Buyers
RE/MAX 2012 Housing Message with Margaret Kelly (RE/MAX CEO)
January 23, 2012 by Gabrielle · Leave a Comment
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 [...]
MainVue Homes at The Bridges in Auburn, WA
January 18, 2012 by Gabrielle · Leave a Comment
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 [...]
You Can Test Drive a Car … But Not a House!
January 14, 2012 by Gabrielle · Leave a Comment
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
12 Reasons Why That House Might Not Qualify for FHA Financing
October 19, 2011 by Gabrielle · Leave a Comment
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 [...]
Congratulations to a Few More Summer-Time Closings!
October 5, 2011 by Gabrielle · Leave a Comment
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 [...]
Houses are Affordable in Maple Valley, WA!
September 2, 2011 by Gabrielle · Leave a Comment
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 [...]
Congratulations Eric & Melanie!
September 1, 2011 by Gabrielle · Leave a Comment
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 [...]
The Value of Photos: It’s Good Seller Representation
June 13, 2011 by Gabrielle · Leave a Comment
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 [...]
Keeping Transactions on Course is a Bit Like Herding Chickens
June 9, 2011 by Gabrielle · Leave a Comment
Being a Buyer’s Agent Requires Amazing Knowledge
June 8, 2011 by Gabrielle · Leave a Comment
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 [...]
New Construction IS Selling in Auburn, Washington!
March 24, 2011 by Gabrielle · Leave a Comment
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. [...]
