Eastside Real Estate Working-for-you!

Two Quick Tips For Home Buyers!

1.  Negotiate, negotiate, negotiate!  There's plenty of homes on the market.  In many areas up to 50% more than we had last year.  At the same time there are fewer prospective buyers with whom to compete.  Sellers are fixing up their places in hopes that one serious buyer will come along.  Your chance to pick up a quality home for a big discount may never be better than the present.  Everything within a real estate transaction is negotiable!

2.  Know your neighborhood market.  Real estate is local.  When you make an offer, make sure you not only see the neighborhood comparables, but also you should know the true and accurate market times.  The longer the market time, the better your potential deal!  When you look at comparable sold properties, you should know the ORIGINAL LIST PRICE, THE LIST PRICE AT THE TIME OF SALE and THE SOLD PRICE.   This will give you an idea on how Sellers are negotiating in the market.  Finally, you need to know the region, area and neighborhood absorption rates (sales ratios). 

Hire a top performing professional.  The best agents are great negotiators and know the market nuances.

Buffini & Company Turning Point Seattle

Greg and I just finished two awesome, inspiring days listening to Brian Buffini relay educational and fun stories on how to build and maintain a successful real estate business and personally grow.  There is a ton I walked away with during these two days, but I thought I'd highlight some of the best (for me)

Brian maintained a theme about how today, right now, is the most exciting time to be a real estate professional.  He couldn't be more right!  With the longer listing times, inventory on the market, and negative news press many would think a real estate agent is out looking for food to have with their meals.  However, now more than ever, we provide a service that can amount to a huge win for any client.  The agents role in the process is more important than ever. Beyond that,  being more than an agent...a resource, friend, and "hub" of information will set a professional full time agent far above the rest.

The Turning Point seminar covered all the basics of building a successful referral based business, and emphasized some old (yet brushed up) ideas.  One "to do" we walk away with, is 425realty.com's business to business referral directory.  It will be a directory of professional services that we know will provide a high level of service and satisfaction.

Other than the referral system, Brian Buffini covered some fantastic material about how to become an effective communicator, getting your finances in order, increasing your effectiveness, living an 'intentional' life and the importance of goal setting.

The section I found most enlightening was when he spoke on communicating and effectiveness.  The emphasis of the message was to not worry and dwell too much on your weaknesses and highlight your strengths.  Yes, shore up your weaknesses and educate yourself on how to deal with them, but more importantly, FOCUS on your strengths.  Finding and leveraging your strength in communicating will win with clients and negotiations.   

There were about 2,000 Realtors and not all of them were real estate agents in the Seattle area.  Half of the agents flew in from all over the country, and Canada.

The Turning Point Retreat was a fun and educational two days.  Now I am looking forward to the inspirational Master Mind Seminar in San Diego this August!

Oh by the way, if you or anyone you knows is looking to buy or sell a home, please let us know.  We are never too busy for you or your referrals.

 

Monday's Inspiration

Words of wisdom and success.....

Friday's Did You Know? Kirkland Tornado...

Did you Know the Juanita community in Kirkland was ravaged by a tornado?  It happened on September 28th in 1962.  A 100 MPH tornado started in the Sand Point area of Seattle then took 7 minutes to cross Lake Washington and slam into Juanita area homes.  Crossing the lake, the tornado forms a 100-foot-high waterspout.

One eye witness remembers; “It looked like fog at first because it was so white.” She continued, “Then you could see it whirling and the water boiling up into big waves” (The Seattle Times, September 29, 1962).

To read more about this crazy event that happened in Kirkland, visit this article at historylink.org.

Makes you think twice when buying waterfront real estate in Kirkland Washington!

Eastside Real Estate Market Statistics -- January 2008

By Greg Perry, Eastside Realtor

I'm somewhat tardy with January 2008 Eastside Market Statistics.  I was on vacation when they came in, and business for me has been quite brisk in February.

For Seattle's Eastside single family homes in NWMLS Areas 500-600, YOY median prices experienced it's first decline, coming in at -4.3%.  January found Area 510 (Mercer Island) leading the way,  up 34.8% ($1,550,000 last year vs. $1,150,000 this year).   Other Eastside areas that had median price increases were:  AREA 530 (East Bellevue)+5.2% and AREA 550 (Redmond/Carnation) +2.5%.  The median prices in all other Eastside areas declined in January. 

Here are the Eastside inventory/median price breakdowns:

Area 500 (South Bellevue/Issaquah) was one of the Eastside areas where the median prices were down -13.1%   YOY listing inventory was up 51.6% and PENDINGS were down -48.3%
LISTINGS: 426 (2007) vs. 281 (2006) +51.6%
PENDINGS: 31(2007) vs. 60(2006) -48.3%
MEDIAN: $630,000 (2007) vs. $724,975 (2006) -13.1% 

Area 510 (Mercer Island) median prices were up 34.8%.   YOY listing inventory was up 60.8% and Pending sales were down -50%.
LISTINGS: 119 (2007) vs. 74 (2006)60.8%
PENDINGS: 11(2007) vs.22 (2006) -50%
MEDIAN: $1,550,000(2007) vs. $1,150,000(2006)34.8% 

Area 520 (West Bellevue) median prices were down -13.0%.
YOY listing inventory was up 78.4% and pending sales were down -41.7%.
LISTINGS: 198 (2007) vs. 111(2006) 78.4%
PENDINGS 14(2007) vs. 24 (2006) -41.7%
MEDIAN: $937,500(2007) vs. $1,077,500 (2006) -13% 

Area 530 (East Bellevue) median prices were up 5.2%.  YOY listing inventory was up 112.1% and Pending sales were the same.
LISTINGS: 227 (2007) vs. 107(2006) 112.1%
PENDINGS: 36 (2007) vs. 36 (2006) 00%
MEDIAN: $567,250 (2007) vs. $539,450 (2006) +5.2% 

Area 540 (Sammamish) median prices down slightly at -0.8%. YOY listing inventory was up 55% and Pending sales were down -36.5%.
LISTINGS: 755(2007) vs. 487 (2006) +55%
PENDINGS: 101 (2007) vs. 159 (2006) -36.5%
MEDIAN: $619,900 (2007) vs. $624,900 -0.8% 

Area 550 Redmond/Carnation median prices were up -2.5%. YOY listing inventory was up 58.9% and Pending sales were down at -39.7%.
LISTINGS: 305 (2007) vs. 192 (2006) +58.9%
PENDINGS: 38 (2007) vs.63 (2006) -39.7%
MEDIAN: $664,925 (2007) vs. $648,950 (2006)  2.5% 

Area 560 Kirkland/Bridle Trails median prices were down -3.0%. Listing inventory was up 38.5% and pending sales were down -20.8%
LISTINGS: 385 (2007) vs. 278 (2006) +38.5%
PENDINGS: 38 (2007) vs. 48 (2006) -20.8%
MEDIAN: $652,250(2007) vs. $672,475(2006)-3.0% 

Area 600 (No. Kirkland/Woodinville/Duvall) median prices were down -8.0%.  YOY listing inventory was up 50.0% and Pendings were down -18%.
LISTINGS: 548(2007) vs. 365 (2006) +50%
PENDINGS: 77 (2007) vs. 94 (2006) -18%
MEDIAN: $459,950 (2007) vs. $499,950 -8.0

EASTSIDE TOTALS:
LISTINGS:2963 (2007) VS. 1895 (2006) +56.4%
PENDINGS: 346 (2007) VS. 506 (2006) -31.5%
MEDIAN: $630,649 (2007) VS. $659,280 (2006) -4.3% 

Statistics compiled from, but not verified nor published by the NWMLS

10 Basic tips to sell your home...without spending a lot.

You don't need to spend a ton of money and remodel every room in the house to sell your home.  Lets face it.  Often the home your selling has been a family home for the past 15 years and the last time you updated it was 14 years ago and you just don't have the money or care to remodel your house the way the neighbors did. There are some very inexpensive ways to prep your home and give you the best shot to get it sold.  When I am running around with buyers, I am often astounded at what some sellers think they can get away with in this market.  There is just TOO much inventory for you to slack off on the basics.  Sometimes we just don't have the money to do the big projects the neighbors did to fancy up the joint.  So, here are some inexpensive, easy to do's that absolutely should be done. 

1)  REMOVE ALL ODORS!  Quit cooking, clean the toilets, kick the cat out of the house!  COST = 1 cat

2)  PATCH ALL HOLES and dings in the walls.  Be very detailed.  Clients see walls more than any other part of the house. Cost = $10 for some spackle and a putty knife.

3)  FIX ALL YOUR DOORS AND JAMBS.  Older homes have squeaky crooked doors. No problem.  A door seems like a big deal when it doesnt close right or hangs crooked.  Truth be told, 90% of door problems are fixed by getting longer screws and using them to replace the screws holding the hinge into the jamb.  It will "suck" the door right back into place.  Cost = $15 bucks for a handfull of screws and a screwdriver.

4)  CLEAN THAT NASTY BLACK MILDEW from the corners of the bathroom and grout lines.  Its just plain gross.  Cost = $2.95 for a bottle of bleach and free for your old toothbrush.

5)  REPLACE BURNT OUT BULBS.  Yes.  Every single last one.  Brighter is better for potential buyers.  Nothing is worse than walking into a dungeon and being STUCK there with no way to light the path.  Cost = a couple bucks per bulb.

6)   KILL THE DUST BUNNIES AND COBWEBS! People look up.  People look places you haven't looked ever. Run a broom or duster all over your ceilings. Cost = 10 bucks for a broom.

7)  REFINISH YOUR DRAWER AND CABINET LINERS.  Here in Seattle's eastside, it seems almost every home built before 1985 has the original shelf paper in it.  Re-covering your drawers and shelves will spruce them right up like new!  Cost = 5.95 per roll.

8)  POLISH ALL METAL SURFACES IN YOUR HOME.  Just do it.  It will astound you to see the difference a bag of rags and a bottle of generic metal polish will do to your kitchen, bath, and light fixtures.  Cost = $15 for a bottle and bag.

9)  REMOVE ALL YOUR WINDOW COVERINGS.  This is assuming you still rock the originals from 1965.  Brighter is better and nothing will turn a buyer off more than drab heavy curtains blocking out the sun.  If you can't toss them at least launder the curtains or dust the blinds. Cost = Free

10)   Sweep or Vacuum your floor.  Seriously. Cost = free if you use your dust bunny killer.

Monday's Inspiration -- Presidents Day Edition!

We're in the middle of the miracle of free elections for the leader of our country!  Past Presidents have been characters for sure!  In honor of those Presidents, here's some presidential trivia:

1.  Which President took nude early swims in the Potomac River? (John Quincy Adams)

2.  Which Presidents lunch often consisted of cottage cheese smothered in ketchup? (Richard Nixon)

3.  Which President is on the $100,000 bill? (Woodrow Wilson)

4.  Who is the only President to have worn a Nazi uniform?  (Ronald Regan -in a movie)

5.  Which President was given the first raise in U.S. history?  (Ulysses S. Grant)

6.  Who survived two assassination attempts by two different women in just over two weeks? (Gerald Ford)

7.  Who considered joining the Klu Klux Klan to advance his political career?  (Harry Truman)

8.  Which President is the only one to kill a man in a duel?  (Andrew Jackson)

9.  Which President was so big he almost got stuck in his bathtub?  (William Howard Taft)

10.  Which President was incredibly afraid of electric light bulbs?  (Benjamin Harrison)

11.  Which President was forced to wear a dress until nine years old?  (Franklin Delano Roosevelt)

12.  Which President's Father was a smuggler of alcohol during Prohibition?  (John F. Kennedy)

13.  He was dyslexic and couldn't read until he was 9.  (Woodrow Wilson)

14.  This President told several staff members to quit living in sin and admitted to seeing a UFO.  (Jimmy Carter)

Two great Presidential quotes:

From George Washington, the Father of our country:

"Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bad company."

Here's one from Gerald Ford:
"If Lincoln were alive today, he'd by turning over in his grave."

Internet Marketing That Works!

By Greg Perry
Eastside Realtor

There are many ways to market a property.  Did you know that over 95% of all buyers use the Internet for their home search? 

Most real estate agents are still stuck in traditional ways of marketing properties -- which consists of print media and magazines.   Of course the listing goes into the MLS, and the agent will build a virtual tour or a photo gallery.  And that's it.

A good question to ask an agent is "Can you quantify your marketing results?"

If an agent really understands and embraces Internet marketing they can.

Here's a print of Google's first page for "Woodinville Listing".  This is a listing that we have that is currently active.  You will see that out of the first 10 positions in Google's generic free area, we have 5 positions!

A good Internet campaign needs to have your listing placed on up to 20 different sites that buyers frequent.

An agent needs to have skill in today's market to be effective.  Insist on the best!

Here's a photo gallery of our listing located at 15982 176th Ave Ne, Woodinville  http://www.windermere.com/tid205980

Friday's Did You Know? The Lake People...

Did you Know that the Medina area in Bellevue was the habitat of the "Hah-Tshu-Abish," or Lake People. The "Hah-Tshu-Abish" were mainly members of the Duwamish nation, and fished, hunted, picked berries, and moved back and forth along waterways that drained and fed the lake.

Kirkland Hosts Disaster Preparation Seminar

Are you disaster ready?  Win a comprehensive four-person Disaster Preparedness Kit HOW? Sign up via e-mail at disastersareweready@gmail.com with your full name, e-mail and phone number to win!  Must be present to collect Pre Register to be eligible for a special drawing at sccc@gmail.com DISASTERS! ARE WE READY!?! YOU CAN BE BY ATTENDING FREE SEMINARS TO FIND OUT HOW WALK INS WELCOME WHEN: MARCH 10TH and 17th TIME:    7:00 - 9:30PM WHERE: 1715 228th Ave SE, Sammamish, WA  98075 PINE LAKE COVENANT CHURCH SEMINAR TOPICS INCLUDE: The City of Sammamish Emergency Plans           Earthquake and Geologic Hazards for King County Eastside Fire & Rescue: How are we prepared?           The Starbucks story: Learn how they deal with disaster The Map Your Neighborhood program             Sammamish Schools in a Disaster: What Happens? Business Preparedness: A “How To” session               Animals in a Disaster Situation: What you can do to help General Preparedness and “How To” build a kit    Basic First Aid with The American Red Cross Please see the complete session descriptions at http://www.sammamishcitizencorps.org ----------------------------------------------------------- Sign up via e-mail at disastersareweready@gmail.com with your full name, e-mail and phone number to win!  You must be present at the March Seminars to collect this winning prize.(One drawing each Seminar night, one per customer) This comprehensive PreparePackT emergency kit provides some of the key items you need for 2 people after a disaster, all in a grab-and-go backpack.  It’s perfect for your home or car.  For more information on disaster supplies go to http://www.preparesmart.com/ Contents Include: 1-Backpack 50-Water Purification Tablets 1-Dynamo Radio/Flashlight/Flasher 50-Waterproof Matches 1-Utility Knife 1-50' Nylon Cord 1-Whistle with Lanyard 1-2 Person Tent 1-51 Piece First Aid Kit 1-12 Hour Light Stick 1-Pair Leather Palm Gloves 3-Moist Towelettes 1-Tissue Pack 1-Maxi Pad 3-Biowaste Bags plus... 2-2400 Calorie Food Bars 2-Solar Blankets 18-4.227 Ounce Water Packs 2-N95 Niosh Respirator/Dust Masks 2-Ponchos 4-Handwarmers Questions?  Robin Paster, PIO, 425-587-3659 Community Education & Information Kirkland Fire and Building Department

City of Kirkland - Neighborhood Services 123 5th Ave Kirkland, WA, 98033 (425) 587-3011 e-mail the Neighborhood Services Coordinator at: kpage@ci.kirkland.wa.us