Gerhard's View from the Street - Archive

What I Learn From Home BuyersA couple of weeks ago, I showed a client six homes, one in Bellevue, and five in Kirkland. In preparation, we met and discussed the why, what, where and “how much” questions. For the answers to the latter I recommended a respected mortgage broker. For the what and the...

You do, even if you don’tThe dictum Time is of the essence is a legal principle. It applies to the many steps of a real estate transaction from mutual agreement to closing. Especially these days when many buyers are chasing a few properties, time and timing are critical factors.Dates can be key t...

Sold? It all depends on how you look at it.Yesterday, one of my listings sold. Sold as in changed owners. Sold as in the sale having been recorded with the county. According to this sign, it sold about three weeks ago. What’s going on here? Has this home sold or is the sale pending?To know which ...

Your home is for sale, but do you know where your listing is? "If you let me list your home it will appear all over the Internet." That's true. What the real estate agent should have added is "...and there's nothing I can do about that." Where it starts and how it grows. It starts with agents ent...

Seller Disclosure: 47 States require some sort of disclosure by the sellers of residential real estate and Washington is one of them. The disclosure, also known as Form 17, may well be the most complicated and controversial document in a residential real estate transaction. What's wrong with the ...

“Why are they selling?" is one of the most frequent questions buyers ask me. Sometimes the answer is obvious. The listing or state records indicate an estate sale, a relocation or a recent divorce. Other times, we can’t be entirely sure.  Why are buyers interested in the sellers’ reason for selli...

It was nice to be voted again one of Seattle's best real estate agents and have my name in the December 2014 issue of the Seattle Magazine. I share this honor with the top seven percent of Seattle area agents selected by their clients and real estate professionals.      Personal Service I'm sure ...

There are ways to combat the smells of real estate. The expression "I can't stand..." indicates an extreme dislike. "I can't stand the smell of this house" is just about the most negative remark a buyer can make.  The equivalent German saying is "Ich kann ihn nicht riechen" which translates liter...

Back on Market after Hibernation! (SOLD) Look no further than this Woodinville move-in ready, 3-bedroom split-level home. Get the keys from the current owner who replaced all windows, the garage door, roof, gutters and water heater.  Take control of the remodeled kitchen with cherry wood cabinets...

On your drive to work you spotted a sign saying Vinterra - Coming Soon!  Only yesterday, this was one of the largest commercial nurseries on a main road connecting Kirkland and Woodinville. You make a mental note to search for Vinterra. As you type Vinterra, Google suggests Vinterra Woodinville....