Colleen's (and occasionally, Joe's) Blog

Rental and yet an investment property! How? Well, yours is not an isolated enquiry. There are a number of providers of dedicated rental investment real estate properties. You could tap the potential of any one of the many resources online as well as offline. When you plan to rent a property, do consider the options that allow you to purchase the unit after a while, should you fancy the neighborhood and in build facilities.

Most of the real estate agents and real estate brokers network extensively to ensure that the property queries meet with desired results. The process involves a little research and some investment in terms of energy and time. These rental investment real estate properties are available within all preferred localities and can be converted into highly lucrative deals.

Once you are able to find the property that catches the eye, all you have to do is set a budget with the broker and agent and allow the professional to negotiate the deal. Such a deal would surely help you make the most of the investment since the negotiation allows you to rent the property, check out what living in it means to the family and then buy it, if at all you want to! See investment properties.

The Canyon Lakes Community is one of the many desirable communities in Kennewick Washigton. Canyon Lakes hosts a unique mountain lake, some of the oldest trees, unrivaled views of local mountains such as Mount Baker, the Black Buttes, and both the North and South Twin Sister.

Canyon Lakes Golf Course

Canyon Lakes is best known for its four and a half starred golf course rated by Golf Digest. Also considered as the highest rated golf course in the Tri-Cities as well as Washington State!  Northwest Travel magazine selected Canyon Lakes as one of the "18 of the Best in the Pacific Northwest." Canyon Lakes Golf Course has the largest green in the Pacific Northwest and it is where you can find one of the Northwest's Dream 18 Holes!

Canyon Lakes Golf Course offers the best of the best. Top-of-the-line features such as GPS on all its carts and 21 different memberships to choose from. Besides being the best venue for golf outings, members can also enjoy the use of its 3,000 square foot Champions Room for events such as weddings, company parties and other special events.

Truly, the Canyon Lakes Community has the highest standards when it comes to quality living. Its location is very convenient being just a stone throw away from shopping, recreation and entertainment. The Tri-Cities Airport and Columbia Basin College are just a short drive away, and about 44 miles from Heritage College. Quality schools, a thriving local economy, festivals, outdoor recreational activities and cultural events, and a rich history, it’s no wonder many people consider the Canyon Lakes Community home. See Canyon Lakes.

When ya need options for home staging, this chair, sofa, whatever, will fit any space, meet any need. :)

•:*¨¨*:• Colleen Lane •:*¨¨*:•
My ActiveRain Blog / My Localism Blog | ColleenLane.com

I am the Realtor® that makes things move in The Lane Real Estate Team, while my husband Joe is the dude that provides the marketing that gives me the great clients I have. My sole purpose in life is to serve God, family, and clients. Joe's sole purpose in life is to serve God, me, and family (and ski). We have five children, all at home, all ours. We've been happily married for 23 years, and Joe has forgotten the anniversary almost all of those years! We service the Tri Cities Washington real estate market to include Kennewick, Richland, and Pasco, Washington. Visit our latest listing at West Richland Homes For Sale.

You're a 19 year old kid. You're critically wounded, and dying in the jungle in the Ia Drang Valley , 11-14-1965 , LZ X-ray, Vietnam . Your infantry unit is outnumbered 8 - 1, and the enemy fire is so intense, from 100 or 200 yards away, that your own Infantry Commander has ordered the MediVac helicopters to stop coming in. You're lying there, listening to the enemy machine guns, and you know you're not getting out. Your family is 1/2 way around the world, 12,000 miles away, and you'll never see them again. As the world starts to fade in and out, you know this is the day.

Then, over the machine gun noise, you faintly hear that sound of a helicopter, and you look up to see an un-armed Huey, but it doesn't seem real, because no Medi-Vac markings are on it. Ed Freeman is coming for you. He's not Medi-Vac, so it's not his job, but he's flying his Huey down into the machine gun fire, after the Medi-Vacs were ordered not to come. He's coming anyway. He drops it in and sits there in the machine gun fire as they load 2 or 3 of you on board. Then he flies you up and out through the gunfire, to the Doctors and Nurses. And he kept coming back....not once, not 10 times, but 21 more times....bringing in ammunition and supplies and taking out wounded who would never have gotten out.

Medal of Honor Recipient Ed Freeman died last Wednesday at the age of 80 in Boise, ID. May God rest his soul. I bet you didn't hear about this hero's passing, but we sure were told a whole bunch about some medical student murdering young women.

How is your area faring? MSNBC is reporting Moody's Adversity Index has 93% of the country's metropolitan areas in a recession. However, of the 28 metro areas not in a recession is the Tri Cities of Washington's, Kennewick, Richland, and Pasco. In fact, the Tri Cities is the only metro area in the state of Washington not in a recession.

Add these relevant articles, and Tri Cities Washington could very well be the best place to live in the United States:

• Stimulus funds expected to pay for complex research at PNNL
• Tri Cites Washington May Experience A Housing Shortage
• Forbes Magazine States Tri Cities Washington 1 of 2 Best Locations For Employment This Spring
• Tri Cities Washington | Tops Washington State Census Growth
• Last, but certainly not least, We Are A Romantic Destination Location!

Originally posted here.

I'm not a big pageant fan, however, pageant scandals get my attention. As many know by now, Miss America was crowned amidst controversy surrounding Miss California's answer to a question on gay marriage. Regardless of what side you are on, whether Christian or not, pro-gay, anti-gay, whatever, there is something amiss when an openly gay judge, Perez Hilton, asks an openly Christian contestant, Carrie Prejean, her thoughts on gay marriage. What did he expect her to say? Is she not entitled to any conviction? What's next, Democrat versus Republican, Mormon versus Jew, cat-lover versus dog-lover...?

I think the aftermath of this is most interesting. The judge (they are quality people, right?) calls Hilton a bitch, then retracts it, then reinstates it. Prejean, on the other hand, is as classy as they come. Never attacked the judge, but stood by her conviction. I have a new respect for the Miss America Pageant if the program produces quality contestants like Carrie Prejean. Watch the video (and others) below. You'll probably come to the same conclusion.

Hmm, next year a FSBO judge will be asking next year's real estate agent contestant her views on opening the MLS to the public. Since we all suck, we won't hold our breadth on that one. :)

Municipalities control the use of properties by means of zoning. It is a legal method of assigning certain areas for specific use or uses.

Zoning serves a beneficial purpose. It may be for the purpose of use-based, regulating building height such as in areas near the airport, lot coverage, and similar characteristics, or a combination of the above mentioned. A good example would be an area zoned for residential use where only residential properties are permitted. A piggery, even a small one, would not be allowed in this area, since residents wouldn’t enjoy the daily smell of pig dung.

Similar to other states, Kennewick, Richland, and Pasco Washington, aim to promote and protect public health, safety and general welfare, with some consideration to its magnificent natural resources, like its rivers. See zoning. </p

I was thinking about going to the zoo today and taking the kids along. Perhaps not such a great idea! Ya never know what kinda unsafe people might be frequenting the cages!

Rumor has it this guy is an unemployed real estate agent. I know these tough economic times will weed out the chaff from the grain, but this wasn't what I had in mind. :)

Property availability has increased even amidst the global recession. There are different kinds of properties now being displayed for sale. They include single family homes, homes within multi family home complexes and numerous commercial properties. The real estate agents who handle the sale for multi family homes or properties are adept with the complexities of the transactions and the legality involved.

The listing of such properties can be accessed either online or offline, as and when you please. The homes are designed to appeal to the first time investor and also meet the dedicated requirements of home flipping. These properties are listed with the local classifieds and the government bulletin boards. There is a whole dedicated segment of real estate agents and brokers who are committed to the multi family homes or property.

These real estate avenues are generally closed within predetermined budgets and this also, in a way, acts like a guarantee against the sale. Multi family homes are usually listed alongside single and double home vacancies and many online resources also offer you a virtual tour of the home prior to investment. Nothing like capitalizing on the recession and making a real estate deal otherwise challenging, worth every dollar invested. See multi family.

Once you have purchased your first home, your next investment should be an income-producing real estate. Income properties are not just limited to single-family homes; it can be commercial property as well. Some investors prefer shopping centers, others warehouses. The possibilities are endless.

There are many tax benefits involved in owning your own home. The pride in owning your own property is unequaled. Such homes can be a single-family home, mobile home, condominium, apartment, or even a houseboat.

A basic rule of investing in income property is to never buy for the tax benefits alone. If a property is not sound without the tax benefits, chances are it is not a wise investment. The tax breaks involved in owning income property should be viewed only as an added bonus. These bonuses are a major enough reason for buying income property rather than vacant land. A vacant lot offers almost no tax benefits, and produces little or no income.

Many real estate investors depend on resale profits as another bonus of investing in real estate. Properties that would not make a return on your investment are not worth your time and effort.

Investors are property owners who contribute something to the property such as great management, physical improvements, or cash so someone else can use the property for their benefit. Investors tend to have reasonable property management policies which are fair to tenants. They also have expert financing techniques to use other people's money to purchase and improve a property. All investors have use of ownership tax aspect to maximize their return on investment.

Real estate helps many investors realize their goals. Some goals include increased cash income, a hedge against inflation, providing a job from owning and maintaining property, opening up profit opportunities through real estate.

One of real estate's major attractions is its ability to shelter the owner's ordinary income, such as salary, from income taxes. A profitable example of this is an apartment building that produces rent money from tenants. The property owner uses that money towards operating expenses such as taxes, repairs, utilities, water, and insurance on the property. After you calculate all of these costs, plus mortgage interest, you are left with a positive or negative cash flow from your investment.

Do not forget about the non-cash tax deduction for the buildings depreciation. Income tax depreciation is a bookkeeping estimate for wear and tear. It requires no cash payment to be entitled to this deduction.

Tax-deferred exchanges are a great way to avoid depreciation recapture and profit taxation when disposing of one property and recapturing another.

In fact the 1981 Tax Act's anti-churning provisions state clearly that if you make a tax-deferred exchange of business or investment real estate for another such property, your old basis and its old depreciation methods carry over to the newly acquired property. The new fifteen-year, 175 percent accelerated depreciation methods can only be used on the increased depreciable basis of the property acquired in the exchange.

Investment tax credit does not apply to personal property acquired by most real estate investors for use in their properties; however it does apply to vehicles. See income property.

Credit crises, mortgage scandals and home prices falling like a rock...in some places. Yet Pasco and the Tri-Citites continue to avoid the worst.

Mortgage money is still available locally—though you do need a reasonable credit score to get it. Homes are still selling locally—though for slightly less money and in a slightly longer time.

Just under 3,000 homes sold in the Tri-Cities last year, at an average price $1400 lower than the year before—about a one percent drop from 2007 to 2008.

Tri-City Association of Realtors President Glen Clark says the disparity between national media coverage and local experience is because, “all real estate markets are local. We get some effect from national news, but the local marketis holding up well.”

The Tri-Cities appears to be dodging a bullet in terms of foreclosures, too. In Phoenix, for example, nearly 100,000 homes appear to be headed for foreclosure. Locally, the number is closer to a few hundred.

Clark points out that one Hanford contractor recently announced the imminent addition of 3,000 jobs. Also, hundreds of jobs will be added in Connell in the next year. With only 1200 - 1300 homes for sale and rentals getting scarce, the Tri-Cities could quickly become a seller’s market.

As a side note... Fortune magazine—quoting Manpower, Inc.—reported that the number one and two markets nationally for employment growth in the 2nd quarter of 2009 would be, respectively, Yakima (21%) and Tri-Cities (19%). See Pasco Chamber of Commerce.

Real estate deals are a complete package that includes pricing, terms, and agreements. Real estate deals occur within a zone of negotiation. The top portion of the zone is defined by the price and terms a buyer is willing to pay for the property. The bottom portion of the zone is defined by the least attractive price and terms the seller refuses to accept.

However the zone of negotiation isn't just about prices. Sale packages include both pricing and terms, and the ability to change both is important to successful bargaining. The deal is in the details that are found in the basic real estate agreement-a formal document typically distinguished by tiny tape and convoluted language. An unsigned form is merely a piece of paper.

In real estate to have an official contract, there must be an offer and acceptance. Even with a written agreement with offer and acceptance, you still need consideration to make the deal work. Consideration in real estate means that a buyer will make a deposit with an offer, cash that is designed to show the seller serious intent and to compensate the owner if the deal falls through because the buyer withdrew for no apparent legal reason.

Basic real estate forms that are used locally are likely to cover many issues and in some cases may even be used without alteration. Keep in mind as real estate deals become more complex, more and more deals require not only basic forms, but also ""addenda""- additions to a contract form made on a separate sheet of paper. Two sheets are considered addenda, one sheet is addendum.

These addenda are important because if properly written they supersede any conflicting language found in the basic form. Remember to always have your addenda completely reviewed by a trusted real estate attorney to assure that the details of such additions are fully understood.

Any real estate agreement can be discussed verbally, but generally to be legally enforceable they must be in writing. They also must be made by people who are legally competent.

If you decide to list your property through a broker, be certain to get a copy of the offer form used by that broker. Carefully inspect the document with the broker, and if necessary with an attorney. Fully understand all obligations required.

All areas have a standardized form agreement that is available for local home sales. It is recommended to use a localized for rather than a generalized national form because local jurisdictions commonly require certain items to have a valid real estate agreement.

The standard terms you should cover in an offer include price, earnest money, inspection, financing, location, application, settlement, title, agency, insurance, etc. See real estate contracts.

Your home is the second best investment and also the second most important investment you can ever make. When you do decide to buy your own home, it is very important to consider the new home construction real estate option. This investment gives you many benefits including:

• Payment facility as when each level of the property is developed.
• Chance to redesign the room lay out and structure, with the help of the builder.
• Ownership of a brand new home.
• Excellent resale value, if you do plan to move on later.

These benefits of the new home construction real estate option make it worthwhile, recession or not. All you have to do is fortify yourself with the correct resources and conduct a market survey yourself, with the help of a dedicated real estate agent or real estate broker.

There are many online as well as offline resources that offer you dedicated information about the new home construction real estate options in just about any locality you may fancy. There is nothing to hole you back from making the most lucrative deal you could ever imagine. Help is in your hands, and so is the mouse! Click on! See new home consruction.

When it comes to investing in a property, you need to step into the warrior zone completely armed with dedicated information. You could be a first time home investor or a second timer. Nevertheless, a listing of the available properties is always very useful. It saves you a lot of heartache with the loss of precious money, time and energy.

In the case of MLS listings, the homes for sale within a particular locality and details about the same are provided at a glance. Not only do you get to benefit from the presence of very well networked real estate agents and brokers, but you also access any kind of information you need within a single click. The MLS homes for sale are displayed by resources that employ only the best resources in the industry. These professionals ensure that their expertise enables you to address your business specific or residence specific needs.

When planning to research via MLS homes for sale, it is important to capitalize on the time saving and cost efficient listings available. The homes are well presented on the lists, ensuring that identifying the right property is done within a click! When investing in real estate, it is very important to ensure that you are making the right move, to fortify your presence in the market with the right information. MLS listings enable you to go comparison shopping within a predetermined budget. See MLS homes for sale.

If you’re looking for high-end yet affordable homes, Meadow Springs is definitely the place to be. The community provides high standard of living in a resort-like setting. In this pet-friendly community, residents can also enjoy first class treatment from a friendly, accessible and dependable management team.

The community is in close proximity to the magnificent 18-hole Meadow Springs Golf Course in Richland, Washington. Featuring 5 sets of teeboxes any avid golfer can enjoy. The Club is the host for the Nike Tour’s Tri-Cities Open. The Villas at Meadow Springs also a wide range of amenities, from business centers, club house, fitness center, guest rooms, high-speed internet, as well as, pool, laundry, maintenance and meal services. Enjoy the community comforts such as playgrounds, storage spaces, a sun deck and television lounge to name a few. See Meadow Springs.

What a nice Easter Sunday surprise! Today's headlines read, "Tri-Cities gets chance for extreme makeover!" The article states, "In the next two years, the Department of Energy plans to spend an additional $1.96 billion at Hanford, with $1.57 billion arriving Tuesday." The article continues by noting the stimulus money will add 4000 jobs to Hanford, with an additional number to be added in support of the 4000 jobs. Originally posted at stimulus money.

Add these relevant articles, and Tri Cities Washington could very well be the best place to live in the United States:

• Stimulus funds expected to pay for complex research at PNNL
• Tri Cites Washington May Experience A Housing Shortage
• Forbes Magazine States Tri Cities Washington 1 of 2 Best Locations For Employment This Spring
• Tri Cities Washington | Tops Washington State Census Growth
• Last, but certainly not least, We Are A Romantic Destination Location!

As the name implies, a vacant land is an empty land—a land with no structure, no improvements or development. Vacant lands in Kennewick are generally spacious in size. These lands in the midst of Kennewick’s vibrant community offer many options to develop into commercial or residential use. Why would one want to purchase vacant land? Building a house or business tailor-fitted to your specifications and needs is an advantage. Buying pre-owned or even newly built houses may not give you all the amenities and requirements you may be looking for. Renovations are done; more paint jobs take place; repairs and restoration need to be completed just to transform the house you bought nearest to the dream house you desire. With vacant land, the layout, design, room sizes and structures, landscape, gardens and even a pool can come to life –all based from your specs. So what are you waiting for? Let us help you find the prime lot in Kennewick Washington and start building your dream house (or building) today. See vacant land.

Business buildings or buildings are considered commercial properties. As well as any vacant land area zoned for commercial use. There are several types of commercial properties. These include apartments or multi-family real estate, mobile home parks, retail, office, mixed-use, healthcare, hotel, industrial and others with specialties such as gas stations, oil changing facilities and the like.

Among those mentioned, there are three types that top the market. One would be the multi-family commercial real estate. This is composed of apartments from high to low-rise apartments, garden style and student apartments. Military housing, senior apartments, townhouse style homes and underlying coop are also among the few. Another would be retail space which would include stores, shopping strips, malls, restaurants and more. Lastly, there are the office buildings and office complexes. It could either be a single building exclusively housing one office or company or a large building occupied by more than one company or office.

Due to recession, the demand for commercial space has gone down but it would only be a matter of time until the demand would spike up as many companies seek for new locations for their offices. See  commercial properties.

Real Estate professionals in Kennewick, Richland, & Pasco Washington are known for their versatility and networking ability. While the real estate agent is the immediate medium of interaction between the buyer and the seller, the broker often times handles the behind the scenes negotiations and administration. Both of these animated facets of the properties industry are adept at closing lucrative deals that work well for the tripod; the buyer, the seller and the market.

The two dynamic limbs of the real estate arena differ in function. As far as their license and exposure to the field work involved, both are well equipped. The immediate interaction, in the capacity of either an investor or seller involves a one-on-one interaction with the real estate agent. The agent reports to and works for a real estate broker. Agents, among other duties, facilitate the most basic tasks like:

• Identifying and touring the real estate properties.
• Negotiating between buyer and seller.
• Attending to the intricacies of the sales agreement.

Real estate brokers are licensed to handle:

• Management of the property-to-budget requirements of the client.
• Supervision of real estate agents who work for the company.
• Handle litigation procedures and procure the necessary documents.

Both, the real estate agent and the broker address financial and legal responsibility within every deal. Today, they operate 24x7, online as well as offline. See real estate agent.

Kennewick Wa properties are in the asking today. However, it pays to research and survey the intended area of investment prior to making any payment or committing to a deal. There are certain essentials that need to be considered when buying a property in Kennewick Washington, especially a holiday home. Consider the distance between the nearest airports to the property identified. Identify and network a repeat rental business, if you intend to rent the property when the family is not using it. Tap on internet potential to identify travel agents and holiday letting web sites. Remain budget centric and accordingly choose among apartments, townhouses and villas prior to a real time hunt. Analyze the standard of construction, quality of materials and design of the property. Check out proximity to resorts, golf courses, restaurants and supermarkets. Buying property in Kennewick, Richland or Pasco can be very lucrative provided that you identify the right real estate agents and brokers. You need to network extensively to close a lucrative deal and make the right choice. The holiday home should be one and not stress you out, either while investing in the property or while renting it out. Helps is just a click away! See holiday home.