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...]
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...]
Watch Your Credit Score If You Do a Loan Modification!
This morning I was startled to read an article in RIS Media, an information service that scans the news services and gathers articles impacting real estate — for homeowners, buyers and for agents — reporting that Credit Scores are being reduced as much as 100 points for successful Loan Modifications! Loan Modifications are one avenue that troubled homeowners can take when income levels drop or expenses skyrocket due to unexpected bills such as medical costs. There are a number of different combinations and types of loan modifications available, although I understand that very few... [Read more...]
Will Short Sales FINALLY Become Reasonable?
As a busy agent in the south King County area and down into the Tacoma/Puyallup Pierce County areas, I both list properties for Sellers and assist Buyers in finding their “dream home,” whether it be a first time purchase or a repeat purchase. While definitely not unique to these geographic areas, price points and demographics of buyers and homeowners for these areas seem to especially target short sales and bank owned properties. Or maybe it’s just the clients with whom I’ve worked over the last few months. Sellers need to sell–usually as quickly as possible–and... [Read more...]
8 Requirements for the New Homebuyer Tax Credit, Effective NOW!
Okay all you first time homebuyers, you’ve been given a second chance! The Homebuyer Tax Credit passed and was signed into effect on Friday, November 6th! What GREAT news! And it gets even better! Not only do first time homebuyers benefit from the tax credit … to the tune of $8,000! … any homebuyer could potentially benefit, up to $6,500! Here are some of the highlights. Of course you’ll want to verify this information with your own accountant; as with most bills of this sort it’s many pages long and there are requirements that must be precisely met. A first time... [Read more...]
Pre-Listing Inspections
In this trickier market, it can be imperative in the eyes of a Buyer that the house in which they’ve fallen in love be in “perfect” condition. Now, granted there’s absolutely no such thing as a house in “perfect” condition, but a house where it’s obvious that the Seller has taken good care of the property and truly gotten the house in tip-top shape as it goes on the market, can truly make or break a Buyer’s decision to make an offer. After all … there’s another house on the market just down the street — sometimes for less money. I’ve... [Read more...]
