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02

THE BEST TIME TO INSPECT

 Home inspections conducted prior to a home being placed on the market is one of the wisest moves a seller can make. The initial response from sellers when approached with the idea of an inspection done as the home is about to be put up for sale is most always the same – “What?!” Let’s review a few of the most common concerns about Pre-Listing Home Inspections.
The Buyer Will Not Accept It
That is correct! The inspection done for the seller is not intended to replace the inspection done for the buyer. The purpose of the pre-listing inspection is to put the seller in control! Given that no good surprise can come to the seller during the home inspection, regardless of when it is done or whom it is done for, it makes perfect sense to get every strand of information as soon as it can be gotten. Bad news doesn’t get better with time.

If there is some bad news, or more correctly, some items that needs attention or might have an impact on the home’s value, who better to receive that information than the seller? And when is a better time to receive that information than before the home is placed on the market? The simple fact is this – a home inspection at the time of listing will put the seller in the best possible position. With the complete and clear view of the home’s strengths and weaknesses, the home can be marketed to the best benefit of the seller.
”I Don’t Want To Pay For The Inspection!”
This is certainly understandable. The seller generally perceives that the inspection is intended for the buyer, hence, should be a buyer’s responsibility. But to have the benefit of the information it must be paid for. Never have we had a complaint from a seller about the value of the inspection! In every case at the conclusion of a pre-listing inspection, the seller felt they had made a good choice in spending the money to get the inspection done.

In most cases, the seller’s feel good getting the peace of mind of knowing that no major event or expense will be uncovered by the buyer’s inspector. And on the rare occasion when it is discovered by the pre-listing inspector that the roof is completely shot or there is some other big expense or danger, the sellers, while not happy to have the problem, are glad to have discovered it on their own terms. The small expense of the inspection is always less then the cost and aggravation of a hurried hunt to get something repaired or replaced after the home is under contract. Save the pain, spend the money. Get every home inspected prior to putting it on the market!
The Home Is Selling “As IS”…
This may be the best reason of all to inspect at listing! If the home is being sold “as is”, reduce your risk and liability as the seller by getting a pre-listing inspection. In order for the home to sell quickly and at the highest price, disclose every condition of the home. The inspection gives both the buyer and the seller the comfort of knowing that the home “is as it is”. With a pre-listing inspection, there is a high likelihood that the home is as represented.

Even in an “as is” contract, the buyer may still have their own inspection performed. If these two inspections are similar in content, it is rare the buyer will walk or counter offer. That, in fact, is the goal of the “as is” sale. Another concern of sellers is that they will have to repair every item that is discovered to be discrepant on the inspection report. This is simply not true. It would be true that every discrepant item needs to be disclosed, and those disclosures may impact value and hence asking price, but nothing need necessarily be corrected.

Courtesy of:
Rinehart Inspection Services, LLC

email: g_rinehart@hotmail.com
phone: (206) 901-1549
web: http://www.rinehartinspections.com

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30

Tonight’s ‘wolf’ moon promises rare treat

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10

Repair Tips for Finished Wood Floors

Many homes in the South Sound region have natural wood flooring.  We love our wood floors, it is like bringing the outdoors inside.  We have all had times when ’something’ occurs and our floors need repair.  Below are some helpful hints.

The rich look of wood floors can add class and beauty to any room. The natural beauty of a wood floor never goes out of style and is very easy to incorporate in redecorating. But keep in mind that after much wear and tear, wood floors can look dull and worn and may need repairing.

Luckily, it is not always necessary to sand down the damaged part of your wood floor to give it a newer look. By filling cracks and gouges, your floor can look new again and it won’t cost you a lot of time, effort and money. With these helpful wood floor repair tips you won’t have to cover scratches or gouges with pieces of furniture or area rugs. If you have a stained floorboard that needs replacing, see How to Refinish Wood Floors. These small problems can be easy for anyone to fix with the right materials and tools. Remember that before you repair the floor, it must be cleaned thoroughly and all dust and debris must be vacuumed or swept up.

Fixing a Scratch on a Stained Finish

Tools and Materials You Need: · Stain or furniture touch-up marker (similar color to your floor’s stain) · Polyurethane or urethane finish (small amount) · Artist’s paintbrush · Dry rag

Apply the Stain and Finish: If your floor was stained before it was finished, you must stain the scratch before applying the polyurethane or other type of finish. Use an artist’s paintbrush or any tiny brush and apply stain to the scratch using a similar color to that on the floor. You can also cover the scratch with furniture marker in place of stain. Let the stain dry for at least 24 hours and then apply the polyurethane using the same brush. Buff the Scratch: Wipe off the excess polyurethane that is not absorbed into the scratch before it dries so it does not leave a mark. Buff the scratch lightly with a dry rag to help it disappear.

Fixing Gouges

Tools and Materials You Need: · Latex wood filler · Putty knife · Sandpaper · Artist’s paintbrush · Stain (if needed) · Polyurethane, urethane or varnish (small amount) · Dry rag

Fill the Damaged Area: Fill the gouge with latex wood filler and smooth it over using a putty knife, removing the excess filler. Let the area dry completely and smooth it with sandpaper. Stain the Latex Wood Filler: If the filled gauge is very noticeable, it can be stained even if it is a natural finished floor. Use an artist’s paintbrush or any tiny brush to apply stain to the dried latex wood filler. Let the stain dry for at least 24 hours. Use a stain that matches the color of your floor as closely as possible. Apply the Finish: Using an artist’s paintbrush, apply polyurethane or any other finish to the area once it is dry. Wipe away excess finish before it dries and buff the area with a dry rag.

 

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08

Port Orchard’s Southworth Ferry to Seattle

Loading your body and/or car onto a ferry to get from one side of the South Sound is a daily experience for many – and a rare and exciting experience for some.  The Southworth Ferry Landing on the eastern shores of Port Orchard makes almost hourly trips, daily.  There’s not just one ferry either.  More like 3 of them.  They travel a triangle between Southworth, Vashon Island, and West Seattle’s Fauntleroy landings.

If you are traveling by car, you can stay in your car, or go above deck and enjoy a snack bar, rest room facilities, but most importantly – the view.  From the upper decks you can view the Olympic Mountain range, the Cascades Mountain Range, and Mount Rainier that seem to surround you.  Passing freight ships and barges being pushed or pulled by tug boats are not an uncommon sighting.  Neither are seals, whales, and plenty more sea life.  The seaguls keep pace with you as well. 

Wet, windy, stormy days are fun too.  You won’t see mountains.  You will feel the swells, and wonder how on earth the captain pilots the ferry and docks it against mother natures forces. 

Taking a Washington State Ferry on the South Sound may take as long as driving around to get to the other side.  It eliminates that driving stress, and there are no traffic jams.  You’re relaxed and refreshed when you get to the other side. 

There will be times you won’t want to depart the ferry at all. 

Courtesy of South Sound Properties Team - South Sound, Washington

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03

South Sound’s University Place & Things To Do

University Place is sort of “sandwiched” between Tacoma and Lakewood in the South Sound area on the shores of the Puget Sound.  Day Island, a quaint small collection of waterfront homes and a marina,  is accessed by a short bridge from University Place.

“I’m bored” in University Place are two words you’ll never hear (or think) again. There’s so much fun things to do nearby University Place – all you need is one place to scope out all your options. Whether your ideas of fun are dinner and a movie or helping rebuild a neighborhood, start here to find your next adventure with our University Place Things to do guide!

University Place City Guide to Entertainment, Arts and More:

• Restaurants & Dining in University Place
• Event Tickets for University Place
• Pierce County Events and Things To Do
• Hotels in University Place
• Movie Times/ TV Listings
• Local Food / Farmers’ Markets in University Place area
• Volunteering in University Place
• Arts & Entertainment
• Festivals around Washington
• Attractions This Season
• Parks
• Sports & Recreation
• Wildlife
• Tickets for Local Concerts, Arts and Sporting Events

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01

South Sound’s Space Needle Fireworks Ring in 2010

It’s official.  It’s 2010 South Puget Sound Style.   The fireworks went off without a hitch to ring in the New Year of 2010 from the Space Needle in Seattle Center.  They were stunning.  From the New York Times Square Ball Drop to the South Sound Space Needle fireworks - the country rang in the new year of 2010 from the Atlanctic Coast to the Pacific Coast.

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31

South Sound Ball Drop?

NOPE – The South Sound does not have one.  Only New York Times Square has the official ball drop to ring in the new year.

We’re just as excited though  through out the South Sound to ring in 2010.

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all from DeeDee & Matt – South Sound Properties.

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31

We Can Hook You Up In Vaughn

Vaughn Bay - Key Peninsula - South Sound

South Sound Properties Real Estate Agents

From hot new property listings to our team agents DeeDee Arena (253)230-5753 and Matt Smith (360)633-5542  – We can hook you up to that perfect property, and the banker who can finance that dream home in and around Vaughn.   Go to our SouthSoundPropertiesUndressed.com site and click on Website to view the most complete listing of properties in the Vaughn area.

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30

FIRST NIGHT New Years Eve Downtown Tacoma

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27

Port Orchard caterer has a lot on its plate

Catering is becoming ever more popular in the South Sound.  Niche catering like just pastries or a particular food item are on the rise, and often times run out of a persons own home.  Here’s an article on a local South Sound catering company in Port Orchard that’s a pretty interesting read…

When tallying the downtown Port Orchard businesses that have been around for a while, it’s easy to skip over Essence of the Thymes Catering, which has operated out of its Bay Street location since 2006, expanding its original operation when the store next door closed.

But since it doesn’t have a storefront retail operation, its presence isn’t widely felt.

“There have been a lot of nice changes downtown,” said co-owner Ray Allwine. “The paint job looks nice, and we enjoy being down here. There has been a slowdown in some parts of our business, but we are doing well. And we’re renewing our lease.”

According to Allwine, the downtown location has worked for the business, even though it was not their first choice.

Allwine, who runs the business along with his wife Gina Omalanz, first chose to operate out of their home.

This wasn’t possible, since zoning regulations required a greater distance between the well and the kitchen than what existed on their property.

Upon learning this, the couple drove around to scout locations, deciding that downtown was the place to be.

They built a kitchen and began catering dinners, weddings and other events.

“We’ve never had a really great year,” Allwine said. “Our business has decreased a little bit at a time but we are still doing well. The bad economy hasn’t really affected us. Large weddings are down a bit, but there is still enough work to keep us busy.”

Allwine said the business is stable year-round since landing the contract to cater the Admiral Theater’s dinner shows in 2008.

“We’re in pretty good shape because the wedding season and the Admiral season are consecutive,” he said. “When one winds down, the other begins. The market has adjusted to where we need to be.”

When meeting with a new client, Allwine builds a custom menu from available choices.

Vegetarian options are available for the more health-conscious, while the core menu depends on standbys like prime rib and grilled salmon.

There are also several menu items that Allwine and Omalanz have developed, such as a “bollita” — a stuffed cherry tomato with olives and cheese.

“There are some people who want a traditional wedding while others are more informal,” Allwine said. “We have basic menus and custom menus. Our clients want to push the envelope and they don’t want to serve the same thing that you would have at another wedding.”

Essence of the Thyme’s event planning doesn’t stop with the menu selection, as artful presentation of the food is an important part of the atmosphere. Layout can also make a difference.

“We offer the option of using ‘food stations’ for different parts of the menu instead of a traditional buffet,” Allwine said. “It’s a different experience for the guests. They get up and move around and interact with each other.”

Allwine said he enjoys working as a caterer and the freedom it brings, as opposed to running a restaurant.

“Cooking isn’t magic,” he said. “A lot of people want to do it themselves, but sometimes you want to hire a caterer to take some of the weight off of your shoulders.”

 

Port Orchard Independent Staff Writer Charlie Bermant can be reached at cbermant@portorchardindependent.com