Kent, WA

My wife's birthday was right around the corner so I needed to decide on a gift. We don't go all out on gift-giving usually just something simple to celebrate the event. I decided that a nice pair of cotton pajamas might be just the ticket. I dropped by Nordstroms just when the doors opened for business. Went right to the third floor and women's lingerie. I found just what I was looking for right away, a very nice all cotton pajama set in pink, by Shimera. I found a pair of soft pink socks to go with the pajamas and took everything to the saleswoman to pay and gift wrap.
I mentioned to the woman that most men probably buy their women sheer silk nightgowns as gifts and I understand why. There is a place for everything, but with these cold winter nights now upon us, cotton is the deal. She said if it was her, she would rather have the comfy cotton outfit rather than silk and appreciated the fact that I was buying what my wife wants rather than what I may want for her. That was an honest observation and I appreciated the comment. She was right too, my wife loved the gift and everyone is happy.
The experience just reminded me of the value of thinking of others. Putting others ahead of yourself, paying it forward. I know this was only about pajamas, but it may illustrate broader areas of life as well.
So gentlemen, learn from my experience and buy her what SHE wants, and everyone will be happy, and you can't have too much of that.

Greg Saffell

(206) 617-2247

REMAX Performance Plus

Information About Kent WA Real Estate

gregsaffell@comcast.net

We have had some nasty weather recently in Kent as Fall slowly marches towards Winter. Tropical storms bringing rain accompanied by blustery winds have been the norm. Today was predicted to be a repeat of the previous week and still may be. But as I returned home from a morning meeting this view of the Kent valley caught my eye and this picture reflects the beauty of the season between storms.

Greg Saffell

(206) 617-2247

REMAX Performance Plus

Information About Kent WA Real Estate

gregsaffell@comcast.net

Our MLS rules do not allow someone to advertise or promote another agents listing without their approval. It's a good rule because the listing agent is responsible to his/her client and needs to maintain control. But this really shouldn't prevent the listing agent from taking advantage of promotional opportunities altogether.

I called an agent this morning and offered to market one of his listings on my website/blog for free, and he turned me down. He said, " it's against our policy ". I asked him if it was his policy or that of the brokerage and he said " I am the broker, and that's my final word ". I called another agent asking the same question and he said send me an email with your proposal, which I did. I still haven't heard from him and his listing has been on the market for nearly two years.

Am I missing something here? Do you think these agents are acting in the best interest of their clients by not taking advantage of free marketing opportunities? Thanks to Active Rain and some consistency on my part, I have been ranking quite high on Google for properties in Kent Wa. If you were to Google Kent Wa golf course homes, I pop up on page one or two. Their listings could be on page one of Google for free and they said no.

Some of these golf course homes have been on the market for well over a year. I don't know what kind of marketing these agents are doing, but it seems to me that they may be able to use some help. If these were my listings, I would be using every method possible to get the word out. Personally I think they are doing a real disservice to their client.

Why do you think these agents turned me down. Would you take advantage of my offer for your client, or just keep the listing a secret?

Greg Saffell

(206) 617-2247

REMAX Performance Plus

Information About Kent WA Real Estate

gregsaffell@comcast.net

This chart shows home sales for the month of October in Kent WA and for the previous year as an overall comparison. There was an increase in the number of homes listed for sale and a steadily rising number of pended homes, while closed sales were lower than the previous month. The increase in pended homes is probably related to the short sale market where it can take months for a home sale to actually Close.

Month over month

• Listings up 1.7%
• Sales down 4.5%
• Pended up 57.7%

Greg Saffell

(206) 617-2247

REMAX Performance Plus

Information About Kent WA Real Estate

gregsaffell@comcast.net

" 200 one dollar bills " is the Andy Warhol painting that recently sold at a Sotheby's auction for $43.8 million. The pre-sale estimate for this silkscreen executed by Mr. Warhol in 1962 was $8-12 million. Auction attendees said the the bidding was "spirited" and opened at $6 million.

Some art dealers believe that this indicates a new surge in art appreciation while others still harbor fears of doubt about the future. Still, this night was a great success for some, including Cathy Naso. She worked for the artist as a receptionist when she was 19 years old. Mr. Warhol gave her his 1965 "Self-Portrait" which she displayed briefly, and then stored in a closet for years.

She decided to sell the piece and chose this auction to do so. She was there to see the painting sell to the highest bidder for $6.1 million. Ms. Naso had her "15 minutes of fame" and walked away quite happy. Thank you Andy.

Greg Saffell

(206) 617-2247

REMAX Performance Plus

Information About Kent WA Real Estate

gregsaffell@comcast.net