Starbucks Grand Opening

Opening day is Thursday, October 16th for the new Starbucks Drive Through in Fredrickson! Owner and operator, Gwen Joseph, is offering free drinks on opening day:

"Stop by our new Starbucks Location on 176th and Canyon road this Thursday October 16 from 4pm to 7pm. Just for stopping by you'll have your choice of any tall beverage on us! Friends, family and free coffee what more could you ask for? Everyone is welcome to join the fun so bring a friend or two along with you."

Canyon Crossing is located on 176th and Canyon Road. If you have not visited Fredrickson lately, take advantage of this offer and make a visit. Things have sure changed at that intersection.

Canyon Crossing has a Safeway, Taco Bell and of course the new Starbucks. More is planned and lease space is still available.

Be sure to bring your friends and family to enjoy your treat on Thursday, October 16th from 4pm-7pm!

Yes, there is a drive thru for your convenience!

Stop by and order your specialized drink and treat while talking with your favorite baristas!

Provided as a courtesy by:

The Puyallup market has mixed reviews for the month of September 2008. For the first time this year, sales cracked the 100 homes sold and 10% of listed homes sold in September. Pending sales were also up in September as compared to previous months.

On the flip side, the median sales price dropped $19,000 from August to $249,950 and the average sales price dropped $20,000 from the August average.

If buyers continue to gain confidence and more homes are sold, we should see the median sales price increase in the coming months. However, if buyers fall back into the "fear of the market crashing" mentality, then we will see drops in sales and in prices.

Being that the holiday season is just around the corner, it will be interested to see what happens in the Puyallup market in the coming months.

My recommendation is to buy before the holidays, if you have the ability to get approved. Interest rates are near the lowest levels of the year, home prices are at the lowest level of the year, and you can anticipate the inventory to drop as we enter the holiday season. If you want the best rates, the lowest prices, and the best selection now is a great time to be a buyer.

Sellers that need to sell should list if they are ready, willing, and able to price correctly for the market. Consider that home values dropped 7% in a month in the Puyallup market. Sellers must understand the need to price below the market to even have a chance to sell at this time.

*statistics are from a reliable source, but are not guaranteed. For more information regarding your area, contact a full-time real estate specialist.

Hey all you coffee drinkers in the Puyallup area. The Solinsky Home Team has requested to continue the 2 for 1 drink special at Forza's on South Hill for the month of October.

Guess what? They will do it!

In the month of October, visit this location and receive 2 drinks for the price of 1.

All you have to do is mention the Solinsky Home Team sent you and you get the 2 for 1 special!

 Forza Drive Through is located on Meridian near 128th in the Rite-Aid/Goodwill parking lot.

Drive Through today and pick up your Forza's!

The Solinsky Home Team at Keller Williams is committed to building community through the real estate business.

We enjoy parternering with other locally-owned businesses to provide discounts for our clients and friends.

Be part of our community and tell others about the Solinsky Home Team at Keller Williams!

WREN HOLLOW

Wren Hollow is a new construction plat located in Tacoma, WA, near Spanaway. The homes are built by Legacy NW Homebuilders, a high quality local builder who takes great care of his clients.

As you enter the development, close to Ft. Lewis and McCord, a one-block cul-de-sac on 19th Ave E and Military Rd, you will find superior landscaping and homes wrapped in hardi-plank siding.

There are three styles of home being either completed or under construction in Wren Hollow. The first is a 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 1953 sq. foot rambler with a 2 car garage. The home features high vaulted ceilings with an open layout just right for entertaining. The spacious kitchen has plenty of storage space with quality 42" upper cabinets and stainless steel appliances.

As you enter the master suite, you will find plenty of room for a king-sized bed and dressers and still have room to move around. Attached to the master is the 5-piece master bath and walk-in closet.

Enjoy the privacy of your backyard lined with an 8-foot high fence. Most lots have a landscape tract included in the back yard.

1953 square foot Rambler. LISTED AT $259,950

 Spacious Kitchen in Rambler.

Looking for bedrooms and a garage? Consider the 1999 sq.ft - 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath two-story home with a 3-car tandum garage. It features a cozy living area and a spacious kitchen. The master suite comes complete with a 5 -piece master bath and walkin closet.

 1999 square foot 2-story. LISTED AT $264,950

Need that extra room? The 2200 sq. foot 2-story is still under construction. Featuring 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bath and a bonus room with a 2 car garage. Once again, Legacy provides a quality kitchen and master suite with 5-piece master bath.

Pictures are not yet available. LISTED AT $269,950.

See more of Wren Hollow by visiting the site on Saturdays and Sundays from 11am - 4pm or by appointment. Call Brian Solinsky at 253-278-7857 for more pictures and specifics.

You can also visit www.WrenHollow.com (site currently under construction, so keep checking back).  

Brian Solinsky 

253-278-7857 

bsolinsky@kw.com

www.SolinskyHomeTeam.com

The Puyallup real estate market hit some strides this past week, be it small strides, but strides none-the-less. Residential pending sales were up and closed sales quadrupled from the second week of August.

Most of the sales took place in the $200,000 - $299,000 range, located on the far south end of town. Maybe with the Canyon Road expansion and the project underway on 94th, combined with the new strip mall developments on Meridian, south of 152nd, buyers are finding deals and finding that traffic isn't so bad.

With a new Target, Wal-Mart and other shopping lining the streets of Meridian, the far South Hill is more self-sufficient than it was even a year ago.

Home values continue to decline in that area as well and it appears buyers are finding the deals they need to get in "buying" mode.

Another positive development was the drop in the median days on market from 72 days in August to 67 days on market in the second week of September. Could this be the shift in the market we need or is it more of a late summer push? We shall see.

I need help with designing a logo for my Real Estate Business. I am an agent at Keller Williams Real Estate operating under the name Solinsky Home Team. You can see my current logo at www.SolinskyHomeTeam.com or on my profile page.

As of October 1, I will be changing the name of my business to West Valley Home Team. I'll continue to conduct business at Keller Williams, so West Valley Home Team at Keller Williams would work too.

Currently, I'm using the slogan, "Bringing Home Your Dreams".

I am open to ideas and samples of what you can do to be my logo designer. Let me know if you have further questions.

Submit your design for my logo with your name, phone number and email address by Tuesday, Sept. 16 at 11:59pm. I'll select the one I like best and award the winner (prize to be determined).

Winning logo will be featured on my website on October 1, 2008 and the winner will be highlighted in my blog at www.BlogsByBrian.com

Thank you for your help. 

Forza's Coffee opened a new location this month on the South Hill of Puyallup. It's just a little drive through stand, but in a great location for those morning commuters that need that cup of Jo!

Manager, Bryan Reynolds, takes great pride in operating a quality coffee shop. In two years of Forza's presence in downtown Puyallup, under his direction, it has become a regular stop for students and business professionals.

Awaiting you at both locations is always a friendly face with a smile and plenty of choices for your caffeine fix or appetite.

"It's all about the community and the relationships in the community." says Reynolds.

As evidence of this, Forza Coffee has teamed up with the Solinsky Home Team for this special offer.

Special Offer:

For the month of September visit the new FORZA on South Hill, mention the Solinsky Home Team and get a 2 for 1 special on your drinks. Be sure to take a friend!

Visit as often as you like and tell others about this amazing September special.

Location: 128th and Meridian near the Goodwill and Rite Aid (east side).

Good news for first time home buyers with the Housing and Economic Relief Bill signed today (July 30,2008) by President Bush!  

In the bill, first time home buyers who purchase between April 9,2008 and July 1, 2009 will receive up to a $7,500 tax credit!  

For those who have been waiting, now is the time to buy. With this bill it is likely to turn things around in the housing market, which means purchase prices will likely go up in the coming months. Interest rates are still around 6.5%, which is historically low, but they might go up in the next few months.  

 If you are considering making a purchase, now is the time to talk to a real estate professional and mortgage professional to see if it is the right time for you to buy a home.  

Here are some links that might be of interest to you:  

 Info on the First-time homebuyers tax credit  

Brian's Blog with links to articles about the housing bill  

 Real Estate Professional - Brian Solinsky's email  

Mortgage Professional - Lissa Solinsky's email

Relief for many homeowners facing foreclosure looks to be on the way as President Bush signs into law the Housing and Economic Recovery bill. In an article by JENNIFER LOVEN, Associated Press Writer, the bill takes "several approaches to curing the ailing housing market".

 HENRY J. PULIZZI and MICHAEL R. CRITTENDEN write in the Wall Street Journal about different aspects of the bill and how it is meant to stimulate the housing sector.

For those facing foreclosure, the bill looks to provide options and counseling to restructure loans for homeowners to keep their home.

First time home buyers benefit with a tax credit if they purchase a home or condo between April 9, 2008 and July 1, 2009. A tax credit of up to $7,500 could get those buyers that are on the fence to make the move.

Overall, the bill looks to provide relief and the potential for growth in the housing sector, while also giving aid to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

The third week of July in the Puyallup Real Estate market can be marked by steady consistency. Pending sales rose for the third consecutive week, which is a sign more buyers are out there and more are making offers on homes.

Sold listings remained the same from week 2 to week 3 of July in Puyallup. More homes were on the market in Week 3 of July as well. With more homes on the market and the same number of solds, it appears the Puyallup real estate market is moving slightly in the buyers direction this week. The increase in pending sales is off-set by the increase in active listings.

Homes priced in the $200,000 - $260,000 range reported the most solds and the most pendings in week 3. The highest price sale this week was $415,000.

When searching for homes and/or looking to sell your home, be sure to choose a REALTOR you trust to know the market. Thousands of dollars can be gained or lost based on market conditions in your area.

This week I have found Trey Affolter's blog to be an inspiration due to it's content and the way he has taken on producing quality posts in such a short time on Active Rain.

Trey has a cool logo too!

Not only is Trey a great agent, but the volunteer work he does at the Boy's and Girl's club of Tacoma provides hope to some of the neediest kids in the area.

One way Trey provides hope is through his feature of  Lexi Bonner in Realtors, Family & Friends support 2 yr old Lexi Bonner & her Battle.

Take a look at some other great posts by Trey like

McChord Air Expo 2008 feat. the Thunderbirds - Tacoma, WA

American Lake - Tacoma, WA (Pierce County) Recreation, Beauty & Homes

 The Open Championship - 2008, Share your thoughts???  

Widgets can Jazz up your message!

Congratulations, Trey! You are the featured Blog Artist of the Week! Thank you for providing great information, pictures, and links.

Puyallup residential real estate pending sales were up from the previous week, which is a sign the real estate market in Puyallup is making the turn towards a sellers market, however it has a long climb to get there.

Buyers still have a significant advantage when purchasing in Puyallup. Oftentimes, sellers are paying the closing costs for buyers as an incentive to get a buyer to make the purchase. Some sellers are even providing downpayment assistance, in an FHA program such as Nehemiah or the Grant America Program. Several other grant programs are FHA and HUD approved and can be found on the FHA Grant website.

Many buyers are finding homes that are bank owned or in pre-foreclosure. These properties can typically be purchased for under market value as banks are trying to rid themselves of holding these properties and owners are trying to save their credit by selling before a foreclosure.

When looking to purchase these properties, buyers must be aware there are some risks involved. Banks usually have their own set of documents or addendums that the buyer must sign in order to purchase. In most cases, the bank documents weigh heavy on the side of protecting the bank in the transaction. When looking to purchase a short sale property, Washington State buyers need to be aware of the new Distressed Property Law that went into effect on June 12, 2008.

Generally, in Puyallup the real estate market is steady and showing signs of improvement. Talk to a real estate professional for more details about specific neighborhoods within Puyallup. Brian Solinsky studies Puyallup neighborhoods to know what is available and can help on pricing. Whether you are buying or selling in Puyallup, the Solinsky Home Team is a great place to start.

This new Hands Free Driving law has got me all worked up. So hard to remember my keys and wallet, let alone my cell phone and now my bluetooth.

Last week I wrote a blog on the new LAW - Hands Free Driving, but I gotta hand it to Trey Affolter who posted a blog titled, Pssst...Hands-Free Law now in effect. In it, there is a link to this You Tube video that you just gotta see.

Video - Click Here!

I was laughing so hard my stomach hurt and just had to share with my readers too. Thank you, Trey for the laughs.

Drive safe!

Looking for convenience on Puyallup's South Hill could not be easier than a quick drive into Pit Stop Express.

Located just off the freeway on South Hill Park drive, next to Bethany Baptist Church, Dennys, and Holiday Inn Express.

Directions Pit Stop.

When you pull into the parking lot you will find lots of other people like to use the convenience of this location as well.

Surprisingly, service is quick and easy as should be expected at a Pit Stop. They want to get you back on the road as quickly as possible.

Drive right up to the front door and run inside to grab a Red Bull,

fill up a fountain soda, or use the restroom (always kept clean).

As you can see the car wash service is touch free. No bristles touching your car to make those nasty scratches you can never get out.

You can pay at the Car Wash entrance or get your receipt inside after pumping gas.

My favorite Car Wash day is Monday, because it is manager special day when you can get the Night On the Town, full-service wash, for just $9,99.

With Night on the Town you get wax and tire buffing along with a great wash.

On days other than Monday you can still find terrific service with reasonable prices on the car wash of your choice.

A typical car wash takes about 10 minutes. Be sure to ask for a dash towel too.

Pit Stop is the place I like to go for convenience when I am in a hurry. It doesn't take long to drop by and fill up my drink (pop refills are only 97 cents). Others enjoy the Bigfoot Java and the Subway that are in the same location.

If you live in Puyallup or are just driving through, make Pit Stop the place to take a break, fill up the tank, and then get back on the road.  

For current Puyallup weather and other places of interest in Puyallup, click here.

Brought to you by the Solinsky Home Team.

News on Friday, July 11th, shows once again the volitility of our market. Fannie and Freddie are in trouble and facing the possible need for further government assistance.

If you are in the real estate business you need to be aware of what is happening with Freddie and Fannie. I don't completely understand it, but it helped to read this article, "Economic Storm Brews as Fannie, Freddie pushed to the brink" by Rob Lever.

 Weigh-in with your thoughts on the situation with Freddie and Fannie. What do you see as a solution?

Is a government take over the best scenario for our nation?

Have we hit bottom or is there more fallout in our future?

I want to read about something positive that will come out of all this.

Yes, the Active Rain Running Challenge continues. My 20 minute workouts, at least 3 times a week are getting easier as I enter week 5.

The past couple workouts have been in the evening, as the sun is setting, and the heat of the day settles into the night sky. One night was a series of basketball games with some friends on the Sport court.

It was a tough night after a full Bar-Be-Que with steak, potato salad, hot dogs, and salmon (Yes, I sampled each, okay I ate large). The court was not friendly to me and after about an hour of straight two on two with some of the toughest hoopsters around, I was ready to lose my din-din.

The next night I just had to get out and run, so I put on the headphones and went out the door, listening to some Floyd Wickman to inspire me.

Yes, Floyd, I am committed, reaching my goals, and living S.M.A.R.T.

Okay, all you Active Rain members, time to jump on-board and get into the Active Rain Running Challenge (it's okay to walk). As Floyd says, "you just gotta get the first shoe on".

Join the group and be inspired to get in shape in the Active Rain Running Challenge.

If you are not sure how to join a group go to Active Brad's blog on how to join Groups on Active Rain.

A month ago, my kids and I set out to review parks in Puyallup for all those kids out there that like to play and for parents who like to find a place to take their kids.

We started with a review of Rainier Woods Park, also known as Picture Park, as my kids call it.

Bradley Lake Park - soon to open the new and improved play area. According to my new friend, Matt, who I met at Peach Park, the new Bradley Lake Play Area will be one of only three parks in all of Washington State that is designed for kids with special needs. According to the City of Puyallup, dedication is scheduled for July 26th at 10:00am.

Look for more park reviews coming soon.

CONTEST: Name the park you think will be reviewed next and you can win a prize. Here's how to enter:

Email your Name, Address, and Phone number with your answer to

brian@briansolinsky.com

Make sure to enter before the winning blog is posted!

Also, if you would like to see a park reviewed, let us know and I'll take the kids to do a review.

In Washington State a new law went into affect on July 1st, requiring drivers talking on cell phones to be hands free. The new law is meant to make the roads safer for all drivers and I suppose it is a good law to keep people focused on the road.

What I have experienced in the past week is some difficulty making the adjustment. First, I found a bluetooth that I thought would work for me, which took time to research and money to buy.

I decided on the Plantronics  model for a cost of about $60.

After finding the one for me, I then went to connect it with my Treo Palm, which was only a problem because I didn't know the password, but after looking through the manual found it to be easy to sync.

Once having my phone and bluetooth in sync it was time to hit the road. Does anyone else feel like an alien with that thing hanging from their ear? Well, I did, so I took it off.

Now here is where I feel it is more dangerous with the new law, but I really don't want a ticket.  

While driving, my ringtone interrupted my concentration and things got a bit hectic. Rather than just answering the phone as usual, I now had to find my bluetooth, tossed in the passenger seat, hook it to my ear, press the button and hope it all worked.

Well, it didn't. Apparently, I had to turn the bluetooth on with the phone, then push the little button on the bluetooth to answer my call.

I missed it - the call I mean -and my next turn.

So, I then checked my voicemail, still careful to follow the rules of the road so not to end up like this guy.

or get a ticket from the guy in my rearview mirror.  

In the end, I was able to call the person back on my bluetooth and make it safely to my destination. Hopefully, I'll get better at this with more practice, but at this time, I think it is just as dangerous with the new law.

Let me know your thoughts or experiences with cell phones and driving, especially if you are in a state with a hands-free law.

Puyallup real estate continues to see more activity. Following a June that witnessed the most solds in a month so far this year, the first week of July continued to show an increase in activity.

There were three times as many solds in the first week of July as compared to the first week of June 2008. Interestingly enough the number of active listings in Puyallup dropped from 980 in the first week of June to only 904 in the first week of July.

The trend developing is fewer homes on the market and more people buying homes, which tends to lead to an increase in market value.

Continue to watch what happens throughout the summer to see if Puyallup remains on the road to a more balanced market.

For more information about specific neighborhoods in the Puyallup and Pierce County area, visit the Solinsky Home Team.

The last week in June is Hoopfest Weekend in Spokane. Our family travels over the Cascade Mountains every year to participate in the largest 3 on 3 street basketball tournament in the world. Here are some pics from this year's event:

Taylor and Tanner Hoop It Up at the Wired 96.9 booth!

Tanner Shoots to Score!

Game Played on Thomas Hammer Coffee Court #1             Taylor Watches Her Dad Play Basketball

So much went on at Spokane Hoopfest - See more about the event here.

See more Hoopfest 2008 photos.

Team Mulder finished with a 4-2 record and 4th place in their 17 team bracket. Read more about the team.

Hoopfest Day 1

Hoopfest Day 2

Visit the Solinsky Home Team for all your Puyallup and Pierce County Washington real estate needs!