Foreclosure Statistics – Auburn, WA
October 20, 2010 by Gabrielle · Leave a Comment
I was directed to a Web site this morning called Foreclosure Radar. Like most sites of this sort, its aim is to get real estate agents to subscribe to their service (for a fee) with referrals to be directed from the site back to the fee-paying agents. I typically avoid these sorts of things as [...]
Investor Alert: FHA Financing for “Flipped” Houses
September 23, 2010 by Gabrielle · Leave a Comment
In mid-January, 2010, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued a temporary waiver (good until February 1, 2011, or until extended or withdrawn) to give FHA borrowers the ability of obtaining an FHA-insured mortgage on a home that was purchased less than 90 days previous. What this means is that a Buyer can [...]
There is NOT a 3.8% Sales Tax on All Home Sales Starting in 2013!
September 22, 2010 by Gabrielle · Leave a Comment
Over the last several weeks I’ve had a number of clients and contacts email me with a “Is This True?” question about the rumor of a 3.8% “sales tax” to be added to the sale of a home after 2012. With the passing of President Obama’s Health Care bill, some people are digging deep for [...]
The Business of Short Sales in Auburn, WA
September 17, 2010 by Gabrielle · Leave a Comment
Short sales are a huge part of our area’s current listing inventory and sales statistics. They’re difficult transactions and time consuming. They require specialized knowledge and dedication to the task in order to be successful. They also require impeccable business practices and an adherence to the highest of ethical standards. The business of real estate [...]
16 Tips to Prepare Your Home for Sale
September 1, 2010 by Gabrielle · Leave a Comment
While buyers must shop within their financial qualifications, their decision to make an offer on a home is first, and foremost, an emotional response to the appearance of your home and property. The money and negotiation side to the actual purchase comes later. In order to maximize the appearance of your property — thus eliciting [...]
Engaging and Vital Real Estate Statistics for Kent, WA
August 28, 2010 by Gabrielle · Leave a Comment
Over the last few days, I’ve blogged a bit about market updates: Boring but Invaluable Statistics for Auburn and Tedious but Crucial Statistics for Maple Valley, Washington. After yesterday’s Maple Valley post, one reader from another site where I also post these stats, chimed in to say “why are you calling these Tedious?” Hmmm. With [...]
Tedious but Crucial Real Estate Statistics for Maple Valley, WA
August 27, 2010 by Gabrielle · Leave a Comment
Similar to the Boring but Invaluable Statistics for Auburn posted yesterday, Maple Valley, WA where my office resides and located about 15 minutes northeast of Auburn, has it’s own set of Tedius but Crucial Statistics. Tedious but Crucial Statistic #1: As with much of the area, home prices have fallen a bit in Maple [...]
Boring But Invaluable Real Estate Statistics for Auburn WA
August 26, 2010 by Gabrielle · 2 Comments
Yeah, I know … stats are boring. Especially putting them together every month. But when helping a seller understand what they need to do to sell their house … or why they’ll likely get the price under discussion, or why a buyer could/should pay a particular price for a home, they’re invaluable. So here’s boring, [...]
Help for Underwater Homeowners?
August 16, 2010 by Gabrielle · Leave a Comment
Almost everyone I talk with these days is … as I am … backwards on their home loan-to-value ratios. Many of us bought our homes in the early 2000′s and then even refinanced them or added home equity loans somewhere in the 2005-2007 days, bringing our total home loan indebtedness to a number that is [...]
Sometimes a Short Sale is Just NOT the Right Answer!
August 9, 2010 by Gabrielle · Leave a Comment
I like to consider myself a resource for sellers who are considering their options. Should they pursue a short sale? Should they just walk away? Should they just try to hang on no matter what? Recently I had an opportunity to meet with a wonderful couple that were truly truly trying to do “the right thing,” [...]
Is a Loan Modification for Me?
August 9, 2010 by Gabrielle · Leave a Comment
A number of considerations should be made when you are either in trouble already with your current mortgage, or anticipate that you might be soon. One excellent option might be a loan modification, which is designed to reduce the amount of your mortgage payment to no more than 31% of your gross income. Unfortunately as [...]
Should You Refinance Your Home?
August 9, 2010 by Gabrielle · Leave a Comment
If you feel you have sufficient income to continue making payments on your home, but need to lower the payments, one of the best choices — providing current interest rates are justifiably less than your existing rate — is to refinance the home. By refinancing, you may be able to remain with your existing lender, [...]
7 Tips for Short Sale Success
August 1, 2010 by Gabrielle · Leave a Comment
Another easy-to-understand article about selling short sales! Thanks to BuyAndSell.HouseLogic.com, By: G. M. Filisko, Published originally on March 19, 2010 Have to sell your home for less than it’s worth? Our seven tips will help you get the best price. When you owe more on your home than it’s worth, but you have to sell, you need to [...]
Another Transaction Closed!
June 30, 2010 by Gabrielle · Leave a Comment
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 [...]
Want to Sell Your House Fast?
March 12, 2010 by Gabrielle · Leave a Comment
Drop the price! The first two months of sales data in the greater Auburn, Washington tell the story perfectly — Want or Need to Sell Your Home Fast? — Drop The Price! Or at least price it within the range of those houses that are actually selling: Granted, this little chart only shows three months [...]
