Spoken Gently's Blog: Buyers

The Washington Association of REALTORS® released a press release stating Washington home prices are rising. Here is an excerpt from the press release (bold added for emphasis):

“All real estate markets are unique. We shouldn’t be surprised that Washington State is bucking national trends,” said Dennis Rose, 2007 president of the Washington Realtors. “In order to make smart home-buying decisions, now more than ever it’s important to work with a professional REALTOR® who is familiar with the local market.”

As of mid-June, sub-prime, adjustable-rate loans represented 20 percent of loans nationally, but just 6 percent of home loans in Washington. Of those mortgages, 5 percent in Washington were delinquent, compared with 8.9 percent nationwide. The largest…

Our Kennewick Washington 7-Eleven has a national reputation of being the 7-Eleven with the most Slurpees sold in the United States. With this recognition, Coco Cola has chosen the Kennewick 7-Eleven as the only store in the United States to launch their new Full Throttle Frozen Blue Demon Slurpee energy drink. What the heck does 7-Eleven's launch of a new drink in Kennewick have to do with real estate? Well, lots.

The folks here in Kennewick Washington have more to do than the folks in the rest of the United States! We need energy to supplement our busier Kennewick life style. While the rest of country is refreshing themselves with milk and cookies, we in Kennewick Washington need the Full Throttle of the Frozen Blue Demon Slurpee. Yup, Coca Cola…

There are probably scores of mistakes real estate agents can make, however, there are 7 mistakes, or bad habits, that bother me the most. Probably because I see them more that I would prefer to. Here is my list of 7 Habits of Highly Ineffective REALTORS®:

1. Tardiness, or being late for appointments. When a real estate agent shows up late for an appointment, it communicates the message that "my time is more important than your time," or "I'm too irresponsible or careless to provide a courtesy call communicating an unforeseen event," and/or "I simply do not care enough." Enough said on that.

2. Not returning calls promptly. We've had listing agents simply not return calls. The agent lists the property, then does not return calls on the listing. Not…

A potential investor is always on the look out for the best and the safest place to make a profitable investment. A good investment should necessarily be one which is supported by the government, pays incredibly high returns and offers sufficient security. And for those young prospective investors who are on the hunt for investment opportunities, tax lien investing is perhaps, the top solution!

For those unaccustomed to the term, a tax lien could be broadly defined as a lien that is imposed on real estate for the non- payment of real estate taxes. In most states, the government will sell the lien to the public to create a balance in the budget. As part of the procedure, a tax lien certificate, supported by the property, is issued to the investor. Later,…

Within each home there are private, service and communal living spaces. Use some drawing paper to map out a flowchart that interconnects rooms that are related in these rooms when considering a home purchase. The kitchen and dining area are often near each other as they both function to provide sustenance. However, people tend to keep bedrooms away form service areas due to their tendency to have higher noise levels. Who wants a bedroom next to a pool area?

On your diagram list the activities that you and your family engage in regularly. This will give you an idea of the ambiance to give to your home that will reflect your lifestyle and values; for example, vibrant and open or secluded and peaceful. Now for each room in your flowchart repeat the process…

The Multiple Listing Service, better known as the MLS, is awash with homes for sale displayed by agents desperately looking for potential buyers. While that does present a lot of options, it does give a buyer’s agent the tough task of finding a needle in a haystack, or even a few needles to have something to show you on a Sunday afternoon. However, as a potential buyer, you have the ability to cut down on some of the excess MLS homes for sale and get to the core set of properties you’re looking for...[more]

Related Resources:

• Realtor Benefits
• Real Estate Agent Search
• The Agent's Value
• Agent Pulling Weight

Living on a river can entail some of the finest scenery and nicest natural landscaping of any type of property. Along with the lush growing conditions a riverside property brings, a home on the river can offer spectacular views of a river and the wildlife it attracts. Indeed, living on a river and in an area that is well-maintained along it can be one of the nicest places to live in any area of the country, explaining the premium often put on riverside lots.  Read more. 

Related Resources:

• Bring the Waterfront Home
• River Property Draw
• Land of Three Rivers
• River Recreation

If Washington real estate pet owners are one thing, it is devoted to their pets, so it should come as not surprise that the market for pet friendly properties has grown significantly over time in accordance with the growth of pet ownership. As a potential home buyer looking for a new real estate for you and your pet, there are a few traits you can look for to make sure that you will be happy with your new home and your pet will feel just as welcomed as you do.

For those with a pet as a valued part of the family, making sure that Tri City home will not only accommodate a pet, but that a pet is even allowed in the particular Tri City community is a part of the real estate process that might not be a part otherwise. You will want to not only make sure that a…