Snohomish County Real Estate Blogsite by Karen Schweinfurth

Market Conditions in the Seattle Area

Real-estate markets most likely to rebound If you're a homeowner seeing property values plummet, look to the commercial real-estate market for solace. It might tell you which areas will recover fastest — and which will likely remain weak. The Urban Land Institute recently asked 700 real-estate professionals to name the best (and worst) places to invest in commercial real estate in the coming year. Those surveyed included private developers, real-estate agents and real-estate investment trust executives. Their answers also apply to the residential market, since the single-family-home sector typically follows the economy. As wages go up and there are more jobs, more people can buy homes, pushing prices up. The best cities in which to invest are those that are considered gateways to international investment, have vital downtowns where people can forgo cars and don't have a glut of condos or office space. These traits landed Seattle the No. 1 spot on the list. No city scored ..(read more)

New Housing Stimulus Package

NAR Urges Congress to Consider New Housing Stimulus Package The following is information provided by Jerry Giovaniello, the National Association of Realtors Senior Vice-President, Government Affiars regarding what your Realtor Association is doing to stimulate the housing market:

As we race toward the finish line of the 2008 election, NAR is continuing to press Congress to act on a new stimulus package to help stabilize the housing market and give a boost to the sagging economy.

NAR has presented a four point stimulus plan to Congress for consideration either after the election or in the early days of the new 111th Congress. The current economic crisis is, at its core, the result of problems in the nation's housing and mortgage markets. This circumstance, along with the fact that housing has always lifted our economy ..(read more)

A New Kind of Identity Theft - Protect Yourself

With identity theft on the rise these days, most of us are already taking steps to protect ourselves. But did you know that there’s now a growing form of identity theft known as “medical identity theft” that can not only devastate victims’ finances, but also compromise their health, too. According to Joy Pritts, JD, author of Your Medical Record Rights, here’s what you need to know. What is Medical Identity Theft? Medical identity theft occurs when criminals access victims’ medical records. Since medical records contain a person’s social security number and credit card information (if bills have been paid via credit card), criminals can open accounts and make fraudulent charges. However, criminals also gain access to victims’ health insurance policy information and medical histories, and they can create forged health insurance cards to sell to people who are uninsured and need expensive medical treatment. A person who buys a fake ..(read more)

Autumn Tips

FALL MAINTENANCE TASKS Outside * Replace weather striping and caulking around doors and windows * Clean and remove screens * Drain outside faucets * Remove leaves from gutters Inside * Test your smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector *Change batteries in both (twice a year) *Service heating system and change filters *Clean refrigerator coils *Check fire extinguishers OCTOBER HOME DECORATING TIPS *Hollow out apples or mini pumpkins and us as votive candle holders * Create centerpieces by filling vases with dried flowers, leaves and empty branches * Serve fresh veggies using a hollowed out pumpkin as a bowl OCTOBER RECIPE Roasted Pumpkin Seeds To roast pumpkin seeds, do not wash them first - it removes all the natural favors. Remove the seeds from the strings and place a single layer on a cookie sheet. Add salt to taste and bake at 250 degrees about 15-30 minutes. For sweet and spicy seeds - mix 5T sugar; 1/4 t. corse sale, 1/4 t. ground cumin, 1/4 ..(read more)

Credit Score Update

Too many consumers still don't get it when it comes to credit scores. And what you don't know about credit scores can hurt you when it's time to buy a home -- especially in a tight credit market. Only 28% of consumers are aware they need at least a 700 credit score to qualify for a low-rate mortgage. Three of every four consumers incorrectly believe that credit scores are influenced by income. And even more, 79% erroneously believe that credit scores can be obtained for free once a year. (They are probably thinking about their credit report, instead). Those are amonth the findings of a new report, "Consumer Understanding of Credit Scores Inproves but Remains Poor" commissioned by the Consumer Federation of America. First your credit socre is a number assigned to your creditworthiness. Your credit score indicates how well or how poorly you'll repay a debt. The higher the number, the more likely you'll repay on time. ..(read more)

Steps Consumers Can Take To Protect Themselves from the "Hurricane of Wall Street"

This information comes as a courtesy from my lender, Ken Allen, Branch Manager with MetLife Home Loans. You can reach him at 425-6702418 or ken@kenallen.com. With Wall Street engulfed in the biggest financial crisis in a generation, there are a few things that consumers can do to protect themselves from this perilous storm,” said Gibran Nicholas, Chairman of the CMPS Institute, an organization that certifies mortgage bankers and brokers. #1 – Make Sure Your Investments Are Protected Through the SIPC The Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) was created in 1970 as a non-profit, non-government organization funded by its members: broker-dealers that trade in stocks, bonds, mutual funds and other investments in the financial markets. The primary role of the SIPC is to return funds and investments to investors if the broker-dealer holding these assets becomes insolvent. “The SIPC does not cover you if the value of your investments goes down,” ..(read more)

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Take Over - What it Means to You

Here is a brief video prepared by my lender, Ken Allen, with MetLife Home Loans, regarding the government take-over of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac lending institutions. Click here to hear the good news about the market. Then click on the White Arrow to run. Hopefully this will encourage the buyers that are "waiting for rates to drop" begin their home search process with confidence. For your real estate needs, please visit my web site where you can prepare your own market analysis, look for ALL listings, ask for a professional CMA and get valuable information regarding the buying and selling process. You can reach Ken at 425-670-2418 or ken@kenallen.com for all your financial needs. Make it a great day where ever you are. Karen Villa Schweinfurth, ABR, CRS, SRES, e-PRO 425-308-3669 karen@karensvillas.com

Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR Designation)

How I Work as an Accredited Buyer's Representative Many of you think that when we find your dream property, write an offer and get it accepted, our job is done. Far from that point.....our job is just beginning. In addition to helping you find your dream home through the listings we have sent you, making appointments to show you these listings, we are always working FOR you. When we first met we gave you a copy of the "Laws of Real Estate Agency" that describes your legal rights in dealing with a real estate broker or salesperson in Washington State. It describes the duties of a licensee, a seller's agent, a buyer's agent, a dual agent, compensation, vicarious liability, imputed knowledge and notice and interpretation. You also received my buyer book that contains information on your purchase process and an introduction to my team of professionals; my transaction coordinator, my lender, my title company representative, my escrow officer, and my inspectors. As a ..(read more)

Exquisite Two Story on Park Like One Acre in Granite Falls

Now priced at $499,000 - seller just reduced price by $20,000 and says sell now! Located in Granite Falls minutes to highways and shopping in Crystal Ridge Estates. Exceptional quality is found in this four bedroom two story built in 2001. Start with a tree-lined driveway leading you to extra parking plus a three car garage. The landscapping and a sidewalk follows all around the home. The grounds are imeccable from raised beds, mature plants, fruit trees and even a fabulous garden. And don't forget a complete sprinkler system keeps everything fresh and green and blooming. The entry is graced with hardwood floors with walnut insert that extends thru hall, half-bath, kitchen and eating nook. 16 foot vaulted ceilings grace the living room. The wall between the living room and dining room offers art nooks and a ledge/shelf. The dining room is oversized for even your largest table and hutch. The chef's kitchen has an unusual angled island with sink that opens to the ..(read more)

The Ultimate Home

If you are looking for luxury, something over the top, something different, go no further. This five bedroom home (the fifth bedroom is large enought to be a bonus room complete with closet) is built on 1.30 acres with a view of the Sound, Mountains and sunsets. Every attention to detail was thought of. From the enclosed pine soffits with lights, mountain ledge stone on the front, African Acacia wood floors on entire first level, 23 ft. ceiling in entry with a ceiling to floor rock sandstone fireplace. The spiral staircase is punctuted with wood trim and rod iron railings. Nine foot garage doors will hold your boat or RV. There is a security system and a 97% efficient heat pump with A/C. An abundance of crown moulding and custom cabinets are showcased throught the home. The den has built in cherry custom cabinets that fill the full wall. The heart of the home, the kitchen, has a Wolfe range, sub zero frigerator, an 8 ft island with bar and wine ..(read more)

The Home Buying Process

Buyers are you aware of the complete home buying process? It is far more than just finding a property and making an offer. Here are the steps to help you understand the full process: Consultation with Karen to analyze needs, establish working relationship, talk about financial aspects and make recommendations for lender input into process. Meet with lender to determine your financial qualfications, get pre-approval letter that Karen needs for offer writing. Select properties - have Karen set you up with an automated system that will pull listings in your price range and area you have specified. Do your own drive-by of the preferred properties to see if it has potential for your needs. Talk with Karen to set up appointments for viewing selected properties. View properties Write an offer to purchase contract, bring checkbook for earnest money. Earnest money is deposited within 24 hours of acceptance of offer. Disucss any counter offers and/or ..(read more)

County-Wide Open House - Snohomish County

The Snohomish County Camano Association of Realtors did the unthinkable and with zest. We held a "County-Wide" open house this weekend. The major television stations gave us coverage, the local paper advertised with a "full page spread" mentioning all the companies that were partaking. We gave away free Realtor pins, Realtor balloons, brochures educating the buyers on first time home buying, our "Get The Facts" campaign brochure as to why real estate is local, financing brochures regarding FHA loans and information regarding our local real estate market. We had ove 400 hundred homes open this weekend with blue and white balloons flying in the air. What a great experience for our community, the sellers, the agents and mostly the buyers. This is a great time to buy real estate in Snohomish County. Contact a REALTOR for more details. Visit my web site for more information on the buying process, prepare your own market analysis, search for ..(read more)

Buying a Home in Snohomish County

If you are thinking of buying a home in Snohomish County Washington, you couldn't have picked a better time. The Snohomish County Camano Association of Realtors is sponsoring a "County-Wide" Open House weekend, July 26 and 27. Ove 30 brokers will be holding their listings open. We expect over 400 homes to be open for viewing this weekend. You ask why, the local Realtors want to do something positive for what has been a dismal selling season. Growing inventory is providing a lot of choices. Competition among sellers has created a buyer's market and better home deals. More loans from the Federal Hosing Administration have filled a void of mortgage money that had been provided by the subprime loan market. FHA loans are stable, good loans. Realtors will be providing "First Time Homebuyer" Booklets, information regarding financing "Learn about FHA Mortgages", "It Pays to Work with a Realtor" and "It's a Great Time to Buy". ..(read more)

Buying a Home in Washington State

Many of you think that when we find your dream property, write an offer and get it accepted, our job is done. Far from that point.....our job is just beginning. In addition to helping you find your dream home through the listings we have sent you, making appointments to show you these listings, we are always working FOR you. When we first met we gave you a copy of the "Laws of Real Estate Agency" that describes your legal rights in dealing with a real estate broker or salesperson in Washington State. It describes the duties of a licensee, a seller's agent, a buyer's agent, a dual agent, compensation, vicarious liability, imputed knowledge and notice and interpretation. You also received my buyer book that contains information on your purchase process and an introduction to my team of professionals; my transaction coordinator, my lender, my title company representative, my escrow officer, and my inspectors. As a buyer's agent we are to: Be loyal to the buyer by ..(read more)

The Realtor Code of Ethics - A Commitment to the Public

The Code of Ethics of the National Association of Realtors is the promise to the public that when dealing with a real estate agent that is a REALTOR, they can expect honext and ethical treatment in all transaction-related matters. Only REALTORS pledge to abide by the Association's Code of Ethics and only REALTORS are held accountable for their ethical behavior. Some of the basic principles of the Code of Ethics include: ~ Protect and promot your client's interests, but be honest with all parties ~ Avoid exaggeration, misrepresentation and concealment of pertinent facts. Do not reveal facts that are confidential under the scope of your agency relationship. ~ Disclose present or contemplated interest in any property to all parties. ~ Avoid side deals without your client's informed consent. ~ Accewpt compensation from onl one party, except with full ..(read more)