Buying • May 14, 2013

Buying your home: A step-by-step approach

by Windermere Staff

There is a lot to consider when you decide to buy a home, especially if it is your first. How much home you can afford? What kind of loan should you choose? Which neighborhoods are both affordable and a good investment? These are just a few of the questions you’ll be asking yourself. But with an experienced agent to help you, you’ll get the guidance you need to come up with the right answers−and a home you love.

First things first

Before you start shopping, you need to find out how much home you can afford to buy. Your agent can refer you to a loan officer who will help you determine how much of a down payment you can manage, as well as the monthly payment, taxes and insurance costs. Your lender can then prequalify you for a dollar amount, which can help you focus your search. You can also get a quick, rough estimate of monthly mortgage costs at Windermere.com; there’s a mortgage rate calculator on every listing detail page.

Create a wish list

Once you know your price range, talk to your agent about the home features you need and the ones you would prefer. The former might include number of bedrooms or suitable space for a home office, while the latter might include hardwood floors or a pantry. By clearly communicating your needs and preferences, you can help you agent narrow down the selection and avoid wasting your time.

Check out a few neighborhoods

Be sure to talk to your agent about what you’re looking for in a neighborhood. Are property values your highest priority? Great schools? A short commute? Small-town atmosphere? Big-city amenities? Your agent will try to narrow down the affordable neighborhoods that fit your criteria. Then you can either explore them with your agent or get a sense of each neighborhood on your own.

Shop for a loan

There are many different loan programs to choose from. You’ll want to find one that offers you the best terms for your current situation and future plans. Your agent can give you the names of several mortgage specialists who can review your options with you and help you determine which loan is the most advantageous. Once you’re approved for a loan, sellers will consider you a more attractive prospective buyer.

Make an offer

You’ve finally found the right house in the right neighborhood. It fits your practical needs, has potential and just feels right. So how do you ensure that you keep the price as affordable as possible without running the risk of losing it? Your agent has the expertise to help you make the right offer. He or she knows what comparable houses are selling for, how long they’ve been on the market, and whether or not the asking price for the home you want is fair. Your agent can also offer excellent advice when it comes to making a counteroffer.

Seal the deal

Once you’ve found the home you want and your offer has been accepted, you give the seller an earnest-money deposit. Your agent draws up a purchase and sale agreement; it’s the contract that outlines the details of the property transfer from the seller to you. This contract is typically contingent on the home passing a structural inspection and you obtaining approval for financing.

The inspection lets you know if the house has any major issues and how well it has been maintained. Remember, no house is perfect. If the inspection uncovers some problems, your agent can help you determine whether to ask the seller to handle or pay for the repairs or to renegotiate the price of the home.

When the inspection is concluded and any loose ends resolved, you “close” on the home. Closing is when you and the seller sign all the papers, you pay your share of the settlement fees, and the documents are recorded. Your agent will be a happy to answer any questions throughout this complex process.

Home at last

When you buy a home, you get more than just a place to live. You get the satisfaction of having a place that is truly yours, one that reflects your style and provides a comfortable setting for you and your family. Buying a home also gives you a substantial annual tax deduction and a way to build wealth over the years.

If you have questions about the buying or selling process, or are looking for an agent in your area, we have professionals that can help you. Contact us here.

More • May 2, 2013

27th Annual Windermere Cup

by Windermere Staff

Original artwork by Tony Taj

This year, we are excited to welcome Cornell University and Dartmouth College to the 27^th annual Windermere Cup on Saturday, May 4, 2013.

Historically, the Windermere Cup is part of the Seattle Yacht Club’s Opening Day of Boating Season celebration on Seattle’s Montlake Cut. Since 1987, Windermere has sponsored the main race between the University of Washington and world-class teams from around the world.

The event is free for families around the region. Spectators line the shore of the Montlake Cut and a log boom flanking the course in Lake Washington. New this year, shore guests can visit food tents, including Ivar’s Salmon House, Dante’s Inferno Dogs, and Veraci wood-fired Pizza. Bike messengers will be distributing free Windermere Cup flags and programs before the races. If you are looking for special gear to commemorate the race, you will find Windermere Cup items at one of the four Husky Team Store locations on store.

Leading up to the Windermere Cup festivities, the Windermere Foundation is hosting 60 fourth and fifth grade students from Madrona Elementary at the University of Washington Shell House for a half-day fieldtrip and fitness education. Athletes from UW, Cornell, and Dartmouth will mentor groups of students on health, fitness, and training. Students will get a chance to row in the UW boats, visit with athletes, tour the campus, and take home souvenirs.

A delayed broadcast of the event will be featured on May 12 at 3:00 PM PST on the PAC12 Network.

You can follow the whole week of events on our Facebook page.

We hope to see you at the Windermere Cup on Opening Day!

Living • April 25, 2013

Follow the Direction in Which the House Is Growing

by Patricia A. Atkins

When you first move into your new home, it is likely you will have a list of items you must change right away, to fit your design and practical needs. As far as your landscaping goes, I recommend that you maintain what you have for at least one full year—the entire growing cycle of everything in your lot. This way you may avoid chopper/whacker/digger remorse: “Oh, I wish I’d known that was a flowering syringa (lilac) and not just a weedy-stick-y looking thing.” Additionally, if you begin planting right away, you won’t really know your micro-areas and could well be pulling dead, stick-like plants, shrubs, trees which you only recently purchased. It takes a bit of self-control to avoid that initial “clean-up” and planting frenzy, but you may thank yourself eternally if you can hold off.

During that first year of restraint, watch the pattern of the sun across your lot/land, learn the irrigation system or lack thereof, note shady, sunny, dry, wet, windy, catbox, and understory areas. Note the neighbors’ yards, and see what works and doesn’t, and what you like and don’t. If you are so inclined, keep a gardener’s notebook with your observations.. Decide what you want your lot to be, and what fits into your lifestyle. Whether you are a retired, full-time master gardener, or an organic gardener, or you “just wanna bbq and kick-back”, there are landscapes to fit your ideal. Developing a plan for all of your “yard-rooms”, as 20^th century British gardener Gertrude Jekyll named the various areas of the yard, is a comprehensive approach. Where do the kids play? Where are the garbage/recycle bins stashed?

Think about traffic patterns—where do you want paths, seating areas, and garden beds. Also consider “hardscape”: walls, fences, garden structures, screening from neighbors, and parking areas.

A well-planned landscape enhances the value of your home and lets you extend the walls of your home from lot line to lot line.

Patricia Allene Atkins is a Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) with a passion for plants in Eugene, Oregon.

More • April 18, 2013

Windermere Foundation Quarterly Report

by Christine Wood

content_YouthCare-Orion-Center__Cassie_Walker_Johnson___Jennifer_Shepperd_crop.jpg

Greetings from the Windermere Foundation,

Thanks to you and the wonderful support the Windermere Foundation has received so far this year, we have disbursed $357,000 to qualifying social service organizations dedicated to providing services to low-income and homeless families throughout the Western U.S.

Our amazing agents, brokers, staff and owners, along with public supporters, continue to contribute generously to the Foundation, making these disbursements possible.

Wellspring Family Services shared a letter of thanks for the support they recently received from three Seattle offices: Capitol Hill, Eastlake, and West Seattle.

“No child should be homeless. And all children should have what they need to thrive.

That sounds so obvious, doesn’t it? But at Wellspring Family Services we see many children who don’t know where they will sleep tonight. Children who have never experienced the routine of bath and bed time; never invited a school friend home to play because they have no home. Children being robbed of their childhood.

It brings me great joy to know that this path can be changed and will change for 700 children in our community this year. Thanks to you, they will have a home.

Your support affirms the work we are doing and will benefit our entire community today and for generations to come.”

-Wellspring Family Services

RAVES:

“I would like to make a plug for two of our Property Managers, Jennifer Shepperd and Cassie Walker Johnson.

Within this past year, they both attended an event hosted by Youthcare in downtown Seattle to learn about the organization’s mission and the types of people that they serve to assist. They heard some heartbreaking stories about the situations that these kids are in, and felt compelled to help make a difference. Throughout 2012, these two agents of ours have spearheaded the effort to donate thousands of our Foundation dollars to Youthcare, coordinate a clothing drive, and this holiday season our brokerage will be granting the gift wishes of 10 Youthcare children.”

–Cory Brewer, Operations Manager

Windermere Property Management/Lori Gill & Associates

“Cary Perkins’ middle name is “FOUNDATION”. Being unique and uber enthusiastic is just the way Cary is, and it shows in her support and creativity when it comes to the Foundation. She is always looking for the next way to raise some money…ideas just seem to bubble inside her.

Cary found a new level of participation for the Johnson office when she became our rep. Many agents are involved in community activities and she has inspired them to think, ‘Oh, can we get that to benefit the Foundation…’

The fun factor is never far from the top of the list in the projects, fundraising, or auctions she puts together. She truly is an inspiration and the money the Johnson office has raised during her tenure speaks volumes about her dedication.”

-Lynne Murphy, Managing Principal Broker

Windermere Cronin Caplan Realty Group, Inc.

Please remember to read the Windermere Blog for more in-depth stories about what offices are doing throughout the year. Facebook is also a great resource for upcoming events, and shorter posts about office involvement in the community.

Thank you!

Best,

Christine Wood

Blog: http://foundation.windermere.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/windermerefoundation

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/WindermereRealEstate

Buying • April 18, 2013

April 20th and 21st: Nationwide Open House Weekend

by Windermere Staff

This weekend, April 20 and 21, thousands of REALTORS® from around the country will be holding open houses as a part of the Nationwide Open House Weekend event, sponsored by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR).

This event is intended to provide buyers with an ideal, low-pressure opportunity to tour homes that are currently for sale. Even with the vast changes technology has brought to real estate, open houses are still considered an important part of the home search process. In fact, according to the National Association of REALTORS 2012 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, 45 percent of all buyers use open houses as a source in their home search.

For those who plan to tour open houses this weekend, here are some tips to help you get started:

Make a plan:

Pick a neighborhood or a route you are interested in and map out your open houses to make your day efficient. If you are planning on having lunch, pick a local restaurant to get a feel for the neighborhood.

Explore:

Walk around the neighborhood and familiarize yourself with the local amenities. If you are considering moving to the area, this will help you get a feel for it.

Dress for success:

Wear comfortable and casual clothes while house hunting. Also, consider wearing shoes that are easy to slip on and off when requested.

To find homes that are participating in this weekend’s Nationwide Open House event, contact your real estate agent, or a local Windermere Real Estate office. You can also find upcoming open houses at Windermere.com/Search.

More • April 9, 2013

Words for Windermere

by Windermere Staff

During the months of February and March, we asked Windermere Owners, Agents, and Facebook followers to share the words that come to mind when they think about Windermere. We were pleasantly surprised by the consistency across all three groups and decided to create a word map with the results.

Total responses from each group:

· Owners – 33 responses

· Agents – 103 responses

· Facebook – 32 responses

Top words by audience:

· Owners: professional, quality, integrity

· Agents: professional, integrity, service

· Facebook: quality, professional, integrity

Thank you to everyone who participated in this fun and interesting study. We always value and appreciate your feedback.

Buying • April 4, 2013

Social Connections: See how you are Connected to a Windermere Agent

by Windermere Staff

Have you ever posted a question on your Facebook page to find useful information from your friends? Such as a local gym recommendation, a restaurant review, or a resource for children’s birthday parties?

Social media has become increasingly important to how we connect with friends, colleagues, family, and others in our social sphere. With this in mind, Windermere has adopted a new program called SocialBios, a social media application that helps us see how we are all connected through social networks like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc. SocialBios turns a basic office webpage on Windermere.com into a social hub, so you can see how you are connected to agents in our network through friends and family online.

Research continues to tell us what we already know: most people who are looking to buy or sell a home rely on recommendations from friends or family to find a real estate agent. SocialBios helps you find an agent through these trusted contacts, connect with them, and potentially buy or sell a home through them.

This program is still new, but more offices will be joining throughout the year. You can find profiles for the following offices on Windermere.com/agents or through the following offices profile pages:

Office	URL
FEDERAL WAY	http://socialbios.com/SouthSound
ALDERWOOD	http://socialbios.com/Alderwood
TRI-CITIES RICHLAND	http://socialbios.com/windermeregroupone
BELLEVUE SOUTH	http://socialbios.com/windermererealestate-bellevuesouth
SEATTLE-SAND POINT	http://socialbios.com/Wedgwood
PORT ORCHARD	http://www.socialbios.com/PortOrchard
SERVICES-MOUNTAIN WEST	http://socialbios.com/ServicesMW
ASHLAND	http://socialbios.com/vanvleet
SERVICES – OREGON & SW WASHINGTON	http://socialbios.com/oregonservices
YELM	http://www.socialbios.com/windermereyelm
KINGSTON	www.socialbios.com/kingston
BRANCH SUPPORT- EAST	http://socialbios.com/eastbranchsupport
SEATTLE-NORTHLAKE	http://socialbios.com/Northlake
SEATTLE-GREEN LAKE	http://socialbios.com/seattle_greenlake
CORVALLIS	http://socialbios.com/windermere_Willamette_Valley
WHIDBEY ISLAND- LANGLEY	http://www.socialbios.com/WhidbeyIslandLangley
YAKIMA	http://socialbios.com/WindermereYakima
SEATTLE-WALL STREET	http://socialbios.com/WindermereWallSt
SPOKANE-NORTH	http://www.socialbios.com/WindermereNorthSpokane
AUBURN- LAKELAND HILLS	http://www.socialbios.com/lakelandhills
EVERETT SOUTH	http://socialbios.com/EverettSouth
SEATTLE-QUEEN ANNE	https://www.facebook.com/WindermereQA
VASHON ISLAND	http://www.socialbios.com/Vashon
MEDFORD	http://socialbios.com/vanvleet
SEATTLE-GREENWOOD	http://www.socialbios.com/WindermereGreenwood
GIG HARBOR	http://www.socialbios.com/GigHarbor
BELLEVUE COMMONS	http://socialbios.com/BellevueCommons
SEATTLE-WEDGWOOD	http://socialbios.com/wwindermere
SILVERDALE	http://socialbios.com/Silverdale
SEATTLE-NORTHWEST	http://socialbios.com/WindermereNorthwest
MERCER ISLAND	http://socialbios.com/Mercer_Island
SHORELINE	www.socialbios.com/WindermereShoreline

We value your feedback, please feel free to post questions in the comments or email us directly at friend (at) Windermere (dot) com.

More • April 3, 2013

Building Better Communities – March Edition

by Marilou Ubungen

Windermere offices throughout our network work with local organizations year-round to raise money for the Windermere Foundation and their local communities. In 2011, we launched the “Building Better Communities, One Home Sale at a Time” campaign, to raise awareness for some of the amazing community partnerships our offices and agents have developed. These projects go above and beyond Windermere Foundation donations and our annual Community Service Day. Below are just a few of the events that took place during the month of March. You can follow all upcoming projects on our Building Better Communities page.

Clothing Drive:

Throughout the month of March, the Windermere Property Management/Lori Gill & Associates office in Edmonds, Washington teamed up with the Northwest Center to collect gently used clothing and small household goods to provide to local families.

North Shore Milk Money Project:

Windermere’s Northlake office in Lake Forest Park, Washington has partnered with the Milk Money Project to raise money for homeless children in the Northshore School District. The Milk Money Project is kicking-off its 2013 campaign on March 28 and will run until May 31. Look for the milk bottles in your local stores and donate your change to support the cause.

Silent Auction Fundraiser:

On March 21, the Windermere office in Redmond, Washington hosted their annual silent auction and fundraiser to benefit local families in need. The night’s festivities raised over $10,000 for the Windermere Foundation.

Food Drive:

The Windermere Greenwood office in Seattle showed their support of the Greenwood Food Bank by collecting food and money donations throughout the month of March. The office also submitted a video to the Verity Mom Cartwheel for a Cause competition, for a chance to win a $6,000 donation for the Greenwood Food Bank.

Windermere Serves:

On March 24, the Windermere office in Marysville, Washington hosted their second annual “Windermere Serves” event at Buck's American Cafe in Everett. Windermere agents took over as wait staff for the evening, with all tips and donations going to the Windermere Foundation and benefitting the Marysville Boys and Girls Club.

Washington Park Improvement Project:

The Windermere office in Walla Walla, Washington partnered with the city of Walla Walla to improve the Washington Park soccer fields, including permanent benches. The soccer fields are used by more than 500 local youth for practice and soccer games.

Thanks to your continued support and generous donations, The Windermere Foundation is able to provide funds to community organizations dedicated to supporting low-income and homeless families. Thank you for choosing Windermere. Together, we are Building Better Communities.

Living • March 29, 2013

Oh My Aching Back: Cabinet Heights to the Rescue

by Guest Author

When approaching a kitchen or bath remodel or new construction, you can make things a lot more comfortable by getting creative with the heights of your base cabinets.

Standard heights traditionally have been 36” tall (including the thickness of the countertop material) for kitchen base cabinets, and 29” – 30” tall for bathrooms. These heights are good overall, but are surely not set in stone and can make life a lot more comfortable with some tweaking.

Consider the users’ heights when deciding on cabinet heights. If everyone in the household is tall, consider having the main area of the kitchen raised an inch or so. Chopping will be much more comfortable that way, and it will help avoid arm and back fatigue. If household members are various heights, consider having one area raised higher and another area at the standard height. If you have someone who requires lower heights, such as a wheelchair user, consult a design professional to assist with their particular needs.

In the bathroom areas, consider the primary users when determining the best heights. The master bath would likely serve adults, so having the base vanities at a taller 34” height will help to avoid stress on the users’ backs when utilizing the sink for face washing and tooth brushing. If a child uses the area, keep a small step stool handy for those times. A main hall bath outside the children’s rooms could have the standard height. If the children are a bit older (and taller) and you intend to remain in the home longer than a few years, consider the taller height there too for when the children are taller, as they do grow quickly!

Just a few adjustments can make for happy backs, and aren’t difficult at all to achieve if you plan ahead.

After 20 years as an interior designer, certified antiques appraiser, and personal property and lifestyle specialist, Lorelei Barrett added real estate to her quiver of skills in 2010. Her designs, products and advice have been featured in numerous regional and national home and building publications. She has been featured regularly on numerous television and radio shows, as well as home, design and trade shows, sharing her wealth of knowledge and advice. Lorelei resides near Spokane, Washington on a small farm accompanied by two horses, one cat and two West Highland Terriers.

Selling • March 25, 2013

March Perspectives

by Jill Jacobi Wood, OB Jacobi & Geoff Wood

Rarely does a day go by that one of us doesn’t get asked if this is a good time to buy or sell a home. Some people might think that our response is always an emphatic “YES!” because we work in real estate. But there really is no right or wrong answer. Everyone’s situation is unique, so in some cases the answer might be yes, but for others it might make more sense to wait.

The good news is that we’re finally coming out of the housing slump of the past five-plus years. Housing is a major driving factor of the U.S. economy, so regardless of whether or not you own a home, a stronger housing market is good for everyone. For some would-be home sellers, this positive momentum, combined with a rise in home prices and buyer activity, is enough to compel them to list their home. And right now the numbers appear to be on their side.

According to the Northwest Multiple Listing Service, there is currently a 1.2 months’ supply of homes in Seattle. “Months’ supply” basically means that if existing homes were to continue selling at the current rate, the inventory of homes would be sold by that many months. A “normal” market has about six months of supply; therefore lower numbers mean a shortage of inventory. If demand is greater than supply, this leads to a seller’s market, like we’ve seen in Seattle.

So what does this mean for buyers and sellers? It means as long as inventory levels and interest rates are low, competition amongst buyers will remain high, and home prices should continue to steadily rise – albeit at a healthy rate, not like what we saw during the housing boom.

With these types of projections, one might wonder why there isn’t a flood of homes coming on the market. The biggest concern we hear from many would-be sellers is that they’re going to lose money because their home is worth less today than it was at the peak of the market. A valid concern, to be sure, but remember, you’re buying and selling in the same market conditions, so if your home has lost value in recent years, it is almost certain that the next home you buy has as well.

It goes without saying that nobody wants to sell at the bottom of the market, yet at the same time, everybody wants to buy at the bottom. Obviously these two scenarios can’t exist at the same time, but for those on the fence, we’re here to tell you that there are definitely opportunities to be had by both buyers and sellers that are worth considering.