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The Irony of that Blue Tape

By
Managing Real Estate Broker with NextHome Experience 17050

It's always been fun to sell a brand new home (as in new construction) and watch my client's excitement as things eventually come together. Sheet rock is done, cabinets are in, they've chosen their colors and finally it's all come together!

One of my favorite steps in the process is the walk-through. Armed with blue painters tape, we mark little dings here and there, places where paint has been missed or scratched, and any areas throughout the home that might need repair or replacement.

As a side note, I used to tell my husband I was going to bring a roll  home and leave blue tape throughout our house rather than nag him about repairs I wanted done.   Of course the look he gave me made me realize that probably wasn't the best thing to do if I wanted to maintain marital harmony. 

A few weeks ago, while meeting with new clients in Maple Valley about possibly short selling their house, they pulled out a stack of papers and asked if I could tell them what it was and what it meant.

The document was a "Notice of Trustee Sale", outlining their default on the property, what it would take in terms of dollars to cure the default and declaring if the default was not cured wtihin that stated time period, the property would be sold at auction.

The house is not very old.

Just a short time ago they were conducting their walk-through, roll of blue tape in hand, excited to finally have the house finished and be able to move in and make it their own.

At our meeting, I asked them when they recieved the Notice of Trustee Sale. They said just a few days ago.

It had been affixed to their front door.

With blue tape.

Posted by

 

Thanks for reading!

 

 

 


 

 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Colleen Fischesser REMAX

 Serving the beautiful Pacific Northwest Since 1990!

 

Colleen M. Fischesser, Managing Broker

RE/MAX Advantage, L.C.

Serving Seattle and the Chelan Valley

206-491-3819  (Cell/Text Seattle)

509-699-1611 (Cell/Text Chelan)

 

 www.ColleenFish.com

www.ChelanPropertyShop.com

www.NWPropertyShop.com 

 ___________________________________________________________________________________________

This is a personal blog based on my opinion and experience in the real estate industry. All content is provided for informational purposes and should not be construed as legal, financial or tax advice. Laws, industry practice standards and procedures vary by state. Readers are advised to contact appropriate third parties for professional advice when needed. Any questions please let me know!

 

Comments (37)

Colleen Fischesser Northwest Property Shop
NextHome Experience - Chelan, WA
A Tradition of Trust in the Pacific NW since 1990!

@Jenna, I absolutely know what you're talking about. It's such a strange line we walk. Working to save people from foreclosure and helping others buy them. No doubt, we are in strange, troubling times.

 

Mar 13, 2010 12:39 PM
Colleen Fischesser Northwest Property Shop
NextHome Experience - Chelan, WA
A Tradition of Trust in the Pacific NW since 1990!

@ Erica, I know. And signs point to even more coming down the road...especially 2nd half of 2010.

Mar 13, 2010 12:47 PM
Virginia Hepp - Mesquite NV REALTOR
Desert Gold Realty - Mesquite NV Homes For Sale - Mesquite, NV
Mesquite NV Homes and Neighborhoods - Search MLS

I was smiling at your post, till the end - :(

I look for my past clients names on the Notice of Default lists, haven't seen many, but it is not over.

Mar 13, 2010 12:59 PM
Barbara Altieri
Better Homes and Gardens RE Shore and Country Properties - Shelton, CT
REALTOR-Fairfield County CT Homes/Condos For Sale

How ironic. That's so sad, but you have the power to help them out of their predicament.  Best of luck to you...and them!

Mar 13, 2010 01:02 PM
Leslie Ebersole
Swanepoel T3 Group - Saint Charles, IL
I help brokers build businesses they love.

Like so many things in life, a little piece of blue tape has many layers of symbolism. I feel bad for the people losing their home...bless you for helping them through a difficult time. On a sort of funnier note and to contradict Drick above, I had a new construction closing a couple of weeks ago where MR. buyer kept saying  -- "but there are still 143 pieces of blue tape up". Mrs. Buyer was just happy to be moving into her dream home. She kept pulling them off the walls for minuscule paint defects and he kept putting them back up! Thanks for a well written post.

Mar 13, 2010 01:12 PM
Kathy Clulow
Uxbridge, ON
Trusted For Experience - Respected For Results

Colleen - how sad - I hope you are able to help them thorough this ordeal ..... When will it slow down or better yet when will the tide reverse.

Mar 13, 2010 02:01 PM
Don Wixom
RE/MAX Executives Nampa, ID - Nampa, ID
"Looking out for your next move..."tm

Wow... I guess the painters ran out of work & got jobs posting notices for the bank...

Mar 13, 2010 02:10 PM
Aaron Vaughn 830-358-0455
Conifer Builders LLC - Canyon Lake, TX

Hello:

I am a former homebuilder, so I hate blue tape. Hate it! When we paint around here, it's the purple tape for us!

I hope you don't have to fight too much red tape as you try to do a short sale for them!

 

Mar 13, 2010 03:00 PM
Courtney Cooper
Cooper Jacobs - Seattle, WA
206-850-8841

Well told Colleen - I am sure you can help them...

Mar 13, 2010 03:14 PM
Sharon Alters
Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty - 904-673-2308 - Fleming Island, FL
Realtor - Homes for Sale Fleming Island FL

A real irony to put the notice up with the blue tape. I am sure you will help them, Colleen, get through this rough patch and on with their life.

Mar 13, 2010 03:45 PM
Roland Woodworth
Blue Cord Realty - Clarksville, TN
Blue Cord Realty

The blue tape is interesting.  first I have heard of the notice being posted with the blue tape.

Mar 13, 2010 03:48 PM
J. Philip Faranda
Howard Hanna Rand Realty - Yorktown Heights, NY
Associate Broker / Office Manager

Well, if you do a short sale with them, be prepared for another colored tape- RED. 

Mar 14, 2010 12:17 AM
Ritu Desai 703-625-4949
Samson Properties - Chantilly, VA
Northern Virginia,Washington DC & Maryland Realtor

Such a sad story but so true in our world. Hope this all end soon. I like your idea about putting blue tape around the home...

Mar 14, 2010 12:27 AM
Irene Kennedy Realtor® in Northwestern NJ
Weichert - Lopatcong, NJ

Colleen,

I'm nuts for blue tape. Recently saw green "frog tape" in a store. No idea why it might be better but it is now on my must-have list... I'll figure out a use once I own it!

Mar 14, 2010 12:58 AM
Bill Gassett
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Hopkinton, MA
Metrowest Massachusetts Real Estate

It is sad to hear someone that has gotten into trouble that quickly. I hope it all works out.

Mar 14, 2010 03:36 AM
Cheryl Ritchie
RE/MAX Leading Edge www.GoldenResults.com - Huntingtown, MD
Southern Maryland 301-980-7566

This is heartbreaking. I am sad for them and blue is the right color for this notice. I hope a miracle for them.

Mar 14, 2010 03:42 AM
Pam Turner, REALTOR®, e-PRO®, SFR
Century 21 Belk Realtors Dalton GA - Dalton, GA

Yes, too bad it happened that fast - hopefully they can find a way to work throught it.

Mar 14, 2010 06:17 AM
Ray Wright
Keller Williams Realty - Riverside, CA
SoCal Realtor - A.L.C. - Company Trainer & Coach

I use blue tape when posting notices on new assignments from banks.  I use blue because it doesn't damage and is easy to remove.  Ironically, I also use blue tape because I found numerous rolls of it at a new repo we were assigned.

I hope you can help them do a short sale and cut thru all the coming "red-tape".  Good luck!

Mar 14, 2010 09:18 AM
Christine Donovan
Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA
Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M

That is ironic and sad.  It's always unfortunate when people wait so long into the foreclosure process before calling in an expert for advice.

Mar 14, 2010 10:42 AM
Daniel J. Hunter
REALTOR® - New Port Richey, FL

Blue Tape!?!  What a GREAT Idea.  Do you fold over a corner so tape is easier to remove?

I was always with my camera and digital micro-recorder and later transcribing.  That is much easier

Mar 14, 2010 11:06 AM