homes.wenatcheeworld.com
North Central Washington
Homefinder’s WEEKEND
WEEK OF JUNE 16TH
LeavenworthRealty.com
VikkiGildenRealEstate.com
Ken West • 509-548-5802
What would you tell someone that is not from here about the value of living in our region? Growing up here I feel like I can offer a very in-depth opinion of living in our valley. The one thing I always stress to people that are considering moving here is the quality of life that we all experience: The recreational activities during all four of our seasons, the 300 days of sunshine, the low crime rate, and the natural beauty. I am constantly admiring the beautiful views from my house or out on my runs and realize just how lucky I am to be able to live here. What do you enjoy when you are not working? The most important thing in my life is my family and they are what I enjoy more than anything. We like to entertain and have lots of gatherings at our home for family and friends so that is always fun. I am also tagging along with my brother, Jake, who is running a marathon in all fifty states. I do a couple a year with him, just completed Rhode Island, and looking forward to Denver, Colorado in September. Our training run is from Leavenworth to Wenatchee so you may see us on the road! What tip would you offer someone buying/selling a home in this market? My best advice for buyers would be to buy now before the prices go up and to take advantage of the great interest rates. Beyond that I always tell them to make sure the setting itself is what will make them happy, you can always change a house, but never the setting. For sellers I always tell them that price is everything so don’t try to price it too high and keep it real. Also very important is to have your home as clean and show ready as you can—you never get a second chance for a first impression. Tell us about the most interesting property you have every sold/listed? The most interesting listing I’ve had is one I currently have that is a gorgeous, very custom, 6,000 sq. foot log home on the river, unequalled quality, and one large room that was hand painted by an artist and feels as though you are walking right into a painting. It is just a fun house to show because it is one like you’ve never seen before.
Mike West Leavenworth Realty RESERVE YOUR SPACE TODAY!
Nees
509-860-2091 nees@wenatcheeworld.com
Talk To Tom About OPEN HOUSES AGENT FINDER FEATURED LISTINGS REALTOR SPOTLIGHT REALTOR’S CORNER
Agents Bringing Buyers & Sellers Together Darlene Garton
R E A L E S TAT E
Real Estate Specialist
Proud to be a Preferred Lender
1 S. Chelan St., Wenatchee •
Featured
Evergreen Home Loans
881-1600 Connect to johnlscott.com/wenatcheeofice • 662-4772 • 1201 N. Wenatchee Ave. This Office independently Owned & Operated
Coldwell Banker LaVigne
South Lyle & 8th East Wenatchee
Progressive Floor Plans with Superior Finish Work. Ramblers, Two Stories, and Daylight Ramblers.
Your life is full...the school year is winding down, the summer will be packed with Graduations Vacations Weddings
1 S.1 Chelan St., Wenatchee • 509-888-8887 S. Chelan St., Wenatchee • 888-8887
Sandra Mathena • (509) 421-8680 • ColdwellBankerLaVigne.com
April Brown MLO 849021
Plan ahead and you can be in a new home before the next school year starts.We can help! Give April or Kyle a call today and get started on the road to a new home!
Kyle Carey MLO 849021
People are “Our Business” ”
Contact: Tom
Where were you born and where did you grow up? I was born and raised here in Leavenworth so have a complete knowledge of the entire valley—both of the property and the history of the area. What got you into real estate and what keeps you there? My brother, Mike, started our office over 30 years ago and I started selling after a few years of seeing his success. I love dealing with people and have made some very good friends over the years. Tell us about your family? I am the youngest of six in my family and am married to my wife, Paula, who teaches school at the elementary school here in town. Paula and I have two children, one who is going to be a freshman next year and one who is going into the seventh grade. We also have one dog, Charlie, a cocker/pappion mix. What is your forecast for Real Estate in 2012? I am very excited about this year in Real Estate...it’s already been better this spring than it has been for us in the past four years. Our market in the upper valley is mainly recreational/second home buyers and while they haven’t been super active in this economy, we are starting to see them come back. The Leavenworth area itself does not have much private land with all of the Forest Service land we are surrounded by, so the supply and demand between that and everyone from the West side of the state wanting to be here make our property very valuable and highly desirable. We have some great properties for sale and with the interest rates being so incredible I feel like this summer is going to be a very good one. Our selling season runs pretty much from right now as school gets out clear until the snow really starts to come in late October to early November. I think we are also going to start seeing the prices go up again and the time to buy is now before that happens. Tell us about the latest class/training you have completed? I have been e-certified to work with the growing Internet aspects of our business and have actually sold two condos where the buyers haven’t even met me or seen the property. I was more nervous than they were over the transaction, worrying about if they would like it, but with the Internet and the massive amount of pictures I was able to send them they were both very happy with their purchase. I have earned the designation of Managing Broker and recently have been awarded the Leading Edge Society award for volume of sales.
Annette Johnson 509-630-6107 (Direct) 509-662-2100 (Office) Toll Free: 877-582-6964
Century 21 Exclusively • 135 N. Mission, Wenatchee, WA 98801
www.wenatcheepremierhomes.com Stephen Office: 662-3491 Bishop fax: 664-3897
679-7004
NMLS #3182
Evergreen Home Loans is a registered trade name of Evergreen Moneysource Mortgage Company
C21Annette@Charter.net
Sharon Moreland
(509) 664-3634 • Toll Free: 1-888-821-9252 101 S Mission, Wenatchee • Branch NMLS #9035 Over 21 Years of Real Estate expertise partnered with the National Exposure of !
Melissa Kiser
670-0075
509.668.8800 Melissa@MelissaKiser.com
741-2548 Cell
Search Every Wenatchee Real Estate Listing at www.NCWhomes.com
~ Buying or selling...together we can unlock your dreams! ~ ~17 years marketing & ~ Buying or selling...together w ~ new construction experience heidi@premierone.biz
Office: (509) 888-3950
gary@premierone.biz Cell 509-679-4132 garymullenrealestate.com
My Real Estate business is going to the dogs! (and cats too) I donate a portion of my commissions to the Wenatchee Valley Humane Society.
Jerry Paine
509-860-7696 • ncwrealestate.com Call me for all your real estate needs.
Lela C 1-509-322-6060 CLela@lauramounter.com
Honesty, Integrity and 18 years of Experience
Make Dreams come True
Windermere Real Estate/NCW
Bringing Buyers & Sellers Together Jackie Gabaldo Broker Associate
R E A L E S TAT E
860-4456 Connect to johnlscott.com/wenatcheeofice • 662-4772 • 1201 N. Wenatchee Ave. This Office independently Owned & Operated