http://mukilteobeacon.com/columns/raising-the-bar Raising the Bar RSS Feed http://mukilteobeacon.com/columns/raising-the-bar/article.exm/2012-01-11_the_changing_role_of_appraisals During the ‘crazy years’ from about ‘04 to ‘08, it was rare for appraisals to come in lower than the contracted sales price. The buyer’s lender’s appraised value simply was the sales price. http://mukilteobeacon.com/columns/raising-the-bar/article.exm/2012-01-11_the_changing_role_of_appraisals http://mukilteobeacon.com/columns/raising-the-bar/article.exm/2011-12-07__it_was_the_best_of_times__it_was_the_worst_of_times_____ According to the most recent Northwest Multiple Listing Service statistics for all NWMLS counties: “For homes and condominiums sold last month, median closed prices were down 10 percent from a year ago. Single family homes ... off 8 percent ... Condo prices down more than 17 percent.” http://mukilteobeacon.com/columns/raising-the-bar/article.exm/2011-12-07__it_was_the_best_of_times__it_was_the_worst_of_times_____ http://mukilteobeacon.com/columns/raising-the-bar/article.exm/2011-10-12_distressed_properties___everywhere_else__but_not_here____ Brokers who still remain in the business are working hard to refine their bedside manners in the art of delivering bad news. Knowing what a seller paid, owes or is otherwise indebted makes it a difficult task to give the prognosis that no seller wants to hear. http://mukilteobeacon.com/columns/raising-the-bar/article.exm/2011-10-12_distressed_properties___everywhere_else__but_not_here____ http://mukilteobeacon.com/columns/raising-the-bar/article.exm/2011-09-14_lessons_from_a_learned_negotiator “That’s stupid! That’s just a stupid offer!” Looking back, it seemed like he levitated from his surly slouch. http://mukilteobeacon.com/columns/raising-the-bar/article.exm/2011-09-14_lessons_from_a_learned_negotiator http://mukilteobeacon.com/columns/raising-the-bar/article.exm/2011-08-10_should_you_buy_or_should_you_sell_ Last Thursday and again on Monday, Chicken Little was out squawking again, “The sky is falling!” as the stock market took big tumbles. By the time this goes to press, the sky may be resting in the toilet... or not. http://mukilteobeacon.com/columns/raising-the-bar/article.exm/2011-08-10_should_you_buy_or_should_you_sell_ http://mukilteobeacon.com/columns/raising-the-bar/article.exm/2011-07-13_those_pesky_2012_property_tax_assessments In June, Snohomish County homeowners received their 2012 Property Tax valuations; few are pleased. The value of taxable property in Snohomish County dropped by more than $8 billion from last year – a nearly 9 percent drop in the tax base. http://mukilteobeacon.com/columns/raising-the-bar/article.exm/2011-07-13_those_pesky_2012_property_tax_assessments http://mukilteobeacon.com/columns/raising-the-bar/article.exm/2011-06-08_the_2011_decision__to_rent_or_to_purchase__ Residential purchases by investors and buyers alike are on the rise, coming out of winter’s sluggish sales. Yet many qualified potential homeowners are holding back. Why purchase a home now? http://mukilteobeacon.com/columns/raising-the-bar/article.exm/2011-06-08_the_2011_decision__to_rent_or_to_purchase__ http://mukilteobeacon.com/columns/raising-the-bar/article.exm/2011-05-11_partnering_with_your_real_estate_broker Residential real estate sales is a unique profession. We enter into so many facets of your personal lives; your bedrooms, your housekeeping (or lack thereof) your financials and often an uncomfortable proximity to the state of your marriages. Listing a home is a short partnership between brokers and sellers. http://mukilteobeacon.com/columns/raising-the-bar/article.exm/2011-05-11_partnering_with_your_real_estate_broker http://mukilteobeacon.com/columns/raising-the-bar/article.exm/2011-04-13_state_of_the_housing_market_varies_with_perspective The answer to “How’s the market these days?” is answered with a question: “From whose perspective?” http://mukilteobeacon.com/columns/raising-the-bar/article.exm/2011-04-13_state_of_the_housing_market_varies_with_perspective http://mukilteobeacon.com/columns/raising-the-bar/article.exm/2011-03-09_buyers__expectations_of_value_in_today_s_market_ In Snohomish County this last two years has been a long winning streak for homebuyers. Yet some high, closed sold prices occasionally surprise us. http://mukilteobeacon.com/columns/raising-the-bar/article.exm/2011-03-09_buyers__expectations_of_value_in_today_s_market_ http://mukilteobeacon.com/columns/raising-the-bar/article.exm/2011-02-09_feeling_aged_in_the_computer_age The advances in technology over this last generation are unbelievable, especially to old eyes. In real estate, we’re also constantly trying to improve our technology. http://mukilteobeacon.com/columns/raising-the-bar/article.exm/2011-02-09_feeling_aged_in_the_computer_age http://mukilteobeacon.com/columns/raising-the-bar/article.exm/2011-01-12_translating_legalese_in_real_estate_contracts It doesn’t seem so long ago that exasperated real estate brokers would say, “Why, I remember when we used to sign one-page deals on the hood of my car!” (A builder said he once wrote up a sale on a house shingle.) http://mukilteobeacon.com/columns/raising-the-bar/article.exm/2011-01-12_translating_legalese_in_real_estate_contracts http://mukilteobeacon.com/columns/raising-the-bar/article.exm/2010-12-08_giving_the_gift_of_giving We all bemoan it, but give into it fully each year. The following thoughts are not intended to Scrooge that away, but possibly enhance the meaning – just a bit. http://mukilteobeacon.com/columns/raising-the-bar/article.exm/2010-12-08_giving_the_gift_of_giving http://mukilteobeacon.com/columns/raising-the-bar/article.exm/2010-11-10_benefits_of_overpricing_your_home_in_today_s_market …For you as the seller? None. But there is a potential benefit derived from an overpriced listing to your listing broker. http://mukilteobeacon.com/columns/raising-the-bar/article.exm/2010-11-10_benefits_of_overpricing_your_home_in_today_s_market http://mukilteobeacon.com/columns/raising-the-bar/article.exm/2010-10-13_negotiation_is_still_an_art Negotiating in real estate is an art. Many contracts (currently most) were created from offers that were miles apart at the start. http://mukilteobeacon.com/columns/raising-the-bar/article.exm/2010-10-13_negotiation_is_still_an_art http://mukilteobeacon.com/columns/raising-the-bar/article.exm/2010-06-16_domiciles_in_distress I alluded last month to the fact that in April, 30 percent of home sales in Mukilteo were short sale or bank-owned transactions. These sales are being seen not just in the lower price ranges but in those where one might not typically expect to see them. Recently, when comparing homes of a certain type, I noticed an interesting pattern. Priced at the lower end were bank owned and short sale properties. At the higher end were some extremely nice homes that sell for significantly more. There wasn't much in between. http://mukilteobeacon.com/columns/raising-the-bar/article.exm/2010-06-16_domiciles_in_distress http://mukilteobeacon.com/columns/raising-the-bar/article.exm/2010-06-02_the_end_is_near___or_is_it__ I thought about quoting the Doors song, “The End” as my intro for this column, since I think many industry observers and participants may have concerns about what will happen to the real estate market now that the April 30 qualifying deadline for the Home Buyer Tax Credit has ended. http://mukilteobeacon.com/columns/raising-the-bar/article.exm/2010-06-02_the_end_is_near___or_is_it__ http://mukilteobeacon.com/columns/raising-the-bar/article.exm/2010-04-16_market_stablizing__not_yet_in_full_recovery Certainly we’ve all read the headlines regarding the national real estate market. We’ve also all heard the old saw that “all real estate is local.” The purpose of this column is to help Mukilteans understand what those headlines mean for us here in Mukilteo. This column will analyze the local data to illustrate what is really happening in our market. http://mukilteobeacon.com/columns/raising-the-bar/article.exm/2010-04-16_market_stablizing__not_yet_in_full_recovery http://mukilteobeacon.com/columns/raising-the-bar/article.exm/2010-02-11_understanding_housing_tax_credits By now, most readers are familiar with the First Time Homebuyer’s Credit that was available in 2009. This credit was extended back in November to make an $8,000 tax credit available through April to those who have not owned a home in the last three years. http://mukilteobeacon.com/columns/raising-the-bar/article.exm/2010-02-11_understanding_housing_tax_credits