The Value of Virtual Open Houses

The coronavirus pandemic has shifted the way we live life and perform business, and real estate has been no exception to this. In a time where many people are trying to minimize social exposure as much as possible, virtual home tours and open houses have become the new way of conducting real estate online.

Read More
DIY Together – Home Projects You Can Tackle as a Family

Families are suddenly spending a lot more time together at home. If you are running out of things to keep your kids busy, consider doing some of these DIY projects! Doing small home renovations together will create a bonding moment, can be great lessons in project management for people of all ages, and a chance to improve communication and patience with one another.

Read More
Sarah Georger-Clark
Common Appraisal Myths Dispelled

The appraisal process is one of the key components in any home sale. A real estate appraisal is an expert valuation of a house and the property it is located on. Although appraisals are widely used to determine the true value of a property in the event of a home sale or mortgage refinance, there are many misconceptions surrounding them. Today we are dispelling these common appraisal myths.

Read More
Sarah Georger-Clark
How Coronavirus May Change the Way We Think About Home Function

The current COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way the world is living. For the first time in decades, Americans are spending far more time at home and only leaving the house only out of necessity. This time surrounded by our families has required our homes to function in new ways. People are working from home much more than they ever had before, the dining room has become homeschool headquarters and the kitchen is getting a lot more mileage these days. Will some of these needs become permanent or will we have a short memory? Here are some ways that pandemic is changing the way we function in our homes:

Read More
Should You Buy a Home Now or Later? What to Know About Buying in a Recession

These are general rules of thumb in a market that has high inventory and fewer buyers. For most recessions in the history of recording them, housing market did not dip below the trendline of 5% growth, EXCEPT for the housing crash of 2008. Overall there is slowdown of growth, which means that the value of your home just doesn’t climb as high as expected in an up market. In Seattle it’s yet to be seen if the economy can overall income can support a balanced market.

Read More
What You Shouldn’t Sweat When Finding a Home

There are turn-offs, then there are deal breakers. When are looking for a house and can overlook a turnoff, you have a leg up over your competition. A realtor friend had a funny comment today about a listing that had its’ challenges “under the hood”, but was staged and beautifully presented. It had numerous offers and was loved by many buyers despite a little work that needed to be done. When I told her about this house, she said, “Super Cute Sells!” So so so true. When you can get past needing the dazzle, you might find a diamond in the rough. Here is what not to worry about when your are house hunting.

Read More