Increasing Security, Decreasing Liability: A win-win situation - 09/30/06 03:25 PM
While the terms of real estate Listing Agreements typically contain language that absolves and protects the Listing Agent from having responsibility in the event of any loss, theft, or damage to the Seller's property, we all know the realities of liability and litigation. Everyone is always named, especially anyone with money.
So how do we practically increase security … (8 comments)
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Life on the Kitsap Peninsula - 09/30/06 05:50 AM
I have posted a few blogs about living here on the beautiful Kitsap Peninsula in scenic Washington State. However, I am always surprised at how many people have never heard of it, or do not have a clue where it is.
The Kitsap Peninsula is actually considered part of the larger … (6 comments)
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Life in Kitsap County: "101 Things to do with a Steamed Crab" - 09/29/06 02:32 PM
One of our favorite native epicurean delights here on the Kitsap Peninsula WA is Dungeness crab. During the off-season, we draw upon our stockpile of frozen 'Seal-A-Meal' bags, and use cracked crab meat in various recipes.
For a really delicious recipe for Dungeness Crab Cakes, go to Crabbing in the Hood
… (6 comments)
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Your Real Estate Professional: "Which Hat will I wear Today?" - 09/29/06 02:07 PM
As a licensed, professional Real Estate Agent, I find myself wearing many different hats. Sometimes, I am the seasoned negotiator, able to effectively arbitrate, haggle, and umpire between opposing opinions. Other times, I am the consummate tour guide, intimately aware of every alley, cul-de-sac, and undeveloped parcel within a 50-mile radius. … (1 comments)
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Best Ballpark Venues: A Day Game at Wrigley - 09/28/06 02:43 AM
I’ll be the first one to admit that I am not the World’s Most Avid Baseball Fan. My son, Luke, would vie for that award, or maybe Brian Brady.
However, I do enjoy going to the game, sitting in the stands, downing a dog (or two!), and sippin’ on a tall, … (9 comments)
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Never Give Up, Never Surrender! - 09/28/06 01:53 AM
As successful, professional realtors, we can all truly appreciate the value that a good mortgage loan specialist brings to our business.
They tend to be like we are – ethical, hard working, knowledgeable, service-oriented, creative, and passionate (this is, by no means, an exhaustive list of personal attributes).
Then, on occasion, … (8 comments)
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Pee Wee Football and Real Estate - 09/27/06 11:49 AM
I finally took the time to do something I've been meaning to do for quite a while now. I have three boys - ages 18, 15, and 13 - all who have been active at one time or another in sports. My youngest son plays quarterback for our local Pee Wee … (6 comments)
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Favorite Marinades: My First Mindless Blog - 09/26/06 11:05 AM
Okay, so I was up early this morning, reading an exchange of comments between Mark Flanders of Olympic Northwest Mortgage and Justin Smith of the Christian Real Estate Network (which was a HUGE mistake because I have trouble just barely being coherent in the mornings!) But these two guys are just … (10 comments)
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For Sellers: Have a Pre-Market Home Inspection - 09/26/06 02:46 AM
Most of the Sellers I have had the pleasure of representing have had tremendous “pride of ownership” in their home. Most of them have lived in their residence for a long period of time (these days, 5 years is a long time!).
When you live in a home for an extended … (4 comments)
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First Rule of Real Estate: Things will go wrong - 09/26/06 12:55 AM
Today was a reminder for me that you can strive to do everything right, to the best of your ability, and still have things go wrong.
I listed a home for a Navy family under orders to San Diego. He just made Chief and she is anxious to go down and join … (1 comments)
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Moments that define Our Lives - 09/24/06 03:56 PM
Every once in a great while, we experience moments that serve to define our lives. We look back on these moments with great fondness as turning points that helped to guide our ambitions, passions, and future.
My youngest son, Luke, is the consummate sports fanatic. He can quote stats from Honus … (4 comments)
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Windermere announces partnership with Google - 09/23/06 04:09 PM
Interesting news from our company newsletter this month. Windermere Real Estate has announced a partnership with Google. According to the newsletter, "This arrangement will provide content-rich Windermere listing data on the Google site and dramatically increase the online exposure for all Windermere listings."
How does this work?
Effective immediately, all Windermere listings … (8 comments)
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Razor Clamming: Life in scenic Washington State - 09/23/06 02:46 PM
Another of my favorite leisure pastimes here in scenic Washington State is razor clamming out on the coast (Razor Clamming in WA).
On several select weekends of the year (normally late Fall through early Spring) the Washington Department of Fish and Game opens various coastal beaches for people to chase the illusive … (7 comments)
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"Don't like Your Agent?" - 09/21/06 01:21 PM
Okay, so you've been working with your realtor, Agent Jones, for a couple weeks now and you just don't feel like the relationship is working out very well. What should you do?
As licensed, professional real estate agents, we work very hard and diligently at representing our client's best interests. We take … (0 comments)
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"Survey Says!" - 09/19/06 01:18 PM
I represented a Buyer on a really nice single-story home (what we call a "rambler" out here, a "ranch-style" home elsewhere). It was situated on a half-acre wooded parcel in a small 40 home residential development. Usually, property boundary lines are not that important in these types of properties, but … (7 comments)
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ARRRGGGHHH! (sound made when computer crashes) - 09/18/06 02:46 PM
Typically, most of my computer work is done here at the office. There's less distractions and I just tend to feel more productive.
However, it's very convenient having a computer at home as well to quickly access my e-mails, print out a listing, or satisfy my late night AR fix. … (4 comments)
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Investing in Real Estate - 09/18/06 01:03 PM
Real estate investments have soared over the past several years. According to the National Association of Realtors, about one in three homes purchased last year was for investment purposes. If youre looking to feather your retirement nest, rental real estate not only should appreciate in value, it also provides an additional … (3 comments)
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Seller's Pre-Inspection Tips - 09/16/06 05:38 PM
Okay, Sports Fans! Time to give the general public a dose of our collective wisdom and advice!
You are the agent representing the Sellers and you've just gone under contract with the Buyers. The Buyer's inspection is scheduled to take place in less than a week.
What advice do you give your Sellers? What practical suggestions … (3 comments)
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Opening Night and Home Inspections - 09/16/06 05:11 PM
Last night, before a sell-out audience, we performed the opening night of our community theatre production of "Footloose." My 15-year old son, Elliot, and I are in the cast together. It's been a total blast so far and I'm looking forward to our 4-week run.
Afterwards, we went out to Applebees to celebrate. The "older" cast members quietly sequestered … (2 comments)
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VA Appraisals: "The Luck of the Draw" - 09/15/06 01:56 AM
Here in Kitsap County, Washington, we are fortunate to have a very large military community. With the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and the Bangor Submarine Base, our area is home to many active-duty families and retired veterans. As a professional realtor, I have had the good fortune and joy of working with … (79 comments)
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Vacation Homes - 09/13/06 05:30 PM
Vacation-home sales have soared the past five years, fueled by low interest rates, rising demand as boomers prepare for retirement, and a continuing interest in real estate as an investment. A record 1.02 million vacation homes were purchased in 2005, a little more than 12 percent of all homes sold*. That … (5 comments)
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"What to do when Your House Sells too Soon!" - 09/07/06 05:28 PM
So you've entrusted the sale of your home to a local competent, professional real estate agent. Your agent has been immersed in a flurry of marketing activity, all focused on getting your house launched onto the market.
The day it's entered into the local Multiple Listing Service, in fact that same afternoon, you immediately … (6 comments)
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"Slow Down and Smell the Crabs!" - 09/07/06 03:19 PM
Okay, so I know it's supposed to be "Roses," but we weren't out strolling in the garden. We were out on our boat this past weekend, pullin' up our crab pots on the Hood Canal.
The point being, just a friendly reminder that there is more to life than real estate, or … (12 comments)
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