Uncategorized More on Zillow accuracy… I get a lot of questions about Zillow and if/how accurate their “Zestimates” are. I’m including the link to their words here. By their calculations, I am representing a property that is worth 13.6% more today than it was in January: Jan: $543,000 Feb: $548,000 Mar: $582,000 April: $617,000 Any thoughts? md http://www.zillow.com/howto/DataCoverageZestimateAccuracy.htm
Uncategorized Bull Turns Bear – from KCM blog Interesting (I think) and short from KCM http://www.kcmblog.com/2012/05/01/yet-another-housing-bear-turns-bull/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+KeepingCurrentMatters+%28The+KCM+Blog%29
Uncategorized Getting To Sold – Good, easy-to-consume guide from Trulia Trulia offered this to me, so I’m offering it to you. One element that the brevity and simple design miss: -When considering pricing, ask your agent to show you the comps! I’m always surprised at how few people Sellers take me up on an offer to see the competition. No one has ever asked me […]
Uncategorized WoW! WoW! Nothing says: “I love my world” better than a reverse-closing gift (clients thanking me, instead of the other way around). My cup runneth over. Thank you, dear people.
Uncategorized Sure are a lot of Buyers out there…. Wow! I haven’t been here to post in a while. And, I’ve been switched to “Timeline” on facebook (www.facebook.com/ThriveSeattle) which is odd to figure out. Speaking of timelines…in case you have been considering selling a property, and you haven’t heard it from somewhere else…the buy is “on” in the Seattle area. I just took yet another […]
Uncategorized R/E Industry bit on Seattle This is a few days old, and the focus likely had something to do with a sponsored conference, but…interesting data all the same.  
Uncategorized “How’s The Market?” I am often asked this simple question. While easy answers are convenient, well-researched and complex ones are more valuable. Matthew Gardner (http://gardnereconomics.com/) gives a well-considered, humorously-delivered answer. I am hosting a table on Tuesday March 27th and again (same content) Thursday March 29th for friends who would like to attend. Both events are at the […]
Uncategorized Q: Does the same (high activity) apply to condos as SFH? Friend and Client Bruce posed this question on my FB business page (www.facebook.com/ThriveSeattle) after the last post. My answer: Bruce, good question. While some condominiums are increasing in price (Escala had one listed at $1.750M and _raised_ the price to $1.825M and they say they have seen multiple offers on others), I don’t see the […]
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Uncategorized Did you hear the KUOW piece yesterday? http://www.kuow.org/mp3high/mp3/News/20120315_dw_property.mp3 This piece aired yesterday, featuring my colleague, friend, and great agent Jed Kliman. Some of my client have asked for my thoughts on it: Jed says he noticed a switch 2.5 months ago, which is roughly January 1st. I agree. And, it seems to have happened across most single-family price ranges. We were seeing […]
Uncategorized What’s your position on this juxtaposition? Taken from the Price Trends section: “While low priced distressed properties continue to erode values, multiple offers abound for select neighborhoods, price ranges, and property types…” This is tough for some people to get their heads around. Just think in terms of wholesale/retail.
Uncategorized Current Absorption – via colored coded maps Wow! What a difference a year makes! If markets seek balance, then Buyers are seeking Sellers. Some bullet points: •         Lack on inventory that we have not seen since early 2007. •         The month’s supply of residential inventory is 1.6 •         Active residential listings are down 35% from a year ago. •         The number of […]
Uncategorized Better credit now means a more significant hit after default? This is amazing. So…the harder they come, the harder they fall? Better credit now means a more significant hit after default? Ouch. Reminds me of a story I heard this morning from David Stelzer, who reports dealing with a bank that holds both the first and the second on a short sale. The 2nd loan […]
Uncategorized Rents Rising Rapidly Do you think of yourself as a real estate investor? Would you like to? I’m gauging general interest (confirm if you like; I have 15 seats reserved) for Session I of an Investor Series, at 5:30pm on 03/27/12 in North Seattle. That’s right….you can be the “Millionaire Next Door.”
Uncategorized Is your remodel permitted? Do you plan to refinance? I heard something interesting from an appraiser this morning: -the secondary loan market (primarily Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac) are increasingly investigating proof of permitting for refinances on remodeled homes, which means that appraisers report when they find them and when they don’t. -their concern is insurance. They fear that if a catastrophic problem is […]
Uncategorized Seattle Median Prices A colleague of mine, Shane Ristine, compiled these numbers, using MLS data, I believe. Thanks, Shane.
Uncategorized My website It was fun this week to be recognized internally at Windermere for my Web site. The funny thing is, I think the content could be better, integration with social media better, etc. Following is what Windermere said, but more important to me, is…what do you think? how can this be better for you?: “One Windermere […]
Uncategorized Michael Jordan’s house On “leap” day, how about a look into Michael Jordan’s house? I’m not licensed in Illinois, so if you want to buy it, I’ll refer you to someone. Enjoy! http://www.luxuryportfolio.com/property/highland_park/home_of_basketball_legend_michael_jordan.cfm
Uncategorized Gardner Economics: Seattle Area Forecast 2012 I purposely chose, as the main image, Mr. Gardner’s slide suggesting that Seattle Area Housing is undervalued. His comment on the slide: “If we Believe that there was a ‘Normal’ market back in the 1990’s, then it is Conceivable that Prices Should Be Higher.” I’m not ready to go that far, but…Seattle sure is a […]
Uncategorized February Charts and Graphs Most interesting to me is the upward trend in “Pending” sales in the middle graph. Seems as though Buyers are starting to decide that the combination of price/rates/relative stability feels pretty good. A couple market samplings (Cap Hill, Wallingford) show low inventory and high demand for nice, well-priced, turn-key residential properties.
Uncategorized Robo Signing Settlement / Foreclosure Relief? Interesting article. But, it doesn’t discuss the impact of the settlement on foreclosure volume. While some homeowners will see relief, others may see an acceleration of their stalled out foreclosure process. That could negatively affect other homeowners if oversupply holds/pushes pricing down. Seems like it is good for buyers, in any case. http://money.cnn.com/2012/02/09/news/economy/mortgage_settlement/index.htm?hpt=hp_t2