Sonny Kwan 206-819-8228

Key strategies to get responses from ads posted online

Use the top four online classified ads.

!. Craigslist

2. Kijiji

3. Oodle

4. Postlets

How to create that ummph

1. leave the price off of your listings: This gives the consumer a reason to call you.

2. Use creative titles: 3 bedrm 2 bath, blah ,blah , blah... boring! "come see Madonna's living room from your balcony"

3. Post your ad 5-10 times a day: This ensures your ad gets bumped to the top

4. Use a call to action: "first 5 people get a 15 minute massage"

Several Key Home Buying Tips To Understand When buying Seattle Real Estate

Did you know?

Whether it's a starter home, an investment property, or simply a fun project, according to the National Association of Realtors, buying a house in need of some TLC requires a few special considerations. Purchase a home that is at least 30 percent below the market value of comparable homes in the neighborhood. Choose a location with a low crime rate, good schools, and quiet streets. There isn't anything you can do to cure a poor location. Choose a house with three or four bedrooms. Smaller homes are unlikely to have the same buyer appeal.

Avoid homes that need major, unprofitable repairs: wiring, major plumbing, foundation repairs, major kitchen or bathroom renovation, and room additions. Spending money on these basics doesn't add value, though buyers will expect them. Find a home that needs profitable cosmetic improvements: fresh paint inside and out, new light fixtures, new carpets and flooring, and fresh landscaping. Look for affordable, low-down-payment financing, such as taking over an existing mortgage, lease with an option to buy, seller carry-back, or a combo. Avoid obtaining new bank financing until the fix-up work is complete and the market value has increased. Don't buy a house that is more than an hour from your current residence since you will be visiting it every day while renovation work is being done. Make sure that the seller or tenants will vacate immediately upon transfer of title. Look for sellers who are motivated and want to make the sale happen.

Use ARV ( After Repair Value ) to determine whether the purchase is going to net you money in the end. Plan on spending no more than $30,000 as a budget on repairs, anything more than that walk away from the deal. Keep in mind, What are buyers looking for when they buy a new home? What do they want to see as important upgrades? Remember, buyers use agents to buyer these fixers. A good agent will look at the sales history and remember what upgrades were done to the home prior to you putting it back on the market and pass that along to the buyer.

What are your thoughts about investing in fixers? do you stay away from them? Do you know how to tell the difference between a handyman work and skilled professional? Share your thoughts.

Did you know?

Almost 40% of those buying a second home don't plan to use it for vacation purposes, but rather as an investment property. In most areas throughout the Seattle region, home values have appreciated at an exponential rate. Partner that with continued low interest rates and many homeowners find they are in a good position to invest in additional real estate. While many second homeowners are seeking mountain seclusion or a beachfront getaway, the number of those investing in a second home to pad their portfolios is growing consistently. Is a second home a wise investment for you? There are several factors to consider:

Can You Afford It?

There are many costs associated with owning a second home besides the additional mortgage. Some things to keep in mind are maintenance, repairs, property taxes, security, and insurance.

Location, Location, Location

Where you choose to look for a second home can determine how smart an investment might be. For instance, a waterfront home on the shores of lake washington in Seattle sounds lovely and should be easy to rent when you're not using it, but will it be in danger come flood season? Also, if your investment property is located in another city or state other than Seattle, consider the travel expenses, not to mention time, involved with every visit or check-up. Another issue can be the market in which the property lies. Houses might have appreciated steadily over the past two years, but what will happen to home prices as we enter a less frenzied, more balanced market?

Taxes

How will owning a second home affect your taxes? Each case is different. I recommend talking to your lawyer or financial advisor to fully understand the benefits and potential pitfalls.

Microsoft Billionaire Paul Allen retired from a company his high school friend William Gates III started in 1975 and bought 80 acres of land in South lake Union and envisioned an expansive park for the City of Seattle. After the citizens of Seattle Voted against having another park, City Investors Capital (Vulcan) turned this area of rundown warehouses into striving Bio-tech companies and cool lofts and condominiums. By 2010 this area dubbed "AllenTown" will become the worlds epicenter for High-tech and Bio-tech. A state of the art City within a Metropolitan Community. Here you will find hotels, art installations, New world headquarters for Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, GSK Biologistics, Seattle Bio-medical Research Institute, UW Cell Systems, UW Medicine, Fred Huthinson Cancer Research, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Zymogenetics, Childrens Hospital Regional Medical Center, Rosetta Inpharmatics, Battelle Memorial Institute, Dendreon, Corus Pharmaceuticals, Restaurants, Movie theathers, Groceries and companies waiting in line to move in.

The South Lake Union Trolley will take you from the front door of your new home to the CBD and back within 20 minutes. Living in South Lake Union will be like living in Manhattan or Hong Kong without the overcrowded hustle and bustle of 7 million + people crammed into a 425 square miles of land. Get in early and purchase a home here, just like those larger cities above mentioned where cost per square foot is a staggering $5417. $350,000 for a 600 square foot loft isn't bad!

Be the "Christopher Columbus" of South Lake Union by moving here first. Veer Lofts www.veerlofts.com Due to open mid-2008 at 9th Avenue and Harrison Street, The Veerlofts is a Green Built Comtemorary. Organic and industrial style floor to ceiling windows to bring in great natural lighting into your flexible floor plan you design yourself. The architectural design includes exposed heavy timber beams, stained concrete floors, natural eco-friendly finishes, open kitchens, 9-16 feet ceilings. Units have large patios on the first floor and "Zen Garden" decks on the top floor units allowing spectacular views of the Space Needle and City. The rooftop deck has a BBQ grill and a Bocce court for entertaining. Rollins Street Flats, www.rollinstreet.com Due to open fall of 2008, These NYC style lofts has gallery sized walls, floor to ceiling windows, hardwood floors and natural stone surfaces. German made Eggersmann cabinetry is a must see with Bosch appliances. An expansive outdoor deck with views of the Space Needle while you entertain your friends with the outdoor fireplace and BBQ. Others soon to open is the ENSO www.ensoliving.com The MARTIN www.themartinseattle.com 2200 Westlake www.live2200.com