Jeff and Mark’s Blog

Blogging About a Blog - Why Windermere

South Sound Property Group — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 13:34:00 GMT

Jeff was recently interviewed for a two part series on the Windermere Company blog "Why Windermere." There he provides tips about what to look for when flipping houses. Check out the interview by clicking the Windermere logo.

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Jeff's next flip project is in escrow

South Sound Property Group — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 16:50:00 GMT

This 1918 North Slope Craftsman with water views will need to be taken down to the studs, leveled on the current foundation, and a master suite created on the second floor. However, with great original details still intact, this house is well worth saving!

Click here for full details and more before photos.

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Jeff interviewed in this award winning Windermere Professional Partners video.

South Sound Property Group — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 16:06:00 GMT

Because of his commitment to the NW Furniture Bank, Jeff was featured in a video that received top honors from the prestigious Windermere Foundation and earned a sizeable donation for the NW Furniture Bank. Mark and Jeff contribute a portion of each of their commissions to NW Furniture Bank in Tacoma.

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Tacoma has come a long way since the 1970's

South Sound Property Group — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:20:00 GMT

When we sometimes are frustrated at the lack of speed with which Tacoma is moving forward with regard to the re-use and restoration of our historic buildings, one needs to look no further than this beautifully photographed compilation of images from the seventies to know... we've come a long way!

Click the image at the left to see over one hundred vintage images of Tacoma by talented photographer Stephen Cysewski.

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Jeff Featured in South Sound Magazine Article

South Sound Property Group — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 15:13:00 GMT

Jeff's views on the importance and value in restoring historic properties was recently the subject of an article in South Sound Magazine, click the magazine cover at the left to read the full story.

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Jeff's Next Flip in Gig Harbor

South Sound Property Group — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 11:55:00 GMT

Located in Henderson Bay Estates this home has a pretty cool contemporary exterior, but the interior is a mash-up of the most hideous styles and colored finishes under the sun. The privacy and style should lend itself well to a sophisticated home in an excellent location. Projected to be finished the end of March, stay tuned for updates (click the photo additional pictures and details).

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Pending home sales up 22.4% in November

South Sound Property Group — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 16:39:00 GMT

The Northwest MLS recently reported that pending home sales in the Puget Sound region in November were up 22.4% when compared to activity in November of last year. That's a HUGE increase that mirrors the uptick we've seen in our own business in the past several months. Sounds like buyers are finally starting to take full advantage of low interest rates and low prices.

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Our Recently Sold Listing Still in the News

South Sound Property Group — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 15:26:00 GMT

Mark and Jeff recently sold the historic 1859 Boatman-Ainsworth house for their clients who had grown up in the home. The house is still being featured in local news stories. Click here to read the article in the Tacoma News Tribune.

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Preserving Historic Structures Pays!

South Sound Property Group — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 13:21:00 GMT

The National Trust for Historic Preservation just came out with this eye-opening research regarding the importance of restoration not only for our architectural heritage, but for economic recovery as well!

Click here for the full article

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Before photos of Jeff's next flip

South Sound Property Group — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 09:46:00 GMT

Located just a block from historic Wright Park, this trashed 1890's Victorian will be Jeff's next project. When complete this will be an excellent "condo alternative," just blocks from downtown Tacoma and the hospitals. For full details and photos CLICK HERE.

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Tacoma Schools Earn Top Honors

South Sound Property Group — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 12:10:00 GMT

Washington Hoyt, Lowell, and Wilson all earned recognition as Washington state "Schools of Distinction." We're proud of the efforts in the community to improve education.

View the full announcement here

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Before and After Photos of Jeff's latest flip

South Sound Property Group — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 17:55:00 GMT

4309 N. 32nd Street, Tacoma, WA
This 1909 Craftsman was a bank owned property that was red-tagged by the City of Tacoma since it had been deemed uninhabitable. This was a case of forensic demolition to remove years of strange and misguided renovations and additions to determine a floorplan that would be functional. The entire first floor was stripped to the studs, illegal framing problems were corrected to property support the second story, and a new first floor plan was developed adding a formal dining room in an area that had previously been a small bedroom and the kitchen, and moving the kitchen into the family room area. The entire house was resided with period appropriate materials, vinyl windows on the front and side facades were replaced with reproduction dual glaze windows, the illegal "man cave" was removed from the garage and all systems were replaced.

Before After

Click Here for Additional Photos

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New Landscape Design Company finishes Jeff's latest flip

South Sound Property Group — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 09:01:00 GMT

Courtney and Carly of Bungalow Design Company just finished landscaping Jeff's latest flip and did an amazing job for a very reasonable fee. Their company is brand new and getting off to a great start! Visit their website here.

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Moldstad Farm Sells in Less than 60 days!

South Sound Property Group — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 12:57:00 GMT

Congratulations to our client's Tracy and Gerry Adams on the recent sale of their beautiful equestrian estate located on Bainbridge Island. Best of luck to the new owners John and Esther Phelps. For details click here.

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Jeff and Mark's historic Lakewood listing in the news

South Sound Property Group — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 12:25:00 GMT

Mark and Jeff's listing, the 1859 Boatman Ainsworth house is set to close escrow in October, and was recently the subject of an article in the Tacoma News Tribune. Click here for the story.

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Jeff receives award from Seattle Magazine

South Sound Property Group — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 11:21:00 GMT

Jeff was recently recognized as a "Five Star Professional" by Seattle Magazine, the issue will be published before the end of the year. This award is based on a superior ranking in a satisfaction survey sent randomly to 40,000 home buyers in the Seattle area (last year only 17 realtors in the Tacoma area were awarded). Jeff is proud to be honored, and a big thanks to our clients who ranked Jeff's service as the best!!

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Charming 1918 North End Craftsman Just Listed!

South Sound Property Group — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 14:18:00 GMT

Jeff and Mark just listed a charming 1918 Craftsman in the north end of Tacoma at 5129 N. 47th St.. Four bedrooms, two baths, detached garage, two fireplaces, outdoor deck and a sunroom. Everything has been tastefully updated, and the best part is it's priced very reasonably at $299,000! Jeff will be there Sunday 1-4pm so stop by and say hi. Click on the photo for dedicated property website.

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More Before Photos of Jeff's Flip on N. 32nd in Tacoma

South Sound Property Group — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 16:04:00 GMT

Yes... it is as hideous as it looks! This bank-owned property has seen better days. The 1900's Craftsman is located on a very nice tree-lined street, but it underwent a very bad remodel and addition in the late 90's which completely removed any character and charm the house once had. Jeff is taking the 5 bedroom (3 of which don't have a closet) 2 1/2 bath home and completely re-configuring the floorplan. After gutting the first floor to the studs, and replacing the upstairs baths it will become a 4 bedroom, 3 bath home with 3bd, 2ba upstairs, and a bedroom and bath down. The front deck will be removed so a craftsman front porch can be restored, the house will be resided with appropriate materials. The two car garage will be converted back to a garage from what now appears to be a "rumpus room." Did they have those in the 90's? Anyway, stay tuned for the progress.

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Moldstad Farm just listed

South Sound Property Group — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 15:43:00 GMT

This amazing equestrian property located on beautiful Bainbridge Island is Mark and Jeff's latest listing. Situated on more than nine acres, with two houses, a guest studio, two barns and an indoor arena, this property is not only beautiful but has a practical side as well! Visit the website for more photos and details www.moldstadfarm.com.

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Check out the before pictures of Jeff's next flip

South Sound Property Group — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 15:00:00 GMT

Jeff's next project is now in escrow and set to close July 11th. It's a bank-owned disaster with an incredibly bad 80's remodel and addition, but in a great north end neighborhood. Jeff plans to completely change the existing floor plan, gut the entire house, change the facade and return it to something resembling the 1909 Craftsman it was originally built to be.

Click here for more photos and further details

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Just Listed! The 1859 Boatman-Ainsworth House in Lakewood!

South Sound Property Group — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 14:46:00 GMT

Just listed by Mark and Jeff, the 1859 Boatman-Ainsworth house is one of the oldest surviving residences in Pierce county. This incredibly intact Federal style farm house is on the National Historic Register. Situated on more than an acre, the house consists of 4 bedrooms, two baths, and four fireplaces!

Visit www.BoatmanAinsworth.com

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Now is the time to buy again

South Sound Property Group — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 16:49:00 GMT

This recent article in Fortune magazine outlines a very comprehensive rationale regarding why the current market presents a huge buying opportunity, not only for personal residences but investment properties as well. Click the link below for the full article and give Jeff a call to discuss an investment strategy that makes sense for you.

http://finance.fortune.cnn.com/2011/03/28/real-estate-its-time-to-buy-again/

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Existing home sales rise in March

South Sound Property Group — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 09:07:00 GMT

According to the chief economist of the National Association of Realtors, promising news regarding existing home sales. Nationally sales are up in March, and locally during the first quarter of 2011 existing homes sales rose 2% over the same period in 2010. Not exactly a huge rebound, but good signs of steady improvement! Click below for the full article.

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Congratulations to our sellers Lori and Donny Cook

South Sound Property Group — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 21:42:00 GMT

Congratulations to our clients Lori and Donny Cook on the recent sale of their home in Graham. For details click on the photo below.

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Open house today 1-3pm 2716 N 29TH St

South Sound Property Group — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 11:59:00 GMT

Open house today 1-3pm

2716 N 29TH St Tacoma, Wa 98407

Stop by and see Jeff while checking out this contemporary view home in Old Town.

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