$355K – First time on market: beautiful custom 3-bdrm, 2218-square foot home with a view!

SOLD – in four days at higher than asking price!

Main floor master, upper and lower garages, exposed beams, built in vacuum, lots of natural light. Very thoughtfully designed and built in the late 80s. Unique layout provides endless possibilities for living arrangements. Outdoor features include dog kennel, sprinkler system, and fruit trees. Hurry; this one won’t last!

MLS# 1093517 Offered by Doug Lawrence and Keller Williams WestSound (253) 341-5287

Open House: Sat., April 29th, 12-3 pm and Sun., April 30th, 1-4 pm, 8107 – 135th St NW, Gig Harbor, 98329

Offer Review Date: 05/01/2017 (seller may review/accept sooner)

It’s that time of year again! I’m sure you’ve decked the halls and the tree is decorated, and you probably even have a string of lights or two on the exterior of your house. Now it’s time to get down to the best part of Christmas: the food!

For me, food at Christmas ranks right up there with the presents, and probably higher. Snickerdoodles. Chocolate crinkles. Flavored popcorn in a big tin. Fresh cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning. And for sure, Nuts and Bolts!

A few years ago, I became the Keeper of All Things Nuts and Bolts in our household when my mother-in-law passed down the family recipe and conferred the honor to me. I take this role very seriously. What are “nuts and bolts,” you ask? Think: several varieties of Chex, peanuts, with some Cheerios and pretzels thrown in and a host of nummy spices (which for the sake of my inheritance will remain nameless). Mix them and roast them in a low-temperature oven, creating a delectable and savory-yet-slightly-sweet anytime (or everytime) snack. I tell you, it’s addicting.

It’s funny, isn’t it, how many of our traditions are centered around food. Food is not just sustenance; it’s often an experience, and the emotions of those experiences help keep us connected to one another. This is why families find themselves defining their holidays—and often their relationships—by their food. I wouldn’t trade it for the world!

What are your family Christmas food traditions? I’d love to hear! (And if you’re not sworn to secrecy, you can even share the recipe.)

Wishing you all the best this Christmas and always,

Doug Lawrence

Doug Lawrence is a professional real estate broker in Gig Harbor, Washington with Keller Williams Real Estate. He’d be delighted to assist with your home buying, selling, and investment needs. You can reach him at dlawrence@kw.com or by phone at 253.341.5287.

Okay. So you have not heard from me in a while.

With two jobs and a flip with the finish line in view, time as been a scarcity as of late. It is crazy how things multiply when you get knee deep into a project and a planned thing leads into two unplanned things or maybe into three. You paint the walls and trim in a bathroom and then decide the faucet is corroded and the mirror is outdated, thus the two for one special you never counted on. Look how much money you are going to save (not).

Anyways, that is were I have been,  preoccupied 15 to 18 hours a day, which doesn’t leave a whole lot of time for writing in your diary.  (I realize now that blogging is a way of getting a man to write in a diary.)

The paint is done, carpets are in, and the yard is looking fantastic  (thanks to Art and Tim). Doors have been re-hung and the closet organizers are ready to assist the new owners with–what else?–keeping organized.

It has been a long journey to this point, an odyssey that  could not have been accomplished without so much help along the way, let alone all the words of encouragement. With all the big jobs done, only the small and smaller tasks are left to be checked off the list and, of course, the biggest and potentially most challenging task is left: to find the right buyer at the right price.

At this stage of the project I have no regrets. I enjoy challenges and I enjoy finished challenges even more. So, if you are one that has been following our adventure and who has maybe wished you could be part of the process now, is your chance. Spread the word: our house is now for sale (or rather as of Monday, it will be) and we need to sell it!!! That’s the part you can play:  when we post the link, put your networking and social media skills to work and use your voice. We would be most grateful!

Thank you and that’s all for now. 🙂

This is my foray into the world of blogging! Come back soon to read my comments and commentary on the world of real estate and anything else that comes to mind …