Closing Day-In Words & Pictures - 03/31/10 06:35 PM
I know Wednesdays are when we're supposed to post our "Wordless Wednesday" posts, but frankly, I'm not very good at being "wordless" unless I'm sleeping (and according to my husband, even then I have something to say now and then).
I've been working with some wonderful clients on the sale of their home since January. We received an offer in February and were shooting for a March 26 closing date. I always caution my clients that a real estate closing date is a little like a pregnancy due date, however no amount of expectation setting can fully eliminate a seller's stress … (7 comments)

Back on Market-Approved Short Sale in Maple Valley - 03/30/10 08:51 PM
Approved Short Sale in Maple Valley's Eastwood Forest.

The irony is, we received approval on the 2nd loan for this house the same day the buyer was laid off.
What can I say?
Life Happens!
This lovely 3 BR two story is a short sale but after several long months negotiating with both the first and second lien holder's we have received approval at this list price with the seller paying 3% towards buyer's closing costs.

The home has newer hardi-plank siding, 6 panel doors, updated lighting, a nice covered deck in the fully fenced yard
AND … (3 comments)

Want to Buy New Now? - 03/22/10 06:52 PM
Who doesn't like new?
Whether it be a car, pair of shoes, coat of paint....ok, there have been a few new hair-dos I could have lived without, but for the most part new is always exciting and fun.
Here in Maple Valley, new construction was a strong driving force behind the run up of prices in '05 and '06 as demand far (FAR) out paced supply. Things have leveled off to a more even point and builders not only have more affordable product now, but some are offering some hefty incentives upon sale.
If you're looking for a brand new home … (4 comments)

A Sign for these Times - 03/22/10 10:39 AM
A few months ago, some clients called to ask if a new for sale sign could be installed at their house. I'd had the property listed through the months of November and December and the winds had torn the sign from the post on more than one occassion (holes ripped right through the top of the metal sign) and the sign had a serious case of road rash.
I had an extra sign in my trunk so drove out to Auburn install it that afternoon. As I looked at the rough, beat up sign, I couldn't help but think it was … (2 comments)

Some Days You're Ten Feet Tall! - 03/21/10 05:22 PM
It was a gorgeous day weather-wise here in Seattle yesterday. On the first day of Spring 2010, we had temperatures near 70 degrees and sunshine all day long.
My morning consisted of reviewing an offer, presenting another offer and reaching mutual acceptance on a listing I've been marketing on and off for about 18 months. I then hit my favorite store of all time Trader Joe's, had to cancel a showing because the house sold and then headed home to clean patio furniture, watch the Huskies cream beat New Mexico and then made homemade pizza on the BBQ for dinner.
It … (29 comments)

Some Sellers Opt to Rent Rather Than Sell Right Now - 03/15/10 09:54 PM
Lower home values in the greater Maple Valley area have contributed to a larger number of single family homes being converted to rentals. Owners are drawing the line on their bottom line and resolve to wait out the real estate recovery.
It's easy to find a tenant right? While the concept of renting is simple; find tenant, tenant moves in, tenant pays rent, landlord makes mortgage payment....the realities are much different.
Especially today.
Who's Renting Today? Many of today's tenants are former homeowners. People who have good incomes but due to some sudden, unforeseen circumstance, fell behind on payments or had … (6 comments)

Short Sale Listing Activity in Maple Valley, WA - 03/15/10 06:07 PM
It seems we are finally starting to see some progress with short sale closings here in Maple Valley. Previously, the number of closed sales was very low compared to the pending sales clogging the escrow funnel.
As of today, there are 44 Active Short Sale Listings in the greater Maple Valley area. Those homes have an average asking price of $292,000.
Pending sales total 50, with the majority (60%) priced between $200,000 and $300,000. The Average price is $290,151 with the high being $669.950 and the low $150,000.
Within the last 6 months, 26 homes have been successfully negotiated and closed … (3 comments)

Hear No Evil-See No Evil? -A Saturday in Seattle - 03/14/10 11:57 AM
Every now and again my husband and I decide to head "into town" for a lunch or dinner or sometimes we just walk around taking in the sights and sounds of city life.
We live in Maple Valley WA, which is about a 30-40 minute drive to downtown Seattle or it's posh sister city, Bellevue.  Usually we are inspired by good weather, but rain or shine, there's so much to see and experience....and document via photography. 
As we walked along 1st Ave, I noticed this doorway and just had to take a picture.


It was only after taking this … (8 comments)

Covington WA Home Sales & Market Report-thru Feb '10 - 03/13/10 08:44 PM
There have been 25 Single family homes sold in Covington so far this year through February 28*. 
The lowest priced home sold was $113,000 and the highest price was $350,000. The median sales price for all homes sold was $246,000 and the average days on market for these listings was 57 days.
 

 
*Represents single family homes listed through NWMLS only and does not reflect private party sales.
… (1 comments)

The Irony of that Blue Tape - 03/13/10 10:09 AM
It's always been fun to sell a brand new home (as in new construction) and watch my client's excitement as things eventually come together. Sheet rock is done, cabinets are in, they've chosen their colors and finally it's all come together!
One of my favorite steps in the process is the walk-through. Armed with blue painters tape, we mark little dings here and there, places where paint has been missed or scratched, and any areas throughout the home that might need repair or replacement.
As a side note, I used to tell my husband I was going to bring a roll  … (37 comments)

Is It Time for Home Buyers to Get off that Fence? - 03/11/10 12:10 PM
The real estate industry as a whole has been notorious for looking over it's shoulder. We value appraised prices on past sales and analysts look to historical trends to predict future markets. However in these unprecedented times, that practice may not be the wisest or most effective.
More and more, we as an industry are trying to interpret a potpourri of data and news available today in order to best inform our clients about tomorrow.
And what is that information telling me?
It's shouting strongly indicating if you've been sitting on that proverbial fence, it might be time to think about … (8 comments)

Sometimes You Just Have to Bark Back! - 03/09/10 11:48 PM
I'm not a city girl. Having lived my entire life in the suburbs of various metropolitan cities (Cincinnati, Washington DC, Philadelphia and for the last 23 years Seattle), I'm used to having a little less bustle amidst my hustle...not to mention elbow room.
We now live on 5 acres in the bedroom community of Maple Valley (apx 20 miles SE of Seattle), surrounded by acres of privately owned land with 100 acres of DNR forest across the street. Suffice to say, we have our share of wildlife making an appearance now and then.
Coyotes, bears, cougars, Elk, deer, Eagles....we have them … (5 comments)

New Maple Valley Foreclosed Property Search - 03/08/10 10:05 PM
Many buyers, investors and local homeowners are interested in staying on top of foreclosures in the area. I am excited to announce a new search function on the MovingMapleValley.com website which allows for the tracking of Bank Owned homes as well as those properties currently in default which are scheduled for a Trustee Sale.
 
It's important to note, all properties scheduled for Auction are not always sold on the courthouse steps.Some will be in short sale status and will close prior to auction date, others will be worked out or postponed due to Bankruptcy or other factors taken into consideration … (1 comments)

Well Color Me Happy-I got a "Smile" From a Negotiator! - 03/06/10 11:03 AM
Negotiating short sales can be an exhausting, frustrating, bang-your-head-against-the-wall experience, and in the past year, more the norm than the exception I've experienced while working out short sale listings in Maple Valley and South King County communities. Every now and then there is one that's easier than most, but is more often the process is a big ball of UGH! 
The most frustrating part of the process is just getting through the maze of moronic red-tape to actually be able to speak with the Negotiator on the other side-that person who will be working with the investor on the loan … (4 comments)

Maple Valley Monday Market Report (Yes....I know it's Tuesday) - 03/02/10 09:15 PM
More than almost anything in the course of my daily business, I hate being late. Late to appointments, late on closings....Late in real estate is rarely a good thing. But unfortunately, my delay in delivering my Monday Market update was due to two unexpected offers received yesterday and somehow this just got moved down the list a little.
So without further ado, here is the Monday Market Update for home sToday's Monday update for the Maple Valley Real Estate Market arrives on Tuesday, thanks to two unexpected offers received on properties yesterday!
It appears buyers are once again hopping in the … (3 comments)

Short Sale Activity in Maple Valley, WA - 03/02/10 03:52 PM
A quick look at short sale activity in the greater Maple Valley, WA market. This graph represents Single Family properties only, listed through NWMLS which have been identified as sales which must be approved by underlying lien holder(s).

… (0 comments)

 
Cfar Rainmaker_large

NW Real Estate |Colleen Fischesser & CO Seattle to Tacoma|Short Sale Specialist!

Renton, WA

More about me…

RE/MAX Select R.E | Designated Broker/Owner

Address: 1002 Park Ave N Suite A, Renton, WA, 98057

Office Phone: (425) 432-5400

Cell Phone: (206) 491-3819

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The Real Estate Scoop as it pertains to the Pacific Northwest, primarily South East King County where you can get more for your money but are within driving distance of the Seattle Waterfront or Cascade Mountain Ranges. I love to keep on top of what is going on it the local market and with new technology in the industry. Feel free to email or post a comment or question anytime!

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