What a busy spring season! Low interest rates, good prices, and a nice selection of properties have been encouraging Buyers to get out there and finalize deals.

I’ve had several great transactions this month, including a spacious, remodeled home on N. Mason in East Wenatchee. The best part of the property for my Buyers was the huge shop/garage–large enough for their boat. Final sales price: $207,000.

A lovely, flat piece of property off Lower Monitor Rd. (2.07 acres!) in Wenatchee also recently sold. The view is wonderful, and there is plenty of room to spread out and enjoy. Final sales price: $99,000.

One of the largest units in popular Stoney Court Condominiums in Wenatchee also just sold. It features three bedrooms plus a study, along with a high-end kitchen, open floor plan, fireplace, private balcony, and huge private garage (an unusual feature for most condos). Stoney Court remains one of the most desired condo developments in town, and units that come up for sale don’t last long. Final sales price: $312,500.

Maybe it’s time for you to start looking at what’s out there! Give me a call at (509) 669-2121.

We just had a price reduction to $339,000 on this premium quality rambler, located at 409 Dogwood Lane in one of Wenatchee’s most popular neighborhoods, close to everything you like to do.

With three bedrooms, two full baths, an open concept living area, granite kitchen with lots of cabinetry, and fully fenced yard, this home is move-in ready. Call me at (509) 669-2121 to schedule your tour.

It certainly didn’t take long for this lovely three-bedroom condo in popular Stoney Court in Wenatchee to go under contract! The spacious floor plan, deluxe kitchen, huge laundry room, luxurious master suite, and gigantic private garage make it a desirable find.

Stoney Court Condominiums do not come up for resale too often, and they have been selling quickly when they do. Call me for more information about these or other condos in our area. I can be reached at (509) 669-2121.

Interest rates have gone up in the last few days and Buyers are paying close attention. Rates are hovering at 4 percent and a bit over for 30-year conventional loans, after having been below that for several weeks.

Though this continues to fluctuate, Buyers need to be aware that these historically low rates aren’t going to last forever. If buying your first home, moving up to a larger home, or changing to a different type of home is on your dream list, the time to act is now.

Call me at (509) 669-2121 to find out more about the tremendous opportunities available to you.

People are out there looking at homes! I’ve been showing properties nonstop this year so far, in all price categories and styles.

My latest sales include a warm and spacious tri-level on Anne St. in East Wenatchee with a fabulous view of the river and city lights. The Buyers felt this was the perfect home for their busy family, with three bedrooms and a lower level that could be used for a second family room. Final sales price: $205,000.

I also sold a completely remodeled beauty on Summer Hill Place in Wenatchee that featured a brand new kitchen, new bathrooms, new carpeting, new fireplace, new paint–the list goes on. Though the home was fresh and new inside, it boasted the peaceful mature landscaping and location that an older property can provide, so it was truly the best of both worlds. Final sales price: $300,000.

Are you ready to get out there to find your new home? Give me a call at (509) 669-2121 to explore the possibilities.

Joni Pepperl was just named “Best Real Estate Agent” by the Wenatchee Business Journal, as a result of its 2012 Readers’ Choice Awards. The publication notes that “an overwhelming number of ballots in her favor” were received by their office.

“Thank you to all of my friends and supporters who took the time and effort to vote for me for this honor,” Joni says. “I really appreciate your support, and look forward to continuing to do what I do best–help people buy and sell homes!”

Joni specializes in residential sales, and can be reached at (509) 669-2121.

Don’t believe everything you hear on the news. Plenty of real estate is selling these days in Wenatchee and East Wenatchee. Correctly priced properties are attracting attention and buyers. My sales for this past month include:

Jefferson, Wenatchee: A cozy two-bedroom home with updates galore! Freshly updated kitchen, fresh carpeting, custom paint, and one of the nicest backyards I’ve seen anywhere with a custom shed, waterfall, and delightful deck and patio. Final sales price: $163,000.

 S. Lyle, East Wenatchee: Huge yard with plenty of room to garden, play ball, or grow fruit trees. Two-bedroom home with an open floor plan and large kitchen. Final sales price: $167,000.

 Rolling Hills Dr., Wenatchee: New construction rambler with every feature! Big gourmet kitchen, spacious master suite with heated tile floors in the master bath, two more bedrooms, den, and lots of upgraded trim work. Final sales price: $325,000.

If buys like these sound interesting to you, give me a call at (509) 669-2121. I can suggest other properties that might work perfectly for you!

Joni Pepperl has just  completed her course requirements for certification in short sales and foreclosures through the National Association of Realtors.

“It’s a sign of our times that this knowledge and skill set have become an important part of doing business as a real estate professional,” she says. “This will help me not only counsel sellers who may find themselves going down the path of a short sale or foreclosure, but also work with buyers who have an interest in purchasing these types of properties.”

Contact Joni at (509) 669-2121 or joni@jonipepperl.com for more information.

      Has it always been a dream of yours to build a home, designed just for you? Well, this couldn’t be a better time to do it. Land is available and qualified, talented builders are looking for projects.

      Before starting, talk to a lender. Find out what kind of construction loan packages are available. Though different lenders offer different packages, most base the loan on the cost of the land plus the cost to build, known as the cost of acquisition. Good credit scores and at least a 20% down payment are required. Monthly payments during construction will generally be at a slightly higher interest rate, and the loan will be restructured after construction is complete (usually in 10 months). Banks like contractors of record to be in charge of the project.

      A range of land options are available, from acreage to neighborhood lots, including new neighborhoods such as Sunnyslope Meadows off Knowles Rd., Red Hawk Canyon off Fifth Street in Wenatchee, and Breckenridge off Baker past 27^th Street in East Wenatchee, to name a few.

     Though most people have a dream of building a dream home by a gurgling brook with a fabulous view, the reality can be a bit different! When purchasing vacant land, Buyers are allowed a feasibility period to do a thorough review to make sure the property fits their needs. The default time frame for the feasibility period is 30 days, but can certainly be longer if both parties agree to this.

     During this period, the Buyer is allowed to access the land to do perk tests for septic, soil tests, engineering studies, and to bring a contractor in for an opinion. Any test holes, etc. done during this investigation must be restored to the original condition at the Buyer’s expense. The Buyer should also thoroughly explore the availability of utilities, water, and whether sewer is available, as well as the connection fees. Are there setback or height restrictions that would restrict what can be built? Does the property contain wetlands or other environmentally sensitive areas that will need to be respected? You’ll want to talk to appropriate city and county agencies, as well as any special district that can help you develop insight into the property.

     We ask Buyers to never rely on oral statements from the Seller or the brokers, but to research each of these areas independently. If you find that the property will not accommodate what you were hoping to build, you do have the right to rescind the offer and get your earnest money back, as long as this happens within the feasibility timeframe.

     Building a home can be one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences of a lifetime, but do your research first to make sure you have no regrets later.

Wenatchee real estate sellers frequently ask what kind of a resale return they can expect if they invest in a range of different home improvement projects. In an ideal world, people like to think they will not only get every penny back, but will make a tidy profit as a result of the effort. In the real world, it isn’t so “cause and effect.” While some home improvements might help you sell faster in a competitive market (which is certainly a valuable reason for doing them), not all (if any) will return 100 percent of the cost back to you.

 The most obvious improvements—a fresh coat of paint, repairs where needed, and simple enhancements to the landscaping—are no brainers. For the most part, these are going to help improve your final sales price, no matter what kind of a selling climate we are in. Plus the cost of completing such projects is low, basically involving time and effort more than a large outlay of cash.

 But what about more extensive projects? For example, will remodeling your kitchen result in a higher sales price? How about adding a bathroom? Or adding a fourth bedroom?

Before tackling a bigger project, it’s important to research current sales figures for homes in your area. You don’t want to find yourself in the uncomfortable position of over-improving your Wenatchee area home or condo. If sales prices have topped out at a certain range, then it is going to be difficult to exceed that, even with the improvements in place. You would be better off adjusting your price to offer a competitive value, rather than inflating the price to accommodate your improvements.

If your home is surrounded by others that already have these improvements in place, and the area has a track record of higher sales, then it does make sense to consider making upgrades. Realtor magazine, in a recent issue, offered some general statistics for several key improvements. In the Pacific Northwest, a kitchen remodel can recoup around 68% to 73% of the cost at resale. A bathroom remodel can recoup about 64%, while a bathroom addition is more likely to come in at 53%. Adding a master suite can recoup about 63% of the cost. Replacing a dented or worn garage door can recoup about 84%.

 All too often, I see Wenatchee real estate sellers scramble to improve their homes right before getting them on the market, wistfully remarking that they wish they had done the upgrades sooner so they could have enjoyed them. My advice is to upgrade because you want to enjoy the results. Potential resale of your home or condo in Wenatchee should be only one consideration; quality of life is what counts in the long run. Do the projects that will bring you enjoyment and make your home in the Wenatchee Valley a haven from a hectic world.

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