Thursday, June 29, 2017

Painting the Sun with Words



Painting the Sun with Words

Sara’s friends wanted to go shopping.  But Sara wasn’t too enthused or thrilled.  Rather she was certain time in the sun would reenergize her spirit.  As she gazed through the window, she thought she could almost reach out and touch a sailboat passing by.  But there wasn’t a breeze.    Just the sun rays floating past and through a cloudless sky. 

Sara grabbed her beach bag and sun glasses and headed outside where she could relax where the only sound was the tide rhythmically slapped against the beach bulkhead.  Other than a few neighbors, she was alone in her own thoughts.  Totally calm!

In a way all of us want or could imagine lying and relaxing in the sun.  Some of us would even prefer to be sunbathing just outside the front of your very own waterfront home.  In our local world here in Pierce County, there are lots of waterfront properties to choose between.  In this post I will briefly describe the two I visited today. 

One is located in a prestigious and very special area of Allen Point and is priced at $1,699,000.  It is a rambler style property with a large lot and 91 feet of sound frontage.    

The second is Sunrise Beach community on the southernmost entry to Colvos passage.  With views of Vashon Island and Point Defiance, it’s literally possible to nearly reach out and touch or share the smiles with the occupants of the passing boats.  Priced at $498,000, it’s definitely a small piece of Heaven.

Once again, it’s been a privilege to once again be your host here.  But be assured, there will be more.  Until then, blessings to you and yours and please enjoy your day. 

Ken Thiemann, a Realtor with Windermere Professional Partners in Pierce County Washington.  My contact number is (253) 370-5626 and my email is kthiem@msn.com. 

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Painting Homes with Words – Pierce County Washington


Painting Homes with Words – Pierce County Washington

 If you close your eyes, you might recall Vito Corleone sitting behind his oversized desk taking visitors and with the wave of his arm, dismissing them.  Or the family’s Mafiosi guarding the chained gate of their protected compound.  Perhaps it not difficult to imagine yourself as a guest at Carlos and Connie’s wedding reception feeling charmed when Johnny Fontane serenades Connie and later dances with the Don.  Yes, so many memories. 
But could you image owning your very own compound with an entry gate between twin pillars guarding the entry driveway.  Where beyond is a perfectly landscaped yard some would call massive.  And beyond, a two story with a rock exterior, a front portico and rooms large enough to fit a colossal desk and oversized furnishings. 
I can see the yard filled with a variety of party tents where dancing, eating and celebrating life occur regularly.  Yes, as if right out of the Godfather Movie, I can see it happening.  Your very own private estate.    
Once again, your host here is Ken Thiemann, a Realtor with Windermere Professional Partners in Pierce County Washington.  My contact number is (253) 370-5626 and my email is kthiem@msn.com.  Obviously I believe well-structured words can paint pictures in the mind.  Possibly as well as or better than pictures and videos.  Perhaps, you’re the better judge though. 

Stay tuned, there will be more.  Until then, blessings to you and yours and please enjoy your day. 

Monday, June 26, 2017


Million Dollar Stats – Pierce County Washington

Once again, your host is Ken Thiemann and I’m a Realtor with Windermere Professional Partners.  My contact number is (253) 370-5626 and my email is kthiem@msn.com.  While many of my contemporaries insist prospective sellers and their agents have to provide videos and elaborate pictures of the homes they are attempting to sell in order to attract potential buyers.  But I believe well-structured words can also form pictures equally as well.  But I’ll let you be the judge. 

My intent here is review homes which exceed one million dollars.  It’s not that I’m necessarily attracted to or in want for such a home, I enjoy representing higher end buyers.  Not totally true.  Actually I enjoy working with all types of buyers and sellers.  Especially those who seek my assistance and trust my efforts. 

Then you might ask, why million dollar homes?  First of all, people are generally fascinated with expensive homes.  Over the weekend I was watching a random show called “Million Dollar Listings New York.”  Secondly, with all the pictures and videos you can watch, it seemed like a perfect place to land and create pictures and scenarios with my words.  Something can look perfect but what sense do you gain when you own it?  Do you have the same furnishings?  What about decorations? 

How about those stats you mentioned?  Oh yes, very true.  Thanks for getting me back on topic.

As of this morning, Million Dollar Home listings, contingent, pending and closed sales statistics for the past 30 days in Pierce County, Washington are as follows: 

In the past 30 days, there were 12 closed sale.  One in an established gated community with a pro-style golf course called Canterwood, six waterfront properties and five view homes; four in Gig Harbor and one in North Tacoma. 

Of the view properties, two are modernistic in character with “exquisite features,” and were built in 2016.  They are also located in a new gated community but feature “stunning” sound views.  Except, both properties were on the market for over a year and sold for less than their original list price.  On average, the twelve were on the market just under a year and a single home was sold the first day on the market.      

In fact only one of the twelve sold at the original list price.  Of course, there are those properties so attractive and appealing where they attract multiple offers.  But that’s probably more the case in King County to the north.  If you’re able to commute and you’re a million dollar candidate, you can certainly get more for your dollar in Pierce County.  On average the homes had 4,481 square feet of living area with a average cost of $330.99.

Commuting options include the Sounders bus with regular schedules to a variety of points to the north.  In fact, my daughter works for the University of Washington and, when visiting here in Tacoma, she is able to catch a bus which only goes to the UW.  There’s also the Sounder’s Train.  Along with the opportunities available, there’s lots of commuting options.   

As to the other homes, there are 141 active listings with an average living area of 4,554 square feet and cost per square foot of $396.97.  The most expensive home is listed at $6.9 Million and the least expensive is listed at $1 Million even.  The medium is priced at $1,388,000.

There are two homes priced at $1,035,000 and $1,925,000 with contingent offers.  Both have been on the market for just over 100 days and the average listing area is 4,454 square feet; $327.63 per square foot.

Five homes have accepted offers pending satisfaction of a home inspection.  Most offers are contingent on a home inspection.  Essentially that means the buyer has an opportunity to review the condition of a property prior to proceeding with their purchase.  Of those five, the least expansive home is at $1,099,000 and the most expensive is $1.75 Million.  With an average finished living area of 3,366 square feet, the cost per square foot balloons to $520.41.

Where the home inspection has been satisfied and the seller / buyer have agreed to move forward to closing, six properties fall into the pending category.  But, with over 4,900 square feet on average of living area, the average cost per square foot is $284.36.

Another area of comparison is listing in a pending a backup offer and a pending feasibility status.  While difficult to say why a backup is being requested, there are two of those and one in a pending feasibility category.  Feasibility issues can arise from a number of concerns; like, hoping to use the property for a use different from a single family home.  Another possibility is the new owners want to build a dock. 

Hopefully you have found this interesting.  Yes, I’m trying something a bit different but I’d love to hear from you.  Positive or negative comments are welcome.  Most important though is that you enjoy your day.  Blessings to you and yours.

Thursday, June 22, 2017


Spectacular Views, gorgeous waterfront estates, even family retreats


On any given Thursday, you never know what exactly will turn up on Key Peninsula.   But on this occasion, who could ask for anything more.  My name is Ken Thiemann and I’m a Realtor with Windermere Professional Partners.  My contact number is (253) 370-5626 and my email is kthiem@msn.com.  While many of my contemporaries insist prospective buyers only consider properties with videos or pictures.  I believe well placed words can form pictures equally as well.  But I’ll let you be the judge. 

You see, Thursdays are for touring new listings in areas of Gig Harbor, Port Orchard and Ken Peninsula.  Except, specific areas of each area have a designated Thursday.  Today we toured areas 2, 4 and 9.  Yes, I realize none of that is important. 

I’m in Pierce County, Washington State where, depending on exactly where you are, there’s fertile and productive ground where wheat and lintels grow abundantly, there’s the irrigated areas where corn, sugar beets, potatoes, apple orchards, vineyards and mountains like Mount Rainier, Mount St. Helens and Mount Adams.  Further west there’s the coastal areas making up the Puget Sound. 

Gig Harbor lies northwest of Tacoma across the Narrows Bridge.  If you have time check out the U Tube video of Galloping Gertie, the first bridge connecting Tacoma with Gig Harbor.  Today I was touring home south of Gig Harbor across a narrow bridge called the Purdy spit.  It’s at the northern end of Henderson Bay.  I’m aware all those names mean nothing to you now.  But, at some point you decide Washington State could work, you’ll be way ahead of the game.

Just across from Purdy there were two very similar view properties; both situated in gated communities with southeasterly 180 degree views of Henderson Bay.  While one was built in 1993 and the other in 1998, both were daylight ramblers nearly equal in size.  Except one was priced at $869,000 and the other was $739,000, 268.13 per square foot vs. $213.52 per square foot.  My choice would have to be the home for $739,000. 

As to the potential family retreats, there was lots to choose from including: 

·       There was a 20 acre parcel with a single family home and a studio duplex for $625,000.  With room to roam, the property offers privacy yet the residences are situated close enough so mingling would be natural.

·       A single family updated home situated on over two acres with frontage on Vaughn Bay.  Listed at $875,000 most intriguing was the expansive grass yard separating the house from the water frontage.  If you close your eyes I bet you could also imagine a family retreat with tents sites and barbeques through the yard with the kids and adults with colorful outfits playing volley ball or playing along the beach. 

·       With 75 feet of frontage just off Taylor Bay, this modern home is referred to as being “timber frame”.  While beautifully designed it also has an ADU above the garage.  All of this makes for a private getaway where the beauty of nature abounds.  Listed at $649,500.

 

·       At $299,000, where the listing agent indicated the price would be reduced to $275,000, there’s a quaint three bedroom cabin.  It’s on Filucy Bay.  While maybe not for a large crowd, this certainly would be a quiet retreat where reading a good book on the deck while occasionally watching a small water craft or the variety of birds flying overhead, everything is made calm. 

·       With views of Herron Island, this updated 2-story home with six acres and 165 feet of water frontage offers so many opportunities to investigate and explore the so many living things that thrive near the salt water.  As to the beach frontage, I can just imagine the laughter and smiles while cooking hot dogs and making s'mores over an open fire.  Yes, there would be room for everyone.  This property is priced at $687,500.

·       And finally there is a property with 310 feet on Taylor bay, massive tidelands, and three separate homes.  All on just under five acres of private pristine ground.  This property really caught my attention.  I could just imagine get-togethers or a permanent home of friends or family.  My wife has six sisters and one brother and we’ve often talked about living near to each other as we age.  Of course that is probably still years away.  This property is listed at $699,000.

·       Yes, each of those properties offers terrific opportunities.  But I have to tell you more about Key Peninsula.  It’s a bit remote and most properties are entirely private.  Shopping is either in the town of Home or Lake Bay.  But, as a client of mine once told me, “once I turn off the freeway, I begin to unwind and by the time I got home, I was fully relaxed and my blood pressure had returned to normal.    

·       Hopefully you have found this interesting.  I know I’m trying something a bit different but I’d love to hear from you.  Positive or negative comments are welcome.  Most important though is that you enjoy your day.  Blessings to you and yours.

Wednesday, June 21, 2017


Million Dollar Homes in Pierce County, Washington

Within the past few days two new million dollar listings have come on the market in Pierce County, Washington.   One is situated in the North Tacoma just above Ruston Way it offers a commanding and panoramic view of Commence Bay across to Browns Point and beyond.  Built in 2016, this home is both modernistic and functional with lots of light and spacious areas. 
The second home is in the Crystal Ridge neighborhood of east Puyallup where is also offers a magnificent view of the Orting valley and beyond to the foothills and towering peaks of Mount Rainier.   Situated on nearly an acre, the sculptured patio and landscaped yard will definitely benefit an outdoor enthusiast.   Yet there is privacy. 

While the great majority of million dollar homes have views or waterfront, there are those simply situated in prime neighborhoods.  One such neighborhood is in North Tacoma near Tacoma General and Mary Bridge Hospital. 

As of this afternoon, May 21, 2017, there are 135 listings indicated as being active.  Of those, the range is $6.9 on the high side and $1.0 million on the low side with a median of $1,388,000.  Currently there are 21 homes with a sale pending and six properties pending a home inspection.  Until actually closed, the final purchase price is not available.  But it is possible to say the most expensive one in either category is listed at $1,925,000.

Of the sold homes in the pasts 180 days, there are 43 listed in the local Multiples Listing Service the NWMLS.  Of those the high is $2.6 and the low is $1,000,000 with a median at $1,162,000.  In terms of the size of these properties, 4,808 square feet of living area is an average and the average cost per square foot is $290.84. 

While most would agree that it’s a seller’s market, in terms of what is available compared to the total number of pending sales, it would seem to be a great time for qualified buyers to be keeping a close eye on the overall market.   

For more information or private showings, please call Ken Thiemann @ 253 370-5626.  Take care and take time to enjoy your day. 

Thursday, June 15, 2017

As a Realtor in the Western Washington community of Pierce County, I'm fascinated with the number of million dollar homes having been sold since January, 2017. Actually I’ve always had a strong interest in such properties. Except with more than 10 new million dollar plus home listed in just the Gig Harbor and Fox Island areas in recent weeks, it’s become something more than a casual interest. Last week there were six new million dollar listing. One even exceeded two million. This week on the tour of new listings, there were three more new listings. In a market area where such sales are typically less than a handful, so many is definitely unusual. Except Pierce County in Washington State has been dubbed one where there’s more employment opportunities than anywhere else, it’s perhaps not so unusual. If your interest is also with million dollar properties in Pierce County Washington, please give me a call at (253) 370-5626 or email me at kthiem@msn.com. I’m with Windermere Professional Partners. Hope to talk with you soon!