Dan Edwards, REALTOR®'s Blog

King County U-Cut Christmas Tree Farms Open The Day After Thanksgiving!

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:21:12 -0600

Each year me and the family head cut our own Christmas Tree. We love the idea of picking out the perfect tree. Fresh cut trees last longer in the home and the smell wonderful !Below is a short list of great U-Cut Christmas Tree Farms in King County.

If your feeling a bit more adventurous and want to save some money you can pick up a permit to cut down a Christmas tree from one of our nearby national forests!

Carnation
Carnation Tree Farm 31523 NE 40th St 425-333-4510
Nothing but Nobles 33219 NE 66th St 206-595-0307
Fall City
Fall City Farms 3636 Neal Rd 425-222-4553
Issaquah
Enchanted Winds Tree Farm 8021 Issaquah-Hobart Rd 425-432-4573
Trinity Tree Farm 14237 228th Ave SE 425-391-8733
Maple Valley
Three Tree Farms 28033 SE 216th St 425-432-4372
Westover Farm 24030 SE 192nd St 425-432-1597
Wilson Hill Tree Farm 20241 SE 232nd St 425-432-2805
North Bend
Christmas Creek Tree Farm 15515 468th Ave SE 425-888-2099
Crown Tree Farm 13005 424th Ave SE 425-888-1506
Keith & Scott Tree Farm 43342 SE Mt Si Rd 425-888-1170
Redmond
McMurtrey/Redwood Farms 13925 Redmd-Woodvl Rd 425-482-6795
Noel Tree Farm 2200 148th NE 425-868-1707
Renton
Country Tree Farm 18225 116th Ave SE 425-255-5172
Snoqualmie
Holiday Mountain Trees near Snoq. Ridge Dev. 253-838-7979
Mountain Creek Tree Farm 6821 440th Ave SE 425-888-1770

Selling your home during the "holidaze;" price it right then do and don't...

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 23:46:52 -0600

With the holiday season right around the corner many sellers are wondering if they should keep their home on the market or wait for brighter days. Before I get into that here's a great video to get you in the mood.

Amazing Perth Christmas Lights 2008 - Watch today’s top amazing videos here

Now back to the business of selling your home during the crazy holiday season. Rule number one, ensure you have the right price. It's important to ensure you are priced to move in the next 30 days. Next to get your home sold in this environment you can't just be competitive you must be compelling. In The Seattle Times published a great article by Lisa Pemberton-Butler it outlines Do's & Don'ts of holiday home sales.

To get your home sold during the holidays DO:

Keep your home warm, if you have a fireplace gas or wood, keep it going.
Keep the home well lit, put up Christmas lights just don't go too crazy.
Be accommodating, this will separate you from many other home sellers during the holiday season.

To get your home sold during the holidays DON'T:

Overdo holiday decor. A nice holiday wreath on the door or a modest tree would be perfect.
Go overboard with holiday aromas. Less is more.
Be a "Scroodge" be realistic with the price your expected to get for your home.

In conclusion, remember you can sell your home during the Holidaze. Just remember to price it right and remember your dos and don'ts.

Downtown Bellevue Washington home sales (98004) 11/21/2009

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:14:45 -0600

Downtown Bellevue real estate home sales are up thanks to a boost from the first time home buyer tax credit. The Downtown Bellevue(98004) area is from I-90 North to Highway 520 East to I-405 and west to Lake Washington.

As of 11/21/09 here are the real estate home stats for Downtown Neighborhood of Bellevue Washington. The numbers below are from the last seven days, this gives you a general feel for what is going on in this neighborhood in any given week.

Total Number of home for sale:	197
Average List Price:	$2,081,369
Average Days on Market:	125

Total Pending homes sales:	3
Average List Price:	$877,667
Average Days on Market:	94

Total Expired Home Sales Last 7 Days	1
Average List Price:	$1,099,950
Average Days on Market:	225

Total Sold Home Sales Last 7 Days	6
Average Sales Price:	$1,426,500
Average Days on Market:	61

If your looking for more information on homes sales in the Downtown Neighborhood of Bellevue Washington simple give me a call(206-818-8816) or contact me, and I will be happy to get you the information you seek.

It is my goal to help buyers and sellers. If you are a home owner and you would like to know more about how I sell homes for top dollar with my Marketing Action Plan simply sign up for a Market Snapshot and I will contact you for a private review of your homes market value.

-Dan Edwards, REALTOR(r) Northstone Real Estate, Inc. 206-818-8816

Holiday Tips: They say "it's the thought that counts"...think twice about gift cards!

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:02:42 -0600

STOP - Don't Get Ripped off!Gift cards hold their first-place position as the top gift for the sixth year in a row; 55% of adults surveyed would like to receive a gift card this holiday season and 64% of consumers plan to buy them as presents. Gift cards seem like a perfect solution to the problem of what to give this holiday season. But gift-givers and recipients need to be aware of the details and make sure that measures are taken so that the recipient gets the gift and not the retailers.

Best practices when it comes to buying gift cards:

Buy from known and trusted sources. Exercise caution when considering purchasing gift cards from online auction sites; fraud is not uncommon. Also evaluate the financial condition of the business and whether it has filed for bankruptcy.
Read the fine print. Consider expiration dates, restrictions and fees when selecting a card. Give the original receipt and the terms of the conditions to the recipient along with the card.
If you purchase online and allow the merchant to email a gift certificate to someone else, make sure you alert that person to be sure your good intentions are not deleted as junk mail.

Almost half (47%) of consumers have unused gift cards. On average, these consumers have 5.9 cards.

Keep all the value on the cards you receive by doing the following:

Use it right away! Some issuers may replace lost cards or honor cards that have expired, although they may charge a fee.
If your card is lost or stolen, report it to the issuer immediately.
Sell, trade or re-gift unwanted gift cards; talk to friends and family or check out the many options available online.

I hope you fine these tips helpful. I wish you an yours a very Happy Holidays!

Home Buyers Tips: Choosing a REALTOR(R)

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 23:53:08 -0600

As you begin your home search it is now, more than ever, important that you begin your home search with a Realtor(r). You can be sure of getting the best advice, information and experience by picking your Realtor(r) carefully. A good Realtor can make the home buying experience smooth and enjoyable, while a bad one can add stress. Here is my short list for home buyers on how to choose a real estate professional.

Start with a Realtor(r) Not all agents are....
Choose an agent that has experience representing buyers.
Choose an agent that is familiar with the area your looking in.
Choose an agent that understands financing.
Choose an agent that is serious about their craft.
Choose an agent you like.
Choose an agent that understands today's market conditions.

Start with a Realtor(r) I know this may surprise many of you but not all real estate professionals are Realtors(r). For years now clients, agents and the public have thrown around the "REALTOR" term as if it is interchangable with "real estate professional" . The fact is a REALTOR(R) is bound to a Code to Clients and Customers, the Public and other REALTORS(R)

Choose an agent that has experience representing buyers. Some of you may be saying "duh.. don't you all? Truth is while we can handle all aspects of real estate transactions, some agents specialize. Just like doctors are specialists, some agents are just listing agents while others work with only investment clients. I personally enjoy working with both sellers and buyers. I have found that representing buyers helps me remind my sellers where the buyers are coming from.

Choose an agent that is familiar with the area your looking in. I am licensed to practice real estate all over the state of Washington, but I couldn't tell you the first thing about Lacey, WA. I can tell you I have a great Realtor(r) friend that lives down there. The point is there are a fair amount of real estate professionals out there, so for your home purchase find one that lives, works, plays in the area your looking to live.

Choose an agent that understands financing. Imagine a buyers agent that works closely with lenders and ensures that the contract is written in a way to give you(the buyer) the best possible advantage from a lending point of view. That is what having a real estate agent that understands financing is all about. I am a licensed loan officer in the State of Washington. This gives me a clear understanding of what is to be expected from underwriters and processors. I am able to help my buyers wade through the mass of misrepresentations that are out there in the marketplace.

Choose an agent that is serious about their craft. I don't want to knock on part-time agents. I do think that even a part-time agent can provide their clients 5 star service. The emphasis is commitment to providing their client with great service. Often times clients choose an agent out of obligation(i.e family member, friend). I would ask that my friends choose to work with me. It's not because of my friendship, rather it's because I take my job seriously. I believe the best thing for my friends in choosing representation is someone that will ensure their interests are held above mine in the transaction.

Choose an agent you like. Nothing is worse that riding around in a car with someone you have nothing in common with. Of course your not going to be BFF's, but it is worth it that you enjoy the personality of the agent that is representing you. Of course, the other points will take higher priority, but if you don't like the agent, no amount of professionalism will improve the enjoyment of the relationship. Personality goes a long way!

Choose an agent that understands the market. Again another duh!! The fact is if you have answered yes to the above 6 items. Chances are you are working with someone that understands the market. It doesn't hurt to ask questions like; "Where do you see the market headed in the next 6 months, 2 years, 10 years etc." A exceptional agent has this information at their fingertips.

In conclusion home buyers need to begin their search with a REALTOR(R) Take some time to identify the best agent for the job.

A Tragic Story Unfolds. With help comes hope, please don't suffere in silence...

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 22:30:52 -0600

A very impactful story. Remember Realtors(r) This holiday season to be there for your family, friends and clients!

Via Janna Rankin Scharf - Realtor Coeur d'Alene and North Idaho Homes (Keller Williams Realty Coeur d'Alene):

My sister Kerri keeps a police scanner on in her kitchen. Last night I received this email from her:

I don't always "hear" things on the scanner in the background but for whatever reason picked up on this right away jotting notes from the initial call about 10:15 p.m. by a 15-year-old saying his father had shot himself. He and his 11 year old brother and 13 year old cousin were in a back bedroom waiting for the police and ambulance to arrive. The mother was out of town. I jotted down the address and then Googled it. Came up as a listing of a gorgeous log house on the market for $800,000+. It was weird to be looking at pictures of this beautiful home overlooking the lake and picturing those frightened boys in the house. The dispatcher said the boys' grandpa was on his way from the "Coeur d'Alene area." Then the dispatcher said neighbors were on the scene and were with the boys in their car in the driveway. The neighbor had gone into the house and "saw blood and the gun but didn't touch the body."

Just a very sad real life drama. Those boys' lives will forever be marked by what life was like before their dad and uncle killed himself and after. So say a little prayer for the boys, they've been through more trauma in the last 90 minutes than anyone should ever see.

When I read the email, my first thought was that this was possibly another distressed homeowner who had come to the end of his rope. I looked up the home and saw that it was built at the height of the upswing in prices, and it's current assessed value was half of what it cost new. That's a tough spot to be in.

A wise man once told me to treat everyone I come in contact with as if they are distressed, and more than 50% of the time I will be correct. That was 5 years ago, I bet today I'd be right a much higher percentage of the time. The holiday season is especially hard for those struggling and feeling beaten down by life. Let's all be sensitive to those around us.

A good resource for help is the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Are you in crisis? Please call 1-800-273-TALK

Are you feeling desperate, alone or hopeless? Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), a free, 24-hour hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Your call will be routed to the nearest crisis center to you.

Call for yourself or someone you care about

Free and confidential

A network of more than 140 crisis centers nationwide

Available 24/7

Janna Rankin Scharf provides a superior level of real estate services to home buyers and sellers in Coeur d'Alene and Kootenai County, Idaho. Visit www.JannaScharf.com to search for homes in the Coeur d'Alene MLS for anywhere in spectacular North Idaho.

No matter how grand or modest your real estate dreams may be, you can turn to me in confidence. Give me a call today and let me know what I can do to be of service to you!

Janna Rankin Scharf AB, GRI, CSP, CNS, CLHMS 208.651.9700

Sammamish WA Bank Owned Homes Stats for October 2009

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 23:18:50 -0600

Sammamish WA Bank Owned homes stats for October 2009

Active: 6

Pending: 0

Sold: 1

Other: 0

Total: 7

	Bedrooms	Bathrooms	Square Feet	List Price	Selling Price	DOM
Minimum	3	2.50	2,110	$329,900	$320,000	14
Average	4	2.93	3,196	$596,214	$320,000	43
Median	4	2.75	2,740	$495,000	$320,000	30
Maximum	5	3.75	5,320	$924,950	$320,000	80
Total Dollar Value					$320,000

Average DOM Breakdown and Average % of List Price received on Solds by Market time:

	0-30 Days	31-60 Days	61-90 Days	91-120 Days	120+ Days
No. of Listings	1	0	0	0	0
Breakdown %	100.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00
Avg SP % LP	97.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00

Some of the best deals in Real Estate are REO or Bank Owned Real Estate. Banks are in a hurry to sell a home and they intentionally price it 20% below the market. A Bank Owned home is property that goes back to the mortgage company after an unsuccessful foreclosure auction. You see, most foreclosure auctions do not even result in bids. After all, if there was enough equity in the property to satisfy the loan, the owner would have probably sold the property and paid off the bank. That is why the property ends up at a foreclosure or trustee sale.

Foreclosure sales begin with a minimum bid that includes the loan balance, any accrued interest, plus attorney's fees and any costs association with the foreclosure process. In order to bid at a foreclosure auction, you must have a cashier's check in your hand for the full amount of your bid. If you are the successful bidder, you receive the property in "as is" condition, which may include someone still living in the property. There may also be other liens against the property.

Since what is owed to the bank is almost always more than what the property is worth, very few foreclosure auctions result in a successful sale. Then the property "reverts" to the bank. It becomes an REO, or "real estate owned" property.

If your looking for a detailed list of REO(Bank owned real estate) Properties Simply sign up to receive Sammamish WA Bank Owned Properties updates.

Wordless Wednesday: Veteran's Day Tribute 2009

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:18:11 -0600

First time home buyer tax credit; move up/down home buyer tax credit.

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:17:26 -0600

Much talk has come out about the NEW tax credit for owners of existing homes. The new tax credit now extends it's tax credit to current homeowners. The new law signed by president Obama has extended and expanded the homebuyer tax credit. The new credit was signed into law November 6th, 2009

Revised Home Buyers Tax Credit
Valid: November 6, 2009 – April 30, 2010
First-time Buyer - Amount of Credit: $8,000 ($4,000 if married filing separate)
First-time Buyer- Definition for Eligibility: may not have had an interest in a principal residence for 3 years prior to purchase.
Current Homeowner – Amount of Credit: $6,500 and $3,200 if married filing separate. (There was no provision for this in the original plan.)
Current Homeowner - Definition for Eligibility: Must have used the home sold, or being sold, as a principal residence consecutively for 5 of the previous 8 years.
Termination of Credit: Purchases after April 30, 2010.
Binding Contract Rule: So long as a written binding contract to purchase is in effect on April 30, 2010, the purchaser will have until July 1, 2010 to close.
Income Limits: $125,000 for single (up from the original $75,000); $225,000 for married (up from the original $150,000). Additional $20,000 phase out.
Limitation of Cost of Purchased Home: $800,000. (There was no limit specified in the original plan.)
Purchase by a Dependents: Ineligible.
Anti-fraud Rule: Purchaser must attach documentation of purchase to tax return. There was not such a requirement in the original plan.

To see if you qualify for the new extended and expanded government tax credit contact your local Realtor(R) to determine how to move up in a down market!

Largest Ski(Snowsports) Swap at Newport High School in Bellevue WA

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:43:00 -0600

Get ready for the largest Ski(Snowsports) Swap on the Eastside. This coming weekend November 13th(5pm to 9PM) and 14th(8am to 6PM) at Newport Senor High School in Bellevue WA, marks the 24th annual Snowsports Swap. You will find 10,000 square feet of winter sports heaven.

You can expect to find major savings on all types of snowsports gear. In addition to all the used gear you would expect to find at the ski swap, you will find steep discounts on new stuff as well. Gerk's Alpine Hut, Liquidation Sports will be there and Bellevue Ski & Snowboard School plus many more! Entry and parking are free.

Can this event get any better. Yep! you can bring your old stuff and sell it for cold hard cash(maybe they cut checks...not sure.) In addition the purpose of this snowsports swap is to provide volunteer and learning opportunities for students. Students volunteers learn about setting up a small business. Also the event is a Newport PTSA fund raiser. The PTSA uses funds from this event to support the teachers of Newport High School with textbooks, learning aids and much more.

Plan on attending the largest ski(snowsports) swap on the Eastside in Bellevue WA! For more information please visit Newport Snowsports Swap

Newport High School, Bellevue (Factoria), Washington.
4333 Factoria Blvd (128th Ave) SE
Bellevue, WA 98006

Google Street Map

There is no "I" in team and guess what; there is also no "I" in REALTOR(R)

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 23:55:31 -0600

To most of you that aren't dependent on spell check you already knew that. The point I am trying to make is when you hire a Realtor(R) you are hiring their team. I have learned that the service on my transactions is only as good as the team I surround myself with. With the many aspects of one real estate transaction, even the best Realtor(R) can lose track of a tiny point that, left unattended can turn into a major issue.

Early in my career I didn't recognize the importance of a good escrow closer. It cost me money but more importantly it cost me my integrity. In a nutshell what happened was that the lender didn't get loan documentation to escrow in time to review that the loan was for more that the buyer wanted to borrow. They had more funds that they wanted to put down on the new home purchase. Some how this wasn't communicated to the lender. No this may not have been "my fault" but it was in my care and keeping because I am their REALTOR(R) This could have easily been avoided by clear communication as throughout the transaction.

My grandfather always said to me, "Surround yourself with others that can do it better than you" So I have worked to assemble the best of the best on my team. I am very proud to work with them they help my buyers and sellers have a 5 star transaction!

My Team!

Tawni van Wageningen - Accredited Staging Professional, REALTOR(R) and Partner
Brian Leavitt - Broker - Northstone Real Estate, Inc.
Lisa Privette - Commonwealth Title
Linda Charleson - Escrow Officer - Davidson, Czeisler & Kilpatric.
Lenders: Rick Robertson - Homestead Mortgage; Kurt McCloud - Wells Fargo; Jamey Mays - Bank of America
Don't forget the service that my clients receive before during and after the transaction through my Business Directory!

Today I am thankful for their efforts! It is because of this team of professionals that I can ensure my clients the highest level of service!

Big Trouble Brewing in Massachusetts--The Seller does not own the Property you are Buying

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 23:22:15 -0600

As we step through the "Great Recession" it's important for agents to be on guard for Scams. We owe the public as REALTORS(R) to ensure the product being offered is not only owned by the individual signing the contract, but our duty to ensure there aren't leans on the property that may trigger a short sale.

Via Elliott S. Topkins Massachusetts Real Estate and Title Atty (Topkins & Bevans-etopkins@topbev.com):

The point I am making seems so simple. Of course, my seller owns the home he or she is listing. Why else would the person be speaking with me and going through a listing agreement, and seller satement and countless open houses and execution of an offer and purchase agreement if the person did not own the home.

The cold hard facts are that there is a recent Massachusetts case where the putative seller had placed the property in a trust, where he was the trustee, prior to listing the home. As an individual, he did not own the home. The relevant documents were signed, the buyer applied, and was committed for, a mortgage. The title examination revealed an owner other than the person listed as seller on the purchase agreement. The transaction did not close.

This may seem totally ludicrous to most ActiveRainers. It didn't strike me as properly defensible either. The buyer certainly had rights against the seller for fraud and deceit. He did not, however, have the right to compel a conveyance from the seller. Each piece of property is, on its face, unique and spefific performance could not be granted against a non-owner.

There are ways to guard against this heinous result as follows:

1. Prior to taking a listing, the listing agent can do a simple owner search. In most states, this can be done online from your computer. If you don't know how to access your registry online, ask you title company or title attorney to teach you. You can find out from the juimp whether you are dealing with the proper owner.

2. After the initial documents are sign, the buyer agent can ask his or her attorney, or title company, to confirm the ownership of the property right away. This is a relatively simple process, but it can save heartache and expense in the future.

There is nothing more frustrating in law than having a right wihout a remedy. Being able to sue a seller for deception is one thing, but it doesn't get the buyer the property he or she has set their signhts on. Go the extra mile to make sure that the record title is in the name of the seller. Anything short of that is not acceptable.

Thank You American Soldiers

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:22:07 -0600

Don't forget Veterans Day is November 11th. Say thanks!

Via Stephanie Reynolds (Agent of Possibility, REALTOR, GRI, ePro at CMI, Inc. ):

My business partner and I were previewing a home in Point Loma today and decided it was too beautiful of a day not to make a quick run up to Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery, pay our respects to her uncle and appreciate the view for a quick minute while in the area. (Phenomenal view of downtown San Diego)

How lucky were we to drive into the cemetery, and find out that directly across from where we were going they were filming a scene from an upcoming movie "I AM THE MAN". This movie is a tribute to Michael Monsoor, Navy Seal, Delta Platoon.

Monsoorand his Platoon were sent to Iraq in April 2006 to train Iraqi Soldiers. During the time in Iraq, Monsoor and his troops were often encountered by insurgent forces. On September 29, 2006 an insurgent threw a grenade on to a roof top where Monsoor, some of his platoon and several Iraqi soldiers were positioned. Monsoor threw himself on to the grenade and took the blast. In doing so, Monsoor saved the lives of his troops as well as the Iraqi soldiers. He died 30 minutes after taking the blast. (This is an actual photograph of Monsoor in Iraq)

On April 8, 2008, President Bush presented Monsoor's family with Michaels's Medal Of Honor.

While we were on our visit to the cemetery, directly across from the place in the cemetery where a portion of this film was being shot, we were able to speak with one of the assistants that ran across to get the guy mowing the lawn to wait while they shot their scene. He let us know what the film was and that everyone in the film is either active Military or family of military. There are no actors, no big names. Just a dedication to a man who risked his life for the safety of others. A man fighting for our freedom. Admirals, Captains and Lieutenants and retirees showed up for this shooting to honor this hero.

Today we watched the mock funeral of Monsoor. We watched the casket be carried to his grave site by Naval officers, with a flag covering the casket. We watched as the flag was foldedand presented to the family. The lone bugler playing taps, the 7 gun salute as well as an honored F18 aerial flyover. As the tears streamed down my face at this mock funeral, in the middle of a cemetery where hundreds of men and women are buried that fought for our country, I was reminded of how grateful I am that my son Jason came home from Iraq and how grateful I am to every man and woman that have died for and continue to fight for our freedom.

As Veterans Day approaches, remember those that have served. Remember those that still serve. You enjoy all of the freedoms today to read this post and write your posts because of these men and women.

BOORAH! THANK YOU AMERICAN SOLDIERS!
Making the Home of Your Dreams A Reality. As your Agent of Possibibility it is my intent to make your home buying or selling process a smooth one!

Please feel free to subscribe to my blog or contact me at 619-838-4408.

Issaquah WA Bank Owned Homes Report for October 2009

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:57:38 -0600

If your looking for Bank Owned Properties in Issaquah WA below is the market report for October 2009.

Active: 5

Pending: 0

Sold: 2

Other: 0

Total: 7

	Bedrooms	Bathrooms	Sqft	List Price	Selling Price	DOM
Minimum	0	2.50	1,620	$329,900	$721,000	2
Average	4	3.61	4,293	$709,628	$798,500	24
Median	4	3.50	4,260	$735,000	$798,500	10
Maximum	5	5.50	6,900	$893,475	$876,000	56
Total Dollar Value					$1,597,000

Average DOM Breakdown and Average % of List Price received on Solds by Market time:

	0-30 Days	31-60 Days	61-90 Days	91-120 Days	120+ Days
No. of Listings	2	0	0	0	0
Breakdown %	100.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00
Avg SP % LP	102.06	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00

If your looking for a detailed list of REO(Bank owned real estate) Properties Simply sign up to receive Issaquah WA Bank Owned Properties updates.

Work on your golf swing all winter long: Swing Doctors in Kirkland WA

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:35:06 -0600

Swing Doctors Kirkland, WA: If you are bummed that winter is almost upon us and wish you could play just on more round, check out Swing Doctors in Kirkland WA Joe Brown the owner of this fantastic Golf Instruction/Virtual Golf establishment will most likely be there to great you at the door. I am not just extolling the services of Swing Doctors, I was once a patient! Truth be told I need a check up visit!

The great thing about visiting Swing Doctors in Kirkland is the state-of-the-art video analysis software. But the software doesn't do it all. With Joe and his staff, they have the trained eye to give you the feedback you need to fix that what ails your swing!

If you consider what you paid all summer to play golf, Swing Doctors is a bargain. Tuning up your swing don't end at just the video training. Swing Doctors has an interactive Double Eagle simulators that use state-of-the-art technology to display authentic photographs of world famous golf courses.

So, if you are looking for a place to fix your golf swing, or perhaps just need a tiny check up, stop by Swing Doctors in Kirkland WA 425-823-2100 or email Joe at swingdoctorsgolf@yahoo.com

Work on your golf swing all winter long: Swing Doctors in Kirkland WA

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:33:15 -0600

So, if you are looking for a place to fix your golf swing, or perhaps just need a tiny check up, stop by Swing Doctors in Kirkland WA 425-823-2100 or email Joe at swingdoctorsgolf@yahoo.com

5 Tips on Choosing The Right Days to Market Your Real Estate Services Online

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 23:06:44 -0600

I have often wondered when the best time to get the highest chance of capturing the eyeballs of your consumers...thanks for the stats!

Via Rebecca Levinson, Real Estate Marketing Consultant (Real Skillz-Clear Marketing for Your Real Estate Vision):

How to Choose the Right Days to Market your Real Estate Services Online

Effective real estate marketing online has a lot to do with timing. There has been a lot of research conducted, mainly for industries outside of real estate (i.e.retail, hospitality, automotive) on the best days and times to market services and products online. Implementing the right timing to deploy marketing campaigns into your online marketing strategy is an effective way to ramp up your results.

Here are 5 tips on choosing the right days to market your real estate services online

1. Tweet Midweek-

You can tweet everyday of the week but for maximum effect make sure to tweet on Wednesdays and Thursdays as they are the most active days of tweets and retweets as found by HubSpot's State of the Twittersphere Q42008.

State-of-the-Twittersphere -

2. Publish Your Most Important Blog Posts Midweek

Frequency of great original content is still important in building your readership and traffic to your blog. I recommend to my clients that they blog a minimum of 3-5 times per week to be considered as a true content provider in the eyes of their readers.

That being said when is the best time for a blogger to publish their meatiest, most important blog posts? Darren Rowse of Problogger addresses the timing factor in When to Publish Blog Posts-Timing Considerations,

"If I have a very important post that I want to get as much attention as possible I generally will publish it on a Tuesday or Wednesday morning (my time)."

Rowse's post also gives some advice as to publishing posts on weekends and holidays that is worth the read as well as the comments on the post (82 so far).

Roger Parker of blogforprofit.com recommends that if you were to only blog twice per week to publish those blog posts on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Clearly publishing your most important blog posts midweek is a winning strategy.

3. The Weakest Link for Email Marketing is Saturday

You may have several email campaigns in your real estate marketing campaign: email flyers, email follow-up, email newsletters. Email marketing is a heavy hitter for real estate professionals but when is the most effective time for you to deliver your messages to your prospects and customers?

According to EMarketer.com the best days of the week to send email marketing are Mondays and Tuesdays and the least effective time by nearly 50% is Saturdays.

The best advice I found and agree with is to survey your email subscribers and ask them when they would like to receive emails from you.

We are approaching the holiday season so it is important to consider the times that people are online and actively shopping. Study these deployment times statistics provided on the emailstatcenter.com website before launching any niche holiday real estate marketing campaigns.

4. Engage your Fans on Facebook on Tuesdays

In findings from Virtue SRM (Social Relationship Manager) the best days to post on your Facebook Business Page is Tuesdays, followed closely Wednesdays with Mondays coming in #3.

**Allow me one deviation~ What I find more or equally fascinating is the 6.49% CLR (Click Thru Rate) of marketing campaigns such as polls and incentives that are run on Facebook business pages. Fans are clearly interacting with their friends on Facebook in a big way and their interactions are also being seen by their friends.**

5. LinkedIn Users Are Active In the Morning

According to a small study by SenderOK Statistics report which was based on a sample of 440 anonymous users the most activity on LinkedIn occurs in the morning.

"LinkedIn use is predominantly an 8AM-Noon activity with very, very little activity in the evening. Of particular interest is that LinkedIn users tend to arrive at work earlier than Facebook users do....Those serious early morning LinkedIn users will spend an average of 29 minutes reading real Email before they get around to checking your connection request which they could have read first if they wanted to."

While this is a small sampling of members on LinkedIn and their behavior I can attest that this mimics my LinkedIn use. The first online activity I do in the morning is to check my email(which of course includes my blog activity) and the first social network site I check is LinkedIn and this occurs normally between the hours of 7:30-8:30 a.m.

Take into consideration the times and days that people are online and engaging in these online activities when you create and implement your online real estate marketing strategy.

Once you taken action use an analytics tool to measure the effectiveness of your marketing campaigns. Tweak the times you deliver your marketing messages based on your analytics and direct feedback from your recipients.

Get your game on and use the 5 tips on choosing the right days to market your real estate services online.

Subscribe to Blogging In the Rain, A Real Estate Marketing Blog

Join Me on Facebook. Tuesday I'll be posting a discussion about marketing to women.

***************************************************

Rebecca D. Levinson is a real estate marketing consultant with 17 years of experience serving real estate industry professionals.

If you need assistance with online marketing, offline marketing, social networking, or blogging contact Rebecca D. Levinson at #262-203-5231 or email rebecca@bloggingintherain.com.

Redmond WA Bank Onwed Homes Report for October 2009

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:58:07 -0600

If your looking for Bank Owned Properties in Redmond WA below is the market report for October 2009.

If your looking for a detailed list of REO(Bank owned real estate) Properties Simply sign up to receive Redmond WA Bank Owned Properties updates.

Bellevue WA Bank Owned Homes Report for October 2009

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 12:32:04 -0500

If your looking for Bank Owned Properties in Bellevue WA here is the report of what happened in October 2009.

A Bank Owned home is property that goes back to the mortgage company after an unsuccessful foreclosure auction. You see, most foreclosure auctions do not even result in bids. After all, if there was enough equity in the property to satisfy the loan, the owner would have probably sold the property and paid off the bank. That is why the property ends up at a foreclosure or trustee sale.

October 2009 Report

Active: 13

Pending: 4

Sold: 3

Other: 0

Total: 20

	Bedrooms	Bathrooms	Square Feet	List Price	Selling Price	DOM
Minimum	3	1.50	1,150	$325,000	$406,000	1
Average	4	2.76	2,895	$631,990	$571,333	45
Median	4	2.50	2,440	$594,450	$505,000	22
Maximum	6	4.50	5,950	$1,405,800	$803,000	170
Total Dollar Value					$1,714,000

Average DOM Breakdown and Average % of List Price received on Solds by Market time:

	0-30 Days	31-60 Days	61-90 Days	91-120 Days	120+ Days
No. of Listings	2	0	1	0	0
Breakdown %	66.67	0.00	33.33	0.00	0.00
Avg SP % LP	101.39	0.00	96.21	0.00	0.00

I have complied a FREE report on Bank Owned Properties in Bellevue WA.

Trilogy at Redmond Ridge: Senior(55+) Living at it's best in the Northwest

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 12:12:14 -0500

Trilogy at Redmond Ridge is the premier active adult community for Redmond WA area residents. If your looking for a community to retire in or live a seasoned active life, then the Trilogy community is for you. Residents of Trilogy at Redmond Ridge enjoy events in the Cascade Club where they can enjoy live music and tall cocktails. You connect with other residents through community events.

Don't forget about the fabulous on-site amenities that include: the nationally-recognized championship golf course, Tranquility Spa, the Cascade Club, dinning option at the Redmond Ridge Grill or Cyber Cafe, tennis and an indoor pool.

Enjoy all that Trilogy at Redmond Ridge has to offer from this Lovely one level home in Trilogy. Highly sought after Sammamish floor plan. 2 bedroom plus den. Keep cool in the summer with A/C, and enjoy the warm gas fireplace in the winter. Many upgrades including custom lighting, wine chiller in the dining room and custom built-ins in the living room. Trilogy is a great summer retreat. A 55 and over community with resort style living featuring golf, tennis, spa, park, pool and fitness center and more.

As a REALTORIt's my professional opinion that Trilogy has everything an active senior would want all in one place. If you or someone you love is thinking about a place to retire or a second home to spend the wonderful northwest summers at Trilogy at Redmond Ridge.

Adding insult to injury - Identity Theft can follow you around!

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:57:57 -0500

This months item of value is a comprehensive review of Identity Theft. Most would be home owners are never aware of impact that Identity theft has on their ability to get a great rate and it may not allow them to even get a loan. As you begin the home buying process it's important to ensure you aren't a victim of Identity Theft. Here is how to prevent it from happening to you!

ATTEMPTS TO SCAM PEOPLE OUT OF THEIR HARD-EARNED MONEY ARE NOTHING NEW,BUT WITH TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS, SCAMMERS ARE BECOMING MORE SOPHISTICATED.

LEARNING HOW TO QUICKLY SPOT THESE SCAMS WILL PREVENT YOU FROM BECOMING THEIR NEXT UNSUSPECTING VICTIM.

TOP SIX SCAMS

Mortgage Fraud

There are many types of schemes, including foreclosure rescue, loan

modification or reverse mortgage scams, and all contain some type of material misstatement, misrepresentation or omission of information relating to the

property or potential mortgage.

Unauthorized Credit Card Charges

Scamming occurs when a company that has your credit card information on file makes unauthorized charges and hopes the victim either doesn’t notice or thinks reversing the charges will be too much trouble. To get your credit card information, some companies will offer a “free trial” and then sell the credit card information to another disreputable group.

Overpayment Scams

Fraudsters negotiate contracts requiring payment to their victims. Ultimately, the victim receives an illegitimate payment larger than the amount owed, and then scammers instruct their victims to wire the money back to them. Several varieties of this scam exist, such as secret shopper, pet schemes and false roommates.

Identity Theft

This type of scamming occurs through the use of fraudulent, unsolicited e-mails that use spam to steal identity information. The e-mails solicit personal information, such as a bank account number, by falsely claiming that the FBI needs such information for an investigation and non-compliance will be prosecuted.

Insurance Fraud

In these cases, the scammer files a false insurance claim as an illicit attempt to collect insurance proceeds. For example, arson-related incidents have been reported by homeowners of distressed properties in an attempt to avoid foreclosure. This has grown more prevalent in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and other catastrophes. These frauds, in turn, increase the cost of homeowner’s insurance premiums annually.

Computer Intrusion Scams

In frauds such as the Nigerian e-mail scam, the scammer claims to desperately need short-term financial assistance to see them through a crisis with the false promise of full reimbursement and a generous cash gift for their assistance.

Federal Bureau of Investigation http://www.FBI.gov
Department of Housing and Urban Development—Office of Inspector General (HUD-OIG reports) http://www.hud.gov/offices/oig
Consumer Affairs http://www.consumeraffairs.com
National Insurance Crime Bureau http://www.nicb.org

Stay Informed to stay PROTECTED!

HERE ARE A FEW PREVENTATIVE MEASURES AND TIPS YOU NEED TO KNOW TO AVOID BECOMING A VICTIM OF A SCAM.

Mortgage Debt Elimination Schemes

Be aware of e-mail or web-based advertisements that promote the elimination of mortgage loans, credit card and other debts, while requesting an upfront fee to prepare documents to satisfy the debt. There is no easy method to relieve your debts, and borrowers may end up paying thousands of dollars in fees without the elimination or reduction of any debt.

Foreclosure Fraud Schemes

Perpetrators mislead homeowners into believing that they can save their homes in exchange for a transfer of the deed and upfront fees. The perpetrator profits from these schemes by remortgaging the property or pocketing fees paid by the homeowner without preventing the foreclosure. The victim suffers the loss of the property, as well as the upfront fees. Always seek a qualified credit counselor or attorney for assistance.

Predatory Lending Schemes

Beware of lenders who tell you that they are your only chance of getting a loan or owning your own home, and avoid “no money down” loans. This is a gimmick used to entice consumers to purchase property that they likely cannot afford or are not qualified to purchase. Be wary of mortgage professionals who falsely alter information to qualify a consumer for a loan. Do not let anyone persuade you into making a false statement, such as overstating your income, the source of your down-payment or the nature and length of your employment. Never sign a blank document or a document containing blanks.

FREE PROPERTY MONITOR AND ALERT SYSTEM: http://www.epropertywatch.com/myhome

Things you should do:

• Insist on learning the full name, address and contact information for any company soliciting your business, personal information or assistance.

• Insist that all solicitors send materials to you in writing so that you are able to study the full details of the offer, as well as any guarantees and/or refund policies.

• Research all solicitors through the Better Business Bureau, Attorney General’s Office and/or consumer protection service in the state or city where the company is located.

• To stop receiving telephone solicitations, instruct solicitors to delete your contact information from all call lists and register with the FTC’s “Do Not Call” registry.

• Report suspicious telemarketing calls, mail solicitations or advertisements to the FTC at 1-877-FTC-Help

(382-4357) or online at www.ftc.gov

Things you should NOT do:

• Do not make any payments to either secure a prize or improve your chances of winning a prize.

• Do not be intimidated into making hasty financial decisions by high-pressure sales tactics.

• Do not provide anyone with your sensitive personal or financial information unless it is to an entity whose legitimacy is personally known to you or you personally initiated the contact with the entity.

• Do not send funds via wire or electronic money transfer services unless it is to an entity whose legitimacy is personally known to you or you personally initiated the contact with the entity.

• Do not be lured by offers that are simply too good to be true ...they almost certainly are.

IF YOU SUSPECT FRAUD, CONTACT YOUR LOCAL FBI FIELD OFFICE OR SUBMIT A TIP ONLINE AT HTTPS://TIPS.FBI.GOV

I trust you find this information useful in preventing Identity Theft. Please pass this blog post along to any one you feel that would value this information. THE GREATEST COMPLEMENT I CAN RECEIVE IS YOUR RECOMMENDATION TO A FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER!

First time Homebuyer Tax Credit given new life! Extented and Expanded??

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:02:46 -0500

I was originally going to post some information on the reported extension of the homebuyer tax credit, but I thought is prudent to wait for more news to materialize about the details of the proposed extension and expansion of the first time home buyer tax credit.

I first heard of the extension from a blogger on Active Rain. In classic fashion senators said it's a done deal. Leaving out that there are many issues still unresolved. Here is where we stand as of October 29th. The tax credit would be extended through the end of June. The home must be in contract by April 30th, 2010 and close no later than 60 days.

Move up buyers would get a new tax credit: "Tax credit for move-up buyers will be less than for first-time buyers, but still significant. They will qualify for a credit of up to $6,500 and must have owned their current homes at least five years. Under the current program and the new one for 2010, first-time buyers qualify for up to $8,000 and cannot have owned a home for the past three years."

One other provision still being worked out is adjusting the income limitations to raise them to $125,000 for a individual and 225,000 for a couple filing jointly. This is up from the previous of $75,000 to $150,000 that is currently in place for the current tax credit.

I was never a big fan of the tax credit however, it has been a motivating factor for many buyers and has generated over 400K in new home purchase transactions. It was a large factor in GDP growth in Quarter 4 of this year (for the first time in 4quarters.) However I always thought that ending the credit in November was a double negative. In the real estate industry, we all know the months of November & December are seasonally slow. And I don't believe this is going to spur major activity over the holiday season, it will keep it from completely falling off. Keep in mind that this still has some final tweaking before the final bill is done, but I think with today's market reaction, to return to strong job growth the economy needs to keep heading in the right direction, up. The extension of the tax credit may be the thing that keeps this economy on the road to recovery.

First Time Homebuyer Tax has Been Extended!?!

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:58:47 -0500

It looks as though Congress has moved to keep the housing market moving...through the winter. Makes my heart warm!

Via Rich Cederberg- Northwest Albuquerque Real Estate Expert (RE/MAX Elite):

KRQE News in Albuquerque is reporting that the first time home buyer tax credit has been extended through the end of April.

There will also be a reduced $6,500 tax credit available to repeat buyers who have owned their current home for 5 years.

Buyers will have to close by the end of June 2010.
Albuquerque Realtor Rich Cederberg Has worked for RE/MAX Elite and the Vaughan Company for 5 years. He specializes in Northwest Albuquerque Real Estate, especially homes for sale in 87114 and 87120, and Rio Rancho Real Estate. He also sells Albuquerque Real Estate. Call Rich if you need a Albuquerque REMAX agent.

Sammamish WA REALTOR Tips: To sell your home for top dollar(AKA Staging!)

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:09:02 -0500

As a Sammamish WA REALTOR I have seen first hand the effects of staging a home. It is my recomendation that before you show your home to any potential buyer be sure to go through your whole house with your agent to finish the Staging process. Meanwhile, here are some quick tips to help you start. Follow these general tips and your home will look better than the competition. Staged Homes sell faster and/or for more money!

INSIDE
• Clear all unnecessary objects from furniture throughout the house. Keep decorative objects on the furniture restricted to groups of 1, 3, or 5 items. In general, a sparsely decorated home helps the buyer mentally ‘move in’ with their own things.
• Rearrange or remove some of the furniture in your home, if necessary. Many times home owners
have too much furniture in a room. When it comes to selling your home, thin out overcrowded rooms to make the rooms appear larger.
• Clear all unnecessary objects from the kitchen countertops. If it hasn’t been used for three months…put it away! Clear refrigerator fronts of messages, magnets, pictures, etc.
• In the bathroom, remove any unnecessary items from the countertops, tub, shower stall and commode top. Keep only the most necessary cosmetics, brushes, perfumes, etc., in one small group on the counter. Coordinate towels in one or two colors only.
• Take down, reduce, or rearrange pictures and objects on walls. Patch and paint all walls, if necessary.
• Review the house interior, room by room, and:
1. Paint any room needing paint.
2. Clean carpet and draperies that need it.
3. Clean windows.
• If you need room to store extra possessions use the garage or rent a storage unit.
• Leave on certain lights during the day (your agent will show you which ones). During showings turn on ALL lights and lamps.
• Play light FM music every day in the house, for all viewings.

OUTSIDE
• Go around the perimeter of the house and move all garbage cans, discarded wood scraps, extra building materials, etc., to the garage or, if applicable, take them to the dump.
• Check gutters and roof for dry rot and moss. Make sure they are swept & cleaned.
• Look at all plants. Plants are like children…they grow so fast. Prune bushes and trees. Keep plants from blocking windows: “You can’t sell a house if you can’t see it!”
• Remove any dead plants, weed all planting areas and put down fresh mulching material.

• Keep your lawn freshly cut, edged and fertilized during the growing season.
• Clear patios or decks of all small items, such as little planters, flower pots, charcoal, barbeques, toys, etc.
• Check the condition of the paint on your home, especially the trim and the front door. The first impression, or ‘curb appeal,’ is very important.

IN GENERAL
Try to look at your house “through a buyer’s eyes,” as though you’ve never seen it before. This exercise will help you see what needs to be done. Any time and money invested on these items will usually bring you the return of more money and a quicker sale.

My primary goal as a real estate professional is to obtain top dollar for your home. In order to do this, we must present your home in the best light possible. As an ASP Realtor, I have the tools and training to assist you in making your home - not just competitive - but compelling. Dan Edwards and I, at Northstone Real Estate, make up a dynamic team providing a comprehensive package of real estate services to meet your every real estate need.

If your looking for the perfect team Dan Edwards and Tawni van Wageningen are the Sammamish WA area REALTORS for you!

Dan Edwards, REALTOR®'s Blog

King County U-Cut Christmas Tree Farms Open The Day After Thanksgiving!

Selling your home during the "holidaze;" price it right then do and don't...

Downtown Bellevue Washington home sales (98004) 11/21/2009

Top ten Real Estate Questions, Chill Out, and Crummy Photos....

Holiday Tips: They say "it's the thought that counts"...think twice about gift cards!

Home Buyers Tips: Choosing a REALTOR(R)

A Tragic Story Unfolds. With help comes hope, please don't suffere in silence...

Sammamish WA Bank Owned Homes Stats for October 2009

Wordless Wednesday: Veteran's Day Tribute 2009

First time home buyer tax credit; move up/down home buyer tax credit.

Largest Ski(Snowsports) Swap at Newport High School in Bellevue WA

There is no "I" in team and guess what; there is also no "I" in REALTOR(R)

Big Trouble Brewing in Massachusetts--The Seller does not own the Property you are Buying

Thank You American Soldiers

Issaquah WA Bank Owned Homes Report for October 2009

Work on your golf swing all winter long: Swing Doctors in Kirkland WA

Work on your golf swing all winter long: Swing Doctors in Kirkland WA

5 Tips on Choosing The Right Days to Market Your Real Estate Services Online

How to Choose the Right Days to Market your Real Estate Services Online

Here are 5 tips on choosing the right days to market your real estate services online

1. Tweet Midweek-

2. Publish Your Most Important Blog Posts Midweek

3. The Weakest Link for Email Marketing is Saturday

4. Engage your Fans on Facebook on Tuesdays

5. LinkedIn Users Are Active In the Morning

Redmond WA Bank Onwed Homes Report for October 2009

Bellevue WA Bank Owned Homes Report for October 2009

Trilogy at Redmond Ridge: Senior(55+) Living at it's best in the Northwest

Adding insult to injury - Identity Theft can follow you around!

First time Homebuyer Tax Credit given new life! Extented and Expanded??

First Time Homebuyer Tax has Been Extended!?!

Sammamish WA REALTOR Tips: To sell your home for top dollar(AKA Staging!)