It seems like every time you turn on the news or open the paper, there is yet another blow to the consciousness of the American real estate consumer.  In my opinion, much of what is publicized is done to instill fear people.  Collectively, we have been paralyzed for almost two years, but the market is finally showing signs of renewed confidence.  It is amazing how much fear has actually played into this economic "downturn".  It is hard to know what to believe, but I see signs of recovery happening all over, including in the Gig Harbor real estate market.  Prices are down, but sales are on the rise.  This is certainly in part due to the great tax incentives being offered for a limited time by Uncle Sam.  (See link on our homepage for more info on that.)

 

While it is hard for most people to face the reality that their "failproof" real estate investment has lost value, we must get away from looking at our houses as investments or vehicles to get rich.  If there has been a silver lining in all the devastation and loss, it is a return to simpler, more conservative ways.  This depression will have lasting impacts, greatly influencing a generation whose values will reflect the importance of consuming less, not being wasteful, and perhaps most importantly, appreciating the "finer" things in life that are not material at all.  I am not advocating that buying a house is no longer a good investment.  I believe it is actually one of the better ways to live simply, by eventually having your investment paid off, and ultimately can be a vehicle for retirement.  You are not going to live rent free in your later years if you do not own your own house.  Just don't rob yourself of your future equity by pulling it out of your home now!  And of course, don't forget that property taxes will only rise in the future, so be sure to account for that in your retirement plan.

 

There, I will get off my soap box now.  I am optimistic about the future because I see real trends occurring that indicate a shift towards smaller homes again, a consumer concerned with conserving resources, if not for the environment, then simply to save money.  I heard somewhere that the status symbol is no longer a BMW, but a paid-off mortgage.  (Thanks, Dave Ramsey.)  And heck, who cares about the Joneses anymore?  It is chic to be green now.  Less is more.  Amen. 

 

 

Have you ever wondered how you can increase the energy efficiency in your home?  The benefits of doing so would lower your monthly utility expenses, as well as reduce your carbon footprint.  Even if you don't consider yourself "green", who wouldn't want to save money every month? 

 

Here is a link to the site of RESNET, an organization that rates homes for energy efficiency.  It is a useful tool for any homeowner, but the benefits extend particularly to home-buyers who are being smart.  There is a mortgage designed to give credit towards the buyer for an already efficient home, as well as a program to pay for energy upgrades in an older, less-efficient home.  It is really a great concept.  Read more here:

 

 

Let us know if you have any questions.

 

 

On such a beautiful day as this, I felt inspired to go to the beach and throw the stick for my choclate retriever, Bella. I had my 8 month old daughter on my back, and Scarlett and I weaved through the weepy cedars and tall pines down the winding trail to the beach. The trail was still a little muddy. None of the bathrooms were open yet. I did not see any campers. Spring is late this year and we don't even have rhodedendron blooms yet! There were about 5 cars in the parking lot, and I encountered a group of young adults at the beach who were playing volleyball and frisbee and drinking cold beverages in the sun on the rocky beach. There are also sandy spots, teeming with sand dollars every year. Another dog, safely on his leash, stood by and took it all in. I let Bella off her leash to swim in the water. She was in paradise. The sun was shining down on the beach. I waded in my Chacos into the frigid water. The sharp cold was a nice contrast to the sudden heat. The water was clear, the tide was in, and there were not many barnacles to report. The water was glass and it would have been a perfect day for engaging in watersports such as wakeboarding, waterskiing and tubing. I spotted a few boats anchored in at Deadman's (Cutts) Island, plus a few fishermen. Overall it was pretty quiet. My own voice echoed into the abyss of water. The Olympic Mountains shone in the background. Lovely western exposure. In my 25 years of living in Gig Harbor, I am rarely met with many people at kopachuck state park. It is a hidden gem. I look forward to escaping from the business of life in a natural environment. I recommend Kopachuck state park as a destination to visit. It is a good 10-15 minutes from town, in a suburban neighborhood. The beach presents many opportunities for beach combing, picnicing, barbequeing and camping. There are also many other things to do nearby. From a night camping here, head to Penrose Point state park or even into the Olympic National Forest. Outdoor recreational activities abound in the south puget sound region.

For more information on Kopachuck state park, visit these links:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPJ8Hrtp0NE

http://areas.wildernet.com/pages/area.cfm?areaid=WASPKOPA

 

Are you looking for creative and original ideas for stocking stuffers this year?  Check out the website for The Container Store...

 

 

You might be delighted by some of these nifty gadgets like I was!

 

Merry Christmas,

Brenna

 

One of my favorite things about living in Gig Harbor is the wonderful walks and parks that are available for those of us with dogs.  It is a very dog-friendly place, and as long as dog owners clean up after their pets and practice responsible ownership, it will stay that way.

 

This weekend is no exception!  Dog lovers from near and far will gather in downtown Gig Harbor for the annual "Harbor Hounds" walk.  The streets will be crowded with doggie products, treats and of course, lots of dogs and their owners.

 

If you are a dog lover, I hope to see you there.  I know my dog, Bella, will be super-excited for the festivities. :)