If someone you know is PCS’ing to JBLM, please forward this email…It contains lots of great links for resources and housing in the JBLM area!
Home Search Tools
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The tools you want, the convenience you need.
I have built my business around military PCS moves, and other long distance relocations. I believe (and this is backed up by positive client feedback >Read our TESTIMONIALS<) that we are better at this than most…way better.
As a starting point, I prefer to work with a local lender (not a broker), who is very well known and respected within the community. Having a lender that is a known quantity (to sellers and their realtors) can make the difference in an offer being accepted or not. I have had sellers turn down an offer financed by a large national lender, in favor of the local lender…because the local lender can close in 3 weeks, and the larger ones (USAA etc.) take 45-60 days. If you ask, they will tell you…but only if you ask. If you would like contact info for my lender, just ask.
Education: I begin to educate you from Day one. I prefer that you be educated on the home buying process, and understand the pitfalls, before we start house hunting. The material includes information about JBLM, the local area, the real estate market, and the home buying process. If you would like a complete (7 page) description of the home buying process… just ask.
Listings: I have a full time employee (Stephanie) who spends her day searching for listings. I don’t like the automated searches, they are spam generators…a real person can learn your wants and needs, and does a much better job of filtering than a computer can. Stephanie searches daily, and puts the listings she finds into an online “portal” that allows you to review them, and provide us feedback. Over the course of several months, we really learn what appeals to you…and you learn the market, with the goal being that when you arrive for house hunting, you will be able to recognize a good deal…and the not so good one. The other nice thing about the portal is that it updates in real time, so you see price changes, solds, etc.
Sponsorship: Gina McKune is our Relocation Sponsor. Gina is not a Realtor…She is strictly a resource for those relocating to the area…either military, State Government, Boeing, etc. Gina is a local resident, parent of young children, and home owner. If you have questions about communities, schools, employment or recreation, Gina probably has the answers. If you would like a relocation packet by US Mail, just ask. Gina (and I) are really proud of our relocation program…and JBLM is jealous.
House Hunting: When you arrive, either TDY or to report, you will house hunt with Me (I am Broker, Owner, and the only licensed agent). I typically block off 3-5 days for house hunting, which seems to work well for a given price range and criteria. I work around the whole perimeter of JBLM, and I like to start with a brief tour of post, followed by house hunting around the perimeter. It is my goal that you get a look at all of the surrounding communities before making a decision.
As I mentioned in the first paragraph, regardless of who you work with, choose a busy and active agent…one who can prove it. An agent who is active (out showing houses daily) will better represent you based on level of experience…and, an agent with a (good) reputation will garner a better reception of your offer by the sellers agent/seller. An unknown agent, with an unknown lender, makes you an unknown buyer, with unknown ability to actually close.
Statistics of Interest:
11.8% Increase in median price home sold in Washington between 2011:Q4 and 2012:Q4.
26,850 Total residential listings in WA at year-end 2012; lowest number since WCRER/Runstad began tracking 10+ years ago.
18.6% Proportion of Washington mortgages still underwater in 3rd quarter of 2012, according to Core Logic. Represents improving equity among owners.
6.8% Proportion of Washington homebuyers in 2010 who indicated they had used their agent in a previous transaction.
4.6 Month’s supply of homes priced between $250,000 and $499,999, statewide, 2012:Q4. $242,500 Median home sales price in Washington during 4th quarter of 2012.
47.8% Statewide increase in building permit activity between 2011:Q4 and 2012:Q4.
$989/mo Average apartment rent in Washington, 3rd quarter 2012, up 3.9% from year earlier.
4.5% Statewide apartment vacancy rate in 2012:Q3, down from 5.1% year earlier.
$31.41/sq. ft. Average asking rent for Class A office space in metro Seattle at year-end. Source: CoStar.
100.3 First-time buyer affordability index at year end. Only second time in history statewide measure has reached 100.
16.99% Proportion of Washington homebuyers in 2010 who indicated they chose their agent because of a recommendation from friends and relatives.
103,230 Seasonally adjusted annual sales rate for homes in Washington in 4th quarter of 2012; highest since 2007.
How Affordable is Owning a Home?
Our Comparisons in BUYING vs. RENTING. Information gathered April 28, 2013. Rental ad retreived from Nisqually Valley News Newspaper. Real Property listing retreived from the Northwest MLS Home Search on PhilSharpHomes.com.
Rental: Yelm, WA
3 Bed, 2.5 bath, 2 car garage, 1436 asf – 1 level floor plan, fenced yard, covered front porch.
RENT: $1375 mo.
For Sale: MLS# 461617 Yelm, WA NEW Construction!!
The Cypress in Cherry Meadows, features 1442 sq ft with 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2-car garage. Slab granite counter tops in kitchen and bathrooms, generous area of hardwood flooring, family room has gas fireplace. Backyard is fully fenced. Large master suite, 5-piece bathroom and walk-in closet. White painted millwork and recessed lighting. 3% Buyer Bonus! Short commute to JBLM, Olympia, Lacey, and Tacoma.
Listed Selling Price $184,950.00
Mortgage Calculator Results: (All values are estimates, no fees or taxes included. Your results may vary based on your qualifications)
20% down – $36,990 w/4.5% interest, 30 yr. = $749 mo.
0 down – w/4.5% interest, 30 yr. = $937 mo.
***Foreclosure Listings:***
Click the links below to go see the latest foreclosure “quick search” listings available.
Thurston County
Short Sales:
Olympia Lacey Tumwater Yelm Rochester Tenino Bucoda Rainier
Bank Owned/Foreclosures:
Olympia Lacey Tumwater Yelm Rochester Tenino Bucoda Rainier
Pierce County
DuPont Tacoma Puyallup Steilacoom Spanaway Lakewood Fircrest Eatonville Gig Harbor Graham Roy University Place Sumner
DuPont Tacoma Puyallup Steilacoom Spanaway Lakewood Fircrest Eatonville Gig Harbor Graham Roy University Place Sumner
Bank Owned/Foreclosures:
Your Resource Toolbox
Get your FREE Relocation Packet via USPS today! We send to APO’s too, of course! Get Pierce & Thurston County Visitor Guides, Area Maps, WA Visitors Guide, Area Lodging, Recreation, Community & JBLM information and MORE! Click the pic above or click here to get your FREE Relocation Packet sent today.
Gina is NOT and agent, sales person, or paid on commission. Gina IS YOUR personal contact who offers FREE information services to those relocating to the JBLM area. She knows about the area, schools, commutes, employment, and more…just ask her! If Gina doesn’t know, she’ll find out. Visit the Relocation Dept or email Gina directly at gina@philsharphomes.com.
The Best Home Search Tools Available
FREE Android Home Search APP. Scan the QR code with your phone to get the “PSHomes Search” App in the Android Market for FREE.
NO ANDROID? NO PROBLEM!
Scan and bookmark fortlewis.mobi for the same great tool. It works on all devices, including iPhone, iPad, Windows phones.
Want to learn more and see what this APP can do? Click here!
ABOUT YOUR PHIL SHARP NETWORK
Phil Sharp is the sole agent/Broker at Phil Sharp Homes and uses his extensive network to help YOU find or sell your home. Keeping your needs in mind, his wife Gayle will assist while touring homes, Stephanie will help with paperwork and finding the listings you want, Gina will help with all your relocation needs, and countless other resources and tools Phil has as part of his “network” is available to assist you.
ONE AGENT, AN ARMY OF RESOURCES.
SPECIALIZING IN MILITARY MOVES doesn’t mean PSH only deals with service members. Spouses, family and community members are equally served. Our Relocation Services are especially for Military Spouses to help meet the FAMILY’s needs. We are your personal contact and resource when you are moving to WA. Spouses need info., we have it here just for you.Contact: Phil Sharp Homes 4133 Sleater-Kinney Rd NE, Olympia, WA 98506 360-970-9977 Services: Home Buyer, Seller and Investor Services – Free Real Estate Consulting, Education, Relocation Services & Information – Broker/AgentConnect: PhilSharpHomes.comVisit Our BlogLike Us & Get Updated on Facebook
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