Wow! My how the statistics are changing. A few months ago I checked the market to see which areas in Thurston County were leading the market in numbers of Short Sales and REO sold properties and at that time Yelm was leading the market.

Since January 2009 to the end of September there were a total of 116 REO properties and 57 short sale properties sold in Thurston County. Currently Olympia, WA holds 43% of the REO properties being sold and 40% of the short sales sold to 09/30.

There are currently 1676 single family residential properties available for sale in Thurston County. As of today, we only have 6 1/2 months inventory available for sale. It is considered a buyer's market at 7+ months and a seller's market at 1 - 5 months of inventory. Right now we are balanced. However, I anticipate a swing slightly towards buyer's market before we have a seller's market again.

Numbers at a glance for Thurston County in the month of September 2009:

231 Single-family residential properties sold

15   Short sales sold

21   REO solds

16% of the solds were either Short sales or REO properties

$268,074 was the average price for the single-family residential properties sold

4.11% average price increase from same time last year

$240,222 was the median home price

.7% median price decrease from same time last year

September last year, 2008 in Thurston County:

$257,049 Average sales price

$241,950 Median sales price

This is still a good market to either buy or sell real estate. Jump in! The water's fine.

Kimberley Bauman

(360) 481-3614

kim.realtor@comcast.net

I saw Barbara Corcoran on the Today Show this morning and until this morning I've always thought her advice was good. However, when Barbara was asked about Seller's negotiating or attempting to re-negotiate the commission her response was, "Broker's are motivated by money. If you pay a full commission when you list your house your house goes to the front of the line & that's the truth. Why would you want to nickel & dime the deal and go to the back of the line"?

When you go to work today, to do the same work you do every day, would you like your boss to negotiate or re-negotiate a lower pay rate for you? The answer, I'm sure is a resounding 'NO'!

Everyday when I go to work I have to negotiate my pay as I am a real estate agent. I work on commissions and it's up to me what commission I earn and yes, commissions are negotiable. However, if for some reason I negotiate a lower commission, I do not give less service. I give a very high quality of service to ALL of my clients regardless of the amount.

I've spoken with many agents regarding Barbara Corcoran’s statement this morning and all of the real estate professionals I've spoken with said the amount of the commission does not translate into the quality of service. No, your listing does not go to the back of the line or the bottom of the pile. Well, at least not here in Olympia, WA.

There is one issue I would like all seller's to keep in mind. If I am unable to negotiate a commission for myself... than how strong of a negotiator am I going to be when negotiating the sale of your home?

Hello Everyone! I'm so excited to be a part of the Keller Williams Realty Olympia Team. WOW! What a fantastic group of people.

Since joining Keller Williams I've learned so much about the Philosophy behind the company. We really do support and encourage one another here. KW has all the tools to empower the real estate professionals partnering with them.

I was not even a KW agent when they shared with me how to become a better real estate agent and help me to improve my business.

I'm looking forward to an amazing partnership with Keller Williams Realty Olympia!

Kimberley

The #1 Question to Ask When Interviewing Real Estate Companies; Due Diligence 101

When I decided to move to a different real estate company I decided to approach it as if I were purchasing a business. I directed my search towards those companies that were growing in a "down market", and those companies who were managing their money in a financially responsible manner. I had to ask only one question to determine whether each real estate company was a company I wanted to partner with.

When discussing this with my partner I said I would ask each company one important question. I wanted to see the companies Profit & Loss Statements for the past year. My partner laughed and said she had been in the real estate business for almost 30 years and has never heard of a real estate company that would show an agent their profit and loss statements. I shrugged my shoulders and said, "If I'm going to work with them, I have to see the Profit & Loss statements."

I figured there are only two reasons a Broker wouldn't show real estate agents their books. 1. They are broke.  Or 2. They are making far too much money from the agents and don't want us to see how much profit they are getting.

When I had my interview with the Team Leader from Keller Williams Realty Olympia I was amazed! I asked for the Profit & Loss Statements and they said, "No problem." Within minutes I had the profit & loss statements for my review. Keller Williams Realty Olympia was the first and only company that honored my request.

From my very first meeting with Keller Williams I considered it my job to educate myself regarding the operations of Keller Williams both locally and internationally. After much consideration I decided to call Keller Williams Realty Olympia the home of my Real Estate Team!

 It's refreshing to be with a Real Estate Company that has an "Open Book" policy. As a real estate professional with Keller Williams I am considered a partner. That is an awesome concept!

Kimberley Bauman (360) 481-3614

After watching the innacurate 60 Minutes segment regarding real estate I decided to take a look at Redfin.

As far as I'm concerned they are just using a different business model than some of the rest of us and that's okay. However, what I've discovered on Redfin's website is not okay.

Redfin has created a Blog, check it out: http://seattle.redfin.com/blog On this Blog Redfin takes another brokers listings and makes comments about it. In other words, they are taking our listings, marketing them on the internet and at times not making very nice comments. Some of the comments are very sarcastic as an example check this blog: http://seattle.redfin.com/blog/2007/05/wallingford_price_cut_why_both.html 

This type of marketing is not okay! It takes others listings and markets them on their website and/or they are publishing negative information about other brokers listings. Either way this needs to be stopped.

Just like any other business, I don't mind if Redfin wants to get in the sandbox and play as long as Redfin plays by the same rules everybody else plays by.

Pronounced: Fizz Bo

This can be a difficult time for the "for sale by owner". However, if you have the time and the money to hang in there you will probably sell your home.

Average days on the market have been 90+ days if listed with a real estate agent. Typically, it can take up to twice as long to sell a home as a FSBO. I real estate agent has many products to show, however a FSBO only has one product, their own home.

According to the National Association of Realtors 2005 Profile of Buyers and Sellers, 78% of buyers are already represented by a real estate agent. It makes sense to list your home where most of the buyers are looking with a real estate agent who will list your property and provide access to the internet for your listing.

 As a FSBO you will be able to sell your home by yourself, however if time and money are of the essence you should considering listing your home with a real estate professional.