Update on the Blue Mountain Mall. According to the Walla Walla Planning Department the foreclosure process will be finalized on the Court house steps today. The City does not believe the original investors will try to resolve the issue, but anything could happen. There has been two investor groups making inquiries and might be thinking seriously about taking the project over. It is estimated it will take between eleven and twelve million to move to completion. The proposed tenants, Bed, Bath, and Beyond along with Ross have been continuing their work with the planning department to secure their permits to complete their tenant improvements. We need this project to reach a successful completion to help maintain the vitality of our retail environment.
We hit the print front page on Sunset Magazine with their selection of one of the best small communities in America. We had a photo on the front page and a great article about food and wine in our valley. I spent most of my professional real estate career in Walla Walla and never had any national press but in the last ten years we have been in every major publication. We see a real up take in calls and inquiries every time we see Walla Walla featured in a regional or national publication. I know of three calls we received this week from families in Northern California and Oregon arriving early March to tour our community. We have a special place and sometimes the locals do not see the forest for the trees.
We are working hard to push out our new internet presence. We have asked our associates to contact their client to respond to our site and its comfortable use. My main requirement was to make it user friendly. Once we get the site ready and going we will spend some funds in the print media to announce the new site. If you are interested to take a look go to: www.coldwellbankerfirstrealtors.com and respond on any comments to admin@cbfr.biz. I am always looking for advice.
We are doing well. Sales are slower but still we see lots of buyer activity. We are having our accountant, Mike Lemm, attend our next staff meeting to discuss the new first time homebuyer tax credit with our associates . Up to an $8,000 tax credit. I do not know all this issues for qualification and if you feel you might qualify I suggest you talk with your tax preparer. Exciting benefit for our young first time homebuyers
Flash news. The Blue Mountain Mall foreclosure took place and the Deed of Trust was redeemed by a new group, 4 Points Walla Walla. We are not sure what the new organization ownership is at this point, but it could be part of the original LLC. More news soon.
Thanks for your attention.
DM Ledford
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