Walla Walla Real Estate

Merry Christmas!

Dennis Ledford — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 19:45:49 +0000

Happy and Merry Christmas!

We are looking forward to a new year with excitement. 2012 will be a good year in the Walla Walla Valley and for home ownership. However, with the anticipation of 2012, we cannot forget to say thank you to all of the families who allowed us to assist them in their Real Estate needs, purchasing, selling, or renting. Without all of you we could not exist; In my forty years working with three generations of families in our valley and helping them find homes, I could never have enjoyed the life I have enjoyed with my wife and children.

Thank you so much.

May God’s Blessings be with you this special holiday season.

Dennis

What a great night…

Dennis Ledford — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 22:59:39 +0000

Crisp but not too cold, clear skies and lots of floats for the annual Christmas Parade of Lights this past Saturday night. We had the largest turnout for our seating area in front of our office ever. There was a record amount of cookies, coffee and hot chocolate given out to the many families walking up and down Main Street. What fun to see the children running out to greet the floats and gather the candy being tossed to them.

We are still selling homes. Great rates and good inventory. Check out our website and find one of our fantastic Brokers to assist you.

Merry Christmas

DM Ledford, Broker/Owner

Coldwell Banker First Realtors

A Home for the Holidays!

Dennis Ledford — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 22:59:11 +0000

Home for the Holidays, planned for December 17, 2011, is going to be one of the most exciting days of the year for the staff and animals at your Blue Mountain Humane Society. This is the fifth year we have held a special pet adoption event for the holidays with discounted adoptions offered on every single pet at the shelter. The event will run from 10 am to 4 pm on Saturday, December 17, 2011 at the shelter located at 7 E. George Street in Walla Walla. All cats and kittens will be just $20 and all dogs and puppies will be just $50. Every single pet is altered, microchipped, current on vaccinations, and includes a certificate for a free wellness exam at any local vet clinic.

The mission of the Blue Mountain Humane Society is to prevent cruelty and promote kindness to companion animals in our community.

Come see us – your new best friend is waiting!

Sara R. Archer, Executive Director, Blue Mountain Humane Society

“Being a part of the Blue Mountain Humane Society has been an extremely rewarding experience for me. We have lots of wonderful people that not only work daily at the society, but also lots of people who work behind the scenes to make the Humane Society a viable operation. With our annual fundraiser known as the Furr Ball we are able to continue to provide a place where companion animals are safe and well cared for until they find their “forever home”. There are many programs that we have to make life easier for not only the staff but the animals. Many citizens volunteer their time to walk the dogs or play with the kitties on a daily basis. A volunteer recently built the outdoor cat enclosure so that the cats have a tree to sit in and a great place to see the world while they wait to be adopted. All of this reduces stress and illness for the animals and helps morale immensely. We also work closely with the Cat Management Coalition in Walla Walla to trap, spay/neuter, and return feral cats to their native areas thus reducing cat overpopulation. If you are interested in helping in any way please visit our website at bluemountainhumane.org or give us a call at 509-525-2452 and we will be happy to share the opportunities available for you. On our website is a “wish list” of items that are always greatly needed and in short supply so please feel free to check it out! ”

Tish Watts, BMHS Board of Directors President

“The Home for the Holidays program is a great opportunity to help an animal find a stable home. Take advantage of this opportunity and help the Blue Mountain Humane Society have another successful year!”

Travis Watts, Realtor at Coldwell Banker First Realtors

Santa Claus came to town….

Dennis Ledford — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 00:17:11 +0000

Santa arrived at our office in style this past Friday. Driven by horse drawn carriage, he traveled down Main St to our office. Kids and adults alike gathered along Main St to welcome him. Over the course of two days Santa saw several children, adults and yes… even a dog or two. I sat and watched kids eye’s light up as Santa sat them on his knee and talked about what they had on their Christmas lists. It was wonderful to see 4 month olds to 60+ year olds and the excitement Santa still brings to them.

The event was a great success. We worked with the Home Loan Center to make it happen. Liz Pearce, was the main thrust with Santa’s sleigh coming down Main street to our office. We had elves, The Grinch, Rudolph and helpers all in attendance. Liz’s husband was our Santa and he did such a wonderful job it was just fun to watch. Thank you Tim Applebee and the Home Loan Center group for making this happen. We want to make it an annual event so watch for our date next year.

Saturday is the Christmas Light Parade. Remember we have covered areas for our special guests and extra seating on the curb in front of Coldwell Banker First Realtors. Coffee, hot chocolate & cider and cookies, enough for everyone. Stop by and see us. The parade starts at 6:00 pm.

Have a great December. We have a lot of wonderful homes for sale, with great lending rates. This is the time to look. Think about putting your home on the market in December rather than March. Lower inventories and Christmas decorations always make the home look more friendly and comfortable. We still sell homes in the winter. Talk to one of our top professionals.

Thank you to all of you that chose Coldwell Banker First Realtors for either your real estate or rental needs. Without your trust and confidence we would not exist.

Regards and Happy Holidays to all of you.

DM Ledford, Owner/Firm Broker

Coldwell Banker First Realtors

2011 Blood Drive

Dennis Ledford — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 16:25:40 +0000

We just had out annual Halloween Blood Drive through the Red Cross. To give you a little history about why we got started doing the Blood Drive, Kris Youd, Realtor at Coldwell Banker First Realtors and chair of the event, shares with you: “The Realtors Annual Blood Drive started the year Hurricane Katrina hit. We felt pretty removed from the disaster here in Walla Walla, but felt that the blood drive was something we could do to help. Our first one was the day before Halloween, and was so much fun we decided to do it every year on October 31! The blood bus parks in the Coldwell Banker parking lot, and soon we have a parade of donors, some in costume, and some not! We have a yearly goal of 39 pints, which is as many donors as the blood bus can accommodate in one day! This is one more way we as realtors can make a difference!”

“If you have ever been in a situation where a loved one is in need of blood, then you already understand the importance of such a precious gift. It is the one single thing in life that there is NO SUBSTITUTE for. One single pint of blood can save up to 3 lives. That alone is why I am involved with the Blood Drive every Halloween at our office. It is a way to reach out to the community and say thanks. It gives individuals a chance to give in a comfortable atmosphere, amongst friends. Thanks to everyone who gave the gift of life!”

Cheryl Husted, Coldwell Banker Broker & Blood Drive Co-Chair

2011 Food Drive a Huge Success!

Dennis Ledford — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 18:39:50 +0000

Wow! What a great food drive we had this year! We collected a record amount of over 45,000 lbs (over 22 tons) of food! Plus an additional $5,000 was donated that will help purchase another 10,000- 15,000 lbs of food! We partnered with the Walla Walla Public Schools this year, and it helped make this year a record breaking one!

“Walla Walla Public Schools is proud to have partnered with the Realtors Association for the ‘Care and Share’ food drive. Walla Walla Schools are the fabric of our great community and we want to do whatever we can to support families in our valley. We look forward to building on our success next year in collaboration with area realtors.”

Mark Higgins, WWPS Communications Director

Thank you so much to everyone who helped make this year such a success! A huge thanks to Peter Swant & Mike Bruns of Coldwell Banker First Realtors and the Walla Walla Association of Realtors, for heading this amazing community project! Check out our video at the local food bank showing the incredible amount of food the community donated to help feed those in need in our local community!

Using Retirement to Purchase Investment Property..

Dennis Ledford — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 16:46:53 +0000

Good Morning in Walla Walla. We are having a great start to November 2011. Having just celebrated Veteran’s day, we all need to take a moment and pray for our servicemen and women and their families today and in the past. My Dad served in the Marine Corps during WWII and saw a lot of terrible things but always felt it was his duty as do the men and women serving today. Thank God we have them. If you see a service man or woman be sure to thank them for their service to our Country.

Talking again about using IRA’s, 401 Ks and other retirement vehicles to purchase real estate and increase your gain on the money you have saved over the years. I had the opportunity to reacquaint myself with a young man I coached in little league years ago who is now an attorney working in Seattle who has set himself up to help clients make the decision to use Real Estate as a vehicle of investment. Warren Baker has provided me a short piece of information to help you understand how it might work for you. Thanks, Warren.

Thanks, again for following my Blog. Call if I can be of any help. Remember interest rates are at one of their lowest levels and it is a great time to talk to one of our Realtors on how they might assist you.

Regards

DM Ledford, Owner/Firm Broker
Coldwell Banker First Realtors

Veterans Day 2011

Dennis Ledford — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 22:44:53 +0000

Last week was National Veterans Awareness Week. While one day or even one week can never begin to express our gratitude, we set aside this time to remember your service, to recognize your courage, and to honor you with deep respect and admiration.

There simply aren’t enough words or strong enough words to show our appreciation for those of you whom have made incredible sacrifices out of love for and devotion to this country. You fought to defend our freedom and have done far more than swear your allegiance; you have literally put your lives on the line. Many have given their lives or suffered in untold ways, so that we could live soundly and safely in our homes. We will never forget what you have done for us; we honor you now and always.

Let each American take a moment to think of or pray for those who currently fight to defend the freedoms you have secured for us. God bless each man and each woman now wearing the uniform as well as each one who has worn it before them. Bless each of their families. The valor and sacrifice of all Veterans and all the troops currently serving can never be honored enough. We are so very proud of every one of you, and we hope you will accept our humble thanks.

Many of us don’t know the history of Veterans Day or that Veterans can cash in on some great deals & discounts during Veterans week. Walla Walla supports and honors our Veterans by holding an annual Veterans Day Parade.

Check in with Tom Craig, one of our local Realtors and a Vietnam veteran for a look at the parade!

“I was in the Navy from 1963 until 1968. Did a tour in Vietnam from Dec. 1967 until June 1968 as an aircrewman with VAW 111 aboard the USS Ticondaroga……an aircraft carrier……..I was stationed out of San Diego, Calif. at NAS North Island.”

“ I joined the Navy at Sand Point Naval Air Station in Seattle while a senior in high school. Served 3 years as a reservist until being called up in 1967 for duty in Calif. First at Treasure Island in San Francisco, then to NAs North Island in San Diego.”

Tom Craig

It’s been a while but I am back…

Dennis Ledford — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 23:37:44 +0000

Busy fall for Coldwell Banker First Realtors staff & Realtors for both business and within the community. From listing and selling real estate to handling rentals for the incoming college students to hosting clients & customers during the fair parade, to volunteering for the Realtor Care & Share Food Drive and organizing the annual Red Cross Halloween Blood Drive. Stay tuned for more information on the success of the food & blood drives.

I was also deeply involved with the Northwest Premier of Marilyn Forever Blonde at the Power House Theater. A one women show performed by Sonny Thompson. What a great production. We were so lucky to have her Northwest opening here in Walla Walla. Sonny spent a lot of time in Walla Walla promoting and staring in the show. She was so impressed with the city, the people, and the Power House Theater. Thank you Sonny and Greg Thompson for bringing your show to Walla Walla. It exceeded all of our expectations. And good luck on Broadway!

We have a couple of other things in the wings that we will announce shortly so stay tuned for further developments.

All is well in Walla Walla and our Real Estate market is so much better than other areas in the Northwest. In talking with twenty plus owners of Coldwell Banker offices in the Northwest we are an island in a turbulent sea. We have been actively selling and listing homes. With interest rates the lowest we have seen in years. I know in my 40 years of experience in Real Estate I can never remember them being lower.

Walla Walla is special and we need to understand it clearly.

Thanks for your time.

DM Ledford, Owner/Firm Broker

Coldwell Banker First Realtors

Whats happening with the Walla Walla Real Estate Market…

Dennis Ledford — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 17:50:43 +0000

WHAT DOES THE WALLA WALLA REAL ESTATE MARKET appear to be doing at this point in 2011 in comparison to the market ten years ago. In 2001 we closed 730 sides which divided by two would equal 365 sold homes in Walla Walla and College Place. So far this year we have closed 258 sides which would equal 129 homes closed in the same areas. We will be down some but not dramatically by the end of the year. We are blessed to not have suffered at the same level some communities have over the past few years. You look at Phoenix, Las Vegas, and most parts of California, they suffered dramatically. I have a friend in Lodi, California whose new home dropped in value over half from what he had paid for it just a short time before. So let’s be glad we live in Walla Walla.

Shakespeare Summer Festival is coming up starting with McBeth running Aug 3^rd to 7^th followed by Comedy of Errors Aug 10^th to 14^th at the Fort Walla Walla Amphitheater and Swan Song running concurrently at the Power House Theater Aug 4^th to 14th. Stop and look at ShakespeareWallaWalla.org for tickets. It will be fun.

Walla Walla Community College just completed their summer musical, Hairspray which had great reviews for the Walla Walla Community College Foundation. Congratulations to Doug Bayne and his group for the success of the production.

Interest rates are still very low and we have a great inventory in a very strong buyers market. It is a great opportunity to make a change. Call one of our professionals for assistance in finding your new home and go to our website to view all the homes available. Coldwellbankerfirstrealtors.com.

We have two new associates here at Coldwell Banker First Realtors; Mitch Stalbergerand Travis Watts review their personal bios on our site. Give either a call, they will be excited to assist in any way.

Summer is busy and I hope you take time to be with your family before school is upon us.

Call if I can assist.

DM Ledford, Managing Broker/Owner

Coldwell Banker First Realtors