ARDELL's Seattle Area Real Estate Blog

I don't usually "plug" things that are going on around the Blogosphere, but Dustin Luther is hosting a call in show today (or questions by chat room) with Lawrence Yun, NAR's Chief Economist.  That's 8 p.m. for those of you on the East Coast.  The in the middle people will have to figure out the ...

Recently on Rain City Guide, a local area resident asked why we don't first add an additional 2X the land value and then value the structure value, when coming up with a listing or offer price. In the post itself, I explained the 10% rule for extras, including extra land.  That rule being that wh...

Kirkland, Washington is a City known for many thngs, but two of its biggest claims to fame are that it is a City built on a Lake and it is known for its many Art Stores. The stained glass "window of vases" on the stairway landing of my home are not part of the window,  They are free standing sep...

I'm starting to get the photos ready for listing my property right after I get back from Inman Blogger's Connect in San Francisco. I know you all know I'm a bit odd and eclectic.  It's a big decision not to neutralize everything in my house, but since I've painted the furniture to match the hous...

Generally speaking, I have been a strong proponent for Do It Yourself Real Estate at times, more times than most agents.  But I have to say I'm doing a complete about face in 2008.  It's a really bad time to not have someone assist you in navigating through the process of buying or selling real ...

I adore Ian Watt, and liked his style even before he started doing his video blogs.  Now that he has the videos going, he is even more awesome! Everyone can learn a lot from watching Ian's daily video blogs.  1) They are short 2) He has charm and personality and a great twinkle in his eye 3) He s...

I can't say that I have utilized this to its full advantage, but over on my blog I have a widget for a "stat counter" in the right sidebar.  Sorry to use a link instead of a "screen shot", but I'm terrible at screen shots.  Once you have access to the free Stat Counter (I'm sure there are others ...

This one is for Jo Soss, taken right off the stairway wall of a recently sold home in Seattle. The color was really a Brown Sugar like the one below from Benjamin Moore But the lighting from the bottom to the top of the staircase gave it that variated pattern and color tone. A slightly lighter v...

Here in the Seattle area we have enjoyed a really great market until July or August of 2007, unlike the rest of the Country.  The big story is in the fewer number of sold property, the higher and growing numbers of property for sale.  But in reality what we are looking for is for the reduction i...

Above is an actual swatch from a recently sold property.  The huge living room was painted in this color.  The furnishings were very neutral, the walls were not. In fact I've seen quite a few shades of orange and brown-orange lately. Here are a few ideas: Benjamin Moore's Flamme Orange above Rob...