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13301 117th St Ct E, Puyallup, WA 98374

A Gardeners’ Paradise!

Puhrmann front

Puhrmann back

The large private lot features 2 large gardens with sprinklers, greenhouse and newer 8×12 shed that has electricity, shelves and windows. Relax under the SunSetter awning and enjoy the lush, peaceful and fully-fenced yard. Inside, enjoy the bright, open floor plan with vaulted ceilings and skylights. Recent updates include some fresh paint; new and newer carpet; newer counters, appliances and vinyl in the kitchen. You’ll also appreciate the newer roof, skylights and exterior paint. Don’t miss this!

1,580 square feet; 3 bedrooms; 2.25 bathrooms

$225,000

View the detailed listing information and photos…

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Condo Market on the Mend?

The condo market, which has been mostly stagnant in recent years, is showing signs of revival nationwide.

“While still well below historical construction levels, the new interest in condos is attracting interest from high-level investors who are keeping an eye on the growing condo construction and conversion market, both to see if the trend may produce opportunities in more markets and to gauge its effect on apartment property pricing,” CoStar Group reports.

The condo share of total home sales is nearing pre-recession levels.

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US Foreclosures Fall to Lowest Quarterly Level Since mid-2007

The U.S. housing market is back on its feet, aided by rising home prices, steady job growth and fewer troubled loans.

More U.S. homeowners are also keeping up with their mortgage payments. March was the 42nd straight month where U.S. foreclosure activity dropped from year-ago levels.

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7 Ways to Make Your Home Move-In Ready

Checklist

Ever heard the phrase, “walk a mile in someone else’s shoes?” When it comes to selling your home and boosting curb appeal to the widest range of buyers, the distance you need to think about is far less than a mile: it simply runs from your front curb to your back fence. The moment you even begin to think of putting your home up for sale is the time to start thinking like a buyer.

Why?

Because thinking like a buyer will help you make your home move-in ready for just the right buyer (or maybe even a bevy of bidding buyers). The less they think they have to change, the shorter the distance will be between the viewing, their offer, and the day you say, “Sold.”

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Pitfalls of Pocket Listings for Buyers and Sellers

Artistic BHHS Sign

The idea of selling a home without ever listing it can be appealing to many. Similarly, ringing the doorbell on the “perfect home” and finding an owner willing to sell can put a broad smile on a buyer’s face.

The risks, however, routinely make buying and selling “pocket listings” dangerous to a person’s financial well-being — particularly for sellers.

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FHA May Bring Back ‘spot’ Condo Loans

Good news for Realtors, lenders and condominium unit owners who’ve been frustrated by FHA’s prohibition of “spot loans” in developments that haven’t obtained certification: The agency is now seriously exploring how to relax its ban and bring them back.

Officials are mum on the details and timing, but they confirmed recently that reviving this key financing option is now under active study. The main reason: FHA is under growing political and trade group pressure — NAR and the Community Associations Institute especially — to do so.

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Should you sell your home? 5 Crucial Considerations

House with BHHS Sign

If you’ve been paying attention to the news, you’ve undoubtedly seen headlines stating that real estate prices are on the rise. According toTrulia, most markets, housing has begun to bounce back and in a selected few metros, like Los Angeles,San Francisco, and New York City, the housing market isn’t just bouncing back – it’s booming!  So, if you’ve been on the fence, waffling about whether or not to sell, consider these 5 things…

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The 5 Biggest Turn-Offs for Homebuyers

A lot of sellers don’t listen to their real estate agents, so here’s what your agent wants to say, but can’t say to you and this is it – your agent can’t get you the price you want unless your home is in pristine move-in condition.

That means no sticking drawers in the kitchen. No leaning fences. No rust-stained plumbing fixtures. We could go on, but maybe we need to make it clear. If you have even one of following “turn-offs,” your home won’t sell.

Buyers can get instantly turned off. Here are their five biggest turn-offs…

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Controversial FHA Payoff Rule to End

Can you be charged interest on your mortgage even after you’ve fully paid it off? Can the meter keep running when you owe the bank nothing — your principal balance is zero?

Surprise! Much to the chagrin of large numbers of home sellers and refinancers, the answer for years has been yes. If your loan was insured by the Federal Housing Administration and you paid it off before maturity, at closing you’d be expected to cough up a full month’s interest, no matter what day of the month you actually settled.

Read the latest news…

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Where You Work Should Help You Decide Where To Buy

BHHS Photo Collage

If you’re entering into the real estate market for the first time, you’ll hear the old adage: location, location, location. That’s three of the key factors… I’m kidding but, location is, indeed, a very important concern.

However, many buyers think location is most important because of the surrounding area. So, if the neighborhood is nice, with parks, good schools, retail stores nearby, and somewhat close to freeways, it’s a good location. But what also makes it a good location is how close it is to your work.

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