More • October 15, 2010

Windermere Agents have a “get it done attitude”

by Windermere Staff

In 2010 the Windermere Foundation sponsored a video contest, asking for video submissions showcasing the amazing organizations Windermere Foundation and Offices have the privilege to work with. We received 24 video submissions and selected five ‘winning’ videos in late September 2010. The Offices who submitted these videos have received a $2,000 donation to benefit their Foundation charity of choice. All the videos are too good to keep to ourselves, so over the next two months we will be sharing the videos created by Windermere Offices and highlight the great organizations they chose to work with.

In June 2010 agents from the Windermere Ballard office in Seattle responded to the need for volunteer labor to move the Ballard Food Bank to a new facility. Because of the volunteer work of many community members and groups, the Ballard Food Bank was able to upgrade and move locations at a third of the cost– preserving their financial resources to fulfill their mission and feed families and community members in need. The Windermere team helped to break down and remove debris of the storage shed at the old facility within a day.

The Ballard Food Bank is a tremendous asset to Ballard and surrounding communities serving more than 1,000 households each month with food, hygiene and financial emergency resources. In 2009 they provided more than a million pounds of food to community members.

Selling • October 14, 2010

Sellers: Making the Most of your First Impressions

by Guest Author

As the old saying goes, you only have one chance to make a first impression. If you’re selling your home, it’s true, except that there are several impressions to be made, and each one might have its own effect on the unique tastes of a prospective buyer. I’ve worked with scores of buyers, witnessed hundreds of showings, and I can summarize that experience down this: a tidy and well maintained home, priced right, listed with professional photographs, enhanced curb appeal and onsite visual appeal will sell fastest. We all know first impressions are very important, but the lasting impressions are the ones that sell your home. It’s not easy, but if you can detach a little and look at your home from a buyer’s perspective, the answers to selling it quickly may become obvious to you.

The very first impression your home will make is through its web presence, whether on Windermere.com, the MLS, Craigslist or any multitude of websites. Fair or not, the price is typically the very first thing people look at, and it will be the measurement by which your home is judged. You can always adjust to the right price later, but the impact is lost. It will take something dramatic to get a buyer to reassess the way they feel about the value of your home.

Closely following price are the listing photos. According to this recent article in the Wall Street Journal, professional photos will not only impact your first impressions, it may also make a difference in the final selling price. Great photos might even overcome those initial price objections. Does the exterior photo capture your home at its hi-res best? Does the accompanying text enhance or distract? Online, your home has only a few seconds to capture the home buyer’s attention. If it doesn’t, they’ll click the “Back” button and resume their search. The goal is to have buyers excitedly calling their agents to arrange a showing.

Another old saying is “Location, location, location,” and sure enough, the first live impression of your home is the location. Forget this one; you can’t move your home. There’s not much you can do about location, right? Actually, there is one thing you can do: price it right from the start.

Let’s move on to the first time a buyer sees your home as they pull to the curb out front. Go stand out at the curb and look at it the way you would if you were shopping for a home. Sometimes, a couple hours of labor and $100 worth of beauty bark can be worth thousands in the sales price. I’ve had buyers choose not to get out of the car when we pulled up to a home that they had once been excited to see.

Likewise, I’ve had buyers say they’ve seen enough simply by peaking into the front door. The nose trumps the eyes when it comes to the first impression when entering the house. Buyers get more caught up in the details. Once the home shopper is inside, it’s easy for them to get distracted and focus on something that seems to have nothing to do with the structure they will be buying, from a dirty dish in the sink to a teenager’s bedroom that’s been decorated in posters and/or melodrama. Do everything you can to set a positive lasting impression. The buyer may look at dozens of homes. What is your strategy to convince them to make an offer on yours?

Guest post by Eric Johnson, Director of Education

Market News • October 4, 2010

Reconsidering Expectations

by Windermere Economics

I was fascinated to read my associate Karl Case’s article on housing published in the New York Times a couple of weeks ago. In it he suggests that the “American dream” of home ownership, rather than being dead in the water, is actually alive although somewhat battered!

Agents, buyers and sellers alike are currently being inundated with market “analysis” and “commentary” relative to the current and, indeed, future of our housing market in the U.S. and the disparity between the opinions is vast. There are some who are projecting a further 20 percent decline in value and others who believe that we have bottomed out and a recovery is around the corner. It is all immensely confusing.

So what is the likely direction of housing as we move forward with our overall economic recovery?

It is my opinion that the mass pricing declines that we saw were a function of a meltdown in the market and that we have seen the worst of the price declines. As we move forward, the recovery in real estate will not on a national level but will be market specific, with some areas faring better than others. I believe that markets with better employment prospects, topographic and political restrictions that limit new development and lower foreclosure activity are likely to fare better than others. The US Census bureau shows that we live in a country with 310 million residents and over 77 million owner-occupied housing units; to suggest that a recovery will be equal across the country is naive.

The core of Case’s argument is that the “Dream” very much depends on what one’s expectations are. If house buying is driven by the expectation of astronomical returns, then it is fair to believe that this will not be the case going forward. However, if buyers are realistic in their expectations of value and a good rate of return, that a home represents stability, offers tax incentives, as well as managing the fundamental need for shelter, then home ownership does indeed make sense. (Historically, housing has always appreciated at a greater rate than inflation and if you believe, as I do, that inflation is certainly headed our way, it will act as a good hedge against it.)

There is an old adage that all real estate is local and I agree with this. As we move forward, expect markets to fluctuate depending on the above criteria. Fear mongering does nobody any good and I hope that we will see less of this occurring as data continues to point toward improving economic conditions.

Buying • Living • Selling • September 21, 2010

Investing in home: building a foundation for memories

by Windermere Staff

"Of course, thanks to the house, a great many of our memories are housed, and if the house is a bit elaborate, if it has a cellar and a garret, nooks and corridors, our memories have refuges that are all the more clearly delineated. All our lives we come back to them in our daydreams.”

Gaston Bachelard, the Poetics of Space

I have been following the news about the housing market pretty closely and am pretty disappointed with some of the articles declaring a case against homeownership. I couldn’t disagree more. If anything, I see the value of homeownership: responsible financial investment, social stability and community connection as more important than ever.

I was particularly moved by the story in the Seattle Times yesterday about the Lutz family in Ballard, a family with seven adopted siblings that are helping their parents move from their family home to a smaller condo now that their children have left the nest. Though their story is far from typical, it really resonates how home is the center of family life, a place where memories are created and how houses tell the stories of the lives we build while in their shelter.

Homes do that for people. They are the places where some of our most intimate stories unfold.

Finding and creating a home is an emotional, psychological, social and financial investment. There is a lot of energy involved in finding the place to envision the future, raise a family, and perhaps retire. There is no other investment as enjoyable as your own home. Investments in gold or stocks cannot compare to the feelings about a place where you collect memories, create spaces that reflect your ideals and develop to fit your needs over time.

Beyond the emotional ties to home, a number of studies have shown that home ownership has a great impact on feelings of personal autonomy, life satisfaction and increased investment in the community. The sense of satisfaction goes beyond the ability to paint walls whatever color we want, or make improvements to our homes on our own terms. It goes deeper by improving our sense of well being. Furthermore, when we have a stake in the community we live in, we participate more, making our neighborhoods safer and healthier for all members.

Not all the news about the housing market is negative, actually there are many great articles: “in defense of home ownership”, “ten reasons to buy a home “and “a dream house after all” to name a few. But regardless of where you stand on the housing market right now, we can all likely agree that there is no place like a home.

All of our experiences of home are unique. Please share your best memories of home.

Buying • Market News • Selling • September 17, 2010

What do you think about the recent market news?

by Windermere Staff

There is no question the economy and the housing market has slowed down over the last few years and the recent deluge of articles for and against homeownership is impossible for us to ignore. Ultimately, we believe that the American dream of homeownership is alive and well. There are inherent benefits to investing in your home, for financial reasons, personal and societal benefit and the overall stability of the national economy.

We have more to say on this topic, but first, we want to know what you think. Can we provide any information to clarify the reports regarding the real estate market? What is the value you place on owning your own home? What is your advice to people entering the real estate market? If you are interested in purchasing your first home, what do you want to know?

More • September 9, 2010

What is a Community?

by Geoff Wood

The annual Windermere Symposium takes place at the end of the month, during which hundreds of our agents gather in person. They’ll talk about important issues, share ideas, and learn about new products and services to help them serve their clients. It’s a community in the very best sense of the word: people united by shared values, camaraderie and a common cause.

The notion of “community” has changed and expanded in recent years, thanks to the Internet. Virtual communities are a powerful phenomenon. For better or worse, cyber connections are a big part of society. Blogs, social networking sites like Facebook, Web-only companies and other e-organizations are growing at a staggering rate. Today, we can tweet, text, Skype, email, and “friend” and “unfriend” others. (I’m not sure exactly when those last two became verbs.)

We can join online communities with others who share our interests, no matter how eclectic. Whether you’re a vampire hunter, a dog trainer, or a model train collector, there’s a community for you. We can belong to these groups without actually meeting any of the other members in person – and yet we really can share our interests and actively participate in the community.

So, are we ultimately heading toward purely virtual communities where we won’t connect in person anymore? Thankfully, no. Human connections are here to stay. In fact, some of the most popular online communities serve as an efficient “first step” toward an in-person interaction. We’re very likely to start the search for a new job or a new house – or even a new spouse – online. But it’s all leading to a face-to-face connection.

So while the Windermere community gets together online regularly to talk about the state of the industry, and how current legislation and shifts in the economy can benefit our clients, I can hardly wait to see everyone in person. We’ll shake hands with new acquaintances, hug old friends, laugh, and tell stories. We’ll talk about the real estate business for sure. But more importantly, we’ll be inspired and motivated, because we are a community dedicated to helping each other and our customers.

What are some of your favorite ways to engage with your community online and off?

More • September 3, 2010

Windermere Partners with Hunger Relief Organizations to Break Guinness World Record

by Windermere Staff

Do you want to work with your community to relieve hunger in the Northwest? Do you want to help break the Guinness World Record for collecting the most pounds of food in a single location? Windermere is partnering with the Emergency Food Network and Northwest Harvest to collect one million pounds of food to “fill the bowl” in Tacoma, WA.

Donations of non-perishable, non-expired food will be accepted at the following Windermere offices throughout the region between Tuesday September 7^th and Wednesday, September 15:

Auburn

Auburn- Lakeland Hills

Bellevue West

Bonney Lake

Gig Harbor

Gig Harbor- Down Town

Renton- Tukwila South

Sand Point

Seattle- Capitol Hill

Shoreline

Tacoma- North

Tacoma- Central

Tacoma- Professional Partners

Tacoma- University Place

You can also drop donations on-site between 4 pm on Friday, September 17 until 4 pm on Saturday, September 18.

We will be posting the progress; you can see how we are doing by following us on facebook.

The Emergency Food Network has been working since 1982 to provide food and other essentials at no cost to over 65 food banks, hot meal sites and shelters for distribution to low-income families and individuals in Pierce County.
Northwest Harvest is Washington's own statewide hunger relief agency. Their mission is to provide nutritious food to hungry people.

More • August 19, 2010

Greetings from the Windermere Foundation

by Windermere Staff

Thanks to you and the wonderful support the Windermere Foundation has received so far this year, we disbursed nearly $629,000 to qualifying social service organizations dedicated to serving low-income and homeless families throughout the West.

Our amazing agents, staff and owners, along with public supporters, continue to contribute generously to the Foundation. Gifts to the Foundation through the 2nd quarter of 2010 are up 30% compared to this time last year!

I’d like to share a few letters from the recipient organizations illustrating how your support is truly making a difference in the lives of those they serve.

Renton School District/Communities In Schools of Renton

“I am currently working with a family that received a utility cut-off notice last week.

The father had been laid off of work for a couple of weeks, and they have fallen behind on their payments. They have been proactive in calling as many social service agencies and churches as they can. Many social service agencies are without funds at this time to assist families. It has become very difficult for families to find the resources to be able to have even the most basic necessities.

With Windermere Foundation’s generous assistance, the family was able to contact the utility company to let them know that a payment is on its way. The power to their apartment will stay on. It is through your generosity and support that families are able to provide for their children during difficult times.

With the school year ending today, your donation came at such a timely manner for this family. You have made a difference to this family.

Thank you for the valuable work that you do. You are making a difference. Thanks for your quick response to this family’s need.”

-Family Liaison, Renton School District

St. Joseph’s Baby Corner

“Please extend our thanks and gratitude to all of the contributors for the recent donation to St. Joseph’s. These funds will help keep babies supplied with basic items needed for newborn baby care. Every day we have requests coming in for diapers, pajamas, blankets, diaper rash ointment, baby wash, pacifiers, thermometers, and assorted baby equipment. Keeping up with these requests is a daunting challenge at the best of times. When the requests keep coming in if we have run out of the “baby basics”, the problem is too difficult to imagine.

Every baby needs to be clean, dry and warm. But, if the new parents do not even have the necessary clothing to dress the baby to go home from the hospital after being born, the problems that the baby has to live with multiply at an exponential rate. Your donation will help us to see that no baby has to go home without a blanket or pajamas or any of the other necessities that must be readily available to properly care for the new baby.

Thank you again for your kind generosity to our babies. This donation will be helping the babies all year long to be well-fed, clean, and warm. Bless you for helping them, one and all.”

–St. Joseph’s Baby Corner

Events supporting the Windermere Foundation

Ten East King County offices held their annual March Madness fundraiser where nearly

$45,000 was raised! A combination of agent contributions and owner matches help make this a successful fundraiser year after year.

The Magnolia, Queen Anne, Wall Street, West Seattle Fauntleroy and West Seattle offices held their first annual Rally at the Alley, where they raised $7,500 for the Windermere Foundation. The event included bowling (fun!) and an auction. Auction items were donated by generous (and creative!) agents, owners, staff and vendors.

As always, thank you for your continuing support of the Windermere Foundation. Many low-income families are receiving basic necessities because of your commitment to helping others.

Best,

Christine Wood

Want to read more news about the Foundation?

Follow the Foundation blog and become a fan on Facebook to learn and share your stories about all the amazing things the Foundation is doing throughout the year.

More • August 18, 2010

A Humbling Experience

by Geoff Wood

It’s a humbling experience to sit down with a man like Ralph Jenkins. He’s seen more than most people. He’s done more, and given more. And he knows more. So when I have a chance to talk with Ralph, I ask a lot of questions and listen carefully.

Ralph was one of our very first agents. He joined Windermere in 1969, and was instrumental in shaping the company. He was with Windermere for 26 years, and his influence is still strongly felt. With his commitment to family and dedication to building relationships and community, Ralph set the bar very high.

Long before his real estate career, Ralph was a World War II fighter pilot who led the 510th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, known as Jenkins’ Jerry Junkers. The squadron flew P-47 “Thunderbolts,” and Ralph personally flew 129 combat missions. He later commanded a B-52 squadron, and retired as a full colonel.

Ralph and I talk a lot about our shared passion for flying. His stories about dive bombing, low-level attacks and anti-aircraft flak are riveting. More than once he returned to base wondering if he had enough fuel to make it. And on one occasion, he was forced to fly with the cockpit open because the plexiglas was covered with oil from enemy flak.

Ralph’s stories are historical treasures. He’s been on The History Channel and PBS. He is also featured at the Museum of Flight, and he has led groups around the Flying Heritage Collection at Paine Field in Everett, where his P-47 vintage war plane, the Tallahassee Lassie, resides today.

I’ve learned a lot from Ralph — about flying, real estate and life. He has seen many changes over the years. He flew before jets. He worked in real estate before the Internet. He’s lived through economic booms and busts. He’s mentored generations of real estate agents, and helped countless families buy and sell homes. But some things have remained constant. His life has been all about helping and protecting others, and building trust through teamwork — values that are at the core of Windermere.

Ralph Jenkins is a genuine hero. Earlier this year he celebrated his 91st birthday, and all of us at Windermere send him our very best wishes.

Ralph, we are humbled to know you. And we are so proud to call you our friend.

More • August 12, 2010

Windermere Cronin & Caplan Realty Group, Inc. to donate $130,000 to the Bridge Meadows Project in Portland, Oregon

by Windermere Staff

In 2005 Rhonda Meadows had a vision on how to develop a healthy community to support foster children, parents and elders and in 2011 her vision will become a reality in the Portsmouth neighborhood of Portland. The Bridge Meadows project will incorporate intergenerational housing, sustainable community initiatives such as a public garden, nutritional workshops, community center and tutoring opportunities to support foster families and provide support for all community members.

The Windermere Foundation is proud to support the Bridge Meadows Project through the hard work of the Windermere Portland offices. Windermere committed to fundraise 250,000 over four years and we are happy to share that they have surpassed the half-way mark!

To learn more about the project and Windermere’s contribution check out the recent Goodness Portland article here.