RainCityHouses.com: Seattle Real Estate » Buyer Bonus

Brier Homes For Sale – Seattle Suburbs Real Estate Offerings…

Courtney Cooper — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 21:41:05 +0000

Seattle Suburbs Real Estate: Brier Homes For Sale: We have some great Brier homes for sale right now, but Brier in general has some cool properties at very good prices. Brier is a Seattle suburb which happens to be quite convenient to all directions of commuting. On top of that all the best shopping and restaurants are all in close proximity. Schools are good and homes are well priced – especially now.

The transit system all around Brier is quite advanced with newer transit stations in all directions..Canyon Park, Lynnwood, and Mountlake Terrace are all newer transit stations (MLT even has solar) for quick commutes to Eastside (Bellevue and Kirkland or Redmond0, North (Everett) or South to Shoreline and Seattle. Even in heavy traffic, Downtown Seattle is a half hour bus ride tops form the Mountlake Terrace Transit Station.

Brier homes for sale right now:

2931 224^th PL SW: This is a 3 bedroom spacious home right in the heart of Brier – close proximity to all city offerings and good floor plan – large lot – ask about Bonuses. 3 bedrooms/2.25 baths 1812 sq ft Built in 1984 on a large lot – 12632 sq ft! 2 car attached garage, large rec room, more – private quiet road $309,950

19207 Locust Way – not quite in Brier city limits, but close to Brier and enjoys all great Brier amenities. 3 bedroom/1.75 home on 2.42 acres!!!! This home is in a great location in Lynnwood and has wonderful park like spaces – Big bonus on this one, too… $887,400 or Best Offer

22424 Old Poplar Way – practically a stone’s throw from Brier City Hall – giant horse or farm property with AMAZING spaces – this one even has a giant 5 car garage with RV parking and a shop. Expansive 1933 home with 5 bedrooms and 3 baths – 2558 sq feet – It is like Sunset Boulevard in Brier – horse facilities already in place and only a quick jaunt to Brier’s own Equestrian Arena! Looking for a Seattle Equestrian Property???? THIS IS IT!

Want to see these and other Brier Real Estate? We are happy to show you anything in this nice Seattle Suburb. Brier has a lot to offer! realestate@cooperjacobs.com

Bellevue Neighborhoods: Looking for a great housing option near Microsoft?

Courtney Cooper — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 18:31:07 +0000

Bellevue Neighborhoods: Relocating for Microsoft?

The three areas I really like in Bellevue for the close proximity to Microsoft are Overlake, Lake Hills, and what we also just call Microsoft because it is so close – Microsoft is a huge part of the local economy and there are always people relocating to be here because of it. Redmond and Sammamish are typically first on the list for Microsoft people moving in from out of state, but Bellevue neighborhoods are a great option and these three MLS areas are quite affordable when looking at a good combination of schools, walk ability, and amenities.

Cooper Jacobs Real Estate Services has a great house listed right now in the Overlake/Microsoft area of Bellevue – near Crossroads Mall and all the other great shopping centers right there. It has easy access to both 520 and I-90 and is on a private cul de sac with a great walking trail to the major drag for easy transit or cycling access. You can check it out here:

15002 NE 9^th PL

Bellevue homes in this neighborhood don’t come up for sale very often and this one has some great spaces. If you are looking at moving to Seattle and want a Seattle suburbs map or some direction on where you might start looking for your particular situation, please feel free to give us a call or drop an email. We have successfully helped many clients with their relocations to the Greater Puget Sound area!

Bellevue real estate:

You can find more great Bellevue Real Estate on our site! We have all listings by all companies and it sweeps the MLS every 15 to 20 minutes for changes. Search for free with no obligation to sign up, but you can sign up and save your searches, save your favorites, or set up custom email alerts so you are always notified when a new Bellevue home comes on the market that meets your needs!

Why I Am Loving Seattle Suburbs New Construction

Courtney Cooper — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 13:57:05 +0000

I haven’t always been one of those Realtors who is hot on new construction. The plain truth is that in a stronger Seattle real estate market new construction wasn’t always the best deal. In fact, Seattle buyers who insisted on new construction usually paid a premium for it. There simply was not much in the way of negotiation.

Good things about new construction:

Wonderful big open floor plans
New Everything – nothing to fix
Maintenance up front is usually cheaper because all systems are new
Wonderful features designed for how we live now – bigger bathrooms, etc.
Builders are definitely starting to lean towards energy efficiency and Built Green aspects

Less Desirable points of new construction to some buyers:

Bigger price tag (negotiable!!!!)
Small Yard or no yard in most cases
Inconsistent architecture when new construction is plopped down in the middle of somewhere
Those funny retaining ponds
Some cookie cutter designs at times – definitely not custom in most cases

There is a very different story in Seattle new construction and Seattle suburb new construction now. If you are a non contingent buyer (meaning the sale doesn’t depend on you selling your current home) then you are in a window of golden opportunity right now! You can negotiate on price, perks, upgrades, and bonuses – plus get your closing costs paid in most cases. In addition, I like to make sure my buyers get a refrigerator and sometimes a washer and dryer of their choice!

Seattle suburbs new construction areas that have some nice developments right now:

Lynnwood, Everett, Snohomish, Mountlake Terrace, Brier, Bothell, Redmond, Mill Creek Marysville, Lake Stevens, and Lake Forest Park

These are all in different price points – there are townhomes, too, but also larger homes. The developments I am touring have some nice features and are definitely worth a look if you are interested in Seattle suburbs new construction.

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, Green Lake (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!

Seattle Real Estate: Better Than Short Sales & Foreclosures, Here’s Where The Real Deal Is

Courtney Cooper — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 14:03:56 +0000

Yes, we are in a buyer’s market in Seattle – that is obvious as the inventory has increased and the buyer pool is smaller. In addition, short sales and foreclosures have increased so much so that the NWMLS has had to come out with new rules for short sales. Buyers who are well qualified are out there looking for the best deal and I am noticing that the trend is to look for a Seattle short sale or foreclosure. Although the chance to earn instant equity may be appealing and there are many wonderful aspects to purchasing a short sale or foreclosure, this may not be your best deal.

These properties are in many cases distressed in more ways than one ranging from appliances that have been pulled out and sold to deferred maintenance issues, and even thousands of dollars in unpaid bills that run with the property. Short sales in addition have a very low percentage of success rate as far as making it to close before the bank sends them to auction. Unfortunately, from what I have seen recently, the banks are still unwilling to be reasonable in many cases. On top of that, there are usually more than one department at the mortgage company involved and the left hand doesn’t speak the same language as the right hand. It is great that the MLS has tried to put a system in to make short sales a bit easier, but I really think that until the mortgage companies put a clear system in place, there is going to continue to be a low percentage of them that actually reach the closing table. This is bad news for both buyers and sellers – and the banks, but so far, I am not seeing the banks concerned enough to change this.

I think the better deal out there right now is new construction. These properties are out there sitting costing somebody something to carry them. There are perks galore being offered on them and the cost of maintenance up front is very low. The cosmetics are perfect and the builders are able to play ball when it comes to negotiating. In fact, I am seeing that when it comes to negotiating price, new construction has a much better potential for getting the better deal! New construction isn’t for short term flippers – the price is right, but be prepared to sit on the investment until the development is sold out or mostly sold out. With all of the perks and special pricing going on, there is no appreciation until the builder is out of the neighborhood. For the owner occupied buyer, though, this purchase can be ideal for earning equity.

Seattle Real Estate: Primo buying window getting smaller…

Courtney Cooper — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 21:49:04 +0000

Seattle’s real estate market may be a bit soft right now, but the rates are incredibly low for qualified buyers and as a result the good Seattle lenders I have talked to recently are incredibly busy – and even backed up in some cases. Sure, there are going to be refinances in this mix of increased business, but the savvy Seattle buyers are out there in neighborhoods and suburbs right now trying to scoop up some deals before others realize that the market isn’t as bad as they thought! The truth is that Seattle has a booming real estate market in 2008 – it is just a very different market than we have seen in recent years. Seattle sellers, agents, and buyers need to adapt and stop looking to the media for “expert information” because the media seems to be gripping more of a doom and gloom Seattle bubble attitude. Instead, ask someone out there who is actually listing and selling houses in 2008! WAMU might be backed up because they cut their staff down to the bone, but other lenders are busy, too!

The weather is beginning to turn in Seattle – I always know when the woodpeckers start banging on my chimney to attract mates that spring is near! More and more buyers will be out as warmer days set in and with this will come some competition. Sellers should have their full service agents price their home competitively. They should pay the extra money and have an accredited Stager help them get their home ready for the market if their Realtor suggests it. Spring on its way doesn’t mean that Seattle sellers don’t need to put their best foot forward so that a buyer’s first impression is the best it can be. The 2008 Seattle market is still strong, but just trickier and it takes savvy on your agent’s part and on your part to sell your home.

Smart Seattle buyers who are out there right now: it is possible to get incredible prices, deals and bonuses from these sellers without completely low-balling them on your offer! Have your Realtor be aggressive, but write a strong offer and choose where you want to negotiate rather than beating down the offer from all directions. The window of primo opportunity is getting smaller as more buyers realize how enticing Seattle real estate is right now!

Courtney Cooper ….For all your Seattle Washington Real Estate Needs! Seattle Area Real Estate Agent: Broker and Realtor serving Seattle neighborhoods and Seattle suburbs in both 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 neighborhoods (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) or Seattle suburbs (Shoreline, Edmonds, Brier, Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace, Lake Forest Park, Bothell, Mill Creek, Everett) or other Seattle Suburbs!

Seattle Suburbs Real Estate: New Construction Issues in Neighborhoods & Suburbs…

Courtney Cooper — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 06:35:06 +0000

I was out looking at a lot of new construction this weekend and it is surprising to me how different the “standards” can be from builder to builder and development to development. If I were a builder or developer I would be out there checking out the competition and trying to beat it – especially in a market where supposedly there are fewer and fewer buyers for my product. I would make sure that each and every one of my built properties were staged up to my eyeballs by an accredited Staging professional and I would make sure that the agents that have ready, willing, and able buyers were able to use their NWMLS keypad to get into these Staged properties and sell them to their clients. The Seattle suburbs are loaded with some wonderful new construction properties, but weeding through them can be confusing. Housing projects – both big and small are springing up in some apparently random patterns and tracking down a consistent growth plan can be tough at times. More and more developments seem to be offering more of the a la carte upgrades and less of an actual yard. Lot sizes have gotten smaller and smaller over the years and buyers who want a larger yard will pay a premium for it with new construction in Seattle neighborhoods and suburbs.

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 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 neighborhoods, 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 Sellers: Seller Tips For a Buyer’s Market

Courtney Cooper — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 20:34:20 +0000

Sellers in Seattle: Take note!

The market has changed, but you can still sell your Seattle house with good results!

Now that Seattle has found itself in a buyer’s market, many home sellers are having to adapt. In order to be competitive in Seattle’s new buyer’s market, Puget Sound sellers should have every edge possible! Here are some of the things that could help your home get noticed!

Hire a full service
Seattle Realtor!!!!! This is probably one of your biggest investments – not the time to cut corners! You need the superior quality help to have the edge in this market!
Staging – I have an accredited Stager help me with my listings to make sure they are stunning when any buyer walks in. I want them to walk in and fall in love! It is amazing how dressing your home up like a Pottery Barn catalog can help to emotionally sell it!
Housekeeping/Lawn Maintenance – Hire a housekeeper and a yard maintenance team! You want your home to shine! The extra money will most likely be worth the investment.
Process – This is something I have to go through weekly in my own house. I call it processing. It is simply going through clutter and sorting it into piles – charitable contributions, trash, give away to friends, recycling, keep. It is helpful to do this regularly, but taking the time to do a big process job on your garage and closets can really pay off!
Dress Your Cabinets and Closets – Your Stager might do this, but if not, you should. Take the merchandising approach and color code your closets – hang clothing by shades of color and really make your closet look like a rack at The Gap! The same thing can be done with your kitchen cabinets – turning all the labels on the cans outward and making sure the pantry is organized and not cramped is vital.
Storage – Make the investment to store extra furniture or clothes that clog up closets and garages. Clear your kitchen counters of appliances and clutter. Your home needs to scream spaciousness and plenty of storage.
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.
Buyer Incentives…Offer to pay closing costs or some other from of bonus to “sweeten the pot” for a buyer when they are making a purchasing decision. They have lots to choose from right now!
Selling Office Commission: Don’t discount it – that agent is the hero who is bringing you a qualified Seattle buyer!!! I would even consider offering an agent bonus! It might encourage them to bring even more buyers back!
Price your home right! Doing all of the above won’t matter if you don’t price your home correctly. Again, your full service Realtor is qualified to do this! Also please keep in mind that starting a bit lower could get you multiple offers even in this market. More importantly, starting lower would save you thousands and thousands in carrying costs that your home would be incurring while it sits on the market at a higher price!

Use some or all of these and look for good results! Just because it is a buyer’s market out there doesn’t mean it is a bad time to sell. Houses are still selling and in some cases with multiple competing offers. The last three deals I have done involved multiple offers and back up buyers so I know it is happening! The important part is positioning your home correctly in this market!

Courtney Cooper ….For all your Seattle Washington Real Estate Needs! Seattle Area Real Estate Agent: 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!

Seattle Suburbs..What are the best Seattle Suburbs to move to and why?

Courtney Cooper — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 18:53:53 +0000

I recently saw this question on the internet: “What is a nice area Suburb near Seattle WA to move to?”

*Updated Feb 2009*

Seattle neighborhoods and Seattle suburbs have a ton to offer! I love this question and thought maybe it deserved a post – I love Seattle real estate and the real estate in all of the Seattle Suburbs, but I think that you really have to look at dividing the Seattle Suburbs up into different categories to try and get a grasp on them:

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

North Seattle Suburbs
REALLY North Seattle Suburbs
The Eastside
Further expanding Eastside
Southend Seattle suburbs
Ferry Suburbs

North Seattle Suburbs include Lake Forest Park, Shoreline (including Richmond Beach), Kenmore, Brier, Mukilteo , Edmonds, Mountlake Terrace, Mill Creek, Lynnwood, Woodway (including new construction Woodway Highlands and older Olmstead Woodway) and South Everett (including Silver Lake). Lake Forest Park and Shoreline are the closest to Seattle and both boast natural scenes like trees and water views. From Richmond Beach in Shoreline, sweeping Sound Views and salty air are abundant. Lake Forest Park offers a ton of trees and Lake Washington views. The Seattle suburb of Kenmore is just north of Lake Forest Park and has its own seaplane airport! Just north of Richmond Beach is the tiny town of Woodway – It has amazing houses, but has opted out of the public library system so if library is important to you, then maybe go with Edmonds. Edmonds sits on top of the Puget Sound and is a wonderful Seattle Suburb with a ton of shops and wonderful restaurants. Just north of that is Mukilteo which also has a ton of Waterfront. Mountlake Terrace offers a huge range of housing – the schools are good and the parks are big – plus there is easy commuting access to downtown Seattle, Everett, or the Eastside! Brier Real Estate is good and this city also offers easy commuting to all of these areas! Brier has a nice range of housing and is known for its larger lots and also horse properties. Lynnwood has a nice downtown and also the Alderwood Mall. It also has a mixture of housing options from apartments to larger new construction. Mill Creek is a developed city on a golf course. The neighborhoods are nice and neat and the area is ever expanding as more and more people decide to move into Mill Creek. South Everett touches Mill Creek and more and more Seattle suburb buyers are deciding that South Everett is a more affordable option in some cases – plus the new construction is extremely attractive and especially so when mixed with a fairly smooth commute option to Seattle.

Here are good starting points for looking at these North Seattle suburbs:

Shoreline Real Estate (Richmond Beach Real Estate), Edmonds Real Estate, Lake Forest Park Real Estate, Woodway Real Estate, Mountlake Terrace Real Estate, Brier Real Estate, Lynnwood Real Estate, Bothell Real Estate, Mukilteo Real Estate, Mill Creek Real Estate, Kenmore Real Estate, Everett Real Estate

***Also see my post on most bang for your buck in the Seattle Suburbs******

OK – moving further North……..

Really North End Seattle Suburbs include Everett, Lake Stevens, Marysville, Snohomish, Maltby and Arlington. These are still accessible to Seattle for commuting, but do take just a bit longer to get to. Prices in this area are usually considerably less and there are a ton of new construction perks and buyer bonuses right now if you are interested in checking out the deals available. Luckily, the transit system in the greater Seattle area is improving to the point that these suburbs are becoming more and more popular! Look at prices and search for homes in these Seattle suburbs.

Everett Real Estate

Eastside and more Eastside – The Eastside has a lot to offer – mountains and water – views and waterfront. Bellevue has a thriving downtown business center and a mix of shopping and restaurants with plenty of choices in housing. Right next door is gorgeous Kirkland. Kirkland is so quaint and defintiely my choice for Eastside communities. The waterfront is beautiful and the cute little downtown is just breathtaking. Sammamish and Redmond are Microsoft hot spots and offer a huge array of housing options – plus they are right next to the River Trail for easy bike commuting both local and Seattle commutes. You can choose large houses, large land plots or zero lot line townhomes – either way, you can still be in the heartland of these cities.

Check out Sammamish Plateau for the best deals from builders and a very nice neighborhood. Woodinville, Issaquah and Maple Valley round out my Eastside picks. Woodinville has gorgeous horse properties and sweeping neighborhoods. Issaquah has a wonderful downtown area and wonderful parks and shopping centers. The Issaquah Highlands is a newer development in Issaquah with huge views and its own retail center. It is a planned community with everything residents need right there! Walking trails and coffee shops are right there with townhomes and houses. Mercer Island is off the SouthEast of Seattle and offers waterfront property and gorgeous scenery almost everywhere you look. Look at prices and search for homes in these Seattle suburbs.

Woodinville Real Estate, Kirkland Real Estate, Redmond Real Estate, Bellevue Real Estate, Bothell Real Estate

The Southend – There are a ton of communities between Seattle and Tacoma and prices are usually more reasonable than those of the Eastside or Northern communities. New construction is abundant and builder perks are everywhere! Kent has some amazing new developments with beautiful houses and lush landscaping. I know of one builder that is throwing in so many buyer bonuses that it is worth a look! Renton is booming and has a huge commercial district and its own shopping and restaurants. Federal Way has changed more than any city recently with improvements going in left and right. Burien and Seatac have easy access to the freeway and airport. Des Moines has a nice waterfront and easy access to the freeway. Of all of these, Kent is my top pick for the amazing deals you can get right now! Look at prices and search for homes in these Seattle suburbs.

Ferry Seattle Suburbs…You don’t have to live in a close by driving Seattle Suburb to work in downtown Seattle. Bremerton to the South and its surrounding cities are extremely reasonable and absolutely booming as far as development goes! Living in Gig Harbor or Purdy and working in Seattle is easy with the Bremerton Ferry! Bainbridge Island is just a half an hour ride across the Puget Sound to downtown Seattle. Kingston is a shorter ride from Edmonds, Wa and has gorgeous waterfront and treed lots. Look at prices and search for homes in these Seattle suburbs.

Bainbridge Island Real Estate

Price, Schools, etc……………

Price is usually a factor when looking at Seattle suburbs real estate. Generally the Eastside suburbs of Bellevue, Kirkland, Issaquah, and Sammamish tend to be on the pricier side. Some of the ferry suburbs (Bainbridge Island) should also be considered to be in the pricier category. Some of the immediate Northern Suburbs can have some more expensive neighborhoods (Lake Forest Park, Brier, Richmond Beach in Shoreline, Mill Creek) as well. Each of these Seattle suburbs also have some economical choices so they can also be a good choice in any price range.

Check out the Seattle suburb schools.

Cooper Jacobs Real Estate Services realestate@cooperjacobs.com for more suburb info.

Seattle Suburb Relocation: Edmonds, WA

Courtney Cooper — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 03:49:42 +0000

Seattle Suburbs: Thinking about Relocating to Edmonds, WA?

Seattle real estate is beautiful and the Seattle suburbs have much to offer! Edmonds WA is gorgeous, but besides the art and wonderful shops and eateries, there are also beautiful beaches!

Edmonds, Wa residents enjoy four parks in their city by the Sound plus numerous attractions:

Bracketts Landing is a marine sancuary right next to the ferry dock and surrounds the loading cars. The smell of salt and sand is a perfect way to sit down and have a snack or take a walk. At Railroad Avenue, you can find both beautiful Olympic Beach and also the fishing pier which is open all year – just make sure to get a license!

For active outdoor enthusiasts, check out the Union Oil Wildlife Trail with a ton of sights for birdwatching and marsh animal lovers.

The really cool park in Edmonds for divers is the 27 acre UNDERWATER park!!!! Edmonds Underwater Park is just north of the ferry dock and offers marine life views and passageways under the water. As you drive on to the ferry, look off to your right and take note of all of the buoys and diver markings and know there is a whole different world under there!

Come see this Seattle Suburb and all it has to offer!

Edmonds has a lot to offer and there are also some wonderful perks and bonuses on real estate in Edmonds! If you are interested in learning more, please feel free to email me for more info and also my list of top buys in the Edmonds, Wa real estate market! Want to know more about Seattle and its suburbs? courtney@courtneycooper.com

Courtney Cooper ….For all your FULL SERVICE and QUALITY 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!

Seattle renters: Take note – Renting vs. Buying

Courtney Cooper — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 06:26:02 +0000

Some benefits of renting:

Flexible – nothing to tie you down
Less out of pocket in the short term (although in some cases, a mortgage is the same or less than your rent)
No home maintenance to deal with

Seattle real estate and its surrounding suburbs are the best investments you can make! Despite a bit of a slow down due to the current lending environment, we are still one of the most undervalued real estate markets on the West Coast! Even in this cooler market, Seattle houses are appreciating! Seattle real estate is one of the best ways to build wealth today.

Not convinced? Let me give you just a few more good reasons why you need to buy Seattle real estate instead of renting!

Pay yourself instead of someone else by building equity each time you make a house payment
Tax benefits – The interest you pay on your home mortgage is tax deductible in most cases!
Freedom to decorate and make yourself really feel at home!

If you think you might want to look at buying a Seattle house or a house in the Seattle suburbs, now is the exact time to make that move! We are in a buyer’s market for the first time in a long time and there are some good buys out there! The inventory is plentiful so you can choose your very perfect house and the rates are low on top of it! Need help with your closing costs? I can help you get your closing costs paid for! In addition, there are buyer perks out there that make buying Seattle real estate too good to pass up!

Seattle Sellers: Is your home sitting on the market? My top ten tips for Seattle Sellers!

Courtney Cooper — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 16:43:46 +0000

Seattle Washington Real Estate is still an excellent market, but has changed from what it used to be and sellers need to take note!

Obviously the mortgage industry has played a major part in this new Seattle buyer’s market. Loan programs are stricter and as a result the pool of qualified buyers has dwindled down. Even though this means there are less buyers competing for your home, you can be sure that the buyers out there are stronger more qualified buyers! Now that Seattle has found itself in a buyer’s market, many home sellers are having to adapt. In order to be competitive in Seattle’s new buyer’s market, Puget Sound sellers should have every edge possible! Here are some of the things that could help your home get noticed!

Hire a full service
Realtor!!!!! This is probably one of your biggest investments – not the time to cut corners! You need the superior quality help to have the edge in this market!
Staging – I have an accredited Stager help me with my listings to make sure they are stunning when any buyer walks in. I want them to walk in and fall in love! It is amazing how dressing your home up like a Pottery Barn catalog can help to emotionally sell it!
Housekeeping/Lawn Maintenance – Hire a housekeeper and a yard maintenance team! You want your home to shine! The extra money will most likely be worth the investment.
Process – This is something I have to go through weekly in my own house. I call it processing. It is simply going through clutter and sorting it into piles – charitable contributions, trash, give away to friends, recycling, keep. It is helpful to do this regularly, but taking the time to do a big process job on your garage and closets can really pay off!
Dress Your Cabinets and Closets – Your Stager might do this, but if not, you should. Take the merchandising approach and color code your closets – hang clothing by shades of color and really make your closet look like a rack at The Gap! The same thing can be done with your kitchen cabinets – turning all the labels on the cans outward and making sure the pantry is organized and not cramped is vital.
Storage – Make the investment to store extra furniture or clothes that clog up closets and garages. Clear your kitchen counters of appliances and clutter. Your home needs to scream spaciousness and plenty of storage.
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.
Buyer Incentives…Offer to pay closing costs or some other from of bonus to “sweeten the pot” for a buyer when they are making a purchasing decision. They have lots to choose from right now!
Selling Office Commission: Don’t discount it – that agent is the hero who is bringing you a qualified buyer!!! I would even consider offering an agent bonus! It might encourage them to bring even more buyers back!
Price your home right! Doing all of the above won’t matter if you don’t price your home correctly. Again, your full service Realtor is qualified to do this! Also please keep in mind that starting a bit lower could not only get you multiple offers even in this market. More importantly, starting lower would save you thousands and thousands in carrying costs that your home would be incurring while it sits on the market at a higher price!

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!

Seattle Suburbs: What’s in it for me? Builder perks, Parks, horses?

Courtney Cooper — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 18:54:38 +0000

Seattle Suburbs offer more than giant shiny new houses and builder perks galore!

Easy Transportation in and out of major cities like Seattle, Everett, and Bellevue - don’t forget about the Park and Rides!!! They are everywhere and they are improving on top of that (Look at the Mountlake Terrace system for example!)! The transit system is wonderful in the Puget Sound! We complain about it and are constantly improving it, but the truth is it works very well! Our traffic is bad during peak hours, but grab a book or your iPod and let someone else do the driving for you! Save on gas and take some “me” time!

Large open spaces - Seattle offers some wonderful parks and places to play in city, but look at what the Seattle suburbs have to offer! Besides loads of parks to play in and enjoy, there’s more! Like horses, dogs? Brier, Washington has its own horse arena at City Hall. Woodinville is just one of the communities with horse trails. Check out the dog parks in the various towns and don’t miss the dog oriented events!

Trails and more trails!!! Want to bike, run, walk, or hike in the Seattle Suburbs? Wanna hike? There are tons of neighboring trails and parks. Bike on the Burke Gilman trail through Lake Forest Park or Kenmore and all the way down to Wallingford and beyond if you feel like it. Mill Creek, Brier, and Mountlake Terrace are just a few Seattle suburbs that have interconnecting trails for their residents.

Beaches and Lakes???? Besides heading to the sandy beaches of Edmonds, Washington or the shores of Lake Washington, there are also many smaller lakes including Martha Lake in Lynnwood – or Silverlake in Everett. If you want a water event, just look around!

Shopping! When I lived in city, I had to drive forever to find anything – Luckily, Northgate Mall is being revamped, but try Alderwood Mall in Lynnwood if you want everything from Macy’s and Nordstrom’s to PF Chang’s, William-Sonoma, and J Jill. The shopping is good in the burbs!

If you think you might be interested in Seattle Suburb real estate, make sure and have a FULL SERVICE experienced Realtor help you find the community that is best for you!

Seattle Suburbs: Look no further for Great New Construction Deals!

Courtney Cooper — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 15:18:44 +0000

Check out the burbs!

Seattle is a beautiful place to live and work, but if you are craving the open floor plans and large spaces of new construction, then look no further than the many beautiful Seattle suburbs! In the south, wonderful developments are popping up in Kent, Renton, and Des Moines. If you go east, you can still find some wonderful new construction in Bellevue and Kirkland, but the trend is heading towards the mountains with more activity in Sammamish and Issaquah – and even Cle Elum, North Bend, and Roslyn. Real estate is going crazy in North Seattle with areas of Lynnwood Washington like Martha Lake and Mill Creek still growing considerably. Edmonds, Richmond Beach and Woodway have some good options – some of them complete with views of the sound! Lake Forest Park has some beautiful custom homes going in. Even Brier and Mountlake Terrace have new construction going in! South Everett and Snohomish just North of Mill Creek are probably the most active and the homes being put in are loaded with all the new features buyers are looking for today.

Granite? Stainless? Seller Paid Closing Costs? No Problem!!!

Granite and stainless steel seem to prevail as standard rather than being an option and builders are throwing in perks left and right – plasmas, gift cards, you name it! Seattle Suburb builders have finally realized that they are in a buyer’s market and as a result, Seattle buyers are getting some amazing deals! On top of that, the housing interest rates are low so Seattle buyers are getting the best of both worlds!!!! Buying in the Seattle suburbs is a good choice because the price is right – right now! Home maintenance costs are lower and you can actually sit back and watch your equity grow rather than have to dip into it to make costly improvements or repairs.

Get in there and Negotiate for you!!!! Your experienced full service Realtor can help you get the best investment possible! Take advantage of the buyer perks available right now! It doesn’t happen very often!!!!

Seattle WA Real Estate Buyers: Here’s a Buyer’s Bonus…From Courtney Cooper

Courtney Cooper — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 00:00:38 +0000

Seattle Washington – A good investment!!!!

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Despite, the huge rise in prices over the last few years in the Puget Sound area, Seattle real estate is still one of the most under priced markets on the West Coast. Economic growth is at every turn and people are moving here! Although the recent mortgage fall out did slow things down for a bit, the current market is like none we have seen in well over a decade: a buyer’s market.

Buyers interested in Seattle Washington real estate have the luxury of being able to cherry pick which home or investment they want because the inventory is high and choices in Seattle are vast. In addition, the interest rates for real estate are low!!! Whether you are interested in new construction real estate, investment property, or the Seattle resale home of your dreams, right now is the perfect time to be a real estate buyer in Seattle!

Call me or email me if you want to be a Seattle area buyer in a rare primo buyer’s market – my buyer’s agents fees are usually paid by the seller’s closing costs and I have the much needed experience to help you negotiate closing costs and get the best deal in this bonus buyer’s market! I take care of coordinating and ordering all aspects of the sale from start to finish and look forward to showing you how fun and profitable Seattle real estate can be!