Welcome back! For the February, 2007 Dexter Report I wanted to recap last month's activity for the Shelton, Wa. project, and share a little story or two about our market activity.

Due to weather conditions, financial planning and a delay with one or two permits, we didn't advance so quickly on Maple Street. However, there is so much work to be done that I wasn't going to let a little snow and rain stop us! The crew has been cleaning up the lot and loading containers for hauling. Mason County Garbage is a wonderful resource and we really appreciate how Jessica and Rachel take care of our account. So far, 10 containers have been filled and dumped! Debris, brush, cars, just about everything was found on this property, when we started. Hopefully we can show you the pool, soon, as the team will be removing the lid/cover, which the bank had put on for safety reasons before I bought the place.

Some great work has been done inside the main house but we are not quite prepared for photos. I get so distracted with the totality of this project that I end up just taking exterior photos. My efforts will improve, I promise.

Call it impatience, but I enjoy seeing progress even with small things. So the fence we had built by Shuffs Fencing has been painted already! We also discovered iron gates when the debris was removed, and I had those painted too. Hopefully the temperature held at 50 degrees while crew applied color, for adhesive strength. Who knows, maybe we have to do it again this spring! I don't mind. I like to see colorful and new work with all my projects.

Hopefully this month we test the septic system, continue with framing, prepare for the electrical work. And in case I haven't mentioned. I have two crews. One for all interior aspects of home, the other for general labor that is so important to maintaining cleanliness of site and advancing our mission!

So the national report was released this weekend. Seattle was Number One for home appreciation in 2006. 14.2%. No surprises. It will be slower growth for this year. However, (and I promise you this) Mason County is going to climb, fast.

I seek equity, not growth, with all my deals. Even if Seattle ends up being 3% - 5% for 2007, my business model has to do with value upon completion of rehabilitation of houses. So none of it matters anyway!

At the end of the day, home ownership is really about quality of life, family, friends, and security. The rest is just the rest.

A very small idea for the Maple St. project came up, and we shall see if it grows. What about a summertime business for this property? Weddings and receptions. The house is 2235 square feet overlooking the pool, the lot can be completely made into the Garden Of Eden, so why not.....we'll see. Come back and see us next month.


Gene Dexter, House Whisperer
www.BuildDextersHouse.com
www.GeneDexterHomes.com