WINDERMERE GONE "WOW!"

OK....so....so many changes in the last few months have occurred at Windermere Professional Partners. I have always said that our office is set apart from the rest because of the fact that it is so well put together. We have such an eclectic group of experienced agents mixed with a crew of bright new talent, led by four amazing leaders. Equally important to this mix is the fact that our office staff is absolutely "Top Notch!" There is NO excuse for any agent in our office to not be up to date on the Market Trends, latest form changes, legislature campaigns in Olympia, and community service projects. WOW!! Talk about blowing your own horn:-) Can't help it though...If your house has our sign hanging in front of it, It means ALL of these things, not to mention that your agent abides by the Windermere Standards of Practice AND the NAR Code of Ethics!!!

Now...Things have just gotten better! We are in the process of implementing new technology that will make your home search or sale much smoother and further reaching. Just call me and I 'll explain to you what I and Windermere Pro Partners can do for you. Don't forget...I'm all about Results!

Martha Mendenhall, Agent
Windermere Professional Partners
253-861-8783
www.marthamendenhall.mywindermere.com

HOMEBUYER TAX CREDITS!!! YAY!!

Ok....These are amazing times with amazing opportunities! What with the interest rates at about 4.7%, buying a home right now is something you should definitely look seriously at.

Last week, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed an extension and expansion of the home buyer tax credit. The House of Representatives approved the agreement reached in the Senate by a vote of 403-12. The bill has now passed both chambers and is awaiting the President's signature.

The $8,000 tax credit will be extended and available for first-time home buyers who purchase before May 1, 2010.

AND....

A new $6,500 tax credit will be available for repeat buyers who purchase between December 1, 2009, and May 1, 2010. To qualify for this provision, buyers must have used the home sold or being sold as a principal residence consecutively for 5 of the previous 8 years.

Prospective purchasers with binding contracts in place as of April 30, 2010, will be allowed an additional 60 days to complete the transaction.

Income limits are expanded to $125,000 on a single return and $225,000 on a joint return.

For a complete summary of changes to the tax credit visit: NAR Issue Brief - Homebuyer Tax Credit

www.marthamendenhall.mywindermere.com

MOVIN' ON!

ANNOUNCEMENT!!!

JUST LETTING ALL OF MY FRIENDS AND READERS KNOW THAT I HAVE NOW JOINED THE

WINDERMERE FAMILY OF PROFESSIONAL PARTNERS!

I CAN STILL BE REACHED BY MY CELL PHONE NUMBER AND IT WILL BE BUSINESS AS USUAL FOR ME. MY HOME OFFICE IS WHERE I WILL BE MOSTLY WORKING FROM, ALTHOUGH I DO HAVE A DESK AT THE OFFICE.

EXCITING!

THE "GREY MANSION"/IS IT INVISIBLE?

What's up with the "Grey Mansion?"

Am I the only one that see's it for it's incredible historic contribution to Tacoma? Does no one else recognize it's incredible architecture? Is nobody else intriqued with the fact that it was the Music Professor's home when the Seminary was Whitworth College? Or that it was built as a replica of Henery Wadsworth Longfellow's Cambridge home? Come on People!! This place should be GONE! The list price is $789,000, but the seller will look at anything! I mean where else can you get over 4000 square feet of view property for $196 a square foot. That doesn't include the historic value and the potential for this home to be one of Tacoma's most prominent historic structures. After all....it was, back in the day.

COME ON PEOPLE!!!! OPEN YOUR EYES!!!

AH HA!!!!!

You know....I'v had this blog for quite a while now, but have never been able to figure out how to allow comments. TA DA!!!!! I finally figured it out. So if you are reading this...please leave me a comment so I can see if I've done it successfully. Just a test comment if you have no legitimate comment to make. Come on....you can think of something to say.

YET ANOTHER FREDERICK HEATH CREATION!

You know...I'm pretty much in heaven when I get the opportunity to list a home that is so significant a structure in our Historic District. This is a 1906 Frederick Heath Tudor!

(http://marthamendenhall.mywindermere.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Listing.ListingDetail&ListingID=18554043)

It has been maintained impeccably and restored perfectionistically...if that's even a word. Once you go through this masterpiece, it will be the home by which all the other historically restored homes are measured. For one thing...the sellers of this lovely home are so darn clean and organized that it makes me feel somewhat inaddequate. But...a project for another day.

This home is nestled in a fabulous area, kitty corner from the Tacoma Lawn and Tennis Club and surrounded by some million dollar homes. The house looks kind of small from the street but, it's 2749 square feet! You really have to come inside to appreciate all the details of this historic beauty.

COOL RESTORATION OF A 1901 FOURSQUARE

In 1901, Thomas Maloney, the warden for the county prison, built a home on North J Street in Tacoma. It was a lovely, but common, residence which he then sold. Maloney dabbled in real estate investment in addition to being the warden. The most famous resident of this home was Reverend Jacob T. Eschelman who purchased the home in 1904. In addition to being a man of the cloth, he was also the Tacoma City Librarian and one of the band that signed the state of Washington's Constitution.

This house( http://marthamendenhall.mywindermere.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Listing.ListingDetail&ListingID=18771353) has now been totally restored and is on the market for $659,000. You really have to see it to believe how great it is. The master bedroom was actually a library when Eschelman lived there, with a grand fireplace and bookshelves to the ceiling. Attached to the library was a quaint little reading porch (fainting porch). This cool house has 2852 square feet, 4 bedrooms and 3 full bathrooms. The huge attic space has been totally finished off and would make a great kids suite, bonus room or media room. But WOW...the kitchen is awesome! Beautiful cabinets, hardwood floor, stainless steel appliances, gorgeous granite countertops, a computer/desk area and pantry. There are two fireplaces and one of the four bedrooms would make an excellent office or guest room, as it is situated on the first floor and has a closet and a full bath. The whole place feels homey and comfortable yet elegant. It even has a laundry room on the second floor.

The garage of this home is detached and HUGE! It's plumbed for a bathroom and would be great for a car enthusiast or someone in need of a lot of shop space. Hey....you could even make a great gym out there.

1893 "Kirtland Cutter" House for Sale!!!!!

Ok....This is an awesome home! Kirtland Cutter was best known on the other side of the state; however, he is responsible for a handful of beautiful structures in and around Tacoma like, The carriage house at Thornwood Castle, the house that Linda Evans lived in and a few others. He's absolutely famous over in Spokane. Anyway, 802 N Yakima is on the market for 1.3 million dollars and is worth every cent of it! Well...I think so:-) So do it's owners.

It is a gorgeous 6000 square foot historic beauty with 5 fireplaces, 6 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms, a beautiful remodeled kitchen, an adorable wine room/lounge and the coolest private backyard patio area with hot tub you've ever relaxed in! When you walk in the door of this house you enter the huge turret. From there you step in to the most comfortable, yet elegant, huge living room with a stunning fireplace, leaded windows and magnificent staircase leading to the second floor bedrooms and baths. The kitchen remodel is high end and upscale with granite countertops, and island with wine cooler, stainless steel appliances and an eating nook.

Each bedroom on the second floor has a different personality, as this home had been a B & B at one time. The servant's stairs lead to the third floor servant's quarters, which is now a great media area with two bedrooms and a bathroom up there. One of the bedrooms is being used as an office.

There is so much more I could tell you about this house but, you'll just have to call me up and come see it sometime. That is...if you are a qualified buyer:-)