SkwishStuff

Hi Everyone,

Wow - Spring is getting here - we can tell. When you sneak out in the morning to pick up the paper off the porch, and it still is really cold, and it's still dark. . . the birds are singing about something. It must be spring! And the trees - and the flowers and the sweet smells - it's so predictable yet so amazing every year.

And another thing - Sunday was April Fools Day. That's Sam's anniversary of starting to sell real estate. I guess she was the April Fool :) Would you believe that was 31 years ago! That's back when the file for a house sale or listing was 2 pages instead of 2 inches.

In fact, speaking of being around a long time, we will have a booth at the Senior Connections 11th Annual Expo at the Vancouver Hilton on Sunday, April 15 - 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Come on down! We went last year and it is very cool. It only costs $2. We will have our computers set up to show all the homes in the county WITH NO STAIRS! Besides we'll get a chance to visit. There'll also be an Art Show, a Fashion Show, Free Health Screenings, Live Music, Giveaways and Prizes. Parking is $1.50 at the Vancouver Center - and remember Farmers Market has started.

And speaking of real estate - well some companies say they are slow - but we're busy so don't know what that's all about. The statistics are always slow to come out, but we do have February's now. In February 2005, in Clark County, there was only a 2.7 month supply of homes (that is if no new ones come on the market, it would take 2.7 months to sell every home that was for sale at that time). That is very low and 7-8 months is a more balanced market.

In February 2006, there was a 5.3 month supply, and in February 2007, there was a 7.8 month supply. However, that is down from 9.7 which was the number for January 2007. Prices are pretty stable, interest rates are low and it looks like it is a good time to purchase a home. February 2006 to February 2007 showed appreciation of 10.7% for the average sales price ($294,900 compared to $266,300 a year ago). (This appreciation figure includes Clark, Cowlitz and Pacific counties combined but quite fairly represents Clark County alone.)

And remember, if you are "thinking about thinking about" another home - we can help! Let us know what you are thinking - you know price range, type of home, location, etc., and we can have our very cool program daily send the brand new listings to your e-mail.
OR another cool thing - if you are "thinking about thinking about" selling - we can set up the same kind of search only this one details your own house - then you can watch daily the listings that might be similar to yours - or just watch your neighborhood to see what's on the market - to give you an idea of the value of your own home. Some very cool tools out there. Be very, very, very cautious about Zillow unless your house is like every other house in the neighborhood! It can be waaaaaaaaaaaay off. The third attachment to this e-mail is a recent Columbian article by Cami Joiner that talks about Zillow - and Scott was quoted so that's way OK.

The first attachment is an article you may find interesting as we are close to tax time and below are several good real estate articles plus one on children and allowances (I know - how does that relate to real estate :) .

Housing Counsel: Mortgage Interest Deduction:
http://realtytimes.com/rtcpages/20070122_deduction.htm

Broker Agent News - Free Client E-letter Content
Should you use your nest egg to pay off the mortgage or keep the tax deduction? Bankrate does some eye-opening math to help you with retirement questions. ...www.brokeragentnews.com/prtnr/consumer_content.html

Buying a new home
10 biggest mistakes home buyers make -- If you can avoid falling into these traps, you're likely to get a much better deal. ...www.bankrate.com/brm/news/real-estate/reguide/buying-intro1.asp

Should you use your nest egg to pay off the mortgage or keep the tax deduction? Bankrate does some eye-opening math to help you with retirement questions. ...www.brokeragentnews.com/prtnr/consumer_content.html

Should your kids get an allowance? - MSN Money
Most money experts agree that children should be given an allowance in order to learn financial skills at an early age. "Giving your kids an allowance is ...articles.moneycentral.msn.com/CollegeAndFamily/RaiseKids/ShouldYourKidsGetAnAllowance.aspx?page=all

PLUS - for you geeks or wanna be geeks - here's our Cyber newsletter with some very cool tips:
http://www.REcyber.com/cybertips/Sammikel
And it's about time to think about starting to do those Volkswalks you promised you'd be thinking about. Here's a schedule for those in the area beginning on April 14, 2007 - http://www.ava.org/gen3/data/events_results.asp?StShortName=OR

Make a note that Friday, April 27th from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. is the Mayor's Walk. This is part of the Discovery Walks weekend sponsored by local Volksporting Clubs. There will be visitors here from all over the world to participate in walking, biking, swimming, events, and the Mayor's Walk starts at the Hilton to kickstart the events. It's 3 miles (you call all do that much - takes 1 - 1.5 hours (if you daudle - or however you spell that). I think it's about $12 to participate, but there will be lots of activities going on and a fun time to check out Vancouver's cool downtown.


If there is anything in here you feel is worthwhile, please forward this e-mail. Also, please know that we are always here for you if you have questions you think we may be able to help with - there's never any obligations. If you know anyone who would like to receive Skish's Tidbits, please send an e-mail to skwish@agentmikel.com . He's always looking for a girlfriend and spotted a potential over in Portland - She is an "older woman" (like she's probably 45 years older than he is) - but he said she was in very good shape - so we'll let you know if anything comes of it. He's known to be fickle, as he had his eye on one in Hood River a couple of weeks ago - red of course - 7 years old but not many miles - he's still looking.

Also, if you'd want NOT to receive Skwish's notes, just respond with "Remove" in the subject line. Skwish may have his feelings hurt, but he'll get over it ;]

If you have anything you'd like to share with everyone on Skwish's list, he'd love to hear about it. Also, if you have something you'd like to advertise to sell or give away - or have a need - let me know and we'll get the word out.


Skwish & Sam