Walla Walla, WA

It's become a price war out there. Home owner's want to sell their homes for top dollar, while buyers are patiently waiting for the next price reduction.

What to do...what to do...

Price it right in the beginning. A house that is priced accordingly will produce more activity and sell quicker than a home that isn't priced right - we all KNOW this....yet we give in....we bend to the will of sellers because ultimately we don't want to lose the sale and its their home - its their decision.

So how can you avoid this pitfall? Show sellers the comps they are bond to come up against in the face of an appraisal. Remind them, YOU do not dictate pricing and that buyers in this market will patiently wait for the price to move itself back down the price-o-meter. Explain and stand behind your price point with full property photos, features, and information on comparables. A picture is worth a thousand words - USE it! If they have a house that they think is a Mercedes when it's really a Pinto - they NEED to know this.

We will not be helping our sellers if their house just sits idle on the market. A car that doesn't run for a long time, always has a hard time getting started again.

So be honest - they will appreciate you for it!

No question the market is tough. Let's face it. . .Real Estate transactions have become very challenging to put together whether it is a foreclosure, short sale, estate property, bankruptcy, or a distressed property owner who has tried a loan modification with no avail and now is a desperate and distressed seller.

A "regular or normal" deal is rare. For example, a homeowner who wants to simply sell their home for fair market value and is willing to negotiate when an offer comes in. Of course, once this "normal" contract becomes active you have all the hoops of inspections, then re-negotiating and then battling all the financing guidelines.

I think it is fair to say that the level of difficulty has tripled in the last 2 years and the stress level of agents has quadrupled. This year I have become acclimated to agents yelling at me, insulting me because they are upset with an inspection response I wrote or frustrated that my seller won't acquiesce to the buyers low ball offer. You would think, or at least hope that these tough times would raise the bar of professionalism. Weed out all the loose cannons who can't handle the heat in the kitchen and leave an elite, sophisticated, driven and professional group of agents.

What I have noticed this spring, as our market grows more saturated with listings and our economy gets hit even harder, is the stress level of the buyers and sellers. It is very intense with emotions running high.

After having a fantastic morning (total morning person ~ was up by 3am) my day became really tough due to some very disappointing behaviors with local agents. My partner (The world's best Dad) came into my office and sat down in my big red chair and just listened as I poured out all of my frustrations. I told him how disappointed I was with so many components in the real estate industry. He handed me half his lunch and insisted that I eat it. I felt better. Of course, your family can be comforting when your stressed, but this was business and my partner had my back. I just sat there thinking, why don't other agents support each other more?

Later this afternoon I ended up calling a friend and top producer from another office. For the first time in a year she sounded tired and discouraged. I told her, "We just have to keep a positive attitude and keep doing what we love." She said, "I know, but it is so hard sometimes." I just wanted to reach through the phone and give her a hug. She is a fabulous agent and I look up to her. I realized I have never told her how talented she is and that I admire her as a competitor.

My new goal is to ensure I go the extra mile with empathy and patience, with not only my clients, but with my colleagues. No matter what the market, no matter what the economy, no matter what ~ we have each other! What is more valuable that people and relationships?

Walla Walla Real Estate Agents are ready to assist you will all your home buying or selling needs. Preferred Properties Land and Homes is your one stop shop. The only office in Walla Walla that are members of both the Northwest Multiple Listing Service and the Walla Walla Multiple Listing Service. Also members of, The Luxury Real Estate Network and National Association of Realtors. Preferred's Walla Walla Real Estate Agents offer expertise and are dedicated to providing you with the service you deserve.

Buying or selling a home is one of the great milestones in life, and can be one of the most stressful. Our goal as Walla Walla Real Estate Agents is to make your experience enjoyable and trouble-free so you are left with positive memories. We believe that it is paramount to provide our clients the maximum amount of information, resources and marketing coverage to assist them in achieving their goals. There is nothing more rewarding than a satisfied client. This is why we have assembled a close knit team of skilled professional Walla Walla Real Estate Agents, to conquer any obstacle. We, as individuals, have always been very competitive and hard working. When you become our client, the Preferred Properties team will put our competitive spirit and drive to work for you, to accomplish your goals. Time and time again, clients continue to refer their family and friends to Preferred Properties because their real estate needs were met with service beyond their expectations. Hence, our motto: Providing the service you deserve!

Visit us online at: www.PreferredWW.com

Loan Modification Walla Walla, College Place, Dayton, Washington

Walla Walla, College Place, and Dayton, Washington homeowners have witnessed the value of their homes fall lower than the amount they owe on their mortgage loan. As unemployment continues to mushroom, the average income has dwindled to make mortgage payments often impossible to afford. While interest rates continue to rise with adjustable rates jumping to high fixed rates, and home values plummeting, refinancing is no longer a financially sound option for most, leaving the necessity for a mortgage loan modification.

Homeowners can immediately determine what your current mortgage debt-to-income is and how much your monthly payment may be reduced if you qualify for Obama's Loan Modification Program. Under the HAMP program, a homeowner’s mortgage payment cannot exceed 31% of their gross income. Due to the fact that the majority of home loans exceed 31%, most borrowers are now eligible for assistance.

A Loan Modification:

• Lowers the homeowner's monthly payments;
• Lowers the loan's interest rate;
• Swaps a rising adjustable rate for an affordable fixed rate;
• Reduces the principle balance of the property;
• Corrects payment delinquencies and defaults;
• Adjusts the length of the loan terms
• Or any combination of the above!

A loan modification is now Washington homeowners’ best chance to save their homes from foreclosure. Even borrowers who have been denied a refinancing or home loan modification in the past have been having success with Obama’s mortgage refinance bailout plan.

Walla Walla, College Place, and Dayton, WA homeowners struggling with loss in income, unemployment, credit card debts, or other financial hardships, can get approved for a 4% mortgage refinancing and modification plan under President Obama’s “Making Home Affordable” plan. The loan modification aid program is designed to help as many homeowners qualify as possible; you don’t have to be late on payments, and a financial hardship making payment impossible is often enough to qualify.

Keeping all of this in mind, homeowners are scrambling to avoid foreclosure with the help of a modified home loan. Mortgage loan modification allows you to lower your monthly payments, lower your interest, lower your principal, adjust the term of the loan, or any combination of these. Your home is the greatest financial commitment you are going to make in your life, and acquiring secure and successful mortgage mitigation.

Eligible Washington homeowners now enduring financial hardships can acquire lowered interest rates which prevent them from being foreclosed on, prevent mortgage defaults, and save hundreds of dollars per month on your home loan payments.

Walla Walla, College Place, and Dayton, Washington homeowners will be able to save millions by getting a loan modification or mortgage refinance using President Obama’s “Making Home Affordable” plan. All Washington homeowner now facing foreclosure, or about to be, should immediately begin exploring all the options available to them, including the new government programs designed to help you get a successful loan modification to save your home

Looking for something to do this season in and around Walla Walla, Washington? Consider these resource links for lists of things to do.

• Walla Walla's Tourism Website ~ Calendar of Events
• Walla Walla Chamber of Commerce ~ Local Events Calendar
• Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance ~ Wine Events Calendar
• Walla Walla Union Bulletin ~ Calendar Events
• Walla Walla Local Musicians ~ Music Calendar
• Walla Walla Wine Country Inn ~ Upcoming Area Events
• Walla Walla Catholic Schools ~ All District Calendar
• Walla Walla City ~ Municipal Meeting Dates
• Walla Walla Tasting Room ~ Calendar
• Walla Walla 4H ~ Calendar of Events
• Walla Walla Wineries ~ Event Calendar

I'm Cassie and I work for The Lane Real Estate Team (my Mom and Dad) as their virtual assistant. A rather nice arrangement, I might add. I work for them, and they pay my college tuition! Not bad! If you need a great real estate team, or property manager, consider Team Lane for all Southeast Washington real estate needs. :)