Trapped?

Bill and DianaEconomy, Financing, News, Personal Finance, Refinancing, Seattle Times Articles, taxes Leave a Comment

Ever get the feeling that the deck is stacked against you. This Jan 31, 2012 article in the Seattle Times, Page 3, “Freddie Mac bets against struggling homeowners” justifies that feeling. If you’re self-employed, have less than 20% equity in your home, and currently have a mortgage interest rate in excess of 6%, don’t expect relief anytime soon. If you’re a …

BOEING/Machinists Deal is Huge!

Bill and DianaBuying Concerns, Economy, News, Seattle Times Articles, Selling Concerns Leave a Comment

Folks frequently ask us, “how’s the market?” Our response is generally, “inconsistent, fits & starts, up & down”. When asked what the future holds we have responded, “it depends greatly on the local job market. If we can get an infusion of positive news in that regard, the benefits to the housing market should be felt immediately”. Today’s news that …

Get Rid Of the Negativity Already

Bill and DianaAgents, Buying Concerns, Selling Concerns Leave a Comment

We refuse to succumb to the relentless diatribes of agents and buyers citing every listing as “overpriced”. These lightly informed opinions have become so ubiquitous we are eliminating “what do you think of the price?” from our showing/previewing email follow-up questionnaires for all of our listings. If the answer is always the same, why ask the question? Things were quite …

It’s been quite a year…

Bill and DianaBuying Concerns, Financing Leave a Comment

200 9. That was a year full of challenges and changes. I stopped blogging about this time last year as it became apparent that I could no longer anticipate with any degree of accuracy what would occur next. Anticipating what real estate and financial markets will do is an important service that I provide to my clients. In the turmoil …

The Fixx (not the band)

Bill and DianaFinancing, Seattle Times Articles Leave a Comment

An idea came to me yesterday while reading and listening to various opinions and objections regarding the stimulus package. It seems there is a consensus of concern about how to use the money to make the most immediate positive impact on the economy. How do we get it into the system WITHOUT the banks snagging it and sitting on it? …

OUR FUTURE BANKERS

Bill and DianaFinancing, Personal Finance, Refinancing Leave a Comment

Here they are, our State Representatives. “The Cop”, “The Mom in Tennis Shoes”, and “Whatever, I Need to Work Somewhere”. I’ve tried to locate the email addresses for these folks on-line to no avail. What they offer is a form on their respective pages to be filled out, along with a message, and sent into the ether with the hope that …

Happy New Year 2009

Bill and DianaEconomy, Financing Leave a Comment

 So arrives another new year. Live your life! As 2008 closed out amidst concern, if not angst, over the economic turmoil that has consumed our collective national consciousness, I am perplexed. Is it the power of the media that has us running for cover….because it tells us to? Granted, major financial institutions and auto manufacturers failing is going to grab …