Gene & Kim's Blog

The Future Has Never Looked Better

Gene & Kim Quinney (Northwest Equity Home Sales) — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 14:03:06 -0800

Since beginning our real estate career in March of 1998 with John L Scott Realty there have been many notable changes. In 1998 the NWMLS (Northwest Multiple Listing Service) had approximately 11,000 members and subscribers across the State. Since then they grew to an incredible number in the range of nearly 40,000, in part due to an increasing territory but mostly due to a vigorous desire by independent people to take advantage of a robust housing market by starting their own businesses. Either way that is a substantial increase in membership and subscribership.

During that time we seen home ownership increase as financial institutions created loan programs to assist first time home buyers, home values climbed as sales spurred by the desire to take advantage of investment potential, and home equity was used as leverage for move up buyers seeking larger homes.

The market overall was creating many jobs as builders scurried to build homes, agents worked to find ready willing and able buyers, and lenders worked diligently to secure financing. Everyone, especially buyers and sellers were satisfied. We built a bubble.

In the last few years we have all been witness to falling sales number and large numbers of associates leaving the NWMLS. Currently we have 24,409 associates in the NWMLS which when averaged over the course of the last three years, translates to a decline in membership of 15% year over year. Those who prepared for this bubble and positioned themselves for the future have been doing quite well.

Looking forward, the future could not look better. We have less competition and more opportunity, what else could you ask for?...

Never give up!

Gene & Kim Quinney (Northwest Equity Home Sales) — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 18:08:07 -0800

Kristyn Grewell, ABR GRI got me thinking about this.

Way back during the stone age of real estate (12 years ago) when I first started, I was virtually out the proverbial door. I had worked my tail to the bone every day, cold calling, showing homes etc etc and only had a couple closings over what I considered an extended period of time.

Nearly broke, beat to death and frustrated beyond all imagination, I gathered up the last of my energy, pulled myself together by my boot straps and convinced myself to do this one last thing, the Home and Garden Show. It was at our local Tacoma Dome and I worked the booth one day for about 4 hours.

During that session at the show I met many fine folks but one I will never forget. Him and his wife liked me and how I handled that booth so we struck up a relationship and started to look for homes, homes in the 3/4 million dollar range. Not bad for 1998 prices.

Needless to say they bought a home in a very exclusive area and that closing catapulted me into the next 12 successful years. I managed to become the top lister and sales person in the number one office in the entire County many consecutive years and now my wife and I own our own brokerage firm.

If not for that one extra bit of energy we wouldn't be where we are today. Never give up, success could be just around the corner.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Gene & Kim Quinney (Northwest Equity Home Sales) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 17:51:47 -0800

May the season be blessed with the peace of the Dove, your home be showered with gifts and all of, your table be garnished with food and with wine, and may all who share your joy be so kind, to spread the selfless praise from above and may all who you know share the gifts of your love. MEERY CHRISTMAS!

Do you drive your buyer clients around? Watch out for Sparky...

Gene & Kim Quinney (Northwest Equity Home Sales) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:36:53 -0800

And Fido, Buffy and Patches...

Sometimes I like to keep it short and sweet. This is one of those times. As I was on the way to show a listing this morning I remembered a rare time when I had clients in my car. Typically, unless a buyer client is unfamiliar with an area they will drive themselves around but this particular time I was the chauffeur.

I picked them up and was driving slowly through their neighborhood when a dog ran out in front of my car. Reacting quickly I stepped on the brakes but didn't stop soon enough. The dog was knocked to the ground, bounced up and ran off shaken but not seriously injured. Needless to say it made for a strange start to that day but they did buy a house. Do you take buyers out in your car or meet them at listings?

Washington States "Distressed Property Law". Have No Fear. Go about your business...

Gene & Kim Quinney (Northwest Equity Home Sales) — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 13:19:28 -0700

I wanted to write this post in response to some of the comments in Lenns blog about the danger of certain real estate related activity. Specifically in the State of Washington since one comment mentioned how silly our new law is...

Without going into the details of the law and all the chaos it created, here's the skinny in a nut shell.

Washington State's "Distressed Property Law" RCW 61.34 was enacted to grant the State enforcement powers to stop "Equity Skimming" scams during the legislative session of 2008. It was signed into law on March 30th and took affect on June 12, 2008.

After it's enactment many brokerage's stopped listing properties that fell into the laws definition of a "Distressed Home" for fear of agents becoming "Distressed Home Consultants" which by the language of the new law created a completely new set of "Fiduciary" duties that did not exist under our current "Agency Law". In Washington State we owe NO "Fiduciary" duties. That level of duty is strictly for Attorneys. Our duties as licensees fall under Washington States "Agency Law". The State legislature in all it's glory failed to recognize the contradictory language that created ambiguity between the old and new laws. It also created a situation where a buyer became a "Distressed Home Consultant" if they purchased a distressed home within 20 days of a scheduled foreclosure sale.

The Northwest Multiple Listing Service changed all our listing forms, many purchase and sale documents and the sellers disclosure statement to accommodate the new 2008 law. They hired translators and printed all new listing forms in every possible language because the 2008 law required that contracts be in the homeowners "first Language" and in the absence of clear communication the brokerage/agent had to hire a translator to assure the sellers understood the implications of the new law. It created chaos.

In March of 2009 the Washington State legislature amended the Distressed Property law to exempt Real Estate Agents. Currently, only under a very narrow set of circumstances could a licensee be considered a "Distressed Home Consultant". One of which is providing services during or participating in a "Distressed Home Conveyance". A sale that allows the seller to rent or leases back a home after the sale of a "Distressed Home" for the purposes of skimming equity.

After the 2009 amendment to the "Distressed Property Law" all the forms were again changed, old ones replaced with new ones and sanity was once again restored to the real estate world.

Gene

Selling a Haunted House

Gene & Kim Quinney (Northwest Equity Home Sales) — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 13:38:50 -0700

Maybe you've seen them,maybe you haven't, and maybe we should watch out for them. What are they?...Orbs.

Just what are orbs and why should be aware of them? Orbs have been defined by some as the existence of paranormal activity and debunked by others as simply water stains or rain drops on camera lens when digital pictures are taken. I'm not sure exactly what they are, but I have had the following experiences.

After listing any home my normal practice is to immediately take at least one exterior photo. If the house is staged or clean and organized enough I will take all pictures. Saves time. On this particular day immediately after the sellers signed the agreement I started taking pictures of all the rooms. I drove back to the office and downloaded them into my photo editing program. After download, I noticed several orbs in a few of the pics. Several in the front room, the dining room and the master suite. Since this was a dry sunny day I attributed the orbs to stains on the camera lens.

After a few jokes between me and Kim about ghosts, and goblins I cleaned the camera lens, inspected it for spots and such and went back out again to re-take pics. Again the orbs were there in the same rooms except in different locations. This was not funny anymore. I've already wasted a couple hours on these orbs and was quickly approaching the point of irritation, not to mention the freaky factor...

The next time I went out I took a completely different camera and took pictures again of the same rooms...Same results. Orbs. Now I'm not one to believe ghost stories or the boggy man but this was getting strange. I did not want to keep taking pictures so I removed the orbs in the pictures with modern day technology and posted them all over the Internet. Home looked great, pictures looked good. Done. So I thought.

A couple days after this whole fiasco Kim decides she's got to see this house. I guess curiosity was getting the best of her besides, she wasn't there at the listing appointment so I can't blame her for wanting to see it. She took two friends with her. As they drove down the long dark driveway bordered by a thicket of small Birch trees and stagnant pond water, they emerged into the light and up the hill toward the home. The home was an older farm type home with two windows above a front doorway. The brown trim accented the door and windows from the bright white color. An eerie feeling began to overwhelm them as they approached the home.

Upon entering the house they noticed all the lights were on so she called me. I was in the office at the time and checked to see if anyone had been in the home since we listed it and there was no activity so we figured the sellers must have been back. After walking through the home and exiting each room on down to the basement, she turned the lights off. As she climbed back up the stairs she noticed the lights upstairs were back on. Freaked out and thinking someone had entered the home, they started calling out...hello! hello! No answer. They quickly left.

The next few days were un-eventful until I received a call from an agent who just showed the property. The first question out of her mouth was, "has anyone been murdered in that home?". I immediately asked why, and the agent said that her client thought the house was haunted. Things are starting to get a little weird now and I told her I had no knowledge of anything like that happening. Well needless to say that client didn't want anything to do with that home.

Another agent shows the home a fews day later and poses the very same question and I respond again the same way. After three months on the market and a couple price adjustments we sold the home, but we'll never forget that home, those orbs or the feeling that home elicited.

A little while later we listed another home where both sellers had passed away. That home had orbs in the kitchen and in the formal dining room. The very same eerie chain of events occurred with the pictures of that property although the sale was quick and uneventful.

States have different disclosure requirements. Here in Washington we have no duty to disclose such events since they are not perceived to be material defects. Unless of course we're asked directly and we have actual knowledge.

If you see any orbs out there be prepared for the unusual and the unexplained...

Have you experienced orbs or any other strange unexplainable event while selling homes?

Stupidly Question of The Week

Gene & Kim Quinney (Northwest Equity Home Sales) — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 18:27:02 -0700

Why are your sellers terminating just because we didn't provide the letter of loan commitment on time?

Seriously. This was asked of me. A purchase and sale was subject to the timely delivery of a letter from the buyer/buyers lender. The "letter of loan commitment" was due after 20 days from mutual acceptance and was not delivered. After providing a written request to the buyers agent, the time frame elapsed which enabled the seller to provide notice of termination if the buyer failed to waive their financing contingency within 3 days of receipt of sellers notice.

The buyers agent contacts me very angry and suggests I was trying to sell the property to another buyer, perhaps one our firm represented. Not the case at all. After explaining the purpose of the letter, the origin and basis of the language change in the Statewide Forms the agent called the lender to have a letter delivered but by then it was too late. The time frame had elapsed for the delivery of the letter and the sellers elected to terminate the transaction.

The buyer spent money on a home inspection, an appraisal and had the private well inspected. I imagine they were not happy at all. The lender, by refusing and or neglecting to provide the letter of loan commitment allowed the seller to exercise their option to terminate and they did, much to the chagrin of everyone. I did end up selling the home to a buyer who called on the yard sign about 3 weeks later.

Gene

Another great day on the water

Gene & Kim Quinney (Northwest Equity Home Sales) — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 17:52:46 -0700

A rising Sun or a setting Moon can really make the day worthwhile. Many times I stand in amazement at the beauty of Gods creations. This was taken one morning just prior to slaying some King Salmon.

How's this for starters?

Gene & Kim Quinney (Northwest Equity Home Sales) — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 17:49:28 -0700

Another great day on the water

Gene & Kim Quinney (Northwest Equity Home Sales) — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 17:46:48 -0700

One can only imagine the beauty during the morning sunrise if not there to experience it first hand. I can not tell you how many times the morning sun or a rising moon has made me marvel at the greatness of Gods creation.

Here's a picture of a wonderful morning sunrise just prior to slaying some King Salmon... :-)

Stupidly Question of The Week

Gene & Kim Quinney (Northwest Equity Home Sales) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 15:20:57 -0700

I am introducing a new blog series called "The Stupidly Question of The Week" where I will draw from actual instances where over the years agents, lenders, buyers and sellers have given me pause with silly statements and questions that might qualify as stupidly.

The first in this new series will be as follows.

Why do "I" have to pay closing costs, isn't that the sellers responsibility?

I heard this question several years ago when while representing a buyer he said he was told that the seller would pay for his closing costs. He was also told that it's done all the time. The worse part about it--was the person who told him, his loan officer. Excuse me Mr. loan officer but that type of advice is better left to the agents.

Although I have successfully negotiated hundreds of sales where the buyers closing costs are paid either in part or in full by the seller, it's not a guarantee and to suggest or imply otherwise is completely dishonest. Closing cost as we all know can be negotiated. It may in some cases drive up the cost of the home if the seller adds to the price or it will reduce the net seller proceeds which can affect negotiations.

Bottom line---both buyer and seller have costs. Negotiating who pays them is fine but fostering a false sense of reality in either party serves nobody well.

What Makes You A Short Sale Expert?

Gene & Kim Quinney (Northwest Equity Home Sales) — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 16:32:36 -0700

Experience?

Classroom Education?

Online Webinars?

As I perused through the MLS this morning searching for newly listed properties for a client of ours I noticed many agents commenting on their "expertise" of Short Sales". After further investigation I noticed that many of the so called experts didn't have any short sale listings so I immediately assumed (mistake) they must have gained this expertise assisting buyers with short sale purchases.

I started checking the sales history of some of these "experts" and discovered none of them had any sales representing buyers or sellers in short sale transactions whatsoever. I assume once again they are assigning themselves the status of "expert" based on classes or designations received in a classroom setting.

My question;

Does a designation or classroom certificate make you an expert? And is this form of advertising false and or mis-leading? What say you?

The Law----- Of Unintended Consequences

Gene & Kim Quinney (Northwest Equity Home Sales) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 10:40:26 -0700

At the risk of sounding like a spoiled sport about the governments new plan to help struggling homeowners, I must point out the obvious--Any time the government steps in to help they generally create opportunity for scam artists. It's known as "The law of Unintended Consequences". For instance; loan modifications. Sound good on the surface right? You've heard that banks are helping struggling homeowners by changing the terms of their loans to more affordable interests rates. Who would argue with that? Let's take a closer look.

Fact: These "loan modifications" are not available to everyone. I know I know, that's not the hype sold to the public by news outlets but it is fact, and when is the last time "the news" reported the entire story? They are available to borrowers with ARM's (adjustable rate mortgages) and other types of subprime mortgages generally prone to default. However, if you have a conventional loan you have little or no options. Although banks are being increasingly creative, there's still plenty of room for work for the average homeowner. Since ARM's and subprime loans account for a very small percentage of the total amount of mortgages in the US, that equates to few, if any opportunities for the majority of homeowners, many of which are struggling regardless of loan type. Fact: The vast majority of modified loans end up in default and foreclosure anyway and with the rising unemployment rate that's probably not going to change any time soon.

Over the past couple years, companies calling themselves "loan modification" specialists have formed. You may have received a mailing from one and if you did---the best course of action is to file it in the round file cabinet known as the garbage can. These "companies" charge upfront fees and take advantage of distressed homeowners. They claim to stop foreclosure, negotiate lower rates and save thousands in mortgage payments, So--- what's the problem you ask? ---The upfront fees of course and the simple truth that loan modification services are available directly through your lender without third party assistance so why pay someone for a service you can perform yourself...

If you know someone who is considering a loan modification, I would advise not using a third party negotiator. They should contact their lender directly for information on whether they qualify for modification, keeping in mind however, they are a debt collector.

List To Last! Are you placing limitations on your potential by only working with buyers?

Gene & Kim Quinney (Northwest Equity Home Sales) — Thu, 28 May 2009 16:00:39 -0700

Ever since the market started tumbling I've heard agents complain about the expense and problems of working with sellers. Not work with sellers! Are you crazy?

Their reasoning: In a market where home sales for typical sellers are virtually non-existent, one good qualified buyer is worth two sellers (excluding reo's of course). Well I'm here to tell ya--- that type of business approach is doomed for failure. Ever hear that Ole' adage 'list to last"? If you haven't, you are probably headed out the proverbial real estate door and if you have---you're probably sitting on a couple listings that have been collecting dust. What a dilemma.

So---how does one "list to last" in a market where homes are sitting for hundreds of days? Why have a listing that isn't selling? Here are a few reasons.

1) Having listings on the market ensures that your phone will ring. Maybe not as regularly as years past but it will ring and having the opportunity to speak to and possibly procure buyers is what it's all about right?

2) Having listings on the market shows buyers and sellers that you are a motivated go-getter with area expertise and are willing to take on market challenges.

3) Having listings on the market shows the neighboring property owners that you have been selected to represent that owner. This, in and of itself gives you a huge advantage over other agents who may be considered to list homes in that neighborhood in the future. Don't squander it

Now---The only thing you must do is educate the sellers about proper pricing so the home sells. Easy right? Keep the sellers happy and informed about the current market so they are prepared to remain competitive with value adjustments and subsequent extensions. Another easy task. Keep the neighborhood informed so they do not think you just listed the home and vanished. Again---simple. Right?

The "list to last" principle is not one that focuses all marketing and sales efforts on the listing aspect of the real estate market, but it is the most important tool we have at our disposal for advertising our services to both buyers, sellers and the general public. As we progress, especially through these tough times, it's my opinion that agents should use every tool available and not simply focus on one area of expertise. Work with buyers. Work with sellers. Work with everyone who needs the services of a professional real estate agent. Only then will you capitalize on every available possibility. To do otherwise is placing limitations on your potential.

If you do not have listings---you are missing a very fundamental element of the "list to last" priniple....."List". Without it--- you can not--"Last"...

Understanding Your Market...

Gene & Kim Quinney (Northwest Equity Home Sales) — Thu, 21 May 2009 13:52:06 -0700

All across the fruited plains real estate agents log on to their computers punch in a their secret agent number and watch as the world wide web streams market data from a secure server in cyberspace to their warm well lit offices. Let's take a look at the different types of data and how it affects buyers, sellers and real estate professionals.

New listings and listings ‘back on market' offer the prospect of a sale for agents and brokers working with ready willing and able buyers. For a buyer, newly matched listings serve as an opportunity to pounce on a fresh listing. For a seller, a newly matched listing (to their property) in their MLS area serves as more competition.

For agents, newly expired listings offer the prospect of a new client. Agents may consider contacting that property owner to consider a re-list. Although a lucrative endeavor, it's extremely competitive. At times sellers of expired listings are not happy with their previous agent for a variety of reasons, some valid, and some based on unreasonable expectations, a lack of understanding, and sometimes just because.

The previous days canceled listings also come streaming through the agents high speed connection. Buyers may consider this category as a missed opportunity and sellers are left with less competition. Canceled listings are fewer today than in the past. This category of listing status has undergone changes due to NWMLS policy. Many agents had previously abused this listing status to attract buyers to a old property listing by simply canceling and re-listing. Today, a significant change in the property and or price change of 5% or more must take place in order to cancel and re-list. Good job NWMLS!

Price reductions put pressure on existing home seller to remain competitive. An increase in value may not be possible for those with little or no wiggle room. For those who have flexibility and wish to stay competitive being aware of your competition is prudent and strategically wise. For buyers, better value.

Pending and sold properties also add to the data real estate professionals see on a daily basis. Sellers with Pending properties have found willing buyers and are undergoing the closing process which could include other listing status'. Pending Inspection. Pending Feasibility etc. MLS's manage their listings differently. Sold properties are ones that have completed the closing process and are in fact "recorded".

Sold properties are the only true indication of value. Think of it this way. The active market (available properties) indicate the price sellers want for their homes. The sold market indicates what sellers are actually getting for them.

Brokers, agents, sellers and buyers across our fruited plains must recognize these factors and understand how they impact the market. Sometimes it's positive. Sometimes it's not. Understanding market forces help sellers remain competitive and for buyers, the price reductions and increased available housing translates to more choices and better value.

Snake Oil Salesmen...

Gene & Kim Quinney (Northwest Equity Home Sales) — Wed, 20 May 2009 12:42:18 -0700

"If I can't sell your home I'll buy it"

"Your home sold in under 60 days or I'll give you $1000 CASH"

"You're approved regardless of credit"

"Your home sold in 45 days guaranteed"

Since the beginning of time snake oil salesmen have preyed on the naive claiming their concoction of colored water and cooking oils possess the power to cure. The power to clean, or the power of hope. After all , isn't everyone searching for that magic elixir. The fountain of youth. Or that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. The question we should all be asking ourselves is not why these scoundrels seek out the weak or uninformed with their empty promises of hope. Rather, the question should be...Why do we as a society allow these unscrupulous characters to roam the streets in search of their next victim? But are they victims at all? Maybe, if one person is helped by the power of hope, then we can make the case that the magical concoction works. Maybe if a formerly impenetrable stain is removed by the bottled liquid the consumer is not a victim.

With the passing of time comes changes in the manner by which societies view any particular behavior. Whether it be public, private , or professional. In a democratically elected society, the general public makes distinctions between activities and actions and whether they are to be considered acceptable. Lawmakers derive their motivation based on public support for any issue involving the safety and well being of their constituents, and as a result, many un-acceptable behaviors of yesterday are acceptable today. The opposite holds true as well.

The snake oils salesman's horse drawn wagon of deception has evolved into the flashy foreign sports car that carries him or her into crowded neighborhoods of frolicking kids and unsuspecting parents. The elixir of hope once contained in a bottle and paraded around middle America is now presented in the form of empty promise and guarantees that do not exist or were never intended to be fulfilled.

Although some programs are legitimate, many could be considered Fraud. Fact is, these offers are nothing more than a deceptive means of getting you to call the snake oil salesman and buy a bottle of stain remover. Or at least give the salesman the opportunity to show how wonderful the bottle of colored water really is.

Remember the Ole adage " if it sounds to good to be true, it probably is". That Ole adage rings true today as much, if not more than any time in the past. The only difference being, the snake oil salesman of today are camouflaged behind expensive fancy suits and flashy foreign sports cars.

If you are considering one of these gimmicks, think long and hard. Get the guarantee in writing and understand the fine print and hold the promisor legally accountable to perform. Nobody will buy your home unless there is something to gain for them. Nobody will give you money if your home doesn't sell unless there is a catch. Banks will not give you a loan if you cannot perform.

Beware! That bottle of elixir may work fine on shallow surface stains, but when dealing with the complexities of the real estate market there's no match for good old fashion elbow grease and honesty.

When I'm Not Working...

Gene & Kim Quinney (Northwest Equity Home Sales) — Tue, 19 May 2009 12:29:33 -0700

You can find me chasing down Salmon, Steelhead, Bass, Trout and just about every type of fish out there. Fire up the BBQ for this bad boy...

Gene

Home Inspectors Can't Live With Them, Can't Live Without Them...

Gene & Kim Quinney (Northwest Equity Home Sales) — Tue, 19 May 2009 11:04:05 -0700

I was planning on calling this post "The Good The Bad And The Ugly" but you'd probably think I was referring to Clint Eastwood staring down a couple of hombres in the scorching desert sun preparing for a gun fight when I'm actually referring to Home Inspectors. Some good. Some bad. And well, let's not get into personal appearance here. Beside...I just wrote a post using that title. How corny would that be? :)

Any agent who attends home inspections understand inspectors come in different shapes and sizes. Meaning basically, some are better than others. The same goes for any industry though, we must take the good with the bad. Right?

Unfortunately, when it comes to home inspections, there's too much at stake for all parties involved to leave an inspection up to a inspector of questionable experience. There is nothing worse than having to explain to a seller why they were told a light fixture needs replacement, when the problem was the inspector could not find the right switch. Or why a seller is expected to pay for an engineering report showing the Manufactured Home they have lived in for nearly a decade, and bought using V.A. Financing was not installed with proper tie downs, when the only problem was the inspector was too large to fit through the crawl space access area and had no idea they were installed properly 10 years ago and assumed it wasn't. No kidding. Actually happened.

Or believe it or not, when a seller is faced with a recommendation from a home inspector to cut a hole in the homes hard wood floors to create an access area to the crawl space measuring 18"x30" because the one in the foundation is not up to today's codes and is only 12"x30". No kidding again. Actually happened. Believe it! This type of situation happens all the time. The issue is, how far can an agent go when recommending an inspector?

Since the vast majority of real state professionals are burdened with concerns of liability, many companies have established policies placing limits on recommending any particular inspector, yet how, in the course of any transaction can an agent assure their client that the professionals involved with the many facets of a real estate transaction are qualified, experienced, and professional, particularly if they leave the responsibility of selecting a home inspector to their clients by letting their fingers do the walking?

Isn't it incumbent upon licensees to assure their clients that the home buying process is handled by competent and responsible professionals? From the agent themselves to the Mortgage Lender, the Title Company, the Closing Company and everyone in between, don't we have a duty to attempt to maintain a certain level of competence throughout the process?

Although there are rare cases when a buyer or seller have selected real estate related professionals prior to the selection of a real estate agent, it is imperative to coordinate all parties during the transaction, and to advise buyers and sellers throughout the closing process. It helps when we know the ones involved are experienced, doesn't it?

So many questions---- The solution? "Disclosure".

One Bad Apple Don't Spoil The Whole Bunch...

Gene & Kim Quinney (Northwest Equity Home Sales) — Mon, 18 May 2009 17:21:33 -0700

...Girl--- Yes a Michael Jackson song but you won't hear me or Kim screeching out any Jackson tunes any time soon. Thank goodness for you...And Kim.

With all the false promises, shady guarantees, and high pressure sale techniques learned at some get rich quick seminar taught by a slick talking well dressed self proclaimed motivational speaker attempting to motivate dollars from listeners wallets, it's no wonder some in the public have a negative view of sales people, including Realtors who use those same high pressure sales tactics to close homeowners during listing appointments.

As in every industry there's a few bad apples in the bunch. But they don't spoil the entire group do they? I say No! You must distinguish between the good apples and the bad ones. Eat the good ones and throw out the bad or at least set them aside and let them rot away on their own.

The Real Estate industry is a revolving door industry, where new agents come-and-go with their tails tucked between their legs. Some will return but most who leave will not. I don't believe for one minute that people enter the industry with intentions of purposely misleading the public. I believe for the most part folks simply get carried way in the moment. Figuratively speaking...They try to out sell or out produce the next top agent which can lead to chasing dollars. Now I could be wrong, but I hope not.

One of the consequences of this competition (which is good by the way) are guarantees and promises by these agents that can't possibly be fulfilled within the parameters of an individuals reasonable expectations and it clouds public perception giving the industry a bad reputation. Now we all know that there will always remain the types that find fault and thank goodness they are in the moinority..They are aren't they?...(joking)--

Just the other day some mortgage company who shall remain nameless was on the radio claiming to get anyone approved regardless of credit, job history, bankruptcy and so forth. What! No question mark there..LOL--- In this day and age with our housing and lending problems? C'mon folks! Wassup with that? The fact is, unfortunately, not everyone can afford to buy a home and there comes a point when one needs to evaluate their actions, take inventory and simply ask themselves if what they're doing is right. Is it moral? Is it ethical? And more importantly, who benefits in the end? Meaning, at the end of the day, are YOU the agent or lender, or is the client ultimately achieving their goal? And--is that goal realistic and sustainable?

Bottom line is, it's not always in the best interests of buyers to buy and sellers to sell is it? It's imperative for professionals within the real estate industry to demonstrate to the general public that our moral compass is pointing in the right direction at all times. Which direction is your moral compass pointing?

The Cutting Edge.

Gene & Kim Quinney (Northwest Equity Home Sales) — Mon, 18 May 2009 11:02:29 -0700

The "Cutting Edge"

From time to time I escape to my shop, fire up the ole table saw and try to turn out a piece of handcrafted furniture. If you've ever seen my work you would be much happier with furniture from any retailer around the Puget Sound area. Nonetheless, I give it a go because it offers a way to relax and work on my carpentry skills, enjoying that wonderful odor of freshly cut lumber while trying not to lose any fingers in the process from the saw blades cutting edge.

Another passion of mine is fishing. Since youth, when my father would wake me in the wee hours of the morning to spend the day pursuing Large Mouth Bass or Lake Trout, I've spent as much time as our busy schedules would allow trying to make that perfect cast. The Salmon species, Chinook, and Coho (sometimes referred to as Kings, and Silvers) have been the target of choice lately not only for the thrill of the catch but for their obvious table fare. Like woodworking however, fishing requires sharp tools as well.

After a struggle with a large King or spunky Silver, a razor sharp fillet knife is needed to prepare that catch for the next family barbecue. As anyone who filet's freshly caught fish can attest to, they're a little slippery, and slippery fish and razor sharp knives don't go well together. One slip can inflict serious injury from the knifes cutting edge.

Upon entering the real estate industry over a decade ago, Kim and I have labored hard to establish and maintain a business model with stand alone characteristics without compromising ethical and professional standards. "No Gimmicks, Just Results!" was registered with the state of Washington in an attempt to distance our service from the misleading advertising, tricks and gimmicks that plague our industries. Our website was established to provide a gimmick free online source of information for buyers and sellers, while advertising all listed properties available in the Northwest Multiple Listing Service for a one stop real estate experience.

Our intent is to focus on what the consumer and agents want. Accurate and reliable information and service. Not high pressure sales, half truths, false promises and unrealistic guarantees.

As we progress through 2009 Kim and I will continue to develop new techniques and strategies to help consumers and agents find the information and services they seek while providing resources and platforms that keep our company on the Cutting Edge.

The High Road Or The Low Road? It's Up To You.

Gene & Kim Quinney (Northwest Equity Home Sales) — Fri, 15 May 2009 17:32:18 -0700

Positive or Negative?

We all have a choice. Wake up in the morning and make it a good day (sometimes you have to MAKE it a "good day), by searching for positive up beat moments. Or awakening to everything negative. Face it, it's much easier to be mad or angry, or to place blame on someone or something else for our personal and professional obstacles, hurdles and challenges in life. The difficult road is accepting the bad, dealing with it and then moving on with life un-encumbered. Sometimes easier said than done but well worth the additional effort.

Every morning there is good news. Every morning there is bad news. Bad news gets more press because it sells news papers and makes for better headlines. But our choices are clear. Do we gravitate to the negative aspects of daily challenges and languish in pessimisms and complaints, or do we recognize these challenges, accept them and move on with positive resolve? Anyone who knows Kim and I, know the road we'll be on... Make it a good day, even if it's not.

What forces drive you to Active Rain daily

Gene & Kim Quinney (Northwest Equity Home Sales) — Tue, 12 May 2009 19:08:38 -0700

I've only been a member for a short time but have realized (from what I can tell) there are some great people here on active rain and wish I spent more time here. I seldom post/blog consistently and wonder what it is that brings you back time and time again. The people? The advice? Listening to others experiences in the real estate world etc? And how do you folks find the time to blog so frequently? Maybe I need to organize my time a little better...

The Dinosaurs

Gene & Kim Quinney (Northwest Equity Home Sales) — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 17:58:37 -0700

Just when you thought the age of the Dinosaurs was long gone another Dinosaur is on the verge of extinction. "Brick & Mortar" Real Estate Companies. Crazy idea you say? Crazy like a Fox.

The Northwest Multiple Listing Service has been experiencing shifts in the past couple years. Agents leaving the NWMLS at a rate of about 14% every year for going on three years, a reduction in membership, and agents moving onto greener pastures.

If not for the innovation and creativity of a select few Brokers, those green pastures might well be outside the fences of the real estate industry.

These trends could indicate a possible sign of concern for the industry if not for safe havens created by Brokers ahead of the curve. These safe havens are the wave of the future. "Online Brokerages". Northwest Equity Home Sales provide this virtual office platform. Although not entirely new to the industry their growing popularity can be contributed to the slow down of the market which is driving agents to scrub their plates clean of unnecessary expenses and if you really think about it, isn't that what should be done even without market forces. A lean clean business machine is always better than the alternative.

In days and years past the bloated bank accounts of agents and broker alike afforded a certain level of carelessness and complacency when it came to advertising, listing, and marketing expenses but those days are long gone and I say good riddance. Brought on by market demand "Online" brokerages provide a host of benefits for experienced agents that rival those services offered by the old Dinosaur brick and mortar companies. Today's agent isn't shackled to the confines of an office or to the wires and cables of technologically handicapped firms that charge outrageous fees for service that should other wise be free.

The modern day real estate agent is wireless and deserve a wireless platform in order to thrive in today‘s environment. They travel the landscape using GPS navigation, laptops with WI FI and hands free devices with infared technology to access listed homes. They send text messages with the ease and nimbleness of an Olympic champion. They have adapted to the new era of home buyers and sellers who email and peruse the Internet during their morning cup of Joe just as regularly as if it were delivered to their door step in print form by the neighborhood delivery person.

Today's agent isn't relying on the big name brokerage companies anymore. They have learned through hard work, intensive labor and long hours the rewards of their labor should be exactly that. THEIRS! They have finally began to realize the buyer and or seller agrees to work with the agent 99% of the time NOT the brokerage company. It's the agent that gains the trust of the client NOT the company. It's the agent that builds, establishes, and maintains the relationship with the client, NOT the company.

It's the agent that meets with the owner and lists a home, meets with buyers and sells a home, closes the transaction, coordinates the Title Company, the inspection , the appraisal, and the signing. For all their hard work what do they get from the company? A huge office bill and the balance of what should have been a nice paycheck.

For those very reasons agents are asking this question. Why pay tens of thousands of dollars to a company when it's the agent who is doing 99% of the work and what am I really getting for all this money. Good questions right. You bet they are and many agents are asking themselves the same thing.

Market forces work and when the market slows down for one sector it picks up for another, or forces change the market would not have other wise undergone. What will happen when the big brick and mortar mega-brokerage companies start to fade away? Will the agents who stuck with them go down with the ship or will they be adventurous enough to move on to greener pastures?

While many will simply slide into their pre-real estate lives as the Dinosaurs fade away, many who are not afraid to think outside the box or harness that independent entrepreneurial spirit that compelled them into real estate in the first place will make the choices that may just ensure their future otherwise they could go into extinction as the Dinosaurs have and will again...

Blogs, Forums, Chat, Text...OH MY!

Gene & Kim Quinney (Northwest Equity Home Sales) — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 11:55:29 -0800

Communication skills sure have changed from the old days haven't they. In the old days we had to talk face to face using real words where you could see expressions and body movement but today, that face to face is now screen to screen, or phone to phone and it's so much more complicated to discern emotions and feelings through our electronic devices. Now we're using acronyms unheard of just a short time ago, LOL, LMAO, IBTL. It does make it easier for these Ole fingers though... LOL

It's amazing how many online social networks people enjoy today---For me, I like to fish so there's a fishing forum I frequent, I keep reef tanks, so there's a reefing forum. Then there's the company websites to manage, a couple blogs, national listing data bases, Active Rain, Linkedin, Myspace, my goodness...

What's next?

Short Sale Listing Scam

Gene & Kim Quinney (Northwest Equity Home Sales) — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 14:40:22 -0800

Short sales. Love'm or hate'm they are here for a while. At least till the market picks up, inventories deplete or the economy starts to recover.

Subject to approval, short sales allow seller to complete a sale and possibly avoid foreclosure, a buyer to purchase at a discounted price in some cases and the bank to recover the vast majority of the debt against the home.

But what happens when the list price is ridiculously below fair market value?

We are seeing an increase in listings that are so far below any persons reasonable expectation it's bordering on fraudulent. Definitely misleading and certainly un-ethical.

Example: Home is assessed for $168,600. Sold in 2007 for $188,800. Now it's listed for $50,000. Any red flags there? Should be.

Food For Thought;

1) Although banks will accept "a" loss, most banks will likely NOT accept that amount of loss. They would be better served foreclosing and re-selling the property for fair market value.

2) Sellers are deceived. They are relying on the advice of the listing agent to provide professional accurate information when choosing a list price. This can waste a sellers valuable time and much needed resources in hopes of closing that will most likely never happen.

3) Buyers are deceived. Wasting their time and money and are disappointed when the sale fails, the bank declines the transaction or makes a counter offer much higher than the listed price.

4) Buyers agents also waste time, energy, and money working to close a transaction that never had a chance and risk losing that buyer out of frustration.

5) These legitimate buyers are siphoned away from listings that actually have a chance to close and further exacerbate the current housing problems.

What to do?

If you lack "Short Sale" experience speak with your Broker. Check the last recorded documents to help determine what the liens are against the property. Compare, the last sale price, the time lapse from the last sale, the market conditions since the last sale and of course the "list price". If it's unrealistically listed report it to your local MLS as a potential rule violation and run like the wind.

Do not risk losing your good qualified buyer to unethical and potentially illegal practices.