I’ve been thinking about this for quite awhile, but have hesitated to write. Human nature dictates that we try to forget negative experiences as quickly as possible. But today I am re-inspired to share my knowledge to try and address this often abused aspect of today’s purchase and sale agreements. There are multiple aspects to consider. When you accept an …
How Do You Know If You’re Getting a Fair Deal On Your Loan?
In the face of serious nationwide concern regarding lender practices I have yet to see one of the best resources available to borrowers: your real estate agent. Why? Agents don’t loans. No, but they know good people that do. All quality lenders rely on real estate agents for referral business. Good agents are very careful about whom they refer their …
House Hunting Tips
Sorry I’ve been off track for awhile. Blogging is enjoyable, but only when I have the spare time. I noticed the house hunting tips article in the Seattle Times this weekend. There wasn’t much in the way of actual tips, but it was a good piece on learning to compromise. The odd part of these two buyers’ stories is that …
Foreclosures . . . Buyers Beware
This is my response to Elizabeth Rhodes article in the Sunday, March 4th, 2007 edition of the Seattle Times. Prior to becoming a licensed real estate agent I worked for Bellevue attorney who represented two large lenders processing all of their foreclosures. Something I learned from this experience was that there is a legal way to rob a bank. First, mortgage …
Redfin Revolution
I have always viewed the real estate market liking to a shopping center. In a successful shopping center you always have your anchor stores, Nordstrom, Macy’s and JCPenneys. Windermere, Coldwell Banker Bain and John L. Scott are the anchors of the industry. Redfin is nothing more than that goofy little “Sun Glass” cart in the middle of the mall and …
Seattle Times 02/25/07 Article: Redfin Revolution
Elizabeth Rhodes went way over the top with this article about Seattle based Redfin Real Estate. It’s not that reporting about such a company isn’t important. It is the unbridled optimism with little analysis from a business model perspective that is missing. Let me explain: 1. Redfin started as a pure internet interface without a phone number when it began. The result …
Foreclosure Prospects
A client recently asked us if shopping for a foreclosure home was the way to go in the Eastside market. I knew I had read a good, definitive article this past Fall regarding this very issue. After some digging throught Seattle Times archives, I located this article on the subject, “Foreclosures: Tacoma Up, Seattle Down” from the Nov 11 edition …
Get It In Writing
It is unfortunate when verbal promises are broken, no matter what the subject. In real estate it is easy to make those words stick: write them into the transaction. In this Seattle Times article a buyer laments that what was promised verbally by both her own agent and a seller was not the case. It doesn’t matter what the issue is, …
Finally, Loan Officers to be Licensed
We have warned borrowers and clients for years that loan officers are unlicensed, and that it is very important to work with someone with very strong references. Ask a relative, a friend, a colleague, for the name of someone that they have had a positive loan experience with. Even then, ask the loan officer for additional personal references, and make …
Study Identifies Areas of Fastest Growth, Aging…..
The following is an article taken from REALTOR Magazine Online, November 30, 2006. If you are considering a transfer into, or out of, our area, this is an interesting synopsis of what to expect in various markets across the country. The most significant factors affecting housing during the coming years will be whether aging baby boomers decide to grow old …