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
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
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
Greg Saffell
(206) 617-2247
REMAX Performance Plus
Information About Kent WA Real Estate
" 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
We all know who Bernard Madoff is by now and why he is famous. I was reading an article describing an upcoming government auction being held to dispose of articles once owned by the Ponzi king. The government expects to raise at least $500,000 which would go to the victims of his investment schemes. Not much, considering the magnitude of the debt, but at least something.
Many items of jewelry will be in the auction, but what caught my eye were the watches. About 40 watches will be included, some some valued at $75,000 or more. I know watches can be expensive but who needs 40 of them? In fact, why would anyone pay that kind of money for a timepiece. I guess the value is in the collectability, but still seems like a waste of resources to me.
I bought a "nice" watch
about ten years ago and I've worn it everyday since then. But recently it began acting up and the estimate to clean and repair the worn parts will run about $300. That seems like a lot and one could buy a new watch for less than that. Not a "nice" watch, but an efficient one.
But then it came to me, do I need a watch at all". I have worn a watch forever, but the time is available everywhere today. The time is in my car, on my computer, all over my house and office, and on my cell phone/PDA. If I want to know what time it is, no problem just look around. So, I've decided to put the watch in the drawer saving the repair costs, and forgo wearing a watch at all. I know I'll feel naked at first but I'll get used to it, and I'll always be on time just like before.
What do you think of my plan, do you still wear a watch everyday and if so, could you do without one?
Greg Saffell
(206) 617-2247
REMAX Performance Plus
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Representing buyers and sellers in Kent and surrounding communities. Well educated and competent with an easy going style.
The city of Kent Washington is located west of the Cascade mountain range and is the fourth largest city in King County. It is located directly between Seattle and Tacoma and covers approximately 29 square miles. Kent's culturally rich population is nearing 90,000.
Kent was the second city in King County to incorporate (1890). Kent began as an agricultural area originally growing hops estimated at over a million pounds a year. Much later the Kent valley was known as the "lettuce capital of the world". The verdant valley was subject to flooding until the Howard Hanson dam was constructed in 1963. Over the years agriculture has given way to commercial and industrial development which has led the city in new directions of commerce.
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For now, I'm going to use this section to post links to sites of interest to residents and visitors to the Kent, Wa area. Just click on anything that looks interesting.
I tried to sell my home myself. It was on the market for over nine months. I knew I had to get help and a friend recommended Greg. His assistance and advice in preparing the home to sell surely worked. The home sold in ten days.
John G.
I was being transferred to Olympia, Washington from my home in Renton. Greg sold my current home in just over a month. He also found my terrific new home near Olympia in record time. Olympia is quite a distance from Renton, but he was there with me all the way.
Carol J.
I had lived in my home for over seven years but needed to find something larger. Greg provided the guidance I needed to sell my home quickly. Some complications arose during the process that he handled very efficiently. I love my new home and would recommend Greg to anyone.
Jennifer G.
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