Bruce’s Blog

Woodinville Sports - Turf and Lights

The Factotum — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 09:29:00 GMT

Sports Field Project: Construction on the Sports Field Project, located at the southeast corner of 175^th Street NE and 131^st Avenue NE, began on November 2.

The $3.8 million contract includes the construction of two new full-size soccer fields, which can be used for baseball or Little League fields, a new synthetic turf field surface, field and pedestrian lights, and a fitness loop that will surround the facility.
The new synthetic turf and night lighting will allow the new fields to be utilized year round.
Over the next month, work will focus on the installation of an under field drainage system, placement of a sand and crushed rock base layer, and placement of the field turf.
Project update information is available via the City’s website at www.ci.woodinville.wa.us/CityHall/ProjectCEC.asp. For more information regarding this project, please contact Clint Moyer, Assistant Public Works Director, at 425.877.2294.

Thanks for reading our blog

Technorati Tags: sports,Woodinville Washington,lights,aritifical turf

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Market Changes in Seattle Area

The Factotum — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 10:24:00 GMT

Our market shifts from a buyers’ market (tons of inventory) toward balanced market and even some “red”sellers’ markets (little inventory and multiple offers from buyers).

Statistics ( drawn from Northwest Multiple Listing Service) through October 2009 in the Seattle/King County metropolitan area.

Red means a seller’s market where the inventory is low, buyers might be competing for properties.
Green means a buyer’s market where inventory is plentiful, sellers might be lowering prices, and making concessions to buyers.
Yellow, means a balanced market favoring neither buyer nor seller. A level playing field - inventory-wise.

Thanks for reading our blog. Shannon Graf at Windermere Real Estate/East Inc. compiles these wonderful graphs.

Technorati Tags: residential inventory,Seattle,King County,balanced market

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Inventory Decreases - Tri-County Area

The Factotum — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 08:51:00 GMT

Winter approaches on the Sammamish River near Woodinville

Inventory percentage change from a year ago decreased in all three Washington state counties - Snohomish, King, Pierce
This year vs. last year King is down 12% this week vs. 15% for last week.
Perhaps inventory decrease stems from listing agents encouraging sellers to keep houses off the market unit prices bottom. Many pundits say that bottom is already here.

Thanks for reading out blog.

Technorati Tags: Inventory decrease,Shohomish County,King County,Pierce

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Invitation - Pictures with Santa

The Factotum — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 11:35:00 GMT

Friends, valued clients, business associates and neighbors …

Join us at our Windermere Woodinville office

(13901 NE 175th St. Woodinville - few doors down from Molbak’s)

Friday, December 4th
From 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM
For courtesy photos with Santa (bring the children)
Cookies and cocoa
Sing some carols
If you wish, donate to the Forgotten Children’s Fund
Love to see you.

God bless.

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$8,000 tax credit EXTENDED & EXPANDED

The Factotum — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:27:00 GMT

The President signed the Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009 on November 6, 2009. This extends and expands the First-time Homebuyer Tax Credit. Below are details about the extension as well as a details for a new tax credit.

The current law has been extended until April 30, 2010. First-time homebuyers have until that date to have a signed purchase and sale agreement. There is an additional 60 day grace period to complete the financing.
The new law raises the annual income limits to $125,000 for singles and $225,000 for married couples.
Current homeowners may be eligible for a tax credit of up to $6,500. These homebuyers must have lived in their home for 5 consecutive years over the previous 8 years to qualify.
The purchase must be for their primary residence, must be made between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010 and must be $800,000 or less.
The income limits are the same as the first-time homebuyer listed above.
The 36-month recapture requirement for military personnel, including members of the Foreign Service and intelligence community, forced to sell as a result of an official extended duty of service has been eliminated.
The tax credit is extended for one year for military personnel serving outside the United States for at least 90 days in 2009 or 2010.

Thanks for reading our blog.

Technorati Tags: first-time-homebuyer tax credit

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YOUR FICO SCORE

The Factotum — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:02:00 GMT

You plan on buying a home. You will need to borrow. In the process of borrowing, your credit score will have a bearing on whether you get the loan you need.

FICO scores are based on information that is reported by creditors to Trans
Union, Equifax, and Experian. They are not affected by age, race, sex, or
income.

What are the primary factors that determine FICO credit scores?
· 35% is based on your payment history for all accounts
· 30% is based on the amount you owe on revolving accounts
· 15% is based on how long you have been using credit
· 10% is based on your applications for new credit
· 10% based on types of credit used

Read the rest of this entry »

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Real Estate Business Plan - Get Face-to-Face

The Factotum — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:42:00 GMT

Above, see my chicken’s email “in box.” Today, a Webinar fell in there.

My chicken was sketched during Larry Kendall’s Webinar on business planning.
The secret to finding clients: face-to-face contact.
The second secret: face-to-face with people, prospects, sphere and prospective clients.
They must know and trust us and be reminded that we are in the business.
Not a complicated business plan.

Thanks for reading our blog.

Technorati Tags: real estate business plan,chickens,in-box

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Woodinville Back on Line

The Factotum — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:41:00 GMT

We’ve had some technical difficulties, but now we’re back in business.
Thank you for your patience.

God bless.

Thanks for reading our blog.

Technorati Tags: Technical problem,Woodinville Washington

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Woodinville - YTD - Real Estate Market

The Factotum — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:48:00 GMT

Comparing Sept. '09 to Sept. '08 King County Residential Juanita/Woodinville/Bothell Area 600

Listings down 11.01%*

Closed Sales up 41.56%

Median Price ($435,000) down 4.4%

* New active listings actually up in 2009 (210) over new actives in 2008 (only 185).

Comparing Sept. '09 to Sept. '08 King County Condominium Juanita/Woodinville/Bothell Area 600

Listings down 7.49%

Closed Sales up 50.00%

Median Price ($207m975 down 11.49%

Source, Northwest Multiple Listing Service.

Other sites you may want to visit:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/realestate/

http://raincityguide.com/

Thanks for reading our blog.

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FHA Condo Reprieve

The Factotum — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 08:37:00 GMT

Good news for all you FHA devotees A brief reprieve for another month:

FHA has once again postponed the modifications to the approval process for condominium projects.
The effective date of those changes will be for case numbers assigned on or after December 7, 2009 (instead of November 2, 2009).
A new Mortgagee Letter is expected in the next couple of weeks detailing further modifications to the condominium process.

Thanks for considering our blog.

Technorati Tags: FHA,condominium,mortgagee

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Fall,Football,Fashions & Fantastic Leaves

The Factotum — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 10:29:00 GMT

Do you welcome the coming of Autumn? Do you like the seasonal shift? Do boots, scarves, kicking leaves on the sidewalk and seeing your breath on the morning air please you?

Here comes fog, football, fall fashions and fantastic leaves. Is your heart open to this?

Yes, winter is optional. You can live in the tropics. Would you really want one season?

Here’s to all those who enjoy Fall. God bless you.

Thanks for reading our blog.

Flickr Tags: Autumn icon,leaves,fall colors

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Seattle - Good Bet Housing Recovery

The Factotum — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 08:13:00 GMT

Seattle Predicted to Recover Faster from Housing Slump … CNNMoney.com

“Home prices had a softer landing in Seattle, dropping just 15.2% over the past three years, about half the national average…

“Job market has held up better than average, with a current unemployment rate of 8.8% …

“After another modest price decline of 2.3% in the next eight months, the Seattle market should begin to turn up …

“Seattle should see a gain of 6.2%. Averaged out, that means a 3.8% gain over the next two years.”

Thanks for considering our blog and thanks to CNNMoney.com

Technorati Tags: Seattle,housing,recovery

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Trout Art and Commentary

The Factotum — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:34:00 GMT

Let’s hear it for artist Deanna Camp. She lives in Spokane. She has many of these witty and beautiful “trout” images. Check her web site: http://www.hybrid-arts.com/

Reach Deanna also, at:

Email: Deanna@elusivetrout.com

Blog: http://Deannacamp.wordpress.com

Good, creative work. Nice gift for client when closing a transaction.

Thanks for considering our blog.

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Something Wrong with the Numbers?

The Factotum — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 10:12:00 GMT

In 2006, the world-wide pornography industry’s estimated revenue was $97 billion (up from $57 billion in 2005).
Porn industry revenues are larger than those of the top technological companies combined - Microsoft, Google, Amazon, eBay, Yahoo, Apple, Netflix, and Earthlink.
There are 420 million pornographic web pages, 89% of which are U.S.-based.
One estimate puts the number of churchgoing men who are porn users at 50%.
Is there something wrong in these numbers?

Attribution: facts found in Pornography: What’s the Problem by Mark Houck.

Thanks for considering our blog.

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Data Use Policy, AVMs & Blogging

The Factotum — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 07:32:00 GMT

Ideas from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service

The recent revisions to the Data Use Policy of the Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS) allow Members and Subscribers to display more NWMLS data on their public websites than ever before.
NWMLS Members and Subscribers may now display fields such as CDOM (cumulative days on market), original list price, price history, list date, pending date, virtual media links, third party approval required, and many other additional fields.
The revisions also, for the first time, allow Members and Subscribers to host blogs regarding specific listings if the seller elects to allow blogging.
An AVM estimates the fair market value of the property. If the seller elects to allow Members and Subscribers to display AVMs on the seller’s listing, then Members and Subscribers may include AVMs with the public display of the seller’s listing.
If the seller elects to allow blogging on the seller’s listing, Members and Subscribers may display a blog that allows commentary from the Member, other Members, Subscribers, and the public.
Client Choices:
Should my seller allow AVM?
It depends and is case specific to the seller, the property, the list price, and the AVM.
Should my seller allow blogging?
There is a general consensus that blogging comments about a specific property will tend to be negative. Therefore, most sellers will choose to opt out of blogging. Again, it depends and is case specific to the seller and the property.

Thanks for reading our blog. Much appreciated.

BuzzNet Tags: multiple listing service,AVM,blogging

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Real Estate Terms Demystified

The Factotum — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:25:00 GMT

BuzzNet Tags: demystify,real estate terms

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Reaching for Tech. - Coherent?

The Factotum — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 09:34:00 GMT

Thanks for considering our blog.

Flickr Tags: technology,ambivalence,confusion

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Snohomish County Market

The Factotum — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 08:06:00 GMT

For residences (excluding condos) in Snohomish County: Prices stabilizing; through July, pending sales up over last year; inventory coming down.

Thanks for reading the blog.

Technorati Tags: Snohomish County,sales volumes,inventory,price

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Seattle Times & NWMLS Present Data

The Factotum — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 08:09:00 GMT

Residential activity looks healthier: closed sales are up over last year. Median prices may be stabilizing.

Condos, see below, are not doing quite as well.

Thanks very much to the Northwest Multiple Listing Service and the Seattle Times (October 6, 2009) for the information and formatting.

And thanks for reading our blog.

Technorati Tags: King County,real estate market,trends,Washington State

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Coffee Not Everyone’s Cup of Tea

The Factotum — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 11:57:00 GMT

Coffee Not Everyone’s Cup of Tea

It is thought that the energizing effect of the coffee bean plant was first recognized in the south west of Ethiopia, and the cultivation of coffee expanded in the Arab world.

The earliest credible evidence of coffee drinking appears in the middle of the fifteenth century, in the Sufi monasteries of the Yemen in southern Arabia.

From the Muslim world, coffee spread to Italy, then to the rest of Europe, to Indonesia, and to the Americas.

A real estate office resembles a U.S. Navy ship in that a coffee pot is always on, the crew drinks pot after pot, and with tons of caffeine on board, there’s much pacing of the deck.

Not all people think coffee is a good idea - physically or spiritually - and turn it down for personal, health and religious reasons.

Thanks for reading this blog.

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First-Time Home-Buyers Fire Up Market

The Factotum — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:58:00 GMT

First-Time Home-Buyers Fire Up Local Market

The $8,000 tax credit for first-time buyers has helped fuel a surge in home sales in Puget Sound Country.

Closed sales of single-family homes in King County were up more than 14% in Sept. from Sept. 2008, the Northwest Multiple Listing Service reported Monday.

Government Program Only Reason for Active Market?

The $8,000 credit is only one factor in the recent increase in sales.

Lower prices
Historically low interest rates
Good choice of inventory

All these are also are attracting buyers.

Thanks for reading our blog. Much appreciated. God bless.

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Woodinville - Asking Price/Selling Price

The Factotum — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 10:28:00 GMT

Market trends for the Woodinville market show that, through July of this year, that the list price and the price the parties agree upon as final contract price are coming together. For awhile it appears that Sellers could not price correctly for the market as they tended to ask too much for their homes.

Sellers have become more realistic and educated as to actual market conditions and now price closer to what the market (still a “buyer’s market”) will pay.

Thanks for considering our blog.

Technorati Tags: Woodinville Washington,residential,home prices,list versus sold

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Inventory Drops in Woodinville Market

The Factotum — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 11:39:00 GMT

Location:
ZIP 98072 , ZIP 98077

Property Type:
Single Family Homes

Resale/New Construction:
All Property Statuses

Waterfront Property:
All Properties

Price Range:
$0 - No Limit

SQFT Range:
0 - No Limit

Date Range:
6/01/2008 - 8/31/2009

We find a trend toward fewer home on the market in the “Woodinville” residential real estate market. This bodes well for a return to a more balanced market where Sellers and Buyers have the same advantage. We have been in a strong “Buyers’” market for some time. The swing back to a balanced market is most welcome by realtors and by sellers.

Thanks for considering our blog.

Technorati Tags: Woodinville Washington,real estate market,residential,months supply of inventory

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Grayland, Washington Ocean Coast

The Factotum — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 10:07:00 GMT

The Washington Pacific Ocean coast at its best.

Thanks for considering out blog.

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Off and Running Market

The Factotum — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 08:24:00 GMT

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