Comments (1)

By Courtney Cooper, March 17, 2008 10:33 am

Seattle real estate is in a buyer’s market, but are you looking for a way to get into a Seattle house even cheaper?

Seattle buyers: You might consider a short sale, but be prepared to wait and wait and wait. Not only will you not get an answer immediately when you put in an offer for a short sale, you will more than likely have to wait for weeks and weeks.  The bank is in no hurry to sell you this house for $50,000 or more under market, and they also like to drag their feet to wait for a better offer.  If you want the deal, you have to be very patient and understand what you are getting in to.

What is a short sale?

Simple Short Sale Definition:  A Short sale is when the seller owes more than the house can be sold for in the current market, so the bank has to agree to write off the difference and sell the house for less than they are owed.. Coming up with an acceptable price for the bank when they are losing money on a loan can be tricky and requires someone who is willing to go to bat for both parties – the buyer who wants to get a good deal and the seller who wants to get out of a loan without a foreclosure on their record. It is also in the bank’s best interest because they want to save on the time and money it would talk to foreclose on a property that is in arrears.

The problem? 

 There are no guarantees that just because a house is listed for a certain price that it will sell for that price or even close to it.  The listing agents list these short sale homes as “subject to lien holder approval” in the agent only remarks.  I strongly think that this lingo should also be put in the public comments so that a prospective buyer is well aware that the price is not a definite and that even the sale is not a definite until a lien holder approves of it. In fact, in most cases if you put in a full price offer, the bank will likely counter back at a higher price than the property is listed at! Doesn’t seem fair does it? There is a difference between an approved short sale and a short sale. With an approved at least there is some guarantee of price range, but the fact of the matter is that most short sales listed are not approved short sales. It is just too difficult to get a bank to pin down a number without an offer in front of them!

Good news!

The good news is that a Seattle short sale can work out for all parties involved and benefit all! Make sure you are working with someone that knows how to do a short sale! Search for Seattle Short Sales.

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 realestate (including short sales, preforeclosures, foreclosures, and REO properties) in Seattle (Ballard, Crown Hill, Phinney, Ravenna, Maple Leaf, Green Lake (Greenlake), Greenwood, Northgate, Lake City,University, Sand Point, Laurelhurst, Windermere, Fremont, Wallingford, Queen Anne, Westlake, Eastlake, Lake Union, Downtown, Madison Park) & other Seatle neighborhoods, Shoreline, Edmonds, Brier, Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace, Lake Forest Park, Bothell, Mill Creek, Everett, or other Seattle Suburbs!

Comments (0)

By Courtney Cooper, March 1, 2008 10:14 am

Seattle real estate has gotten trickier in recent months and I honestly believe that most traditional buyers need to work with a full service REALTOR.  But if you are going to go with a company like Redfin who provides a different business model in return for lower fees in the form of a rebate, please plan on shelling out the extra money and paying Redfin to be your buyer’s agent.

I should clarify right now up front that I am not attacking Redfin. I am all for free enterprise and coming up with a different business model that does suit a small minority of extremely experienced and knowledgeable buyers. These buyers don’t want or need the hand holding and constant diligence that I can offer them before, during, and after a transaction. Fine.

I am not attacking this alternative business model because simply put, they are not my competition. The fact is when I was with a larger regional company I was already the real estate agent renegade because I have always given my own clients rebates in the form of closing costs, etc. alongside my FULL SERVICE. I opened my own brokerage partially so that I could do what I wanted to do for my clients without having to ask my broker for permission. I genuinely want to help my buyers financially to ease the stress of the transaction and improve their quality of life. So – before you call me greedy, please don’t.

The point is that even though I was going to help out my buyers financially, I didn’t decide to discount my service based on this fact by sending them out to call listing agents and making these other hard working agents do my work as a Full Service buyer’s agent. To quote another saying, I just don’t believe in building my business on the backs of others. In my opinion: it is a listing agent’s job to show the listing to a potential unrepresented buyer, but it is a buyer’s agent’s job to show a represented buyer a property. This is a point that can be argued back and forth in both directions to no end, so I will gloss over it for now except for this:

There is just too much potential liability associated with dual agency to not acknowledge that buyers and sellers should be represented separately and with this separate representation comes a clear delineation of duties on each side.

So that’s my opinion on the matter and here is my problem with some of Redfin’s clients:

Although I have seen it stated very plainly in black and white that Redfin absolutely does not encourage this behavior and I applaud them for doing so, every single Redfin buyer I have run into in the last twelve months has lied their pants off to me!!! It seems that even though they discourage misrepresentations to a listing agent, by charging touring fees after the initial free ones are gone, Redfin is still encouraging their budget conscience buyers to act in some really sneaky ways that may be out of character for them normally.

Seriously, I want to sell my listings to you, Mr. Redfin Buyer, but for goodness sakes, just tell me the truth!!! I am not stupid. Please don’t use a fake name, and then when I explain that I ID new buyers for my own safety, side step and break down and tell me the truth. In addition, this couple didn’t even show up when I agreed to open the house up!!! I am not some crazy gate keeper that needs to be lied to. Please don’t call me pretending to be interested in working with me as your buyer’s agent and ask me for all my professional contacts that I have worked so hard for (inspector, appraiser, lender, etc.). Please don’t pretend that you are unrepresented when you are a Redfin buyer because just like you can smell a real estate agent a mile away, I can smell a limited service buyer even more quickly.

I have no problem with you as a limited service buyer. I really don’t! Just tell me the truth.

Be honest that you don’t want to pay the relatively small fees that Redfin charges to show homes after your initial free tours are exhausted. It really isn’t that much money relative to the rebate you can get and it is the right thing to do. Or….hire a full service Seattle REALTOR. Just my two cents.

Comments (2)

By Courtney Cooper, February 26, 2008 9:02 pm

CityDog Magazine is Seattle’s premiere dog magazine!

This magazine provides amazingly detailed information for all things for your Seattle area dog in Puget Sound! I find myself in awe at just how many dog friendly events happen in Seattle and I wouldn’t know about them without this magazine! Yes, it is true! Seattle based CityDog also puts on some amazing events and the Puppy Love Mutt Mixer this Feb was no exception! I heard it first hand that this year’s event was wildly popular with the puppies! Seattle residents are lucky to have such a creative dog lover running this fabulous mag! Here is what CityDog has planned for March (straight from the invite):

Seattle’s Pioneer Square is Going to the Dogs!

WHO
CityDog Magazine, you and your furry, four-legged art lover.

WHAT
Join CityDog Magazine and the Pioneer Square Community Association for the first-ever dog friendly art walk as part of the First Thursday Art Walk in Pioneer Square.Be sure to check out the CityDog-hosted, one-night-only art exhibit showcasing the fabulous works of some of Seattle’s finest dog photographers and artists all under one roof!

Photographer extraordinaire Amy Soper of Dane & Dane Photography will be on hand to snap portraits of your own furry friend (available for purchase) and Pioneer Square’s own Dry Soda will be there with refreshing samples of their gourmet sodas.

WHEN
March 6, 2008, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

WHERE
Seattle’s Pioneer Square on the corner of S. Washington & Occidental
(at the old Fenix; enter through the atrium on Occidental Square)
Click here to view map

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHERS & ARTISTS

• Bev Sparks, B Sparks Photography
• Emily Rieman, Best Friend Photography
• J. Nichole Smith, Dane & Dane Photography
• Jenifer Flynn, Four Legs Photography
• Jamie Pflughoeft, Decopaw Design
• Jennifer Sellers, Artist
• Shai Steiner, Animals In Primary
• Angela Ketelhut, Art by Angie

This dog friendly event is one-night-only, so don’t miss this chance to mingle with fellow dog lovers and visit with the photographers and artists who specialize solely in the art of the four legged. Each will be on hand to discuss and share their wonderful works of fine art and photography with you. Then, look for the “CityDog Friendly” sign at other participating, dog friendly galleries as part of the First Thursday Art Walk in Pioneer Square.

RSVP rsvp@citydogmagazine.com

Party Animal Rules: Dogs must remain on-leash and be under your control at all times. Dogs (and people for that matter) must also play well with others. Thank you for your understanding!

I highly recommend you subscribe to this amazing magazine!

Want info on Green Seattle topics?

Seattle Built Green Info , Seattle Green Remodeling , Seattle Going Green Guide, Going Green in the Seattle Suburbs

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!

Comments (0)

By Courtney Cooper, December 8, 2007 9:12 pm

Seattle Suburb Flood Aftermath : Mountlake Terrace, Edmonds, and Brier Wa – Horses, roads, and clean up….

Seattle Real Estate Suburb: Mountlake Terrace, Edmonds, and Brier Wa Flood Aftermath Update 

 Among others, 214th was flooded and horses were being brought in left and right.  The hillsides were flowing, but luckily the water has receded.  Unfortunately for some residents, though, there was damage as a result of the December 2007 storm in Washington state.  The Cities of Mountlake Terrace, Edmonds, and Brier all declared some type of state of emergency in order to clear the way for clean up funding.   This means that affected residents might be eligible for some reimbursement from the federal government for flood damage caused by this latest storm. 

Courtney Cooper ….For all your Seattle Washington Real Estate Needs! Seattle Area Real Estate Agent: Associate Broker and Realtor serving North King & South Snohomish County – Experienced and 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, 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!

Comments (0)

By Courtney Cooper, December 3, 2007 7:25 am

It rains a lot in Seattle, Washington, but we don’t stay inside all the time!!! Seattle and its suburbs are lucky enough to be in King County and King County has a huge park system! The park system of King County is so big in fact, that they call it “Your big backyard!”

King County has 180 parks and 175 miles of trails with a combined acreage of 25,000 acres!

One of my favorite trails is the Burke-Gilman trail – it starts in Seattle down in Shilshole Bay and goes all the way up through the University District, Lake Forest Park, Kenmore, and then on to Bothell. It is roughly eighteen miles long and intersects with the Sammamish River Trail System in Bothell. It is a huge commuting trail for cyclists who commute from Seattle to the Eastside during the week! The Burke-Gilman is used by cyclists, walkers, joggers, runners, skaters and also lots of strollers!

Courtney Cooper ….For all your Seattle Washington Real Estate Needs! Seattle Area Real Estate Agent: Associate Broker and Realtor serving North King & South Snohomish County – Experienced and with a background in accounting – I love my clients and work hard for them! Call me if you are looking for a home or investment property in Seattle, Shoreline, Edmonds, Brier, Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace, Lake Forest Park, Bothell, Mill Creek, Everett, or other Seattle Suburbs!

Comments (0)

By Courtney Cooper, December 1, 2007 2:54 pm

Brier, Washington, Don’t forget that Santa arrives tonight in Brier Park!!!! The annual tree lighting for the city of Brier, Wa is tonight and Santa arrives at 6:30! Also don’t miss the Holiday Parade of Boats where local Brier, Wa residents dress up their boats and parade them at the event!

Courtney Cooper ….For all your Seattle Washington Real Estate Needs! Seattle Area Real Estate Agent: Associate Broker and Realtor serving North King & South Snohomish County – Experienced and with a background in accounting – I love my clients and work hard for them!

Call me if you are looking for a home or investment property (including short sales, preforeclosures, foreclosures, and REO properties) in Seattle, Shoreline, Edmonds, Brier, Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace, Lake Forest Park, Bothell, Mill Creek, Everett, or other Seattle Suburbs!

Comments (0)

By Courtney Cooper,

Seattle Real Estate is so much fun, but it is really amazing when something cool happens along the way………………………………..

I recently sold a gorgeous view home in Edmonds, WA..it was one of the most unique houses I had ever seen or had the pleasure to sell. In addition to being a view home, it had a really unique floor plan. The uniqueness probably caused it to be on the market just a tad longer than it normally would have been, but it was perfect for my buyers! The sellers were extremely kind and after close, brought something really cool to my buyers….a time capsule of sorts!!!

Apparently, during the major tear down and remodel job the seller did in the seventies on the original 1910 house, they found a bottle embedded in one of the walls. Upon opening it, they were treated to a letter from the long deceased original owner! It made the local papers and the seller was kind enough to give my buyers the press clipping as well as the letter.

I thought this was so cool! I had to share! What is in the walls of your old Seattle home? Love letters, trinkets, old stocks, perhaps?

Courtney Cooper ….For all your Seattle Washington Real Estate Needs! Seattle Area Real Estate Agent: Associate Broker and Realtor serving North King & South Snohomish County – Experienced and with a background in accounting – I love my clients and work hard for them!

Call me if you are looking for a home or investment property (including short sales, preforeclosures, foreclosures, and REO properties) in Seattle, Shoreline, Edmonds, Brier, Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace, Lake Forest Park, Bothell, Mill Creek, Everett, or other Seattle Suburbs!

Comments (0)

By Courtney Cooper, November 21, 2007 1:44 pm

 It is gorgeous outside!  Looking through the window, it looks like summer in Seattle!  As soon as you step out the door, though, you know it is the day before Thanksgiving!   In Seattle, our Thanksgivings are often rainy and quite dreary – a perfect time to snuggle up to a fire with family and good food.  This weather is making me want to go take a long walk around Greenlake a few times!

So good weather and easy traveling for all the lucky ones celebrating Thanksgiving this year in Seattle.  Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!  The rain looks like it won’t be back until Monday!

Courtney Cooper ….For all your Seattle Washington Real Estate Needs! Seattle Area Real Estate Agent: Associate Broker and Realtor serving North King & South Snohomish County – Experienced and with a background in accounting – I love my clients and work hard for them!

************************************************************************************************

 ***turkey image from http://clip-art.kaboose.com/holidays/thanksgiving/thanks-clipart.html****