real estate: Telecommuting: Saving Time, Saving Money, and Saving the Earth
- 03/11/09 06:48 PM
Since most real estate agents are already technologically savvy and often work odd hours, telecommuting just makes sense. Corey and I work from home. Everyone in my company does. In Seattle, telecommuting is not only the "green" thing to do, it saves the company a lot of money in overhead, keeps us out of day-to-day traffic, and saves us all on gas and other transportation costs. . We have offices where we have team meetings and can meet with clients, but we don't have to be there on a daily basis.
Each of us a provided a "virtual office." … (9 comments)
real estate: Losers and Evildoers?
- 03/05/09 08:54 PM
As if homeowners facing foreclosure are not under enough stress, people from both ends of the political spectrum have been quick to blame the current economic crisis on people who are in trouble. Kelsey Grammer calls them evil-doers. Rush Limbaugh calls them losers. President Obama says they got mortgages they knew they couldn't afford. As an agent who has worked with several distressed homeowners, I can tell you that at least for my clients, none of these ridiculous charicatures are true. I guess we expect that they should have had a crystal ball and predicted an economic downturn that would eventually cost them … (66 comments)
real estate: Popcorn Ceilings: Work of the Devil?
- 02/19/09 12:56 PM
There ought to be special place in hell for whoever invented popcorn ceilings. They're ugly, they're impossible to clean, they may contain asbestos, and they are a big turn-off to potential home-buyers. My personal favorite is when it has glitter in it! If you are trying to sell your home, I recommend getting rid of them. Popcorn ceilings distract potential buyers from the true value of your home. So what can you do?
The first thing you should do is test your popcorn for asbestos! Asbestos was added to many popcorn ceilings because of its strength and fire-proofing … (16 comments)
real estate: Kingsgate: Small Town Feel; Cosmopolitan Convenience
- 02/14/09 11:41 AM
The charming Kingsgate Neighborhood (http://www.kingsgate.org/) of Kirkland/Woodinville is only a 10-minute drive away from Bellevue Square Mall and 20-minutes from downtown Seattle, yet it is a place where people get to know each other and neighborhood events are commonplace. What makes this neighborhood so wonderful and unique? Well, perhaps the number one reason is the community pools. These fully-staffed pools with adjacent parks and playgrounds create place for neighbors to gather and kids to play together. From Easter Egg Hunts, complete with giant Easter Bunnies, to Annual Barbeques with free food and lots of games, tradition and friendship are integral to the character of … (4 comments)
real estate: Staging Tip #1 - Follow Your Nose
- 02/13/09 09:44 AM
How does your home smell? Inviting? Repelling? Nuetral? This is so much more important than you realize! Scent is powerfully linked to memory and mood. You want people to be in a good mood when they tour your house, and you want them to remember it! Last weekend, I showed many, many houses, but one in particular stands out for HOW BAD IT SMELLED! It was so bad my clients and I didn't even go through the whole house! The musty smell wasn't just annoying, it was a sign that the house might have a serious problem. On the other hand, I previewed a … (9 comments)
real estate: The glass is half-full: The upside of a down market.
- 02/11/09 08:35 AM
With all of the bad news in the economy, and gloom and doom surrounding the real estate market, it's important to point out the great news. Here are some examples of the silver-lining: The Seatle Area has been one of the toughest markets for first-time home-buyers for a long time. But with prices low, interest rates low, and and so many houses and condos to choose from, market newbies are finding that they are well-positioned to jump into the market. Additionally, investor clients have a golden opportunity to make income-producing real estate investments. High-end homes are selling at bargain prices. So, those with equity … (2 comments)
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