Great Grandview Grape Stomp & Movie in the Park! September 10th!

It's almost time to get stompin'! The Great Grandview Grape Stomp will take place on Saturday, September 10, 2011 at YVCC's Grandview Campus at 1:00pm.
If you'd like to participate, get your registration in now! You can find information on registering here.
The Great Grandview Grape Stomp revives a long-time European tradition.  Each year, townspeople from small communities gather together at harvest to celebrate and to help crush the grapes.  Contestants in this updated version will hop into wooden wine barrels and stomp furiously, using their bare feet to turn 30 pounds of fresh grapes into juice.
There are activities for the whole family. Volunteers are also needed to make this event happen. You can email grapestomp@visitgrandview.org with any questions you have.

Looking for something to do after the Grape Stomp? Head over to the Country Park Events Center Amphitheater to watch Kung Fu Panda 2! The event is sponsered by Grandview Parks and Recreation and YVCC Grandview Campus ASB. Gates will open at 7:00pm, with the movie beginning at dusk. You're encouraged to bring your own blanket or lawn chairs and some snacks. The event is free, however donations will be accepted to offset expenses for the next Movie in the Park.

Where Do Your Taxes Go??

I stumbled across an interesting breakdown of where income tax gets distributed in Reader's Digest and thought I would pass it along.

A U.S. Taxpayer earning the 2009 median income ($34,140) and paying $5,400 in federal income tax and FICA ponies up for the following, for starters:

Social Security.........................................................................................$1,040.70

Medicare......................................................................................................$625.51
Medicaid.......................................................................................................$385.28
Interest on the national debt.....................................................................$287.03
Combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan............................................$229.17
Military personnel......................................................................................$192.79
Veterans benefits........................................................................................$74.65
Federal highways.........................................................................................$63.89
Health-care research (NIH)........................................................................$46.54
Foreign aid...................................................................................................$46.08
Education funding for low-income K-12 students..................................$38.17
Military retirement benefits.......................................................................$32.60
Pell Grants for low-income college students..........................................$29.75
NASA space program..................................................................................$28.09
Internal Revenue Service..........................................................................$17.69
Environmental cleanup (EPA)....................................................................$11.67
FBI..................................................................................................................$11.21
Head Start.....................................................................................................$10.91
Public housing..............................................................................................$10.50
National parks................................................................................................$4.27
Drug Enforcement Administration..............................................................$3.14
Amtrak.............................................................................................................$2.23
Smithsonian Museum.....................................................................................$1.12
Funding for the arts........................................................................................$0.24
Salaries and benefits for members of congress.......................................$0.19

Check out my new website!

I couldn't be more excited that after months of build up, my new website is finally live! Please check it out http://www.hollycastle.com/ I'd love your feedback!

Gorgeous Move-in Ready Home

A Big "THANK YOU" to my neighbors that helped me with my home tour on May 22nd!

This gorgeous home is located at 600 W. Concord Ave in Grandview and is listed at $162,900. Its features include 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, brand new kitchen with beautiful new applicances, a large 2 car garage, easy to maintain yard, and TONS of space! New extra soft carpets run throughout this home. A large finished basement brings this home to 2,360 total square feet. This home is for the busy persons that do not want yard work. Plenty of concrete parking.

Remodeled Kitchen with New Appliances

Eat-in Kitchen/Dining Area

Wood-Burning Fireplace in Living Area

Breezeway Between House & Garage

Large 2-Car Garage

Newly Updated Main Bath

Built-Ins in Master



Lots of Paved Parking

 If you are interested in purchasing this home (or another on the market), please give me a call at 509-882-2001. I look forward to hearing from you.

View 8 homes, 15 minutes each, May 22nd, starting at 1:00 pm!

Are you starting on your home search, but don't have a lot of time to schedule appointments to view homes? Want to get the most out of your time? Let me help you! This coming Sunday, May 22nd, I am hosting "Holly Castle's Tour of Homes". Over the course of 2 and a half hours you will get the opportunity to tour 8 homes, including one "Secret Never before Seen Super Bonus Listing"! This group tour will begin promptly at 1:00pm at 600 W. Concord in Grandview, from there we will venture onto another 7 of my listings.

Here is our schedule for the day:

1:00-1:15    600 W. Concord Ave
1:20-1:35    1807 W. King St.
1:40-1:55    504 Broadview Dr.
2:00-2:15    112 Acoma Dr.
2:20-2:35    104 Nicka Rd.
2:40-2:55    155303 W. King Tull Rd.
3:00-3:15    622 E. Adams St.
3:20-3:35    Our "Secret Never before Seen Super Bonus Listing"

For more information on the tour feel free to give me a call at (509) 882-2001 or just meet at 600 W. Concord at 1pm, May 22nd! Hope to see you there!

Grandview "Clean-Sweep" Clean Up- March 26th

Grandview High School student Adrian Reyes, in cooperation with the City of Grandview, is coordinating a downtown clean-up project for his senior project. The clean-up event is entitled “The Clean Sweep” and will be held on Saturday, March 26^th, from 10:00 AM to noon. The focus of this event will be to engage volunteer groups and individuals with various tasks of sprucing up public property within the city limits of the Grandview community.

Project Coordinator Reyes stated, “We are asking the community to step up and do their part to help the appearance and environment of Grandview.”  Various areas of concentration will include downtown planters, downtown mural area, City Hall,

Stokely Square

, Parks and Recreation Office grounds, Grandview Police Department grounds, Library/Museum grounds and the east entrance rose garden. Groups and individuals will be matched with one of these specific areas.

Reyes is requesting that those individuals and organizations that want to provide assistance and tools for this event, contact the Grandview Parks and Recreation Department at 882-9219. Due to needed paperwork, pre-registration will be required for this event. Reyes will be in charge of coordinating assignments for the day and will be sending out project instructions ahead of time to respective volunteer leaders.

Washington's top of the list place to retire is Grandview.

After reading the CNN Money issue on the top 25 places to retire in the United States it hit me that Grandview had all that and better.  The ratings were based on average home price, population, education, and state income tax.  Bellingham was at the top with Western Washington University.  But, Grandview has the Lower Yakima Valley Community College and Vintecology Center.  Our population is lower, 8,377.  Our average house price is $139,000.  And the big one, No State Income Tax. 

Ok, so this information is for the people 59 and older that may be retiring soon.  What about the younger people that would like to retire earlier than their parents.  Why not buy your home and live were you want to retire.  And have your second home be your first home, and be paid off.  Didn't our parents say "work smart not hard."  To view all of my investment homes go to http://www.buyinwinecountry.com/

First-Timer Fridays: 13 "Don'ts" Every Homebuyer Should Know

1. Don’t wait for the perfect house...there isn’t one.  Compromising & prioritizing are necessary elements in home purchasing.

2. Don’t buy before you do some comparison shopping...especially if you’re new to the area.

3. Don’t write an unrealistic offer or you will simply be helping someone else’s offer look good (too low of a price...too many contingencies.)

4.  Don’t feel a need to negotiate if a property is fresh to the market, priced right and popular...the good ones often go quickly and at full or close to full price.

5. Don’t think all real estate agents and companies are created equal...they are NOT.  Find an agent/company with a great track record and proven home buying system.

6. Don’t be afraid to write an offer above or below the asking price...offer what it is worth to YOU.

7.  Don’t work with more than one agent.  Find one you like and stick with them.  If you make a bad choice, change but stick with the new ONE.

8. Don’t wait for a perfect conditions buy. The best time to buy is when you have found the right home.

9.  Don’t get to many friends and family involved in your buying decision you’ll go NUTS!

10. Don’t wait until you find a home to shop for the best loan.  Start up-front.

11. Don’t wait until you find a house to be qualified for a loan.  Do it up-front.

12. Don’t work with an agent who can’t show you Checklist & Systems.  Only pick a friend or relative that is licensed as an agent if they are GOOD!  Look for value-added services.

13. Don’t be surprised if you get buyer’s remorse at some time before closing...most buyers do. It is normal and it will pass.

Visit our website or stop by to obtain a full copy of our First-Time Home Buyer Packet. Ready to start the buying process or looking to sell your home? Give Holly a call at 509-882-2001 

First-Timer Friday: 5 Factors That Decide Your Credit Score

Credit scores range between 200 and 800, with scores above 640 considered desirable for obtaining a mortgage.  The following factors affect your score:

    

1. Your payment history.  Did you pay your credit card obligations on time?  If they were late, then how late? Bankruptcy filing, liens, and collection activity also impact your history.

2. How much you owe.  If you owe a great deal of money on numerous accounts, it can indicate that  you are overextended.  However, it’s a good thing if you have a good proportion of balances to total credit limits.

3. The length of your credit history.  In general, the longer you have accounts opened, the better. The average consumer’s oldest obligation is 14 years old, indicating that he or she been managing credit for some time, according to Fair Isaac Corp., and only one in 20 consumers have credit histories shorter than 2 years.

4. How much new credit you have.  New credit, either installment payments or new credit cards, are considered more risky, even if they pay them promptly.

5. The type of credit you use.  Generally, it’s  desirable to have more than one type of credit—installment loans, credit cards, and a mortgage, for example.

For more on evaluating and understanding your credit score, visit http://www.myfico.com/

First-Timer Friday: 6 Creative Ways to Afford a Home

 Following last weeks theme of affording a home, here are some ways to purchase a home that you may not have considered. Remember to visit my website or swing by my office for a complete version of my First Time Home Buyer Packet.

1. Investigate local, state, and national down payment assistance programs.  These programs give qualified applicants loans or grants to cover all or part of your required down payment. National programs include the Nehemiah program, www.getdownpayment.com, and the American Dream Down Payment Fund from the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

 2.  Explore seller financing.   In cases, sellers may be willing to finance all or part of the purchase  price of the home and let you repay them gradually, just as you would do with a mortgage.

3.  Consider a shared-appreciation or shared-equity arrangement.  Under this arrangement, your family, friends, or even a third-party may buy a home and share in any appreciation when the home is sold.  The owner/occupant usually pays the mortgage, property taxes, and maintenance costs, but all the investors’ name are usually on the mortgage.  Companies are available that can help you find such an investor, if your family can’t participate.

4.  Ask your family for help.  Perhaps a family member will loan you money for the down payment or act as a co-signer for the mortgage.  Lenders often like to have a co-signer if you have little credit history.

5.  Lease with option to buy.  Renting the home for a year or more will give you the chance to save more toward your payment.  And in many cases, owners will apply some of the rental amount toward the purchase price.  You usually have to pay a small, nonrefundable option fee to the owner.

6.  Consider a short-term second mortgage.  If you can qualify for a short-term second mortgage, this  would give you money to make a larger down payment.  This may be possible if you’re in good financial standing, with a strong income and little other debt.

If you are ready to start the home buying process, give me a call at 509-882-2001.

First-Timer Friday: Get your Finances in Order: To-Do List

This is my second installment of a weekly blog post I'm calling "First-Timer Friday". I have a packet compiled for First Time Home Buyers that come into my office to give them everything they need to know to purchase their first homes. If you are a first time buyer, feel free to visit my website to view the whole packet or come into my office to get a copy of it.

Let's face it, times are tough for pretty much everyone, as far as finances go. But that doesn't mean you need to give up on your dreams of home ownership. Here are some tips for getting everything in order so you can afford to purchase a home.

1.  Develop a household budget.  Instead of creating a budget of what you’d like to spend, use receipts to create a budget that reflects your actual spending habits over the last several months. This approach will include unexpected expenses, such as car repairs, as well as

     predictable cost such as rent, bills, and groceries.

2.  Reduced your debt.  Lenders generally look for a total debt load of no more than 36 percent of income.  This figure includes your mortgage, which typically ranges between 25 and 28 percent of your house hold income.  So you need to get monthly payments on the rest of your installment debt—car loans, student loans, and revolving balances on credit cards—down to between 8 to 10 percent of your monthly income.

3. Look for ways to save.  You probably know how much you spend on rent and utilities, but little expense add up too.  Try writing down everything you spend for one month.  You’ll probably spot some great ways to save, whether it’s cutting out that morning trip to Starbucks or eating dinner at home more often. 

4. Increase your income.  Now’s the time to ask for a raise!  If that’s not an option, you may want to consider taking on a second job to get your income at a level high enough to qualify for the home you want.

 

5. Save for a down payment.  Designate a certain amount of money each month to put away in your savings account.  Although it’s possible to get a mortgage with only 5 percent down, or even less, you can usually get a better rate if you put down a larger percentage of the total

     purchase.  Aim for a 20 percent down payment

6. Keep your job.  While you don’t need to be in the same job forever to qualify for a loan,

    having  a job for less than two years may mean you have to pay a higher interest rate.

7. Establish a good credit history.  Get a credit card and make payments by the due date.  Do the same for all your other bills, too.  Pay off the entire balance promptly.

Why You Should Work With a REALTOR®

Not all real estate practitioners are REALTORS®. The term REALTOR® is a registered trademark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of REALTORS® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics. Here are five reasons why it pays to work with a REALTOR®.

1. You’ll have an expert to guide you through the process. Buying or selling a home usually requires disclosure forms, inspection reports, mortgage documents, insurance policies, deeds, and multi-page settlement statements. A knowledgeable expert will help you prepare the best deal, and avoid delays or costly mistakes.

2. Get objective information and opinions. REALTORS® can provide local community information on utilities, zoning, schools, and more. They’ll also be able to provide objective information about each property. A professional will be able to help you answer these two important questions: Will the property provide the environment I want for a home or investment? Second, will the property have resale value when I am ready to sell?

3. Find the best property out there. Sometimes the property you are seeking is available but not actively advertised in the market, and it will take some investigation by your REALTOR® to find all available properties.

4. Benefit from their negotiating experience. There are many negotiating factors, including but not limited to price, financing, terms, date of possession, and inclusion or exclusion of repairs, furnishings, or equipment. In addition, the purchase agreement should provide a period of time for you to complete appropriate inspections and investigations of the property before you are bound to complete the purchase. Your agent can advise you as to which investigations and inspections are recommended or required.

5. Property marketing power. Real estate doesn’t sell due to advertising alone. In fact, a large share of real estate sales comes as the result of a practitioner’s contacts through previous clients, referrals, friends, and family. When a property is marketed with the help of a REALTOR®, you do not have to allow strangers into your home. Your REALTOR® will generally prescreen and accompany qualified prospects through your property.

 

6. Real estate has its own language. If you don’t know a CMA from a PUD, you can understand why it’s important to work with a professional who is immersed in the industry and knows the real estate language.

7. REALTORS® have done it before. Most people buy and sell only a few homes in a lifetime, usually with quite a few years in between each purchase. And even if you’ve done it before, laws and regulations change. REALTORS®, on the other hand, handle hundreds of real estate transactions over the course of their career. Having an expert on your side is critical.

8. Buying and selling is emotional. A home often symbolizes family, rest, and security—it’s not just four walls and a roof. Because of this, home buying and selling can be an emotional undertaking. And for most people, a home is the biggest purchase they’ll ever make. Having a concerned, but objective, third party helps you stay focused on both the emotional and financial issues most important to you.

9. Ethical treatment. Every member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of REALTORS® makes a commitment to adhere to a strict Code of Ethics, which is based on professionalism and protection of the public. As a customer of a REALTOR®, you can expect honest and ethical treatment in all transaction-related matters. It is mandatory for REALTORS® to take the Code of Ethics orientation and they are also required to complete a refresher course every four years.

If you are looking to buy or sell a home or property give me a call at 509-882-2001 or visit my website.

Grandview Gains Credit Union and Beautification!

The Lower Valley Credit Union (LVCU) opened its brand new Grandview branch last Monday, December 26^th, 2010. While according to branch manager, Phil Robillard, LVCU doesn’t do much in the way of home mortgages, they are the go to place for member service. “When people come in, they’re people,” Phil says, “not just numbers”. LVCU is a great place to head if you are looking to finance a new car, start saving for the future, or just looking for some free checking and a debit card. As far as loans go, they work a lot with consumer lending and home improvement or home equity loans. Not only does the credit union bring another option for banking to Grandview, but the beautiful new building helps spruce up the Northwest side of town as well.

Branch hours are 9:00am-5:00pm, Monday-Thursday and 9:00am-6:00pm on Fridays. It is conveniently located between Marchant Home Furnishings and Café Grande Vue on Wine Country Road.