Nearly everywhere we turn, we are asked this question, “How’s the market?” Our answer: ” Locally, due to the strength of Boeing, Microsoft, Paccar, etc., the market is neutral i.e., the balance between sellers and buyers has become balanced to the extent that sellers are still getting good prices, and buyers are finding more properties from which to choose”. However, as the Forbes.com …
Appraisals In Slowing Market: Ken Harney, Seattle Times 9/15
There are a couple of nuggets to be gleaned from reading Ken Harney’s article about appraisals. (1) good appraisers work to get the right numbers by calling agents to find out if concessions were paid by the Seller and ; (2) insight into the list/re-list game played by some agents in a slowing market. Fortunately, the Northwest Multiple Listing Service …
Foreclosure Investing/Seattle Times 9/9/06 Article
Kudos to Sarah Jio for her article on foreclosure investing in the Seattle Times on Saturday, 9/9. She interviewed an experienced, successful investor who imparted some key knowledge about the process of buying and selling foreclosed homes. However, an interesting bit of advice is where the invester recommends that one should not pay more than 85% of a home’s market value …
What Are The Tax Rules On Selling Real Estate?
We are often asked, “what is my tax liability when I sell my home?”. Also, “do I still have 2 years to purchase a replacement property?” The IRS rules were changed by Congress in 1997, but the language used has often left folks confused about this important issue. Seattle Sunday Times syndicated columnist Scott Burns [Business/Your Money] wrote an excellent …
Avoiding Bathroom Floor Troubles
If you’re a homeowner, it is likely that you have had to remove and reset a toilet of two, OR hired someone to do it. It’s a fairly easy, but messy, inexpensive task. However, a common problem with toilet installations is that some people and plumbers and re-modelers like to caulk the toilet flange to the floor. It doesn’t matter …
Forbes: Super High Tech Homes
Glenn Derene of Forbes.com offers up some interesting insights into what makes a home “high tech” by today’s standards. Get a look at some of the features of the gates residence and others at Haute-High Tech. From music in the pool to personalized ambient temperature and lighting adjustments, these homes are all special.
Sunday Seattle Times: Making The Confusing More Confusing………..
It was difficult to miss this Sunday Times lead real estate article with a splashy front page reference, and the full front page of the real estate section. A quick reference tool produced by the Times for Eastside values and appreciation rates can be misleading if you don’t read between the lines and interpret the information relative to your own home . Select a neighborhood and you’ll …
Median Price Increases: What Does It Really Mean?
We’ve touched on this before, but this Friday’s July 7 front page Seattle Times article by Ms. Rhodes (we like it better when she is away on assignment) http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2003110149_homesales07.html prompts a serious response: Median price means that 1/2 of all unit sales were below that price, and 1/2 of all unit sales were above. A rise in median home prices means that …
Seattle Times Article: For Homeowners With Adjustable Rate Mortgages………..
This Sunday’s Seattle Times real estate section featured an article on adjustable rate mortgages from The Associated Press, J.W. Elfinstone: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/realestate/2003081961_foreclosures25.html . We find the article a bit on the alarmist side, but it is an important issue for many homeowners. For expert advice on the subject we turn to Ron Delfs at Equity Northwest [425-869-1825], [email@equitynorthwest.com], a long time …
Forbes: Most Expensive Homes in the U.S. 2006: Midwest
This is the third installment of the Forbes.com series by reknown real estate columnist Lacey Rose: http://www.forbes.com/forbeslife/realestate/2006/06/16/expensive-homes-midwest_cx_lr_0619feat_ls.html