The Twenty on the Twentieth Report – January 2009
Inauguration day 2009. What a historic day. We can all hope and work towards the best for our nation and the world!
At Lake Tapps, buyers have gotten more active. I have had more showings than last year on my lake listing and contracts are starting to get written again. One neighboring new construction site had 5 deals last week. The number of active listings on the lake is down from where it was, but I assume the reason is from cancelled’s and expired’s not being re-listed for whatever reason.
Here are the latest Lake Tapps waterfront numbers:
Active Listings: Under 1 Million dollars = 44 Over 1 Million dollars = 23
Pending Listings: 9 (all under 1 million dollars)
Lowest Price: $474,500 Highest Price: $2,999,000
Solds: 3 12/15/08 3007 196th Ave Ct E $560,000
12/23/08 3324 Deer Island Dr E $490,000
01/08/09 3604 214th Ave E $1,975,000
If you have any questions or are interested in buying at Lake Tapps, please call or email me.
Thanks, Karen Wallace, John L Scott Real Estate, (206)910-8807 karenwa@johnlscott.com
Add comment January 20, 2009
A Few Tips To Help Your House Sell In This Market
It is easy to become overwhelmed when you need to sell your house in a current market like ours. The good news is that houses are still selling! Just know that it will take a little longer. Here are some things to keep in mind:
1. Be realistic about your asking price. If you start even a tiny bit too high, you will most likely end up chasing the market down and end up getting less than you would have at a correct starting price.
2. Know that there are agents out there who will say you can get a higher price for your house in order to get your business. They will probably ask you to lower the price a couple weeks later or may be using your house to get sign calls.
3. Really study the comparable home “solds” and don’t get fooled by “active” homes that are still listed. You are not on the market to hang out with other “actives”, but to get your house sold and get on with your life.
4. If your home does not have the upgrades, really focus on getting it super clean and smelling great. Clean the carpets and don’t let anyone smoke in or near it. Think of yourself as a young mother – do you want your baby crawling around in your house? Remember to clean the windows and dust the window sills.
5. There is a huge difference between living in your house and selling your house. Get all the clutter picked up, boxed up, and out of sight. Don’t worry about throwing things out if you are a collector. The first goal is to get your house sold. You will have plenty of time to sort and throw things out later.
6. View your house from the street. Does it have street appeal? If not, maybe do a little clean up and add a little decorative touch with some cute, inexpensive plants or flowers.
7. Although you can try to sell your house “as is”, the truth is that buyers and appraisers can get very nit-picky. If you are able to do some simple repairs or paint where needed, then please do. If you have not had your furnace cleaned and serviced recently, just know that a buyer’s inspector will be looking for that little service sticker.
8. Choose a competent agent who will work hard for you, will be very accessible, and who you want to be part of your family for a few months. Getting a buyer is only part of the selling process. Once the offer is accepted, your real estate agent also needs to know the contract well, stay on top of all the time frames and be communicating well with many different parties to get your home sold with less complications and on-time. Smooth talkers don’t always walk their talk.
Any questions? Karen Wallace of John L Scott Real Estate can be reached at (206) 910-8807. She works in and around Seattle and its suburbs from Edmunds to Enumclaw.
Add comment January 8, 2009
The Twenty on the Twentieth Report – December 2008
Active Listings: Under 1 million dollars = 47 Over 1 million dollars = 28
Pending Listings: Under 1 million dollars = 5 Over 1 million dollars = 1
Lowest Price = $474,500 Highest Price = $2,875,000
Solds = 2 11/21/2008 2925 196th Ave Ct E $635,000
12/02/2008 4410 185th E $569,018
Hope everyone has a great holiday season and a happy New Year!
Sincerely, Karen Wallace karenwa@johnlscott.com 206.910.8807
Add comment December 20, 2008
The Twenty on the Twentieth Report November 2008
I would like to start this month’s report with a screen shot of the John L Scott map search page. It pulls information directly from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service where agents from all of the companies input the listings. Each little house shape represents an active listing and visitors can click on each one to get more information and pictures. This is a great service offered to everyone.
Now for the current month’s statistics:
Active Listings At or Under 1 Million$$ = 50
Over 1 Million$$ = 32
Pending Listings At or Under 1 Million$$ = 5
Over 1 Million$$ = 0
Solds = 1 10/22/08 5302 S Island Dr $700,000
Lowest Listing Price = $474,500 Highest Listing Price = $2,875,000
Remember, I can be a buyer’s agent for any of the listings so please feel free to call me anytime for a showing. (206) 910-8807 karenwa@johnlscott.com
Add comment November 20, 2008
The Twenty on the Twentieth Report October 2008
It is the 20th of the month again. Here is the latest real estate news for Lake Tapps waterfront listings.
Active listings: Under 1 Million $$ = 49 Over 1 Million $$ = 34
Lowest price = $474,500 Highest Price = $2,875,000
Pending listings: Under 1 Million $$ = 5 Over 1 Million $$ = 0
Solds = 4
09/30/08 3307 W Tapps Dr E $680,000
10/03/08 3118 196th Ave Ct E $585,000
10/07/08 3408 196th Ave Ct E $799,900
10/13/08 7320 W Tapps Hwy E $550,000
If you have any questions or would like to start looking at properties in person, please contact me at either karenwa@johnlscott.com or (206)910-8807. Thank you!
Add comment October 20, 2008
The Twenty on the Twentieth Report September 2008
I am happy to report this month that the “sold” number of waterfront homes at Lake Tapps actually quadrupled compared to last month. Does that mean we are finally out of this bad real estate market? Not exactly. It just means that four homes sold compared to zero. You are much too smart to be fooled anyway. It was just fun to write.
I also want to mention that the water temperature in my cove reached 75 degrees this summer which made it very pleasant for everything from just splashing around to water skiing.
Here are the last 30 days’ statistics with a FSBO from 8/12/08:
Active Listings: Under 1 Million$ = 60 Over 1 Million$ = 33
Lowest Price = $429,950 Highest Price = $2,875,000
Pending Listings: Under 1 Million$ = 8 Over 1 Million$ = 0
Solds = 4 8/12/08 3913 Lakeridge Dr E $835,000
8/19/08 4109 Lakeridge Dr E $1,462,500
9/08/08 2622 202nd Ave Ct E $813,000
9/02/08 19922 32nd St Ct E $654,750
Hope you are enjoying this report. Let me know if you have any suggestions or comments or would like to start your home search. My email is karenwa@johnlscott.com and my phone number is (206)910-8807.
Sincerely, Karen Wallace
Add comment September 20, 2008
The Twenty on the Twentieth Report August 2008
Here again is my monthy report for waterfront residential listings at Lake Tapps for approximately the last 30 days. The real estate market is especially flat everywhere right now and it shows in my findings.
Active Listings: Under 1 million dollars = 61 At or over 1 million dollars = 37
Pending Listings: Under 1 million dollars = 7 At or over 1 million dollars= 1
Solds = zero
Lowest Price: $494,950 Highest Price: $3,200,000
Is there other information that readers would like to know each month? Please email me, Karen Wallace of John L Scott Real Estate, at karenwa@johnlscott.com or post a comment with suggestions.
Add comment August 20, 2008
The Twenty on the Twentieth Report July 2008
Here is a quick real estate report for the waterfront residential listings on Lake Tapps for approximately the last 30 days. My findings are as follows:
Active Listings: under 1 million dollars = 48
over 1 million dollars = 36
Lowest price = $494,950
Highest price = $3,100,000
Pending (under contract): 4
Solds: 6/24/08 2710 214th Ave E $1,407,000
7/07/08 20312 Church Lake Dr $550,000
7/14/08 3515 Deer Island Dr E $540,000
Is there other information that readers would like to know each month? Please
email me, Karen Wallace of John L Scott Real Estate, at karenwa@johnlscott.com
or post a comment with suggestions.
Add comment July 19, 2008
