While buyers must shop within their financial qualifications, their decision to make an offer on a home is first, and foremost, an emotional response to the appearance of your home and property. The money and negotiation side to the actual purchase comes later. In order to maximize the appearance of your property -- thus eliciting more excited Buyers about your home, follow these 16 simple preparation tips. 1. Tidy up the grounds, porches and garage. 2. Keep the lawn trimmed and edged. 3. Make sure that your yard is clean. 4. Your front door adds to that first impression—be sure it is scrubbed or repainted if necessary. 5. Wash windows, window ledges and corners, and clean/dust window coverings. Grime is your enemy! 6. If any decorating or painting is needed (especially in the kitchen)... 09/01/2010

Housing opportunities for homeless veterans and other homeless individuals working through mental illness in Auburn, WA took a much needed step forward on Friday afternoon. As an Ambassador for the Auburn Chamber of Commerce, attending opening ceremonies and participating in ribbon cuttings is just part of the position. However, being touched by the care and compassion demonstrated at the dedication ceremony for Valley Cities Landing on Friday afternoon was truly a priviledge. Valley Cities Landing is a 24-unit studio apartment complex designed and implemented through the cooperative efforts of the State of Washington, King County, the City of Auburn, and Valley Cities Counseling services. Located at 2516 I Street NE, the facility is absolutely beautiful! Including the central community... 08/29/2010

Yeah, I know ... stats are boring. Especially putting them together every month. But when helping a seller understand what they need to do to sell their house ... or why they'll likely get the price under discussion, or why a buyer could/should pay a particular price for a home, they're invaluable. So here's boring, but invaluable statistic #1: The average home price for homes that sold as of end of July 2010 is less than it was in July 2004: So here's boring, but invaluable statistic #2: There's typically a spike in accepted offers in March, followed by steady acceptable offers throughout the summer. Except look what happened in April this year -- Remember that to qualify for one of the homebuyer tax credits that contracts had to be in place by April 30th: Boring but invaluable statist... 08/26/2010

I bought my first home in the mid-'70's, and then bought again in about 1983. Even though interest rates were "obscene," (seems like ours was somewhere around 17.5%) somehow we managed to make it work. Builders and sellers routinely bought down rates and prices were considerably lower. I was reminded of this fact this morning when receiving a marketing piece by one of my favorite statistical companies, Estate of Mind. Simple little graphs like this one provide such a powerful visual guide of just how far interest rates have dropped and the resulting impact in purchasing power. Now, granted, $1,500 was certainly a lot more money in the pocket in 1981 than it is now ... and a home at just over $100,000 at least compared with the the $300,000 home in today's market. (That cute little 3 bed... 08/22/2010

Like most agents, I talk almost daily with folks considering a home purchase. We talk through all of their wants and picture their dream house in vivid color. Within a very few minutes, however, I start asking the tough questions: How much can you afford? Have you been preapproved? With whom? May I refer a few lenders to you that do outstanding work--they'll help us nail down exactly how much house you can buy, and get you preapproved for a loan so you're ready to go! ... and so on. Generally, that very first question is answered by: "I want my payment to be no more than $, although I could possibly stretch up to $." I'm not a mortgage officer, but it's certainly part of my initial counseling session to help Buyers get started and to help them assess the balance point between their desi... 08/22/2010

My daughter is currently shopping for a house outside of Washington State, where I'm licensed and practice. Although I cautioned her and her husband against making sign calls and suggesting (strongly!) that she work with a Realtor I interviewed on her behalf and recommend, they decided to make a sign call and then moved forward with that agent. And not happily so. When I spoke with her by phone yesterday, her comment to me was "Oh Mom, the agent just opens the doors. We're perfectly capable of finding houses on our own and we don't need any other help." Yikes! Now this young lady, of whom I am very proud by the way, has been raised to think for herself. However, she's also seen me work and, gee I would have thought, understood exactly how much work I really do on behalf of my clients. N... 08/21/2010

Almost everyone I talk with these days is ... as I am ... backwards on their home loan-to-value ratios. Many of us bought out homes in the early 2000's and then even refinanced them or added home equity loans somewhere in the 2005-2007 days, bringing our total home loan indebtedness to a number that is now out-of-whack with today's home prices. These values were reasonable at the time, but, of course, with the falling real estate values, it's become impossible to refinance the house to take advantage of today's incredible home loan rates. Further, most of the various "Help the Struggling Homeowner" programs that have been offered thus far were really aimed at folks that had already fallen behind in their payments, or anticipated doing so in the near future. Even President Obama's Loan ... 08/16/2010

A deed in lieu of foreclosure is an additional option that should be investigated when facing a possible foreclosure. While it may seem like a simple and easy method to avoid a foreclosure, there are considerations and steps that you must take. A Deed-in-Lieu of Foreclosure is a process where the lender agrees to take the deed to your home rather than pursue a foreclosure action against you for nonpayment of your loan. This option is easiest where there is only one mortgage, and where there are no other liens. It's also important to know that some banks won't even consider a Deed-In-Lieu of Foreclosure unless you've already been rejected for a Loan Modification and/or were also unsuccessful selling your home as a Short Sale. More information about the Deed-in-Lieu option, along with Loa... 08/12/2010

I like to consider myself as a resource for sellers who are considering their options. Should they pursue a short sale? Should they just walk away? Should they just try to hang on no matter what? Recently I had an opportunity to meet with a wonderful couple that were truly truly trying to do "the right thing," as they phrased it. We met for a couple of hours while they showed me around their home. Their pride was obvious. This house was their baby. They'd improved and lovingly planted almost every inch of the yard ... and the inside was eat off the floor clean. Every room was polished and tidy. They were devasted that life had taken an unfortunate turn and they just couldn't figure out how to hang on any longer. After talking through the options, I sent them to talk to the other necessa... 08/09/2010

In today's economic real estate market, unfortunately, sellers frequently find themselves in a position where their home must be sold for less than the outstanding balance of their mortgage. The process in doing so is called a "short sale," where the lender-or more specifically the investor(s) or lienholder(s),-are asked to accept a less-than-full payoff for the property. Two alternatives are suggested here that can and should be examined prior to deciding to pursue a short sale. Over the next few posts, I'll link to other alternatives. For a more complete discussion, click the title. Should You Refinance Your Home? If you feel you have sufficient income to continue making payments on your home, but need to lower the payments, one of the best choices - providing current interest rates a... 08/09/2010

I love going to street fairs. They're just FUN! Walking around with an ear of corn dripping with butter and cheese is ummmmm, YUMMY! One of the last street fairs of the season is held right down the hill from my house -- in downtown Auburn -- starting on August 13th, and running through the weekend until August 15th. But Auburn Good Ol' Days is so much more than just a street fair! On Saturday the 15th is the annual Classic Car and Truck Show for cars built before 1960. Then on Sunday, the slightly newer cars (built 1979 and before) come out. My guys are salivating -- they love this. Think neat old cars all shined up with exceptional paint jobs and big engines. Cool! Want to see the best local talent? Visit the juried Fine Art Show is held at City Hall both Saturday and Sunday. Or maybe... 08/05/2010

I love Seafair in Seattle. I grew up in Seattle and, luckily, my family also loved the Hydros. As a young girl, we would always, always go to "Hydro Sunday"--spending the day sitting on the beach, having a picnic and generally just sharing in the giddy chaos that surrounded the event. SOOOO much fun. The Hydroplane races on Lake Washington are now big business and the fun isn't quite as innocent. Now you have to buy tickets to sit beachside. (what's WITH that, anyway!) So now I spend my Hydro Sunday watching the races on the Tube. We BBQ at home and, when possible, have a few friends over. Still fun, but not being there in person, running in and out of the water and playing on the beach, isn't quite the same. However! The Hydros are Running on the Lake this weekend and even waaay out he... 08/04/2010

Foreclosure Sales Account for 31 Percent of All Residential Sales in First Quarter According to New Report From RealtyTrac. As an active short sale broker, assisting both buyers and sellers of short sale properties, I consider it a critical part of my job to help keep all parties involved and informed. A recent statistical article by RealtyTrac, one source for Foreclosure Activity across the US, posted its recent statistical summary releasing statistics for the number of foreclosure properties nationwide, along with comparing the value of non-foreclosure properties to those properties that have been through the foreclosure process and are then sold by the Bank or lienholder. It's sadly a statement of our current market to see that even nationwide, foreclosure sales made up almost a thir... 07/20/2010

This morning's quick Auburn Area Mid-Summer Market Snapshot shows that there's a total of 361 active residential listings, for an average price of just under $300,000, with an average days on market of 139 days. Perhaps as expected, when comparing homes currently for sale (Active) to those under contract (Pending) to those where the sale actually closed (Sold), those homes pending or sold were considerably lower in price and were on the market for fewer days than those currently Active. As expected, short sales and bank-owned houses continue to play a dramatic part of house sales in the areas. Year to date, of the 275 sold houses, 45 were short sale transactions. Year to date, approximately 16% of all homes sold in Auburn were short sale properties. .... But WOW, notice that almost 29% ... 07/20/2010

There are some transactions that are particularly satisfying when they finally close. I have to say that this Listing is one that took exceptional effort, but after visiting the home to drop off keys to the new buyers, their palpable excitement and relief about being in their new home just left me with such a sense of fulfillment. Now this was a transaction just overflowing with issues ... big issues! Shortly after listing, there were difficulties with the weather, with leaks in the kitchen, with the estate auction (hmmmmmm, I'll think twice, 3 times, about recommending that guy again), then with fielding call after call after call of low offers from agents informing me that the price was too high and that the lace just wasn't worth anything more than the land. And yet there were offer... 06/30/2010

There are fanstastic buys on Auburn Bank Owned Homes. Auburn has over 66 Bank Ownned Homes to choose from. Search all AUBURN WA BANK OWNED HOMES here.     SEARCH ENGINE KEYWORDS: AUBURN HOMES FOR SALE AUBURN BANK OWNED HOMES AUBURN FORECLOSURES AUBURN LUXURY FORECLOSURES AUBURN LUXURY HOMES AUBURN VIEW HOMES   PUYALLUP LUXURY PROPERTIES 06/07/2010

10 Fun Things to Do in Auburn, Washington! 1. Shop Shop Shop (well, you know, it IS the key to happiness ... err maybe that's the money I'd save by ...) ... shopping at the SuperMall of the Great Northwest! Truly good buys here in a totally undercover outlet mall. Come visit! SuperMall1101 SuperMall Way, Suite 1268 Auburn, WA 98001 www.supermall.com 2. Play the ponies at Emerald Downs! -- I always walk away with a coupla bucks left in my pocket ... but after a full day of entertainment with the whole family, awesome nachos at the taco bar, and a couple of margaritas, life is GOOD! Emerald Downs 2300 Emerald Downs Drive Auburn, WA 98001-1633 (253) 288-7000 3. Have dinner at the Auburn Avenue Dinner Theater -- and laugh hysterically if you visit on Comedy Night!! Auburn Avenue Dinner Thea... 04/22/2010

Drop the price! The first two months of sales data in the greater Auburn, Washington tell the story perfectly -- Want or Need to Sell Your Home Fast? -- Drop The Price! Or if at all possible, at least price it within the range of those houses that are actually selling quickly: Granted, this little chart only shows three months of home sale activity in the greater Auburn area, but it clearly reflects that homes sell faster when they are nearer the lower end of the pricing spectrum. Here you can see that the average home listing price is above $300,000, but the average price for home sales that actually closed (i.e., made it all the way to the exchange of keys!) was in the low-mid $200,000 range. It's further telling that homes in those upper dollar amounts for Auburn, stay on the market ... 03/12/2010

AUBURN HOMES FOR SALE: WATERFRONT PROPERTIES If you are looking for a home in Auburn, you deserve the most up to date information available. Diverse neighborhoods from historic craftsman style homes to master planned luxury home communities, with all the amenities you could want are right here at your fingertips. Located in King and Pierce counties, between Seattle and Tacoma on the cusp of Federal Way, Auburn is a city rich in history, with a wide array of home styles to choose from. You will discover parks, equestrian trails, and world class golf courses with territorial, lake and Mount Rainier views.    For the most current information on Communities in Auburn, please click on any of the highlighted/underlined key words for instant access to all active listings. You can be sure to ge... 03/08/2010

AUBURN HOMES FOR SALE: VIEW CONDOS If you are looking for a home in Auburn, you deserve the most up to date information available. Diverse neighborhoods from historic craftsman style homes to master planned luxury home communities, with all the amenities you could want are right here at your fingertips. Located in King and Pierce counties, between Seattle and Tacoma on the cusp of Federal Way, Auburn is a city rich in history, with a wide array of home styles to choose from. You will discover parks, equestrian trails, and world class golf courses with territorial, lake and Mount Rainier views.    For the most current information on Communities in Auburn, please click on any of the highlighted/underlined key words for instant access to all active listings. You can be sure to get expert g... 03/08/2010