Dupont, WA

It's not to often I get scared when showing houses however today my hair on the back of my neck was doing the spike.

My client saw this house on my website and wanted to see it. I looked it up on the MLS and followed the showing protocol. The MLS required I call the owner directly. Present all offers to the owner and to notify the listing office with accepted offers when sold. You guessed it, we have a limited service listing. (No key box either!)

I find limited service providers to be creative. I love to present my offer directly to the owner. The one that suffers in such a transaction is the seller. The buyer's agent is in the driver's seat and since I am representing the buyer, I love to drive.

In this case, I called the phone to show number, disconnected. I dial again, disconnected. So I call the 1-800 number for the listing agent and get a prerecorded message.

• Don't call us, call the owner.
• Don't leave a message, we don't check them
• Our office is closed or it is after hours (2PM PST) (Office is in California)
• If you want to talk to an agent push 3
• Don't leave a message, we don't check them. This option is not available.

I called again to go through the seller side hoping they would be more responsive to a client

• If you want to talk to an agent push 3
• Don't leave a message, we don't check them. This option is not available.

I know a lot about customer service and this just drives sellers to full service representation.

I decide to go to the house and go to the door. I want to ask if I can show the house this weekend to my client. This driveway and neighborhood was bad.

• Broken down cars
• Broken down duplexes
• No Trespassing signs
• A big chain across the road

I went to the door, no answer. I have now completed my obligation to my buyer and it is time to try to get back to my car in one piece.

I called my buyer and told her, in my mind, this is not where I would feel comfortable selling her a home. She agreed after I told her this story and we're off to see some other homes this weekend. I now know why this house has been on the market for over 280 days. What a waste of $498...

I have shown and sold limited service listings in the past. You can tell who's in it for the fast buck and who the professional is. This can also be said for full service agents...

Please, by all means, don't make it any harder to sell your listings!

What are your horror stories?

Authored by Paul S. Henderson, Realtor ®, RE/MAX Professionals, Lacey, WA.

(http://phenderson.net) or http://www.lacey-washington.com

©2009 Paul S. Henderson, Don't make it any harder to sell, All Rights Reserved

You'd be surprised to know how much we as consumers spend on do it yourself repairs. Now think about the simple repairs around the house that anyone can do.

The first thing to remember is to trust your intelligence. Many of my clients have advanced degrees but act as if a screw driver needs operating instructions. I recommend a step by step repair book from any hardware store. I own several and loan them to my clients but Home Depot and Lowes have really good reference books that make great gifts.

Many people believe you have to have a huge tool chest to do simple jobs around the house. You can do so many home repairs with a screw driver that it is the #1 tool you should have in your kitchen drawer. A set of screw drivers will cost you between $9.00 and $20.00.

Next tool that is a must have is a hammer. This is a great tool also. Make sure you get one that feels comfortable. Bigger is not always better when it comes to a hammer.

Now I know that the Home inspectors will go wild when I mention the next tool. The tool that my clients call essential is the snake. If you don't know what a snake is, it is a tool that you can use to unplug slow running drains. It works like a charm on these clogs and you'd be surprised how many of my clients call me for a plumber phone number when a simple $19.99 snake can do the job in minutes. (Never use snakes or chemicals in a garbage disposal) Many people pour chemicals down their sinks and if you don't follow instructions, tragedies may result. My retired neighbor had his vision destroyed when he used a chemical cleaner and had it blow back in his face. These chemicals are very dangerous as the poison control centers can attest to. We don't need these left over chemicals in our landfills either. They are deemed as hazardous materials in much of the United States.

I have saved my clients a lot of hard earned money by helping on simple repairs. I show them how and let them help. Then they can do it themselves in the future. I don't claim to be a professional handyman but I have learned from experience that I like to share.

I have one client, who lives in NW Landing in Dupont, which uses home improvements as her hobby when her husband is deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan. She does journeyman quality work and she learned it all from videos, books and HGTV.

If the job is too big, by all means call a professional. If you need to fix a squeaky hinge, Do it yourself! You would be surprised how easy it is and what a feeling of accomplishment you will feel in the end...

Authored by Paul S. Henderson, Realtor ®, RE/MAX Professionals, Dupont & Lacey, WA.

(http://phenderson.net) or http://www.lacey-washington.com

©2009 Paul S. Henderson, Call your neighbor or self serve! All Rights Reserved

Dupont NW Landing Home Sales from January 1, 2009 to February 28, 2009.

I go on listing appointments all the time and am confronted by mis-information about sales of houses in the Dupont area. People quote neighbors here-say as being the gospel truth. I decide on tracking these prices for people so they can see the truth. I have combined the first 2 months but intend on doing this monthly from now on.

I have put the addresses in this post to put a face on what's selling and where.

This information is from the NW Multiple Listing Service and from the Pierce County Assessor. All information is deemed reliable but is by no way guranteed.

(BR=Bedroom SF=Square Feet DOM=Days on Market OLP=Original Listing Price SP=Sales Price)

Condo Sales

2 BR 1.75 BATH 1084 SF 2147 Hammond Ave #10B Dupont, WA 98327 (DOM)159(OLP)$217,900

(SP)$198,500

3 BR 1.75 BATH 1341 SF 1726 Kennedy Pl #5D Dupont, WA 98327 (DOM)123 (OLP)$229,950

(SP)$222,000

Home Sales (PRE-EXISTING)

4 BR 2.5 BATH 1951 SF 1208 Hudson St Dupont, WA 98327 (DOM)57 (OLP)$280,000(SP)$230,000

2 BR 2.5 BATH 1340 SF 1997 Braget St Dupont, WA 98327 (DOM)102 (OLP)$252,000(SP)$247,500

4 BR 2.5 BATH 1852 SF 3079 Walker Rd Dupont, WA 98327 (DOM)262 (OLP)$289,900(SP)$269,000

3 BR 2.5 BATH 1655 SF 2285 McDonald Ave Dupont, WA 98327 (DOM) 75 (OLP)$295,950(SP)$276,000

3 BR 2.5 BATH 2020 SF 1722 Cadborough Ln Dupont, WA 98327 (DOM)259 (OLP)$315,000(SP)$280,000

3 BR 2.5 BATH 1812 SF 2901 Hyland St Dupont, WA 98327 (DOM)123(OLP)$295,980(SP)$280,000

3 BR 2.5 BATH 1940 SF 3195 Brown Loop Dupont, WA 98327 (DOM)19 (OLP)$295,000(SP)$295,000

3 BR 2.5 BATH 2120 SF 3045 McNeil St Dupont, WA 98327 (DOM)19 (OLP)$307,500(SP)$301,500

6 BR 2.25 BATH 3258SF 1298 Hudson St Dupont, WA 98327(bank)(DOM)72 (OLP)$339,900(SP)$305,000

3 BR 2.5 BATH 2274 SF 1988 Shipman Ave Dupont, WA 98327 (DOM)270 (OLP)$339,000(SP)$320,900

3 BR 2.5 BATH 2630 SF 3103 Walker Rd Dupont, WA 98327 (DOM)106 (OLP)$379,000(SP)$357,000

4 BR 2.5 BATH 2824 SF 1500 Palisade Blvd Dupont, WA 98327 (DOM)171(OLP)$519,000 (SP)$460,000

Home Sales (NEW QUADRANT)

4 BR 2.5 BATH 1964 SF 1225 Burnside Pl Dupont, WA 98327 PRESALE (OLP)$271,675 (SP)$282,675

3 BR 2.5 BATH 2069 SF 1368 Foreman Rd Dupont, WA 98327 PRESALE (OLP)$285,990 (SP)$285,990

4 BR 2.5 BATH 2065 SF 1349 Burnside Pl Dupont, WA 98327 PRESALE (OLP)$304,240 (SP)$292,000

3 BR 2.5 BATH 2065 SF 1219 Burnside Pl Dupont,WA 98327 PRESALE (OLP)$299,390 (SP)$295,590

3 BR 2.5 BATH 2423 SF 1222 Burnside Pl Dupont, WA 98327 PRESALE (OLP)$300,090 (SP)$300,090

4 BR 2.5 BATH 2063 SF 1232 Burnside Pl Dupont, WA 98327 PRESALE (OLP)$310,358 (SP)$310,358

4 BR 3.0 BATH 2528 SF 1259 Burnside Pl Dupont, WA 98327 (DOM) 35 (OLP)$320,000 (SP)$315,000

4 BR 2.5 BATH 2418 SF 1255 Burnside Pl Dupont, WA 98327 PRESALE (OLP)$315,318 (SP)$315,318

3 BR 2.5 BATH 2586 SF 3132 Sheaser Way Dupont, WA 98327 PRESALE (OLP)$339,373 (SP)$339,373

4 BR 2.5 BATH 2887 SF 1248 Burnside Pl Dupont, WA 98327 PRESALE (OLP)$342,745 (SP)$342,745

5 BR 2.5 BATH 3162 SF 3197 Sheaser Way Dupont, WA 98327 PRESALE (OLP)$352,171 (SP)$351,258

(BR=Bedroom SF=Square Feet DOM=Days on Market OLP=Original Listing Price SP=Sales Price)

Authored by Paul S. Henderson, ABR, CRS, GRI, SRES, Realtor® with RE/MAX Professionals Tacoma, WA., providing enhanced levels of real estate services to home buyers and sellers in Dupont and NW Landing. Visit my website at www.phenderson.net to search for homes or compare your home with what's on the market. All information is believed to be accurate, but is not warranted in any way.

©2009 Paul S. Henderson,Dupont NW Landing Home Sales from January 1, 2009 to February 28, 2009.

All Rights Reserved

Now that is a topic that brings a host of different emotions to whomever you ask. Some people have never lived in a housing community that has a Home Owner Associations and have heard horror stories.

I hear the horror stories and I have heard many more great stories of how strong associations have saved views and property values by following the by-laws.

What's up with HOAs?

• If you own pet, you might want to look at pet restrictions.
• Look at the parking restrictions and if you have assigned spaces or is it first come, first served. Is there guest parking?
• Water restrictions, can you wash your car?
• Are there any ceilings on how high the monthly fees or special assessments can go?
• Find out if there are any ongoing maintenance problems such as siding or roofing issues. How does the association handle any improvements.
• How much does the association maintain?
• What is the policy on rentals?
• What is the owner/renter ratio?
• Look at the minutes from the last couple of months and ascertain the politics.
• Make sure you look carefully at all the rules and verify the fees.
• Are there any architectural rules?
• Can you install a satellite dish?
• Who takes care of the lawn and common areas?
• What is included in your monthly dues or assessments?

These are but a few of the questions you should ask before you buy into a home or Condo with a homeowner association or committee.

You will be sorry if you fail to ask any of these questions. I feel it's like moving to a foreign country not knowing the language, customs or currency before you get there...

Authored by Paul S. Henderson, Realtor ®, RE/MAX Professionals, Lacey, WA.

(http://phenderson.net) or http://www.lacey-washington.com

©2008 Paul S. Henderson, All Rights Reserved

Staging is a very exciting option to offer our clients. I believe a professional is well worth the money that is charged. I really have some questions I need to ask after seeing some substandard attempts to duplicate your profession.

•1. What certifications should we look for when interviewing a Stager?

•2. What professional associations do you belong to?

•3. How do you base your fees?

•4. Do you encourage your clients to use their own furniture, rent, or do you supply the furniture as part of your fee?

•5. Do you charge a consultation fee for your interview?

•6. Do you give out references?

I guess you are wondering, why so many questions? It all started when I called the references on a very convincing stager. Only one of the references panned out as legit out of seven.

I feel, as with any profession, profiteers set in and pollute the market and give the whole profession a black eye. I feel stagers will become just as essential to a transaction as are home inspectors if Realtors learn to use them as a marketing tool and we feel comfortable on what to look for in a stager.

So, as a Realtor, I ask for some help...

Authored by Paul S. Henderson, Realtor ®, RE/MAX Professionals, Dupont & Lacey, WA.

(http://phenderson.net) or http://www.lacey-washington.com

©2008 Paul S. Henderson, All Rights Reserved