Blog

Home Preparedness

At risk of being a Debbie Downer, I want to encourage you to click on the resources below and take action so your family is prepared in case of an earthquake.
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​Seller Financing As Investment Tool

Known as “carrying the paper” or “holding the note”, a seller can offer any interest rate to fit the buyer and the investment strategy.
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2017 Crystal Ball

A short summary of topics being discussed in the industry as we head into the new year.
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Best of 2016

Just like Buyers shopping for a home, I get to have an emotional reaction to every home I go into.
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Find Your Mortgage Before Finding Your Home?

Simply put, the most attractive Buyers (in a Seller’s mind) are the ones who show up with an offer accompanied with pre-approval letter, not just a pre-qualification.
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Guidelines for Finding a Contractor

For me, the impression I get from the initial contact, timeliness to appointments, presentation of competence and flexibility to work with my needs trump just about everything else.
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Curb Appeal: Property Makeover

Given how we in the Pacific Northwest love to spend as much time outdoors when the weather is nice, it makes sense that these outdoor living spaces are a main attraction for many buyers.
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Protecting Home Value: Budgeting for Maintenance

I recommend looking at these expenses as a pre-payment on the cost of getting your house ready for the market.
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What Housing Bubble?

The conditions in this decade support sustained purchasing power and affordability from buyers
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​A Popular HOA Document?

This thorough and decisive instrument is a model for others to use.
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“Does This House Have ‘Good Bones’?”

A house with good core systems has good bones- so what are the "core" systems?
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Tax Free Exchanges

Tax-Free Exchanges: Helping sellers avoid a big pitfall Most people know that home sellers, regardless of age, may pocket $250,000 tax free if single and $500,000 if a married couple when they sell their homes as long as they’ve had the home for two full years as their principal residence. What is not always common…
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Zillow CEO Proves Zestimate Worthless

Consumers are smart to rely on the expertise of someone who has actually stepped foot in all the comparable sales.
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Purge With Purpose Part 2

Getting rid of the stuff is a huge task, no doubt about it. These resources will help you start sorting so your possessions with intent and efficiency (characteristics I love!).
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9 Stops: The Seller’s Emotional Roller Coaster

I strive to reduce fright from the home selling process while helping sellers focus on success at the closing table.
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Modern Real Estate Marketing: 3D and Drones are Essential

As your listing agent, I will produce a video that makes it effortless for every buyer in the world to experience your home- and prompt the serious ones to come see it.
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Need to Sell Before You Buy? Maybe Not

In this record-low inventory marketplace, well-qualified buyers are swift and paid cash in 25% of the 2015 transactions on Bainbridge Island with little to no contingencies attached to the offer. Sellers often have opportunity to select from multiple offers and decide which buyer has the greatest chance to close the transaction. So how is a buyer who must sell first able to compete?
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Real Estate Insight: ​Just What Does PENDING Mean?

If you’re even just a casual online home shopper, you should be able to relate to this: someone sees the perfect home online and the triggered emotions are so strong, they can imagine living in it for the next five to ten years. They check daily to see its status and suddenly- without warning- it’s “gone PENDING”. They feel sick to their stomach with disappointment that the home is sold, never again to be seen on the open market.
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Considering a Condo? Beware of the Pitfalls

When searching for a condo, you need to work with a Realtor who understands the financing complexities and how to avoid the pitfalls. A very busy Island lender has to tell 1 in 4 condo buyers they won’t be able to purchase the unit they just signed a contract on. I would not let you become the one who gets that kind of bad news.
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Real Estate Market Report – Bainbridge Island

Real estate can be complex and the usual reports can be confusing. But, when shown through powerful graphics, what’s happening in a market like Bainbridge Island becomes fascinating and thought provoking. That was my inspiration: to provide a monthly real estate "Market Report" that lets you instantly see what is happening on our island. And hopefully ask questions!
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40 Ways to Enjoy Losing Money Before You Sell

Most people today who are thinking about buying are aware that inventory on Bainbridge Island is remarkably low. With so few homes for sale, many want-to-be buyers are likely asking themselves “Is it okay to just stay and live with what we have or should we invest now and improve our current home?”
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How difficult is to get a home loan today?

Getting a loan payment you can live with is as important as finding the right home on Bainbridge Island. While finding a local lender is an important initial step in the home buying process, here are a few more tips that will help you take down that “for sale” sign in front of that home you want to buy with a lot less stress.
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3 Steps Before You Sell

Selling your home on Bainbridge Island for your best return takes more than just hiring a Realtor or sticking a sign in front. As a seller, if you take these three steps to prepare your home before you list it for sale, you’ll be in position to get the best offer possible in the shortest time.
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5 Tips for Buying a Home

These 5 essential tips will help make buying a home on Bainbridge Island as smooth as possible.
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Purge With Purpose Part 1

In Part 1 of this two-part series, I share strategies for deciding where to send all the stuff you're ready to part with. In Part 2 I share referrals for all the people you'll need to help you execute your plan.
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Downsizing: Who is the typical “Downsizer”?

Meet Karen and Bob, our prototypical downsizers. Bob is 61 and Karen is 59 and are married. They have a combined household income of $92,000. They live in a 3 bedroom 2 bath home and their current home size is a bit less than 2,000 square feet.
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Is Cash Really King?

Of the 380 single family homes sold in 2015 on Bainbridge Island, 25.3% were sold to cash buyers. But these cash buyers are not just affecting the low end of the local housing market. One third of these cash deals were for homes above $1,000,000.
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​What is the Role of a Home Inspector?

​A home inspector is a licensed professional, often a former contractor, who checks the safety and assesses physical condition of a home. Home inspectors search for defects or other problems that could become problematic later on. It is not the inspector's job to determine whether you are getting good value for your money. An inspector does not establish value, only whether the home has need for repairs or attention to deferred maintenance.
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​What is your home worth? Online Estimates vs. Market Value

You may be checking your stock prices every day, but do you know the current value of what is likely your single biggest asset? Just what is your home worth today? Considering our housing prices are back at or near peak, having insight to your home’s current market value is recommended as you plan your financial future.
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Multiple Offers: How to choose the best?

In the Bainbridge Island housing market right now, well-priced homes are expected to receive more than one offer within just a few days. Three-five offers is fairly common, while a dozen has recently happened too. It’s important
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