Irina's Blog

We sold our house!

Irina Fernandez (John L Scott) — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 18:43:52 -0500

We sold our house yesterday. What sold our house in this slow market? ME. Just kidding.

Paintings, updates and attention to every detail. We kept our house staged and extremelyclean from the very first day on the market. We put new furnace in, new tankless water heater, good appliances. We spend 25,000 on landscaping last spring. Well, we didn't know that we are going to get a job transfer. Sound view and some fantastic wall finishes completed the package.

And how important the photos of the listing? Our buyer is actually in New Orleans right now, her children came to see the house and loved it. But their mum said, yeas, let's buy it, after looking through photos of the house I took on Internet. How amazing is that?

Than we got a call from a different agent that was quite upset because his buyers were ready to put an offer on our house too. So, if you really like the house - do not wait, make an offer or you can loose it.

So, for me, my Real Estate career is almost over. It was an interesting experience even in a very slow market. Also, I got a second job - real estate photography, that I am enjoyng and exploring every day. I hope to continue working as a photographer in London. Thank you everyone who was reading my real estate blogs. I am going to post only Photo related blogs in the next couple of months.

Timing is everything! Nice slide show.

Irina Fernandez (John L Scott) — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 23:02:18 -0500

We have been on the market 40 days! Everyone who came to see this home loved it, but no buyers yet. We also drooped the price from $379,000 to $374,990. It did not change much, so I believe that price is not as important as timing now. We had people begging us to rent it to them, because they can not get mortgages.

Well, we have three months more before we will have to pay for two places. I created this slide how, to be able to send all photos we have to people interested in the house.

http ://www.slide.com/r/7ubF2J2U5D_YgXOIZwDYDbj-Pl6uRgpj

I really like this web-site.

Helping others.

Irina Fernandez (John L Scott) — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 16:37:27 -0500

American people are incredibly kind. They do help others all the time. I collected many art supplies and toys in my neighborhood and sent it to an orphanages back to my motherland - Belarus. I find so much support here. On the other hand, in Belarus, it is hard to find anyone who is willing for free to deliver this boxes from one city to another one. People in the third world countries just do not understand a principle of charity. They used to have problems, they used to have no help, and they no more want to help others.

I would say even more - if my parents will try to give something to the orphanage in their own town, they will get no thank you. People will look at them as they have too much and trying to show off. It makes me so sad. That's why sometimes I feel that America should help themselves first, before they try to change the rest of the world.

I just competed a new mural - oil painting. It was sold as a commission work at Charity action. I just wanted to share this image with you, because it is a nice reminder about childhood.

Selling my own home. Day #5 on the market.

Irina Fernandez (John L Scott) — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 22:01:22 -0500

Five days past since the house came on the market. I had open houses on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday in my opinion was a little bit better. I realizes that I need 7 open house signs to get people from main roads to come here. My home is located on a very quite street. I have only 3 signs.

I made sure that every inch of the home is clean, and perfect. People were incredibly nice. They loved it from the very first sight. When I told them that I am not only a Realtor, but an owner of this home too, each one of them were more open and excited. Isn't interesting? People were commenting on everything and asked tons of questions, They were not shy at all. So, I remember someone advised me to ask other agents to hold an open houses for me, because it is my own house and people will not be comfortable. Well, they were!

It was so much better than just being a listing agent. I got lots of compliments on wall finishes and murals. Even our new, nice kitchen was in the shadow of the main mural. I had four groups of serious buyers and four groups of neighbors. All my neighbors took flyers and convinced me that they will tell everyone they know about this home.

I will keep writing an updates on how things going here, on Osprey DR, in Tacoma, WA.

And there is a new flyer. If you have seen previous posts, you will notice the difference.

I am selling my own home. Any recomendations?

Irina Fernandez (John L Scott) — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 17:36:22 -0500

I am selling my own home. Sign was installed today, flyers were printed today. I still need to order postcards. I am trying to put info about this home everywhere on Internet. Any good sites you know about? It is a really lovely home and it priced right, because we are moving out of the country and would be nice to sell it. If you know anyone who is looking for a lovely home with a Sound and mountains view, big organic garden and a lot of artistic touches, please send them this page. It is an energy star home with low enery bills.

What do you use to createa listing flyers? Do you remember the best flyer you have ever seen? What was so special about it? I created a flyer for my new listing this morning by using Photoshop. It is not the most efficient way to do it, because there not templates. So everything you do is kind of against the program. You can see my flyer in my blogs.

The truth about Venetian Plaster.

Irina Fernandez (John L Scott) — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 02:28:59 -0500

I had to write about it, because it made my Saturday absolutely miserable.

I love Venetian Plaster. I have done my bedroom and master bath in gorgeous marble like Venetian Plaster I have bought in Home Depot.

I had an absolutely terrible experience with Signature Venetian Plaster from Lowes today. I am an experienced painter and I used different types of plaster before. I just recently finished plastering my bedroom with Venetian Plaster from Home Depot and it was so much easer. I had no idea that Lowe's plaster is different. First of all, it is too liquid, almost like a thick paint, so it is an impossible to handle it with anything but brush. Well, there no brush involved in plastering. Second, it dries as quickly as nail polish, so if you go back where you were 1 minute ago, you destroy everything. Third, if you walls not completely smooth, you will need at list 3 layers. I managed to do two, but than had to add some more in some places.

But the most important, which makes me really unhappy - it takes twice as much time as Home Depot's plaster and you need twice as much material!!!!!

I did read INSTRUCTIONS on the can. It says "one gallon will cover 150-190 sq.ft per coat". So, I did some math. And approximately for two coats average coverage is 87sq.ft. I used the whole gallon and I covered (with two coats) only 62 sq.ft. That is mean that for the promised cost of 37 cents per sq.ft ( $32.57/87), I realistically got $52 cents per sq.ft.

It is 11:30 p.m. and I am very disappointed to be left with unfinished project. To cover $62 sq.ft I spent 8 hours. Also, I will have to go to the store and buy the second gallon and spend my Sunday finishing up this small bathroom project!

Please, test your product before putting it on the shelves!!!!! It is really needs to be more thick! Also, the color of "Pelle" was moredark and green than sample shows.

The funny part - after I went to Lowe's website and left my comment about this, I can not open their site on my computer anymore. It says that they perform maintenance. I hope it is not only because of me...

By the way, the result is stunning, so at the end of the day, I will love it.

An amazing home.

Irina Fernandez (John L Scott) — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 00:45:24 -0500

Because of my Photography blogs, I started getting more Photo jobs. I really enjoy tacking photos for others agents listings. The last week I got a call from a top producer in our town and he ask me to take photos of this an absolutely beautiful home. It is located in Old Town of Tacoma. Homes like this one you can see on the pages of magazines.

So, I was thinking about all this homes that were published. Did you ever sold a home that was published in magazine before & how did you use it in your marketing?

I asked the listings agent permission to write about it and post some photos.

The MLS #28105938.

Showcasing the window view.

Irina Fernandez (John L Scott) — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 16:38:15 -0500

If you need to capture a room with a big windows, try to do it when the sun is on the other side of the house. Use flash and if the window is not the only light subject in the photos, you should be just fine. Try to line up the window frame and a horizontal line of the landscape behind the window, but in the same time use angles inside of the room. By capturing the image from the far away corner will allow you not to have a flash reflection on the window. Later on adjust light for the window and room separately.

Good luck!

If you can do anything you want, what would it be?

Irina Fernandez (John L Scott) — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 22:42:53 -0500

I have talents but I do not use them properly. I was a good dancer; I never took classes or did anything about it. I did sing, my school used me in their concerts all the time, but since then I never did sing again. I take good photos, and I started making some money by taking photos for other agent's listings. But I never took classes and still do not have a professional camera. I live in America and I speak English somehow, but I still make thousands of mistakes. So, is it good to know how to do everything but not good enough? Or is it better to do one thing but perfectly?

I am a painter. I think it was my destiny to be an artist. I loved to paint since I was 4. But I was going to special math school and then to Economy University in Minsk, Belarus.

Now, I am 26 years old. I live in North West and I am a realtor. I love my job, but every day I feel that something is missing. I miss painting.

I feel that I need to develop my skills, learn arts and paint a lot. And try to put my soul on the canvas. I want to learn one thing to the end of it, so I will be able to say that I am a professional artist. I will be able to discover something new and exiting and share it with people.

It is not too late, is it?

Below is the mural 14 by 8 feet, that I've paiting with oils in my home office.

Then a still life on the kitchen hutch cabinet I have painted a year ago and the "French village" - was my second oil painting and one of my

Museum of Glass. Tacoma, WA.

Irina Fernandez (John L Scott) — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 16:49:45 -0500

Museum of Glass.

Tacoma Museum of glass in the one place you can not miss when you see the city for the first time. It is the most unusually shaped building in the downtown. I lived in Tacoma almost three years and I have been in museum three times. The last time I visited it I was completely amazed by spiritual creative energy and the fact that the best glass artist in Italy came to Tacoma to teach his techniques.. I spent three hours inside and I didn't want to leave. The new inhibition is full of the best glass vases in the world; it is so beautiful and inspiring! If you go there, my advise to start with a theater room. It shows a short movie about an artist - Limo Tagliapietra , who is the world's greatest living glassblower artist and who's works are shown in the galleries of the museum.

Read about an artist here:

http://www.museumofglass.org/exhibitions/lino/

McCrath's Fish House Restaurant in Federal way. Good seafood.

Irina Fernandez (John L Scott) — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 16:29:02 -0500

McCrath's Fish House Restaurant in Federal way.

If you live in Federal Way or NE Tacoma, you probably happily noticed how much the Common's mall area changed in the last year. The whole parking lot in front of the mall has been transformed in to a restaurant snova land. We have some nice places to go to eat now. And it is so popular that you can not find parking. The last two times I came to there to have a lunch with my friend, I had to drive 5 circles around parking lot before I finally parked.

McCrath's Fish House is one of the three franchise restaurants open in Washington State. They promise the freshest fish and a great service. I like their interior atmosphere. It has a New England Old charm with North West photography everywhere you look at.

The food is good. Lunch is quite affordable and you have a lot to chouse from. Their tuna is always good, fresh and done just right enough. The fresh bread is a treat too.

Dinners are a little bit pricy, but you defiantly will have a fresh and good food. I really like their rice, chouse it instead of potatoes.

Have a great food and enjoy your time!

Asado. Argentinean restaurant in Tacoma, WA. Great steak.

Irina Fernandez (John L Scott) — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 16:19:28 -0500

Asado is the best restaurant in Tacoma, in my point of the view. It is an Argentinean steak house that offers top quality gourmet food.

If we have family or friends visiting us from another states or a country, we go to Asado. It is a little bit noisy, crowded and expensive, BUT the food is amazing. And it smells so good even on the parking lot that you just can't walk by it without dreaming to try their Iron steak. again.

Expect to spend $50-75 per person for a three course meal with wine. Their cocktails are as great as their wine collection. They have yummy fish dishes, but you have to try their famous steak. Desserts are as good as everything else. Crème Brule is one of the best I have ever eaten, thick and consistent.

You need to make reservations if you are going to Asado on weekend night.It is very popular and you might end up in the bar if you will just walk in. Bonn appetite! http://www.asadotacoma.com/

Tulip valley in Washington State.

Irina Fernandez (John L Scott) — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 12:31:35 -0500

If you live in Seattle area or you are visiting Washington state in April- May, consider going to the Tulip valley. It is an amazing experience and an opportunity to take some great photos. Every year the blooming time changes according to the weather. Some years fields were blooming in the last two weeks of April. This year they were blooming until middle of May.

It takes 1 hour and 20 minutes from Seattle by I-5 North. In the valley you will see a lot of small signs pointing to the tulip fields. Also there some farms that do flower shows and you have to buy a ticket to get inside. Do it, you will not regret it. They offer an amazing variety of tulips from around the world and you will take some impressive photos.

All you need to know about Real Estate in NE Tacoma. Spring 2008.

Irina Fernandez (John L Scott) — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 01:53:25 -0500

North East Tacoma, WA 98422. Browns Point and Dash Point.

May 2008.

We have 227 homes for sale. During this month 7 sales were pending, 13 homes were sold.

At the end of May, we had 17.5 months of inventory.

The amount of days that now takes to sell home in NE Tacoma decreased from 91 to 78.

The average price per square foot went down from $182 to $153.

The average price of sold home in NE Tacoma is $360,000.

The average price of active listing is $501,000.

Buyers where are you? It is an amazing time to buy. Prices never been so low in Browns Point and Dash Point! Our average price per sq.ft is $154. The last time we had this price it was July 2005. You can find great homes with view, large lots and lots of space and quality. If you need an agent to answer your questions, give me a call. I can show you any home for sale and help you with any real estate needs.

North East Tacoma, WA 98422. Browns Point and Dash Point.

April 2008.

In February 2008 the Real Estate market in NE Tacoma started with 204 homes for sale. During this month 23 sales were pending, 19 homes were sold, 11 listings were cancelled and 9 expired.

At the end of April, we had 10.7 months of inventory.

The amount of days that now takes to sell home in NE Tacoma decreased from 125 to 91.

The average price per square foot went down from $211 to $182.

The average price of sold home in NE Tacoma is $363,000.

The average price of active listing is $509,000.

The market is great! Prices finally started to go down, buyers finally started buying.

If the situation will continue going in this directions, we will have a healthy and balanced real estate market.

March 2008.

In February 2008 the Real Estate market in NE Tacoma started with 201 homes for sale. During this month 9 homes were sold, 16 listings were cancelled and 10 expired. At the end of March, we had 22 months of inventory. The amount of days that now takes to sell home in NE Tacoma increased from 60 to 116. The average price per square foot went up from $165 to $203, which has absolutely no sense in this market. The average price of sold home in NE Tacoma is $423,000. The average price of active listing is $505,000.

We have a strong buyers market. You still can sell you home fast, if you price it right and make sure it looks good in comparison to the comparable homes for sale.

Photos that capture buyers and agents attention.

Irina Fernandez (John L Scott) — Thu, 29 May 2008 19:42:26 -0500

I was hired to take photos of is home. It is listing by a great agent from our office. She took some photos 2 months ago and they not interest buyers I guess. So, home didn't get an attention it deserves.

I am sharing with you photos of the same house taken by a listing agent and me, two months later.

I also wanted to ask your opinion on the following mater.

Some photos that look very bright usually capture your attention and you click on the listing just to see. Pictures look quite unnatural, but very interesting. Do you think, it is a good idea to use this technique for brining more attention to the listing? Or better to stay with photos that look quite close to the originals?

Lakewood, WA.

http://www.johnlscott.com/36197

This home offered at $649,950. It has 2,482 Square Feet, 3 bedrooms and 2.25baths.

My photos:

An environmental secret of Tacoma.

Irina Fernandez (John L Scott) — Thu, 29 May 2008 18:51:41 -0500

No, I will not tell you why it is so stinky when you drive around the port area...just a couple advises on the other matter.

Do you need to dispose of large household items that won't fit in your garbage container? Consider using Call-2-Haul. Available by appointment twice a year. It is a free picks up service provided by City of Tacoma. Call (253) 573-2468 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

http://www.cityoftacoma.org/Page.aspx?hid=1227

If you have an old refrigerator. You can get rid of it for free and get a $30 rebate Schedule a free pick up: Phone: 1-877-577-0510 Jaco Environmental Inc. will mail you a rebate check 4-6 weeks after the pick up of your unit. Why recycle your old fridge or freezer? It uses 4 times the energy of newer models (about $200 a year) What happens after you pick it up? 95% of the parts are recycled in Everett , WA

http://www.tacomapower.com/ResidentialServices/refrigerator_rebate.htm

If you are thinking about buying new washer, consider checking information about $100 rebate programm:

http://www.washwiserebate.com/

Tacoma Public Power web-site is one of my favorites. It has a lot of information about energy efficient products and rebates:

http://www.tacomapower.com/default.htm

Did you know, that if you use energy-efficient products in your home or drive fuel-efficient vehicles you can get TAX CREDITS? So, you lower home energy bills, increased indoor comfort, and reduced air pollution. And in addition to that you are eligible for the new federal tax credits.

The tax credits took effect in January 2006, and most will only be available in 2008 if Congress extends them.

http://www.ase.org/content/article/detail/2654

What is the best breed of cat?

Irina Fernandez (John L Scott) — Tue, 20 May 2008 21:51:26 -0500

I always loved cats; I had my own had when I was 8 years old. I did bring it home from my friend's house. It was 4 weeks old tabby. He was my friend, he even eat pickles if I wanted him too. We called him Kis-kis. Then I had Nika, who was female and she was the biggest thief in the world. If anything was left on countertops Nika will get it, try it and leave it on the floor. Terrible character! But she gave us the most beautiful kittens in the whole town and our friends were quite appreciative.

In my American life, one evening, I was walking by Pets Smart store and decided to walk in. Well, in the same evening we had two 3 months old Maine coons running around our bedroom. We adopted two brothers, silver color Maine coons. They totally didn't pay attention to me or my husband for two days. They had tons of energy and played with each other all the time. Than, on the third day, one of them came to me and started giving all the love that one cat can possibly hold inside of him. They had a break down and became our treasures. We named them - Lolek and Pashka.

They are indoor cats, they love to play. They fetch anything that you throw, they love to eat salad leafs, they never had disagreement and they love to wash each other.

When people come to our home, they come to sniff them and stay around people like dogs. Pashka is a great hunter; no bug can survive in our house for more than 5 minutes.

From Wikipedia:

The Maine Coon is one of the largest breeds of domestic cat, known for its high intelligence and playfulness as well as its distinctive physical appearance. The breed is one of the oldest natural breeds in North America specifically native to the state of Maine

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maine_Coon

Listing photos taken by two different people. What is the difference?

Irina Fernandez (John L Scott) — Sat, 10 May 2008 23:27:34 -0500

Since the last photo related blog was so popular, I decided to share some more stories about real estate photography. Last week I showed a very nice home, which is listed by the owner on MLS for owner, to my buyer. A day before the actual showing, I went to preview the property myself. The owner did a great job with the marketing materials. She put together a home book with utilities bills, information about an area, and all updates that have been done in the last 10 years. I gave her some advice on how to stage the place. The next day, my buyer really liked this home, but thought that it is a little bit overpriced. That evening I spoke to the owner and gave her some feedback. I also proposed to help them and take some good photos of their home. They really appreciated it. In addition to changing all photos on MLS they also dropped the price by $15,000.

That's why I can show you an example of photos taken by a regular camera, with no staging and no editing in Photoshop - next to photos that have been taken by me on a good, but not an expensive camera.

Photos of Tacoma and Browns Point, Washington State by Irina Fernandez.

Irina Fernandez (John L Scott) — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:16:49 -0500

Browns Point is a small part of Tacoma, witch located across the water from the city. If you look at Browns Point from the Old Town, you will think that it is a peace of Italy. Most of the homes have a great view of the Puget Sound, Tacoma or Port Lights. Browns Point has great schools and a general feeling of safe and good neighborhood. It is 30 minutes away from the airport and 45 minutes away from Seattle. The closest grocery shop is 5 minutes away. You also have a great selection of restaurants in Federal way new mall area. The average price of sold home in Browns Point is $423,000.

Organic garden. Plant what you can eat.

Irina Fernandez (John L Scott) — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:34:11 -0500

If you are ready to plant a garden and you are not sure what to plant, than this story is for you. I just completed a huge landscaping project in my back and front yards. I have almost half of acre covered with good, new top soil mixed with TAGRO. It is a blank canvas, perfect place for a gardener. I am trying to create an European garden, full of flowers, herbs, fruits and vegetables. In the USA we all creat our gardens from the stand point of reseling our homes. So, we plant some shrubs, put lots of mulch around, spray grass with chemicals that kill weeds, and than we go to the grocery stores to buy strawberries that do not smell or taste like strawberries. WHY? You bought a home with land, so use it and enjoy doing gardening together with your children.

If you would travel in Europe, you will see that most of the family homes have fruit trees and a vegatable garden area. I think America needs start growing more food in your own back yards. The "green" topic is so popular those days. Well, by growing and eating your own vegatables and fruits your family will help enviroment and cure your health.

This year, I started a new habit in our family. We use a food processor for all kitchens vegetable and fruit leftovers. I also put there used tea and coffee. After I blend all of this, I put it under trees and shrubs in the garden. It is a great fertilizer.

So, please, go and plant some strawberries, raspberries, cherry trees, currant bushes, tomatoes, dill and mint - you will be happy that you did.

I heart a lot of good about Watson's Greenhouses in Puyallup:

http://www.watsonsgreenhouse.com/

A great web-site for chousing a native plants for North-West:

http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/pi/go-native/PhotoBrowse.aspx

Tacoma Gardeners Website:

http://www.tacomagardens.com/

I also found there an information about a meeting at the book store:

" Why Eat Local?" at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 17, at King's Books, 218 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma. Conversetion about how eating close to home can positively affect the health of your body, community, economy and the environment.

This topic touches on growing your own food, sustainable and organic gardening, community gardens, the importance of supporting local farms, the health and environmental impacts of increasing the local food in your diet, and so much more.

Have a great time planting and eating!

What is TAGRO? Premium soil products from the City of Tacoma.

Irina Fernandez (John L Scott) — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 15:45:49 -0500

It is the second year when I use TAGRO in my flower and vegetable garden. It is natural, everything grows incredibly well and it is really cheap. Last year I payed $24 for a small truck of this material. This year, we are changing the landscaping in our back yard, so we needed a lot of new soil. I ordered 10 cubic yards and paid $95 including delivery. You wil have to mix it with top soil, because it works as a soil conditioning.

www.tagro.com

253-502-2150.

TAGRO makes it easy to be green.

In the Northwest we enjoy an amazing environment: snow-capped mountain peaks, clear-flowing rivers, sky-piercing evergreens. And more people than ever are moving to the Northwest to enjoy this beauty.

More residents mean more homes, more industry-and more waste. We've learned to view the waste as a resource. TAGRO helps us take recycling to a new level as we reuse what goes down our drains-all to the benefit of your yard and garden-and your environment.

Here's how:

TAGRO's nutrients are released slowly. Plants use more of the nutrients and fewer are leached or run off into the environment.
Soil conditioned with TAGRO retains water better. The more water the soil retains, the less you have to pull out the hose or sprinkler. And that leaves more natural water flow in our rivers.
Plants and trees grow bigger and better in TAGRO. More vegetation means more shade and less soil erosion near creeks and rivers, making for healthy and clear water-for fish and people to enjoy.

The City of Tacoma recycles 4,000 dry tons of biosolids each year. That benefits our community in these ways:

Home gardens. Low-cost TAGRO Mix, TAGRO Potting Soil and TAGRO Mulch encourage home gardeners to return nutrients to the soil without polluting our waters with the harsh chemicals used in commercially-produced gardening products.
Community gardens.TAGRO Mix contributed to local "pea patch gardens" helps community groups grow food crops.
Food banks.The demonstration garden at our central wastewater treatment plant shows how TAGRO products can nourish award-winning vegetables, but last year alone it also produced more than 1,000 pounds of produce for local food banks.
Parks.TAGRO Mix spread on barren areas, such as a park on the Thea Foss Waterway and small community parks, beautifies public areas as well as supports oxygen-producing plants.
Education. Presentations to school classes, civic and community groups, business groups and garden clubs teach how each person contributes to the waste-and renewal-of our community and environment.
Ballfields, golf courses, public sites, forests and agricultural crops.TAGRO has proven to be a safe and effective option for non-residential sites that need large quantities of soil conditioners.

TAGRO is also proud to support the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department's EnviroStars program. The EnviroStars program certifies local businesses that manage hazardous waste effectively and is now certifying nurseries and landscapers. Learn more about the local EnviroStars program and check out how you can support businesses that are protecting our environment.

Are you registered with Upromise?

Irina Fernandez (John L Scott) — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 14:38:32 -0500

I hope you know what Upromise is and use it to shop on-line. But if you don't and you have children - please, take a look at their web-site. You will save money for your kid's collage by doing what regular shopping or on-line shopping. I get 7% back from snapfish, 1% back from ebay, 3% back from overstock and 6% back from vista print, where I order my business cards. It is not much, but you can invest it and in 15 years, you might have $5,000 extra for your kid's school.

www.upromise.com

How I did toy and art supplies drive in my neighborhood.

Irina Fernandez (John L Scott) — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 19:08:46 -0500

I printed 70 flyers and went for a walk in my farm area on Sunday morning. My intention was to speak to people, not just leave those flyers on their front doors. I visited 100-120 homes, but I left this flyer only at homes where people opened their door and talk to me. I was surprise to discover that 80% people in my farm area retired or going to retire in 5 years. So, two weeks later I got 6 bags and sent three boxes to the orphanage.

Thank you dear people in Harbor Ridge community at NE Tacoma!

I also want to say thank you to the General Federation of Women's Clubs Sokico, for organizing Bunco party to raise money for shipping. Thank you Ladies!

Bunco party with Sokico club members.

Coming home after picking up bags around the neighborhood on March 2nd, 2008.

The Real Estate market in NE Tacoma, WA. Winter 2008.

Irina Fernandez (John L Scott) — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 15:49:13 -0500

North East Tacoma, WA 98422. Browns Point and Dash Point.

February 2008.

In February 2008 the Real Estate market in NE Tacoma started with 173 homes for sale. During this month 18 homes were sold, 2 sales failed, 17 listings were cancelled, and 17 expired. So, at the end of the month, we had 149 homes for sale and the months of inventory went down by more that 3%. The amount of days that now takes to sell home in NE Tacoma decreased from 99 to 60, which was the result of new listings that were priced at accurate market values and have been sold fast. The average price per square foot went down dramatically, which helped to stimulate buyers' interest. The average price of sold homes keeps dropping in comparison with active listings. That is a great example of buyers market. The analysis of today's market shows that you still can sell you home fast, if you price it right and make sure it looks better than other comparably priced properties in your neighborhood.

Statistics for January 2008.

15 homes sold in the North East Tacoma in December 2008. - in 1/2007 - 21

Average active Price- $504,000 in 1/2007 - $596,000

Average Days on Market - 99 days in 1/2007 - 92

Average $ per Sq Ft- $183 in 1/2007 - $194

Total home for sale 173 in 1/2007 - 108

Homes being sold for 95% of original listing price

Statistics for December 2007.

17 homes sold in the North East Tacoma in December 2007.

In 2006, there were 26 sales in the same period.

Average active Price- $507,000 (in 12/2006 - $527,000)

Average Days on Market - 94 days (in 12/2006 - 67)

Average $ per Sq Ft- $209 (in 12/2006 - $190)

Total home for sale 173 (in 12/2006 - 106)

Homes being sold for 97% of asking price.

Mission Statement = Aphorism?

Irina Fernandez (John L Scott) — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 23:29:22 -0600

I was looking for a mission statement. I want it to be powerful, funny. Something about honesty, professionalism, quality. But I started reading aphorisms and I could not stop. So, I wanted to share some of them with you.

A home is not a mere transient shelter: its essence lies in the personalities of the people who live in it.

Henry Louis Mencken

We live in an age when pizza gets to your home before the police.

Jeff Marder

Every day I get up and look through the Forbes list of the richest people in America. If I'm not there, I go to work.

Robert Orben

A diplomat is someone who can tell you to go to hell in such a way that you will look forward to the trip.

Caskie Stinnett

I like pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals.

Winston Churchill

I look forward to an America which will not be afraid of grace and beauty.

John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Love is like a fruit. It may look good, but you shouldn't bite in it until it's ripe.

Nick Hertl

Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly, and applying the wrong remedies.

Unknown