buyers: Top Tips for 1st-Time Home Buyers in Kitsap County WA - 02/17/11 06:21 PM
Advice for1st-Time Home Buyers in Kitsap County WA -  Top Tip No. 1
"Don't Bite Off More Than You Can Chew!"
As a licensed professional real estate broker here on the Kitsap Peninsula, perhaps one of the best bits of advice I normally dispense to 1st-Time Home Buyers is for them to stay within their means. By that, I mean, determine your workable budget for purchasing your house, and stick to it.
I have the pleasure of working with a lot of 1st-Time Home Buyers, especially Active-Duty Military Service Members and their families. Kitsap County WA is home to a number … (26 comments)

buyers: "Why I Love Being a Real Estate Professional in Kitsap County WA" - 11/17/09 06:38 PM

Today was a great reminder why I love this business so much!...
Today we closed on a home I had listed out in Lofall WA.
It was a nicely maintained Cedar-sided Ranch on acreage.
The owners had been trying to sell their home for nearly a year.
The first agent had the home listed for 6 months.
The second agent for 5 months.
I was fortunate to be Agent No. 3.
The owners were really great folks. But they were discouraged and frustrated.
They just wanted to achieve their retirement plans of moving to South Florida.
I assured them that … (13 comments)

buyers: The Golden Rule and Real Estate - 06/30/09 11:12 AM
In the Gospel according to Luke, we find the following saying:
"Do to others as you would have them do to you."    Luke 6:31
This verse provides the basis for what many refer to as 'The Golden Rule' or the Ethic of Reciprocity, which states one has a right or expectation to receive fair and just treatment, and a responsibility to offer similar fair and just treatment towards others.
Just recently, I had the pleasure of representing a 1st Time Home Buyer in the purchase of a property in West Bremerton WA. Overall, it was a fairly smooth transaction. I had the good fortune of working with the Listing Agent … (69 comments)

buyers: "Responding to Low Offers" - Seller Strategies in Kitsap County WA - 06/04/09 11:47 AM
A while back, I published an article on my local real estate blog, SOUNDBITEBLOG, entitled "The Art of Offering Less." It ended up becoming a 3-part series catered towards a Buyers perspective and provided some practical guidance/advice on how to draft offers that were less than the listing price.
In the 1st article we identified the market dynamics that tend to encourage or breed low offers.
In the 2nd article, we shared various strategies for Buyers to achieve success with low offers.
In the 3rd and final part, we discussed the risks that are inherent with making low offers.
Just recently, … (14 comments)

buyers: "The Art of Offering Less, Part 2" - Advice for Buyers in Kitsap County WA - 04/27/09 06:20 PM
In our last episode, Bill and Betty Buyer were sitting down with their trusty Agent, Realtor Ron, to draft an offer on their dream home. They had spent the past 3 weekends touring dozens of potential properties, when they finally found just the perfect place!
When it came time to discuss the offer price, Bill proudly asserted, “We’re going to offer them $50K below the Listing price, and ask them to pay closing costs too!”
Pulling his jaw off the floor, Realtor Ron looked down on the MLS data-sheet for the subject property.
“Their home has only been on the market … (16 comments)

buyers: "The Art of Offering Less" - Buyers in Kitsap County WA - 04/26/09 06:14 AM

Just about everyone enjoys finding a bargain. We love to find stuff on clearance or discover a really sweet deal!
There is this tendency when the market softens and slows down for Buyers to expect greater bargaining leverage when it comes to home sales prices.
Typically, when a market shift takes place that favors the Buyer (commonly referred to as a ‘Buyer’s Market), there is high level of inventory of homes available for purchase. At the same time, as ‘Days on Market’ increase (the number of days on average that it takes for a house to sell/close), Sellers begin to … (10 comments)

buyers: Earnest Money: "Are You a 'SERIOUS' Buyer?" - 06/09/07 04:24 PM
ear·nest 1 adj.
1. Marked by or showing deep sincerity or seriousness. 2. Of an important or weighty nature; grave. See Synonyms at serious. Idiom:  in earnest
1. With a purposeful or sincere intent. 2. Serious; determined. ear·nest 2 n.
1. Money paid in advance as part payment to bind a contract or bargain.
2. A token of something to come; a promise or an assurance.
 
(Not to be confused with THIS Ernest!)
There seems to be a lot of confusion these days about Earnest Money, even among those who have previously purchased a home. As many States may differ as to what is considered a normative practice for … (9 comments)

buyers: Adventures in 1st Time Home Buying: "Are We There Yet?" - 05/24/07 08:40 AM
This is the tenth and final installment in an on-going series of posts dedicated to helping 1st Time Home Buyers successfully achieve their home purchasing goals.
We have been identifying and discussing, in chronological order, key events in the home buying process. In our last discussion, we indentified several last minute obstacles/difficulties that Buyers may experience in a post entitled, "Potential Pitfalls in the 11th hour."
This time, we'll talk about what Buyers can expect in the final days leading up to their closing and what to aniticpate beyond, in an article called, "Are We There Yet?"
To read this article in its entirely, simply go to SOUNDBITEBLOG (opens up into a separate window)
Article Series - Adventures … (9 comments)

buyers: "Putting the Cart before the Horse" - Making a Contingent Offer - 04/07/07 04:21 PM
Okay, so you've outgrown your current home. The new arrival turned out to be 'twins,' your husband's mother decided to stay a little bit longer than you had anticipated to help out, and you haven't parked your car in the garage for years! That 'spacious' rambler you bought as newlyweds is literally 'busting' at the seams!
So what's the best strategy for buying your next home?
Is it better to put your house on the market first, get it under contract with a qualified Buyer, and then find your new home?
Or, should you go out and find just the perfect house first, THEN put your house … (10 comments)

buyers: Adventures in 1st Time Home Buying: "It's Never Over 'til It's Over!" - 01/03/07 03:57 AM
Welcome once again to ActiveRain and Localism, the cutting-edge internet clearinghouses for current resources on all things real estate. My name is Rich Jacobson, a licensed professional real estate agent in Silverdale, out on the Kitsap Peninsula in scenic Washington State. This is the ninth installment in an on-going series of posts dedicated to helping 1st Time Home Buyers successfully achieve their home purchasing goals.
We have been identifying and discussing, in chronological order, key events in the home buying process. In our last time together, we talked about the importance and value of having a home inspection in a post entitled, "Home Inspection" or "Home Alone?"
Today's topic is: "It's … (16 comments)

buyers: "1st Time Home Buyers Group" - 12/02/06 04:48 PM
Introducing the "1st Time Buyers Group," a Resource Clearinghouse for equipping 1st Time Home Buyers and helping them to successfully achieve their Home Buying goals!
For Real Estate professionals: Feel free to add any blogs that are specifically geared towards 1st Time Buyers, which will offer them practical information and advice.
For 1st Time Buyers: Submit any questions you may have about the Home Buying process and our experienced and knowledgeable professionals will be glad to assist you!
Rich Jacobson, Your 1st Time Buyer Specialist in Kitsap County WA    
 
(8 comments)

buyers: Adventures in 1st Time Home Buying: "Home Inspection" or "Home Alone?" - 11/30/06 05:44 PM

Welcome once again to ActiveRain, the cutting-edge clearinghouse for current resources on all things real estate. My name is Rich Jacobson, a licensed professional real estate agent in Silverdale, out on the Kitsap Peninsula in scenic Washington State. This is the eighth installment in an on-going series of posts dedicated to helping 1st Time Home Buyers successfully achieve their home purchasing goals.
We have been identifying and discussing, in chronological order, key events in the home buying process. In our last time together, we talked about the key ingredients to making a well-drafted offer in a post entitled, "Make Them an Offer They Can't Refuse!"
Today's topic … (40 comments)

buyers: "All's Well that ends Well" - Having a Well Inspection - 11/27/06 06:13 AM
Many residential properties here on the Kitsap Peninsula have a private or shared-party well as their water source. As a Buyer's Agent, I normally include NWMLS Form 22R (Well Inspection Addendum) along with the Purchase & Sales Agreement. This addendum requires that the Sellers disclose how many connections are served by the well, and verifies an adequate supply of household and yard water to the property. In addition, if required by the Buyer's Lender, the Sellers will provide, at their cost, a health letter from the County to certify that the water is free from any biological, bacteriological, or chemical agents. This process requires … (15 comments)

buyers: Adventures in 1st Time Home Buying: "An Offer They Can't Refuse!" - 11/21/06 06:54 AM
Welcome once again to ActiveRain, the cutting-edge clearinghouse for current resources on all things real estate. My name is Rich Jacobson, a licensed professional real estate agent in Silverdale, out on the Kitsap Peninsula in scenic Washington State.
This is the seventh installment in an on-going series of posts dedicated to helping 1st Time Home Buyers successfully achieve their home purchasing goals. We have been identifying and discussing, in chronological order, key events in the home buying process.
In our last discussion, we offered some practical advice on what to do when going out to look at potential homes in a post entitled, "Tips for Home Tourists." … (38 comments)

buyers: Adventures in 1st Time Home Buying: "Tips for Home Tourists!" - 11/12/06 06:25 AM
Welcome once again to ActiveRain, the cutting-edge clearinghouse for up-to-date resources on all things real estate. My name is Rich Jacobson, a licensed professional real estate agent in Silverdale, out on the Kitsap Peninsula in scenic Washington State.
This is the sixth installment in an on-going series of posts dedicated to helping 1st Time Home Buyers successfully achieve their home purchasing goals. We have been identifying and discussing, in chronological order, key events in the home buying process.
In our last discussion, we talked about the "out-of-pocket" expenses associated with buying a home. Today, we're heading out to look at homes in a post entitled, "Tips for … (14 comments)

buyers: Adventures in 1st Time Home Buying: "Do I Need Money to Buy a House?" - 11/03/06 05:11 AM
Welcome once again to ActiveRain, the cutting-edge clearinghouse for current resources on all things real estate. My name is Rich Jacobson, a licensed professional real estate agent in Silverdale, out on the Kitsap Peninsula in scenic Washington State. This is the fifth installment in an on-going series of posts dedicated to helping 1st Time Home Buyers successfully achieve their purchasing goals. We have been identifying and discussing, in chronological order, key events in the home buying process.
In our last discussion, we talked about the importance of committing to your real estate agent and entering into a Buyer Agency Agreement. This time I want to take a moment … (20 comments)

buyers: Adventures in 1st Time Home Buying: "Exchanging Your Vows" - 10/30/06 07:00 AM
Welcome once again to ActiveRain, the cutting-edge clearinghouse for current resources on all things real estate. My name is Rich Jacobson, a licensed professional real estate agent out on the Kitsap Peninsula in scenic Washington State. This is the fourth installment in an on-going series of posts dedicated to helping 1st Time Home Buyers successfully achieve their purchasing goals. We have been identifying and discussing, in chronological order, key events in the home buying process.
This week, we'll discover what to expect during the first meeting with your agent in an post entitled, "Exchanging Your Vows."
To read the entire article, go to SOUNDBITEBLOG (opens in a seperate window)
 
(13 comments)

buyers: Adventures in 1st Time Home Buying: "Top 10 Traits of a Great Agent, Part 2" - 10/25/06 06:32 AM
Once again, welcome to ActiveRain, the cutting-edge clearinghouse for current resources on all things real estate. My name is Rich Jacobson, a licensed professional real estate agent out on the Kitsap Peninsula in scenic Washington State. This is the third installment in an on-going series of posts dedicated to helping 1st Time Home Buyers successfully achieve their purchasing goals. We have been identifying and discussing, in chronological order, key events in the home buying process. In the last post, we began a dialogue about Choosing Your Real Estate Agent, and we were identifying the Top Ten Traits of a Great Real Estate Agent. Last week we discussed … (14 comments)

buyers: Adventures in 1st Time Home Buying: "Top 10 Traits of a Great Agent, Part 1" - 10/19/06 07:44 AM
Welcome once again to ActiveRain, the cutting-edge clearinghouse for current resources on all things real estate. My name is Rich Jacobson, a licensed professional real estate agent out on the Kitsap Peninsula in scenic Washington State. This is the second installment in an on-going series of posts dedicated to helping 1st Time Home Buyers successfully achieve their purchasing goals. We have been identifying and discussing, in chronological order, key events in the home buying process. In the last post, we talked about Mortgage Lenders and Loan Pre-Approval.
Today’s topic is Choosing Your Real Estate Agent - Part 1
Before we begin, let me first stress the importance of … (21 comments)

buyers: "Don't like Your Agent?" - 09/21/06 06:21 AM
Okay, so you've been working with your realtor, Agent Jones, for a couple weeks now and you just don't feel like the relationship is working out very well. What should you do? 
As licensed, professional real estate agents, we work very hard and diligently at representing our client's best interests. We take our duties and obligations to you very seriously. And as much as we may try, we can't always be all things to all people. Every once in a great while we enter into a relationship with our clients where things just don't seem to click, regardless of how hard we … (0 comments)

 
Rich Jacobson, Your Kitsap County WA Real Estate Broker (Fathom Realty West Sound)

Rich Jacobson

Your Kitsap County WA Real Estate Broker

Poulsbo, WA

More about me…

Fathom Realty West Sound

Address: P. O. Box 2714, Poulsbo, WA, 98370

Mobile: 360-440-4758

Providing Knowledgeable Empowerment and Relentless Representation of Real Estate Clients throughtout the Western Puget Sound, including all of Kitsap County WA, and portions of Mason, Pierce, and Jefferson Counties.

"Helping You to Successfully Achieve Your Next Adventure in Life!"
"Effecting Positive Change in the World - One Client and One Property, at a Time!"
Rich Jacobson

Create Your Badge



Listings

Links

Archives

RSS 2.0 Feed for this blog