I just came back in the house and to my home office desk. The weather is gorgeous -- clear blue sky and the garden just called for a quick walk through. Picked a few dahlias and stuff to put in a vase on my desk.
Such peacefulness.
Yes, I know that owning a home is tremendous commitment. It's hard, daggone it! Like many of you, we're close to being upside down on our house. We bought right in the middle of the 2005 upswing of prices. Four plus years later, we're back to where we started.
At least once a week I walk through the house and the yard and mutter about all of the remodeling that's still undone. And bemoan the hundreds ... make that thousands... of dollars we've spent on it thus far. With thousands yet to be spent.
Sometimes we make mistakes in our home choices. Sometimes we've spent too much or picked the wrong neighbors or painted the walls the wrong colors. Sometimes we just flat out can't afford our choice due to circumstances beyond our own control. Sometimes we have to face up to those mistakes and start over.
Every seller I've helped sell that had to sell for one reason or another--not just because they wanted a bigger or better house but because financially the house just didn't work for them--told me they couldn't wait to buy another one.
Homeownership IS a tremendous responsibility. But the Buyers with whom I work constantly remind me just how important it is to have one's own space. How badly they want it . It's an American obsession this desire to own a home. To be able to walk about one's own rooms or yard and look about.
There's a certain peacefulness about owning a home. I'm hooked. The dahlias are calling.
Hubby and I spent the week before last at Ocean Shores. It was Heavenly! Truly. A much needed stress break, although far too short, as vacations often are. I think we need to adopt the "holiday" attitude in Europe -- you know six weeks a year! (course I don't know what I'd do with myself with that much time off!)
The weather was perfect -- sunny with a bit of a breeze, which was perfect for kite flying. The pelicans and gulls amused us several times a day with their antics. And the deer! They walked right up the beach to our deck. I'm sure the local population gets tired of them, but I thought they were charming!
And the dogs and I walked and walked and walked ... miles and miles a day. I need to do this more 
often; just think of the legs I'd have!
As usual, we took a drive around Ocean Shores looking at properties. I just can't help myself. Oh, to live with the views of the water like this. However, I'm always totally taken aback by the price of homes in the area. Gads ... vacation houses in the $300k range and up. Whew. It's definitely a sign when I get online while I'm on vacation so that I can scout out the bank-owned properties in an area! That was enough real estate for the week though.
So ... I'm ready to go back! Ahhhhhhhhh, another margarita on the beach. That's life.
Visiting the Western Washington State Fair in Puyallup is a yearly tradition in my household. What can I say? ... I love looking over the pen at the massive momma sow with her bazillion piglets! Must be a frustrated farmer in here somewhere.
The fair starts next Friday, the 11th and runs through the 27th, so I wanted to get the schedule out to you right away. After all, maybe you really want to go to the Rodeo. I know my son loves it!
Have fun! Get in line for scones, but don't eat too many fair burgers & fried Twinkies this year; after all I KNOW you'll want to ride the Extreme Scream!
Here's a quick schedule and info about transportation. For more, visit The Fair!
"Tubby" is a well-loved member of our family that, obviously, lives up to his name. Shortly after this photo was taken, he did gain a bit more room, thanks to his move to the country with the rest of the family.
For help with your next move, call Tubby's "mom." I'm always delighted to be of help for your own growing pains.
 |
|
|
Auburn, Kent, Covington, Renton, and Maple Valley are my personal stomping grounds. I live here, work here, play here, and spend money here! Southeast King & north Pierce County specialist!
I'm a Seattle native, have always lived the south Puget Sound area, and have moved around quite a bit within the region. As the mom of three grown (well, almost -- one is still at home) children and several four-legged ones, I wanted to remain in this area and ground my children with the best of schools and the friendly warmth of the Pacfic Northwest. 
Over the years, my husband and I have been heavily involved in Little League baseball, both Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, and just tons of school activities. And we're now the proud parents of two energetic golden retrievers, Hobbs & Bailey.
By the way, I believe heavily in giving back to the community in which I live, especially where children are concerned. A portion of every single transaction, whether a sale or a listing, is donated to the Children's Miracle Network. In this area, that means that this money goes directly to Children's Hospital.
Prior to real estate, I had a diverse, technical ... and art ... background. From managing law firms, to owning and operating the very first computer training company in the Pacific Northwest, to publishing "how-to" computer books and art materials, I've managed to accumulate quite a variety of skills that all lend themselves perfectly to both the big picture and detailed versions of working through a real estate transaction.
I absolutely love working with both buyers and sellers, and I've applied my technical skills to assisting clients -- whether individual homeowners, developers or builders -- prepare and market their homes too.
You deserve the very best representation when buying or selling a home. You're making huge money commitments -- and you deserve to work with an agent that takes your trust seriously. I promise to always do my very best to listen to you, communicate with you, effectively and skillfully guide you through your transaction, and negotiate on your behalf.
You absolutely deserve the best. I'm committed to standing up to your trust.
In addition to knowledge and experience, today's complex market requires agents that have tenacity, empathy, and true desire to be of help. Working with folks that are in financial stress is challenging! Helping homeowners through the complexities of short sales and preforeclosures ... or just helping them retain as much of their equity during a sale ... is intensely satisfying and I look forward to helping you and your referral clients through the process.
There's a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience needed on the Buyer side of real estate, too! After all, getting all the way through the closing table is also challenging right now. And there's just nothing like sharing the excitement of first time homebuyers!
"Working with Gabrielle on developing her new website, it was immediately impressed upon me how invaluable her clients find her. She has a talent for working out the trickiest of details in challenging transactions, ensuring her clients achieve a successful end when purchasing or selling their homes." August 4, 2009 Jennifer Juhasz, Owner , Virtual Staffing Team
"Gabrielle jumped in to help me purchase a home when I was relocating from out-of-state. I had been working with another realtor, who hadn't been able to hit the mark, but within one session with Gabrielle, we saw several homes that met our criteria. She was efficient and knowledgeable and was able to expedite our close and eliminate the need for intermediate housing. I would recommend her to anyone!" Beth Galliher, Edgewood
"Gabrielle, worked with my wife and me both in buying our new home and selling our existing house. She knows what she is talking about and was always there for us to answer our many questions. She made a stressful situation much easier. I tried several other agents prior to meeting Gabrielle and the experience was miserable. I can't think of anyone whom I would give a higher recommendation to."
--Dave Rackleff, Auburn
"We have worked with Gabrielle both on buy and sell sides of the business, and consider her a valued friend as well as a trusted service provider. She partners with her clients, and maintains that partnership far beyond the service one expects from a good realtor. I would recommend her to anyone needing any service or advice in the field; if your need is not in her toolbox, she'll find you an expert you can trust who can and will meet the need."
--Marilyn Carlson
Senior Manager, R&D, Oberto Sausage Co.
"Gabrielle is an excellent professional. Our business relationship lasted for quite a few months. She has excellent realtor skills combined with no less excellent customer relationship ones. She was very attentive and understanding to our needs and managed always to provide us with a plethora of real estate choices.
But our greatest appreciation ... occurred when we had to deal with a problematic seller. Gabrielle proved herselve to stand behind her client needs to the last point. She was very helpful, knowledgeable, and encouraging. We managed to finalize the purchase, in my opinion, mostly due to her professional assistance.
Even after the purchase was finalized. Gabrielle continued to help us out with necessary tips and information. This came very handy as we moved to Washington from Tennessee.
We are very satisfied with Gabrielle Nemes, both professionally and personally. I shall definitely recommend her services at the first opportunity and for years to come."
-- Igor Lesko, Covington
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
Powered by the ActiveRain Real Estate Network
© 2009 ActiveRain Corp. All Rights Reserved
