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Ricky D Sadler (RD house Property Management) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:33:43 -0600

RD House Real Estate & Property Management We Are Marketing Experts in our field with proven award winning websRenting OR Selling your Home-FAST,WITH -RELIABLE-DEPENDABLE Tenants OR-Pre Qualified Buyers RD House Property Management & Real Estate We Care and IT Shows 5% Management or Sales RD House Real Estate & Property Management Average time on rental market less than 22 DAYS www.rd-house.com 206-728-6063 Home » Video Powered by vFlyer.com VFLYER ID: 1527568 All information in this site is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and is subject to changeites blogs and

wedisodes, Location: www.rd-house.com RD House Real Estate & Property Management We Are Marketing Experts in our field with proven award winning websites blogs and wedisodes,

OUR groundbreaking multimedia platform is the key to your property success-
call US we pride ourselves on our 5% promotions on Sales Listing & Rental Services

IN the Settle Metro Area 206-728-6063 www.rd-house.com

RD House is not just your average Property Management Company-it is a highly successful marketing engine that can help rent or sale your property faster AVERAGE RENTAL ON MARKET 22 DAYS

our website receives an average of 4,150 visits each month by local property owners and tenants who are in need of property management services
in Addition to joint promotion & cross-promotion with of our Preferred Vendors & Preferred Partners RD House target and accomplish your goals much faster than conventional methods of Marketing

Look for our new wedisodes in May 2009 "Inside the House" on our dedicated video webisde
rd house repm groundbreaking series
Information Contact Information Ricky D Sadler rickyd@rd-house.com 206-728-6063 LED BY Ricky D (Broker), RD House Offers Efficient and Experienced REAL ESTATE professionals to help sell or manage your Property.
Ricky D\\'s diverse background makes him a leader in Puget Sound Real Estate
Contact Reply Form Forward to a Friend View Other Flyers Rates Rate: $105.00 per month Rate Details: or 5% of gross 206-728-6063 Location 159 Denny Way 110
Seattle, WA 98109
View Map Links Print Flyer Profile Service Area: Seattle Metro Years of Service: 10 Service Type: Residential Property Management Market Focus: Premium Benefits of Service WE Provide Solutions tailored to Single Family Owners & Tenants Photo Gallery View as Slideshow View Photo Gallery (8 Photos)

Renting OR Selling your Home-FAST,WITH -RELIABLE-DEPENDABLE Tenants 22 Days 5% 206-728-6063 www.rd-house.com

Ricky D Sadler (RD house Property Management) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:12:36 -0600

Renting OR Selling your Home-FAST,WITH -RELIABLE-DEPENDABLE Tenants OR-Pre Qualified Buyers RD House Property Management & Real Estate We Care and IT Shows 5% Management or Sales RD House Real Estate & Property Management Average time on rental market less than 22 DAYS www.rd-house.com 206-728-6063 Location: Puget Sound Metro-Seattle, Bellevue, Burien, Kirkland
Your real estate is a valuable investment and we can help you protect that investment with sound expertise. Our goal is to provide you the best property management service available in the Puget Sound Metro, starting @ 5%

Our groundbreaking marketing programs proves to be highly successful and deliver outstanding results. Generating A 'Sold or 'Rented' sign is our key objective, and we achieve better than industry standards with our online, video profile, webisode series, blogging and other marketing assets.

Please feel free to contact us Monday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Ricky D Sadler Broker/Senior PM @ 206-728-6063 or email rickyd@rd-house.com
Join our YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/RDHOUSEREPM

Summary of Services
Owner/Tenant Relations: As your agent, we will advertise your property to locate and qualify tenants suitable for your property. We handle the negotiation of leases, collection of advance rents, security deposit escrow accounts, and if necessary, eviction proceedings. Our services remove the need for you to interact with tenants.
Maintenance of Your Property: We approach each property with the understanding that it can be managed individually to meet the owners standards while insuring compliance with Federal, State, and local laws. We offer personal and professional care of your property. Over the years, we have come to know who can do the best WORK and the best prices for replacement or repair of equipment and appliances.
Property Inspections: We inspect property at the time of Tenant occupancy and provide a Property Condition Report. This report establishes the basis for the operation and care of the property and serves as the final word when the tenant is checked out of the property. We also provide periodic inspections when needed or may be requested by the Owner or Tenant. Copies of all inspections are provided the Landlord/Tenant with recommendations where appropriate.
Accountability: We have an outstanding record of on time rent collection (99%). We use a state-of-the-art accounting program for all properties. From the owner s funds, we will pay such items as mortgage and HOA payments (if desired), repair bills, and other bills which may accrue to the owner. Excess funds are either forwarded to the owner or deposited directly into their bank account on a monthly basis. Owner statements are sent monthly via e-mail, or by regular mail upon request. A 1099, as required by the Internal Revenue Service, is sent each year. We recommend that you consult with your financial advisor regarding the tax deductibility of expenses involved in your property management
Information Contact Information Ricky D Sadler rickyd@rd-house.com 206-728-6063 LED BY Ricky D (Broker), RD House Offers Efficient and Experienced REAL ESTATE professionals to help sell or manage your Property.
Ricky D\\'s diverse background makes him a leader in Puget Sound Real Estate
Contact Reply Form Forward to a Friend View Other Flyers Rates Rate: $105.00 per month Rate Details: Management & Brokerage Sales fee starting @ 5% base min management 105.00 Location 159 Denny Way 110
Seattle, WA 98109
View Map Links Print Flyer Profile Service Area: King County Years of Service: 10 Service Type: Real Estate Market Focus: Rentals and Sales Photo Gallery View as Slideshow View Photo Gallery (6 Photos)

RD House Real Estate & Property Management IS A- Leader In Downtown Condominium Management & Sales 5% 206-728-6063 Avg Days ON 22 Days

Ricky D Sadler (RD house Property Management) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:02:23 -0600

RD House Real Estate & Property Management IS A- Leader In Downtown Condominium Management & Sales 5% 206-728-6063 Avg Days ON 22 Days Location: Seattle, WA If you own a home or a condominium and are trying to rent it out by yourself, I m sure you have some questions you ve wrestled with. How can I find a qualified renter or DO I sell? ASK RICKY D HE , Will they take good care of my house while they live here , and How much can I rent it for and how do I make sure I don t ask too much or too little for it ? These are important questions- and as an owner-landlord, you may have discovered that there are numerous others as well- are you handling your rental in compliance with Landlord-Tenant legal requirements in your city/county?, How should you handle utilities, maintenance and repairs?, How should you handle security deposits?, What are your options of the tenant breaks one or more terms of the lease?, and many others.

Fun Stuff Join our YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/RDHOUSEREPM

Using a professional property manager provides you with a trusted professional resource to navigate these issues confidently.

We find qualified tenants. Our broad professional advertising generates more calls from prospective tenants than owner/landlords are able to generate, we market and show the property, and provide full criminal, credit and background screening to be sure your tenants are the most qualified and responsible.

We get the best rents possible. We work full time in the rental market, and have a clear understanding of market rates, competitive properties, and rental opportunities.

We are a trusted professional resource. Property managers are licensed as Washington State Real Estate agents, we participate in continuous professional education and industry associations, and provide you with a wealth of professional experience.

Professional management costs less than most people think. Using a professional property manager is probably less expensive than you might think. For just dollars a day, you get all of the expertise and peace of mind that professional management provides, and a trusted partner on your side to handle all of the questions, concerns and issues that arise with a rental property. RD House Real Estate and Property Management has many satisfied clients, and I hope you ll consider letting us help you as well. If I can be of any help at all, please don t hesitate to contact me directly.

Ricky D Sadler Broker/Senior PM
RD House Real Estate and Property Management
159 Denny Suite #110
Seattle, WA 98109
www.rd-house.com
Office: (206) 728-6063 Cell:
Email: rickyd@rd-house.com
Information Contact Information Ricky D Sadler 206- 728-6063 admin@rd-house.com OR Ric... Contact Reply Form Forward to a Friend View Other Flyers Rates Rate: $105.00 per month Promotions: 5% Summer Management Special Rate Details: Management fees can vary, $105 is a minumum fee amount Other Details: 5% Management & Brokerage Fee offered Puget Sound Metro, Seattle -Kirkland Payment Methods: Other Location 159 Denny Way #110
Seattle, WA 98109
Links Print Flyer Profile Service Area: Seattle Years of Service: 11 Service Type: Real Estate Market Focus: Residential Photo Gallery View as Slideshow View Photo Gallery (7 Photos)

The Power of a Park

Ricky D Sadler (RD house Property Management) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 01:05:07 -0600

Fast Company blogger Seth Kahan wrote a great peice earlier this fall about the community re-engagement to restore marvin Gaye Park in Washington DC. the Power of a Park. It had formerly fallen into disrepair and been overrun by drug users and dealers, earning the nickname "needle park".

It's an interesting read, and made me think about Seattle, where we have been on a new park development binge for several years. Parks are great, but to the point of the article, in addition to just creating net new greenspace, how many parks do we have that have become eyesores and hotbeds for criminal activity after hours? I know of 5 or 6 off hand that are in such condition- and with some community involvement could be recovered not just to provide safe enjoyable greenspace we like so much, but could become catalysts for the commnities around them, to provide neighborhood engagement and a source of garss roots community revitalization.

Check out the article and let me know your reaction.

About RD House Real Estate and Property Management: We are a leader in relocation, in-town condo and executive Seattle rental properties, working with Microsoft, Amazon, Fred Hutchison Center, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Alaska Airlines, Nordstrom and others. Many of our listings have video blogs/tours, and can be found on our website at www.rd-house.com.

RD House Real Estate and Property Management

Leaders in Property Management

159 Denny Way #110

Seattle, WA 98109

(206) 728-6063

www.rd-house.com

Good business climate report cards can help Washington attract employers

Ricky D Sadler (RD house Property Management) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:40:13 -0600

One of the major points in the panel discussions of the WMFHA 2010 Annual Economic Forecast (see my earlier blog entry on that topic) was that the economic recovery is going to be challenged by slow job growth; with a fairly diverse employment base, Seattle has the opportunity to compete to attract the pool of existing employers and jobs that exist today, and will grow as part of the recovery. Mike Scott of Dupree-Scott Apartment Advisors on the panel made the valid point that Seattle needs to get serious about leveraging this opportunity. And a few weeks ago, we got some help from two sources- in Forbes magazine's annual "best states for business" rankings, Washington moved from third place to second, and Washington, D.C.-based Tax Foundation ranked Washington No. 9 on its 2010 State Business Tax Climate Index.

Particularly with the recent Boeing 787 storyline, Washington's visibility on these lists may be a big help in competing for the first wave of post-recession job creation, and Richard Davis offers a good analysis of this in a recent Puget Sound Business Journal article.

Forbes' rankings carries solid credibility and always generates media buzz that can help drive business development efforts. Mr Davis offers a reasonable critique that while Northwest area residents usually consider Seattle to have a very high quality of life for intangibles such as natural surroundings and recreational opportunities, index lists such as these can't easily quantify those, while labor costs, heavy business regulation and a higher than average cost of living are factored in (although often overlooked as a deterrent to new businesses by local organizations).

So, whether you agree with their methods or outcomes, the lists generate interest, and ideally lead investors and entrepreneurs to take a closer look at Washington

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RD House Real Estate and Property Management

Leaders in Property Management

159 Denny Way #110

Seattle, WA 98109

(206) 728-6063

www.rd-house.com

Rental Guide: What you should know about renters insurance

Ricky D Sadler (RD house Property Management) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 17:21:50 -0500

In the last installments of this Rental Guide series, we talked about making the list of what you must have (vs. what you'd merely like to have- or can't live with) as the beginning of your rental home search, and finding a rental home based on your budget. One part of this to consider carefully is renters insurance- it's relatively inexpensive (it is not uncommon to see policies with premiums that are less than $20 a month) and can be excellent protection. As a tenant, renter's insurance assures you that you're protected against the damage or loss of personal property when you rent an apartment or house. Your landlord may have insurance that protects the physical building in which you reside, but this insurance will not cover your personal property. In fact, it's not at all uncommon for landlords to require the purchase of renters insurance prior to renting or leasing. This is prudent for both the renter and the landlord, protecting both from the possibility of lawsuit by alleviating each other's respective liability.

In determining whether or not you need renters insurance, the questions you need to ask yourself are:

How much would it cost to replace my belongings if they were damaged or stolen?

Can I afford to replace them?

Depending on your answers, renters insurance may be an easy choice, providing you with the protection you need. Either way, it's reassuring to have the peace of mind that comes from being protected.

Things to also consider before purchasing rental insurance:

How Much Coverage do I need? - The amount of renters insurance you choose will have the biggest impact on price of coverage. It is important to insure against all of your property. Remember, you're not just insuring against theft. In the case of a fire, for example, you could lose everything.

Deductible - The amount of the deductible premium that you're willing to pay will have a major impact on the premium costs. The higher the deductible, the lower the cost of home renters insurance.

Actual Cash Value (ACV) - Type of coverage that will pay for what the item was actually worth at the time of loss. This basic coverage payout is determined by the cost to replace, minus depreciation.

Replacement Cost - Type of coverage that will provide for the actual replacement value of the item with no deduction for depreciation. Although replacement cost coverage comes at an additional premium, it's usually worth the relatively small increase in cost.

Here are a few ways to save on renters insurance. Many insurers will offer discounts, if you have some of the following:

Monitored fire or burglar alarms
Fire extinguishers
Sprinkler systems
Dead bolts on all exterior doors
Auto insurance with that provider

If you own a dog, however, it may add to your premium. Due to liability issues, some insurers won't even offer insurance if certain dog breeds are owned (but landlords also won't generally permit them on the property either).

Other items to consider are:

Flood and Earthquake protection is not commonly included on rental insurance policies. If you live in an area where these natural disasters are more common, you may want to purchase an additional rider.

Liability coverage is most often a standard feature with renters insurance. This can prove invaluable in case of an accident, such as a slip or fall by a guest. It provides protection against legal claims that you may be obligated to pay, such as injury, sickness and death. It is, however, limited to the amount of liability coverage provided by your policy.

In order to avoid any disputes with your insurance company, it's recommended that you take an inventory of your personal items before purchasing rental insurance. This can be done by video taping or photographing each room of your house. It is important to keep all receipts for any major purchases, as well. The above should be kept offsite, in a fireproof safe or safety deposit box.

Fortunately, renters insurance is relatively inexpensive. If you're looking for cheap renters insurance, it is not uncommon to see policies with premiums that are less than $20 a month. And, thanks to the internet, you can get a competitive online renters insurance quote with relative ease. Always make sure to go with a reputable renters insurance company when choosing a policy to eliminate any surprises should the unfortunate need arise.

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If you are a Corporate relocation specialist and in need of help placing clients or employees, please contact our relocation team at (206) 728-6063.

RD House Real Estate and Property Management

Leaders in Property Management

159 Denny Way #110

Seattle, WA 98109

(206) 728-6063

www.rd-house.com

Dispatch from the WMFHA 2010 Annual Economic Forecast

Ricky D Sadler (RD house Property Management) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 21:36:16 -0500

I just returned from the Washington Apartment Outlook panel, "Perspectives and Projections for 2010" hosted by the Washington Multifamily Housing Association, and can share some interesting items discussed there. Speakers were Rob McKenna, Washington State Attorney General; Matthew Gardner, of Gardner Economics in Seattle, and Mike Scott, of Dupree Scott Apartment Advisors in Seattle.

How we got here

Rob McKenna gave a detailed yet compelling background on the factors contributing to the housing market crash, going back to 2005. Among them are the .com stock bubble, which sent trillions of dollars out of the stock market and into the real estate market. Combined with sustained low interest rates and well intentioned federal policies increase homeownership, both broadly and among lower and middle income consumers, it became a perfect storm creating high demand to drive up exponentially. We all know the results over the past 2 years as this crashed, people lost houses, consumer spending dried up, and businesses began failing or cutting back dramatically.

But the question on everyone's mind wasn't the history review, it was "when will the recovery be here?"

The Recovery- it's on its way

All three panel speakers concurred on this, each from their own perspective. Mckenna noted that the recovery will require consumer "de-leveraging", that is, spending less on credit and paying existing credit down, and Gardner in fact showed data that consumer use of revolving credit has been decreasing since June of 2008. He also pointed out that Federal stimulus spending will continue to increase through 2010, which will help, although at some point inflation becomes a concern, as well as what will drive spending and demand after the stimulus runs out. Presumably it will be from consumers as business spending and jobs pick back up, and Gardner expects the Seattle job market to begin recovery in the 4^th quarter of this year (not significantly until 2010 however), with technology, life sciences and philanthropy being the strongest areas. Mike Scott made what I thought was an excellent point, that this region needs to be aggressive about landing- and keeping- new jobs and businesses. We seem to take our relative strength as a region for granted- but could greatly increase our fortunes in this recovery with more focused attention on driving economic growth. Gardner also showed an interesting graph of job creation and loss over the full decade- which showed that in total, the US is at the same level as we were in 2000- we essentially haven't created any news jobs in 10 years. So, Seattle needs to get serious about competing for the pool of employers and jobs out there.

McKenna wrapped up this topic with a discussion around policy work & market policing that is underway to support the recovery and resolve the structural issues that contributed to it (very much in his role as an Attorney General of course), which include pushing for faster turnaround on loan modifications, monitoring the reverse mortgages market to eliminate harmful practices, and aggressively fighting foreclosure rescue scams.

What about the Seattle Rental Market

This was the second most pressing question on everyone's mind. Current vacancy rates in the region sits at 6% in-city, 9% gross (which includes projects recently finished and still in lease-up, which will compete with properties already on the market in the near term). This is up from 4-4.5% 2 years ago. Add to this 2,000 new units (these figures are all 5+unit developments, so don't include smaller properties and single family) still scheduled to come on the market through 2009, 3,700 in 2010 and 2,000 in 2012 and 2013 (although these are planned, whether they get financed and built is a huge open question). So, that's 9,700 net new units onto the local market over the next 4 years. So, this will continue to be a softening impact on rents.

Before we panic, however, demographic forecasts seem pretty bright. Historically, the US has maintained a fairly stable 65/35 own/rent ratio (65% of households rent, which 65% own). Since about 2003, this has grown to 69/31, however, with the adjustment in the housing market, this is beginning to return to normal, so there are 4% of households returning to the rental market over the next few years. Also, the baby boom and echo boom demographics remain the fastest growing segments of the population, both of which are primarily rental households. Mike Scott showed data that in Seattle, the 20-34 year old demographic in Seattle will grow by 14,000 per year through 2014, including inflow population to the region. So, that's 70,000 net new potential renters who will need those 9,700+ new units. So, even with new developments and properties to fill the gap, I got the strong sense that we will see higher demand for rental units as these two market forces continue to adjust (and if they do so as forecast).

Key takeaways

The vibe among the panel speakers and the audience was optimistic, although not celebratory. I think that's because it seems to be getting better, but with no certain timeframe or milestones within the next couple years. This doesn't seem to be a recovery with a silver bullet- there are many fronts that are being tackled, and as a result, it will be slower that we are used to. Consensus was that 2010 will continue to see relief over 2009, but how much and how soon seemed to be open issues. Our guidance at RD House remains to be a vigilant knowledge of the market and comparable properties, aggressively solicit renewals, focus on effective marketing of units, and exploit every opportunity to help owners decrease operating costs.

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If you are a Corporate relocation specialist and in need of help placing clients or employees, please contact our relocation team at (206) 728-6063.

RD House Real Estate and Property Management

Leaders in Property Management

159 Denny Way #110

Seattle, WA 98109

(206) 728-6063

www.rd-house.com

Memories of Home

Ricky D Sadler (RD house Property Management) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 19:57:09 -0500

Years ago when I bought my first house, the yard was a bit of a mess and I spent many weekends trimming, digging, cutting, removing and planting all sorts of things to try and get into a reasonable shape. There was one particular pine tree along a side fence that at first I didn't pay much attention to- I didn't really know what to do with it, so I just left it and never thought much about it. One day when showing off some of my hard work to a neighbor, she saw that tree and told me excitedly that it was a Christmas tree that children of the former owner had planted years ago- apparently a live tree the family had enjoyed one holiday and then transferred to the yard. After learning this, the tree became somewhat of a cherished landmark in the yard- I left it right where it was, and whenever I looked at it I wondered what that Christmas was like for them, and what treasures the children had opened underneath the tree on Christmas morning. I hope the tree is still there today, still bringing history forward into that yard.

That bit of history really got me thinking about that house in a new way. When I moved in it was a 1927 fixer upper that I delighted in updating, anxious to put a new face on the worn surfaces. But the Christmas tree in the yard made me realize that families over many years had lived important parts of their lives there, and had carried away special memories that were intertwined with important events they lived out right there in the same rooms I now lived in. It gave me a new respect for the history of the house, which I never forgot, and which I felt somehow connected to as I lived important parts of my life there.

Something similar happened the other day in our office at RD House. We'd recently put a beautiful old updated craftsman home on the market for rent, when we got the following email from someone who had driven past the house:

This house on 16th Ave NE was my Grandmother's house from about 1962 until the late 1980's. My father lived there also after he and my mother divorced in 1970. His room was the one in the basement. What a flashback. I was home in Seattle visiting when I drove by the house to reminisce and saw your sign. Whoever did the addition and remodel did an excellent job and I'm happy to see the original parts of the house looking almost exactly the same. Thanks for a walk down memory lane. I can still remember the cookie jar she kept on the counter.

What a treat to have received this from someone with a living memory of the home! It's a great reminder to us that we're really in the people business- the homes we advertise, show, and manage will hold memories for years to come from the people who live in them. They aren't just structures- they are where our tenants have Thanksgivings, graduations, anniversaries, new beginnings, holidays, and milestone celebrations with their families. It's nice to keep this perspective as we go through the day to day parts of our jobs as property managers.

Take a minute to share this with us- the original listing video we did for that property is here. See if you can smell fresh baked cookies as you watch it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9yap7Purxg

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If you are a Corporate relocation specialist and in need of help placing clients or employees, please contact our relocation team at (206) 728-6063.

RD House Real Estate and Property Management

Leaders in Property Management

159 Denny Way #110

Seattle, WA 98109

(206) 728-6063

www.rd-house.com

Momentum

Ricky D Sadler (RD house Property Management) — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 20:43:23 -0500

The theme of momentum has come up in my world lately. At first I didn't realize it was a theme- I was just getting from one day to the next, managing one situation or another as best I could. But when I had a chance to reflect about the course our summer season had taken - both personally and at RD House, I began seeing isolated events link together into this theme of momentum, and I think it allows a good perspective on things.

We all know how a bad day unravels itself- it's as if inexplicably anything you touch turns into a firedrill. Like spilling your coffee on your best shirt in the morning, then leaving your mobile phone at home, being late to your first appointment- and on the day goes, almost as if it's a runaway train and there's no use trying to turn it around. Momentum. Good days happen the same way don't they? Maybe you read an article in the morning paper that makes you feel positive or confident, when you get to your favorite coffee shop, your "buy 10 get the next one free" card is full and you don't have to pay for your morning joe, your favorite parking spot is waiting for you, and on it goes..momentum.

It's interesting isn't it? Here's the epiphany I had though. I think we can actually direct- or change- our momentum if we really focus on it. By making a conscious decision to stop, assess where we are, where we're headed, and how we want to direct our efforts- you can literally change your life's momentum, whether for an hour, a day, or for something bigger.

Case in point. This year has obviously been a rollercoaster in the property management, and the real estate market as a whole. Our renewals, move-out's and new business weren't on any kind of predictable pattern, so we had to be extra flexible and nimble. In June, a number of factors came together that started increasing the vacant inventory of units we had for rent. With the economy not turning around as soon as some had hoped, no one seemed to be moving, no matter how we tried to change up our advertising, the phones weren't ringing with prospective tenants like we thought they would be. It all seemed gloomy and overwhelming. One Friday morning our broker, Ricky D, called us into a meeting, and just gave us an old fashioned rally speech. Yes things weren't happening as we'd planned, he said, but we're going to make them happen. Do more open houses, get more creative with your ads, talk to more people, find more sources of information- go, go, go. If you ever watch the Bravo TV show "Project Runway", it was like one of those moments when Tim Gunn is out of things to suggest and just advises the contestants in exasperation to "just...make it work, people!". In other words, stop focusing on what's not working, and focus on making it work. Momentum.

And guess what? That very day was when things started to pick up. We did a renewed focus on open houses that weekend, changed up all our ads to throw conventionalism out and creativity on (one 19^th floor loft was billed as "Batmans Gotham City Hideaway"), the phones started to ring, and we never looked back. Since the beginning of July, we've rented 23 units, and are back to our average days on market of 22 days for unit rentals. Momentum.

Yes, it can seem impossible to change the direction of things sometimes, and I'm saying there aren't things entirely out of our control. But we can decide how we react to them, and where to focus our efforts in relation to them. It's a lot like Oprah's definition of Luck, which is "preparation combined with opportunity", which I think is so well put. If you don't prepare for things to turn around, you won't change your momentum as easily when the opportunity to do so arises.

You will always have bad days- and good days, for sure. But when things start to spiral downhill, try stopping, reflecting and be aware of what's happening. Change your momentum. If all else fails, you can laugh about the fact that nothing is going to go right today, and focus on how you're going to start out again tomorrow.

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About RD House Real Estate and Property Management: We are a leader in relocation, in-town condo and executive Seattle rental properties, working with Microsoft, Amazon, Fred Hutchison Center, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Alaska Airlines, Nordstrom and others. Many of our listings have video blogs/tours, and can be found on our website at www.rd-house.com.

If you are a Corporate relocation specialist and in need of help placing clients or employees, please contact our relocation team at (206) 728-6063.

RD House Real Estate and Property Management

Leaders in Property Management

159 Denny Way #110

Seattle, WA 98109

(206) 728-6063

www.rd-house.com

8 things every landlord should know

Ricky D Sadler (RD house Property Management) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 05:30:55 -0500

Because I work in property management and blog a lot about property management topics, I'm constantly immersed in articles and daily experiences about the subject. But some things are so common in my practice that it's easy to forget that what's second nature to me is always going to be new and insightful to someone new to the subject. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to blow my own horn, but bear with me. Recently I saw an article, 8 pitfalls for new landlords, which summarizes several really great points that I've written about before in various forms- and that I talk about with property owners literally every day in my work. It was great to see the information with fresh eyes, but it also reminded me that the best basic knowledge is not only universal, but that it's good to remember that it's always new- and useful- to someone else.

I actually think the article is written in too much of an alarmist "watch out" tone, and would reframe the information as "what you should know" as opposed to seeing it as "pitfalls", but that's just my frame of reference after 12 years in the business. Either way, it's information that every landlord should take time to understand. I'd summarize it like this:

Run a rental as a business, not a hobby. Renting out your home is a business, and by becoming a landlord, you have to be cognizant of tax, insurance, and local landlord tenant law matters. A rental is considered an investment property, which has different tax implications than a primary residence; rents collected are considered business income and must be reported to the Internal Revenue Service. On the flip side, certain repairs and upkeep, in addition to mortgage interest, can be deducted as business expenses. Consult your CPA for advice on rental property income and expenses. Your property insurance is also handled differently for a rental, and you'll need to let you provider know that you're renting it out. Finally, a host of federal, state and local regulations cover the rights and responsibilities of both tenants and landlords, and rental properties need to adhere to these (more on this below).

It's well worth hiring a professional property manager. This sounds like a pitch from me, but even this article points out that experts recommend talking to - and preferably hiring - a property familiar with the business of effectively managing residential property. Try linking to the local affiliates of the National Association of Residential Property Managers to find a property manager. Property managers with a professional affiliation such as this have sound expertise in the local rental market, advertising, tenant screening and lease management, and can easily save you as much or more than their fees by renting your property faster and managing it more effectively than you may be able to on your own. To make this more meaningful to owners, I always use the "what would you do if your tenants suddenly stopped paying rent" scenario. Independent owners tell me they usually would a)panic, b)try to figure out what their options are, or c)panic. Property managers know exactly how to avoid this in the first place, and how to handle it if it should happen, as well as a myriad of other situations like repairs and maintenance, pets, etc.

Don't confuse 'rent' with 'mortgage'. It's easy to assume the rent should cover the mortgage since it's what you paid to live there, right? The two aren't related, and it's the most common misperception new landlords have, say property managers in the article. The mortgage is an agreement you made with the bank based on the sum of the loan, the percentage you put down, your credit history and the market valuation of the property at the time of sale, none of which factor into determining rent, which is entirely driven by local market competition and conditions- supply and demand, basically. A mortgage and a rent also buy different things- a mortgage pays for an investment, while rent pays for a roof for a specific period of time with none of the financial or tax benefits of ownership.

Don't skip background and credit checks. I don't like to be cynical, but bringing in a renter just isn't like sharing a cab with someone. I always use the "Nice girl from Wichita" analogy, because who doesn't like someone like that? Sometimes, however, "from Wichita" turns out to be "running from creditors and not able to hold down a job". It's just good practice to always screen for credit, criminal and rental history, even when someone seems nice enough to have coffee with. When entrusting what's likely your biggest financial asset to a stranger, the rule is this: screen, screen, screen. Managers say you want to know whether an applicant has been evicted in the past; whether he has a history of criminal behavior that could jeopardize you, your neighbors or your property; and whether s/he earns enough to cover the rent and living expenses.

Handshake agreements don't mean anything. I've always lived by the rule that "if it isn't in writing, it doesn't exist". A written lease is always a must, and it must cover every detail of the rental agreement. Who pays for the utilities, who is responsible for mowing the grass, when is rent due, and what happens if it's ever late, how many people can live in the home, and how many cars can they park outside? It's all got to be in writing or someone will always have misunderstood expectations.

Don't skip needed updates to your home. Just because it will be a rental, don't think that it doesn't need to show really well. It may seem counterintuitive to upgrade things for a renter, but the fact is that nice homes attract nice renters. "If you don't have a well-maintained home, you're going to get the tenants who don't maintain a home," say experts in the article . "A majority of tenants want a nice place to stay, and they're going to keep it up. There are a lot of excellent people who rent for years and years and they take excellent care of the property."

Federal, state and local requirements, including Landlord-Tenant law are important. As an owner in your own home, you're kind of free to take as many risks as you want. With tenants, however, you become responsible for their safety, at least as it relates to the property -things like structural damage and environmental hazards (radon, carbon monoxide, lead paint, mold), and you have to take reasonable measures to respond to renters' concerns about unsafe conditions, even neighbors' suspicions of potential criminal activity on your property, say experts. This is an area that a professional property can really give you peace of mind, since they are licensed, well versed in the various requirements, and can navigate such issues effectively.

Plan your work then work your plan. In other words, don't try shortcuts on the above once you've decided to rent and how to go about it. Be conservative when anticipating how long it will take to rent and what the rents, and costs, might be. Markets are fluid, but it's better to have a solid plan and stick to it than to get nervous and rent hastily without screening or a written lease.

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If you are a Corporate relocation specialist and in need of help placing clients or employees, please contact our relocation team at (206) 728-6063.

RD House Real Estate and Property Management

Leaders in Property Management

159 Denny Way #110

Seattle, WA 98109

(206) 728-6063

www.rd-house.com

Rental Guide: Making a budget that works for you

Ricky D Sadler (RD house Property Management) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 22:22:13 -0500

In the last installment of this Rental Guide series, we talked about making the list of what you must have (vs. what you'd merely like to have- or can't live with) as the beginning of your rental home search. Once you have a list of the location and features you need, you're ready to find a rental home based on your budget. A good rule for this is that your total monthly income (before taxes, etc) should be about 3 times your monthly rent. Or, looking at the another way, your rent should be no more than about one third of your monthly income. Banks and property managers use this as a qualification formula for mortgages and rentals, so you'll be a step ahead to plan based on this.

The Rental Guide has some basic budget tips and a budget worksheet to guide you in putting this together.

It's important to make sure your monthly rent fits comfortably within your income, since housing expenses such as rent are usually your highest monthly expenditure. But also consider things like utilities, furnishings, and other costs which may be higher or lower based on the location and features you identified. It's no use having a large view condo if you can't buy groceries and have no furniture from which to enjoy that view.

Start by making a list of your monthly income and expenses. It doesn't have to be complicated, you can make a list with two columns, money coming in and money going out.

Monthly Income

Income sources may include:

After tax salary, wages and tips from your job
Interest from savings or other accounts.
Alimony

Be sure to account for taxes, retirement savings and other withheld amounts. Include expendable income only.

Monthly Expenses

Organize your monthly expenses by dividing them into the following categories:

Tip: Rent will usually be the highest expense, usually around 30% of income. Other targets for estimating your expenses are food, (8-15%), clothing (5%) and entertainment and recreation (5-10%).

Fixed Expenses

These are regular payments that you pay every month. These include things such as:

Rent
Utilities, telephone, cell phone, internet and cable
Car Payments, including insurance and maintenance
Debt payments (loans, credit cards)
Medical and Dental insurance and all regular medical costs such as medication or physical therapy
Savings (how much you put aside for the long term or rainy day fund)
Renters Insurance, which covers your personal belongings in the event of fire or theft
Transportation (gas, bus and train fares, etc)
Food
School and child care
Gym or exercise costs

Optional or variable expenses

These items are things you pay for on a non-regular basis, but can still be tracked and should be included in your budget. Look through your checking transactions, ATM withdrawals and credit card statements to identify when and where you tend to spend money on these types of things, which include:

Entertainment (movies, concerts, nights out)
Restaurants
Recreation (weekend activities)
Vacations
Furniture
Clothing

The balancing act

Once you have your list completed with fixed and optional expenses, compare your expenses with your income. A good rule is to have your expenses be at least 10% less than your income so you can have some wiggle room.

If your budget does not come out balanced, you'll have to reexamine your expenses and figure out where you can make cuts. Take a look at your optional items, (most likely your entertainment and recreation expenses) and stick to your new budget!

Rental Budget Constrained?

When examining your largest expense, rent, you may find that your rental budget is constrained. It is better to find this out before you start looking at apartments than on the first of the month. Go back and re-examine your "must-have" features, and see which of these you can actually move to "nice to have's", I'll bet you find some additional savings to be had.

Also, be sure to check to see how much you are going to be expected to pay up front. Some apartments require first and last month's rent and a security deposit. Make sure that this up front expense won't leave you in the hole.

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If you are a Corporate relocation specialist and in need of help placing clients or employees, please contact our relocation team at (206) 728-6063.

RD House Real Estate and Property Management

Leaders in Property Management

159 Denny Way #110

Seattle, WA 98109

(206) 728-6063

www.rd-house.com

Now it’s commercial real estate that’s hitting a wall

Ricky D Sadler (RD house Property Management) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 20:56:06 -0500

I'm sure many of you have had the same experience that I have lately- lamenting that not only is my favorite shop on the corner closed, but so are several others in the same building and many more businesses around the city. Here in Seattle it's a bit unnerving as I see all of the "For Lease" and "Closed" signs in shop and business windows- in fact it feels eerily like walking through a graveyard looking at headstones.

Do you remember that horrible Tsuanami in Thailand several years back, when witnesses all said "the sea just disappeared" before the giant wave struck? Well, a sea of businesses have disappeared, and according to some, the giant tsunami wave that is about to hit is the wave of commercial real estate foreclosures, which could do to our already weak economy what that wave did to the seaside villages.

According to a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, Federal Reserve and Treasury officials are working to prevent the commercial real estate sector from "delivering a roundhouse punch to the U.S. economy just as it struggles to get up off the mat". At issue is the downturn in commercial business that is beginning to drive property foreclosures- the delinquency rate in July for commercial loans rose to 3.14%, more than six times the level a year earlier. Just like what happened the past couple years in residential real estate, banks lent commercial owners money on the assumption that occupancy and rents of their office buildings, hotels, stores or other commercial property would keep rising, which hasn't happened as a result of the recession, and owners are beginning to struggle making payments as vacancies increase. Nor can owners refinance easily, by the end of 2012, the WSJ article predicts that $153 billion in loans are coming due, and close to $100 billion of that will face difficulty getting refinanced. Until now, banks have been able to manage commercial real estate losses by extending debt when it has matured, because the underlying properties were generating enough cash to pay debt service. Unlike the residential market, banks have had an incentive to refinance commercial loans because accounting standards for these have enabled them to avoid marking the value of the loans down.

In a related New York Times piece, author Terry Pristin notes that "even though industry lobbyists were able to persuade Congress to extend a loan program aimed at prodding the stalled securitization market back to life, several analysts said it was unlikely to head off a spate of defaults, foreclosures and bankruptcies that could surpass the devastating real estate crash of the early 1990s. It will prop up a few deals, but you can't stop the wave that's coming", the article quotes from Peter Hauspurg, the chief executive of Eastern Consolidated, a New York brokerage firm.

Some experts point to this as somewhat of an expected trend, as commercial real estate often follows residential downturns during a recession, as job losses and business cutbacks sink demand; however, what we're navigating has been no ordinary recession, and with the job market recovery yet to be clear, this commercial downturn could be just extraordinary.

So if you find a "For Lease" sign in the door of your local donut shop in the morning, don't expect a new one to replace it anytime soon. In fact, in this current economy, you're better off hanging on to that $1.50 anyway.

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If you are a Corporate relocation specialist and in need of help placing clients or employees, please contact our relocation team at (206) 728-6063.

RD House Real Estate and Property Management

Leaders in Property Management

159 Denny Way #110

Seattle, WA 98109

(206) 728-6063

www.rd-house.com

Why it pays to use a capable and reputable property manager, and the real costs of not doing so.

Ricky D Sadler (RD house Property Management) — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 21:22:13 -0500

...and how an 8% management quote turned into an 11% total management cost

As a property manager, we spend a lot of time educating owners about our specific value to them as a professional resource with sound expertise. So it was...I'll say ironic, when we found ourselves square in the middle of a great lesson, courtesy of a property management company we ourselves hired in San Antonio, in the real costs that can accrue to an owner when this expertise may be lacking. What our experience provided was the opportunity to truly see the issue from an owners perspective, and a rare chance to analyze the actual out of pocket costs, in detail, that can result from a lack of sound management practices.

Owning residential rentals and operating them profitably can take nerves of steel and an unwavering focus on running all of the different aspects right- every time. There are a lot of moving parts that need to run well; 3 critical aspects, and how can cost you money when they aren't run properly, are:

•· Solid market knowledge and aggressive advertising, with excellent advertising plans and leasing performance, ensures that units are priced optimally and vacancies are kept to an absolute minimum. If a property manager doesn't market your property aggressively, it will sit vacant longer, which costs you lost rents. In our case, after 6 weeks without hearing from the property manager, we found that he couldn't give us a clear answer as to how many showings had been done, what people's feedback on likes and dislikes with the unit was (which would have been very useful in addressing any needed changes to make the unit more appealing), or how long he felt the unit would be on the market before a renter was secured. As it turns out, in San Antonio, the property manager rarely shows their own properties directly- they rely on listing rentals in MLS and having other agents find, show and close interested tenants. Thus, they do little direct advertising, and aren't involved in the majority of inquiries or showings with interested tenants. As a result, the unit was vacant for a full 2 months, during which the property manager had no real sense of how well the unit was showing or what the overall response was. Over the course of the 4 years, with 3 turnovers per unit (we have 2 of them), this added up to about $895.00 in additional vacancy due to longer time on market than if the property manager had been more aggressive and directly engaged in marketing the units

•· Consistent, legal and assertive execution of lease terms, to protect the owner, the tenant and minimize cost and disruption to the physical maintenance, as well as the financial operation of the property. We had several maintenance issues which the property manager never investigated, but which they paid for repairs and charged us the cost. One was a damaged garage door over the weekend a tenant moved in. Obvious to the casual observer was that the tenant had backed into the door with their moving truck. We understand accidents happen, and would have been willing to perhaps split the cost with the tenant, however the property manager insisted that it was caused by "nearby construction crews" and charged us the entire $350.00 repair bill. In another case, the property manager failed to call for approval to make a $432.00 repair to repair the sprinkler system in the front yard- which is maintained by the HOA. Another cost we had to cover, but shouldn't have had to.

•· Hidden fees. The property manager we hired charged a 10% "service fee" on top of all vendor repair invoices. It didn't seem like a big deal at the time we signed the contract, but over 4 years (and the above unnecessary charges), this added about $320.00 in direct costs. A good property manager with hawkish attention to repair and maintenance issues, and keen oversight of vendor, HOA and tenant responsibility and performance in this regard, shouldn't be incented to drive commissions from repair and maintenance invoices. Our property manager also had a "fine print" clause upon contract termination that future management fees for leases in effect would be due through those lease terms, which added a whopping $912.00 in costs when we terminated the contract. This type of assessment against future rents isn't even legal in most states, but is apparently standard in Texas.

All up, the above items, based on the practices our property manager employed, cost us $2,969.00 over the 4 years they managed our properties. While we thought we were getting an 8% management rate with them, these costs actually raised the total management cost by an additional 3.7%, totaling 11.7% in management costs.

So how can you be sure you select a reputable property manager, to avoid issues like these?

•· Check their professional affiliations. NARPM (National Association of Residential Property Managers) is the largest, and membership with them ensures that the property manager adheres to standard best practices, ongoing education and certification, and a national code of ethics. If a property manager doesn't belong to this, it's worth inquiring why.

•· Check their local affiliations and involvement. Here in Seattle we have several property management associations, chambers of commerce, and other community organizations. Participation in these shows that a property manager is interested in running the business professionally, and is willing to engage, learn, and improve business practices in conjunction with other business owners (and that they may have things to share with other owners as well).

•· Ask a lot of questions, and think through typical scenarios with them. "How do potential tenants reach you to see available properties", "what are the steps that occur when a maintenance issue arises", and a detail of fees are all good starting points.

•· Look at the properties they manage. This is a very easy way to tell a lot about a property management company. Get a list of available properties they are advertising, and drive by them. Do they appear well maintained? Are they as advertised (views, location, etc)? These types of details reveal the detail with which they run the business, and how they will manage your property.

And even if everything is running perfectly, you'll still have the occasional unexpected issue that has to be dealt with (water heaters burst on holidays more than any other time, for some unknown reason), but that should be the exception, not the rule.

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If you are a Corporate relocation specialist and in need of help placing clients or employees, please contact our relocation team at (206) 728-6063.

RD House Real Estate and Property Management

Leaders in Property Management

159 Denny Way #110

Seattle, WA 98109

(206) 728-6063

www.rd-house.com

Rental Guide: figuring out what you must have and what you definitely don't want in a new place

Ricky D Sadler (RD house Property Management) — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 09:39:18 -0500

RD House Real Estate & Property Management has put together a really nice site that serves as a resource for rental house (and apartment) hunters. It's called the Rental Guide and is at www.seattlehouserentals.net. Broken into three main topics, it takes you through tools to "Discover" -prioritizing the features you need, how to make a budget and a really detailed area info page; "Search" with more topical articles and a couple resources to search for available properties; and "Live" with articles and tips about general information- online banking, renters insurance, area information, etc.

The site is new, and it's worth a look. So as part of my regular blog series, I thought I'd review some of the most topical articles from the Rental Guide, to give an idea what's there and how you might find it useful.

Figuring out what you must have and what you definitely don't want in a new place is about taking the time to carefully consider your wants and needs, and your budget for them, as the first step to a successful search for a new place. You probably have an idea of the major features you need- bedrooms, bathrooms, size, & location. But what about others, like appliances, laundry, parking, pet policy, etc. These are important features that we don't always consider right away, which means you can spin you wheels tracking down a place, and realize when you get there that it's not going to work. Making a good list ahead of time also reminds you to ask the right questions when inquiring and viewing a property.

One good example of a feature that gets overlooked in first glance is a yard. Some people cherish the extra space and enjoy exercising their green thumbs with gardening and landscape care. So this would be something they find they really want in a rental home, and would make this a priority to look for. Others specifically don't want a yard- they don't have the time or the inclination to worry about one, and if they did they might just kill it anyway. This is also something they should make a priority to look for- to make sure potential places don't have one! Another example might be the age of the property- some people love old time charm and quirks; others would rather have brand new units with things like a never-had-dishes-in-it-yet sink. Big difference to consider, and an important question to ask.

A couple of other good tips:

Don't pick price before features. The other elephant in the room when talking about a "want" list is budget. A lot of people I talk to approach this as "I know how much I can spend, and once I find something in that price range, I'll worry about the other details". But consider this: especially in this economy, if you think really hard about what you absolutely must have, and what you absolutely don't want, perhaps your price range is different than you think it is. For example, one of the biggest cost factors in a rental is the # of bedrooms. For example, suppose you're single and looking in the $1,200 range for a 2 bedroom unit because you want 1 bedroom, or 1 bedroom and a home office (effectively 2 bedrooms). But what if you could find a 1 bedroom with a dining area or small den that would suffice? This would save you a couple hundred dollars, which case you'd be looking on the $900-$1,100 price range. If you think carefully about what your absolute priorities are first, your budget will be better served.

Choose carefully- features affect price. Of course, the flip side of the above is that, yes, every feature has a cost to it, which is why prioritizing them helps. By choosing the things most basic to your needs, you'll have a better idea what your bottom line really is, and when comparing units, your decision will be easier. And, it sets you up for a more realistic search, because if you're looking for a 3 bedroom in the city with a view and washer/dryer in unit, and your budget is $900.00, you're going to spend a lot of time looking at units you can't afford.

Think of location as a feature, and be aware of general rents for the areas in which you're interested. This is really an extension of the above, but some people miss it. Properties in high demand and desirable locations are more expensive when compared to like properties in other areas. So, do some checking to see what general prices are for certain areas in order to help you prioritize the rest of your needs for a rental in that area. You may find a great deal for a 3 bedroom unit with a view in the city, but you'll be giving up parking, laundry, and size; if the location is a must have an the others aren't, great, If it's not, you'll want to look in other areas that have the features you really need.

To help you prioritizing your needs, the Rental Guide has a Features checklist that you can print to work from.

Next time, I'll talk about the next step in the search process- how to create a realistic budget that won't leave you eating top ramen on Saturday nights.

If you are a Corporate relocation specialist and in need of help placing clients or employees, please contact our relocation team at (206) 728-6063.

RD House Real Estate and Property Management

Leaders in Property Management

159 Denny Way #110

Seattle, WA 98109

(206) 728-6063

www.rd-house.com

Lessons from this difficult market- for property managers

Ricky D Sadler (RD house Property Management) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 05:25:52 -0500

It's not really a silver lining, but I realized the other day that, as tough as 2009 has been property owners and property managers, I will have some good lessons from it to help me in the future. The thing is, when markets are booming, marketing a property management company to new clients can be tough, because people think it's easy and there are 6 tenants for every unit (not so much, but more on that later). We spend quite a bit of time educating property owners of the benefits of professional property management, as opposed to them going it alone, and the hardest thing to quantify is the value of a firm grasp of the market, what's needed to market and fill units in the most timely and beneficial way, and how to keep them that way with good maintenance and tenant relations. In a really difficult market though, the value of a good property manager really becomes clear, which makes at least that part of my job easier.

This epiphany came to be when I saw a newsfeed article on the front page of a local independent owners association, (which, even though we compete for the same clientele, I do peruse along with a number of sources of market and industry news each week to keep up with the latest information and influences to the business). The article was titled "Why you should ask for lower rent", and outlines general national trends and a depiction that in this economy, everything might be on the table for tenants to negotiate, and implies that tenants should strike a deal, in essence, while landlords are down. It was an ironic choice of articles for a property owners association to be highlighting, but I did a double take because I could just imagine these owners getting pelted with calls from tenants, having read the article, threatening to move and demanding concessions. Only toward the end, almost as an aside, did it mention that markets are local and conditions will vary from one area to another; what it didn't mention was the need to do apples to apples comparison of property rents based on location, size, age, features, amenities, and condition. The problem this kind of article causes for owners is that these are the most important factors in a property's relative rent within the market, and people too often overlook this (and indeed the association didn't include this additional analysis alongside the article either).

You see, a good property manager works in the field day in and day out, and knows what's happening block by block with the market. And certainly, rents in Seattle, depending on the area you're in, have been volatile this year; layoffs, unemployment, a thinning pool of qualified renters, and lots of inventory are all taking their toll. However, our company has been adjusting rents (where appropriate), working hard at retention and tweaking the management plans for each property to balance the value, quality, and highest/best use of the property all year. So our tenants and owners are in relatively good shape and aligned with the market realities. As we lease units, of course we get questions about price and concessions, and tenants can see by the comps and information I provide that the unit they are in, or looking at, is priced appropriately for the market based on all the criteria above; tenants with expiring leases are offered renewals based on the same information, and occasionally we offer a longer lease term or other items to keep them there.

So when there's an article that kicks up dust about demanding lower rents or other market alarms, my owner clients don't have to sweat it, because navigating the market is the biggest part of the value I provide as a professional property manager. Except that in good markets, it's not as tangible to owners; but in this market, my value becomes crystal clear. And to those owners who are fielding demanding calls from frantic tenants, it makes that part of my marketing message all the more tangible to them.

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About RD House Real Estate and Property Management: We are a leader in relocation, in-town condo and executive rental properties, working with Microsoft, Amazon, Fred Hutchison Center, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Alaska Airlines, Nordstrom and others. Many of our listings have video blogs/tours, and can be found on our website at www.rd-house.com.

If you are a Corporate relocation specialist and in need of help placing clients or employees, please contact our relocation team at (206) 728-6063.

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The economy, the market and renting

Ricky D Sadler (RD house Property Management) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 13:03:30 -0500

As a good friend of mine put it (too cheerily I think), "what an interesting time to be alive!" It depends on your comfort with ambiguity and uncertainty I guess. But, to be honest, in this economy where we are getting so many mixed signals- the recession is parked/bottoming out/starting recovery; housing is flat/picking up/only deteriorating at a slower pace; we should be optimistic/remain cautious/brace for more to come. One example is the recent article by Anthony Mirhaydari of the strategic Investment newsletter, Housing crisis set to enter new stage. In it, he outlines how the housing upticks we've seen aren't normal, and that foreclosures are starting to spread from subprime mortgages, caused by increases in rates, to prime mortgages, based on lost employment. Meanwhile, global stock markets rose today after upbeat comments from Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke regarding further signs of an improvement in the U.S. housing market (AP news)

How are we supposed to make any sense of all this? I wish that todays blog was to tell you exactly how, but I'm just trying to make a few observations. In general, it seems like things remain pretty tough, but a lot of people have found ways to adjust in order to weather the storm. There was a great article this weekend in the Seattle Times discussing that after the latest credit card cuts- banks freezing limits and closing accounts- they also aren't getting many new customers- people aren't seeking loans or credit from them. People remember the feeling of getting burned, and are learning to adapt so that they won't get burned again.

It feels a lot like people are in a wait and see mode. In the Seattle area, some people are moving up to new homes, some of the really lucky ones are moving into the area with some of the few new jobs we have, some are moving down to save money, some back with parents or with roommates. Many aren't moving at all right now. But with the conventional wisdom that all things that go up must come down; so too must all things that go down also bounce back up. So, my thinking is that we will recover someday; how, how quickly and when- well that's why Ben Bernake earns his pay

Ok, so while the economy does what it's going to do, we have to press on as life continues. For those who are moving, or will be doing so in the future, RD House Property Management has been hard at work putting together a pretty nifty resource- the Rental Guide, that can help those who are moving- whether it be up down or sideways. It's designed as a step guide for uncovering your real needs in a new rental home, using a range of tools to search for one, and tips to make your new surroundings more comfortable. It' full of articles, worksheets, and area information which includes tons of links to neighborhood blogs, city resources and other great stuff so it's a site that is actually interactive and useful in a number of ways- more than just "tips" or ads dressed up as content. For example, there's a detailed article on how to make a budget for yourself, connected to a worksheet that you can print and use. We'll be adding to it with up to date topical information and new resources that develop, so be sure to check it out!

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If you are a Corporate relocation specialist and in need of help placing clients or employees, please contact our relocation team at (206) 728-6063.

Very cool! 1br/1.5ba, 19th floor unit for lease in the new 5th & Madison building!

Ricky D Sadler (RD house Property Management) — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 15:10:02 -0500

We are super excited to be able to offer this spectacular unit at $2395.00. When I went on the pre-listing tour of the unit this week, it was like I was standing high above Gothan City in someplace Batman would live. Super high tech, views for days, this 19th 1 bedroom, 1.5 bath Emerald City Bruce Wayne feeling unit just sparkles. It's a spacious and peaceful oasis filled with high end amenities including gorgeous granite counters, stainless fridge, wine fridge, wide plank hardwoods, walk in master closet and floor to ceiling windows to soak of the Emerald city at night.

Not only that- rent includes a parking space (for your Batmobile), storage unit, wi-fi, cable and phone and all utilities except electricity. Pets are welcome, and there's NO move in FEE (normally $250)- let's just say Bruce Wayne covered it!

OK, enough with my Batman moment, about the building- the 5th and Madison is the latest in sustainable construction and features many smart, eco-friendly details such as the use of recycled construction materials, a green system for controlling rainwater run-off, air filtration systems and lots of natural light. Architecturally, it's been celebrated as lighter, more airy and graceful, and much more delicately detailed than other entries on the market. Instead of slamming into the street with a colossal thud, it rolls out welcoming gestures -- a Bartell store on the Fifth Avenue side and a pocket park, open to the public.

The firm Ruffcorn Mott Hinthorne Stine of Seattle designed the new building, and Phillips Farevaag Smallenberg of Vancouver, B.C., landscaped the park.

The finlike balconies snapped onto the building's north and east sides add a pleasantly busy hum of texture to the downtown streetscape, and imply a human scale that's absent in the neighboring buildings.

Come and see it for yourself! And check this out- in addition to standard daytime showings, we're also offering Night showings (at 8:45pm) for this unit only. To schedule one, call Ricky D (RD House Real Estate and Property Management, www.rd-house.com) at 206-728-6063.

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If you are a Corporate relocation specialist and in need of help placing clients or employees, please contact our relocation team at (206) 728-6063.

Inside the House Video Marketing VIEW Ricky D @ work in this upscale home in Ravenna/University Village; Join our YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/RDHOUSEREPM its working!

Ricky D Sadler (RD house Property Management) — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 10:18:16 -0500

WOW what a big deal to do this! We started Video taping our rentals- in my very Southern style- and people just love it. We have increased our calls by double some even better than that- In this market we are having to work much harder- to get property rented in our average 22-30 days we have to show 30 to 40 times for some properties to get them to rent

So, welcome to a new and entertaining look at the world of property management! Inside the House is our webisode and blog series coming this May based on the goings on at RD House Property Management. http://www.youtube.com/RDHOUSEREPM

It's sometimes hilarious, sometimes dramatic, but always topical and informative. What are the strangest maintenance requests that tenants have? What happens when a tenant stops paying rent and just disappears? What can go wrong when we're showing a property to a potential tenant? Follow our Broker, Ricky D, and staff, as they navigate the drama, humor and challenges of keeping our properties running in top shape!

"If you can't put a queen size bed in it, it's not a bedroom, it's a closet!" Check out our series promo video- and look for new video websides and blogs arriving weekly starting this May!

Join our YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/RDHOUSEREPM

Ricky D Play on the Hottest Day Ever in Seattle- RD House is Hotter than ever Hottest DAY ever IN Seattle**** 103--http://www.youtube.com/RDHOUSEREPM

Ricky D Sadler (RD house Property Management) — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 15:43:53 -0500

Added 9:16 [TRANSLATED] RD House is hotter than ever- Ho...

http://www.youtube.com/RDHOUSEREPM

HEy HEY hey---------- Welcome to Seattle From Ricky D And RD-House.com

WE are bring Seattle to you- We understand that you need to move and can't always see your new home before you move,or worst you are just to rushed to slow down and look around at the neighborhood that you may be moving too.

This gave me idea to help so I started inside the house we all need move help that what we ask for its the truth-it takes a Village

I hope you enjoy the clips of Seattle and the feature unit we bring to you its alot harder than it looks-

this clip is the record day the hottest day on record in Seattle 103 WOW that note worthly

As Alway calls us if you Need US 206-728-6063 and please feel free to email rickyd@rd-house.com

Thank You Seattle

Spotlight on Our NEW Marketing to sell rentals in Seattle http://www.youtube.com/RDHOUSEREPM

Ricky D Sadler (RD house Property Management) — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 17:44:46 -0500

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZYR2zbqiXE

OMG

It's sometimes hilarious, sometimes dramatic, but always topical and informative. What are the strangest maintenance requests that tenants have? What happens when a tenant stops paying rent and just disappears? What can go wrong when we're showing a property to a potential tenant? Follow our Broker, Ricky D, and staff, as they navigate the drama, humor and challenges of keeping our properties running in top shape!

"If you can't put a queen size bed in it, it's not a bedroom, it's a closet!" Check out our series promo video- and look for new video websides and blogs arriving weekly starting this May!

Join our YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/RDHOUSEREPM

I never thought I would be doing this to sell rentals But its working so far I hope you enjoy web-o- s

I'm getting where I don't write anymore I just give the Letter Of the frist word and Let them guess what i'm meaning-

- Looks at it this way- you have a few more changes to talk with them on the phone when they call-

texting not all that bad if you use it to y-a

Have Fun- look for us we are trying to rent these units and keep Seattle Moving

Ricky D

RD House Real Estate & Property Management INC

Seattle WA 98109

206-728-6063

LOOKING FOR RENTALS WITH ALL THE SEAFAIR FUN GOING ON RD HOUSE REAL ESTATE & PROPERTY MANAGEMENT HAS YOU GUIDE 206-728-6063

Ricky D Sadler (RD house Property Management) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:40:59 -0500

Start Out In Green Lake watch the Milk Carton derdy get a good Seat for

the kiddies parde a few blks away from

8800 Corliss Ave N 4/3 close Greenlake Milk carton Derby/Wallingford Kiddies parade

Wine your way back to hwy99 to West Seattle about 15 min ride and great view of the Sound to

Seafair west Seattle Alki Pirates events rental in community 2980 Raymond New Huge www.rd-house.com 2/2 view 1495.00

now you have a choice you can go to look at the

Lavendor Tour Vashion IS 7/11/09 Ferry 5 min from 2 sw 119^th sw cute starter apartment 635.00

www.rd-house.com close to airport/DT- Seattle OR go to the

Chinatown- International dist festival this weekend 4 blks from 2/2 rental condos by RD House Very Nice 2/c Parking call rickyd 206-728-6063

But please save the date on some other Seafair stuff later on in July-

Save the date to view 10145 15^th ave S 4/2 for Seattle AIR Show great view from Yard

Rental_seattle 1595.00 RD HOUSE HUGH fun house

Torchlight Parade downtown Seattle 7-25-09 walk from 108 5^th ave S 2 rental avil

•1) Corp-Rental furnished 1) unit unfurn-1650.00 2/2 parking rdhouse

THANK YOU- And Call US if WE CAN HELP 206-728-6063

Finding The Perfect Seattle Rental Under 999.00

Ricky D Sadler (RD house Property Management) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 17:26:35 -0500

Finding The Perfect Seattle Rental Under 999.00

Boy would it be nice to find the perfect Seattle Rental for less than 999.00.

We understand how hard it is to find the right rental home for you.

We hear you!- we did our own little secret shopping tour here in Seattle last week and boy did we see some dogs . We believe one of the keys to finding a perfect rental for you is asking lots of question before you get to the property- have a Phone interview, its simple and easy to get the basic down before you go out and waste you gas- MapQuest the address and look at the map to see if you like where the property is! Drive by the property before your appointment just to make sure you know where it is- Never be late because you could miss out on a great deal if the rental agent is showing to more than one person at a time- ask rental agent if their company has a website www.rd-house.com

ASK about- back ground screening remember think out of the box on this one , it's as much about your screening as the guy who live next door to you. ASK for the company Name that will be performing the screening this is key- Online credit application to the screening service are the best in my view because you do not have your life history in some leasing agent back seat.

RD House Property Management in Seattle Washington Helps to Motivate our tenants

Ricky D Sadler (RD house Property Management) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 17:15:06 -0500

RD House Property Management Motivate our tenants with the tools and knowledge to help protect their home and work life balance.

Health, safety and security is one of our main role as property manager and to build better relationships with our tenants-

The traditional concerns for safety has more than ever been present in this stressing economic turn down, By helping our tenants with balancing work and family stresses we have built better relationships, we all know balancing the demands of family and work is a significant challenge-

We lend a hand to help our tenants with major household duties whenever needed sometimes an extra set of hands can make all the difference in health safety and security

Thank You Seattle-

Ricky D

Know Assemble required www.rd-house.com furnished condo's Seattle 206.728-6063

Ricky D Sadler (RD house Property Management) — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 21:35:53 -0500

Have you ever dream of just selling all your stuff!! and starting over fresh- Like living in a Brand new condo every yr- Never having old dusty stuff- never ever having to pack boxes of junk again,that you really don't want anyway-

Having that's fresh clean smell of NEW/ always living that out of the box life style/ it can be yours with a simple approach for free is always around the corner,just insert key to your new leather sofa waiting for you in your newly professional design condo that's steps to fun out your lobby doors\

$2095 / 1br - All you Need is your tooth brush/ Fully Furnished Condo In Belltown (Belltown www.rd-house.com) (map)

(206) 728-6063

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Welcome to a new and entertaining look at the world of property management! Inside the House is our webisode and blog series coming this May based on the goings on at RD House Property Management. http://www.youtube.com/RDHOUSEREPM

It's sometimes hilarious, sometimes dramatic, but always topical and informative. What are the strangest maintenance requests that tenants have? What happens when a tenant stops paying rent and just disappears? What can go wrong when we're showing a property to a potential tenant? Follow our Broker, Ricky D, and staff, as they navigate the drama, humor and challenges of keeping our properties running in top shape!

"If you can't put a queen size bed in it, it's not a bedroom, it's a closet!" Check out our series promo video- and look for new video websides and blogs arriving weekly starting this May!

Join our YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/RDHOUSEREPM