Real Estate Information

Ok, so we're a little past the half-way point of the year but these stats reflect real estate market activity throughout South King County for the first half of 2010 compared to the same time period of 2009.

In most instances, number of sales are up but prices are down.

Find out your home's value in today's market online.

Dear Nightmare Transaction,

I can't really say when you started to go "bad" and show your dark side. Maybe it was when the original selling agent, who had a relationship with the buyer, decided to leave the business and you forced me to step in mid-stream. Maybe it was when the 3rd party negotiator decided he had delivered lender's approval on the short sale (which could have triggered timeframes) when in reality we only had approval on the 1st loan, not the 2nd.You were tricky, but I caught that...nice try!

I have to hand it to you though, you really started to flex your darkside powers with that bankruptcy threat. You know, when the seller decided to file bankruptcy one week before closing (on attorney's advice). Making it so tenuous and mysterious was a pretty hefty threat and, I'll admit, made us all pretty anxious. Was it really necessary though to make us wonder for so long? It's a simple question...DID the seller file bankruptcy or NOT? Thanks for making us wait 5 long days for that answer.

I also didn't appreciate when you worried the underwriter in the 11th hour. Both parties had signed, our clock was ticking and for you to make us wait until 5 minutes before the funding deadline before realizing you were up against the "A TEAM" (who doesn't back down) and had better give up is certainly a mark against you.... and it will not be forgotten.

In plain language, you were a JERK! -probably one of the nastiest I've seen in my twenty years of real estate sales.

That being said, I'd like to say "Thank You".

Yes, thank you.

You see, I believe that it is transactions like you that make me better at what I do.

• The challenges you chose to put in our path were defeated and dodged by some very experienced, dedicated and dogmatic professionals.
• You reminded me that I should be grateful for the "easy" files that only have one or two little blips throughout the closing process
• The difficulties you presented forced me to look at who I work with, who I refer business to and how I communicate with my clients. (and remember I work with some of the best in the business and am grateful for that too!)

Without a doubt, I am a better equipped to face the next nasty transaction that tries to push back against a successful outcome.

So in closing, thanks for bringing your best.

I'm glad you lost.

But more importantly, I'm glad my client is now a happy homeowner with an $8000 tax credit soon coming his way.

Until next time,

Market reports by City for South King County communitites are now available online:

Kent Home Sales & Market Report

Auburn Home Sales & Market Report

Covington Home Sales & Market Report

Enumclaw Home Sales & Market Report

Black Diamond Home Sales & Market Report

Federal Way Home Sales & Market Report

Maple Valley Home Sales & Market Report

Ravensdale Home Sales & Market Report

Renton Home Sales & Market Report

The Search Is On for the Ugliest Fence in the Pacific Northwest

Press Release on PR Leap

Admittedly I had an extra spring in my step this morning as I headed to the office. There's just something about a 3 day weekend (whether I'm working or not) that makes the Friday before something special. Maybe it's that everyone is in a similar good mood or because I know my husband will get a much deserved break....but I for one am super excited for the long weekend ahead.

But I cannot forget the reason for the holiday-to remember all those who have given their lives so that we may live free.

A few years ago, my husband and I snapped photos of the Tahoma National Cemetery and I've been astounded by the response to the short video I put together. I've gotten inquiries and kudos from people all over the country whose loved ones are buried there.

I wanted to share it with those of you who have never had the opportunity to drive the grounds.

May you have a blessed and wonderful Memorial Day weekend!

For whatever reason I've been noticing patterns and themes in my life lately. At first I was worried it might be some strange mental or medical condition ala "Rainman", but I finally decided to credit age and wisdom, both of which shape one's perspective.

I attended a real estate seminar last week, hosted by the wonderful Michelle Coolidge of Cobalt Mortgage. The speaker was Bill Hart a Coach from Building Champions. One of the very first slides on Bill's power point presentation read in big bold letters:

"What Got You Here, Is Not Going to Get You There"

I hadn't heard the saying before but loved it and recognized it's truth with respect to my industry.

Then this morning as I was leaving my bedroom, my eye landed on a stack of books on my nightstand. There on top was Smart Talk by Lou Tice. The sub-title "5 Steps to Get You From Here to There".  

Getting from here to there....what got you here isn't going to get you there.

The world of real estate, as many of us have known it, has changed dramatically....especially when it comes to marketing and advertising. (Have you picked up a real estate magazine lately? They are pretty slim these days). Fortunately, I tend to be a forward thinker and had, years ago ,embraced most of the technologies Bill Hart was suggesting; real pro website, blogging, facebook, twitter, CRM database management, along with many, many more online strategies. 

Agents who don't embrace social networking, internet marketing and other online resources aren't going to be here down the road. The competition will drown them via their success and the results clients expect and deserve.

And those of us who do will be much better positioned to successfully help our clients...you know, folks that just want to get from here to there.

Home sales and market statistical reports and charts have now been posted online for your review. (Can't really say reading pleasure because stats are pretty dry, boring reading). We've posted them by City and have sales just for the Month of April as well as YTD stats for comparison.

As always, if you have any questions about the market, values or trending data, call or email anytime!

Auburn

Black Diamond

Covington

Enumclaw

Federal Way

Kent

Maple Valley

Renton

Ravensdale

I saw a great bumper sticker yesterday while driving from my office in Maple Valley to meet clients for signatures on an offer. It read

"Wag more, Bark less".

Maybe this has been around for a while, but I've never seen it before or even heard the phrase....but oh what a wonderful sentiment.

There seems to be much more barking  than wagging in my business these days; agents frustrated with MLS database conversions, sellers unhappy with the values I'm determining and buyers fed up with overly cautious underwriters. Woof here, Woof there.

With the warmer weather I watch as my dogs prance around the yard-Ok, Carson, ancient elderly yellow lab that he is isn't much of a prancer (think more of a stiff hobby horse ) but Eleanor trots to and fro.  Her little tail sticks up and her ears are perked, listening to the birds and other sounds around her.

She is happy and content with nothing more than a yard to frolick in and the warmth of the sun on her back. When they run to me, their tails are wagging....Carson's a slowly steady sway and Eleanor's a metronome on crack.

Wagging and frolicking.

They are great words and definitely two things I need more of in my life.

Real Estate isn't everything and it's time to find some balance.

Just one of the many lessons I've learned from a dog.

And by the way, the bumper sticker is available here.

My office RE/MAX Select has planned, organized and hosted a Live Auction/Dinner for the past four years to raise much needed funds for Children's Miracle Network and Seattle Children's Hospital. Over the past few decades, RE/MAX Associates have raised over 100 Million for CMN.

Our event, "Island Dreams" was this past Friday night at the Spirit of Washington Event Center in Renton. Pulling off an event like this is akin to planning a wedding for about 200 every year and long story short....we're happy but exhausted. (Why we picked a date that was the expiration of the first time home buyer's tax credit, I'll never know)

My colleagues and I have put our passion for helping sick and injured children into action and I'm proud to say we've raised $250,000 cumulatively these past four years.

Thanks to my fellow committee members, all the generous donors, sponsors and guests and to the Whitman Family of Maple Valley who graciously agreed to share their story about their daughter's accident as well as their experience with Seattle Children's. We are indeed fortunate to have a top notch facility in our backyard!