SeattleHomesForSale Archives - SeattleAreaHomes4Sale

West Seattle Homeowners & Renters

March 25, 2015Rita Harris

Here’s your opportunity to have your voice heard regarding parking in your neighborhood!

Much discussion has been going on about West Seattle parking, in general, as well as in the Fauntleroy area. If you’d like to take a brief survey and provide your opinion and feedback before the end of business day on Thursday, March 26, 2015, do it!

The survey asks if you are a homeowner or tenant. It would like answers regarding parking, your public transit use, whether you favor more parking enforcement or the establishment of RPZ (restricted parking zone for the neighbors).

I entered my own information and offered how I use West Seattle. I pick up dog food at Petco. My husband and I eat at restaurants. We buy antiques, clothing and home decorating items. We are NOT going to take the bus to get there. But that’s just us.

My input included suggestions for either parking garages which could be obscured to make neighbors happy, or the construction of garages at SODO with a shuttle service that could take people to the Junction or to Fauntleroy to hop a ferry. Fewer cars parking on the street? Maybe they’d consider it, especially during the summer season.

What are YOUR ideas? You’ve got a day or so to speak up. IF you want to know the results, you can offer your email. Otherwise, you are submitting the info anonymously.

Do you own a West Seattle home? Are you a tenant looking to buy something in West Seattle? Each of you have specific set of needs that someone with knowledge of the area and real estate experience can offer. Call Rita Harris, Broker. She’s an original Seattleite and will have answers for your questions. Don’t waste time. Just call her…

#WestSeattleParking, #WestSeattleHomes, #WestSeattleTenant, #RitaHarrisBroker

Jason Terry Sells Seattle Area Home

March 20, 2015Rita Harris

Seattle’s Franklin High School graduate, Jason Terry, who plays for the Houston Rockets, is selling his luxurious residence!

(Photo taken by Carl Bortalami)

Pssssst! Did you catch the news? The elegant home is sited on Mercer Island, just across Lake Washington from Seattle. According to the Seattle P.I. article, it is on the market for $2.4m. It features all the usual bells and whistles one would expect in an elegant home, such a media/theatre and such.

I’m delighted to see that a Seattle Home Boy had a residence of this caliber right in our midst and that he was true to his community roots. No details where he’s moving or why as yet. It’s being represented by Sothebys. Now I’m curious as ever to peek at the inside! I’ll be checking to see what the touring instructions are going to be in the listing.

Want to see interior pictures? Here’s the link to the house on my company’s website. Be patient while the “white box” loads the images:
http://warringproperties.com/get-started/#PropertyID=94563381

If you want to read the P.I. article, then here’s that link:
http://bit.ly/1CDEtSd

If YOU have a Seattle area house or investment to sell, let me know. You can go out on Trulia and see the comments I have from satisfied customers about my service. I would be honored to discuss your specific circumstances with you so you can evaluate the feedback and make a good decision. I look forward to the opportunity…. Rita Harris, Broker

How Much Do You Need to Earn to Buy A Home?

March 10, 2015Rita Harris

Here below is the rendering of US cities with income averages needed to buy a home. It gives you a clearer understanding where the “affordable” parts of the country are located compared to your city, or MY Fair Emerald Lady – Seattle!

The image originated from HSH.com. I mentioned them in yesterday’s post too. Who are they? They tout they are “the nation’s largest publisher of mortgage and consumer loan information.” They’ve tracked mortgage markets for over 30 years.

“HSH is an objective, independent source of information about consumer loans. HSH does not make or broker mortgages and is not beholden to any lender.”

What cities are considered affordable these days? Well, according to The Washington Post that would be: Pittsburgh, Cleveland, St. Louis and Cincinnati. Personally, I think Seattle and her beautiful surrounding burbs are also affordable, considering our cost of living and wages here. Agreed, not everyone can afford a $500-$800,000 residence, but there are still some very cute homes in our area between $200 and $400,0000 range.

If you are relocating to Seattle, I’ll find you a good match for your needs. Contact me and we’ll consult what your timing, needs and price range will be. I can also facilitate arrangements for hotel accommodations, city tour, school information, etc. If you’d like to email me or telephone me, the page where you can do so is: http://www.seattleareahomes4sale.com/contact/

Oh, and if you are still interested in the rest of the article about various cities, here’s the link: http://wapo.st/1HqouXC

#SeattleHomes #SeattleHomeBuyer #HowMuchHomeCanYouAfford #IncomeLevelsNeededToBuyAHome #SeattleAreaHomesForSale

Better to Buy in Seattle or San Francisco?

March 9, 2015Rita Harris

Only 21 percent of Bay area residents can afford to buy homes, according the California Association of Realtors. “I think Austin or Seattle would be better places to buy,” said Stefano Acerbetti, a software development manager for a startup in SFO, though he has no plans to move away from San Francisco.

According to HSH.com, Seattle, home buyers need to earn about $73,000 to qualify for the $352,000 median, according to the analysis. In San Antonio (the closest metro area to Austin it looked at), HSH found a $45,000 salary is enough to afford the $185,500 median price.

I for one, can tell you that the market for a buyer is very brisk, whether here in Seattle or in SFO.
If you are serious about being able to get a home or condo this year, YOU need to take proactive steps in advance of stepping into a real estate agent’s car or attending open houses.

What sort of steps? How about:
– Interview 3 Mortgage Brokers to talk about financing and determine what kind of loan would be the best fit for you.
– Get PreAPPROVED, not just PreQualified. Difference is that the first option actually gives you power in negotiations with a seller. All you are waiting to obtain is the report by a bank approved appraiser. PreQualification only says that based on the story you told the banker, you “look like” you can afford the house.
– Be realistic what you can afford to buy and know that in a brisk market, you may well be up against other people making offers on the same house. This process is going to take time to be the successful bidder on a property, ESPECIALLY in certain price ranges.
– Interview Professional Real Estate Brokers to look for a good personality match. Is the person a go-getter who is knowledgeable, pleasant but enthusiastic, or do they strike you as a plaid-short coat wearing motivational speaker with a dash of car sales thrown in? (*Hint: Call Rita Harris, Broker as one of your choices to interview!)
– DON’T try to negotiate with the listing agent to buy the house you want. You’re not likely to “get a better deal.” a cheap commission (buyers in our area generally don’t pay that anyway), or be put ahead of any other offer coming in. In fact, you put yourself in a very uncomfortable situation concerning the Law of Agency and representation of your interests! Would you go to court for a lawsuit and have the opposing counsel/attorney represent you in a court case? If the answer is “No” then don’t have the listing agent handle your interests. You need a Professional Broker who is an advocate of YOUR needs and interests.

Be glad you are choosing to find a home here in Seattle, WA. Although there will be a flood of buyers looking this Spring and Summer, persistence will pay off and you are money ahead of trying to buy in San Francisco. Here’s the rest of the story if you’re interested in reading: http://cnet.co/1Bij2Fu

#SeattleRealEstate #BuyInSeattle #BriskSeattleMarket #RitaHarrisBroker

Seattle Homes: Benefitting in 2015!

March 7, 2015March 7, 2015Rita Harris

Do you remember 2006, or is that a distant memory?

Here’s a newsflash – Due to the pent-up demand for housing, Seattle hasn’t seen this kind of traffic and number of pending sales since around 2006!

While houses and condos ARE coming on the market in a steady way, there is still not enough inventory to satisfy the needs of those who are moving to our area, let alone those already here looking to transition from rental units into homes.

What can be done, you say?

For one thing, it would be lovely if lending institutions could let-up on the regulations a bit so that developers/builders who are willing to create multi-family condos & townhomes, CAN afford to build again. Seattle has experienced a number of tall stacks going in, but not all of these are condos Often, they are very small apartments.

Want to read the short article by Marc Stiles of the PSBJ? Here’s the link: http://bit.ly/SBJ2006 about Seattle real estate for sale.

If you’re a seller and you would entertain an opportunity for a private, no obligation consultation about your property’s value, contact me.

We can discuss how you take take advantage of this market for serious wealth building!

Classic Colonial Homes – Seattle

March 6, 2015March 6, 2015Rita Harris

Do you love elegant, Georgian rooms? This is a gorgeous example of deep crown and doorway mouldings, along with stylish furniture decorating.

If you love this style, there is a more affordable version on Seattle’s Capitol Hill and just listed in the last few days by a friend of mine! For you folks, I am always available and have time to meet you if you’d like to take a peek. No appointment needed to see the interior. Want to come along? eMail me or phone me…. http://www.seattleareahomes4sale.com/contact/

‪#‎HousesInSeattle‬, ‪#‎SeattleHousesForSale‬, ‪#‎SeattleRealEstateListings‬,‪#‎ColonialHomeInSeattle‬, ‪#‎GeorgianBrickHomeSeattle‬

Are YOU A Landlord in Seattle? Know Someone Who Is?

March 6, 2015March 6, 2015Rita Harris

This tidbit of news might be helpful to them to know, now at tax time, so feel free to share the info! I pulled it directly from a property management firm in our area:

“Under the Small Business Jobs Act, landlords are required to report to the IRS payments of $600 or more to a vendor or service provider in the course of the year. This is done by issuing a 1099-MISC form. This requirement started in 2011 and includes payments to service providers such as plumbers, carpenters, yard service providers and repair people. The Form is provided to the IRS and to the service provider. This requirement applies to both residential and commercial property.

Landlords need to obtain the name, address and taxpayer identification number of the service provider, using Form W-9 or a similar form.”

*BTW – Nothing found herein should be construed as an attempt to offer or render a legal opinion or otherwise engage in the practice of law. You should obtain the advice of an attorney well versed in these matters.

Home Prices in Mountlake Terrace, WA (Near Seattle)

March 6, 2015March 6, 2015Rita Harris

Psssst! Know someone who lives in Mountlake Terrace?

Their newspaper just released this week the comparison news that “Mountlake Terrace home prices have increased by 8.8 percent, sales up 23.1 percent.”

Nice little piece of gossip to share, right?

‪#‎SeattleHomesForSale‬, ‪#‎SeattleRealEstate‬, ‪#‎AvailableSeattleHomes‬,‪#‎SearchSeattleHouses‬

Here’s your opportunity to have your voice heard regarding parking in your neighborhood!

Seattle’s Franklin High School graduate, Jason Terry, who plays for the Houston Rockets, is selling his luxurious residence!

(Photo taken by Carl Bortalami)

Here below is the rendering of US cities with income averages needed to buy a home. It gives you a clearer understanding where the “affordable” parts of the country are located compared to your city, or MY Fair Emerald Lady – Seattle!

The image originated from HSH.com. I mentioned them in yesterday’s post too. Who are they? They tout they are “the nation’s largest publisher of mortgage and consumer loan information.” They’ve tracked mortgage markets for over 30 years.

“HSH is an objective, independent source of information about consumer loans. HSH does not make or broker mortgages and is not beholden to any lender.”

According to HSH.com, Seattle, home buyers need to earn about $73,000 to qualify for the $352,000 median, according to the analysis. In San Antonio (the closest metro area to Austin it looked at), HSH found a $45,000 salary is enough to afford the $185,500 median price.

I for one, can tell you that the market for a buyer is very brisk, whether here in Seattle or in SFO. If you are serious about being able to get a home or condo this year, YOU need to take proactive steps in advance of stepping into a real estate agent’s car or attending open houses.

Do you remember 2006, or is that a distant memory?

Here’s a newsflash – Due to the pent-up demand for housing, Seattle hasn’t seen this kind of traffic and number of pending sales since around 2006!

While houses and condos ARE coming on the market in a steady way, there is still not enough inventory to satisfy the needs of those who are moving to our area, let alone those already here looking to transition from rental units into homes.

What can be done, you say?

Want to read the short article by Marc Stiles of the PSBJ? Here’s the link: http://bit.ly/SBJ2006 about Seattle real estate for sale.

If you’re a seller and you would entertain an opportunity for a private, no obligation consultation about your property’s value, contact me.

We can discuss how you take take advantage of this market for serious wealth building!

Psssst! Know someone who lives in Mountlake Terrace?

I for one, can tell you that the market for a buyer is very brisk, whether here in Seattle or in SFO.
If you are serious about being able to get a home or condo this year, YOU need to take proactive steps in advance of stepping into a real estate agent’s car or attending open houses.