Not For Sale?

Do you feel like you have been searching for the perfect home with no luck? One family took matters into their own hands to get the home of their dreams.



The Thompson's searched for 9 months unsuccessfully for a home to buy. They had a specific 10 block radius and nothing seemed to be coming up for sale. Their Realtor suggested that they make a wish list, " I asked them to drive around and identify the houses they were interested in." she said. From there they drafted a letter and sent it to 35 homeowners asking if they would consider selling their home. Two were interested in the deal and after looking at both houses they put in an offer that is set to close this month.

This is a great option for someone who wants a particular street or neighborhood. You would be surprised at who would consider selling the home, or who was planning on it but waiting for a better market.

Appraisal Versus Inspection

Dealing with inspections and appraisals is part of the process when getting ready to sell your home. Many people think that those two tie hand in hand and are essentially the same thing but there are key differences. Each property is unique and the appraiser relies on his or her expertise and research to arrive at an opinion of value.

The Appraisal Process:

Appraisers use a variety of factors in making their decision on what the home is worth. They weigh the location of the home, how close it is to desirable facilities, size of the lot, and the condition of the home itself. They also look around to see prices of comparable properties. They are not concerned as to whether the home is clean but they will notice the neglect such as cracks in the walls, broken windows, damaged floor, etc.
In order to become a licensed appraiser you must go through several courses, pass a test and complete 2,000 hours of supervised work. If a home receives an appraisal lower than what the home is listed for there are some ways the purchase can still go through. The seller can reduce the price or the buyer could make a bigger down payment. Each situation is different though and there is not a solution every one.


Difference From An Inspection:
Here is where the difference comes in. An appraisal can not be substituted for a professional home inspection as they are not the same thing. The appraiser makes an opinion of the property's value for the lender, while the inspector simply educates the buyer about the condition of the home. The appraiser mainly focuses on the value of the home and the inspector looks into both existing and future problems.

Overall, the two are not the same thing so you cannot pick one or the other. You will need both!

Information provided by realtor.com

Funny Headline News Around the Country Today

Here are some stories that made the headline news today.

BOSTON
Thursday night in Boston an auction was held for 2 parking spots that had been seized from a man who owed  back taxes. A multi-million dollar homeowner nearby felt that parking is such a precious commodity on Boston that she paid $560,000 for the two spots. She says it will be nice to have guests or workers be able to have a specified spot to park rather than on the streets.


TENNESSEE
There is a 14 year old girl currently residing in Tennessee that has already graduated college and is headed to begin working on her masters at Harvard.


FLORIDA
Early Sunday morning two deputies on patrol spotted a deer after midnight that looked endangered. The deer had a Doritos chip bag stuck over it's head. "It must have wanted the last chip in the bottom of the bag", said one of the deputies. Luckily they were able to remove the bag and the deer was on its' way.


TEXAS
Although Christmas is 6 months away it is still on the minds of the Texas governor. They plan to sign a law removing any risks of saying "Merry Christmas" in public schools.

What Goes With you When You Sell?

Upon selling your home you need to consider what items you are going to take with you and what you are going to leave. There are some items throughout the home that are considered apart of it, there are others that are negotiable and may be available for you to take. You will want to have a list of what stays and goes before you list your home so there is no confusion to buyers.
Generally the things that are not physically attached to the home go with the seller. However, if there is anything attached that you want to take you need to let your agent know so it can be on the listing.

Here are the main topics of discussion:



Lighting
Lighting fixtures are something people are attached to because they often reflect their personal style. In general things such as lights are considered to be a part of the home. When a buyer comes into their home, if they do not know in advance that the kitchen chandelier is going with you and they have their heart set on it, it could present problems in the future. Therefore, you can take your fixtures but you need to put it in writing before hand. Lamps on the other hand always go with the seller.

Appliances
 Appliances are often a negotiable area between the buyer and seller. In some cases the buyer has their own and would prefer if the seller removed them. Other times the seller may be ready to take them but could use them for negotiation on purchase price of the home. If you are willing to negotiate the appliances make sure you let your agent know up front.



Landscaping
Plants, shrubs, trees and items that are affixed to the property will remain with the home. However, containers or gardens can be negotiable. Back yard equipment such as lawn chairs, grills, etc are all considered personal items. The swing set is a tricky subject because it can be claimed that it is attached to the ground. The seller sometimes may be willing to sell all of the backyard items for a price.





Window Treatments
Often window treatments were bought to fit the specific size and shape of the windows so the seller may not be interested in taking them. If you are planning to leave the window treatments make sure to let your agent know so it can be added to the listing. Using that in your favor is a great selling point because they will not have to worry about privacy upon moving in.

Weekend Events

We are finally into the first month of summer! Below is a list of events going on this weekend in Seattle that may catch your eye.

A Taste of Seattle History

Now- June 8th

Join Argosy Cruises aboard the Royal Argosy for a lunch tour that will take you back to the first days and a story into the 21st century. Discover what it would be like to make your own butter and uncover details about the most "engineered" city in the world. Going on now until June 8th!

Seattle Science Festival

Now-June 16

The 2013 Science Festival is an 11 day celebration of science and technology that is happening in our community. It features luminaries from the science world in opening and closing night events. A free Science EXPO day features hands on activities and a special stage program on Saturday June 8th.

One Act Plays

Now-June 9

From The Glass Menagerie to Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Tennessee Williams plays and screenplays in this larger than life play. He has been seen by millions and received numerous awards from Tonys to The Pulitzer Prize.

Seattle Mariners vs. New York Yankees

Now-June 9

Don't miss the game between the Mariners and Yankees as they battle it out. 

Seattle International Film Festival

Now-June 19

This festival is recognized as one of the top film festivals in North America, it is the largest most highly-attended film festival in the United States reaching more than 150,000 annually. This event goes on for 25 days so don't miss your chance to be there!

For more information on these events and much more visit www.visitseattle.org

5 Reasons to List Your Home Now!

Are you wondering when would be a good time to get the top value for your home? Below is 5 reasons why you should list your home in today's market. 



 #1 The Demand is High 
 Homes are selling at a pace that we have not seen since 2007. It has been shown by the NAR (National Association of Realtors), that annual sales in 2012 increased 9.2% since 2011. The buyers that are out right now are serious about purchasing. 

 #2 Supply is Low 
 The supply of houses that are for sale right now is at its lowest point in the last 5 months. Inventory generally increases dramatically in spring. Selling now when the demand is high and the supply is low may benefit you. 

 #3 Construction is Back
 As the market is recovering, more and more builders are finding themselves back on the rise. These "newer" homes are competing with your home and may be more attractive to buyers.

 #4 Interest Rates are Going to Rise
 The Bankers Association has estimated that interest rates will be going up approximately one full point in the next couple of months. Whether you are moving up or down, your housing expenses will be more in a year if a mortgage is necessary to purchase your home. 

 #5 Shorter Timelines
 Because the market is rising, but not yet at it's peak, there are not as many buyers currently. Therefore, the wait time on inspections, appraisals, etc will be quicker and will help to make the transaction go quicker and smoother.