All-Natural Agent - not a label but the Real Deal

I absolutely adore this:

Via Donna Edwards:

Well I have been thinking about the idea of how much I am GREEN.  I have taken the Energy Star training and really have believed in those ideas long long ago.  You know, I was kind of a greeny before it was popular.  So I have decided to stop & think.  What "environmentally friendly" actions are a way of life for me.  Not that I do them because it is the latest rage or because I am concerned about the ozone or global warming.  I do them because it is who I am or it just seem like a smart idea, or maybe just because I'm frugal.  Here a few that pop to mind...

  • Vespa scooter (70mpg) 
  • Pontiac Vibe (35mpg).  
  • Floresent light bulbs
  • Insulated windows
  • Attic fans
  • 10 min shower ( just can't do it in 5)
  • Xeroscape yard
  • Minimum out of town travel
  • Love garage sales (reuse items) 
  • Love famers markets (organic)
  • A/C set at 77
  • Compost pile
  • Turn off the water when I brush
  • No professional manicures
  • Use only basic household and personal items
  • Hate to waste anything

Now I want to soon add:

  • install solar panels
  • Have a water well
  • addl attic & wall insulation
  • Live within walking distance to work, shopping, church, and a grandbaby (ok maybe that is just asking too much)
  • One more, I want to buy an abandoned lot in town, plant a tree for every house I sell, & name each tree for after that family.  Maybe even have a yearly party and treat them all to a free picnic.

I really do have a simple way of life and have decided to keep it that way.  The pressure to comform to being someone else or fit within the mold of what others in this industry find fashionable is not for me.   No big fancy cars, designer clothes, over the top tech gadgets, Double Mega Million producer, no smoozing, or working on Sundays.

I except my business will suffer when it comes to people who need that in a Realtor.  First off I have to be true to Self.  When I work, I am full of passion in what I do.  I learn as much as I can about my clients needs and how to protect them.  I am honest and excited to be of service to them. 

To those who want the Real Deal, just call me the Natural Agent.

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Technically Speaking, You Haven't Lost Thousands, You Just Spent Them Already!

Via Jeremy Blanton- Myrtle Beach Real Estate ,Coldwell Banker Chicora:

happy coupleWith the current decrease in Myrtle Beach Real Estate property values, many clients that we have recently met with are left speechless when we share with them a comparitive market analysis on their property.  The reason for their shock is that only two years ago they re-financed their property to get a lower interest rate. 

During the process of refinancing, they also were given an option to do a cash out refi and collect several thousands of dollars for all sorts of things. Some used the money to pay off other bills,do renovations on their home, or take a wonderful Caribbean Cruise, finally purchase that fantastic 50" plasma TV, or the shiny new red convertible sportscar.  Ah yes, those were the good times.  Nobody worried about the higher loan on their house because property values were rising and the market was strong. So we didn't care if we had a higher mortgage payment, if an emergency came, we could quickly sell our home, and still have some money left over.

Then, the market took a swift swing from this strong sellers market to a strong buyers market. And, all of the additional equity that we had left on our homes dissapeared instantly.

Here we are now, in 2008 and that job transfer has come in, or the family has added another little one and you need to sell the current property.  The problem is that home values have decreased and you are what we would call "upside down" in your property.  That means the value of your property is less than the amount owed.  Or, maybe you are lucky to break even.  Either way, when you are given the current value of your property, please remember that you are not losing thousands on your property. What has actually happened is that you have already spent the equity in your home to do other things.  There is nothing bad about that.  It is your money to do with what you please. 

When you begin to become upset about how you have "lost" so much and can't sell your home now, remember the wonderful trip you took to the Bahamas...Maybe sit back and watch your home videos of the trip on your big screen tv!  Also, remember you originally purchased your property for much less than it is still worth now.  

Jeremy Blanton- Myrtle Beach Real Estate Expert

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Seattle Seller Tips Revisited...

seattle real estateHere is item number 7 from my Seattle seller tips:

"Be gone - Leave your house well before showings! You want the buyers to be able to picture themselves in your home. They can't do this with you in it. It is also uncomfortable for buyers to be in your home with you there."

I can not tell you how many times I have shown a house and had the sellers follow us around showing us the house.  The buyers end up uncomfortable in most cases.  You have a better shot at selling your house if you just head out and let the Realtor show your house to the buyers.  I always try to ask my sellers to go have lunch or dinner during a scheduled showing. It helps!

Happy Seattle selling!

 

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Seattle REO: Sad Today:(

A new assignment...

I got assigned an REO today from a bank.  I am not new to foreclosures and have actually listed and sold quite a few of them in the Seattle area.  I am happy to have the assignment and I will do a great job with it, but the state of the house was so telling and really left me depressed for the evening.  I will get on with it and do the job at hand, but foreclosure is so sad. 

Many neighbors might see the real estate agent come around and think that the vultures have arrived, but that just isn't the case here.  I have actually worked for practically free on many occasions to try and save someone from losing their home.  I believe that there has to be altruistic intentions as a Realtor or it just doesn't work.

seattle babyEvery house has its story...

The house was typical of a foreclosure - run down with lots of deferred maintenance.  I estimate that the trash out will probably be over two thousand dollars because it is crammed full and even though I am six feet tall, the grass hit me in the teeth as I tried to wade through it.  What stopped me in my tracks and made me so sad were the little shoes thrown around the yard and also the Fisher Price toddler slide.  My son has the same slide and it hurt a bit to know that another child like mine had to leave their home and their slide.

I am very diligent with my REO assignments and make sure that I treat each one systematically and with respect.  It is sad, though, when the history is so clearly written on the walls (literally as well in this case)...

Are you interested in Seattle real estate?  Seattle foreclosure listings?  realestate@cooperjacobs.com

 

 

 

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My Northwest Color! My favorite Things... Am I a Weirdo?

I know I am weird - I like washed up bumpers and buoys and I like random mismatched canoe paddles.  I love random old waterskis.  I wanted to share:

seattle real estateI love this scene - I pass it quite often when I drive through Sand Point in Seattle and up North to Mathews Beach.  This is on a roof overlooking Lake Washington at Magnuson Park.

I think they are just beautiful!

 

 

 

 

 

 

ocean shores real estateWaterskis...

Maybe this might help you see why I like them.  I apologize for the quality of this picture.  The sun was blazing through and this was taken on my cell phone at our beach house in Ocean Shores WA.  My genius husband managed to fashion a head board out of my random treasured water skis from Ebay! I already own a couple waterski chairs I bought from my wonderful friend Dick in Florida and I think this headboard is just perfect!  My love of waterskis must stem from my childhood days of waterskiing alongside alligators in the muddy rivers of Mississippi and also in the Gulf Coast waters of both Mississippi and Alabama.  The result?  I am obsessed:) 

 

waterski chairThe waterski chair....

This photo doesn't do the chair justice, but I just had to share anyway!

waterski chair

 

 

 

 

 

 

My obsession with Buoys and bumpers is a biggie, too.............

Should I seek help for my love of color?  This last photo is from Bainbridge Island and includes some amazing finds....

bainbridge island buoys

 

Are you interested in Seattle real estate?  realestate@cooperjacobs.com

Cooper Jacobs Real Estate Company

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Seattle Real Estate: Fremont Neighborhood: Here's A Great Neighborhood Search

seattle real estateLooking for what's available in the busy Fremont neighborhood of Seattle? 

My Seattle real estate search site has a great page on Fremont!  Check it out here:

Fremont real estate listings

I love Fremont and spend a ton of time there both personally and also showing property buyers interested in this wonderful neighborhood!  Fremont is just North of Queen Anne across the Fremont Bridge - this neighborhood offers an eclectic lifestyle and big views of the canal.  Fremont is the definition for urban living in Seattle if you ask me - restaurants and shops galore plus great walking and biking.

Are you interested in Fremont Real Estate? realestate@cooperjacobs.com

 

 

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I am not selling you a house!!!! What?

 seattle real estateSeattle is a great place to buy a house, but I am not selling you a house!

  I am a Seattle Realtor, but I absolutely do not sell houses.  I don't sell dreams or sell great investments.  You see, I can't stand the traditional cliché of a sales person,  and I have never considered myself to be one.  In fact, I was an accountant before I ever became a real estate agent and the sales people drove me nuts!  I mean no disrespect towards any of you genuine sales people out there, but I am just not one of you.  I have never in my life made a cold call nor have I knocked on any doors.  I still manage to keep busy and make a good living as a real estate broker, but I do not sell houses.

When I am writing up those purchase and sale contracts, I am not selling houses, but rather selling myself and my services.  I want you to trust me and know that I am going to do a good job for you.  I want you to like and respect my business expertise.  I want you to know I have your best interests at heart and will work hard and ethically for you while I facilitate your real estate purchase.  I want you to know that I will be the grease that keeps the wheels turning smoothly and efficiently!  I also want you to tell all your friends about me and refer them to me because I am such a great real estate agent!

I am not selling Seattle houses!  I am selling me and I promise you I am worth it!

Are you interested in Seattle real estate?  realestate@cooperjacobs.com

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Selling Your Seattle Home: How Chasing the Market Can Cost you Thousands!

Chasing the market is a bad thing!  I love this explanation!

Via Rob Graham:

Pricing Your Seattle Home CorrectlyI frequently hear people say that real estate agents try to under price homes to try to get them to sell quickly.  There seems to be a sentiment that we are all money grubbing misers who don't care if our sellers lose out on a few grand so long as we get our commission at the end.  Well, the truth is that over pricing your home can have really detrimental consequences.  

Many times when I go to a listing appointment the seller has a price in their head at to what their home is worth.  It is sometimes unrealistic.  Sellers of a home have learned to love their home and see it through their own eyes, not those of a potential buyer.  Buyer's don't care that your favorite uncle helped you build the shed in the back or that your child took their first steps right there on the gleaming hardwoods.  All they see is a place to make their own future memories.   They also see that leaky faucet that you have learned to overlook.  Therefore, it isn't uncommon that seller's think their home is worth more then what it is truly worth to an objective eye. 

It doesn't help that frequently banks will allow owners to overextend themselves to make improvements or to pay off bills using the equity in their home.  Then when the time comes to sell the seller believes that the appraisal value is what they should get for their home, when in fact it is sometimes inflated to justify a loan. 

FACT:  Price a house to high and you will find yourself "chasing the market".

 

What is "chasing"?  Chasing is when a house is over priced initially and does not sell in the first few weeks on the market.  Then the seller agrees to price reductions over time.  Frequently the price they will get for the home is considerably less then what they would have gotten if they had priced the home correctly in the first place.    

Chasing the Market Costs you Money!

I can't tell you how many times my buyers will look at a listing that has been around for a while and assume there is something wrong with it, and ask to not even go see it.

The most eyeballs that will see your home will see it in the first few weeks.  After that you are trying to market the home to fewer and fewer people.  This leads to chasing the market.

 Chasing the Seattle Housing Market

Yea Yea Yea.  I hear the skeptics out there.  "Sure Rob.  All agents say this so they can under price my home".  Well here is the worst example I could find:

I had a listing presentation today and came across this house as a comparable. 

I won't tell you the address or listing number to protect the seller and listing agent from further embarrassment, but here is the situation. 

The house was originally listed in April of '07 for $590K.  Since that time they have reduced the price no less than 11 times!  The house is still for sale right now for (you may want to sit down for this) $410K.  AND IS STILL NOT SEEING OFFERS!  Let's recap. 

17 months, 11 price reductions, and no sale!  

How would you like to be that seller?

Admittedly this is an extreme example.  In my estimation the house is truly worth about $445.  At $410 I wouldn't expect them to see offers above $400K from here on out.  So by grossly overpricing the home they have spent 17 months and cost themselves as much as $50K. 

The moral of the story in today's market is price it right the first time. 

If you price too high and end up chasing the market, you can end up costing yourself a lot of money in the long run. 

Give me a call if you need help.

 

Related Post:

Seattle Home Seller's FAQ: How to Set the Best Lisitng Price

 

Content is provided by Rob Graham of Windermere Real Estate. Rob is a residential real estate specialist with years of experience in the Seattle Neighborhoods. He is an Accredited Buyer's Representative and Internet Marketing Specialist. If you have questions about buying or selling your home in Seattle, feel free to call or e-mail Rob.

(206) 321-6349

E-mail Rob

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Bainbridge Island Birthday and My Newf!

bainbridge island newfoundlandMy hubby grew up on Bainbridge Island so we are there quite often visiting lots of relatives.  We went over for a family party this weekend and I decided to bring one of my Newfies, David.  David had a blast swimming in the Sound and even got to see some Sea Otters and I think a sea lion (any experts on what it is?).  Here are some shots from the waterfront cabin....

There were five family dogs that showed up for the party - I guess we like dogs.....  That is a Golden Retriever and a Springer Spaniel next to David.  They all had a great time on the beach.

seattle dog

                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

OK, so what is this?  Sea Lion or Seal?bainbridge island sea lion

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then we saw a family of Sea Otters on another floating dock...

bainbridge island

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bainbridge Island is a great place to live!  We have often considered moving over there - I know it would be a great place to raise my kids.  I just love Seattle so much that I would have too much trouble leaving it behind and I need more flexibility in commute than the ferry would allow if I am to continue to sell Seattle real estate!  Bainbridge Island is an ideal place to live if you work downtown, though, and have a regular schedule.  Talk about living green!    If you are right in Winslow, you can walk to the ferry and walk to work - perfection!

 

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Sunset Hill Gardening..

 

Sunset Hill Living...

sunset hill garden

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love gardening, but it is becoming more and more apparent that I am terrible at it.  I am just laughing so hard because while I was looking at property yesterday in the gorgeous Seattle view neighborhood of Sunset Hill, I came across a vacant lot that was lovingly being "farmed".  This is not the funny part - this is the really cool part.  According to Eric the owner, this piece of land is unbuildable and as a result has been used for gardening since 1904. 

A Community Victory Garden?

Eric would love to get some kind of community gardening going on the land because he can't use the entire space.  This is a sensible guy with solar panels on his house and a genuine concern for pesticide free gardening.  I am surprised that no one has taken him up on his offer yet, really.  I know there are gardeners out there in Sunset Hill!

seattle real estate What's so funny?

OK - Now the funny part:  Although he was quite modest, Eric is such a good gardener that he actually had VOLUNTEER tomato plants!!!!!  Hello?  I can't even get my babies to turn red let alone decide to volunteer for another year! 

Are you interested in Sunset Hill Gardening?  Please make sure and shoot me an email!  Are you interested in Sunset Hill real estate? realestate@cooperjacobs.com

On a side note, if you are interested in donating your cell phone, I am always running a Seattle cell phone recycling drive.

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