My appraisal buddy is in the Rain!

One of my friends recently accepted my invitation to ActiveRain, Patrick Lamb. Patrick is a commercial real estate appraiser for Lamb Hanson Lamb Appraisal Associates, Inc. I first met him through a college buddy back in 2005 when the Huskies went to the Sweet 16 and ever since then we have been good friends and even take an annual ski trip together.

Besides being a commercial real estate appraiser, Patrick is also the Director of Business Development for Lamb Hanson Lamb. His job duties are similar to mine as the Business Development Manager and I have to say he is really good at what he does (that is not just friendship talking). One of his recent business decisions has been was to institute a change to their online marketing strategy.

Lamb Hanson Lamb had a website that worked, as in being online, but it did not give them the presence they were looking for. As ActiveRainers know, the importance of a state of the art blog-site with deep rich content is what the online market space is all about. Patick has gotten a good start and has published a few blogs but my favorite is Are we a one trick pony appraisal shop?. Catch title and about made me spit out my coffee.

That title is very accurate for the range of services Lamb Hanson Lamb Appraisal Associates, Inc (and I thought my company's name was long...just kidding guys but not really). Their services include residential real estate appraisals, commercial real estate appraisals, agricultural real estate appraisals and litigation real estate appraisals (the non fun one).

Appraising in one the real estate topics I do not fully understand from the process standpoint. Being an office guy there is very time for me to get out in the field. So it has not been a topic I have a lot of first hand experience, hence no blog topics, and this is an opportunity, reading their blog, to educate. Lamb Hanson Lamb is also getting their appraisers involved with the website and two excellent posts are So you want to be a developer and So do you want to be a Developer Part 2.

Written by one of their appraisers, Edward Boyle, their website is going is be a diverse source of information regarding Seattle real estate appraisals. Check it out see it for yourself and as time goes by there will be tons to read.

Alderwood Manor Two-Story Home with Shop for Sale

3402 165th Pl SW Lynnwood, WA 98037

Status: Active
Price: $529,500
MLS #: 28076006
Listing Agent: Roberta Keith
Call: (425) 359-7855 - Map it

Near Spruce Neighborhood Park, this Lynnwood two story home has great location for fun family activities and is only 1.5 miles from the Alderwood Mall. As you walk through this home everything is like new inside with granite counter tops and tile in all the bathrooms. The family room and kitchen are set up with Bose speakers for easy listening and entertaining.

The landscaping has auto sprinklers and plants have auto drip system but that is not the best part. Every man's dream lies on the large lot with a personal 2.5 car detached heated garage and shop which is wired for 220, has .5 bathroom and a 4-post car lift and loft. There is also Plenty of RV Parking in the driveways.

Property Details
- 1,900 sq/ft
- 4 Bedrooms
- 2.5 Bathrooms
- Built in 1997

School District: Lynnwood

Church Creek Estates Tri-Level for Sale - Contact Bryan Barnett

6824 Church Creek Ct NW Stanwood, WA 98292

Status: Active
Price: $289,950
MLS #: 28080952
Listing Agent: Bryan Barnett
Call: (425) 238-5508 - Map it

Better than new tri-Level is located in Church Creek Estates of Stanwood and near the local schools. There are brand new exterior siding and enclosed soffets. Entering into the home you are greeted by all new Laminate flooring with large family room with fireplace.

The open and bright kitchen boasts all new appliances which stay with the home. Three large bedrooms upstairs with master bedroom having its own bathroom and walk-in closet. Downstairs features a big family room with bedroom and/or den and bath.

Full double car garage and community also features separate RV/Boat/Trailer storage and parks.

Property Details
- 1778 sq/ft
- 4 Bedrooms
- 2.75 Bathrooms
- Built in 1994

School District: Stanwood

On The Hill Rambler for Sale - Contact Mickie Barnett

7513 74th Dr NE Marysville, WA 98270

Status: Active
Price: $309,000
MLS #:28082046
Listing Agent: Mickie Barnett
Call: (425) 750-9090 - Map it

Nestled at the end of the cul-de-sac and on .37 of an acre, this Marysville rambler borders a greenbelt with peek-a-boo view of city lights and Cedarcrest Golf Course. This rambler is perfect for the snowbird that needs RV parking and a low maintenance living.

Features include new Freizer carpeting throughout, new vinyl in the kitchen and freshly painted interior, soaring ceilings in living areas, custom blinds, ceiling fan in the family room, large master with full size bathroom. Some other extras include a security system and extra storage space under the house.

Property Details
- 1,390 sq/ft
- 3 Bedrooms
- 2 Bathrooms
- Built in 1996

School District: Marysville

April 2008 Housing Stats - Snohomish County

Active Snohomish County Listings Year-to-Date

Residential: 5,763
New Construction: 1,594
Condominium: 1,393

Pending Snohomish County Sales Year-to-Date

Residential: 2,730
New Construction: 864
Condominium: 723

Closed Snohomish County Listings Year to Date

Residential: 2,177
New Construction: 667
Condominium: 544


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Check the video on homepage...just DO NOT log in

Ok it is time for me to finally brag about something but if you have ever stalked, not logging in, on AR's homepage then you may already have seen it. Last summer Ardell and I were invited by Jonathon down to AR's office to partake in a little commercial.

I was all sorts of nervous, Ardell did not seem nervous (in the video...I did not get to talk to her there), and look far stiffer in the video than normal. My mug and more importantly my company is getting all sorts of good marketing and consumer views...hooray :)

It all attributed to the time and effort which has been put into the AR network to get noticed on such a scale. There are so many excellent bloggers here, most are much better at this than I, that could have easily taken my place. I would like to thank the guys for allowing me to be in the short and if you ever need me again I am available...hint hint :) 

Okay that is enough marveling at my own greatness...haha that made me laugh...and finish up my day at the office.

A Meticulous Parkview Estate Rambler for Sale

5410 64th Pl NE Marysville, WA 98270

Status: Active
Price: $309,900
MLS #: 28078764
Listing Agent: Mickie Barnett
Call: (425) 750-9090 - Map it

Original model home still shows with a blue ribbon quality that has become a hallmark of Parkview Estates. Nestled in a cul-de-sac and near Jennings Memorial Park, new owners will enjoy a large .22 acre lot and covered front patio which enhances the entry to a immaculate interior.

Boasting new Friezer carpeting throughout, freshly painted walls with white trim and raised panel doors, Cathedral ceilings. The kitchen includes all appliances, maple floors, tile countertops. But that is not all. The large master bedroom and the master bath has a large 5' shower and walk-in closet for comfort and space.

Some other extras are: washer & dryer, security system and in-ground sprinkler system.

Property Details
- 1,596 sq/ft
- 3 Bedrooms
- 1.75 Bathrooms
- Built in 1996

School District Marysville

SERPs keep getting better and better

Last week Google did another PageRank update to the visual green bar. A few of my sites faired pretty well, gaining a point, but my main site lost a point. Since June I have lost 2 points and now sitting a 3. I about jumped out of my jeans with panic but was assured by colleagues that PR really does not have any or very little value associated with it.

Sill not fully convinced I trusted their opinions and kept on doing what I know is the right moves and published some content, got a few more links and so on. A few days went by and closely eyed sites position in the SERPs and everything was holding steady with some pages dropping a little but not to bad. Then today I was b-boppin online and decided to look again and low and behold more Good Supplemental results. I first seem them with search the company name at the end of March, see post, and now we have them for one of our main keywords.

Now if I can just get the listings to pull along with the rentals the planets would align and harmony would reign :)

Oh yea, I am the second link too :)

Granite Falls Home for Under $170K

1731 237th Dr NE Granite Falls, WA 98252

Status: Active
Price: $169,950
MLS #: 28066044
Listing Agent: Teresa Rommel
Call: (425) 359-2472 - Map it

This Granite Falls home is a quaint 2 bed with den on lvery arge lot which is backed up to a high a river bank and creek. It is a cute and cozy getaway for a quiet retreat or all year fun. Nice and private setting only 6 miles to Granite Falls. Don't miss out on this great buy.

Property Details
- --- sq/ft
- 2 Bedrooms
- 1 Bathroom
- Built in 1975

School District: Granite Falls

Subprime Meltdown...Stop the Madness

As the lending industry continues to implode frustrations between buyers and sellers are on the rise. With the collapse of the Subprime market shockwaves flow through the industry. Subprime loans were made and packaged into groups and then were rated and insured by bonding companies and then sold on the stock market. As the housing market slowed down and values dropped in certain segments of the market many people were upside down with their loan to value ratios. The bonding companies were forced to re-evaluate what they had insured as "A" product and then downgrade some of the packages thus unable to insure them and therefore sending ramifications throughout the stock market. This could be the first time we have seen the decline in the housing industry have such an affect on our global market.

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