BUYERS

1. Free Housing Warming Party! I will provide everything necessary to have an awesome party for you and your guests within six months of moving into your new home. I provide several themes for you to choose from and you can have up to 25 guests. I do not provide alcoholic drinks due to liability and some restrictions apply. Please call me for details (425) 244-4031.

SELLERS

1. Free current market analysis of your home.

2. One year Basic Home Warranty from American Home Shield that covers you during your listing & for one year coverage from sale of your home to Buyer (Maximum $437 Value & some restrictions apply) when you list your home for sale with me. Only available for single family residences.

3. Free Staging Consultation (I’m a trained Home Stager). Statistics show that a staged home sells quicker.

Why miss out on these special offers in this great time to buy! Interests rates are great, bank owned properties, foreclosure homes, and  many bargains are available! Call Susan today for a personal appointment (425) 244-4031.

7915 184th St. NW, Stanwood

Home For Sale $288,900

View Of Lake Martha
MLS # 247822

View of Lake Martha on 3.89 acres where the deer visit often! Those who love to tinker around in a 3 car detached garage with large shop-this property has it! Secluded one level retreat home with fruit trees and plenty of room for gardening. Large master bedroom has a separated office/den and bathroom suite with soaking tub. New one year old roof, new decks, and new hardiplank siding! Decorated glass doors on upper kitchen cabinets. Basic One year old warranty included!

Virtual Tour

7915 184 St. NW, Stanwood

September 2011 Newsletter

August 2011 Newsletter

July 2011 Newsletter

Solutions To Your Household Problems

First Taking Ownership To Do’s

One Acre Commercial Community Business

Wow! One Acre Zoned Community Business Commercial Right Next To Marysville’s Newest High School. Existing Manufactured Home & 2 Car Shop Are Included, But Best Use Of Property Is Commercial. Residence & Insulated Shop Are On A Pour Concrete Foundation. Public Water, Sewer, Natural Gas Are To The Property Line But Community Well, Septic, & Electricity Are ON Property. Great For Retail Or Personal Service Businesses, Buyer To Verify Business Use With City Of Marysville Prior To Purchase.

Give Me A Call For A Personal Tour! 425-244-4031

Curb Appeal

Landscaping can add 7-15 % *  to your home’s value. Taking time to improve your curb appeal can add value to your home in many ways. If you are trying to sell your home, having a great impression can draw a buyer into the yard to get them into the front door of your home. That’s really big first step in getting your home sold.  Another way it adds value is just for feeling good about entering your home with an inviting atmosphere while residing there.  We are just coming into spring when opportunities arise with nice weather to work in our yards. 

Get your entire family involved because when it’s done, it builds camaraderie with each other and pride in their home.  Here are some steps you can take right away that can dramatically improve your yards appearance that add a big impact.

• Clear away tree limbs and leaves that have fallen to the ground.
• Keep shrubs trimmed, add color with plants and keep the soil free of weeds with mulch or ground cover.
• Make sure walkways are in good condition and free of cracks.  Paint or stain concrete walks, steps and porches.
• Replace your porch light with a new fixture that complements your home’s style.
• A new mailbox and handsome street numbers will yield a great return on your investment (plus it helps emergency aid locate your home quicker too!).
• Give your front door a fresh coat of paint or stain. Paint the trim if you have a tight budget.
• Small garden areas should not feature too many different kinds of plants and materials. This will make your landscaping look cluttered- keep it simple and clean.
• Using an edger along paths or borders of flower beds usually makes the yard look clean.

Here are some other interesting notes that will solidify your reason for getting out in nature and doing these suggestions.  Mature landscaping can lower energy costs, dampen noise and help reduce air pollution.  Create an Outdoor Space.  Adding a deck or patio for entertaining or relaxing year round can be a great investment for your home.  A 2008  Cost vs. Value Report produced by Realtor® Magazine stated that installing a deck provides up to 81.8 % return on investment.  I’ve seen some really nice patio areas that have created an extended room outside of the home just off the dining area which were covered and nicely decorated with cozy outdoor furniture.  Run with your imagination or if you get stuck, call me! Since I’m a Realtor, I can definitely give you ideas and suggestions for improving that first impression. 
*(source-Gallup Organization)

Here are short definitions of each before I proceed further:

1.      Short Sale- When the sellers owe more on their mortgages than the value of their home, the sellers are in a shortage situation if they decide to sell. There will not be enough money to pay off the loan(s). The seller would need to come to the table with proceeds to satisfy their lien(s). In order to be considered for short-sale eligibility one would have to have a hardship such as divorce, medical expenses, job loss, death of family member or some similar life catastrophic situation. In addition, the seller’s expenses must exceed his/her/their assets and income; they are behind on their payments and have no way to repay the bank. Simply owing more than the home is worth yet wanting to sell regardless of a lack of hardship is not a reason to apply for a short sale.  Homes listed for sale that are short sale usually take several months to purchase and a lot can happen that affects the outcome.

2.     Foreclosure- There are many ways homes can be foreclosed on in regards to who may “foreclose” on the homes. For purposes of keeping this a simple answer for this article, I have summarized this and recommend you seek legal counsel for a more accurate description if you are in need of further explanation.  When the owner of a home has defaulted on their mortgage(s), this is the legal and professional proceeding in which a mortgagee, or other lien holder, usually a lender, obtains a court ordered termination of a mortgagor‘s equitable right of redemption. When the process is complete, the lender can sell the property and keep the proceeds to pay off its mortgage and any legal costs, and it is typically said that “the lender has foreclosed its mortgage or lien“.  

3.     Deed in lieu of foreclosure- where the bank accepts the deed of the home in place of paying off the loan.

4.     REO-Bank Owned Properties- where the bank/mortgage company owns the home after a foreclosure sale or acquired the home from deed in lieu of foreclosure. These are properties that could be listed for a quick sale at a reduced price to lessen the bank’s inventory of homes (banks are in the lending business, not usually real estate property management). 

Sellers are wondering is now a good time to list their homes for sale. That depends on the seller’s situation.  Generally speaking, the spring/summer is a great time to list your home for sale as that is usually the time buyers’ start looking for a home to purchase. Home owners that purchased their homes prior to 2003 before the great appreciation increase will most likely have equity in their home and will not likely sell their home below what they paid for it originally. But again, it depends on each homeowner individually. Many homeowners used their homes as a bank by refinancing taking their equity out of their homes to pay off credit card debt. If you did that and if you are in an area that took a depreciation hit because of foreclosures, you may take a loss on the sale of your home because of that additional debt.  Purchasing a home is usually the greatest investment you can make if done wisely.

Here is something to think about if you own a home and are thinking about selling.  If you own a home right now and want to purchase another home (various reasons such as downsizing or wanting a new home) and are worried about taking a loss on your home when you sell it, think about the big picture.  Interest rates are at an all time low with some being as low as 4.875 % (varies daily) and homes are being affordably priced, focus on the money you are saving in the long run of having the lower interest rate and getting the bigger or better home at reduced prices versus taking a small hit on the sale of your current home. Most sellers are looking at what their homes could have sold for during this most recent appreciation time frame and thinking that if they sold now-they are taking a loss.  When in reality you may not be taking a loss at all because you didn’t purchase it at that higher price. If you did purchase a home from 2006 to 2007, there may be a possibility you would be taking a loss because of the correction in the market. Again, everyone is in a different situation, but if you are interested in me doing a current market analysis of your home with a net proceeds calculation to give you a perspective of whether you can afford to sell and/or purchase a home- give me a call as I do this for you of which I do this service for free.

Buyers are waiting thinking that the bottom hasn’t hit yet.  Sounds familiar with stocks in the opposite direction of holding on for the highest price. A little like gambling in some ways with that way of thinking. Most of this area in Snohomish County has experienced the correction in the market. Builders are and have slashed their prices of the pre-sale homes trying to stimulate buyers into purchasing. I wouldn’t wait if you want to capture these great deals because in my opinion come summer time more buyers will be buying and builders are not going to be as receptive on giving incentives. Supply and demand, once that demand is there prices stabilize or go up. Give me a call or email and I can update you on the great deals that are available right now. I will do my best to negotiate the best deal on a home purchase.  Check out other areas in my website to learn more about how I make you my highest priority!

The other mistake that novice investors do is they try to do everything themselves to save money. If you do something wrong because you don’t know how to do it, it usually ends up costing you more money in the end. I’m all for saving a buck, but it’s just as important to give up that false sense of pride and ask for help (that’s where I made some of my mistakes).

Let’s get started today in finding your first investment – call or email me to build your power team!

If you have a favorite business, park, nature adventure, or any comments you feel would help inform people about this beautiful area that we live in- I would appreciate your comments and suggestions. I have a great relocation packet that I send- but I’m always looking for new suggestions to add.

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  Tax Credits for Solar Water Heaters

  A federal tax credit makes energy-efficient solar water heaters a more affordable and sustainable option for many homeowners. Read
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  Tax Credits for Replacing Heating and Cooling Systems

  Upgrading to an energy-efficient heating and cooling system can save hundreds on your utility bills and earn you a tax credit worth as much as $1,500. Read
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  Tax Credits for Replacing Your Roof

  Replacing your roof with a qualifying energy-efficient metal or asphalt roof can cut your cooling bill and earn you a $1,500 tax credit. Read
• 

  Tax Credits for Adding or Replacing Insulation

  A federal tax credit makes adding insulation an even cheaper way to improve your home’s energy efficiency and cut your heating and cooling bills. Read
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  Tax Credits for Replacing Windows, Doors, and Skylights

  If money seems to be escaping through drafty windows, doors, and skylights, this federal tax credit might make energy-efficient replacements more affordable. Read