Foreclosure Sales Account for 31 Percent of All Residential Sales in First Quarter 2010
Foreclosure Sales Account for 31 Percent of All Residential Sales in First Quarter According to New Report From RealtyTrac. As an active short sale broker, assisting both buyers and sellers of short sale properties, I consider it a critical party of my job to help keep all parties involved and informed. A recent statistical article by RealtyTrac, one source for Foreclosure Activity across the US, posted its recent statistical summary releasing statistics for the number of foreclosure properties nationwide, along with comparing the value of non-foreclosure properties to those properties that have... [Read more...]
Another Transaction Closed!
There are some transactions that are particularly satisfying when they finally close. I have to say that this Listing is one that took exceptional effort, but after visiting the home to drop off keys to the new buyers, their palpable excitement and relief about being in their new home just left me with such a sense of fulfillment. Now this was a transaction just overflowing with issues … big issues! Shortly after listing, there were difficulties with the weather, with leaks in the kitchen, with the estate auction (hmmmmmm, I’ll think twice, 3 times, about recommending that guy again),... [Read more...]
6 Tips for Buying a Home in a Short Sale
I was recently forwarded this article about buying short sales and thought it was good enough to share! Thanks to BuyAndSell.HouseLogic.com, By: G. M. Filisko, Published originally on March 19, 2010 Short sales can be lengthy and difficult, but if you know what you're doing, you can end up with a great deal. Image: fotog/Getty Images By preparing for a real estate short sale, you can emerge with a great home at a favorable price. When sellers need to sell their home for less than they owe on their mortgage, they’re shooting for a short sale. Short sale homes can sometimes be bargains,... [Read more...]
Want to Buy or Sell in Auburn, WA? Better Use an Experienced Short Sale Agent!
At a recent Short Sale and Foreclosure class, I observed that possibly over 70% of agents in the greater Seattle/Bellevue/Tacoma area have never handled a short sale or bank-owned (foreclosure) property on either the buyer or seller side. Now that may be okay in some areas of King County, but as you work your way south into the Auburn area and further into the north Pierce County area, you definitely need to be working with an agent who has Short Sale and Foreclosure experience. Here’s why: Although I run statistics frequently, I hadn’t actually compared different parts of the region... [Read more...]
Certified Short Sale and Foreclosure Resource
I recently completed requirements by the National Association of Realtors to receive certification as a Short Sale and Foreclosure Resource, although I’ve been assisting buyers and sellers of these types of properties since 2004. Taking the certification class was a fascinating experience – of the group of approximately 50 agents present, fewer than 30% of the agents had ever handled either the buyer or seller side of a short sale property! Wow, where have they been and how on earth are they still in business? When questioned about where they work, well over half of the agents at the class... [Read more...]
4 Reasons Why Those Who Wait to Buy a Home Will Pay Thousands More This Spring
Like most real estate professionals, I receive information weekly from the loan officers with whom I’ve worked or have an association about their latest mortgage programs, interest rate adjustments, changes in the bond market, whatever. Lots and lots of information; almost every bit of it is useful and timely. Some of it I understand; some if it is over my head and I have to work a bit to figure out what the heck they’re talking about. Matt Person of The Legacy Group in Puyallup stepped up this morning with a compelling reason for Buyers to get off the fence and submit any FHA... [Read more...]
My Favorite Home Inspector is Moving to Chandler Arizona!
Ohhhhhhhh, today while checking in with my favorite inspector to ask a question, I learned that he’s moving his practice to the Chandler, AZ area! I’ve been privileged to work with Doug Thomas of WIN Home Inspections for the last five or six years, I’d say. He’s truly a professional in his job. Doug knows what he’s doing, does it well, and establishes a trusted relationship with every one of the clients with whom he is working. I like to think we’ve also become friends. I’ll miss Doug’s enthusiasm and willingness to ‘work me into his schedule”... [Read more...]
Welcome to Real Estate!
While driving between appointments a couple days ago, I called my daughter to check up on grandbaby Tyler. The car and traffic was quiet and it was a nice break in an otherwise hectic day. After learning about the latest baby accomplishments, inevitably we drifted into what my day had been like and what I was up to at the moment. To me, it was just another day … going to a vacant listing to meet with a plumber after water was found all over the kitchen floor. I was struck by her comment “Mom, you’re always out there taking care of other people’s houses. I can’t believe... [Read more...]
What Sold in Auburn, WA in 2009?
Yes, homes and other properties DID sell in Auburn in 2009. From an agent’s standpoint, the business of real estate felt slower until Fall, then things started jumping like mad! I know from my own business that every single sale was a lot of work — always gratifying, but whew! The start of real estate in 2010 is moving right along! Just so you know … Days on Market is the number of days the property was Active; i.e., available for sale and not under any sort of a purchase contract. Sometimes, especially where short sales are involved, a property may go in and out of Active status,... [Read more...]
Get Paid $6,500 to Buy a Home!
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Repeat or Move-Up Home Buyer — Get Paid $6,500 to Buy a Home!! Repeat or Move-Up Home Buyer Tax Credit Eligibility Requirements: Buyers must have owned and lived in their previous home for five consecutive years out of the last eight years and purchase a replacement primary home. The tax credit is equal to 10 percent of the home’s purchase price up to a maximum of $6,500. Applies to homes priced at $800,000 or less. The tax credit is available for homes purchased after November 6, 2009 and on or before April 30, 2010. In cases where a binding sales contract is signed by April 30,... [Read more...]
