Real Estate is About to Come to a Screeching Halt in Auburn, WA!!!
January 12, 2012 by Gabrielle · Leave a Comment
Truly! Snow is coming! The world will come to an end in Auburn in three days! At least so say the weather stations. The greater Puget Sound metropolitan area is a unique place when it snows. We’re hilly around here and our typical warm ocean breezes prevent us from getting much in the way of [...]
A Great Lender Helps From Start to Finish, Especially in a Short Sale
January 11, 2012 by Gabrielle · Leave a Comment
One of the very first steps in the home buying process is determining how a Buyer will pay for their new home. Not only must a Buyer determine much they can afford, but how an offer must be structured–whether closing costs must be paid by a Seller, gift funds will be used for a down [...]
Auburn, WA: 2011–The Year That Was
January 3, 2012 by Gabrielle · Leave a Comment
The end of the year is a good time to take a look back and see how things shaped up. After all of the negative press, residential real estate sales in Auburn improved, both for the month of December 2011, and year over year compared to 2010. Here’s a quick look at the numbers: [...]
It’s Under Contract! — And Now it’s SOLD!
January 2, 2012 by Gabrielle · Leave a Comment
Congratulations to the new owners of this lovely home in Puyallup. February will always be a special month for you! I’m so pleased that you found the home of your dreams! May you have many many years of happiness and satisfaction in your new home! (post updated 3/5/2012) —————- And the Sellers are so excited! [...]
Short Sales and 2012
December 30, 2011 by Gabrielle · 3 Comments
By all indications, it appears that 2012 will be a year with even more short sale listings … and closings than 2011. Some of the major banks have embraced the idea that short sales can be a bit more profitable than letting houses sit for months on end and then ultimately end up in foreclosure. [...]
Okay, Should You Sell … and Buy in 2012?
December 27, 2011 by Gabrielle · Leave a Comment
Like many, you may have been sitting impatiently on the fence for the last three years hoping for a miracle that would allow you to sell your existing home without sacrificing too much more equity … and buy at today’s price and interest rate. At least once a week I get a call from a previous [...]
Another Truly Amazing and Unique House!
December 23, 2011 by Gabrielle · Leave a Comment
Everyone now and then a house just captures imagination. Such is definitely the case for this unique house located in Wales, UK. This “hobbit” house was built completely by the owner, for an amazing sum of less than $5,000. It reminds me of the fairy tale houses of childhood stories. Just imagine how much fun [...]
A Special Thank You to Past Clients & Associates
December 22, 2011 by Gabrielle · Leave a Comment
I’m especially honored in 2011 to have been chosen as a Five Star Professional in their real estate category. I’m new to this one, so please forgive me as I carry on for a moment about this special award. It’s my understanding that this award is the result of polling of both the homeowners and [...]
Think Housing Prices Are Too High?
December 16, 2011 by Gabrielle · Leave a Comment
I have a client that loves to send me little jokes and ditties every now and then. He’s just slightly older than I am and loves to pontificate about how prices are outrageous and how he can’t imagine how people can afford to live any more. In some respects, of course, he’s absolutely right. But [...]
Mediation?–Yes, You’re Entitled!!
December 14, 2011 by Gabrielle · Leave a Comment
Yesterday I posted information about what to do as soon as you fall behind in your mortgage payments. As a second step in the foreclosure process in Washington State, the Foreclosure Fairness Act stipulates that if your loan is through one of the big banks, after receiving notice that a Notice of Default has been [...]
Just Open the Mail!
December 13, 2011 by Gabrielle · 1 Comment
In Washington State, folks that get behind on their house payments have options as described in the Foreclosure Fairness Act. The Act prescribes a series of steps to which a homeowner is entitled prior to any auction of their home. One of the first steps a lender must take for a home in Washington is [...]
Congratulations on Your New Home!
December 9, 2011 by Gabrielle · 1 Comment
Five months in the making … and here it is! Congratulations, Gary! May you enjoy many many years in your new house! And who wouldn’t – all that brand new space just for you, combined with an awesome view of Mt. Rainier and the foothills! Whoo hooo!!! There’s a mountain there … a BIG [...]
Price Reduced — Start the New Year in a New House!
December 9, 2011 by Gabrielle · Leave a Comment
How about starting the New Year in a New House? One that’s beautifully kept, has a fantastic floor plan, sits at the end of a culdesac in a small neighborhood with no through traffic … and that backs to a greenbelt too!? AND was just reduced in price! Good grief, this is a better value than [...]
Time to Publicly be “Thankful”
November 18, 2011 by Gabrielle · 1 Comment
Thanksgiving is almost here .. almost! Just a few days away. In our family, that means the kids come to our home with grandchildren in tow (“I’m” the grandma now), with special treats tucked in baskets, games to play and visiting to be done. We’ll spend 2-3 days chasing the little ones around while they [...]
October 2011 Home Prices Drop, Number of Sales Rise in Auburn, WA
November 14, 2011 by Gabrielle · 1 Comment
A few days ago, the Seattle Times reported that comparing home prices in King County in October 2011 to October 2010 dropped a”puzzling” 15%. Since I represent very knowledgeable clients in the south King County as well, I thought I’d better be sure I understood those numbers for myself. I’ve had a bit of difficulty [...]
