Seattle Real Estate Blog

Technically Speaking, You Haven't Lost Thousands, You Just Spent Them Already!

2008-09-04T09:38:44Z

Via Jeremy Blanton- Myrtle Beach Real Estate ,Coldwell Banker Chicora:

With the current decrease in Myrtle Beach Real Estate property values, many clients that we have recently met with are left speechless when we share with them a comparitive market analysis on their property. The reason for their shock is that only two years ago they re-financed their property to get a lower interest rate.

During the process of refinancing, they also were given an option to do a cash out refi and collect several thousands of dollars for all sorts of things. Some used the money to pay off other bills,do renovations on their home, or take a wonderful Caribbean Cruise, finally purchase that fantastic 50" plasma TV, or the shiny new red convertible sportscar. Ah yes, those were the good times. Nobody worried about the higher loan on their house because property values were rising and the market was strong. So we didn't care if we had a higher mortgage payment, if an emergency came, we could quickly sell our home, and still have some money left over.

Then, the market took a swift swing from this strong sellers market to a strong buyers market. And, all of the additional equity that we had left on our homes dissapeared instantly.

Here we are now, in 2008 and that job transfer has come in, or the family has added another little one and you need to sell the current property. The problem is that home values have decreased and you are what we would call "upside down" in your property. That means the value of your property is less than the amount owed. Or, maybe you are lucky to break even. Either way, when you are given the current value of your property, please remember that you are not losing thousands on your property. What has actually happened is that you have already spent the equity in your home to do other things. There is nothing bad about that. It is your money to do with what you please.

When you begin to become upset about how you have "lost" so much and can't sell your home now, remember the wonderful trip you took to the Bahamas...Maybe sit back and watch your home videos of the trip on your big screen tv! Also, remember you originally purchased your property for much less than it is still worth now.

Jeremy Blanton- Myrtle Beach Real Estate Expert

Seattle Seller Tips Revisited...

2008-09-03T23:56:10Z

Here is item number 7 from my Seattle seller tips:

"Be gone - Leave your house well before showings! You want the buyers to be able to picture themselves in your home. They can't do this with you in it. It is also uncomfortable for buyers to be in your home with you there."

I can not tell you how many times I have shown a house and had the sellers follow us around showing us the house. The buyers end up uncomfortable in most cases. You have a better shot at selling your house if you just head out and let the Realtor show your house to the buyers. I always try to ask my sellers to go have lunch or dinner during a scheduled showing. It helps!

Happy Seattle selling!

Sand Point in Seattle

2008-09-03T23:28:11Z

Sand Point in Seattle -

I love this little shopping center in Sand Point in Seattle - it is right outside the entrance of Hawthorne Hills nestled between Windermere and Laurelhurst. The City People's Mercantile is one of our favorite destinations and the fountain is amazing!

Check out Sand Point when you get a chance!

Seattle REO: Sad Today:(

2008-09-03T22:16:59Z

A new assignment...

I got assigned an REO today from a bank. I am not new to foreclosures and have actually listed and sold quite a few of them in the Seattle area. I am happy to have the assignment and I will do a great job with it, but the state of the house was so telling and really left me depressed for the evening. I will get on with it and do the job at hand, but foreclosure is so sad.

Many neighbors might see the real estate agent come around and think that the vultures have arrived, but that just isn't the case here. I have actually worked for practically free on many occasions to try and save someone from losing their home. I believe that there has to be altruistic intentions as a Realtor or it just doesn't work.

Every house has its story...

The house was typical of a foreclosure - run down with lots of deferred maintenance. I estimate that the trash out will probably be over two thousand dollars because it is crammed full and even though I am six feet tall, the grass hit me in the teeth as I tried to wade through it. What stopped me in my tracks and made me so sad were the little shoes thrown around the yard and also the Fisher Price toddler slide. My son has the same slide and it hurt a bit to know that another child like mine had to leave their home and their slide.

I am very diligent with my REO assignments and make sure that I treat each one systematically and with respect. It is sad, though, when the history is so clearly written on the walls (literally as well in this case)...

Are you interested in Seattle real estate? Seattle foreclosure listings? realestate@cooperjacobs.com

My Northwest Color! My favorite Things... Am I a Weirdo?

2008-09-03T13:58:22Z

I know I am weird - I like washed up bumpers and buoys and I like random mismatched canoe paddles. I love random old waterskis. I wanted to share:

I love this scene - I pass it quite often when I drive through Sand Point in Seattle and up North to Mathews Beach. This is on a roof overlooking Lake Washington at Magnuson Park.

I think they are just beautiful!

Waterskis...

Maybe this might help you see why I like them. I apologize for the quality of this picture. The sun was blazing through and this was taken on my cell phone at our beach house in Ocean Shores WA. My genius husband managed to fashion a head board out of my random treasured water skis from Ebay! I already own a couple waterski chairs I bought from my wonderful friend Dick in Florida and I think this headboard is just perfect! My love of waterskis must stem from my childhood days of waterskiing alongside alligators in the muddy rivers of Mississippi and also in the Gulf Coast waters of both Mississippi and Alabama. The result? I am obsessed:)

The waterski chair....

This photo doesn't do the chair justice, but I just had to share anyway!

My obsession with Buoys and bumpers is a biggie, too.............

Should I seek help for my love of color? This last photo is from Bainbridge Island and includes some amazing finds....

Are you interested in Seattle real estate? realestate@cooperjacobs.com

Cooper Jacobs Real Estate Company

Windermere Neighborhood in Seattle

2008-09-03T13:37:43Z

Windermere Real Estate - Check out this Seattle neighborhood!

Windermere is a gorgeous neighborhood on Lake Washington just South of Magnuson Park in Seattle.

Inviting entry...

I love the entry light posts! The neighborhood is so peaceful and landscapes are lush and inviting.

Are you interested in Windermere real estate (This is a great Windermere neighborhood map search)?

realestate@cooperjacobs.com

Cooper Jacobs Real Estate Services

Seattle Real Estate: Fremont Neighborhood: Here's A Great Neighborhood Search

2008-09-03T08:49:18Z

Looking for what's available in the busy Fremont neighborhood of Seattle?

My Seattle real estate search site has a great page on Fremont! Check it out here:

Fremont real estate listings

I love Fremont and spend a ton of time there both personally and also showing property buyers interested in this wonderful neighborhood! Fremont is just North of Queen Anne across the Fremont Bridge - this neighborhood offers an eclectic lifestyle and big views of the canal. Fremont is the definition for urban living in Seattle if you ask me - restaurants and shops galore plus great walking and biking.

Are you interested in Fremont Real Estate? realestate@cooperjacobs.com

I am not selling you a house!!!! What?

2008-09-02T23:06:00Z

Seattle is a great place to buy a house, but I am not selling you a house!

I am a Seattle Realtor, but I absolutely do not sell houses. I don't sell dreams or sell great investments. You see, I can't stand the traditional cliché of a sales person, and I have never considered myself to be one. In fact, I was an accountant before I ever became a real estate agent and the sales people drove me nuts! I mean no disrespect towards any of you genuine sales people out there, but I am just not one of you. I have never in my life made a cold call nor have I knocked on any doors. I still manage to keep busy and make a good living as a real estate broker, but I do not sell houses.

When I am writing up those purchase and sale contracts, I am not selling houses, but rather selling myself and my services. I want you to trust me and know that I am going to do a good job for you. I want you to like and respect my business expertise. I want you to know I have your best interests at heart and will work hard and ethically for you while I facilitate your real estate purchase. I want you to know that I will be the grease that keeps the wheels turning smoothly and efficiently! I also want you to tell all your friends about me and refer them to me because I am such a great real estate agent!

I am not selling Seattle houses! I am selling me and I promise you I am worth it!

Are you interested in Seattle real estate? realestate@cooperjacobs.com

Selling Your Seattle Home: How Chasing the Market Can Cost you Thousands!

2008-09-01T17:27:25Z

Chasing the market is a bad thing! I love this explanation!

Via Rob Graham:

I frequently hear people say that real estate agents try to under price homes to try to get them to sell quickly. There seems to be a sentiment that we are all money grubbing misers who don't care if our sellers lose out on a few grand so long as we get our commission at the end. Well, the truth is that over pricing your home can have really detrimental consequences.

Many times when I go to a listing appointment the seller has a price in their head at to what their home is worth. It is sometimes unrealistic. Sellers of a home have learned to love their home and see it through their own eyes, not those of a potential buyer. Buyer's don't care that your favorite uncle helped you build the shed in the back or that your child took their first steps right there on the gleaming hardwoods. All they see is a place to make their own future memories.   They also see that leaky faucet that you have learned to overlook. Therefore, it isn't uncommon that seller's think their home is worth more then what it is truly worth to an objective eye.

It doesn't help that frequently banks will allow owners to overextend themselves to make improvements or to pay off bills using the equity in their home. Then when the time comes to sell the seller believes that the appraisal value is what they should get for their home, when in fact it is sometimes inflated to justify a loan.

FACT: Price a house to high and you will find yourself "chasing the market".

What is "chasing"? Chasing is when a house is over priced initially and does not sell in the first few weeks on the market. Then the seller agrees to price reductions over time. Frequently the price they will get for the home is considerably less then what they would have gotten if they had priced the home correctly in the first place.

Chasing the Market Costs you Money!

I can't tell you how many times my buyers will look at a listing that has been around for a while and assume there is something wrong with it, and ask to not even go see it.

The most eyeballs that will see your home will see it in the first few weeks. After that you are trying to market the home to fewer and fewer people. This leads to chasing the market.

Yea Yea Yea. I hear the skeptics out there. "Sure Rob. All agents say this so they can under price my home". Well here is the worst example I could find:

I had a listing presentation today and came across this house as a comparable.

I won't tell you the address or listing number to protect the seller and listing agent from further embarrassment, but here is the situation.

The house was originally listed in April of '07 for $590K. Since that time they have reduced the price no less than 11 times! The house is still for sale right now for (you may want to sit down for this) $410K. AND IS STILL NOT SEEING OFFERS! Let's recap.

17 months, 11 price reductions, and no sale!

How would you like to be that seller?

Admittedly this is an extreme example. In my estimation the house is truly worth about $445. At $410 I wouldn't expect them to see offers above $400K from here on out. So by grossly overpricing the home they have spent 17 months and cost themselves as much as $50K.

The moral of the story in today's market is price it right the first time.

If you price too high and end up chasing the market, you can end up costing yourself a lot of money in the long run.

Give me a call if you need help.

Related Post:

Seattle Home Seller's FAQ: How to Set the Best Lisitng Price

Content is provided by Rob Graham of Windermere Real Estate. Rob is a residential real estate specialist with years of experience in the Seattle Neighborhoods. He is an Accredited Buyer's Representative and Internet Marketing Specialist. If you have questions about buying or selling your home in Seattle, feel free to call or e-mail Rob.

(206) 321-6349

E-mail Rob

Client Testimonials

Bainbridge Island Birthday and My Newf!

2008-09-01T14:33:49Z

My hubby grew up on Bainbridge Island so we are there quite often visiting lots of relatives. We went over for a family party this weekend and I decided to bring one of my Newfies, David. David had a blast swimming in the Sound and even got to see some Sea Otters and I think a sea lion (any experts on what it is?). Here are some shots from the waterfront cabin....

There were five family dogs that showed up for the party - I guess we like dogs..... That is a Golden Retriever and a Springer Spaniel next to David. They all had a great time on the beach.

OK, so what is this? Sea Lion or Seal?

Then we saw a family of Sea Otters on another floating dock...

Bainbridge Island is a great place to live! We have often considered moving over there - I know it would be a great place to raise my kids. I just love Seattle so much that I would have too much trouble leaving it behind and I need more flexibility in commute than the ferry would allow if I am to continue to sell Seattle real estate! Bainbridge Island is an ideal place to live if you work downtown, though, and have a regular schedule. Talk about living green! If you are right in Winslow, you can walk to the ferry and walk to work - perfection!

Sunset Hill Gardening..

2008-09-01T13:56:35Z

Sunset Hill Living...

I love gardening, but it is becoming more and more apparent that I am terrible at it. I am just laughing so hard because while I was looking at property yesterday in the gorgeous Seattle view neighborhood of Sunset Hill, I came across a vacant lot that was lovingly being "farmed". This is not the funny part - this is the really cool part. According to Eric the owner, this piece of land is unbuildable and as a result has been used for gardening since 1904.

A Community Victory Garden?

Eric would love to get some kind of community gardening going on the land because he can't use the entire space. This is a sensible guy with solar panels on his house and a genuine concern for pesticide free gardening. I am surprised that no one has taken him up on his offer yet, really. I know there are gardeners out there in Sunset Hill!

What's so funny?

OK - Now the funny part: Although he was quite modest, Eric is such a good gardener that he actually had VOLUNTEER tomato plants!!!!! Hello? I can't even get my babies to turn red let alone decide to volunteer for another year!

Are you interested in Sunset Hill Gardening? Please make sure and shoot me an email! Are you interested in Sunset Hill real estate? realestate@cooperjacobs.com

On a side note, if you are interested in donating your cell phone, I am always running a Seattle cell phone recycling drive.

Seattle Real Estate: What Would You Buy For A Million?

2008-08-31T22:54:09Z

Million dollar choices in Seattle...

Previewing for a couple potential RELO buyers all weekend has raised the question over and over of price and what a buyer can find for a certain price range in Seattle. So, let's look around the million dollar mark in Seattle, specifically 900,000 to 1,200,000. Being in this price range can actually buy you a very large variety of homes!

Seattle waterfront property?

You could buy a waterfront house on Lake Washington at the top of the range - I looked at a gorgeous spot on Riviera today that made me long for a water ski boat and kayaks to plop into the water at any time. Of course it didn't help that the house had both a yard and a seventy foot dock right there. My Newfoundlands would LOVE this house!

How about a large one hundred year old Sunset Hill Puget Sound sweeping views house? Large bedrooms upstairs with big tall ceilings and views of the sound and Olympic Mountains to die for. That one was priced a little lower closer to the million dollar mark.

How about the most perfect Green Lake house you could imagine with four bedrooms upstairs and even an unfinished third floor with views and tall ceilings. Add in that it is only three houses from Green Lake in what I consider to be the gem of the entire lake neighborhood. What to do? That one came in at about the same price as the waterfront house on Riviera.

Of course, these don't even take into account Richmond Beach or even Bainbridge Island. What would you buy for a million dollars in Seattle?

Here's a fun place to start looking:

Seattle waterfront listings

Seattle view homes

Richmond Beach Houses

Green Lake real estate

Sunset Hill real estate

Are you interested in Seattle real estate? realestate@cooperjacobs.com

Richmond Beach Real Estate: Here's An Easy Search

2008-08-31T00:27:51Z

Richmond Beach Real Estate

Richmond Beach is in the city of Shoreline in King County - Here's a great way to check out the listings in this neighborhood! You can view them by just plain map or also a hybrid which shows the lovely Puget Sound this gorgeous neighborhood is situated on.

Check it out:

Richmond Beach Real Estate

Thank you Active Rain - What A Great Nationwide Network!

2008-08-31T00:17:44Z

This site has grown so much since I first found it-

I am amazed at how the information just keeps on flowing and how gifted so many writers are! I learn something new every day that I am on this site so thank you!

Referral Networking...

I also thankful that I have a reliable strong innovative nationwide referral network! I wouldn't hesitate to send many of you clients if they ever come your way. I love the ability to just look someone up no matter what part of the country I need help with!

Thank you!

Thanks so much for all your support! Happy Labor Day Weekend - my thoughts are with you in the South. I grew up in Mississippi and know exactly what you are going through. If you ever need anything at all in Seattle, please do not hesitate to look me up:)

Real Estate Provides Freedom, Friendships

2008-08-30T00:46:33Z

I love my job! I love helping people realize their dreams and goals...

I never thought of it this way, but I actually have become friends with so many of my clients! Seattle Real Estate is such a great job!

Via Jason Crouch, Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate:

Yesterday, while I was out and about, I spoke with two of my ActiveRain friends on the phone. Paul Slaybaugh called me and we chatted for awhile, then he had to go because he was busy with his two sons. I later called Adam Waldman and he had to call me back because he was watching "Hard Knocks", the Dallas Cowboys training camp show on HBO, with his son.

After speaking with each of these guys, I thought about the time flexibility that real estate can afford to us, and how fortunate I am to be able to make a good living in a business that allows me still to have ample time with my family.

As I was driving, I stopped at a light near my office and looked in my rear-view mirror. I noticed an older lady driving and speaking in a very animated fashion to the younger lady who was her passenger. I don't know if she was a real estate agent or not, but it reminded me of many meetings that I have had with clients, driving them around and getting to know them.

You mean I can actually get PAID to make friends?

In a sense, yes. I certainly can't claim that everyone in real estate conducts their business in the same way that I do, but I typically end up befriending my clients during the sales process. Additionally, through my online social networking efforts, my friendships have begun to pay dividends in the form of solid referrals, one of which I closed last week.

In my humble opinion, the essence of good marketing begins with personal networking.

I have owned my own brokerage for almost four years, and I always tell my agents that clients are not typically brand-loyal when it comes to real estate. In other words, most people are more interested in their agent as a person than with the specific company affiliation. Of course, there are exceptions, but generally people tend to use the agent that they like and who provides the necessary information.

When it comes to real estate sales, WE ARE the product. Rather than being traditional salespeople, we are responsible for selling ourselves as people first. To my way of thinking, this should be the easiest sale of all. If you are not comfortable in your own skin, this is probably not the right field for you. However, if you can manage to package yourself as the likeable, honest provider of local info, you are well on your way to capturing the business.

As real estate agents and brokers, we are business owners first and foremost, and I think it's important to keep that in mind when dealing with our clients and potential clients. If you treat it as an actual business, you don't sweat each individual transaction, because you are focused on the larger goal of growing your business over time, and maintaining your reputation so that you can keep the doors open.

In a nutshell, self-employment is not for everyone, but it is the only choice that I can imagine making if I had it to do over again.

Copyright 2008 Jason Crouch Austin Homes

Sunset Hill Beer N Bites Fundraiser

2008-08-29T00:24:23Z

Sunset Hill Neighborhood in Seattle -

Check out the upcoming events for the Sunset Hill Community Association posted on the SHCA website!

Here is a highlight on the calendar for Sunset Hill!

Beer N Bites Fundraiser

Sat 9/27 6PM-9PM

Local business offerings including seasonal beer from local breweries via Sunset Hill Green Market...plus, there's a raffle!

Where is it?

Sunset Hill Community Association

3003 NW 66th St

Sunset Hill living....

Are you interested in Sunset Hill real estate? realestate@cooperjacobs.com

Sustainable Landscape Architecture in Seattle

2008-08-28T10:14:52Z

Susan Black of Susan Black & Associates is a Seattle landscape architect that has been doing green landscaping for a long time! Check out this article I found written about LEED and Seattle landscaping back in 2001:

http://www.djc.com/news/ae/11121028.html

Green landscaping is a huge movement in Seattle and the Puget Sound - Designing sustainable landscapes is vital to the environmental health of our great city! I am happy to see that this is finally taking off, but I admire the early adapters of environmental causes!

Here's some more about SBA and what Seattle landscape architect Susan Black can do for Seattle landscaping:

Seattle landscaping can be commercial or residential and SBA does it all. Susan Black & Associates have been doing some of the very best landscaping projects in Seattle and are among the most respected firms in the city when it comes to Seattle landscape architecture. They do some amazing projects and should be considered first when it comes to any project!

I have had the pleasure of knowing Susan Black for years and am constantly delighted to find the firm's work is everywhere! Logan Park in Lynnwood, WA got a huge transformation by the firm and it is one of the best parks in Lynnwood now. Powell Barnett Park in Seattle has become a neighborhood favorite after being in ruins for years. Cities and Counties interested in project planning should consult this firm first for a quality job. Residents interested in making their landscaping the best it can be should get a hold of SBA.

Contact info:

Susan Black

206-789-2133

SBA is located in historic Ballard and has the capabilities of serving the greater Puget Sound.

Courtney Cooper ....For all your Seattle Washington Real Estate Needs! Seattle Area Real Estate Agent: Broker and Realtor serving North King & South Snohomish County. Seattle Real Estate and Seattle Suburbs! Cooper Jacobs Real Estate Services: Experienced REALTOR with a background in accounting - I love my clients and work hard for them! Please call me if you are looking for a home or investment property (including short sales, preforeclosures, foreclosures, and REO properties) in Seattle (Ballard, Crown Hill, Phinney, Ravenna, Maple Leaf, Greenlake, Greenwood, Northgate, Lake City,University, Sand Point, Laurelhurst, Windermere, Fremont, Wallingford, Queen Anne, Westlake, Eastlake, Lake Union, Downtown, Madison Park), Shoreline, Edmonds, Brier, Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace, Lake Forest Park, Bothell, Mill Creek, Everett, or other Seattle Suburbs!

If you are thinking of relocating to Seattle, I am an expert at Seattle Relocation services and can help you find the perfect home while making sure it is a solid financial investment!

Seattle Real Estate: Online Marketing Is Huge!

2008-08-27T11:42:34Z

Seattle real estate 2008:

I have seen a lot of sellers frustrated in 2008 over the changing Seattle real estate market, but there are still great buyers out there and your house can sell if properly positioned on the market!

I have done Seattle selling tips before, but I wanted to touch on a few more as far as marketing your home and why you should make sure your agent is internet savvy...

Seattle real estate marketing - These are what I consider to be the three biggies after price and location of course:)

Let me know what you think - It is so important to get that online presence for your house and I am saddened by so many that don't see that yet...

Are you interested in Seattle real estate? realestate@cooperjacobs.com

It takes 12 million barrels of oil to make our Plastic Bags each year!

2008-08-27T10:53:03Z

Holy Cow! Want a Big Tip on Going Green? Here you go! Please please please buy those reusable bags and remember to use them!

Via Pippa MAC The Woodlands Real Estate & Relocation Realtor:

PAPER or PLASTIC?

Use Canvas Instead!

Did you know that Americans use 100 billion plastic shopping bags each year, requiring 12 million barrels of oil to make them.

It takes one 15-year-old tree to produce 700 paper grocery bags.

One supermarket can use all of them in under an hour!

Each high quality, reusable canvas bag in use has the potential to replace 1,000 plastic bags over its lifetime.

Reduce...Reuse...Recycle...Rebuy It all comes back to you!

Seattle Real Estate: Sunset Hill Park

2008-08-26T16:10:41Z

Seattle real estate: Sunset Hill Neighborhood

7531 34th Ave. NW

I love Sunset Hill in Seattle! It is such a wonderful neighborhood overlooking the Puget Sound! Sunset Hill Park is a great place to walk to for Sunset Hill residents. The park was gifted to the city in 1903 and is actually 2.7 acres, but seem like it is less than half an acre because most of it is on a slope overlooking the Sound and the Olympic Mountains.

Sunset Hill Park: It's About The Views!

This Sunset Hill park has benches and a small walking trail, but the big attraction? The view! Many people go just to sit down and read a book in the sun or check out the sailboats down below. My personal connection is that my dear hubby proposed to me right there! Sunset Hill Park is a wonderful spot and we are lucky to have it!

Sunset Hill Real Estate - Some Great Houses Out There!

Are you interested in living in Sunset Hill? You can search Sunset Hill real estate and also get up to the minute listings! realestate@cooperjacobs.com

Seattle: Updated Down Payment Assistance Program Info

2008-08-26T15:35:07Z

Seattle real estate: Down Payment Assistance -

This week, I have been running around making sure that my clients that need help with their down payments are getting their offers in pronto! You may already know that the door to down payment assistance is closing (hopefully temporarily) on October 1st, but there is more info you need!

Many of the lenders are already setting deadlines for the last day they will take these contracts for buyers who need help with their down payments. If you need help with your down payment to buy a house, you need to get the offer signed around and submitted to the lender now. This week seems to be the last open window for many of the lenders.

There are a lot of buying choices for houses in Seattle and the Seattle suburbs - get out there!

Need help with Seattle real estate? realestate@cooperjacobs.com

Ballard Sights: Stone Gardens

2008-08-26T11:17:27Z

Wow! I think this place is so cool! I love driving by the REI on I-5, but this climber gym is by far way cooler to look at - not from the top of that wall, though for me!!!!! Stone Gardens is another Ballard attraction - towards the end of Market Street past downtown Ballard and on the left just before the Locks.

Here is some more contact info:

2839 NW Market St
Seattle, WA 98107
(206) 781-9828

Are you interested in living in Ballard? Ballard real estate search or email: realestate@cooperjacobs.com

Integrating the old with the new - 10 Tips on Green Living

2008-08-26T10:10:14Z

Great Green tips! I love this for both living and remodeling GREEN!

Via Kenzie Bond, REALTOR®:

Anyone who has known me for awhile is aware of my dislike for newly constructed homes, and by new I mean anything built after the 80's! As these "McNeighborhoods" sprung up throughout Houston I was repulsed by the look -a-like homes on postage stamp lots void of any character or uniqueness. There seemed to be a contest in each subdivision on how many homes could be squeezed in one area in the shortest time. My list of reasons for disliking these homes could go on and on - but now it seems as if my views are being shared and hopefully will be reflected in future building practices.

"The following is an excerpt from CNN's "10 Easy Ways to Green Your Home"

---> It's All About the Eaves: A roof should overhang walls by at least one foot. That keeps the sun off windows and exteriors, which helps the house stay cool in summer.It also protects siding from the weather, meaning you may be able to go twice as long between repaintings or re-sidings.

---> RE-USE and REMODEL: The house you fix up will probably be much greener than anything you build in its place, no matter how cutting edge the new design or how much recycled material you use.

Sure, some old houses just can't be saved. But even a building with serious problems can give you plenty to work with.

You might, for example, be able to salvage the first floor and build around it. With a total teardown, all the stuff that went into building the old house, including the fossil fuels the original construction crew had to burn, goes to waste. (Construction material is one of the largest contributors to landfills.)

And, of course, you'll consume a lot of energy and materials putting up a new structure. If you choose to remodel, consider expanding up rather than out. That's an easy way to control your home's carbon footprint.

--->Size Matters: The average new American home occupies about 2,500 square feet, up from 1,700 in 1977. And it's not just the floor plans that expanded: Builders fell in love with double-height ceilings and cavernous, echoing "great rooms."

Fight the urge to go big and high. Not only is a smaller, well-proportioned house easier to heat and to cool, but you'll need to buy less furniture to feel at home in it. And isn't consuming less the whole point? Some specifics to remember:

A kitchen should match how you really cook
Unless you regularly prepare five-course meals with the help of a sous-chef, you'll likely find it most convenient to work in a kitchen that's no more than 20 feet long, with countertops no more than four feet apart.

Bedrooms are for beds
The best bedrooms are designed around the spot where you'll sleep, not around the sitting area that you probably won't use as often as you think. Chairs in bedrooms have a way of just collecting the laundry you've been meaning to put away.

More rooms can be better than one giant space
Instead of a high-ceilinged great room that combines a kitchen, dining room and living room, use the same square footage for a combination of rooms with standard ceilings. Divide them with french doors that you can open out when you want family togetherness.

If you're building or renovating, the construction costs can be $100 per square foot lower than those for a double-height space. By getting rid of all that air overhead, you'll save on energy too.

---> Renewable Energy: Many areas offer renewable energy providers - such as wind powered electricity. You can also install your own energy producing components such as solar powered water heaters.

---> Insulate, Insulate, Insulate: Upgrading the insulation in your home - including caulking and weather-stripping around windows and doors - can cut your heating bills by as much as 20%. (To learn how to do a home energy audit and find leaks, see energystar.gov.)

But you should also pay attention to design features that make insulation harder or easier.

Cathedral ceilings and flat roofs need extra attention
In homes with those features, your ceiling may sit directly under the roof, putting the room that much closer to the elements. You'll need to make sure these ceilings are especially well insulated and carefully vented.

Recessed lights can leak
After all, they basically require you to punch a lot of holes in your ceiling. If you install them under attics or roofs, make sure to use fixtures that are IC rated, which means you can safely pack insulation above and around them. These can cost $10 to $20 extra.

Dirt insulates
If the site where you intend to build your home is sloped, consider putting a portion of the structure underground. You'll get some natural protection against extremes of both heat and cold.

--> Be Wise About Windows: You can benefit from the most old-fashioned kind of solar power simply by putting windows in the right places.

In the northern part of the country, a house with most of its windows facing south will collect more light - and therefore more heat - in the winter. (You'll also be able to keep the lightbulbs off until late in the day.)

If you live in warmer climes, it's smart to have most of your windows facing north so your home doesn't bake all year.

In general you want fewer and smaller windows. That's because every window costs: Even the best of them will rot and leak over time. And even deluxe triple-glazed, argon-gas-filled windows will let out more of your home's heat than a wall would.

By the way, the super-insulated variety probably won't save enough to pay back the steep premium - maybe twice the price - over the up-to-code double-glazed kind."

Now what does this have to do with my love for older homes you ask? The features that I, and so many others. love about these classic homes are now being touted as energy conserving. Features such as actual rooms instead of "great rooms or open living areas", moderate ceilings instead of the cathedral ceilings in each room, smaller more compact kitchens, and more conservative overall square footage of the home. I recently purchased a home built in the 1940's, and one of the things that sold me on the home was that it has actual ROOMS! A living ROOM, seperate kitchen, dining ROOM, etc... all of these features are not one big open area. The kitchen may be a little small - but lets be honest, how many 5 star meals will I be cooking?!?!? The home also features the overhanging eaves and smaller windows. Old school features coupled with today's improvements - extra insulation, insulated windows, energy efficient appliances - make this girl happy!

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Brazoria County?

Call Kenzie

Forget Waiting on a Short Sale: This is Worse!

2008-08-25T22:59:01Z

Seattle: When Your House Won't Sell -

I showed a house that has literally been sitting on the market for almost a year. It annoyed me initially that it is a vacant house and the listing agent put on there that it was occupied with the phone to show of course being her number, but what is really annoying is that she won't return my call.

Deep breath because Sunday is the day of rest, right? NO! Not for me! I had a rainy Open House that still managed to get some traffic and appointments to show all afternoon and into the evening. I have been calling this agent since YESTERDAY. A few more hours and I have the right to call her seller directly.

So I decide to do a little investigating... She has one listing and it has been on the market for almost a year PLUS she is out of area AND there aren't any attached docs on the MLS (We upload our legal description, seller disclosures, etc. here).

So you tell me: Why has this house not sold in almost a year? Anyone, anyone?

Sellers, please take note: There are some better ways to sell your house! Your house does not have to be on the market for this long!!!

Are you interested in Seattle real estate? realestate@cooperjacobs.com

edited to take out a picture which wasn't THE house, but I would hate to target an innocent random house which is what the picture was of:)

Being in the Google Top 10 Means Nothing

2008-08-24T11:42:02Z

I think this is a great post and it reminds me that it is so important to have balance in everything that we do!

Via James and Joseph Bridges:

That's right, for all that work you put in optimizing your pages over the most competitive keywords, it means absolutely nothing. It doesn't matter if you are #1 and there are 3,000,000 more people behind you in the SERPs, it just doesn't mean anything at all. In fact it may give you bragging rights around town and may even feel good to say, but what is it actually doing for you?

Before Matt Cutts and the other powers to be at Google stop reading (at least that is my wishful thinking that they are reading) here is what I am talking about.

What is your actual business?

I see post after post by misdirected bloggers and other real estate agents claiming they are #1 on this term or in the top 10 of that term. But the last time I checked, you don't get any money for your placement in the search engines. Neither Google, nor Yahoo, nor even MSN pay you for just showing up, but yet everyone keeps bragging about their positions.

Let's get real

The reality is that it doesn't matter how well you show up in the search engines if you can't show up at the closing table. We have two main points of conversion that we really need to focus on.

Convert Traffic into Leads

Convert Leads into Commissions

Convert Traffic into Leads

This is a popular topic and one that warrants many posts, energy, and effort to truly master. Whether you are running a blog or a website, it must convert that traffic into something of value. For those in the real estate business, it is generally in the form of leads. We need those visitors to volunteer their information so we can have the opportunity to connect with them. You can have the great results in your market and even be flooded with traffic, but if you aren't getting people to give you their information you have a BIG problem.

Look at each and every page (or post) and make sure you are taking the opportunity to make a call to action so you can convert that traffic. If each and every page has a lead capture opportunity you are headed in the right direction. If you are just providing information then you are Wikipedia and they take donations, so you might want to rethink your strategy.

Convert Leads into Commissions

This is where the real rubber meets the roads. Leads are nice, but they don't pay the bills. You need to turn those leads into commissions and here is where most agents are failing. In fact, especially for those bloggers out there, when you talk about your leads, why don't you talk about the appointments and escrows you are actually getting as that is more valuable than the lead count.

There is nothing "technical" about converting leads into appointments, it is the skill one has over e-mails and the phone. Most of the companies out that pitch technology out there fail to mention that you might need to talk to a consumer to get their business (crazy thought). The best way to improve this part of your business is through mastery of buyer scripts and objection handling. A little bit of practice can ensure you aren't the one talking about leads, but the one that is talking about how many escrows you have going.

Keep the Focus

Being in the real estate business means largely that for your living you are helping people purchase and sell property. Having a website or blog that is at the top of the search engines is great and should be a goal to shoot for, but don't lose your focus and think your work is done when you hit #1 in Google, Yahoo, or MSN.

Make sure to focus on the practical results of how people you are actually helping to achieve their goals in real estate. Track your appointments each and every month so you can make sure that hard work you are doing for your blog and real estate website are getting you to those numbers that you set at the beginning of the year.

Original post was posted at: http://www.internetrealestatesuccess.com