What's your experience with eFax?

I quick question.  I need an eFax type service like yesterday!!!  Can you please give me any info you may have regarding these services.  Good experiences.  Bad experiences.  Cost? 

Any input would be GREATLY appreciated.

I'm busier than ever...hope same is going for all of you!  On the run but will check for responses as soon as I get a minute...which might be midnight at the rate things are going.

Thank you!!!!!!!!

How do you "use" Zillow?

I woke up at 6:00 a.m. this morning and embarked on a journey that I have been meaning to take for quite sometime.

I am attempting to document all of the instances where I represented the buyer or the seller in a real estate transaction.  Though I may never be able to remember and record all of them since June of 1990, I'm starting with sales in the Seattle Area, where I am now, since I arrived in early 2004.  In my first couple of transactions I represented the buyers in 2004, but I am starting with transactions where my partner Kim Harris and I, represented the sellers since opening our own office, Sound Realty, in late 2004.

Using my blog, I started document by writing a post on a flip project in Seattle.

Rather than upload the photos in my blog's files, which are already reaching monumental storage size levels, having blogged since 1/1/06 there, I started loading the photos on Zillow.  This way there is a photo of them home stored for posterity, as it appeared at time of sale in 2005, and I was also able to pull the photos via link directly from Zillow.  I'll do that again here to demonstrate.  Hmmm, on second thought, now that I have posted the photo directly from Zillow into my blog post on my blog, I can copy the properites of the photos as they now exist in my blog post on "Ardell's Seattle Real Estate Blog (the RealTown version).  It is how I am extracting the photos show below as I speak.

The interesting part of the story of these two homes is that they were purchased for $120,000 and $125,000, $245,000 on a combined basis, by the people we represented when they were subsequently sold.  Kim sold the house on the bottom to them (before we became partners in all things) back in 2004 and the owners knocked on the door of the house next door, shown on the top, and bought that one as well directly from the owner.  They then improved both properties and sold them for $299,998 and $309,000 or $$608,996.

Today, on Zillow, these properties are showing as being Zestimated at $500,500 for the house in the bottom photo.  When you click on the link of $515,500, you will likely get the Zestimate as it may appear on the date that YOU click on that link.  On the day I post the link, today, the Zestimate is $500,500, but this Zesitmate will continue to fluctuate and change as readers click on it, showing the rise and fall of the housing market over time.

It's quite odd that Zillow shows the first house at only $415,500 and the second house at $500,500, given they are not all that much different and sold for almost the same price back in 2005.  Maybe one of the second purchasers made significant improvements over and above the improvements made in the flip project from 2004 to 2005.  Maybe it's a mistake.  My guess is it is a mistake in the Zestimate, as the chart above shows that even Zillow thinks $500,500 is above fair market value, while the chart below for the other home shows it at market value.

Zillow has many useful and interesting uses.  While not necessarily always completely accurate, it's a very useful tool for me today in doucment the properties where I have represented buyers and sellers over the last few years.  I will continue today and over time to record these transactions for my own use.  That other people can see my "work history" is an added benefit of Transparent Real Estate Blogging.

I am recording this post as Beacon Hill.  The properties are on 29th Avenue S. in 98144 close to the border of Beacon Hill and Mt. Baker, and as I recall being in walking distance to the park in Mt. Baker.

Brad and Angelina's twins

The pic is from Kung Fu Panda at Cannes with Dustin Hoffman and Jack Black 

I rarely get involved in pop stories.  But I am just so happy for Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.

My take was that poor Brad Pitt wanted kids and his first wife wasn't very accommodating in that regard.  I mean really.  If Brad Pitt can't convince a woman to have his children, the rest of the guys in the world are sunk! 

I am just so happy for Brad.  Angelina too, but mostly for Brad.  I hope he lives to be old with a ton of children and grand children.  He deserves it.  Rarely do I keep people I don't know in my thoughts and prayers, but I really hope these two stay together and have a family forever.

No, it's not real estate.  But after 2 1/2 years of blogging about real estate...I think I'm entitled to an occasional "this is what I'm thinking about right now" post. 

I have to work 35% harder to get the same or lesser results

One thing I have noticed about the current state of the market is that I have to work 35% harder at just about everything. 

Why you ask?

Because there are 32% fewer buyers in the marketplace this year.  Volume of sales is down by 32%.  In fact I think I am having to work 66% harder.  There are 32% fewer bueyrs AND 32% more homes on market as well.

This means we may have to list 3 to sell 1, vs. listing 1 to sell 1 in the past few years.

Perhaps they will all sell eventually, but clearly not many are selling within 30 days.  I used to be able to count on most selling within 30 days, unless I was picking up an already on market listing.  As long as I was the first one out the gate, an offer within 30 days was a given.

No longer so...

If you are not working harder AND smarter BOTH in this market...you may not make it.

Photo Preview - Continued

In the post below I explained that I am posting these so that the owners can help in the selection of photos, before they are posted to the mls.

There will be other photos of other rooms, and we are saving the exterior photos in hopes that the sun is coming out tomorrow, as promised by my iPhone :)

If you would like to help us choose which photos to use, your input would be appreciated.

These two are my least favorite and will likely not use them.  I like all of the ones in the post below this one, but have to choose no more than 2 or 3 of each room as we can only have 15 shots and there will be many more.

Michelle's comment on the post below reminded me I didn't post the light on/light off shots of the dining area.  I like the longer shot that includes the archways in the distance.  This is a really cool house.  Rarely to we find a really cool house that is also updated.

Photo Preview

I am finding that the owners of homes like to participate in the photo taking and selection process BEFORE the photos appear in the mls.  We are hoping for a sunny day tomorrow, but I did some staging and photo taking today, as did the owner.

I am posting my favorites here for the owners to see.  It's easier than emailing all of them.  Easier for me, and easier for them to view.  I've never tried this before, and I would put them up on Zillow, but there's a $5,000 fine for pre-advertising a listing.  Zillow would require me to post the price and address.  So I'm trying out using Active Rain as a photo preview place for my clients.

I'm going to have to make a second post out of this for the additional photos.

If you have any suggestions or would like to help us choose from the photos below, feel free to comment.

Should you buy a "townhome" or a single family home?

Below are some photos of a townhome for sale in Rivertrail, Redmond WA 

For many, choosing townhome over single family home offers many advantages.  The interior finishes are generally much newer and upscale than one could possible get at the same price and location in a single family home.  The asking price of this townhome is $464,500.  A single family home at the same price would likely be an older rambler from the 60s of 1,300 square feet or so.

This townhome is 1,544 square feet with a two car garage and gated patio area.

Not all townhomes are created equal.  This one has new bamboo hardwood floors on the main level.  another added feature not often found in townhomes at this price is the crown molding up at the top of the wall at the ceiling, upgraded baseboards, and a built in window seat for extra storage.

Freshly painted in currently popular colors is an added plus, when considering one townhome over another.

The Kitchen is at least as large, if not larger, than many single family homes that cost $200,000 more in lesser locations.

Five rooms on the main level include a living room with gas fireplace, a 1/2 bath off the slate entryway, a formal dining room, family room and kitchen.  The family room shown above can also be used for expanded kitchen eating area.  This owner uses it as a playroom for her two small children.

Vaulted ceilings in the master bedroom and a five piece master bath with double sinks, a soaking tub and a pocket door to the toilet and stall shower area.  Clearly these amenities do not come in a single family home at this price. 

The gated patio is perfect for small children at play or pets.  There are few, if any, restrictions regarding pets at Rivertrail.  Basically they are the same as City of Redmond restrictions regarding dogs on leash, etc.

An attached two car garage with alley access. 

Rivetrail in Redmond backs up to the Burke-Gilman Trail and is in walking distance to Bella Botega.  Of course it's proximity to Microsoft and Downtown Redmond and Redmond Towne Center make it a just about perfect place to live.

Townhome Living can give you much more than a single family home and at a more affordable price.

Using Feedback to Position Your Home To Sell

When is your home "positioned to sell"

1) Priced Well

2) Looks Good (both in person AND on the internet)

3) You have left some flexibility to negotiate both price and home inspection

Just because a home isn't sold, doesn't mean it isn't positioned to sell.  This time of year it is not uncommon for buyers to pick the best on market, and then go home and buy none.  Even though there is technically a lot of inventory, we all know that more and maybe better homes will come on market in the next 30 to 45 days, and so do the buyers. 

When I call an agent for feedback, I try to determine if your home was "best on market" in the eyes of the buyer client, whether they bought something or not.

I like to think of this time of year as being like a pick-up bar at 9:30 p.m.  A beautiful woman walks in.  Every guy in the joint is drooling over her.  But no one makes a move until 10:30, just in case an even MORE beautiful woman happens in.  It's still early.  Why tie yourself down to this one?

I listed a home for sale on Friday and it had 13 showings by Wednesday.  Agents said their clients liked it best but bought nothing...yet.  Don't chip away at the price, if you are Best on Market and buyers are just not ready to pull the trigger.

Sometimes all you need in a slowing market...is a whole lot more patience.  If you are getting lots of showings, buyers like it best, and are prepared for a less than full price offer plus some repair requests, you are positioned to sell.  Sometimes we just have to wait for the other shoe to drop.

Going to be a Grandmother...again!

Just got the call!  My daughter Jacquie (above at the 7 Eleven at Denny and 5th) and Peter are going to have a baby!  AND...she's on her way back to Seattle to live here.  The move back here was already in play...so this is added good news!

Jacquie is my middle child.  My eldest daughter has a 3 year old daughter.  My three girls are two years apart at 20, 22 and 24.

Now I have to call my Mom and my sister.

How I "USE" ActiveRain To Find An Agent

I'm looking for an agent, not a house...

I want to know what makes you tick.

I want to know if you treat your spouse well.

I want to know if you are kind to animals and children.

I want to know if you have a good value system.

I want to know if you speak with high regard for your clients.

I want to know if you handle situations well and professionally when they go south on you.

I want to know if you can form a complete sentence intelligently.

I want to know if you know your stuff!

I want to know if you have a chip on your shoulder.

I want to know if you understand that "selling" today is "soft-sell" AND DOES NOT HAVE A COMMERICAL AT THE END OF EVERY SINGLE BLOG POST!

I want to know if I CAN PUT MY REPUTATION ON THE LINE, by recommending you.

IF I WANTED TO SEE PROPERTY I WOULD DO A PROPERTY SEARCH, NOT GO TO A BLOG!

Tell me a story, tell me a joke, REVEAL WHO YOU ARE, so I can choose you...or choose you not based on your writings.

THAT is Blogging...and how it works.