I wrote an article earlier today about a scammer. I can almost appreciate the creative talents of an obvious scammer like that. But when it comes to the real estate industry, I just want to puke. I stopped into a new construction site yesterday to evaluate it for one of my clients. There are four people in the room. A guy sitting at the site plan talking to a young asian couple and a woman standing a bit on the side. I see the guy giving the "hard sell" about two and only two "available" lots. I'm standing back and looking at the site plan and I see about 50 available lots. Only two of them have "available" stickers and 6-9 have a sold sticker. So doesn't that mean all of the lots with NO sticker are "available"? For some reason the young couple doesn't "get" this, but I just keep my mo... 02/17/2007

Amid the talks of bubble trouble Seattle condo resales in thea city center neighborhoods fared quite well in 2006.  Although, not at the sales or appreciation levels experienced in 2004 and 2005, last year reflected continued growth and upward values. Only one neighborhood plateaued, which surprisingly was Queen Anne, one of the most sought after neighborhoods with sweeping views of downtown.   However, it is one of the more pricier locales. Note: Compiled upon sold data from the NWMLS.  Information is deemed accurate but not guaranteed. 02/17/2007

Seattle Real Estate - Acting in my Seller's Best InterestI had a recent conversation with my seller concerning a potential buyer (a neighbor who was not looking for property) for the newly listed property who expressed some interest in the property just as it was in the process of being listed.   A couple of days into the listing period, it looked like the potential buyer may have a real interest in the property, and after talking to the potential buyer (who did not have an agent) on the phone we set up an appointment to show the property to the buyer's spouse when they returned from a trip. I called my seller to discuss this, and outlined three different possibilities that I could work out with the buyer regarding representation should they decide to make an offer, but that I needed to... 02/15/2007

"If" the beginning of every residential real estate transaction were the buyers and the sellers and their agents meeting and chatting, maybe having dinner together and a drink or two for an hour. Then everyone walks through the house together while the seller tells the buyer the story of their life in the house and the buyer and agents ask questions. Then the offer is written, and proceeds through the inspections to find things the seller just truly doesn't know about." In the comments section I said to Tim of Legacy Escrow, "Tim, the sad thing is that it is totally within our power to civilize the process." The owner received multiple offers in short order, due to our diligent efforts in getting the property "positioned to sell". We did not ask ALL of the potential buyers to sit down ... 02/15/2007

The Importance of Your Credit Score . . . . . . . Credit scores are an important factor in mortgage loans but many consumers are unsure about what causes them to receive that scoreHow Your Credit Score is Determined . . . . . . . The typical score model for mortgage are FICO scores. They are determined by five main categories:35% is based on your payment history      (Including all accounts)30% is based on the amount you owe creditors      (Specially revolving accounts with high balance) 15% is based on how long you have been using credit      (The longer you have a good payment history, the better)10% is based on your applications for new credit           (If you are loading up on credit it may damage your score)10% is based on your "Mix" of credit      (Numerous finance company accoun... 02/14/2007

 Good Morning All, My son-in-law (John) posted photos like these on the baby blog he has set up for my grandson.  This is in the home mom and I just traded with them so that they would have more room and be in the school district they wanted.  It is a great craftsman home in the Wallingford area of Seattle (it is almost 100 years old).  My mom and dad were the second owners. I told John that those fish eye photos are a pet peeve of mine when I see them on the MLS.  I feel that they distort the rooms so badly and that they do more harm than good to help sell a home.  When I am looking at listings and I see these kinds of pictures I feel like just passing on the home. Luckily, John only rented this lens.  What do you think? Please visit my site for information and support.  Seattle, Belle... 02/11/2007

"How did they know that all I wanted for my first birthday was this T-shirt?! Thanks Auntie Regi and Uncle Dave!"  If my  home buying clients have children, I usually hear from them that "a good school is the most important factor in deciding where to buy a home."  One of the reasons my mother and I traded homes with my daughter, son-in-law and grandson was so that my grandson would be able to attend the John Stanford International School.  This is a wonderful school and teachers are clamoring to teach there.   It is a dual-language immersion school.  It averages 19 students per classroom teacher and is very diverse.This following are some things I found on their website:John Stanford International School is an award-winning Seattle public elementary school (K-5) in the Wallingford nei... 02/10/2007

The Downtown Seattle Association hosted its 2007 State of Downtown Economic Forum on Feb. 9th providing an overview of current and future downtown livability issues, planning and development.  Of particular interest was the forecast for the eventual construction (or not) of the 32 high-rise condominium projects on tap for downtown over the next 4 years and the lack of affordable housing.  Read more about the state of downtown housing on Seattle Condos and Lofts. 02/10/2007

    Magnolia Blvd. looking south towards West Seattle and Alki Point accross Elliott Bay and Puget Sound.   Magnolia, one of Seattle's Urban Villages...is very nearly it's own island just a couple of miles northwest of Downtown Seattle.  Magnolia is on a peninsula sited on two hills surounded on three sides by Elliot Bay to the south, Puget Sound to the west, Shilshole Bay and Salmon Bay (including the Hiram M Chittenden Locks) to the north.   The island effect is even more apparent in the there are only three ways to get to Magnolia, and they are all bridges.  They cross over the the BNSF railway system in the valley that separates Magnolia from Queen Anne Hill to the east.  That area is called the Interbay which is comprised of the Interbay Athletic Field, the Interbay Family Golf Cen... 02/09/2007

DIS-IN-TER-ME-DI-ATE: "TO ATTEMPT TO DO AWAY WITH INTERMEDIARY ENTITITES BETWEEN TWO PRIMARY MARKET FORCES; TO ELIMINATE THE "MIDDLEMAN". "IF" ALL THAT YOU ARE IS "AN INTERMEDIARY ENTITY" - THEN GET OUT OF THE BUSINESS! "IF" ALL THAT YOU ARE IS "A MIDDLEMAN" - THEN GET OUT OF THE BUSINESS! "IF" YOU ARE AN ORDER TAKER - GET OUT OF THE BUSINESS! "IF" YOU ARE A PAPER COUNTER - GET OUT OF THE BUSINESS! "IF" YOU ARE SAYING "OF COURSE REAL ESTATE ALWAYS GOES UP AND YOU NEVER CAN LOSE MONEY WHEN YOU SELL YOUR HOUSE" - GET OUT OF THE BUSINESS! "IF" YOU THINK YOU ARE ALWAYS "WORTH IT", "IT" BEING 6% WHETHER THE PRICE OF THE HOUSE IS $250,000 OR $2,500,000 - GET THE HELL OUT OF THE BUSINESS. "IF" YOU THINK IT'S ALL ABOUT YOU!  PLEASE, PLEASE GET THE HELL OUT OF THE BUSINESS! "IF" YOU ARE NOT AN ... 02/03/2007

I have only one criteria when choosing a client. That criteria is very difficult to describe, because the best term to describe my favorite clients, I only know in the Greek language. I dated a Greek guy for six years, from the time I was 16 until I was 22. Whenever he introduced me to his Greek friends and relatives, they would lightly and quickly thump their fist on their chest and say "kalu ka thYA" (emphasis on the YA). Generally, they were saying, "She has a good heart." When I meet a potential new client, I am actually interviewing them to determine whether or not I want to work with/for them. This can be a great business or it can be a miserable business. The difference between the two is the clients one chooses. Agents who view all people as "leads", who think anyone wanting to... 02/03/2007

 BLEEPIN WRONG ANSWERS I HEAR EVERY DAY IN THIS BUSINESS.   1) BUYER'S AGENT ASKS:  "Is there a pump system attached to the drain at the bottom of that steep driveway pointed down at the house?" Seller's Agent Responds: "You have to watch for leaves getting caught in the drain."  BLEEP!!  WRONG ANSWER!! NOW WE ARE AT THE HOME INSPECTION AND THERE IS WATER IN THE HOUSE! FOR WATER TO GET IN THE HOUSE, THE GARAGE FIRST HAS TO BE FILLED WITH WATER UP TO THREE OR FOUR INCHES TO THEN INTRUDE INTO THE HOME!!   BUYER'S AGENT ASKS: WHAT IS THE SELLER'S PLAN TO FIX THIS PROBLEM? SELLER'S AGENT RESPONDS:  "IT DOESN'T ALWAYS RAIN THIS MUCH!!!"  BLEEP!  WRONG ANSWER!   BUYER'S AGENT SAYS:  WELL HUMOR ME HERE THEN, WHAT IS THE PLAN FOR WHEN IT DOES HAPPEN TO RAIN THIS MUCH? SELLER'S AGENT SAYS: WE AR... 02/03/2007

RIDDLE ME THIS, BATMAN!  IF AN AGENT CAN WAKE UP IN THE MORNING, AND GET THE MLS ON HIS HOME COMPUTER... WHY DOES AN AGENT NEED A DESK AT THE OFFICE?   IF AN AGENT CAN BE AVAILABLE ALL THE TIME WITH A LAPTOP AND A CELL PHONE: WHY DOES HE NEED A PHONE AT THE OFFICE?   IF WE CAN REDUCE THE OVERHEAD IN THIS BUSINESS BY HAVING LESS INFRASTRUCTURE, AND IN TURN PASS THAT SAVINGS ON TO THE CONSUMER...WHY DO WE HAVE OFFICES OF 50 DESKS THAT ARE FREAKIN' EMPTY!!!!  WHO IS COMING TO YOUR OFFICE AND WHY AND IF IT IS COSTING THE CONSUMER MORE TO HAVE DESKS FOR THE COFFEE DRINKING, OPEN HOUSE LUNCH EATING, NEED A PLACE TO HANG OUT PEOPLE... WHY SHOULD THE CONSUMER PAY FOR YOU TO PARK YOUR BUTT IN AN OFFICE WITH NO PURPOSE??? TIME TO RETHINK EVERYTHING.  CUT THE COSTS.  IF THE DESKS ARE EMPTY OR THE... 02/03/2007

Seattle - Queen Anne's Kerry ParkOne of the most beautiful places to view the Space Needle, Downtown Seattle, Elliott Bay, West Seattle and Mt Rainier (when the mountain is out!) is from Queen Anne's Kerry Park.  The Park is a destination for tourists, Seattlites, photographers, and the neighborhood.  Located on the South Slope, near the top of Queen Anne Hill with all it's shops, restaurants, pubs and Queen Anne style (as well as others!) homes.Seattle with its' hilly terraine has views everywhere, and with all the bodies of water, many have water views as well.  Because Queen Anne is so high (second highest hill in Seattle) and is sandwiched between Elliott Bay on the southwest, Lake Union on the east, and Salmon Bay on the north it is nearly surounded by water.  Many homewoners and c... 02/02/2007

 Seattle - Capitol Hills' decadent dessert cafe, Dilettante Mocha Cafe  on Broadway at 416 Broadway E (one of 7 in the Seattle area)  was the scene of a recent visit with out of state friends for dessert (CHOCOLATE!) and coffee.  Veronica (works there Tuesday through Saturday) was our "Guru" of chocolate experience as we consulted with her for what to choose!  Rich was glued to the glass display case trying to choose between all the fabulous chocolate (and other treats!) radiating chocolate goodness....  All hail Veronica for her wise, and knowledgable   guidence!  In the end Rich chose the German Chocolate Cake, Jacquie the warm Fruit Crisp with melting vanilla ice cream, and I had the Cafes' signature pastry, the classic Hungarian tort, the Rigo Jancsi (jan-say).  Chocolate mousse bet... 02/02/2007

 Downtown Seattle - Belltown's Cascadia Restaurant,  2328 1st Avenue, Between Bell & Battery Streets,was recently featured on The Food Network with "Giada's Weekend Getaways" when she visited Seattle.   Giada had the Mini Burgers and Cascadia's signature cocktail, the Alpine Martini, so when my friends came to visit me the last weekend of January...that's where Jacquie wanted to go for Happy Hour.  We ordered the Mini Burgers (nice and rare), Alpine Martinis, fries in a cone and Iced Tea (Rich declared the best he's had)  Our server told Jacquie that ever since the episodes began airing, the place has been packed at Happy Hour (5 to 7) with people wanting to experience the shows' menu.  The crowds are undeterred by the scaffolding obscuring the entrance while the facade is undergoing so... 02/02/2007

 Seattle's Northwest Flower & Garden Show is coming!February brings to Downtown Seattle The Northwest Flower & Garden Show to cheer up northwest gardeners with the promise of our coming spring!  With our gray, drizzely February weather, this comes as a warm breeze to brighten up our month.  Every year since it's debut in 1989, the Northwest Flower & Garden Show has been wowing gardeners with the stunning display gardens, the seminars and the exhibitors displaying new plants, garden accessories, ideas, and garden themed stuff.  This year the show runs February 14-18, Wednesday through Saturday 9AM to 9PM, and Sunday 9AM to 6PM.  For more information on tickets, parking, seminars etc., see: http://www.gardenshow.com/seattle/theshow/   So if you need something to cheer your self up with to... 01/31/2007

  Based on a reader suggestion I received on my condo blog, I've compiled a list of pet friendly condos in the downtown area neighborhoods.  Eventually, I'll expand the list to include other neighborhoods as well.  I've also included some condos that are pet-unfriendly, too. If you know if any that we've missed, please let us know and we'll add it to the list. 01/23/2007

Seattle's new Olympic Sculpture Park is now Open!  The new 9 acre park located in Seattle's Belltown neighborhood (Urban Village) celebrated it's Grand Opening over the weekend! There was bright sunshine, blue skies, crowds, shades, Alexander Calder's Eagle, and The Space Needle for the Grand Opening on Saturday, January 20th 2007!  Given our horrible weather these past few months, it was amazing to have such a dazzeling day for the long awaited opening of the new park!  The park was jammed with Seattlites enjoying the the ART, the SUN, the Park, and the new Beach on Elliott Bay. Fireboat welcomes the crowd as they photogragh all the wonderful ART.  My friend Patti laughing about the "Ask Me" sign.  Seattlites exploring this new addtion to Downtown Seattle and Belltown!  Down near the w... 01/23/2007

Last night I posted my first blog on the Seattle PI's website titled Real Estate Licensing. Being such a huge opportunity to share my opinion, yes my opinion, on serious topics reaching a wide audience it was thought to take conservative approach while bring to light a controversial topic.It is different to post a blog on a nationally recognized than posting on ActiveRain and my personal site. Why? There are different rules of conduct in my view and some items are harder to address. Blogs are seen as being a personal place and an arena to point fingers in directions that may not be politically correct.Right now I am feeling nervous of my post for reason that are beyond my comprehension but the ideas put forward are helpful and topics that need to be addressed. How does one balance ethic... 01/21/2007