Debbie Atwood

PUMPKIN PATCHES

Visit one of the many popular pumpkin patches in Snohomish County and King County. Be sure to check out my favorites listed below in Snohomish, Everett, Arlington, Auburn, Carnation, Redmond and Kent!

The Farm

7301 Rivershore RD. Snohomish, WA 425-334-4124

Bob's Corn

10917 Elliot RD Snohomish, WA 360-668-2506

Craven Farms

13817 Short School RD Snohomish, WA 360-568-2601

Stocker Farms

10622 Airport Way Snohomish, WA 360-568-7391

Foster's Produce Farm

5818 State Route 530 NE Arlington, WA 360-435-505

Mosby Brothers Farms Inc

12754 SE Green Vaey RD Auburn, WA 253-93-7666

Biringer Farm

4625 40th PL NE Everett, WA 425-259-0255

Serres Farm

20306 NE 50th ST Redmond, WA 425-868-3017

South 47 Farm

20306 NE 50th ST Redmond, WA 425-86-9777

Two Brothers Pumpkin Patch At Game Haven Greenery

7110 310th Ave NE Carnation, WA 425-333-4313

Carpinito Brothers Farm

1148 North Central Kent, WA 253-854-5692

I for one am happy to see this. Day in and day out I sit in the living rooms of families and listen to their stories. Most times they are heart wrenching. This press release came out on the 7th of May. I had just come back from an appointment and had listened to a similar story. Someone had promised to save his home from foreclosure and the home owner forked over his last $2000 for the help. The home owner talked with his rescuer off and on for about two months and then he wasn't able to get the rescuer to return his phone calls. 8 months later, his home is going to auction in a few days and his rescuer still doesn't return his phone calls.

Pay time for notorious foreclosure rescue scammer

Attorney General announces major victory in state's case with Washington man who promised help but took homes

SEATTLE - The Washington Attorney General's Office declared a major victory for consumers today in response to a judge's order that a notorious foreclosure rescue scammer must pay more than $3.2 million to victims he wronged plus $179,000 in penalties for violating the Consumer Protection Act.

"Joseph Kaiser's a cunning real estate investor who made his living by claiming to help people facing tax foreclosure - then taking their homes, land and money," Attorney General Rob McKenna said. "Thanks to the hard work of our Consumer Protection Division, he will no longer be able to prey on struggling homeowners."

The Attorney General's Office also obtained an order permanently stopping Kaiser from participating in real estate transactions with people facing foreclosure.

Kaiser, of Tacoma, was the first foreclosure "rescuer" to be tried by the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division, which works to enforce a fair marketplace for consumers and businesses. He is the author of several books describing tactics for making quick profits from real estate and has conducted seminars to teach his methods for earning large amounts of money through deals involving distressed properties.

Kaiser entered transactions with more than 300 property owners. No one has ever successfully regained their home from Kaiser.

Assistant Attorneys General Jim Sugarman and Jake Bernstein represented the state in the trial, which included six days of testimony and arguments by attorneys on both sides during December 2008 and January 2009.

"Kaiser's victims were elderly, disabled or low-income individuals - people who trusted him to solve their foreclosure problems and were betrayed," Sugarman said. "Kaiser portrayed himself to these people as an expert in saving homes facing foreclosure, when he is actually an expert in taking homes facing foreclosure."

King County Superior Court Judge Palmer Robinson ordered Kaiser to pay nearly $4.2 million including more than $780,000 to partially repay the state for the costs and attorney fees for bringing the lawsuit. It's a significant finale to a case that began in March 2007 when the state filed civil charges against Kaiser and simultaneously settled with several of his colleagues. In its complaint, the state alleged that the defendants used public records filed with county treasurers to contact property owners with offers to help solve their foreclosure problems. Their real intent, however, was to obtain ownership of the home or to let the home be sold at tax foreclosure and then take the excess sales money that should have been paid to the homeowner.

The other defendants in the case agreed to pay $290,000 to the victims as restitution and $30,000 to the Attorney General's Office for some of its costs and fees. The state will distribute those funds starting as early as this month.

Kaiser refused to even discuss settlement during most of the litigation. Meanwhile, he continued to conduct real estate deals and schemed to convince his victims to give him a portion of the settlement money paid by his co-defendants.

While preparing for trial, the state's team reviewed more than 70,000 pages of documents involving business dealings of Kaiser and his former partners and new allegations emerged.

The state amended its complaint to add three additional businesses created by Kaiser during the litigation. Kaiser was accused of obtaining ownership of homes with large amounts of equity for little or no cash. In other transactions, he captured excess proceeds of tax sales that would have been paid to the property owner. Kaiser also used an automatic dialing device, sometimes called "robocalling," to reach his victims - a practice that is illegal in Washington state.

Trial Judge Michael Trickey called Kaiser's contracts "grossly unfair."

"No fully informed person, not acting under compulsion, would enter a transaction with such onerous terms," Trickey wrote in his decision.

As a result of the state's case, Joseph Kaiser and his business entities are forever barred from soliciting or participating in any transactions involving properties facing foreclosure.

The business owner that wants to keep his business thriving in difficult times may need to tweak his business practices in today's recession. No matter what business you are involved in these tips are sure to make you stand out from the competition. Being the expert in your field is of the utmost importance these days, especially the small business owner or the self employed. Does that sound a bit daunting? It isn't if you follow these steps:

Start by prioritizing your database of past clients.

•· Assuming you have a database it's as easy as reciting the ABC's. Sorting through your past customers and defining which have been recurring customers and which have sent you multiple referrals. These are you're A+ to A clients. These are the clients you want to stay in touch with no matter what. You have already proven to them that you are the go-to person for your particular business. If you do not have a database set up, then get one set up.

•· Your B clients are the ones that had a great experience with your service but haven't referred anyone to you. Have you asked her for a referral? Get back in touch with these clients, NOW! Ask and you will most likely receive.

•· Finally, your C clients are the ones you just aren't sure if she would use your services again or refer you. Well, now is the time to find out. Contact these customers and ask. If you don't get a response or you find that she will not refer you for one reason or another, D- Delete her from your database.

Information is what your client wants. Give it to her but with a personal touch. It's easy for your past client to get information from the internet, newspapers etc. but by adding a personal touch you stand out. Save money on advertisements by stopping by to see your best clients and delivering your message in person. Bring something clever with you to start the communication. A promotional flyer is fine but by putting a little thought into it you can come up with some very clever ideas. For example: at tax time a Real Estate Agent may stop by a past customers home with a HUD1 statement from the purchase of their home the previous year and explain that this could be helpful while preparing her tax return. Can you imagine how useful that would be to your customer? If you have a Tax Preparation business you could stop by and drop off a tax tip sheet for her. Another idea is to bring 5 to 10 two cent stamps a few weeks before stamp prices rise. Take advantage of the popular holidays to stop by with a value item. Bring something of interest that has to do with your line of business. She will appreciate that you are looking out for her. Use this opportunity to check in with her in a relational way. Keep your visit to 10 minutes tops and don't forget to ask for a referral just before you leave. Explain that you enjoy working with her and you know that you would enjoy working with people she knows. Tell her that your best customers are usually referrals from clients just like her. You will be surprised how many referrals you will receive. This is simple, inexpensive and fun too! You can do this at lunch time or on the way home from your work day. Plan your trip ahead of time, visit as few or as many as you wish. You won't be intruding because you aren't visiting for more than a few minutes and you have left a good feeling with your client. You aren't there to "sell" anything, you are there to provide information and keep in touch.

Follow up a day or two later by sending a handwritten note. Just a short personal note telling her how nice it was to see her again. Include your business card if you'd like and don't forget to end the note with another brief reminder that referrals are always welcome.

Has it been awhile since you have seen your past clients? Don't feel comfortable after all this time just stopping in to her place of business or home to check in? Go to the phone and start dialing to re-establish this contact. All that is needed is a quick phone call to check in and see how she is or if she needs anything. Re-introducing yourself is all it takes from you. Don't forget to mention your referral request and again, follow up with a short personal handwritten note stating how nice it was to see to her again and you look forward to the next time. Another great idea for that client you have completely neglected for some time is to send them a letter actually apologizing for losing touch and letting her know that you WILL be staying in touch from here on. Tell her that you would like to be the source of information in your field of business and that you will be periodically contacting her with valuable information and updates. Offer to be a resource for other needs that may come up and once again don't forget to inform her that you welcome her referrals.

Not sure she will recognize you in person or for that matter know who you are over the phone? Then send a note through the mail. "I came across your name in my files today and wanted to check in with you." Enclose your business card and send it off. Follow up in a couple of days with a phone call. Next month, stop by for an in person visit with a value item. Handwritten notes are an important key to this. If the note and envelope are handwritten, it will be read. Typed or labeled addresses look like junk mail and will end up in the garbage.

Once you have contacted your database for the first time, don't stop! Each client should be contacted once every 90 days. Either in person, giving them a call or sending a personal note. Include something of value as mentioned above. It doesn't have to be expensive but something that represents a value to the customer. Use your imagination. When speaking with your client, listen to what they tell you. Many times a client will give you ideas while you are visiting. Of course, she doesn't know she is giving you ideas but if you listen and engage in the conversation, things do come up. For instance, maybe while you were on your short visit at her home you caught her working in her yard and she mentioned that she wished she knew of a great landscaper. Mentally make a note of that. Do you know a good landscaper? When you send your personal note, send your landscapers business card with it!

This leads to another great way to get business to pick up. Produce a referral booklet to give to your clients as a value item. Just make sure that every business you include in your referral book is a business that you would personally refer to your own family or friends or that you would use yourself. Business to business networking is an excellent way to increase your business contacts. Not only do you want to keep in touch with your past clients but by keeping in touch with other businesses you regularly work with provides a great opportunity for reciprocal referrals. Take one of these business owners to lunch and explain to him how you are doing business. Make a point of referring these businesses to your customers and then follow up with your customer to see how it worked out. Soon your business to business network will grow and you will find referrals are coming back to you from his clients as well. Additionally, your clients will be asking you for referrals to other businesses in your network. In a recession market for any small business owner or self employed person this is a win-win-win for you, your affiliate businesses and your customers.

A past client of mine called me last week and asked me if I would help her friend find a new home. Of course I would! I love working by referral. I called her friend and we set up an appointment to meet at my office and go over the particulars. She is a very nice senior lady, wanting to move closer to her children. The next day we went out looking at some homes. As we drove along she asked me all kinds of questions about the current market and if I had any experience with short sales. I smiled and told her that I had a lot of experience with short sales. Nearly all of my listings were short sales and 3 times a week I am up at 5:00 am so that I can be on the phone by 6:00AM to talk with Mortgage Lien holders. I told her that 3 of the 6 six homes we were looking at today were short sales. She didn't say much but seemed to be contemplating.

As we drove up to the first house she asked me if this was a short sale home. I told her, yes it was. We looked and then left. We proceeded onto the next house and the next and the next. Each time she would ask me the same question as we parked. Each house we went through I could tell there was no "spark", no interest, and I took my mental notes on her comments on what she liked and didn't like about each house.

Our fifth home visit, as we approached the drive she didn't ask me her usual pre-entry questions. She read the listing sheet and looked at the outside of the home, but no questions. We toured the house and I could see a difference in her step. After touring the house she stood in the living room and mentally placed her furniture. She walked into the kitchen and opened the cupboards and drawers. Then she looked at me and said that she really liked this house. She questioned the price and why I thought it might be so well priced. Could this be a short sale? Is this why it is priced so well? I really didn't know if it was a short sale property or not and so I looked at the listing and yes, it was. She boosted her purse up onto her shoulder and said, "Well, that's too bad. I really liked this one." She started for the door.

Ok now, I was still standing frozen in the kitchen with I am sure, my mouth ajar, eyebrows raised and head slightly tilted, trying to understand that last comment. Wait a minute! But out the door she went. I followed, fumbling with the keys and the door lock and finally met up with her in the car. She was sitting in the passenger seat staring out the window in thought and NOT looking at the house. Still confused, I asked, "Is there something you DON'T like about the house?" She looked at me and said that she loved the house. She said, "It is so well cared for and so homey. I could see myself living here." So, I carefully and quizzically ask, "Would you like to write an offer on this house?" Very matter of fact she replied, "NO". I looked straight ahead and then half smiled and asked her again. "So, if I'm hearing you correctly, you love the home, and could definitely see yourself living here being that it is a lovely home and well cared for, nicely priced and so close to where your children live but you don't want to write an offer on it....because?" She very stately replied, "Because they are losing their lovely home and I just couldn't be the one to buy it. I can tell that they love this home and I'm sure that they don't want to move."

Wow, Bingo! Is this an emotional deal or what? Not only for the seller but my buyer too!! I sat for a second and then invited her to come back into the house with me. After a minute or two of convincing her that she really needed to accompany me back into the house, she did. Not a word was said as I once again fumbled with the key card and keys to open the door, we walked in. I knew exactly what she needed to do. We walked into the kitchen and I asked her to sit down at the table with me for a minute. She did. I agreed that the home was very well maintained and showed a lot of care and love had gone into the home.

I explained to her that the majority of my business today is working with people just like these sellers. Most were people that for one reason or another had come to the point that they just couldn't stay in the home any longer. It could be one of a thousand reasons. A lost job, a death in the family, an illness , the list goes on and on. I explained to her that many times my first contact with these sellers is sitting at the kitchen table with them telling me the trials they have gone through to get to the point of selling their home. I also told her that the number one question the sellers have for me is if I think their home will sell. "Do you think anyone will buy our house?" Time and time again the sellers will express that they really do hope and pray that someone will buy their house and how much of a relief it will be for them. They then are allowed to move on with their lives. I think these sellers would be happy to know that you think their home is perfect for you.

We left the home, drove to my office and wrote an offer.

I learned something today.

Save Money AND Save the Planet

Did you know that the aerage distance your food travels from farm to plate is nearly 1,500 miles? That is a lot of fossil fuel used to transport foods which contribute to global climate change.

Even the refrigeration required to keep your food from spoiling consumes a very significant amount of energy.

Consider buying from local farms, Local foods from small farms are fresher and undergo minimal processing. They contain fewer preservatives than food shipped long distances. When you shop, remember to bring reusable bags to carry your groceries. Many will supply these for you for a small fee.

Every year we throw away 100 billion plastic bags and unbelievable as it is, less than 1% are recycled. These bags take up to 1000 years to dissolve and when they do, they leave dangerous toxins behind.