That catchy title is better than saying you should think about deferred maintenance, but that's really the topic - the topic of maintaining your own home, and what it might cost you if you don't. It's a serious topic, but I'll try not to preach :-) We all know about condominium homeowners dues that have to be paid every month. We often don't think about the fact that their primary purpose is to pay for the ongoing maintenance of the property - depositing money regularly into a building maintenance fund. Typically those dues amount to about 1.5 % / year of the value of the property. On a $400,000 condo they would run about $6,000 a year, or $500/mo. So on your own home you might want to think about that 1.5% in similar terms. Most of us don't have a reserve fund set up that we pay into e... 04/23/2011

Homeowner tips on staging your home to sell in todays real estate market. Spring is here and homeowners (sellers) want a quick sale and top dollar for their home. One of the best ways to achieve both goals is through "home staging" which is displaying your home to look it's best. Here are a few helpful home staging tips: Less is more: No mess, clutter or personal items anywhere. Keep the kitchen counters as bare as possible. Remove everything from the exterior of the refrigerator. Keep cupboards and cabinets organized and neat. Keep floors vacuumed, swept, mopped and waxed. Steam clean or replace carpets. Place only a few key pieces of furniture in each room- this will make the room appear larger adn helps the buyers imagine their own furnishings in the room. Open all curtains and blind... 04/16/2011

  Top 10 Reasons to Live in Downtown Redmond: I am lucky enough to live in Downtown Redmond. It has everything that I need. Most of the places I go to are within walking or biking distance. Downtown Redmond is a nice mix of old and new businesses, old and new buildings, old and new living units. Downtown Redmond is located at the South End of the Sammamish River Valley. 10. Next to Sammamish River Trail for Jogging, Biking and Walking   9. Lots of Open Spaces and Parks   8. Fantastic Selection of Condos, Homes and Rentals   7. Shopping is Awesome – Trader Joe’s, Redmond Town Center, Macy’s, Benjamin Franklin, Unique Shops, Bike Shops, Pet Stores and 100’s additional shops & stores  6. Food on every corner – Coho Café, Starbucks, Sushiland, Canyon’s, Victors Coffee, Soul Food, Claim Jum... 03/31/2011

What are the homeless people doing at our church?What are the homeless people doing at our church?We attend a very large church.I came up from the back parking lot, and before I even got into the building I could tell they were homeless. Three of them. There was a back pack, and grocery cart. They were clustered near the back door.One of them, a young guy in his mid twenties greeted me and opened the door to the church. I stepped through. Somehow I automatically went into my white middle class work ethic self righteous mode.“Here I am 60 years old, working night and day to make a living, and he is not yet thirty and on permanent vacation.”I also thought he was going to hit me up for money. I walked briskly, to not encourage him. He didn’t accost me.I passed the “gleaners” shelves where... 03/13/2011

Bellevue Short Sales: What is a HUD-1 and why does it matter on a short sale? Bellevue WA – Here is something that drives inexperienced short sale agents crazy. It is a HUD-1, also called a HUD. HUD is the Federal Agency, the Department of Housing & Urban Development, also called HUD. A HUD-1 is a document regulated by HUD. It is the financial accounting for a real estate sale. Here is why it is important to a short sale. Discover how other sellers successfully did a short sale to avoid foreclosure by clicking here. Before a short sale lender will accept a short sale, they want to know what they will net from the sale. A HUD-1 breaks down all the projected closing costs so the lender can see their net. Bellevue Short Sales: What is a HUD-1 and why does it matter on a short sale? Most a... 03/02/2011

Home in Trilogy, Redmond, WashingtonHome in Trilogy, Redmond, WashingtonI was instructed to determine the market price of a home in Trilogy, Redmond, Washington a couple of days ago.First to go out and take pictures. It was a short sale, so was already listed and even had an offer in place.My place was to give a third party opinion of the value for this home in Trilogy, Redmond, Washington. I went through, and noticed it was a fairly new home, in very good condition. I noted that.I took a video while I was there, of this home in Trilogy, Redmond, Washington. The homeowner had customized the interior paint to an unusual degree. The island in the kitchen looked like it was made of stone. The master bedroom had a wall that looked like cut stones, and pretend wood beams sticking out of the... 03/01/2011

Sweet Couple, Beautiful Wedding, Gorgeous Day!Sweet Couple, Beautiful Wedding, Gorgeous Day!We attended a wedding today.Mike and Michele Garrison went through one of our pre marriage classes. We came to love them dearly. Such tender hearts, and a profound desire to do things right; in a world where so much is wrong!It has been a long journey for them to get to this place. But we have admired their persistence, their ability to overcome great difficulties, and their enduring and abiding love for each other in the midst of it all.The wedding and reception was held at Overlake Christian Church, in the Wedding Chapel (of course). Michele looked stunning! Drew Chukitus did a great job as officiating pastor. It was delightful.They are a sweet couple.It was a beautiful wedding.And it was a sp... 02/20/2011

   Bellevue Short Sales: Why Do Lenders Pretend To Care About Their Customers?    Bellevue WA – Have you ever attempted to get a loan modification? If you have, then you probably get bugged when you hear banks talk about how they suposedly care about their customers. Somehow these banks think we will believe it. They must think that, or they wouldn't be running ads that say: "Come to ABC Bank. We answer you by your first name. You're not a number. We care about you. " What a bunch of garbage. Anyone who has attempted to negotiate a loan modification feels like they just went thru the meat grinder.   Discover how other sellers successfully did a short sale to avoid foreclosure by clicking here. "Sir, we can't approve your loan modification until you send us the APG form", the person at t... 02/13/2011

People sometimes ask me what I think is 'the sweet spot' in today's Greater Seattle - Bellevue real estate market. In response I have usually mentioned some areas and criteria that might fit the question, but hadn't really thought it through. So here's a little better cut at it. I think a 'sweet spot' home might be defined by three parameters: First, a nice-looking consistent neighborhood that will hold its value and be a pleasant place to live over a span of years, Second, one with homes built with modern floor plans - commonly post-1985 with large kitchens and full master suites, that are easily upgraded and kept current, and Third, homes priced in the $600,000 to $700,000 range that deliver the most home for your dollar within the low interest rate/low down payment range of conventi... 01/28/2011

2011 - The Years Ahead For over 35 years the Seattle area had a pretty solid record of home price increases - sometimes just a little, and sometimes breathtakingly, as in 1979, 1989, and 2006/07. Over that period, median single-family home price in the Greater Seattle-Bellevue area rose from about $35,000 to over $480,000 at the peak in '07. But that string got broken in the subprime financing debacle of 2008, and I don't think it is coming back soon. There are three major areas of consideration that make up my opinion - Demand, Supply, and Financing. Each has several points woth noting. Demand: Demand is weak, plain and simple. Although we are told the economy is getting better, and consumer confidence is improving, we are still creating jobs at a rate that only marginally keeps up wi... 01/28/2011

Real Estate Market Overview   Our Greater Seattle-Bellevue real estate market continues to show normal seasonal patterns in inventory, but sales volume was unusually high in December, and months supply for single-family homes took a related drop to its lowest point in over a year. Interim data suggest that January sales volumes will be back to their normal seasonal low. The most recent monthly median price for single-family homes bumped up a little to $370,000, about where it was a year or so ago. The condominium market also had a big jump in closed sales in December, and a corresponding big drop in months supply - I don't expect these numbers to carry forward into January. December median price for condominiums confirmed November's step down. This market report is a bit shorter than u... 01/28/2011

Housing Market Report 2010: Westchester Heights Redmond, WA on Novelty Hill  The Westchester Heights neighborhood in Redmond, WA is one of Novelty Hill’s most sought after neighborhoods, bordering Redmond Ridge to its west.  This makes it highly convenient to the nearby QFC Food Center and the shops, banks, and restaurants that round out the shopping area there.  People love living in Westchester Heights, a Buchan Community built in 1989-1991. 2010 Westchester Heights Redmond, WA neighborhood home values remained consistent with  2009 sales…although there were 57% fewer homes sold in 2010. Sold Homes 2010:  Units sold in Westchester Heights neighborhood decreased 57% to 4 closed sales (with a backlog of 2 pending sales) while the median sale price of $805,000 remained exactly the same a... 01/26/2011

 Redmond WA Homes for Sale Priced $400,000 - $500,000 Click here to see the current list of homes for sale in Redmond, WA priced between $400,000 - $500,000 Buying a Home in Redmond Are you thinking about buying a home in Redmond WA?  That's wonderful!  Redmond is a lovely city with a small town feel and yet with big city amenities.  Redmond is located 20 miles east of Seattle on the north end of Lake Sammamish.  This community prides itself on its strong economy, excellent schools, and abundance of outdoor recreation and cultural resources. Buying a house in Redmond WA will put you and your family right in the heart of the vibrant Eastside!  Homes in Redmond range from older bungalows starting around $300,000 to luxury homes worth over 2 million.  New homes in Redmond start around $400... 01/18/2011

  Bellevue WA – The Stop Foreclosure Institute recently received a question from Mau. Here is Mau's Question. "Is it legal for a short sale seller to buy the house he is selling on short to reduce his mortgage loan?” asked Mau. Discover how other sellers successfully did a short sale to avoid foreclosure by clicking here. Here was our answer. We don’t know of any law on the books that forbids a person from buying a home they are short selling. Here is what we do know. Most banks and lenders don’t allow it. If the short sale negotiator sees a sales contract with you as the buyer, then they won’t approve the short sale. Sure, you could do fishy paperwork to buy the home yourself. But, you risk getting in trouble for fraud if you were caught. I think the biggest reason people aren’t trying... 01/16/2011

[caption id="attachment_1149" align="alignright" width="283" caption=" Yes, you can Short Sale and buy another home."][/caption] Bellevue WA – We get this question a lot from people. “I am upside down and need to move. I would like to buy another home. Can I do that?” they ask us. Today they can. FHA (the Federal Housing Administration) has a new program that enables you to short sale your existing home and buy a new home at today’s reduced prices. Discover how other sellers successfully did a short sale to avoid foreclosure by clicking here. The home you purchase would have to meet FHA’s standard lending guidelines. FHA is a great mortgage program. In fact, more people buying a home in today’s market are getting an FHA loan. Here is what you would need to do to participate in the progr... 12/15/2010

Many home buyers are looking for homes that are near Microsoft or at least homes near the Redmond Microsoft Campus. There are a few things to take into consideration when seeking a neighborhood. You may want to be close to work but you may also want to be far enough away to enjoy your "home time."(Even though most Microsoft employees can telecommute) For more on travel times around Bellevue and Redmond us this handy travel time calculator. Move available on the Washington State Department of Transportation website. For a quick guide to neighborhoods near Microsoft see my previous post on Homes Near Microsoft's Campus in Bellevue & Redmond Some other great communities that are a quick commute to the Microsoft Campus are: Lakemont Redmond Ridge – warning commute can be tough down Avondale... 12/14/2010

Water from the Sammamish River has flooded parts of the Burke Gilman trail through downtown Redmond. These photos were taken today about 12:30 pm on the NE 85th Street bridge looking to the South East. This is the highest I have seen the Sammamish River in the 8 years I have lived in Downtown Redmond. 12/13/2010

  I’m Playing off my last post: We were bound to mete Okay, I’m on an old map and tract book kick. I didn’t plan it. It just happened. A sequence of events brought me here. I was going through some project files when I stumbled upon (pun intended) a project I did back in circa 1986. History of the Shumway FarmKirkland, Washington A couple of my clients were working in a new subdivision called Maplebrook Lane. It’s a beautiful townhome plat on Rosehill in Redmond. The homes, built in 1984, are clustered in a circular pattern within a large designated green space. It feels like you’re in the country. It came out of a conversation with the homeowners association that it would be great to have a history of the property since it was formerly owned by an old and prominent family in the commun... 12/09/2010

Redmond, Washington is growing in popularity among active adults thanks to its wonderful outdoor recreation including hiking, biking, fishing and boating. The relaxed atmosphere and gorgeous mountains views appeal to Baby Boomers in search of active adult communities designed to blend in beautifully with the surrounding landscape. Trilogy at Redmond Ridge is a stunning 55+ community in Washington boasting stunning views of the Cascade Mountains and ideal location just minutes from Seattle, Washington. The city of Redmond is bicycle friendly with miles of paths offering easy access to local restaurants and shops. Trilogy at Redmond Ridge opened in 2001 and is planned for 1,500 homes upon completion. The community is built by Shea Homes and offers a wide variety of homes to choose from ra... 12/08/2010

Bellevue WA - If homeowner's have a bill of rights, then bankers must have one as well. We decided to put together the Banker's Bill of Rights. That way they wouldn't feel left out. Let me know if we should put this together and petition congress to add it to the constitution. The Banker's Bill of Rights. 1. All Bankers have the Right to make any mistake they want and still get bailed out by the American Taxpayer. They can fiddle around with complex derivatives with no risk to themselves or the bank they run. When they run their bank into the ground, they get the full assistance of the American Taxpayer to bail them out of their mess. [caption id="attachment_1104" align="alignleft" width="200" caption="American Taxpayer Bailing Out The Banks"] [/caption]   2. All Bankers have the right ... 12/07/2010