booth escrow: Tricks to get a Facebook Fan Page up and running - 11/16/09 11:25 AM
Alright, I think I have my Facebook Fan Page ready for viewing.  It was a bit of a challenge, but I found some great tricks or tips from this great article off Google and got to work.  Mind you, I have been working on it for days and was very surprised when I had fans before I could even knew how to find the page I had somehow created.
Lesson #1:  Don't make your page active until you get it done and understand it.
My goal was to create a place for the local real estate agent or lender to go to and use these … (12 comments)

booth escrow: A beautiful song from the 80's while you Blog on this Fabulous Friday - 11/13/09 10:27 AM
In keeping with my newer tradition of sharing music with you as you blog on this Fabulous Friday afternoon, I am sharing Time and Tide sung by Basia - I am pretty sure this is 80's music.  But her voice is increadible.  How could you not love it?
Julie
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booth escrow: The City of Tacoma's Tax Abatement Program is working. (?) - 11/13/09 10:02 AM
Buyers only need to pay taxes on the land portion of certain properties for up to 12 years. 
The City wants to encourage the development of multifamily housing in Tacoma's seventeen Mixed-Use Centers.  In the case of my current escrow, the buyer will only have to pay property taxes based on the land value for the next 10 years.  Now that is great incentive, especially in this market place.  You can get more information of this program by clicking here.
I am presently closing on my 2nd escrow involving this tax exemption or abatement as it is also called.  In the previous … (0 comments)

booth escrow: Beautiful Rainbow off Vashon as seen in Redondo, Washington - 11/13/09 07:55 AM
As I was getting ready for work on Tuesday, I glanced out the window and was lucky enough to catch this rainbow as it was gathering strength.
I have read a number of blogs about the expensive real estate in the Puget Sound area, but you cannot deny the beauty provided throughout the Great Pacific Northwest.
The land just to the left of this rainbow is Vashon Island.
Too beautiful not to share!  Enjoy your Friday.
Julie
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booth escrow: Back at Friday afternoon - another song for you! - 11/06/09 06:42 AM
Last Friday I decided I would start sharing some of what I consider remarkable music with you.  This Friday's tune comes from Billie Holiday and even if you have seen it once, you will want to see it again.  So kick back while you are busy blogging and enjoy this great moment in time.
Let me know what you think.  Enjoy the weekend!
Julie
 
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booth escrow: Happy Friday! Enjoy this amazingly beautiful song as you blog - 10/30/09 12:30 PM
No real estate discussions from me on this Friday afternoon, instead I want to share with you this beautiful new song.  So sit back, and blog or better yet, kick your feet up and enjoy. 
This day is a gift and here is my gift to you.  It is called Just Breathe.  Let me know what you think.
Have a great weekend!
Julie
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booth escrow: This escrow officer travels to her customers to sign documents and what did I find? - 10/29/09 11:38 AM
This escrow officer travels to her customers to sign documents and what did I find when I visited this seller at his place of business?
Yarn in every color, size and textures imaginable.   All of a sudden my pulse started racing and I was taken back to a couple decades ago when I passionately made afghans, scarves, lacey doileys and even collars. 
I couldn't help but look around as I went over his HUD Settlement Statement and Escrow Instructions.  I had to pause and ask him a couple of questions about his beginnings with yarn, which go back to when he was … (9 comments)

booth escrow: What am I doing special to celebrate my landmark birthday? Psycho. - 10/28/09 06:50 AM
Being blessed with a birthday so close to Halloween, I have strived to enjoy it without thought of ghouls and goblins as I got older. 
This year I am tossing caution to the wind and heading down to the Benaroya Hall to watch the movie Psycho.  This will not be just any movie evening.  This is the home of the fabulous Seattle Symphony and they will be playing the music from the movie as it progresses.
It should be fun and memorable and a darned good way to spend a Thursday evening, right before month end!
Enjoy,
Julie
 
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booth escrow: How does Washington State rank in taxation with the rest of the Nation? - 10/27/09 03:47 AM
News Release, October 22, 2009 by the Department of Revenue:  Washington ranks 26th highest in State and local taxes; 32nd highest in property taxes.
Olympia, Washington; Washington ranks 26th highest nationally in state and local taxes as a percentage of personal income, and 32nd highest in property taxes, according to newly released federal data covering Fiscal Year 2007.
Washingtonians paid $109.35 in state and local taxes per $1,000 of personal income, compared to a national average of $113.32.  Of that $29.25 went to property taxes, compared to a national average of $34.04.
Washington ranked 15th in state and local taxes per … (0 comments)

booth escrow: AEA supports NAR to extend the tax credit Call your US Senators now! - 10/24/09 01:11 AM
AEA supports NAR to extend the tax credit  Call your US Senators now! 
Fresh in from Art Davis, the American Escrow Associations "eyes and ears" in Washington DC comes this email regarding the efforts of the National Association of Realtors to extend the $8,000.00 tax credit:
"We are supporting the grassroots efforts of the National Association of Realtors (R) to extend the $8000 tax credit, now just for first time homebuyers.  It is due to expire next month.  You should consider contacting your United States Senators (at their in-state offices) and indicate you support this proposal as important to you and the … (0 comments)

booth escrow: Does anybody love fishing as much as my boyfriend? - 10/22/09 09:10 AM
Does anybody love fishing as much as my boyfriend?  That is doubtful.  On the plus side, I love boating and he loves to filet and cook his fish.  It is the best food I have ever eaten.  Until John & I met, I really didn't like fish that much - you know all those bones makes it hard to enjoy a bite of food, right?  No bones!  In the 3 years since we have been dating, not one.   Yaaaa, this is turning out to be a successful relationship. 
We are located in the Redondo area of Federal Way and enjoy beautiful … (3 comments)

booth escrow: Regulations and Regulators! Is this a good thing for your customers? - 10/20/09 09:41 AM
Regulations and Regulators, is this a good thing for your customers?  When it comes to selecting who is going to handle the escrow of your real estate transaction, have you considered that in the State of Washington, title companies are not regulated by the Department of Financial Institutions?  Independent escrow companies are. 
There is additional testing, rules, consumer protection and regular examination's or audits of the books by the DFI that title companies need not be concerned about. 
I am thrilled to bring true independent escrow services to Federal Way.
Julie
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booth escrow: Agents: Here is a tip you can give your sellers for additional cash-back - 10/05/09 08:52 AM
Agents, here is a tip you can give your sellers for additional cash back after the closing of your sale:  Remind them to cancel their homeowners insurance after their transaction is recorded and funded. 
In Washington State, we record & fund the same day in most cases, so the sellers can contact their homeowners insurance company the next business day and have their policy stopped.  Most insurance companies will pro-rate the unused premiums and return those funds directly to the seller.
The seller will thank you for the reminder!
Of course, if your property is a short sale, most short sale … (9 comments)

booth escrow: What is Escrow and what does "It" do? - 09/29/09 11:52 AM
Have you wondered what Escrow is and what does "It" do? 
The term "escrow" is used in different contexts, but really isn't as mysterious as it sounds.  Escrow is simply a neutral third party.
You might hear the term "escrow" in conjunction with a reserve account for taxes and insurance that a lender is paying for on behalf of their customer or the term "escrow" in conjunction with a collection of a Promissory Note.
Whether you are buying or selling property, your real estate agent may suggest an escrow agent to handle the closing of your transaction.
So what is escrow all … (4 comments)

booth escrow: What Agents should look for in selecting an Escrow Officer - 09/25/09 10:13 AM
What do you look for in your Escrow Officer? 
Your closing agent should be experienced, but not insensitive to what the buyer and or seller is experiencing.  This is one of the biggest moments in their lives and your closing agent can help alleviate that feeling by talking with the customers in advance of closing and taking "the mystery" out of the process.
Your customers will be calmer and clearer when they know what to expect during the escrow transaction.
Of course, your closing agent needs to be focused on meeting the deadlines of the transaction and if they clash … (0 comments)

booth escrow: Imagine ... A Pre Closing appointment with escrow. - 09/14/09 07:38 AM
Do you hear that?  No?  Perfect!  Your buyers and or sellers are not calling you over and over again to see if you have heard anything from Escrow?  Why?  It is because I have already contact them to see if they are interested in a Pre Closing, Closing.  There are so many new people buying and selling properties, that it only makes sense to see if they want to go over the process of their closing early.
Imagine...A Pre Closing appointment with escrow.
I will be contacting you first to confirm that you are in the loop of the discussions, if … (4 comments)