat.

Vancouver School District, Skyview High School

Listing Price: 409,900
Address: 13814 NE 45TH CT
City: Vancouver
State: Wa
ZIP: 98686

MLS # (if any):
Square Feet: 2836
Bedrooms: 5
Bathrooms: 2.1
Basement (full, 1/2, finished, unfinished):

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ggmatthews.com

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

October Homeowner tips – Aging in Place

5 key home upgrades for aging in place

3 commonly overlooked roof repairs

TRENDS UPDATE

Retrofit bathroom doors for more universal design

BUYING & SELLING

Rules of canceling a real estate purchase

MORTGAGES

Top 6 reasons mortgage applications are rejected

REAL ESTATE & PERSONAL FINANCE

Some real estate sellers better off as landlords

Luxury Ranch Home – Lake view

Great Room

10202 NW 33rd Court, 98685

Entry / Foyer

Formal Living

Dining

Kitchen

Kitchen -2

Great Room

Fireplace and Dry bar

Dry bar in Great Room

Bedroom

Dressing Room

Master Bath

Office

Covered deck / Enclosed Porch

BBQ Station / covered and screened deck

Back Yard

Lake View

Corner Lot? how to maximize your price appeal

Inspection updates

24203 NE 112TH AVE Battle Ground, WA 98604

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photo.asp 1

photo.asp 3

photo.asp 5

photo.asp 6

photo.asp 7

photo.asp 9

photo.asp 10

Brush Prairie 4.29 acres Luxurious and Spacious

Brush Prairie Beauty Inside and Out!

Living Room

Fabulous Kitchen with Granite and Stainless

Beautiful hardwood floors

Master Suite

Bonus Room

Master Bath

Sauna

Bonus room and office

Covered Patio and Hot Tub

Patio and Outdoor Entertaining

Look out or "Camp Out"

HYPER LOCAL REAL ESTATE – “Micro Climates”

Pleasant Highlands – 1.25 Acres , 4 bedroom Home

Pleasant Highlands

Living Room - Fireplace

Dining

Granite Counters in kitchen

recent kitchen remodel

Kitchen

Private Deck and Hot Tub

Beautiful Landscaped Acreage