National Champions? - 09/30/06 10:37 PM
Non-real estate related, but I have do brag. Do I smell a National Championship for the Ohio State Buckeyes? What a game Saturday nite against Iowa. We have the Ohio State Flag flying on the front porch. If you've never seen game day at the "Shoe" in Columbus and the Ohio State Flags everywhere, tailgating, you've not seen anything. It's incredible - the whole town goes berzek. It's as if time stands still on game days.
I just can't describe the game like Toby Barnett expounds on The Seattle Seahawks, however, WHAT A GAME. They even wore their cute uniforms and helmets, Toby!.
Hope they make … (10 comments)

Buyer Tips - 09/27/06 08:16 PM
Knowledge is power, but where do you go to educate yourself about the home buying process? It's a complicated one and you really need to understand the full process.
By reading my book, "How To Make Your Realtor Get You The Best Deal," Washington State Edition.   You will learn money saving tips from choosing an agent, to inspecting a home, to negotiating the best deal. You will learn from the Pros!You can purchase my book on Amazon.com for $17.95, or I am offering a Free copy to the first 25 people to contact me with a request. Give me a call, 425-308-3669 … (7 comments)

Regional Real Estate Outlook - 09/27/06 05:32 PM
I was just interviewed by Bridget McCrea from The Residential Specialist (The CRS Magazine) for the January-February issue regarding our regional real estate outlook. Here were two of her questions.
How would I characterize our market?  Our median sales price in Snohomish County has increased anywhere from 14% to 36%(closer to the King County line).  Our closed sales for July are 43% under what they were a year ago.  We have a shortage of affordable housing with our median sales price at $367,000 up from $319,000 a year ago.  Our Governor has put together a task force to face our "housing crisis" in … (6 comments)

A Washington Realtor's® Job - 09/26/06 01:47 PM
Many of you think that when we find your dream property, write an offer and get it accepted, our job is done. Far from that point…..our job is just beginning.
  In addition to helping you find your dream home through the listings we have sent you, making appointments to show you these listings, we are always working FOR you.
  When we first met we gave you a copy of the “Laws of Real Estate Agency” that describes your legal rights in dealing with a real estate broker or salesperson in Washington State.  . It describes the duties of a licensee, a … (2 comments)

Do I Really Own My Home? - 09/25/06 12:15 PM
You've found that dream home, completed the purchase and escrow, finally got those keys and moved in. All is well. Do you really own your home? You now have payments that you make to the "bank gods" that lent you the money for this purchase. However, what are your rights?
In the State of Washington most home loans use a document called a "Deed of Trust". This is a security instrument that gives the lender the right to have a neutral party called a trustee sell your property at a foreclosure auction if you fail to make your loan payments on time. … (0 comments)

Seahawk Sunday Update - 09/24/06 04:33 PM
I certainly can't compete with Tony Barnett's description about the Seahawk game, but here goes in a woman's perspective:
OK - it's sunny and a balmy warm day in Seattle - I think I need to find my sunglasses (as Washingtonians we generally lose our sunglasses). Well, it would be a really nice day to shop at Nordstrom.......oh, I guess we were talking sports. (Karen, get your mind off shoes).
The NY Giants heard about the 12th Man in Seattle (our crowd noise). It seems our crowd interferes with their plays and many teams have false starts because of the noise level. Well, … (7 comments)

Tips For Presenting Counter Offers - 09/24/06 10:31 AM
Whether we are representing the buyer or seller, we often get into counter offer situations. Here's a few tips to help you negotiate:
1.  Get buyer prepared before you write the original offer. If they are coming in extremely low, let them know that the seller may counter back somewhere in between.  I always ask my buyers to give me their "best offer" first.
2.  Present the offer in person. You can always avoid a "flat no I'm not budging" by explaining the process.
3.  Remind buyers about the positive aspects of the home -- they chose this one to write so they must like many things … (11 comments)

Snohomish County Ball Fields - 09/23/06 05:34 PM
We have had a lack of public playing fields in Snohomish County for many years. With the onslaught of homebuyers in our area, it seems we can't keep up in the sports arena.
Citizens responded to this lack by construction playing fields on their own local farmlands.  Our County Executive, Aaron Reardon, said "it is important to fulfill this need for community recoreational facilities."  On March 25, Executive Reardon signed two ordinances legalizing the use of ten existing playing fields on land zoned previously only for agricultural use.
One new County ordinance provided for changes to the Snohomish County Comprehensive Plan … (1 comments)

"To Blog Or Not To Blog --- That Is The Question" - 09/23/06 05:04 PM
"To blog, or not blog, that is the questions: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slang and arrows of outspoken active rainers, or to take arms against a sea of bloggers, and by opposing end them? To die, to sleep no more; and by a sleep to say we blog nor more. The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks of "rain", that flesh is heir to, 'tis a gold star blog. Devoutly to be wish'd. To die, to sleep; to sleep: perchance to blog, There's the rub; for in that sleep of death what blogs may come, when … (4 comments)

Air Card vs. PDA - 09/22/06 11:39 AM
I use a Treo 650 cell phone. It carries my data base, I can retreive email, my RE/MAX leads are text messaged to me and it opens my Supra e-key boxes. Along with that I pay for an unlimited data plan so I can carry my MLS information at my finger tips. However, I don't know if many of you know, you can use your Treo 650 as a modem for your laptop or tablet.
I purchased a program called PDA NET from http://www.junefabrics.com.  I then bought a mini cable from http://boxwave.com  and hook up my Treo 650 to my tablet … (18 comments)

Builder Mistakes, Oops, They Happen? - 09/20/06 07:06 PM
My client sold his townhome and purchased a high rise condo that was a conversion. Naturally, the builder was offering a $4000 credit toward closing costs if you worked with his lender. I rarely advise my clients in this direction; however this savings was substantial and could not be matched by another lender. 
First, builder's lender is completely from another planet.  Met him at the open house and he was more interested in having pizza delivered instead of talking to my client.  "Qualified" my client (but didn't do a credit check), didn't verify his income (we knew he was tight).  About two weeks … (12 comments)

Sellers Be Aware - 09/19/06 11:13 PM
Sellers be aware that the Northwest Multiple Listing Service changed our Form 22A, Financing Contingency. The first paragraph of the form states the down payment/loan application issue. In the past only the down payement was listed along with the type of loan the buyer was getting, i.e., VA, FHA, Conventional. However, the revised form also notes whether the borrower is getting a "second mortgage or "bridge loan". These facts are important to you as a seller.  It determines the strength of your buyer, it also shows the amount of their approximate down payment; however, it more importantly shows whether the borrower … (3 comments)

SCCAR Elections - 09/19/06 10:59 PM
The Snohomish County Camano Association of Realtors has just opened up it's election process. As a member benefit this year we are adding electronic balloting in addition to paper ballots. We have been revamping our website and decided to offer our members yet another way to vote in our local elections for officers and board of director members.  We've added a ballot number that registers the member and locks in their vote. It also cross references if they inadvertently deliver a paper ballot, one becomes ineligible.  This is our first attempt at electronic balloting and according to our webmaster, in just … (1 comments)

A Weekend in the Life of a Washingtonian - 09/19/06 09:11 PM
Having taken a weekend away on a cruise ship out of Seattle to Victoria, B.C. and Nanaimo, B. C., I would like to share my experiences with you. 
Leaving Pier 66 in Downtown Seattle was breathtaking. Blue skies, you ask? Yes, but we won't tell anyone.
The Space Needle is to the left with the City skyline following.  What a glorious day to be on the water and see Seattle from a different vantage point.
 
 
 
Nanaimo, BC is an interesting village. Upon walking to town, I spotted a house boat. Well it just wasn't an ordinary house boat. This floating gem was an … (7 comments)

An Old Tale - Which One Do You Feed? - 09/14/06 12:42 AM
A dear friend of mine from Ohio sent me this. I hope you enjoy it.
  Two Wolves  One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, "My son, the battle is between two "wolves" inside us all. One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence,empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith." The grand son thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: "Which wolf wins?" The … (8 comments)

Seattle Weather - 09/13/06 10:52 AM
Ok, all this talk about an AR get together in Seattle sounds fun. However, someone did "flip a switch" and it seems winter has set in. After a glorious summer of 75 and sunny, the weatherman is predicting 60 degrees and rain for the next 10 days. So you "sun bunnies" that want to come play with us will have to deal with what we dish out when you're here. The good news is, stick around, because the weather changes at the spin of your head.
However, we are very proud of our city and all it has to offer. Mountains to … (4 comments)

Sounder Commuter Train - Passengers in for Real Surprise - 09/13/06 01:04 AM
In this age of too many cars on the roads we now have commuter train service from the outlying areas to downtown Seattle. This new commodity called the Sounder runs on the Burlington-Northern Rail tracks which follow the waterway.  There are multi-million dollar communities along with path where beautiful homes have the rail road tracks in their front yards separating them from the water's edge. We call it a status symbol, view, beach access you get train tracks.
However, what the riders of the Sounder didn't plan on was driving thru a community called Woodway where there is a secluded beach. Now … (2 comments)

"Hanging Chads" for Snohomish County? - 09/13/06 12:51 AM
This is the first election of Snohomish County's ALL-MAIL ballots. The first problem they noticed the other day was the ballot, when taken to the post office for postage, was weighing in a little heavier than first class postage causing citizens to pay for additional postage. But what about the ballots that were mailed from private mail boxes, well the County stepped up and told the Post Office to NOT return the ballots for extra postage, they would cover it.
Now, today, in a test sample of random ballots, election officils found one in five voters voted along strict party lines (this … (2 comments)

Buying Property on Tulalip Indian Reservation - 09/12/06 02:19 PM
If many of you are not aware, when you purchase a home that is situated on the Tulalip Indian Reservation part of your closings costs are a 1% tax that goes to the Tribe in addition to our Real Estate Excise Tax of 1.78%. We were just notified by an escrow company that in certain circumstances that fee can be waived by the Tribe. You first need to sign escrow documents, close and have escrow mail your check to the Tribe. Most, and I say most lightly, the tribe will forgive the extra tax and void your check. This is helpful … (2 comments)

Everett, Washington Weather Report - 09/12/06 10:52 AM
OK, someone flipped the "weather switch" here. We've had a marvelous summer. Dry and hot for these parts of the US. However, you can "wind your watch", or "take it to the bank" that when September comes, so does the change in the weather. We've been experiencing 75 degree and sunny days and today, boom, dark, gray, gloomy and 65 degrees. The change is nice however, it's setting us up for our rainy winter. Not sure I'm ready for that just yet.
Take that patio furniture and put it in storage, remove those patio umbrellas (no, we don't use them for rain), … (2 comments)

Seattle Seahawk Sunday - 09/11/06 10:44 PM
I was so looking forward to Toby Barnett's usual Seattle Seahawk post, that I almost forgot about the game. I was showing property on Camano Island all day, but had the radio on. The score Seattle 9; Detroit 6. Wow, we won in the last 30 seconds by a field goal. It was a tough game, but the hawks pulled it out. Go Hawks. Stay tuned next week for Toby's comments. They are a little more detailed than mine.
Now if we were talking shoes at Nordstrom, I can really get into detail there.
… (3 comments)

Day After 9-11-06 - 09/11/06 10:35 PM
I was leaving my home at 5 pm tonite to go to a contract appointment. To get out of my subdivision, Valley View, I need to cross a bridge that hovers over Interstate I-5. There on the bridge at 5 pm were six people waving the largest American flags at the traffic below. People were honking their horns left and right. I actually got choked up. How proud I am of what we have and where we live. We are so fortunate to be free, but most importantly, we have caring people that took time out of their day to remind us what … (0 comments)

Consumer Safety - 09/10/06 11:44 AM
The National Association of Realtors® and the Federal Trade Commission is promoting a new consumer safety program during the month of September. The program entitled : "AvoID Theft, Deter, Detect, Defend".
I'll share some of the tips they recommended with you. For a complete report, contact your local REALTOR®, they will be happy to supply you a copy of the full report.
Detect: Be alert to signs that require immediate attention: mail or bills that do not arrive on time, unexpected credit card statements, denials of credit for no reason, calls or letters about purchases that were not made. Inspect your credit report … (1 comments)

It's 5:30 PM PST - Do You Know Where Your Family Is? - 09/09/06 07:35 PM
Well my family is glued to our 55" tv watching the Ohio State vs. Texas game. Yes, we are all Buckeyes!  I guess this is a game between a number 1 team and a number 2 team. Don't know what all the hype is about. We have friends from Ohio calling singing the Ohio Fight Song, others are calling with Ohio State jokes. These people are MAD about Buckeye football. I just can't get it.
So I'm off to Nordstrom, I'm needing some winter shoes, and maybe new makeup and maybe a new handbag! Now that's what excites me.
Oh, well, "One … (4 comments)

Remember 9/11 - Patriot Day - 09/09/06 12:12 PM
Monday is the fifth anniversary of the tragic and brutal attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and aboard Flight 93.  September 11 serves as remembrance of those who lost their lives that day, the many families who lost loved ones and the bravery of those who put their lives in harms way to try to save the lives of others.    The United States Congress has designated September 11 as Patriot Day and declared that flags be flown at half staff.  In addition, the Snohomish County Executive, Aaron Reardon, issued a proclamation declaring Monday, September 11, 2006 as "9-11 Remembrance … (3 comments)

Children's Miracle Network (CMN) Charity Auction - 09/09/06 11:46 AM
Children's Miracle Network and RE/MAX are tied by their desire to provide local community hospitals assistance with their "uncompensated care" program, so no child is ever turned away.   Since RE/MAX became the exclusive real estate sponsor of Children's Miracle Network in 1992, RE/MAX associates have raised more than $65.6 million for the charity. Please check out my website here .
Founded in 1983, Children's Miracle Network generates health-care funds and awareness programs to benefit children. The nonprofit organization's 174 participating hospitals across North America help 17 million children annually.
Our RE/MAX Northwest Associates raise funds for Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center in … (1 comments)

Effective Marketing - 09/08/06 11:00 AM
My monthly mailer for September is a football schedule of all the teams in the NFL  showing  the times the games are broadcast in addition to the network that hosts the games, week by week for the whole season.  It's a tri-fold piece with my marketing information all over it.
My son who is a bartender at a local sports bar said, "Mom, can I put some of these in my bar for the guys to take." "Sure", I replied. Well the bar owner called me and told me what a great idea these were and what a great service I was providing … (3 comments)

Passage of Time - 09/07/06 05:28 PM
I was cleaning out my garage from my old real estate files, paper ones! Remember those? Ever since Al Gore discovered the internet, we've become a paperless society for real estate. With the advent of Transaction Coordinators and a web based program Settlement Room, everything is handy 24/7 for my clients. We then transfer the info onto a CD with house photos for them to keep.
However, I came across a file from 1986, yes that's right. I had paper files in my garage from then. What I found strange? strange you ask, is that our purchase and sale agreements were two … (3 comments)

Helping Other Agents - 09/07/06 03:58 PM
I just got a call from another Realtor® regarding a condo project I had a listing in. She's from out of the area and was asking about any special assessments that I knew of that may be pending. I suggested she call the HOA, however, they directed her to the seller. Seller told her "oh, no pending assessments here". (Famous Last Words).  So she saw I listed and sold a couple units in there and called me for advice.
I told her that last year the  management company slapped a $267/mo. increase in their monthly dues for roof, deck and siding replacements. … (1 comments)

How Do You Look At People - 09/06/06 08:30 PM
This was sent to me from a fellow CyberStar, Allyson Hoffman, and I want to share it with you. Author Unknown.........
Are you a cracked pot?? 
 An elderly Native woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a  pole which she carried across her neck.    One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and  always delivered a full portion of water. At the end of the long walk from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.    For a full two years this went on daily, with … (0 comments)

Just Where IS Everett, Washington - 09/05/06 09:53 PM
We are a community located 25 miles N. of Seattle, situated on the Puget Sound to the West and extends to the I-5 corridor on the East (as the crow flies). We are home to Boeing, and host their building which is the largest covered building in the world. 
We have a beautiful Everett Naval Station that is about 6 years old. It is home to the U. S. S. Abraham Lincoln and the U. S. S. Shoup. We have a booming economy, our downtown, thanks to our Mayor and County Executive, is being renovated, the parks are being spruced up, … (4 comments)

Is Your Agent a Realtor® - 09/05/06 08:05 PM
Mr. and Mrs. Buyer or Seller, this is the biggest question you should be asing yourself.  Realtors® pledge to conduct their business in accordance with the tenents set forth below:
Basic Principals of the Code of Ethics - Shortened version
1. Protect and promote your client's interests, but be honest with all parties.
2.  Avoid exaggeration, misrepresentation and concealment of pretinent facts. Do not reveal facts that are confidential under the scope of your agency relationship.
3.  Cooperate with other real estate professionals to advance your client's best interests.
4. When buying or selling, make your position in the transaction or interest known.
5.  Disclose present or … (0 comments)

Office Administrators and Staff - 09/04/06 02:38 AM
I have to say our RE/MAX Northwest offices in Washington State have the best staff and administrators. So often we forget their work behind the scenes that make us look good. They are always friendly, talk with a smile on their faces, will offer to do things to assist in our business and are there just when we need a friend.
I want to say THANK YOU to this fabulous group of people. You are so appreciated. Thank you for helping me grow my business. You're the best.  Thank you for interfacing with those difficult phone calls, thank you for sorting thru … (2 comments)

Happy First Day of School - 09/04/06 02:10 AM
As we near the first day of school, I'm sure the children of the Everett School District are as eager to begin classes as their parents are to send them. Great news for them, the Everett School District settled their teacher contract ahead of schedule and with an up to 9.5% increase. Hurray for them.
Giving teachers our most precious commodity for nearly eight hours a day, nine months out of the year, you would think they would be able to collect a salary commensurate with their duties.  It's a shame when our teachers cannot live in the communities they work in … (0 comments)

Be Aware Before Selling Your Cell Phone - 09/03/06 05:34 PM
An article in the Everett Hearld caught my attention regarding the above topic. Very often we like to upgrade our phones, or they break and the vendor sends us a new one and we ship the old one back. Well, I'm in that situation now. My Treo 650 has a corrupt file and keeps turning itself off and on at will. Verizon sent me a replacement. After reading today's article I'll be a little more cautious before I send it back.
We store tons of private information on our phones, text messages, emails, personal codes, etc. What we aren't aware of (at … (5 comments)

Husky or Cougar - 09/03/06 03:34 PM
You'd think I was talking about a visit to the Seattle Zoo by my title. Not, actually people here are either Cougars or Huskies based on their collegiate preference. You see, the Cougars are the Washington State University Team, otherwise known as, Wazzu. The Hukies are the University of Washington team, otherwise known as, U of Dub! This rivalry has been going on since early mankind. The culmination is the Apple Cup held each November as the two teams face off. So the next time you hear conversation about Wazzu or U of Dub, you'll be educated.
Now back to baseball ---- … (0 comments)

Busy Highway - 09/02/06 12:04 PM
According to the Puget Sound Regional Council "on a usual weekday in the region, more than 19,000 vehicles are parked at major park-and-ride lots" while their owners take a bus or train to work.
That's a lot of cars, folks. If you haven't visited us in the recent past our roadways are congested beyond belief. Tax dollars and dollars from large corporations (i.e., Boeing) are widening I-5, making more commuter lanes, redoing bridges and getting ready for the influx of folks for the 2010 Olympics in Canada. So along with bumper to bumper traffic daily we fight the road crews. Not sure which … (6 comments)

America's Smartest City - 09/02/06 11:57 AM
Seattle is America's smartest city! According to an analysis of educational data taken from the U. S. Census data by bizjournals.com, more than 40 percent of adults in Seattle have bachelor's degrees.
Second place is San Francisco, followed in third place by Austin.
I knew there was I reason I love this city! Besides the fabulous waterfront, mountain scapes to the east and west, fabulous universities and hospitals, the people are genuine and have a big heart.
Seattle.......you're the best.
… (14 comments)

Holiday Weekend Friday Nite Capers - 09/02/06 12:29 AM
OK, most everyone in Washington State has traveled out of town this weekend based on the bumper to bumper traffic on I-5, I'm happy just staying home. I've treated myself to TV and have been watching the Food Channel! Boy, Paula Dean and Rachael Ray can eat themselves out of any trouble! And they do it with such zest.
My hobby is gourmet cooking so I enjoy reading cookbooks, magazines, and television shows about cooking. I'm always learning. I go way back to the "Julia Childs" days! I was a big fan of hers in the 70's and 80's. I even had my … (5 comments)

 

Karen Villa Schweinfurth, ABR, CRS, SRES, CyberStar

Everett, WA

More about me…

RE/MAX Northwest Realtors, Inc. 425-308-3669

Address: 159006 Mill Creek Blvd., Mill Creek, WA, 98012

Office Phone: (425) 308-3669

Cell Phone: (425) 308-3669

Email Me

Call Karen: 425-308-3669 for ALL your Real Estate Needs Specializing in N. King and Snohomish Counties.



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