Blog - Rion Real Estate

Archive for November, 2008

First Steps for Home Buyers

Sunday, November 30th, 2008

So you’ve made the decision - you’re ready to buy a home.  What do you do next?  Watch the video, of course!

Alex Says - Decided to Buy A Home? What’s the next step? This is just the first in the series, so stay tuned or send us your email address to be notified when the [...]

Furry Woodland Creatures Belong In The Woods

Saturday, November 29th, 2008

I found this article in the Seattle Times “Make your home less inviting to mice.” The article offers some very good advice. There is one suggestion that I wouldn’t necessarily take unless that was all I had to work with. It says “Steel wool makes a good temporary plug.” Sadly it has been my experience [...]

Do Home Remodels Pay?

Wednesday, November 26th, 2008

Will I get my money back if I remodel my kitchen?  What about adding windows? 
We hear these kind of questions all the time from past clients.  We generally recommend that folks never undertake an expensive remodel just for the sake of resale value.  If you’re contemplating a upgrade that you’ll get the use and enjoyment [...]

Are You Ready to Buy Your First Home?

Monday, November 24th, 2008

Being a first time home buyer can be a bit daunting.  Owning a home is a big commitment.  Listen to Alex’s take on knowing if you’re ready.

You can find this video in its permanent home at Alex Says - How to Get the Most Out of Showings. This is just the first in the series, so [...]

How Many Times Do You Send Documents to the Loan Officer?

Sunday, November 23rd, 2008

I try to keep track of the searches people type into search engines to end up at our site.  From time to time, someone ends up visiting based on a question or certain search term that we touch on, but don’t necessarily cover in depth.  Recently, I noticed a new one that falls under that [...]

How to Get the Most Out of Showings

Friday, November 21st, 2008

When you’re looking at homes for sale, is there anything in particular you should notice?  Alex spent years in construction and real estate and gives a great guide.
 

You can find this video in its permanent home at Alex Says - How to Get the Most Out of Showings.  This is just the first in the [...]

Gift Ideas for the Person in Seattle Who Has Everything

Thursday, November 20th, 2008

We all have at least a few on our holiday gift list - that person who already has everything.  Particularly this year, think about trading only good will with that guy or gal and making a donation to one of the organizations below.  Or instead of doing a gift exchange at work or with an [...]

This Month in Real Estate History

Sunday, November 16th, 2008

Well, last month if you want to get technical…
Who said the following?
“We in America cherish our homes because they are symbolic of the family…Yet there are too many people in the United States who are not awake to the danger with which home and family in our country is threatened by the world Communist conspiracy.”
Visit [...]

Two Paths Diverged in the Financial Woods

Friday, November 14th, 2008

From time to time we’re all destined to be disappointed by our trade organizations.  What worries me, as a Realtor, is that the space between time and time keeps getting smaller.  The National Association of Realtors is a huge organization.  They do a lot of good things but I’m getting seriously concerned about their political [...]

Distressed Homeowner Law Revisited

Tuesday, November 11th, 2008

There’s an interesting thread going on at http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/realestate/archives/153603.asp about the effects of the Washington Distressed Homeowner Law.
That law really stuck in my craw when it was passed.  There is talk of amendment, but I think a lot of people (read: legislators and especially the governor) have stopped thinking about how their “unintended consequences” are affecting people [...]