Are you thinking about buying a home?

For most people, buying a home represents one of the largest purchases they’ll ever make. Here are some factors to consider before you start shopping for your next home:

* How much money you want to spend.

* What type of home you would like.

* Where you want to live.

* When you want to move.

* How much you qualify to borrow and what type of financing is available to you.

To help you focus on affordable homes and neighborhoods and keep your expectations realistic, it pays to get pre-qualified by a lender right away. When you start your search, you will want to get pre-approved for a loan as soon as possible. The pre-approval process includes a credit check and employment verification. Once you are pre-approved and make an offer, all the lender needs to do is appraise the property you want to buy.

Why is pre-approval so important? Sellers are more likely to choose an offer that is pre-approved over an offer from someone whose financial picture is still in question. Get pre-approved and you strengthen your position in the eyes of most sellers. If you or someone you know is interested in buying a home or needs some real estate advice, please visit our website at www.WenatcheeHouses.com for buying and selling tips, MLS property searches, town and community information and more

Warm regards,

The Davidson Team

"Start Packing Today!"

When you make an offer on a home

When you make an offer to buy a home, the seller has the option to accept it, reject it, or counter your offer with a different price and/or terms. In a market with strong demand, a seller may not counter an offer but merely choose the highest one.

When you find the home that fits your needs, we can help you negotiate a price that you can feel good about. Here are a few ways to strengthen your position when making an offer:

* Take the time to get pre-approved, not just pre-qualified.

* Keep contingencies to a minimum (only necessary ones like inspection, financing, etc.)

* Have a substantial earnest money deposit to show the seller that you're serious.

We're happy to help you with any questions you have about finding a home and navigating the home buying process. Please visit our website for buying and selling tips, MLS property searches, town and community information and more. You may also email or call us any time.

Wenatchee World: Today's Real Estate Articles 6/26/08

For me, a wonderful sauce can make any meat tast amazing. Here's one of my best that compliments any beef or lamb dish and provides that wow factor.

Dijon/Port Lamb or Beef Reduction Sauce

Drippings from meet

¾ cup port

¾ cup beef stock

¾ cup heavy cream

¾ cup shallots

3+ tablespoons fresh mint

3+ tablespoons unsalted butter

3-6 tablespoons Dijon depending on your taste (add at end)

Throw all items except the butter and dijon into a sauce pan and whisk/reduce considerably on high heat. Toward the tail end of the reduction process, add the butter and dijon.

Enjoy!

Some Easy Ways To Maintain Home Values

Some Easy Ways To Maintain Home Values The easiest way to maintain and improve your home's value is consistent maintenance and repair. Keeping up with seasonal issues like inspecting your roof for weather damage in the spring or cleaning gutters and downspouts in the fall keeps the time you have to spend on these tasks at a minimum. When you're thinking about the value of your home, also keep these things in mind: __ Overall condition of your property. In addition to the above tasks, inspect your property regularly and maintain a clean home. With the pace of life getting faster, many people just don't have the time to "fix up" a new home. They want a home they can move into easily. Keeping up with maintenance and small repairs also allows you more time to enjoy your property. __ Bedrooms and bathrooms. How many are there? Have they been remodeled or updated? __ Outdoor area. How big is the yard? Is there a deck or patio? __ Garage. 1, 2 or 3 cars? __ Kitchen. How up-to-date is it? Has it been remodeled? __ Is there a family room? How big is it? Visit The Davidson Team at www.WenatcheeHouses.com for home maintenance tips, buying and selling tips, MLS property searches, town and community information and more! Warm regards, The Davidson Team "Start Packing Today!"

Wenatchee World: Today's Real Estate Articles 6/26/08

Wenatchee World: Today's Real Estate Articles 6/26/08 Wenatchee housing market still bucks trend By Christine Pratt World staff writer Posted June 26, 2008 "WENATCHEE — Soaring inventory and slowing sales could be driving down area home prices, but Wenatchee is still among the nation's strongest markets for home-price appreciation, recent industry reports show. A report released last month by the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight showed that home prices in Wenatchee grew 8 percent in the first quarter of 2008, compared with the last quarter of 2007. This was the nation's third-strongest metro-area growth, after Houma/Bayou, La., with 11.2 percent growth, and Grand Junction, Colo., with 9.1 percent growth. Wenatchee topped OFHEO's fourth quarter 2007 home-appreciation list with 14 percent growth. Wenatchee has bucked the nationwide trend in declining prices. A June 24 OFHEO report shows that house prices nationally dropped 4.6 percent during the 12-month period ending in April, compared with the same period a year ago." Click here http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080626/NEWS04/810587185/1001 for entire story! Warm regards, The Davidson Team www.WenatcheeHouses.com "Start Packing Today!" Posted by Blaine & Erin Davidson on 06/28/2008 09:14 AM Comments (0) wenatchee world todays real estate articles 62608 Edit Delete This post has been included in Washington Information 0 Comments on Wenatchee World: Today's Real Estate Articles 6/26/08 Leave a response… Comment: Notify me of new comments: What does the graphic say?

Safety and Security After the Sale

When the move is over and you have unpacked, it's always good to do a safety check of your new home. Check the sturdiness of handrails, check for loose floorboards or tiles and put fresh batteries in the smoke alarms. You'll also want to make sure to put your transaction records in a safe place where you can easily get to them when you need them (i.e. tax time). These records might include:

- Your property deed
- Closing documents & loan papers
- Warranty information
- Repair/home improvement receipts
- Insurance policies

Call or email The Davidson Team anytime with questions or concerns about records or security and we'll help you any way we can.

Warm regards,

The Davidson Team
"Start Packing Today!"

Wenatchee World: Today's Real Estate Articles 6/21/08

Who owns the riverfront?

By Travis Hay
World staff writerPosted June 21, 2008

"WENATCHEE - Five years ago the city of Wenatchee announced plans to make sweeping changes to its waterfront along the Columbia River. Here is a look at what has happened along the roughly two-mile stretch of riverfront between the pipeline bridge and Walla Walla Avenue since the announcement and what to possibly expect along the riverfront in the coming years:

The last major purchase of riverside property happened in 2006 when the 9.09 acres where the Greater Wenatchee Regional Events Center sits was bought for $1.6 million. Records of property sales show little waterfront land changing hands within the last 10 years. Those who have parcels of land for sale along the water include the city, two developers and a private owner.

However, there has been some action happening along the riverside. Construction on the events center is more than 60 percent complete and looks to be on track for its Sept. 17 opening. A developer is building condos and duplexes - one of which sold for $625,000.

Two major property owners - Kamkon and Ken Blodgett - have placed their land on the market, slowing a riverfront facelift. Both Blodgett and Kamkon own land next to where the city plans to build a new road called Riverside Drive.

The two developers had announced plans to place condos on the land, but now it is unknown what will happen with their combined 17.2 acres, which is on the market for $15.5 million.

Kamkon wants $12 million for 12.5 acres and Blodgett wants $3.5 million for 4.7 acres.The city is selling 3.4 acres where its public works building sits because its public works department is relocating to a building on McKittrick Street. The asking price for the riverfront land is $1.95 million, according to Mayor Dennis Johnson."

Click here http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080621/NEWS04/154332976/1001 for the entire article.

Have a wonderful weekend!

The Davidson Team

"Start Packing Today!"