Make a Good Life

  From the Royal British Museum in Victoria

Merry Christmas!

Meet Eddie....

 

This is my first photo with my fancy new camera (Eddie is my step-dad, visiting from Kentucky with my mother for ten days).  Now I have changed the settings and messed up the shutter speed somehow....it has like a two second lag and I can't figure out how to change it.  So it is back to the book to sort it out............... 

Listing inventory getting thin....

OK folks.....I know winter is officially here, really HERE, and that you are not out looking at real estate today or yesterday, or the day before actually.  First you have to be able to FIND the real estate, and with our current covering of snow that is tough.

My listing inventory is getting pretty thin.....I have three sellers who have cancelled their listings for the winter...hopefully to re-list in the spring.  I met with a couple who have a home to sell in Shelton (Shore Crest area) and I actually advised them to wait a few months....

It is true, spring brings out more buyers with the warmer weather and snow-free lawns.  BUT there are still buyers out there, and they are still buying.  I hate to see these listings go....because if they are not on the MLS they just are not going to get exposure.  I can put the word out there, mention these homes to prospective buyers, talk them up in our weekly office meetings, but nothing beats the MLS.

Have you been listening to me talking about the rates dropping?  Last check you could get a 4.75% 30 year fixed with no fees....that is a good rate folks.....and still dropping.

Ode to my clients, now and then!

My success as a real estate agent is due to my clients....new and old.  I want to take  a moment to thank you all!  I would not be where I am today without you, and without your referrals.  I cannot thank you enough for your trust.  It is a huge compliment to me to get a phone call that someone has been referred to me from you....a trusted, long time client. I feel lucky to have the amazing clients that I have....you know who you are!:  A socialite, a business person in the rental industry, a lender, an attorney, a business person in the hospitality industry, a student, a long-time friend, an associate, a title person.  I am lucky to cross the line....friend to client and vice versa. Thanks for your support!

I am not perfect....I am sure that during our transaction/s we had issues, problems, etc.  That is the nature of a real estate transaction.  But you stayed with me....you believed that I had your best interests in mind....and we prevailed.   You know....I really did....I want for you to have the best outcome...I want for you to sell high, to buy low.  Thank you! 

It is because of you that I still manage to  have a successful business in a down market.  I appreciate you, and I am thankful for you every day!  Without you....I would not be where I am.  Thank you, especially to my clients of November...my biggest month of the year.  I don't want to reveal you names fr privacy purposes....but I am grateful for each of you! Really....I have made it when others have not.

In order to give back to my community....Where to begin?!  My family and I have an appointment at the Thurston County Food Bank on the the 20th of December...we will learn to give back to the amazing community that supports our existence......and then some.

Thanks again....I humbly acknowledge that I owe you my success.....and I appreciate every minute.  Life is short...I turn 40 this year, and believe me......I am cognizant of the short time left here on earth......

Waterfront land

My client, and friend, has now listed her vacant waterfront land for sale with me.  So we have 1.65 acres of WALK-OUT beach on Hammersly Inlet for $310k.  I have had three calls on it today...I expect it to got fast at this price....good waterfront land is hard to find.  Literally, this is walk out beach with nice, sandy soil (the true sense of the word "beach" as not normally heard in our area)  I love this piece....and it is priced to GO.  The last piece to sell on Leeds Rd went for over $325k with similar footage, etc.

Rates...really

Just had an email today from a lender....he locked his first loan at 4.75% with a one point cost.  Get out there...it is time!

This guy......

 

Stolen right from his blog....Timothy Ferris is the author of the much lauded "Three Hour Work Week" and of a blog about how to do what he does.  I ran across him tonight looking for adventure.  Check him out at http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/

My 40th birthday happens the day after Christmas.  This is carte blanch for me to RUNN OFT to wherever for a few days to regroup.  Forbidden by my mother to go anywhere until she leaves (she will be here for the holiday), I am resigned to an early January departure.  

I was researching where to go when I stumbled upon Mr. Ferris' blog and a post about a recent trip to Buenos Aires.  He traveled there for $1200 airfare and $500 for an apartment.  I am not sure what year that was...but after checking, airfare is running around $1400 this winter.  I have already ruled out the BVI because of the jacked-up airfare during winter months ($1500 vs. the $600 I like)....so this is obviously out too.

But, what is fascinating about this guy.....is his total lack of fear.  AND...if you have read my past couple of posts.....he HAPPENS to be in publishing!  Again..............missed the train here..... 

A real Real Estate weekend

I worked hard this weekend....and was happy to do it.  Saturday saw a showing appointment, a listing appointment, and two real estate social events.  Sunday saw a very succesful Open House, and a showing appointment of a high end property.

What is the pulse of the market?  Well, it is unexpected for December.  I have said that November has been a good month for me...also unexpected.  But rates are down, investors and first time home buyers are out there taking advantage of that, and of the inventory and lower prices after the down-turn.

I had great conversations with visitors to my Open House today...in a big waterfront listing on Steamboat.  Six couples and a single man visited, unprecedented for a rainy Sunday a couple of weeks before Christmas.  Some of what I heard was that people want to sell, but they "get" that they should wait a while......Never one to turn away a listing, I AM telling people that unless they have to sell (and this is very subjective) just hold tight until at least January, Spring is even better.

Inspection Myths

Real estate agents go to inspections all the time, and work with various inspectors and companies.  Sometimes we may assume that our buyer knows the ins and outs of the inspection process, but we probably should not.  Here are some common myths about the inspection:

Pulled from Realtor.com

Myth: The inspection report functions as a list of repairs the seller must complete.
Truth: The seller can choose to use the inspection as a repair list or as a negotiation tool to move the deal forward.

Myth: The home inspection will go fine without your presence.
Truth: You don't need to be there, but it's a good idea and a great way to learn how to operate systems in the home and understand its condition. It also lets you ask the inspector and seller questions.

Myth: You don't have to bother getting a home inspected if it's being sold "as is."
Truth: A home sold "as is" should certainly be inspected, so as the buyer you know exactly what "as is" means. These homes aren't being sold free of defects, only with defects left unrepaired. Many states require the seller to disclose known defects or other conditions that could affect the value of the home, but impose no further obligation.

Myth: A termite inspection is enough.
Truth: A home inspection covers more than looking for termites. Home inspectors look at the home's entire structure and all major systems, such as plumbing, electricity and any internal climate control systems such as heating and central air. If a home inspector does find potential termite problems, or other issues that are dealt with by specialists -- such as chimney or structural problems -- he or she will recommend a qualified inspector.

Myth: You don't need to have an inspection for a newly built home.
Truth: This could be one of the costliest myths of all. A recent Consumer Reports investigation found 15 percent of new homes sold had serious. In another study, 41 percent of the homes examined, constructed by various builders, revealed problems such as mold and moisture. And 34 percent had frame and structural problems.