RE/MAX 2012 Housing Message with Margaret Kelly (RE/MAX CEO)
Margaret Kelly, the Chief Executive Officer at RE/MAX is highly visible in her television commercials, along with being a spokesperson to those of us who are RE/MAX professionals. In this quick video clip, she summarizes what I believe is a reasonable statement of what we might expect to see in the real estate market in 2012. Be Sociable, Share! Tweet
MainVue Homes at The Bridges in Auburn, WA
New home-building in Auburn, WA continues to increase, as evidenced by a quick drive through the area. One of the most ambitious new developments in Auburn is The Bridges, by MainVue Homes, located just east of 124th, between 304th and 288th. A few years ago I watched as the area was cleared and developed with streets, lights, and playgrounds, and then the real estate economy tanked and the property sat idle … until recently! Unfortunately, it appears that the folks at MainVue homes have decided not to list their homes on our local MLS. Visiting both their Web and physical sites indicate that... [Read more...]
You Can Test Drive a Car … But Not a House!
The last couple of weekends have included a few hours helping our son decide what car to buy. We’ve been to this dealer and that, had him prequalified … and have driven a number of cars, usually with the all-chatty salesman in the backseat telling us exactly why this car is THE one to buy. We’ve driven some brand new cars and are now taking a look at a few that a just a couple of years old (Mom insisting that maybe the payment will be a bit easier on his monthly budget.) Now that we’ve graduated to the used car market, I’ve been busy reading CarFax reports, looking over my son’s shoulder... [Read more...]
A Great Lender Helps From Start to Finish, Especially in a Short Sale
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 payment, how much of a down payment will be paid, and so on. Having a great lender as part of the Buying team is critical, but especially so with short sale purchases. It can be difficult for a lender to help a Buyer determine exactly how much they might need to close the sale. A good faith estimate on the front... [Read more...]
Okay, Should You Sell … and Buy in 2012?
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 client or someone “just checking out the market,” wanting to do exactly that. And, who absolutely wouldn’t want to buy a house with the bargains out there??!! Let me try to help you make a bit of sense out of this type of scenario. The latest statistics from the Office of Federal Housing Economic... [Read more...]
Think Housing Prices Are Too High?
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 in others, it’s amazing how little prices have gone up. Today he sent me a list of a few things and their prices in 1955. Of note, of course, are prices like gasoline – 23 cents a gallon; milk – 85 cents a gallon; eggs – 61 cents a dozen. A bit of checking around and I see this list, thanks... [Read more...]
Congratulations on Your New Home!
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 one. Darned clouds got in the way! Be Sociable, Share! Tweet
12 Reasons Why That House Might Not Qualify for FHA Financing
In my practice, FHA loans are used for the majority of home purchases. At the moment, without a doubt, an FHA 203(b) is the most logical choice. Credit score qualifications start at about 580 (depending on the lending institution involved), interest rates are awesome, the minimum down payment requirement is only 3 1/2%, closing costs run right around 3-3 1/2% of the purchase price (although very often the seller is willing to assist with the Buyer’s closing costs). However, one thing to remember is that not only do YOU, the buyer, have to qualify for a mortgage loan, the home must also... [Read more...]
Congratulations to a Few More Summer-Time Closings!
I was pleased in August and September to assist a few more families with new homes. A big congratulations to them and wishes for many many years of happiness, laughter, and peaceful times in their new abodes: Diane, Mariah, and Sierra — Congratulations on your new condo purchase in Issaquah! It was so much fun to work with all you ladies. I think Mariah may have a future in real estate — keeping me on my toes and asking so many great questions during all of the house-hunting fun! Joe and Okju — Wow! Always amazing when a home with a big yard in a wonderful neighborhood is found... [Read more...]
Houses are Affordable in Maple Valley, WA!
Seattle is a gorgeous area, full of lakes, mountains, and lots of green spaces. Just to the east of Seattle, directly across Lake Washington, are Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland and other communities, commonly referred to as Washington’s high-tech corridor. Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and a batch of other big tech name companies make their home in our Seattle and eastside areas. We love them to death … but they DO increase home prices in the area. However, just a few miles southeast of Bellevue lies Maple Valley. Those of us in the area, believe Maple Valley is the best Bellevue suburb!... [Read more...]
Congratulations Eric & Melanie!
First time homebuyers Melanie and Eric are thrilled with their new house! Congratulations to you both; may you have many many years of happiness here. Now crack open that champagne and celebrate! Thank you for allowing me to be of assistance in your home search and purchase. I was truly honored! And to two of my favorite team members: Marilyn Brown at First American Title & Escrow — Thank you for coming through at the last minute. This turned into a last minute affair, didn’t it? Dave Jagosh — Nobody does inspections as well as you do them! Be Sociable, Share!... [Read more...]
The Value of Photos: It’s Good Seller Representation
Buyers are hooked on photos. I mean REALLY hooked on what they see when searching online for a home. They read a home’s description in the marketing remarks, then expect to see a visual confirmation of all of the features mentioned. From there they go to Google maps, or Bing, or wherever and pull up aerial photos. They look at birds-eye views; sometimes they try to get elevation views so they can get an idea of what can really be seen when looking out of the living room windows! Sellers are too! They want to see their home in all of its beauty up on the Web. Every feature. Every room. With... [Read more...]
Keeping Transactions on Course is a Bit Like Herding Chickens
My family is new to the world of chicken-keeping. Funny busy noisy creatures those chickens. But inclined to running all over the place when attempting to direct them from one place to another. Block one bird from running off course, then look around and another one has doubled back and is heading back to the pen … or off to dig up a worm in a totally different area of the yard. Kind of like keeping real estate transactions on course. Sometimes it takes a lot of arm waiving and shirt flapping to keep everyone moving in the same direction from start to finish. But persistence does pay off.... [Read more...]
Being a Buyer’s Agent Requires Amazing Knowledge
Being a Buyer’s Agent … that broker who assists buyers find their dream house and guides them through to closing of their purchase … requires an amazing amount of knowledge in today’s market. Just a few years ago, being a buyer’s agent essentially involved locating and assisting a buyer in writing an offer, carrying it around to all parties involved and shepherding the transaction through to closing, whereupon the golden keys were given and the buyer became the happy owner of their new house. (Yes, I know there was more, but essentially.) While those steps are still... [Read more...]
New Construction IS Selling in Auburn, Washington!
Sigh. The national newspapers are shouting from the rooftops about how crappy terrible new construction is selling. Another sensationalism report blowing things totally out of proportion. According to an Associated Press article quoted in my local Seattle Times, new home sales so far this year across the nation accounted for just 5% of all sales. Historically, they say, new home sales make up about 15% of all sales. Around my Auburn, Washington area home, I can count at least 10 new construction developments just starting up. Maybe more than ten if I give it a bit more thought. The point is, around... [Read more...]
