Ann's Blog

Real Estate for Gamers and Techies!

2008-07-14T15:10:00Z

Looking for the perfect home in the techie Northwest? Relocating to work for Nintendo, Monolith, Microsoft, Bunjee, Sierra, Cranky Pants, Midway Games, ArenaNet, Surreal Software, etc? Need a Realtor who understand that sometimes it easier to talk about your home search at 2am on World of Warcraft? You have found the right place.

I am a real estate agent specializing in the Seattle- Eastside with experience in relocation, and a level 42 gnome warlock (0; . I have experience with Buyers, Sellers, Relocation, Foreclosures, Short-sales, Investments, and Cities of Heroes and Villains. If you are looking for an agent with interests similar to your own who posses an in-depth knowledge of the area and the real estate market please contact me. You are welcome to call or email, or search listings and contact me via my website at www.mynwhomes.com .

Website Feedback

2008-06-16T23:39:55Z

I recently posted a blog asking for advice about which web hosting company to use. I research all of the suggestions and decided onrealtysoft.com. I value the feedback form Active Rain members and would love input on my website, and search engine optimization. Feel free to take a look at the preliminary version of my site and offer suggestion for making it more valuable for my customers and easier for them to find. I would also ove to see links to other members websites. My new site is www.mynwhomes.com

Thank you all, I love your input!

Creating the perfect New Home listing agent?

2008-06-08T10:18:22Z

Through Makeover2Takeover I have recently been challenged to choose an area of Real Estate in which to specialize. I am a relatively new agent, but my background has been in design and New Home Construction. I am most interested in listing new homes and working with builders, but need some advice. I am curious what builders are looking for in terms of service that may make me the agent for them. I have a background in design and advertising and green building and am happy to offer my assistance in those areas. I would love to hear from home builders or agents who work with home builders on how they would design the perfect listing agent for new construction.

Real Estate Signs Everywhere...

2008-06-06T14:44:46Z

I have reach one of those "Just Jump" moments in my life. For the last 5 years I have worked as a builder rep for a paint company. This job has taught me a great deal about home builders, sales , green building ,design, and of course paint. I have enjoy the position because it is ever changing and each new project opened a new set of topics to learn about and explore. So several months ago I got my real estate license and have, until this point attempted to do both.

I feel like I am off to a good start but I have quickly realized that I LOVE REAL ESTATE! And working 2 jobs just isn't practical. Many people have talked about the current real estate market creating more part-time agents as many people are picking up another job to make ends meet. I just feel like I would be cheating myself if I didn't give my new career my full-time effort. I have never had a more compelling and fulfilling job.

So I've made the decision to jump in head first and quit my salaried position to devote myself fully to real estate. As soon as I made this decision things started happening that made me feel like I was moving in thr right direction.

I talked to my previous employer about my decision and hung up the phone feeling a little uneasy. I went to check my email and found a client has emailed to see if I could list her home.

I filled out my resignation and got a call from another agent sending an offer on one of my listings.

I hesitate and get 3 BPO requests.

As Brian Tracy says "You become what you think about, most of the time". I am excited for this next chapter in my life, and I think getting started in the current market will force me to be a better agent in the long run.

Powerpoint, Flash and Corrupt Presentation files, Oh My!

2008-06-01T21:55:14Z

What a week...

While the database challenge was time consuming and required examining where I want my business to go, this week's electronic listing presentation was a lesson in patience for everyone involved. We elected to put together a presentation in power point with embedded videos and convert it to a pdf? At this point I'm not even sure I uderstand what we did, lol. Then after all of the work... the files corrupted. So, thanks to technology, my trusty mentor and I were back to square one with little more than 48 hours left in this weeks challenge.

I must admit that I am a little behind the curve when it comes to technology, but I say this with the most heartfelt gratitude. My mentor's experience saved my butt, and I know have an electronic listing presentation (again) that I am happy to put my name on. I hope the other M2T teams had a smoother road this week. I can't wait to see what they have in store for us this week!

Introducing Team Brio!

2008-05-20T11:40:53Z

Before even beginning the challenge of building our business through the Makeover2Takeover Competition we were challenged to build our teams. I am fortunate enough to have Jessica Horton as my mentor. Jessica and I sat down to discuss our team name and we came up with a number of creative ideas. Some good, some bad and some that would have generated a lot of questionable comments on Active Rain (my goofy sense of humor). After it all we have made our decision...

Introducing TEAM BRIO!

While this happens to be the name of our real estate company, we also thought the name was fitting because of the meaning, and the challenge we have undertaken.

Definitions:

"Brio - quality of being active or spirited or alive and vigorous"

Synonyms:

"A lively, emphatic, eager quality or manner: animation, bounce, dash, élan, esprit, life, liveliness, pertness, sparkle, spirit, verve, vigor, vim, vivaciousness, vivacity, zip. Informal ginger, pep, peppiness. Slang oomph. "

(My favorite is oomph!)

The goal of the competition is to breathe new life into our careers as Realtors(r), to be active and spirited. So Jessica and I are here and we brought our sparkle, vigor, zip, pep and oomph along for the ride. Thanks to Active Rain and the other participants in makeover2takeover for providing this opportunity!

Help! I need a website!

2008-05-16T11:02:16Z

With one tranaction under my belt and one current listing, I'm well on my way to being a real live agent! Now I need a website. I've purchased my domain names at godaddy.com and have looked at different companies offering web design and hosting from $25-85 a month. I want my site to allow clients to search the mls, and ask them to register so I can capture leads. Active Rainers I am leaning on your expertise. Can someone direct me toward a relatively affordable web design and hosting company to build this newbie's website?

Charming North Seattle home on .33 acres!

2008-05-13T18:44:37Z

Ann Casey | Brio Realty | (425)368-8855

12729 17th ave NE, Seattle, WA

Make this park-like 1/3 acre your new home! Close-in Pinehurst neighborhood. Existing home features a wood-burning fireplace, new double-paned windows

2BR/1BA Single Family House

offered at $349,950

Year Built	1948
Sq Footage	820
Bedrooms	2
Bathrooms	1 full, 0 partial
Floors	Unspecified
Parking	1 Car garage
Lot Size	13,303 sqft
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

Fireplace	Living room	Dishwasher
Refrigerator	Stove/Oven	Basement
Laundry area - inside	Balcony, Deck, or Patio	Yard

COMMUNITY FEATURES

Garage parking	Guest parking	Laundry on-site
Storage space(s)

OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES

Double-paned windows, new plumbing.

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Seller contact info:

Ann Casey

Brio Realty

(425)368-8855

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Apr 25, 2008, 7:50am PDT

Active Marketing: Combining Passions

2008-05-13T13:17:51Z

As we all know, the life of a real estate agent can be stressful and include long hours. It is important to maintain a balance in our lives to keep us at our best. For my health, and for my sanity, I devote time each week toward maintaining my fitness goals, but I realized I could probably find a way to tie my passions together. I just found the group "Active Rain Fit Club" and liked the idea of combining these aspects of our lives. Fitness and Real Estate.

My current activities include horseback riding, hot yoga, running and the occasional bike ride, or racquetball game. I currently post my real estate postcards at my gym and the barns where I ride, but it occurs to me that there could be more I could do. I could start a networking fitness group, market through local running, riding or yoga organizations. With the time that I spend on these activities competing with the time I spend on my real estate career I am looking for a way to allow my passions to compliment each other.

If you have any great sports or fitness related marketing ideas, please leave me a comment and I will update this blog with your suggestions.

MakeovertoTakeover: Team Brio! Jessica Horton & Ann Casey

2008-05-08T16:24:22Z

Jessica Horton has agreed to be my mentor! I am a newbie in the real estate industry and am so excited to jump start my career in the right direction. MakeovertoTakeover is an awesome opportunity for me to grow my budding real estate career with the guidance and advice of our industry leaders. Whether mentor, apprentice, or spectator there is no way to lose when we are all focusing on improving our businesses. I have submitted our entry for the competition and can't wait to hear back!

Lessons learned by a RE Newbie

2008-05-08T16:05:35Z

Over my first couple of months in real estate I have learned volumes about marketing, about people, and about why I love this job. Here is a brief list of what I now know:

* You will never have as much time or money as you have marketing ideas in real estate. (Postcards, Farming, Networking, Trulia, Blogging, Buying leads, REOs, websites, expired listings, FSBOs, relocations, Foreclosures, one and on and on...)

* Ongoing contact with your database is priceless. (I just got a listing because the client felt her previous agent was not as driven as I am because I send her a lot of emails).

* If you ask everyone for what you want, you will be amazed at how many people are willing to give it to you. Referrals, training, listings. My faith in the kindness of others is constantly renewed in this career.

* Sellers sell to people, not contracts. Presenting offers in person is a dying art, but even a cover letter can make all the difference in the world when you are in a multiple offer situation.

* Good things come in small sales. My first-time home buyers who are very emotionally invested in their purchase are likely to be life-long customers and friends. These are often the most rewarding transactions.

* If someone calls to ask if you are accepting buyers and seller they are trying to sell you leads. (No offense to housevalues.com, realtytrac.com, getmyhomesvalue.com, and I'm really trying to sell you something.com, but I've only been in real estate for a couple of months and I can see they could all use a new sales-pitch).

* Real Estate is the most rewarding and challenging career. Over the last couple of months I have helped a couple find their first home together just before their wedding. I have helped a client get out of an apartment where the mold problem was so bad it was giving her daughter seizures. I have helped a family relocate half-way across the country into a rental site-unseen until we find them a new home to purchase. I am helping a client locate a home at an air-park to accommodate a client's plane. I have shown million dollar homes, and REOs that should be condemned. Over the last couple of month I have learned about marketing, and transactions, and legal issues, mortgages, foreclosures, and escrow. I have learned about people and most importantly I have learned about myself.

The most important thing that I have learned is:

* I will always have more to learn about real estate.

Above and Beyond the Call of Duty service makes agents worth thier commission!

2008-04-23T18:27:28Z

Last weekend I was showing homes to one of my clients when we came to a house on our list that was having an open house. The owners were at the house making some repairs. My client is from Kentucky and the owner of the home is also from Kentucky, so they chatted for a while. The other agent and I listened and my client told the owner about her business of making chocolates, but she was really looking for a commercial kitchen that she might use.

The next morning I got a call from Philip Nice, the other agent. He has contacted the owner of a bakery across the street from the home and was calling to give me the owners name and number so that my client could talk to him about making her chocolates there! He has also contacted the city and had a name and number for me to contact about adding a commercial kitchen onto the home!

I was impressed with his thoughtful efforts for my client. My client was touched as well. While I don't yet know if his efforts will translate into an offer from my client I do know that this agent's willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty will lead him to success in the future.

Thank you Philip for reminding us all that we are in the business or serving our clients!

Relocating to Bothell, WA?

2008-04-15T00:11:01Z

Welcome Home to Bothell

Bothell is a wonderful community approximately 15 miles Northeast of Seattle. The city offers several major employers, a variety of housing options, plenty of outdoor activities and a "small-town feel".

Bothell Employers

The major employers in Bothell include AT&T Wireless, ATL Ultrasound, Washington Mutual, Brooks, Matsushita, Icos, Phillips, and The Seattle Times.

Bothell Homes

Whether you are looking for new homes, acreage, condos, or your first home Bothell has a large variety of housing options. If you would like to discuss the area and housing options, feel free to contact medirectly. The median home price for the area is $424,950. The median income is $62,500. The median home price is approximately $50,000 lower than in Seattle, and the median income is approximately $12,000 higher than in Seattle, making Bothell a great value for those relocating to the area. (statistic provided by Yahoo Real Estate).

Things to Do

Bothell is a great place to live if you enjoy outdoor activities. The city has 23 parks, nearby waterfront, golf courses, and walking trails.

If you enjoy shopping Bothell offers several options such as County Villagefor antiques and crafts, Mill Creek Town Center with several boutique stores and dining options, or nearby Alderwood Mall.

Bothell Education

Bothell is part of the award-winning Northshore School District. There is also a University of Washington Branch Campus and Cascadia Community College.

For community relocation information please contact me, Ann Casey. I've lived in Bothell for several years and am always happy to help.

Housing Assistance After Forclosure or Short-Sale

2008-04-09T20:22:15Z

I recently attended classes on short-sales and REOs at the Seattle-King County Association of Realtors and learned about some assistance programs I thought I'd pass along. After foreclosure many previous homeowners have 20 days to vacate the property. While some are offered a "cash for keys" program, they may not have enough money put aside for first and last months rent and deposit on a rental property. In this case, the former owner may find themselves with no place to go after closing.

There are several local assistance programs that will provide grants for first, last and deposit, or will assist with mortgage payments to give these home owners a chance to catch-up.

To access these programs please click here, enter their zip code, click on "basic needs", then on "housing/shelter". You will find several local agencies.

In King County, Solid-Ground is a great resource for mortgage assistance.

As short-sales and foreclosures are becoming more common it is important that we know how to guide people toward the assistance that they need. It's important to remember that sometimes we could all use a helping hand.

When personal details make the difference...

2008-04-08T20:50:29Z

While the days of presenting an offer in person have passed, we cannot discount the impact that personal details about our clients can have on a seller.

I am currently working on a transaction that had multiple offers. While talking to the listing agent I mentioned that my buyer really liked the landscaping and that she has always enjoyed gardening. The listing agent later called me to tell me that the seller takes a lot of pride in her yard, and knowing that my buyer would appreciate the property the way she did made a big difference.

My buyer is now on her way to owning the home that she loves, and the seller feels good knowing that the new owner appreciates her hard work and will enjoy the outdoor space the way she did.

This was a helpful reminder that while it is an "arm's length transaction" there are bodies attached to those arms. The buyers and sellers, are more than what we see on paper, and a cover letter about the client sometimes sells the deal.