home buying: I'll Choose One From Column A, One From Column B.... - 08/09/12 02:50 PM
During some recent showings, I was reminded yet again how hard it can be for buyers to accept that finding a home doesn't work quite like ordering off an ala carte menu.  Oh yes, it would be WAY simpler if you could choose the kitchen from House A, the master bedroom from House B, the yard from House C - and maybe the neighborhood of House D just for good measure.
 

But alas - the hard truth is that it can be really, really tough to find every bit of what you want in a house, plus the perfect … (8 comments)

home buying: Little "Love Letters" From a Seller - 10/11/11 02:50 PM
Have your ever seen a seller write a little "love letter" to the future buyers of their home?  I have seen a number of them over the years - and they can be a real plus in making that emotional connection between a buyer and a home.
 
 

I have seen these notes from sellers include information about their favorite things about the home, some history of the house or neighborhood, favorite things about the neighborhood, photos of the yard in different seasons etc etc.
These notes all share a very heartfelt message that this seller really loves this … (11 comments)

home buying: And What Do The Family Dog And Cat Want In A Home?? - 10/06/11 01:52 PM
Maybe it's because I'm a pet lover myself, but I seem to have worked with quite a few pet lovers over the years - and they are typically looking over their potential new home with an eye to the needs of the furry members of their family as well as the humans.
 

So what kinds of things do pet lovers look for?
Probably number one for dog owners is a fenced yard, and ideally a good place nearby to walk the dog.  It sure is convenient, too, if you can let the dog out into the yard from a … (6 comments)

home buying: Before We Go Looking - Let's Do Some Talking About Buying A House - 07/18/11 06:01 PM
Dear Buyers,
Before We Go Looking - Let's Do Some Talking About Buying A House.
Let's do a little bit of talking about the process, timeline, costs involved, your criteria etc etc etc.  It will make the house hunting process go more smoothly for you and will minimize unhappy surprises.  So - even though I  know you are eager to go look at those houses you spotted on line....let's first take a short time to talk.
If you are a first time home buyer, you may have lots of questions about how this whole house buying thing works.  Or you may … (4 comments)

home buying: Buyer Chat Part Four - How Long Will It Take Before I Can Move In? - 07/18/11 05:56 PM
You found a house, you made an offer, the seller accepted your offer!!  Hurray - but now the hard part is waiting until the purchase is complete and you can move in to your new home in the Olympia WA area.  And you want to know, need to know - WHEN can you move in!!!
The answer to that goes back to some of the steps we have already completed - your preapproval with your lender will likely also give us some parameters about any extra time that might be required to complete the process.  If you are able to get … (0 comments)

home buying: Buyer Chat Part Three - What Costs Will There Be? - 07/18/11 05:55 PM
What Costs Will There Be when I buy this home in the Olympia WA area?  Yes that is a really important question for buyers to ask and understand!  Because, even though you are likely getting a loan for a large part of this purchase, there will be some costs to you along the way.
First, as you talk with your lender to get preapproved, you will receive an estimate of the amount you will need to bring in at closing of the sale.  This will include both the down payment you plan to make and closing costs and prepaid expenses.  The … (4 comments)

home buying: Buyer Chat Part Two - How Does This Process Work Anyway? - 07/18/11 05:55 PM
Buying a Home in the Olympia WA area?
How Does This Process Work Anyway?  Well, we will start out with a chance to talk over your criteria for the home you are buying, including a lot of other important stuff - are you going to live in the house or is it an investment property?  Are you renting now or do you need to sell another home before you can buy?  Is our search going to include short sales, bank owned properties, for sale by owner homes?  (we will chat a little about the opportunities and challenges with each of those … (0 comments)

home buying: Buyer Chat Part One - What Are Your Criteria For A Home To Buy? - 07/18/11 05:54 PM
What are your criteria for a home to buy in the Olympia WA area??  Let's talk about things that are absolutely crucial to you - and also those things that fall into the "it would be great if..." category.
Location is always key - do you have particular neighborhoods, school districts, commute distance to work as essentials for this house? 
House essentials - how many bedrooms and baths are absolutely minimum?  What is the largest or smallest home you would like?  Do you prefer newer or older?  Ready to move into or in need of updating or repairs?  Do you like … (0 comments)

home buying: Upstairs, Downstairs - and All Around the House - 05/31/11 07:21 PM
Upstairs, Downstairs - and all around the house!  What I am talking about is bedrooms, and where they are located within a home.  Many buyers are hunting for homes with a particular layout of the bedrooms, so it is nice that our NW MLS system in the Olympia area allows agents to search for particular possibilities of bedroom locations.
 

The listing will show how many bedrooms are located on each floor in a multilevel home.  So if you are looking for all bedrooms to be on the same level, you can find it.  If, instead, your preference is for … (34 comments)

home buying: Nature or Neighbors?? What Do YOU Want to See Outside Your Windows? - 05/26/11 05:38 PM
Nature or neighbors?  What do you want to see when you look out the windows at your house?  There is no right answer here - but it is something to consider as you look for a home to buy.  And usually people do have a preference - often a really strong preference!
 

If you fall into the "nature" camp, you may be looking for what I've heard referred to as "naked private"!  And even if you don't think you would really want to run around your yard naked, this kind of property IS one where you could sit out … (2 comments)

home buying: So the Deal is We have to Make an Offer So We Can See if We Want to Make an Offer... - 05/04/11 05:09 PM
A real life conversation with one of my buyers:  So here's the deal - we cannot see the inside of this house until we make an offer.  And yes, I do understand that you don't really know what you would want to pay for it - or even if you would WANT it - until you see the inside.  But the seller has tenants occupying it, and has made the decision that they aren't to be disturbed with showings until a buyer makes an offer that is acceptable.  Then the buyer can see the inside.
We saw this strategy frequently a … (8 comments)

home buying: "Which House Should I Buy?" Ummmm - I Can't Tell You - 03/26/11 10:28 PM
Sometimes buyers really want their real estate agent to help them make a decision about what house to buy.  Yes, I know it can feel like such a huge overwhelming decision - and  sometimes buyers think it would be easier if somebody just made that decision for them.  But....
I can tell you if I think the house is priced appropriately compared to similar ones (and you've already seen how it stacks up with the competing available homes).
I can tell you if there is anything about it that might make it really, really hard to resell (and we can look at days on the … (7 comments)

home buying: Just Because It's Called"Dining Room" Doesn't Mean You Have To Eat There - 03/22/11 05:27 PM
When you look at a home for sale, do you see the rooms as they are currently being used and think that use is set in stone as the only option?  Can you look at the rooms in the home and imagine how YOU would use them - even if it is nontraditional?
Most buyers have in mind whether they need a formal dining room, a family room, a guest room etc.  But it is really important to think through how you live most of the time, and get creative if you need to.  A dining room does NOT have to … (12 comments)

home buying: Red Flags & Danger Signs - Or Maybe - Just Maybe - an Opportunity?? - 06/14/10 12:05 AM
I showed a house this weekend that had my buyers & I very curious before we even got there to see it.  In looking at the listing's history, I could see that it has been on the market over a year.  It's at a price point and in a neighborhood where that is NOT normal.  It has had 5 price reductions over that time, and been under contract and then back on the market twice.
You know the question that was in our minds - What is WRONG with this house??
Well, now that we have seen it, we are thinking … (6 comments)

home buying: OK - I Signed All These Papers - When Do I Get My Keys?? - 04/27/10 07:54 PM
 

The most exciting part about a house purchase is getting those keys to your new home - but when is it that you actually do get those keys?  Well, typically it is NOT when you sign the closing documents; likely not even the same day.  At least here in Washington, here is how it goes.  Once buyers and sellers have both signed closing documents, the buyers' lender usually has a period of time to review everything to make sure the paperwork is complete before they notify the escrow company that they are releasing it to fund and record.  Then … (5 comments)

home buying: CC & R's - Hmmmm? Capricious, crazy rules? Conserving community richness? - 12/01/09 02:28 PM
Actually neither of those are the correct meaning of CC & R's - although I've had buyers who would argue for both possible definitions!  CC &R's actually stand for Covenants, Conditions, & Restrictions, and many neighborhoods have these rules which are binding on all owners within the neighborhood.  The rules are typically initially placed on the subdivision by the developer and they can address a wide range of matters. 
If you are buying in an existing neighborhood, know that the CC &R's may regulate such things as your ability to park a vehicle on the street, keep livestock. build a shop, … (4 comments)

home buying: One Size, One Floor Plan Does NOT Fit All! - 08/08/09 06:25 PM
In real estate, you often hear "location, location, location" because the location of a property is so important to its value and desirability - and it's a pretty hard item to change!  A house is where it is, and short of moving it, that location better be one that you like!  I think the floor plan of a house comes close to being that important as well.  It is relatively easy to repaint, change out floor coverings, counters, appliances etc - but if the floor plan really doesn't fit your needs, changing it may go from an expensive remodel all the way … (2 comments)

 
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Nancy Conner - Olympia/Thurston County WA

Olympia, WA

More about me…

Managing Broker - City Realty Inc

Address: 1800 Cooper Pt Rd SW, Bldg #12, Olympia, WA, 98502

Office Phone: (360) 350-0251

Cell Phone: (360) 701-1086

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A blog about community events in the Olympia/Thurston County area including the real estate market in those communities.
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