Are Interest Rates Affecting Buyer Decisions? - 07/24/07 10:07 AM
I have had one case where a buyer decided not to buy because interest rates have risen.
Seems more would be inclined to buy if rates were at 6% vs. 6.5%.
My client was making an investment pruchase, and he had just bought an investment property and likely should be waiting a bit between purchases.  Still, had the rate been 6% vs. 6.65%, he likely would have bought it.  Had the seller not countered a smidge, he likely would have proceeded.
I'm seeing just enough hesitancy due to interest rates, that sellers need to be a little more hesitant to go for that extra … (24 comments)

Getting a house ready for market QUICK and EASY - 07/14/07 11:21 AM
I have to get a house ready for market today.  I just saw it for the first time last night and we need it all ready by tonight for an Open House tomorrow.
It's a great house on a great lot that was built in the late 70s.  So here's what I need and QUICK!
1) New handles for the cabinets
There are almost FIFTY of them screaming 70s.  Cabinets are good quality.  Changing out knobs and handles will do a lot because there are SO many of them staring you in the face.  Brushed nickel is going OUT people.  Also Brushed nickel doesn't … (8 comments)

Things Sellers Say That Make us Work Less Instead of More - 07/14/07 11:04 AM
I've been wanting to write a post about all the things sellers say that "Take the Wind Our of Our Sales/Sails". 
You know.  The things they say that make you look at them like they just took out a gun and shot themselves in the foot.
1) If it doesn't sell at this price, I'll just rent it out.
Later when they do reduce the price and do sell it, and not rent it, you just want to scream!  How can we help people achieve their true objective, if they lie to us like that?
2) I don't want to GIVE it away!
Not the correct answer to … (33 comments)

How Long Is A Home Inspection in Your Area? - 07/12/07 10:29 AM
How much time to you tell your buyer clients and seller clients to allow for the home inspection?  Seems to me they are getting longer and longer.
Even small relatively simple homes seem to take three hours, and we had one the other day that lasted from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.  It was a very large older home in Seattle, built in the 1920's, as many are here.
Over the last 17 years, it seems home inspections have gone for an hour to an hour and a half, to double or triple that time as the norm.
I was curious if that is … (54 comments)

What Makes A Good Agent? The Artform of Home Valuation - 07/10/07 01:02 PM
There are many, many aspects to being a Real Estate Agent, and we wear many hats from start to end of a Real Estate Transaction.
But in the past five years I have noticed a trend of agents who get into the business because it is lucrative, and shy away from listing property.  All they want to do is find someone who wants to buy a house and then walk around opening doors like it's "The Price ir Right".  They think all they have to do is wait for the buyer to say "I want THIS one" and write it up" and toss … (41 comments)

Last Call for Questions - Project Blogger - 07/09/07 12:31 AM
We are officially in the Final Week of Project Blogger by 26 minutes and counting down!
If any of the apprentices have any remaining questions about your blogs or blogging, the clock is ticking.
Now would be a good time to raise any last questions you may have. 
Look over your blogs and the blogs of the other Apprentices.  It's kind of "speak now or forever hold your peace" time.  I for one am looking forward to using my Active Rain Blog differently, and more in consumer mode, once the project ends.
So don't miss Last Call...the lights are flickering all this week until Sunday … (17 comments)

Can I have a separate Toastmasters International blog on Active Rain? - 07/07/07 10:46 AM
We just had elections at my Redmond WA Toastmasters International Club which meets in Bellevue WA.  Our group is called Speechcrafters.
I am the Vice President of Membership for the next six months, having been the Vice President of Education the last six and V.P. of Membership for 12 non consecutive months or more prior.
Handing people pieces of paper trying to explain what a Toastmasters International membership and meeting is about, is so tiresome and out of date.  I'd prefer to have a blog that highlights the events of each meeting and discusses the flow of coming as a guest to joining … (20 comments)

Making Graphs the Easy Way like Child's Play - 07/06/07 09:51 PM
I don't know about you, but I'm a whole lot better at real estate than I am at Excel Spreadsheets and making fancy graphs.
Still, a picture speaks 1,000 words and graphs like this one are a snap to do.
Just Google "Create A Graph" and it will take you HERE.
I could have just given you the link, but this way all you have to remember if you need to make a graph weeks from now is to Google "Create A Graph".  Pretty simple...no?  (We all stole that no? thing from Kevin Tomlinson.)
The rest is Child's Play.  In fact the site is meant … (59 comments)

2007 King County WA Home Sales - 07/06/07 09:44 PM

King County Home sales - $400,000 to $600,000 - First half of 2007
Kirkland, Bellevue and Redmond home sales - $400,000 to $600,000 - First half of 2007
Kirkland, Bellevue and Redmond home sales - $200,000 to 400,000 - May 2007 and June 2007 as compared to currently for sale and currently in escrow.
There are several sub-segment graphs if you stay Ardell's Seattle Area Real Estate Blog after following the second two links.  Also some commentary.  The only surprise is in the $200,000 to $400,000 category with June sales down much lower than May.  Could be a sign of first time buyers shying away … (0 comments)

When blogging equals "just smile for the camera" - 07/02/07 01:20 PM

My daughter Andrea finally got her braces off and her Dad just popped out this photo of her smile with no "preparation" time.  My beautiful daughter with no makeup or prep just showing her fresh face to the world. 
It might seem odd that for many of us Bloggers, this is a frightening proposition.  We are so used to "hiding behind" our professional photos, that while we are not worried about meeting clients, we are worried about the "Blogosphere" popping cameras in our faces with no prep time.
Jeff Turner and most of the BlogBoys don't seem to be at all worried about this.  I mean who has … (30 comments)

 
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ARDELL DellaLoggia

Kirkland, WA

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Sound Realty

Address: Kirkland, WA, 98033

Office Phone: (206) 910-1000

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