Our short sale just passed the inspection, and now we are moving to closing! I have had my doubts through out this transaction, but today was great. I won't really believe it until I hear that it records, but I think that we have cleared all of the major hurdles. We have found that persistence is the key.A few times along the way I thought it was all a pipe dream. We had misinformation handed to us many times. It seems that not everyone at the bank had the same information or even access to it.It was as though the left hand did not know what the right hand was doing. But there is hope, just keep at it! I will blog again when we close! 09/20/2008

We just got notice today that our short sale listing had an accepted offer by the bank. I am thrilled as is our client. I think the persistent phone calls paid off. We called every other day to check up on the progress. Every time we heard something new and contrary to the last person we spoke with. But today we received a fax with an acceptance. Persistence pays off! If you have a short sale do not give up. There is hope! 09/18/2008

Buyers have been coming out of the woodwork these last two weeks. It is very exciting. Just when we thought the season was winding down, it is spinning up! A lot of the Buyers we are seeing have been looking on the Internet,and were just waiting for the right time to buy. The time is apparently now!Where have your buyers come from, and are you seeing what we are seeing in Washington? 09/16/2008

How do you hand over the keys when a transaction closes. I like to have them waiting for the Buyer in a secret location only they know and in a designer card along with a gift card. They may not have been my clients if it was my listing, but I want them to know that I appreciate their purchase! How do you hand over the keys? 09/16/2008

As I am sure everyone has heard the stock market has not been doing so great lately. How do you think this effects the real estate business? I have always heard that when stocks were a risky bet, put your money into real estate. I think we may be ready for a little jump in sales. The Fed also kept interest rates in check. Does that mean that the best time to buy could be now before the Fed raises rates?Let me know what you think of our current situation. 09/16/2008

Have you ever looked at your listings and marketing from the other side. The way you innocently saw houses, and properties before you were an Agent. How did you find your first home? What do you remember catching your attention?  I have started to go on line as a consumer, and look at my marketing, and other agents from a buyers or sellers perspective. It has really opened my eyes on how I can improve. I love seller feedback, because it tells me right where their concerns are, and I can use this valuable information at my next listing presentation. 09/11/2008

My husband is a firefighter in Washington State. In about two hours he will be delivering a speech to our local community remembering 911. The Boys and Girls club in our area just gave the fire department a carved wooded statue to honor those that gave their lives that day. It is so touching that it is hard to write this without tears. Some of the kids presenting the statue were not even born when the horrible event took place, but they remember. I think that as long as we never forget where we came from,always appreciate each day for the blessing that it is, we will all have more fulfilling lives. I will never forget that day, but it is what you do with what you remember that counts.I know that I do my best to live each day to it's fullest, and today is a good reminder to do just that.... 09/11/2008

What is neutral and timeless. Is there anything you can do to your home that you do not need to rip out and redo every 10 years to keep your home from being considered dated? I love my kitchen, but will I love it later?If I invest in slab granite will I regret it? I remember Grandma's house- and I loved it. Linoleum flooring, Formica counters and the smell of fresh baked oatmeal cookies. Her house was timeless and the best place I ever wanted to be. You might call it dated- we called it home. When do you leave well enough alone? 09/10/2008

A lot of my sellers love the idea of fliers at their home. I put them up at their request, but I do not necessarily recommend it.I feel that when I put everything a seller would ever want to say about their property or home, we have given away any drive form a potential Buyer to find out more. I like to put a few tidbits about the listing, and MY contact information and then take the phone call as they come in, and set appointments to see the home. I feel that this is doing a far better service to my clients than putting a few fliers in a box that leave no reason to call me and ask for more. 09/03/2008

I do not call my clients before 9am or after 7pm. But that does not seem to be everybodies cut off time. I have even had agents phone me after 9 at night. Does this seem unusual to you, or am I a little rigid.After hours I let my cell phone go to voice mail, but I can not help but look to see who's number it is and wonder what they might want. How do you deal? 08/31/2008

It will be renewal time again before you know it. I like getting my hours in early, and I love learning new things. I always get a lot out of current issues. But a few of my favorites have been Fungshai( did I spell that right?), and staging.Through out the years the real estate trends come and go. What do you think is the most valuable, or fun class you have taken? 08/31/2008

Times are a little tougher for all of us this year, and I have been trying to think of what to give my special clients during the holidays this year. I want them to know I remembered them, but I do not want to break the bank either.Do you have any ideas on how to make your clients know they are special during the holiday season? 08/31/2008

Everyone knows that the way a home smells when you walk in the door for the first time can be a very bad thing, or a pleasant thing, and it can make a difference on how people feel about the home.A common scent that real estate agents like to use is the smell of fresh baked cookies(even better when you have a few on hand) because it reminds us of good things. A recent study now suggests that the scent of oranges makes people happy! Cinnamon sticks in a little water on the stove are also known to put a fresh homemade scent in the air.There is good news for all of us time deficient agents- now we can use the new wall plugins to keep our listings smelling fresh and sweet all of the time, even if there is no one there to bake a fresh batch of cookies! I personally want to try a few citrus b... 08/30/2008

I have been blessed in this uncertain market to get referrals. I do my best and at times the job is challenging. It feels so good to have done a job so well, that another person would like to give your name out so you can do the same for someone they care about. That is an awesome compliment, and really means a lot right now! 08/22/2008

A new color I am seeing in houses is Orange, and in many shades. Are your clients on this trend too? I actually like it, and I thought I would not. My favorite is deep dark oranage. A lot of things look great with it. I like to stage a home with an Italian theme around these blazing accent walls.Although it depends, sometimes native american art,northwest rustic or southwest art go great. Do you see this in other parts of the country?I am in the Northwest.  Please visit my website at NowYouAreLiving.com and let me know what trends you love! 08/22/2008

I have called my clients from the garage so  that they could not hear my kids in the back ground. I have also been known to lurk in closets,corners,parked cars, and by the garbage cans outside. Do not hide in bathrooms-they echo. Where is the craziest place you have gone to be professional on the phone? 08/22/2008

I love my work. If work is even the  right word. I could work form the time I get up to the time I go to bed, and I have. Where do you draw the line? When are you just putting in more time, and not seeing the benefits?  I feel that there is no lost time. What ever you do, do it with all you have and you will always receive something in return. Do you agree? Do you think agents should work a set amount of hours? When do we clock out? Do you network every where- even on vacation? How much is to much? If you love your job isn't it all just a day in the life? Let me know what you think! 08/18/2008

Do you advise your clients to counter on low offers, or just not respond? I have wrote a few lately and the potential buyers were expecting a counter offer. The seller did not even respond. the Buyers were surprised. Do you think that the Sellers may have missed the boat? Do you think that if they countered, and were willing to accept a lower offer, just not that low ,we could have had a sale?Let me know what you think-Dinah 08/18/2008

Do you market on the Internet? Do you find that this works better than in print? I love the Internet. With the cost of gas these days it is the only way. I love it when agents put a lot of info out that my client can see from the comfort of their home or office. I like the ease of e-mailing at any time. I never have to worry about interrupting a important dinner, or event like a telemarketer. My clients respond at their convenience. I can also get additional pictures, and information to them via the Internet and they do not have to leave their home, even to make an offer. How cool is that! I think the Internet is the only way to go,-Do You? 08/18/2008

Everything is looking better to me. Sales are slower, but I see more activity. Do you? The presidential election is a big...What if for people. Do you think that we will see a change in the market once we have the question of Commander and Chief settled? Or do you think that this is just a minor detail that does not interest buyers decisions? Let me know what you think .-Dinah 08/18/2008