Ok, maybe not, but it's interesting to see that the Wall Street Journal has a tied race between Washington DC and Seattle as top places for a real estate recovery as noted in this quick blurb on Realtor.com. The actual article is The Next Youth Magnet Cities, where they rate cities on technology, launching a career, singles scene, high-quality and high-paying jobs, etc.
Read it and rate it for yourself. Do we in the Seattle metro area belong on this list? I think so... but I'm a little bit biased. ;)
As a person who resides in Renton I am on the mailing list of the local city government. With the past couple of year's having had some big rains and flooding in the area, it seems that there is some long term damage to a local dam that is going to take a while for the Corps of Engineers to repair. If you haven't looked at your homeowner's insurance policy lately, now would be a good time. The city says that with potential flooding in the Green River Valley area it could cause sewer back ups and other issues. If a sewer back up originates from outside your home, your policy may not cover it. Flood insurance is available to anyone who wants it, you don't have to live directly in a flood zone to get it despite popular opinion.
I called my local guy, Gerald Grinter, of G2 Insurance and immediately got a quote. The coverage takes 30 days typically to go into effect so it's important to do it now before the bigger rains of winter begin.
We've been staying very active and part of the work we've been doing lately has been on many townhome listings. Happily for one of our clients we got mutual acceptance on his RiverTrail listing in Redmond's downtown area near Bella Bottega as of this weekend.
We've got a new listing that will come on next week in Redmond at the very European feeling development of Taluswood townhome condominiums out off of Avondale Road. This complex was built back in 2002 and at the time a very good friend of mine was buying a new unit there. Well, now one of his neighbors will be selling her ADA compliant unit in one of the more uncommon layouts there of a 2-story (rather than 3) unit with one large parking garage and an extra assigned space next to the unit. With 3 bedrooms and 2 full baths, this end unit opens up to the lovely park grounds of the development. Tall ceilings in the living, dining and kitchen. Ceilings fans are in each of the bedrooms, including the Master bedroom on the main floor. One of the upper bedrooms has access via continential style bath so is like a 2nd master in the home.
Fresh paint, new carpets, and brand new Corian style counters in the kitchen plus many updated and beautifully ornate light fixtures. Close to Microsoft and commuting via 520 or 405. Easy access up to Woodinville wine country.
Other action continues for us in Issaquah where we got some good viewing activity at a newer listing in The Heights condo/townhome development where an open house was done today from 1-4pm.
What most people/buyers need to be looking for when purchasing in a condo development of an assortment of items such as legal action, financial reserves, if an engineering reserve study is done as well as funded for repairs, and much more. It's really important to know that, especially in today's financial lending market, that anything that throws a red flag for the lender could kill your deal. FHA loans also have maximum numbers of properties they'll lend on in any development (30%) to limit their risk exposure.
If you haven't already attended a REBarCamp, then you should consider it this coming October 6th at Bellevue's Medenbauer Center. It's a half day camp which makes it easier for busy agents to squeeze this into a schedule.
Here is a link to the site that gives more detail on this great peer-to-peer networking/educational event:
http://rebarcamp.com/bellevue/
It's a great way to learn from your colleagues and to help increase the overall professionalism and knowledge of our industry and the tools we use to do our jobs each day.
Sponsors for the event are still being welcomed too and are low rates of $175 per sponsor.
Date: October 6, 2009
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.
Location: Meydenbauer Center
Twitter Hashtag: #rebcbell
Please RSVP: By clicking here.
Despite what some news reports say about the industry, it's quite busy in our real estate team and we're looking to fill our assistant position. We'd been looking for someone licensed but haven't been able to make that happen with just a commissionable position, so we're opening this up a bit and looking for a part-time paid hourly position with the potential for commission bonuses if a person is, or gets, licensed. Licensing will be required at some point in the near future.
Let me know if you or someone you know might be up for a position with us. We have a home office and there is a separate office space for the assistant. Right now we need someone who can commit to around 20 hours per week, and it may be possible to add more later depending on volume of business closings. We have several pets in our home and are open to allowing a pet to accompany an assistant to work if they can get along with ours.
Skillsets needed: creative writing (flyers), good communication skills (phone, email, verbal), Windows Office products including Publisher and PowerPoint, familiarity with CRM tools (can train on specific ones we have), good time management, ability to follow plans but also be flexible with client/team requirements as they unfold. Must be comfortable with continually learning new skills and be able to work with a variety of social media tools, plus have the ability to multi-task several projects at a time. Must have a strong interest in continually improving and providing client satisfaction, along with a strong work ethic.
Some of the job will entail driving to check on listings so a reliable vehicle is imperative. Mileage will be reimbursed.
Personality types that should not apply: Introverts or megalomaniacs. This is a very client and team focused position and therefore requires a lot of face or phone time and getting along with other people. For anyone that knows me, you know that we are very much in front of our clients and we need someone who can assist with continuing good communications throughout a client's contact with us.
Anyone who is interested may contact me using the details below or by emailing a resume (preferred) along with a cover letter/email stating why you are interested in the position and what skills you have to offer a growing team like ours. If you have a friend who you think would be a good fit, please feel free to forward this email.
This position is perfect for anyone who wants a somewhat flexible schedule during the work week. We can be flexible to a degree on the start and end times each day but do prefer to either have 4-5 days a week coverage. Pay is DOE.
Thanks!
Cheers,
Rebecca "Reba" Haas
CDPE, ABR, AHS, SRES
Team Reba of RE/MAX Metro Realty
425-970-3697 office
206-910-3429 cell/text
425-970-3631 fax
http://www.TeamReba.com/blog- for articles on real estate and related topics
http://www.TeamReba.com - for our company website with info, our listings, and property searches
http://www.twitter.com/teamreba - for mobile updates
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Team Reba is a network of professionals specialized in all aspects of residential and commercial real estate transactions in the Greater Seattle Area. We know real estate, and we know numbers.
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