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washington: Washington D. C. Hill Visit - 05/21/08 07:08 PM
I recently attended the National Association of Realtors Mid Year conference in Washington, D. C. We had an opportunity to meet with our local legislators and senators and lobby for real estate issue affecting our communities. It was a long week of meetings, classes, caucases and preparation for our Hill visit.
On our last evening there representatives from Washington State had the opportunity to attend the annual POTLATCH Dinner put on by The Washington State Society.
The Washington State Society is a non-profit, non-partisan, member organization comprised of individuals who are living and working in the Washington, DC metropolitan area but … (8 comments)
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washington: Snohomish County Market Update - Know the Facts - 10/14/07 12:23 PM
The foreclosure rates today are the same as they were 10 years ago.
Fewer than one percent of martgages end in default in Washington State.
As of mid-June, subprime, adjustable rate loans represented 20 percentof loans nationally, but just 6 percent of home loans in Washington.
Why Washington is different -- The home market isn't keeping pace with the growth of the state's population, which is continuing to increase at 1.8 percent per year. The State's population will increase by nearly one million over the present decade and reach 6.8 million by 2010.
What about inventory? The key to stability in the residential reas estate … (0 comments)
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washington: The Gift Of Life Is So Precious - 03/24/07 11:41 AM
My oldest son's finance, Heather, is a wonderful girl. They are getting married this July after being together for seven years. She put herself through college then a masters program in teaching and is now teaching 5th graders. My son, Jeff, began his career as a consultant with IBM then Microsoft and has just been offered a full time position with Microsoft. My heart is beaming with pride and joy for them.
However, another Mother almost lost her pride and joy. You see Heather's cousin, Karl Bielser, was diagnosed with Restrictive Cardiomyopathy at age 11. Karl's life just took a turn. It was February 2006 … (9 comments)
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washington: There Is Hope - 03/05/07 05:54 PM
We're talking about "Housing Hope" in Everett, Washington. Later this month the nonprofit organization plans to open New Century Village, a 44 unit transitional housing complex for homeless families with children.
Funds came from a variety of sources including city, county, state and federal governments along with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Twenty-one spaces will be available for homless teen mothers -- the trials and tribulations of adolescence are difficult enough, add single parenthood, poverty and homelessness and it's a recipe for desperation that most will never endure.
This nonprofit group has helped homeless teen moms find permanent housing, go back to school … (2 comments)
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washington: New Urbanism in Snohomish County - 01/28/07 04:43 PM
New Urbanism is a movement that is permeating Snohomish County, especially Mukilteo and Everett. "Village Center" development is one of the first created in Mukilteo. Combining housing, retail shops and condominiums. The heart of the development has a publc plaza with outdoor dinng, benches and a grassy park area. The village encourages walking by using narrower streets and larger walkways and paths. People can now live and work in their neighborhoods. Read more here.
In Everett city officials are working with a California company to develop 216 acres along the banks of the Snohomish River into an upscale development. Read my previous blog about … (1 comments)
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washington: Everett's Secret Jewel - 01/28/07 03:18 PM
Everett has the best kept secret......Jetty Island. Jetty Island is a manmade island and salt water marsh made with sand dreged from the navigation channel of the Snohomish River.
It's a popular recretation spot for young and old. It is only accessible by boat. During the summer months the "Mosquito Fleet" runs ferry service from the Port of Everett to the island.
The island is preserved in its wild habitat for young salmon and other marine creatures. The Everett Parks Department has "hands on" classes for the children spotting all types of marine life that enjoy this small island.
The best part is the … (4 comments)
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washington: Everett's New Marina - 01/24/07 11:20 AM
Did you know that Everett, Washington boasts the second largest marina on the West Coast? Well, we do and now we are growing. The project called the "12th Street Yacht Basin" will indeed be a marina for yachts with slips designed for vessels from 80-143 feet. This is not your "grandmother's marina". This marina will feature beefed-up electrical service, high-speed internet access, cable television, dock boxes and a pump-out service.
The Port is sharing the 155 slips in the marina with the residents of the Port Gardner Warf condominiums under construction.
Yes, Everett is "finally growing up."
… (0 comments)
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washington: Sale of Auto Nets Charity Over $1 Million Dollars - 01/23/07 11:33 PM
Dave Lininger, founder of RE/MAX International spent $1,000,000 at an auto auction over the weekend. You ask what could be worth $1,000,000 and why.
Lininger bought a Hummer used by CNN to cover the war in Iraq. The proceeds from this sale will go to the Fisher House Foundation, who temporarily house families of patients receiving major medical care in military hospitals and Veterans Affairs facilities.
Lininger is a Viet Nam Veteran himself and has created a new foundation called Sentinels of Freedom, aimed at helping disabled soldiers get back to a "normal life".
This is a great story, be sure to … (4 comments)
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washington: Everett, WA Is Finally Growing Up - 01/20/07 11:17 AM
Everett is finally "growing up". A major riverfront land deal nears closing. The California company will bring back to life for people what was used only for industry. The dream of an upscale place to shop, dine, work, live and play is starting to take shape. Best yet the development will meet LEED's, Silver standards, (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).
This area located along the banks of the Snohomish River will include 2.3 miles of public trails leading to the water. It will also contain retail, office space and hotel rooms with possible expansion of condominiums. Half of the land … (1 comments)
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washington: "The State of Real Estate" - 01/19/07 02:46 PM
I was just featured in the January/February issue of the "Residential Specialist", the CRS publication out.
The article "The State of Real Estate" presents the real estate market over the U. S. and what is currently happening in each of our markets. It's interesting to see how markets are changing in certain ares.
As Realtors we are concerned about affordable housing and quality of life. In the Northwest area our starter homes are averaging $360,000, up from $255,000 a year ago. Our citizens can no longer live in the communities in which they work, especially our teachers, firefighters and police. This causes people … (3 comments)
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washington: State's Job Numbers Show Strength - 01/15/07 04:34 PM
This excerpt taken from the NWREporter February 2007 will give you a picture of the healthy workforce and economy that Washington is currently ejoying. This means we need more affordable housing in our local areas so that people can live in the towns in which they work thus stopping congestion on the freeways. "A HOME IS WHERE A JOB GOES AT NIGH". See my post regarding attending Hill Day in Olympia to fight for this Washington employers continued adding jobs in November, while an increase in the number of people looking for work caused the unemployment rate to rise slightly to … (0 comments)
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washington: Everett, Washington (The Other Washington) - 10/24/06 11:21 AM
Everett, WA, 25 miles North of Seattle, originally an old mill town, is now an "All American City" with over 97,500 residents. Everett has sister city relationships with Sovetskaya Gavan, Russia; Iwakumi, Japan; and Kligo, Ireland.
Everett is the sixth largest city in the State of Washington and is home to the County Seat Government, Snohomish County.
Everett is surrounded to the West by the saltwater shoreline of Port Gardner Bay and Possession Sound with the Olympic Mountains crowning the picture. To the Northeast and East are the shores of the Snohomish River, the majestic Cascade mountain Range, Mt. Baker to the North … (11 comments)
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washington: Leader or Follower - Thought of the Week - 10/20/06 03:38 PM
Which one are you?
I just attended a Leadership Workshop for the Board of Realtos presented by Jim Manke, CAE. Jim was a dynamic presenter and I'd like to share some of his thoughts on leadership with you.
~~~Leading is Not Managing
~~~Leaders have Clear Vision
~~~Leaders have Courage
~~~Leaders are Consistant
~~~Leaders Dream Big
~~~Leaders are Made
~~~Leaders Can Laugh
Can you apply these traits to your every day business? Do you run your business as a business? Are you professional in your actions?
If your answer is yes, congratulations. You are outstanding in your field. Do you have a mission statement for your business? If not create one, … (0 comments)
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washington: REALTOR® vs. Agent - What You Don't Know - 10/20/06 11:27 AM
I was showing properties to an investor the other day. It's interesting the response, or lack thereof, I tried to get from listing agents trying to get information we need to put together an offer.
We visited a condo conversion site - no agent on site there. I called the listing agents, both of them. Never got a call back. My client had questions regarding number of units available, number of rentals, etc. The usual stuff someone requires when getting ready to prepare an offer.
I took him to another complex. Called the listing agent regarding the number of units vs. the percentage of … (1 comments)
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washington: Affordable Housing in Everett and Snohomish County - 10/19/06 02:50 PM
I just attended a breakfast meeting this morning held by The Housing Consortium of Everett and Snohomish County.
Here are some scary statistics: "It would take close to four waiters, each with a median annual income of $18K, pooling their resources, to afford a single-family home in Snohomish County."
"It would take at least 3.5 house cleaners, each making nearly $20K a year, pooling their resources, to afford a single-family home in Snohomish County."
"It would take at least 2 teachers, each making $34K a year, pooling their resources, to afford a single-family home in Snohomish County."
"It would take at least 1.65 roofers, … (10 comments)
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washington: Now It's Here -- Now It's Not - 10/18/06 07:23 PM
It's the disappering water act. I'm sure you've all been there. Sold a home to a relocation buyer from Colorado. We had our inspection yesterday. Upon arrival at the home there was a very soggy front yard, with water draining down the sidewalk into the street. After walking around to the neighboring homes, this was the only one "leaking". The inspector first checked the water meter to see if it was running. It's was not so not coming from the sprinkler system in the yard.
Not to mention the 4 inches of settled water in the crawl space, oh, and did I … (2 comments)
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washington: For Pet Lovers - 10/15/06 02:19 PM
I've recently had to put a two year old toy yorkie down for kidney failure. It broke my spirit. He was the happiest dog I've ever had. Always stuck close to me, used to sit on my neck when I was at the computer.
I was cleaning out my "in basket" today and wanted to share this with you. It was an old "Dear Abby" post many years ago and reproduced by the washingtonpost.com in 2004.
"Treat me kindly, my beloved master, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of mine; do not break … (21 comments)
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washington: Active Rain - 10/15/06 11:34 AM
Well, it seems after a beautiful "Indian Summer" winter has set it.
It's Sunday in Seattle and raining, dark and raining. And when I say raining, it's "Active Raining". We are getting it in buckets.
Oh, well, better that than snow! Besides, looking at it from a positive standpoint, our rain makes everything green here!
Speaking of Active Rain, had an opportunity to me Matt at my Children's Hospital Auction on Friday, the 13th. So I guess after Toby, I'm the second llucky person to have met our Founder. Thanks for the support Matt.
… (3 comments)
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washington: Attention Buyers: What is an ABR? - 10/10/06 09:05 PM
What is ABR®?
The Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR®) designation is the benchmark of excellence in buyer representation. This coveted designation is awarded to real estate practitioners by the Real Estate BUYERS AGENT Council (REBAC) of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® who met the specified educational and practical experience criteria. The criteria are:
Completed the comprehensive two-day REBAC course in buyer representation
Successfully passed a written examination
Demonstrated a practical experience of having completed five closed real estate transactions in the field of buyer representation. (We have done hundreds.)
Received recommendations from two of the real estate practitioner's buyer clients. (See our testimonials page.)
Be a … (4 comments)
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washington: Take Time for a Soldier - 10/09/06 05:50 PM
Xerox Corporation is sponsoring this site letssaythanks.com. You can send a complimentary printed post card to military personnel stationed overseas to show your appreciation and support for their service to our country. You can chose from many designs; however, you cannot choose who to send it to.
These cards depicting patriotic scenes and hometown images were created from a pool of children all across the United States.
All you have to do is click on a card, select your personal message and hit send. These will be sent with care packages by military support organizations.
What a wonderful thing to do to show our support. Tell your … (7 comments)
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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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