It’s no secret that the real estate market is rapid changing and adapting to our new economic state, however I recently found an article that I found interesting about home occupancy, more specifically the divide between renters and owners. Renters now spend five percent more of their household budgets on housing costs than do homeowners. This difference is growing due to the rise in prices of rentals. Since 2005, homeowners’ expenditures for housing approximately rose from 31.9 percent of their household budget to 33.2 percent, but renters’ costs have risen even more, from 35.6 percent to 38.4 percent, according to the October CoreLogic U.S. Housing and Mortgage Trends. Homeowners have increased their housing expenditure allocation by 12 percent since 1985, while renters increased by 2... 10/26/2011

According to the National Association of REALTORS, existing-home sales were down in September compared to that of August, yet remain well above a year ago. Total existing-home sales, which are completed transactions that include single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, declined 3.0 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.91 million in September from an upwardly revised 5.06 million in August, but are 11.3 percent above the 4.41 million unit pace in September 2010. Existing-home sales have bounced around this year, staying relatively close to the current level in most months, though what can be frustrating is affordability conditions have improved to historic highs and more creditworthy borrowers are trying to purchase homes. That being said the share of contract fail... 10/24/2011

Bonney Lake Lake Tapps Livin~365 Things to do DAY 181: Bonney Lake Lake Tapps Livin~365 Things to do October 7-9, 2011Puyallup, WA Fair & Events CenterThe 7th Annual Oktoberfest Northwest will serve up beer, brats, & authentic entertainment. Oktoberfest Northwest is an all-ages event until 7 p.m. each evening (and all day Sunday!).  After 7 p.m., guests must be 21 years of age or older.   Stop by participating Safeway stores in Pierce and South King County and pick up a $3 off admission coupon, available at the customer service counter, valid all days of the festival!  Live Life, Be Well…Namaste! Krisy Clayton~REALTOR Windermere Real Estate Lake Tapps, Inc.253-576-4303 krisy@windermere.com BONNEY LAKE HOMES FOR SALE 10/07/2011

First-time home buyer interest in short sales have been severely discouraged recently due to processing delays, according to the latest Campbell/Inside Mortgage Finance Housing Pulse Tracking Survey. It is estimated that short sales account for more than one of every six house sales. The amount of short sales purchases by First-time home buyers has dropped to 39.7 percent of short sale transactions in August. August of 2011 represented the lowest level for first-time home buyers ever recorded by the Housing Pulse survey. The first-time home buyer share of short sales hit a peak of 54.1 percent of all short sale transactions in November 2009, just before the originally-scheduled expiration of the federal homebuyer tax credit. Short sale transactions have long been problematic for buyers ... 10/05/2011

  Puyallup, Washington pew-al-əp or /pjuːˈɔːləp/ pew-awl-əp) is a city in Pierce County, Washington about five miles (8 km) east of Tacoma. The population was 37,022 at the 2010 Census. Named after the Puyallup Tribe of Native Americans, Puyallup means "the generous people."   Click here to see all available Homes for Sale on the NW MLS Click here to see all available Condo/Townhouses in Puyallup  Thinking about selling your home??? Click here to find out what your home is worth   CLICK HERE FOR ALL COMMUNITY INFORMATION       09/26/2011

It started with a request on Facebook for some assistance from Rhonda Gray, an agent that I had not yet met.  Sure, why not?  I had a couple of hours that I could spare that Wednesday morning and isn't the point of developing your business via on-line "marketing" on places like Facebook, to meet potential customers and build some relationships? Rhonda likes to volunteer at the Puyallup Food Bank and she needed some people to sort food that was brought in at the Puyallup Fair.   I agreed to meet her at the new location of the food bank and the day started off with a personal tour.  We were greeted by Shanna Peterson the Director of Operations of the Puyallup Food Bank and she gave us a wonderful tour and explanation as to how it all works.  You can get that same tour by clicking on the f... 09/20/2011

Bonney Lake Lake Tapps Livin~365 Things to do DAY 168: Bonney Lake Lake Tapps Livin~365 Things to do Hello all, this evening “Do the Puyallup“ Tonight I suggest you join me for- Big & Rich and Gretchen Wilson with special guest Cowboy Troy Monday Sep 19, 2011 at 7:30 pm Enjoy! Live Live, Be Well…Namaste! Krisy Clayton~REALTOR Windermere Real Estate Lake Tapps, Inc.253-576-4303 krisy@windermere.com PUYALLUP HOMES FOR SALE 09/19/2011

In recent news there have been signs indicating defaults are slowly but steadily declining as more homeowners pay their mortgages on time. The percentage of mortgages in default more than 60 days in Fannie Mae’s portfolio have fallen to the lowest level in two years. This is great news and gives hope to some in the real estate market that things are starting to stabilize, at least for the time being. Defaults of conventional mortgages were reported to have fallen to 4.08 percent in June and July. Serious defaults peaked in February 2010 when they reached 5.59 percent of all mortgages in Fannie’s portfolio. Currently Fannie holds about $728 billion worth of mortgages in its portfolio. Government-controlled mortgage company Fannie Mae reported that its second-quarter loss widened as it co... 09/08/2011

In today’s real estate market it’s important to consistently seek new information and trends to stay ahead of the pack. In a recent interview with Cheryl Russell, (Russell's company, New Strategist Publications, recently published its third edition of "Americans and Their Homes: Demographics of Homeownership.") Russell urges those in the housing industry to look at new ways to grow, and her solution lies in rentals. Some Highlights of the Interview are below. Interview by Mary Umberger, Monday, August 22, 2011. Inman News. The rental market is "a possible savior for many segments of the housing market," said Russell, a demographer who specializes in studying Americans' housing and spending habits. The most telling indicator of the unsustainability of the housing boom was the complete mi... 09/05/2011

Sandy Wagner | RE/MAX Professionals | (253) 225-8322 7115 138th St E, Puyallup, WA Short Sale in Puyallup, WA 3BR/2+1BA Single Family House offered at $179,000 Year Built 1988 Sq Footage 1,864 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 full, 1 partial Floors 1 Parking 2 Car garage Lot Size 26,136 sqft HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION Gem of a home that feels like country living on a super large lot with beautiful landscaping, including many fruit trees. Step onto the front porch and into the home that has way too many extras to include here. Open living/dining/and family rooms. Beautiful fireplace with wood-burning insert that will keep you warm and cozy in the winter and air conditioning that will keep you cool in the summer. Relax on 2-tier deck and pick your own fresh fruit in the summer. see additio... 08/28/2011

In this struggling economy, The New Bottom Line (a nationwide campaign representing 1,000 faith-based and community organizations across the country) are looking for aid to the economy by writing down all underwater mortgages. The idea is that Wall Street and banks should be held accountable for much of what has happened when the housing market bubble burst. These groups are also pushing for state attorney general’s  to stand firm for a settlement agreement that both includes large-scale principle reduction for underwater borrowers and does not release the banks from claims beyond the robo-signing scandal.  “Homeowners across the nation are struggling to pay their boom-era mortgages with their recession-era salaries and the economy is suffering for it. Writing down the principals and in... 08/26/2011

While the economy still looks a little disconcerting to some looking to invest in the housing market, individuals on the fence are being offered more opportunities in the way of historically low rates and buyer incentives. Is now the right time to buy? Let’s look at some facts:   30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4.71 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending May 5, 2011, down from last week when it averaged 4.78 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 5.00 percent.   15-year fixed rate mortgage this week averaged 3.89 percent with an average 0.7 point, down from last week when it averaged 3.97 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year fixed rate mortgage averaged 4.36 percent.   5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage averaged 3.47 p... 08/15/2011

Puyallup School District -- Puyallup, Washington The Puyallup School District is the ninth largest district in the State of Washington, serving a population of approximately 100,000 residents. The district is located six miles east of Tacoma, 30 miles south of Seattle, and is situated in the heart of the Puyallup Valley. The district has 21 elementary schools, seven junior high schools, three comprehensive senior high schools, and an alternative school, all of which serve nearly 22,000 students. The district employs more than 1,200 certificated and about 1,100 classified staff. Their shool year calendar can be found here: http://www.puyallup.k12.wa.us/ourdistrict/calendars/ 08/15/2011

When it's cheaper to own than rent... that has to be great news! It seems that almost daily first time home buyers are getting information that makes that buy vs. rent decision a little easier. According to a new report released by real estate search site HotPads.com residential rental rates have risen 6.7% since June of 2010, far exceeding industry experts' predictions. It's estimated that rents in San Diego will rise 10% in 2011 alone. So how do you know if buying is the right decision for you and your family? Forget the financial part for just a minute and ask yourself if you're ready to assume the lifestyle. If you think you're ready to settle in and can handle the additional responsibility that comes with homeownership, then you might want to use this handy tool to help analyze the... 07/20/2011

When it's cheaper to own than rent... that has to be great news! It seems that almost daily first time home buyers are getting information that makes that buy vs. rent decision a little easier. According to a new report released by real estate search site HotPads.com residential rental rates have risen 6.7% since June of 2010, far exceeding industry experts' predictions. It's estimated that rents in San Diego will rise 10% in 2011 alone. So how do you know if buying is the right decision for you and your family? Forget the financial part for just a minute and ask yourself if you're ready to assume the lifestyle. If you think you're ready to settle in and can handle the additional responsibility that comes with homeownership, then you might want to use this handy tool to help analyze the... 07/20/2011

Leaving south Tacoma this evening, I’m headed back to Interstate 5 and north for home in Renton. I’m anxious, it’s been a busy weekend and I still have things to do to get ready for work on Monday. It should be about a 45 minute drive... “Duh... it’s summertime, what was I thinking?” Every-one’s headed north this Sunday evening, back to the Seattle megalopolis after a weekend escape. I get off the freeway ASAP at the next exit opting for the back way home, River Road into Puyallup, then up the valley on Hwy 167 to Renton. Most likely I won’t save any time but the drive should be easy. The shadows are long just before sunset. I'll enjoy some great views along the way. I’m in the shadows now and notice there's almost zero traffic. The sun is still lighting up Mt. Rainier (at 14,410 feet) ... 07/12/2011

During the "peak" years: up until the housing bubble burst, we would watch shows where an everyday Joe would buy a home, usually a foreclosure or on the verge of collapse, and "flip it" for a generous profit. We all know that most shows on television fail to really illustrate how much work goes into these projects and that leaves the viewer with a false sense of confidence in this area which they usually have no real education. Any home owner will tell you, there's a lot that goes into the purchasing of a home, let alone making this transaction into a source of income. Present day: the current housing market situation has undoubtedly increased its appeal to buyers looking to invest in reasonably priced property. What can be dangerous about our present situation for new or "young" buyers... 07/12/2011

Looking forward to a great vacation away? The summer season typically boost sales for most business. Summer time is prime time for consumers to plan vacations, complete projects around the house, etc. all of these things lend to generally higher spending and a boost to the overall economy. Judging by recent numbers for the U.S. housing market, we aren't absent in this phenomena, even considering our current economic conditions. Recently, studies have shown an increase in housing markets; more precisely in vacation hotspots like Florida and Arizona.  This has been due in large part by the hand of foreign investors buying up vacation homes. While this may initially irk some U.S. citizens, there are essentially many positive outcomes. One of which being a more stable housing market. Here a... 07/07/2011

Sandy Wagner | RE/MAX Professionals | (253) 225-8322 7115 138th St E, Puyallup, WA Short Sale in Puyallup, WA 3BR/2+1BA Single Family House offered at $215,000 Year Built 1988 Sq Footage 1,864 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 full, 1 partial Floors 1 Parking 2 Car garage Lot Size 26,136 sqft HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION Gem of a home that feels like country living on a super large lot with beautiful landscaping, including many fruit trees. Step onto the front porch and into the home that has way too many extras to include here. Open living/dining/and family rooms. Beautiful fireplace with wood-burning insert that will keep you warm and cozy in the winter and air conditioning that will keep you cool in the summer. Relax on 2-tier deck and pick your own fresh fruit in the summer. see additio... 05/21/2011

If your looking for something to do this evening in the Puyallup area.  Go check out this mystery play put on by the Spotlight Players Theatre Troupe.  For more information - www.valleyartsunited.org  May 6,7,13,20,21 @ 7:00 PMMay 14th @ 6:00PM   05/07/2011