Another dreary, rainy day in Burien.  Though I'm dead tired and groggy from my Nyquil-induced sleep(wasn't feeling well), I am at the office to do my Saturday morning floor shift.  Since I'm still not awake enough to do anything that requires too much thought, I start reading the headlines.  One in particular grabs my attention: "Tent City In Suburbs Is Cost Of Home Crisis"Oh, my.  This would certainly be news to me.  I mean, I know that in many parts of the country the situation with short sales and foreclosures is getting desperate.  But how sad it would be if thousands of families were to end up in a situation where they had no alternative but to live in tent cities.So I click on the link to the article and start reading.  The first 3 paragraphs give a brief overview of a particular ... 12/22/2007

I went to Ballard the other day to hunt down some unique items for Christmas stocking stuffers...because there is no better place to find the weird, the unusual, and wacky "popular culture" items than at Archie McPhee!   This holdout for the wacky and wonderful is celebrating it's 25th year making shoppers giggle, snort at the silliness, guffaw at the absurdity, chuckle at recognizing a favorite toy from long ago...walk in the door and you are 9 again and are in a treasure shop of fun!             Devil Duckies, Black Lung Bubble Gum Cigarettes, Pink Flamingos, Potato Guns, Bacon Mints, Glow Squish Brains, Wiggley Hula Girl, Gummi Banana Slugs, Cowboy Lunch Box, Nun Punching Puppet, Windup Chattering Teeth, Beethoven Action Figure, Tub 'O Flying Cats, Tiara with Czech Crystals, Pirate O... 12/21/2007

Figuratively, of course. When receiving an offer that is too low, and they all are these days, it is important to use everything you can to get an edge on your competition. Negotiation tactics are an edge that all top producing agents have. This post is the second in a series on Negotiation tactics and real estate. When an initial offer comes in the correct reaction is to "flinch." You want the bearer of the offer to feel like they just dropped a brick on your foot. "Ouch!" Then wait. Don't say anything. Nothing. Silence, is the next move. Almost like you are waiting for an apology from the brick dropper. Wait until they talk next, no matter how long it takes. I have waited so long that people have asked if I was still on the phone, like it was a dropped call. When I am shopping in the ... 12/19/2007

Seattle Kid Friendly Traveling Option!I remember when I traveled alone with my first baby sixteen years ago - lugging that giant car seat all the way across the airport to change planes...while I also held my daughter and my bags...Aaaah the joy of air travel with babies and toddlers...I usually like to stick to writing about Seattle real estate and Seattle suburb happenings, but I had to share this tip.  Even if I only reach one person it will be worth it!!!A solution:GoGo Babyz has come up with the Kidz Travelmate - it is basically a dolly cart for your car seat - COMPLETE with kid in it!!!!  The dolly only weighs five pounds and folds up to practically nothing, but glides your car seat and little one all the way through that airport!  The wheels are the same Razor wheels from the Raz... 12/19/2007

The market is changing, but I mean that the confidence bottom has dropped out of some real estate agents. I have always been a student of the human condition. How people react when their ego is hurt, what they do when they are in a position of power, or do they go on the defensive when threatened. A real estate agent is supposed to be your protection from these absolutely normal reactions to situations, especially when the bottom drops out of the real estate market. Barrier to emotion, is one of the benefits to using a real estate agent to negotiate. Any agent really, whether it is a sports agent or an actors agent, is a negotiating tool. When the seller, or buyer as it may be, comes back with an outlandish response, your agent is there to respond using wise tactics. All too often agent... 12/18/2007

  Do We REALLY Have it that BAD Look at the rents and the Fees they pay in TokyoCall Ricky DRD House real Estate & Property ManagementRental Needs 206-728-6063 Property name   Park Hills Ochiai #402  Address  Number of Bed  Floor space  Rent  Maintenance Fee  Deposit  Key money  Lease period  Renewal Fee   1-5-1, Kami-ochiai, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo          Studio 21.25sqm/228.49sqf 82,000 yen  6,000 yen 2 months 2 months  24 months  1 months of new rent  Transportation Chuo Line Higashi-Nakano 9 min(s) on foot Tozai Line Ochiai 5 min(s) on foot Toei Ooedo Line Nakai 8 min(s) on foot Toei Ooedo Line Higashi-Nakano 9 min(s) on foot Seibu Shinjuku Line Shimo-Ochiai 8 min(s) on foot  Completion  Parking  Structure  Move in Date  Viewing Date   1999.07.31  None  Steel-reinforced concrete (partl... 12/17/2007

This is very extreme view but DOWNTOWN BELLTOWN AND QUEEN ANNE are becoming one just like ShinjukuWith South Lake Union up and coming Seattle is on her way!Fun Fact:  Tokyo is Shinjuku is one of the 23 wards of the metropolis of Tokyo, but commonly refers to just the large entertainment, business and shopping area around Shinjuku Station. Handling more than two million passengers each day, Shinjuku Station is Japan's busiest railway station, served by six railway companies and about a dozen railway and subway lines, including the JR Yamanote Line. West of the station is Shinjuku' skyscraper district, home to many of Tokyo's tallest buildings, including several premier hotels and the Metropolitan Government Office, whose observation decks are open to the public for free. Northeast of the... 12/17/2007

Seattle Real estate: Water invasion: Making sure again to keep things water tight! In the last week or so since the flood clean up has been going on, I have heard from some of Seattle and Seattle suburb neighbors, clients, and friends and how their Puget Sound houses are faring through the recent rains. Gutters and Downspouts........... One of my neighbors has had to strip out the carpet in their basement because their gutters were not properly maintained.  The downspouts weren't connected and the water infiltrated their home!  What a mess! They are putting in tile now in case it ever happens again, but more importantly, they are having the gutters repaired. Gutters are important, but absolutely vital in places like Seattle! Weatherstripping on Doors.............Another friend and clien... 12/17/2007

 Seattle:  Ask your Realtor!I have sold a lot of preforeclosure, foreclosure and short sale properties in Seattle and the Seattle suburbs....  I have both listed them for banks and service companies as well as sold them to investors. I am always amazed when my clients or prospective clients ask if they should pay money to join or subscribe to a website or newsletter which lists "current" foreclosures.  1. The information is already available...  The dirty little secret that these information gathering foreclosure real estate companies and sites don't want you to know about is that the exclusive foreclosure properties on their lists are already for sale on the local MLS through your local real estate agent.2. The foreclosures they have are not updated in real time...I have looked at many... 12/16/2007

Seattle Relocation? Let me help you with the maze... Seattle real estate is more than just finding a house - it also involves finding a neighborhood or suburb of Seattle that really feels like home.  Seattle has some of the best neighborhoods and suburbs!  Each one is very special and has different offerings. Some things to consider when moving to Seattle or any of the Seattle suburbs:  Seattle School Districts:  If you have children, make sure and check out the schools!  Seattle is serviced by Seattle School District, while many of the South Snohomish County cities and neighborhoods like Mountlake Terrace, Brier, and Edmonds are serviced by Edmonds School District.  Other local school districts include Northshore School District and Everett.Seattle Local amenities:  You don't have to g... 12/16/2007

Relocating to Seattle?  I  moved to Seattle in the fall of 1994, without any real reason beyond just wanting to live in Seattle.  A few months before my actual move, I was in a bookstore and found a book called "Seattle Survival Guide II"   This was a great resource (remember, this was pre-internet!) for me to scout out Seattle before making The Big Move.   Recently, I was at another bookstore and found a nifty little book called "Seattle Survival Guide. 4th edition".   Hmmm, I picked it up and checked it out.  It reminded me vaguely of my old, and very dog eared guide and introduction to Seattle, so I decided to buy it and see.  Well, the 4th edition is the grown-up and web friendly version, and definitely another great resource for those who are considering moving to Seattle.  Both bo... 12/15/2007

I am referring, of course, to washing machines.  I have had my beautiful Kenmore Energy Star front-loading washing machine for what, I don't know, about 6 years now.  I've (stupidly) had it serviced twice, to the tune of at least $300.00.  I actually got a discount from my repairman because he's a nice guy and a client of mine.Now, apparently, the bearings are going out. When the machine hits the 'spin' cycle, it sounds something like what all the artillery fire must have sounded like during the storming of the beaches at Normandy. It feels like the machine is trying to jolt my house off of its foundation.  Am I just being dramatic? Not really.  I think my husband likes to wash the clothes at midnight just to drive the point home that we indeed need a new washing machine.   But with Chr... 12/14/2007

Computer Science Voodoo...  I can do it too! There is a new gimmick being touted in the Seattle real estate market: computer science. Have you heard of it?   R*df*n has come out with their groundbreaking computer science method of looking at your home's marketability.  Smoke and mirrors for just plain old stats?  Apparently, the Today Show thought it was worthy of national attention!  All I can say is that it must have been a slow news day......................In fact, there was nothing groundbreaking about any of the BIG TIPS, but I am impressed with their PR person! I am all for getting information to clients as well as for different business models, but when that information is called Realtor "voodoo" in my experienced hands and "computer science" in theirs, I take note. The Seattle ... 12/14/2007

Property Management www.rd-house.com 206-728-6063 ASK Ricky D Call for Summary of Services 5 % Management Fee Seattle WASH, Leader in Property Management RD House REAL Estate & Property Management Location: Seattle, WA Bell town Down town Queen Anne Condos SFR, SMALL MULT PLEX Management Fee 5% 159 Denny Way #110Seattle, WA 98109(206) 728-6063 office(206) 728-6175 fax www.rd-house.com 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 Washington State Please feel free to contact us Monday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. ASK Ricky D Sadler Broker/Senior PM @ 206-728-6063 or email rickyd@rd-house.com Summary of ServicesOwner/Tenant Relations: As your a... 12/14/2007

Seattle Real Estate and Remodeling -    Secret Message? I love selling houses in Seattle!  I have a lot of fun with my job, but it is really amazing when something cool happens along the way................................. I recently sold a gorgeous view home in the Seattle suburb of Edmonds, WA..it was one of the most unique homes I had ever seen or had the pleasure to sell. In addition to being a view home, it had a really unique floor plan. The uniqueness probably caused it to be on the market just a tad longer than it normally would have been, but it was perfect for my buyers! The sellers were extremely kind and after closing, brought an amazing gift to my buyers....a time capsule of sorts!!! Apparently, during the major tear down and remodel job the seller did in the seventies on ... 12/10/2007

Located in West Seattle on SW Alaska just west of 42nd next to the Alaska House, this park was planned for development in 2005. With 200,000 for acquisition costs with a projected construction start of Summer 2007, we are a little behind schedule in the Alaska Junction. Up until just recently this has just been a fenced off area, near the Alaska Junction. They have spread the grass seed and now we are watching it grow. With 2008 rapidly approaching I doubt we will see it finished this year, and by the looks of the design it wont be finished for quite a while. Here is what it currently looks like: I have to say that even this sparsely planted grass and yellow tape, it is better that the chain-link fenced gravel field that it used to be. The West Seattle Junction will be a better place w... 12/10/2007

             This Interior Redesign in North Seattle reworked a small living space to incorporate color and charm for a homeowner to live in! Style and Design is not reserved only for the 4,000 sq. ft homes with designer sized budgets! In this room we reworked the space to further define the two living zones, and totally punched up the color with red accents which were found throughout the condominium, and restyled into the room's design. Our favorite design elements was artwork, created by the homeowners family, including young grandchildren. These we framed and mixed with other artwork on the wall, to create a colorful and inspriring gallery adjacent to the seating area. One of the benefits we have with our Kent/Covington home base, is that we are about 35 minutes from either Seattle ... 12/10/2007

 This post is in follow-up to articles I wrote in November about EPFX Machines.  Today, The Seattle Times has an article entitled “FDA bans import of unproven machine,” by Christine Willmsen and Michael J. Berens (Seattle Times staff reporters).  It discusses how the FDA is going after William Nelson’s EPFX machine, that is manufactured in Hungary; and distributors. In 1992, Nelson was making claims that his machine “could diagnose and heal.”   He was indicted in 1996 on felony fraud charges relative to his machine and ran to Hungary.  From there he sells the machine for $19,900; and “rakes in millions of dollars monthly.” The FDA is also investigating into other machines.  The article said that “The FDA and state regulators failed to confiscate or warn the public about a dangerous devi... 12/09/2007

 Seattle:  Get out there!Seattle Residents know it rains here, but we don't stay inside all the time!!! Seattle and its suburbs are lucky enough to be in King County and King County has a huge park system! The park system of King County is so big in fact, that they call it "Your big backyard!" King County has 180 parks and 175 miles of trails with a combined acreage of 25,000 acres! One of my favorite trails is the Burke-Gilman trail – it starts in Seattle down in Shilshole Bay and goes all the way up through the University District, Lake Forest Park, Kenmore, and then on to Bothell. The Burke-Gilman trail is roughly eighteen miles long and intersects with the Sammamish River Trail System in Bothell. It is a huge commuting trail for cyclists who commute from Seattle to the Eastside duri... 12/08/2007

Craigslist knocking.....It is pretty common policy these days to advertise your listings on Craigslist, and I think it is a great idea!  I have found I get a ton of response from my advertising on Craiglist.  My phone rings off the hook, actually, whenever I put on a fresh ad for my listings.  I always find it curious that these potential prospects call instead of email since they are already obviously internet oriented.  I think that my ad verbage creates a sense of urgency which compels these normally email people to pick up the phone.  But what about advertising for buyers?  How many of you advertise for buyers?  I mean, right now is the very best time to buy Seattle real estate! There are so many deals in Seattle and Seattle suburbs that I find myself wanting more buyers!  I want to... 12/08/2007