Burien, WA

After I finish a long day of real estate, I am usually reading late into the evening. What kinds of books and articles do I like to read? Why, anything having to do with real estate, of course.

One of my top two favorite real estate blogs is BloodhoundBlog.com. I found this post the other day and thought about how well written it was. I was thinking about writing a post along similar lines; then, when I got to the bottom of the post the author, Greg Swann, gave permission to re-post. So that is what I am doing, because I couldn't have said it any better myself.

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This from Greg Swann's Arizona Republic real estate column (permanent link):

Here’s an intriguing question: Given that it’s so easy to search for homes on the internet, why do you need a buyer’s agent?

Face it, if you use the MLS search tool on my web site, you’re seeing exactly the same listings I see. And you know better than I ever could what you like and what you don’t like.

By now, the home search process is at best a partnership between the agent and the buyer. In some cases the buyer and I will work together to perfect our search criteria. But many buyers simply search the available inventory on their own, emailing me the MLS numbers of the homes they want to see.

So why do those buyers need a buyer’s agent?

Realtors hoarded the MLS data for so long that even they came to believe it was the source of their value to buyers. But this is very far from the truth.

You don’t need me to search for listings, although I’m happy to do that. And you don’t need me to open lock-boxes. You need a buyer’s agent to guide you through what is in fact an arcane and perilous process — potentially a financial disaster. You might not need me to find your next home, but you need me to make sure that you get it — or that you pass on it, if that is what is truly in your best interests.

A skilled buyer’s agent will write the kind of purchase contract that will prove surprising to you at every turn, with every term and condition tailored to achieve your best advantage. Your agent will supervise the inspection process and negotiate the optimal solution to the repair issues. Your agent will be prepared for every pitfall in the escrow process.

If you bought and sold houses every day, you could do all these things yourself. It’s because you don’t — and because the seller and the listing agent are looking to take advantage of your naivete at every turn — that you need a skilled buyer’s agent as your steadfast champion in the home-buying process.

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Thanks for stopping by my blog!

You can reach me at 206-595-5866, or e-mail me: LisaBosques@PNWRealty.com

Or visit my website: www.98146online.com

I am an Associate Broker and Marketing Specialist with Prudential Northwest Realty Associates. I specialize in homes located in the Burien/North Highline/West Seattle area, and I am here to serve all of your Real Estate needs.
Your success is my goal!

• What Is My Home Worth?
• Search For Properties
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Burien, WA - the new Burien Town Square

**Here's the e-mail that I received from Sarah Heath, Community Sales Assistant over at Burien Town Square:

Dear Lisa,

Greetings from Burien Town Square! For a limited time, we are able to offer reduced pricing on 11 select homes at Burien Town Square. Savings up to $80,000 from original prices!

Studios (531-533 sq. ft.)

#316 WAS $229,950 NOW $199,950

#318 WAS $236,950 NOW $199,950 1+Den/1 (810-905 sq. ft.)

#309 WAS $369,950 NOW $324,950 #327 WAS $364,950 NOW $299,950

#330 WAS $324,950 NOW $299,950

#419 WAS $379,950 NOW $299,950 2/2 (1059-1074 sq. ft.)

#431 WAS $424,950 NOW $399,950 #432 WAS $452,950 NOW $399,950 2+Den/2 (1074-1377 sq. ft.)

#722 WAS $649,950 NOW $599,950

#732 WAS $531,950 NOW $489,950 Live/Work Loft (993 sq. ft.)

#228 WAS $429,950 NOW $374,950

At these new low prices the homes are sure to sell quickly - so bring in your buyers! We're here every day to help you from 12pm to 6pm, and we have a full 3% SOC. More homes available! If you have any questions, please feel free to call us anytime at (206) 901-0000. Hope to see you soon!

**So go check these condos out if you are interested. They are beautiful! And if you need representation, you know where to find me.:)

On Thursday the Burien Farmer's Market moved to its new location at Burien Town Square, between the new library and the new condo development.

There seemed to be more booths than ever, and we are coming into the peak of the season with all kinds of wonderfully fresh and inexpensive produce and flowers. There are also arts and crafts booths, baked goods, composting supplies, and more.

I kept hearing comments from shoppers saying that they found it much easier to park here than at the previous location in Olde Burien. I would have to agree. It also seemed quite a bit busier.

We're there every week as usual, handing out balloons to the kids, dispensing real estate info and advice, and participating in our community.

Here are some photos - stop by and see us next week!

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Thanks for stopping by my blog!

You can reach me at 206-595-5866, or e-mail me: LisaBosques@PNWRealty.com

Or visit my website: www.98146online.com

I am an Associate Broker and Marketing Specialist with Prudential Northwest Realty Associates. I specialize in homes located in the Burien/North Highline/West Seattle area, and I am here to serve all of your Real Estate needs.
Your success is my goal!

• What Is My Home Worth?
• Search For Properties
• Search Foreclosures
• Search Sold Property Data By Neighborhood

Today was my 8 year-old son's last day of school - hello, summer vacation!!

Here we are, my son has the entire summer off, and I just completed my intense 8-week plan for generating sales, which I should be kicking off right about NOW. Gotta take advantage of the prime season.

But I also need to take advantage of the fact that my sweet boy is home all summer! What fun things are we going to do?

Tomorrow, we will probably go to Seahurst Park and check out the minus tide. By the way, did you see the massive starfish with dozens of legs at the last minus tide? Here's the pic from B-Town Blog. I hope that little guy's still there tomorrow.

On Thursday hopefully my son will be up for helping Mom at the Farmer's Market, and hanging out with Grandma for a bit.

On Friday, he'll go to Grandpa's while Daddy and I celebrate our 10-year wedding anniversary!

After that, who knows, there are all kinds of things we can do...all I know is that I must enjoy these moments with my son; he's not going to be this age forever.

Next year, he will go to a different school. He'll have to take the bus. We don't get to walk him to or from school any longer. I will really miss that. It didn't cross my mind this morning that this was to be the last morning that I would walk him to school. He did hold my hand all the way there.

These are the times to treasure.

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Thanks for stopping by my blog!

You can reach me at 206-595-5866, or e-mail me: LisaBosques@PNWRealty.com

Or visit my website: www.98146online.com

I am an Associate Broker and Marketing Specialist with Prudential Northwest Realty Associates. I specialize in homes located in the Burien/North Highline/West Seattle area, and I am here to serve all of your Real Estate needs.
Your success is my goal!

• What Is My Home Worth?
• Search For Properties
• Search Foreclosures
• Search Sold Property Data By Neighborhood

**WARNING FOR AGENTS: TOTALLY UNORIGINAL YET VERY USEFUL INFORMATION AHEAD**

I say the above only because I think it's pretty safe to say that most of us real-estate agents have the below information posted somewhere on our website. It really is an excellent summary of what we as agents communicate to you, the seller, during the listing appointment, along with the area statistics and comps(and of course our wonderful marketing strategies) to help you arrive at a price for your home.

Whether you're in Week 1 or Year 2 of your property being on the market, taking a look at this list from time to time will serve as grounding, a managing of expectations, a reminder to you to keep your eye on the prize(the sale) and do what's necessary to sell your property.

I only have two questions for you:

1. Are you listening? and,

2. Do you want to have your home for sale, or do you want your home to SELL?

Just remember, in some instances you can't put a price on CLOSURE. Best wishes for a speedy sale!!

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The Market Value of your home is NOT:

* What you have in it(as in, how much money you have put in it)

* What you need out of it

* What you want

* What it appraised for

* What your neighbor’s house sold for or what it was priced

* What the tax office says it is worth

* How much it is insured for

* Based on memories and treasures

* Based on prices of homes where you are moving

THE TRUE MARKET VALUE OF YOUR HOME IS WHAT A BUYER IS WILLING TO PAY:

* Based on today’s market

* Based on today’s competition (what other homes are on the market in your area, and how they compare to yours)

* Based on today’s financing

* Based on today’s economic condition

* Based on the buyer’s perception of the condition

* Based on location

* Based on normal marketing time

* Based on showing accessibility

Properties that sell in Today’s Market:

On a scale of 1-10, the 10s are the ones that are selling. How can your home be a 10?

* By improving the condition dramatically

* By offering good terms

* By improving the way your home shows

* By adjusting the price

AS A SELLER YOU CONTROL:

* The price you ask

* The condition of the property

* Access to the property("Appointment Only" restrictions really discourage spontaneous showings; try to be more flexible!)

AS A SELLER YOU DO NOT CONTROL:

* Market condition

* The motivation of your competition

* Value

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Thanks for stopping by my blog!

You can reach me at 206-595-5866, or e-mail me: LisaBosques@PNWRealty.com

Or visit my website: www.98146online.com

I am an Associate Broker and Marketing Specialist with Prudential Northwest Realty Associates. I specialize in homes located in the Burien/North Highline/West Seattle area, and I am here to serve all of your Real Estate needs.
Your success is my goal!

• What Is My Home Worth?
• Search For Properties
• Search Foreclosures
• Search Sold Property Data By Neighborhood