Pacific Northwest Holiday Adventures

4 Things To Do During The Holiday Season

Now that December is here it is time to enjoy and appreciate some of the fun things to do during this holiday season. I have personally hand selected some of my favorite Pacific Northwest holiday outings that I think you will enjoy.

Here they are:

1. Trinity Tree Farm - Issaquah

Trinity Tree Farm is a local Christmas tree farm where you can have the holiday experience of cutting down your very own douglas fir.  Not sure if you want to engage in all of that hard work?  Don't worry, Trinity Tree Farm has a variety of freshly cut trees waiting for you!  Sip on delicious hot chocolate, cozy up by the warm fire, or say "cheese" while you get your picture taken with Santa.  There is no chance you will not love this holiday experience.  

*Small Tip:  The weekends are very busy, so try to go during the week to beat the crowds.

Check out:  Trinity Tree Farm

2. Zoo Lights - Tacoma

The kids love this one so be sure to bring the entire family! The tickets are inexpensive, parking is free, and you will be supporting a fantastic cause. Bundle up and enjoy the 3-D animal light displays, be adventurous and ride the carousel, and light up your hearts with the zoo's latest tiger cubs who will be on display "Berani" and "Dumai."

*Small Tip: Buy a combo pass if you are bringing multiple family members.

Check Out: Zoo Lights


3. Redmond Lights - Redmond

This is a celebration of the many different holidays and traditions, and it is a one of a kind educational experience you will not want to miss. Slowly stroll down Redmond Central and find yourself at the Luminary Walk, listen to live music and carolers, all while witnessing a beautiful tree lighting.

*Small Tip: Check the website before you leave for parking instructions.

Check Out: Remond Lights


4. Seattle Christmas Ship Festival

This is a classic Seattle Christmas tradition you will not want to miss. Sail around on the Argosy Cruise while listening to the onboard choirs singing Christmas carols broadcasting over a state of the art speaker system. The best part of all is that people bring their own boats all lit up for the celebration and follow suit for a wonderful parade along the Puget Sound.

*Small Tip: Book tickets well in advance because this one is popular, and they do sell out!

Check Out: Seattle Christmas Ship Festival

Happy Holidays!

Do's and Don'ts of Real Estate

Three Essential Buyer's Tips for a Smooth and Successful Close

Buying a home can be an emotional process, and having a plan that includes respect, patience and good communication can help ease those highly charged emotions and ultimately help you accomplish your goal of home ownership.

Here are three quick buyer’s tips that are proven to keep your transaction as smooth as possible:

1.  Be Respectful of Time

Selling a home isn’t easy and it’s important as a buyer to be respectful of the stress that selling a home can put on a family. Do your best to always be on time to showings, inspections, walk-throughs etc.

Quick Tip: Putting yourself in the seller’s shoes throughout the process is a good way to help keep emotions calm, cool and collected.

2.  Keep Your Eye on the Prize 

Home ownership can be a huge step towards financial stability, and finding the right home in the right community can help to provide a great life for you and your family. Once you’ve found “the” home, it’s important to keep your eye on the prize and not let the little things come between you and those new keys.

Time and time again I’ve seen buyers make the mistake of getting too emotionally charged over inconsequential things (i.e. “I will blow this whole thing up if the sellers don’t clean out the gutters.”).  Staying focused on the big picture to help you accomplish your ultimate goal.

Quick Tip:  A good real estate broker should be there for you throughout the entire process. It’s his or her job to help you get through the emotional times and keep you focused on the end goal. Do your research and pick a broker who can stay calm under pressure. 

3.  Do Your Research and Form a Great Team

You will want to hire an experienced broker who has a firm grip on the current market and how to put you in the best position to compete against other buyers. Do your research and ask tons of questions. Choosing the right broker can help you accomplish your goals on time, all while helping to make a stressful transaction a smooth one.

 

You will also want to hire a local and experienced lender, one who knows how to position you financially when it comes to purchasing a home in this competitive market. A good lender will also take the time to sit down and discuss all the available lending options, helping you make the best decision for your financial future.

Lastly, you will need a reputable home inspector to give you peace of mind that you’re purchasing a well-built, safe home. Search for reviews on line and/or ask your broker for recommendations.  

Quick Tip:  Cheapest is not always the best when it comes to choosing the best inspector. Remember, this is one of the biggest investments you will make in your lifetime.

3 Home Inspection Tips

3 Home Inspection Tips

A thorough home inspection is one of the most important steps in the home buying process and covers everything from the foundation to the roof, taking two to three hours to complete.  The report should reflect the current condition of the home and all of its systems, and should cost $300-$600.  Here are the three most important things you need to remember during the process:  

1.  Don't Waive

With the current market conditions, many buyers are doing everything they can to make their offers standout, amongst the competition, including waiving their  inspection contingency.  Purchasing a home is one of the most monumental investments you will ever make, and committing that kind of money without checking for major health and safety issues is a huge risk that could have dire consequences later on down the road. If you have found the home of your dreams, conduct a pre-inspection to rule out any major problems prior to submitting your offer.  This will bolster your offer without compromising any opportunity to  inspect the home.  


2.  Inspect New Construction

When purchasing new construction, do not assume that just because the home has passed code and ordinances it must be in great shape.  Believe it or not, builders and contractors frequently make mistakes, and a proper home inspection will give you the peace of mind that you are moving into a well-built home, free of any major defects.  

3.  Health & Safety

Lastly, home inspectors do a great job of inspecting the entire house, but your main concern should be to find things that are negatively affecting the health and safety of the home.  This means anything that is going to cause the house to lose functionality in any way.  For example, gutters, roof, foundation/crawl space, pests etc.  Don't get caught up on the small, cosmetic issues that are easy and inexpensive to repair.  

Keep calm and hire a home inspector!  

Delayed Closings & Market Snapshot

Delayed Closings

The current standard is that we have a thirty day closing with no interruptions and everything works out smoothly, and even in this practice we typically do not close on time because underwriters are so backed up, and banks have tightened up their requirements.

Additionally, there is a huge change coming that is federally mandated, and it includes settlement and disclosure statements from your lender.  The TIL (Truth In Lending) and HUD1 statements are being combined into one document, and this document needs to come from your lender directly.  In the past your escrow company would handle all of this prior to closing and it would be a lot smoother.  Many experts predict a 40-45 day closing is more realistic with these new changes.

The truth is there are many challenges can come right before a transaction is getting ready to close, and this just adds more complications.  

The best response is to write up your offer for a 45-day closing to be safe.  This will allow for any issues to be dealt with and expectations will not go unmet. 

Market Snapshot

The crucial question we are facing is, are the rates going to actually increase this time?  The Federal Reserve was supposed to raise rates in September; however, the bad press coming out of China will likely delay any increase once again.  I will keep you posted!

Sharing Home Inspections

Like anything else that continues on the same path, the competition in our market has intensified over the last year.  With off shore cash coming into the area, along with low interest rates, and high demand, the competition is steep.  

Recently, in Seattle a client of mine put in an offer on a house in the very highly sought after Beacon Hill neighborhood.  At the pre-inspection, I was approached by two other brokers who offered to share the cost of the sewer scope with my clients.  My thought?  "Wait a minute, you want to share the cost of this inspection, and then you want to compete against my clients?"  This is common in Seattle, and one time I knew of eight buyers sharing the costs of the sewer scope on one house.  Personally, I think it is fine to share this cost, but it is not fine to share the home inspection (which a lot of buyers do). Why is this?

What if there was a lot of activity on the property, but in the end there were only two offers (a common scenario).  The other offer happens to be someone who you shared the home inspection with.  Sharing the home inspection gives you no competitive advantage because now we are on even playing field.  It is one less thing you have over your competition, and now you have cornered yourself.  When entering the real estate arena, you must hold your cards tightly.  

I leave you with this question...  Just because something is very difficult to accomplish, does it mean you should give up, or be fair?  Or would it make you appreciate it that much more in the end?  

Three Ways to Maintain Market Value

Three Ways to Maintain 
Market Value

1.  Make Your Kitchen Really Cook!  

The kitchen is the heart of a home, and it is the first room buyers look at when making a decision.  Give your cabinets a face lift, invest in stainless steel appliances, and make sure there is a lot of natural light.  You do not have to invest thousands of dollars to get a return, as spending a little money in the kitchen can go a long way.  The more cohesive looking kitchen, the easier on the eye it will be to the buyer, and the more it will sell itself.  

2.  Enhance The Exterior!

First impression says it all...  If buyers show up at your doorstep and your place looks shabby, it is going to be an uphill climb for them to be sold on the rest of the house.  Landscaping (including yard cleanup), painting the fence, and most importantly fixing the roof if needed are all major areas to spruce up.  

3.  Buy Smart!

Buy a home where there are excellent schools. Wherever you have outstanding school systems, you have high demand, and great resale value.  Try to buy something that is close to the freeway for commuting purposes, and try to find something that has a lot of natural light.  Natural light in the Pacific Northwest goes a very long way, and it will only help you when trying to sell in the future.

If you do these three things, you have made a solid and sound purchase!

Happy House Hunting!

5-Reasons to Live in the Seattle Area

1.  Economy

Seattle is one of the top cities for job seekers, and it is because of the diverse sectors of industry Seattle has to offer.  Companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, University of Washington, Boeing, Nordstrom, US Defense Department, and not to mention Seattle's Maritime Cluster all contribute to Seattle's thriving job force. (Seattle is also a hot spot for new start-ups!)  In fact, Seattle ranks third for the nation's strongest economy.

2.  Housing

Seattle may not be the cheapest and sunniest place to live, but locals love not only the beautiful countryside, but all of the special city neighborhoods.  Rest assured, each of these neighborhoods is unique, and people choose their homes based upon their interests.  A strong economy, low interest rates, and compelling neighborhoods, all make investing in real estate worthwhile.   The Seattle area is also booming with new growth in apartments, condominiums and single family homes – There are currently $10 billion in construction projects in Seattle, and there will be 30-40 major projects happening in the next 12 months. 

3.  Outdoors

Sure, Seattle is famous for its rain.  Yet the weather here is always changing, and the rain is not like the hurricane variety.  And, the rain never stops anyone from getting outside.  In fact, Seattleites use the cold winter months as a great time to participate in outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, running, skiing nearby, (alpine, cross-country, snowshoeing, and snowboarding) and walking their dogs.  Believe me, locals here are passionate about their K9 friends!  

4.  Summers

That's right!  Summer is Seattle's best kept secret!  With low humidity, abundant sunshine, and extended days, locals love and appreciate Seattle summers.  You will fall in love with lush green trees, vast blue waters, and breathtaking mountain views.  You will also find yourself attending outdoor festivals, farmers markets, outdoor concerts, and much more.  

5.  The people

In 2009, Forbes ranked Seattle, Washington as the 4th safest city in the country.  Seattle also goes through great lengths to protect the pedestrians, which also adds to the safety of the city.  In 2008, a survey by the US Census Bureau found that among all major U.S. cities, Seattle has the highest percentage of college and university graduates.  Seattle is also home to a very rich history of music and fantastic musicians are finding their voices here every year - like Jimi Hendrix, Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Soundgarden, and now Macklemore.

Not enough convincing reasons to embrace the PNW?  There are also amazing restaurants with a wide variety of cuisines, ferry boats, Pike's Place Market, the Space Needle, Seahawks, locally produced wine, beer, and whiskey, wild orcas in the Puget Sound, and the list goes on.  Oh, and there is the best coffee on the planet...  Says every person who lives here.  

Tips & Updates

April 2015 Tips & Updates

Tips:

1.  If you want the most money out of your house when selling, it doesn't take much.  Fresh paint, new carpet, power wash outside, and the most important area is landscaping.  

Bottom line:  Research shows, that buyers make purchases based on their emotional experiences, and that first impression is the hook, line, and sinker.

2.  If the roof on your house is old, and it appears to not be in good shape, you have options.  You could pay for a roofer to give you a 5-year 'roof certification.'  If the roofer cannot certify the roof, you can obtain a quote so that you are ahead of the game. 

Bottom line:  You want to be in the driver's seat for the entire time, during the transaction period.  

Updates:

1.  What is different during this "boom" is that we have a lot of cash buyers, no zero down or risky loans, buyers are more cautious about waiving home inspections and risky contingencies, and less frenzy from the media. 


Bottom line:  Home buyers are not feeling like they are missing out as before, and they are frustrated and very tired. 

2.  Local rents are increasing so high that it is forcing millennials (and many others) to buy houses.  Rents have risen so much that it simply makes sense to purchase.  

Bottom line:  Rates are low, rents are high, our local economy is very strong, and we are very close to 2007 price points.

Multiple Offers - How to Win

Multiple Offers - How to Win

Since the beginning of the New Year, the market is on fire!  If you are one of many buyers in search of your dream home, and you want to know how to beat the competition, then please read these tips.

1.  Come in strong...  This market will not tolerate games, so it is best to not try to bargain if you are in competition.  Come in with your highest and best offer, and with the cleanest and best terms.  You could tighten up your timelines by shortening the inspection contingency date for example, and you could also be flexible on when you can close.

2.  Write a letter...  If the sellers have been living in the house for a while, and you have a sense they have enjoyed living there, you should write a love letter.  If this really is the home of your dreams, then the words will truly come naturally.  Compliment how the house shows, and what you like about the inside and outside.  Make it all about them!  And of course share your story and how you see yourself living there.  

3.  Be aggressive...  Something that is common here are "offer review periods."  If a listing goes live on Thursday, and the offer review date is Sunday evening, you can make a very strong offer and have it expire that evening.  Don't be afraid to make your own review period!  Fear of loss is powerful, and often times sellers are afraid to lose a good offer.

4.  Pre-inspection...  You should not waive the "home inspection contingency" because you never know what could be going on with a house, and when emotions are high it is easy to make irrational decisions.  A better strategy is to have the house inspected before you make an offer, but do make sure you get the seller's permission first.  There are a lot of real estate transactions that fall apart because of home inspections, so if this contingency is already satisfied upfront, you just gained some serious consideration!  

Ultimately, you should give it your best shot so that if you do not get the house you truly desire you know you did everything you could.  Don't be greedy!  Sometimes the old saying goes "you have to give to get."  This actually holds true for both buyers and sellers!

Happy House Hunting in 2015!