Another blog that I have had for many years is a Do It Yourself journal of my adventures in Real Estate. I started out as a House Painter in college, and a handy man for a property management company. In the early 1980s I was able to buy my first fixer property.
Over these many years there are many contractors who have come, and gone. Contracting labor is a hard business both mentally, and physically. You need to be able to step in at any time to keep a project moving. That is what makes the difference. The ability of the contractor to know the craft secures the relationship with the people they work with.
Many contractors are one, or two person, shops who are all hands on. Others haven’t touched a tool in years. The contractors who stay in the business are the ones who are involved in a personal way. More than making the sale is making the project come to life, and sustaining it to the very end.
My preference is for the companies who have good workers that have been there a long time. The owner can be good at the paper work, but I also like to see them on the job. A team of workers is what, in my opinion, gets the work done quickly, more completely, and finished on time. That’s not to say a one person shop can’t be organized, it’s just my personal preference.
In the next few months, while I’m reworking my www.fixerfixer.com blog I would like to hear about good Home Improvement contractors in the Seattle area. We all need the help whether we are going to sell this year or five years from now. The market place, the buyer pool, has gotten to be very particular about what they buy. Getting your home projects done well adds value.
About David Losh
In 1984 I got my Real Estate license and worked in a small company called Advance Properties. The owner was extremely interested in Real Estate, building, and land development. Most of his work was concentrated North of Seattle. Since the 1970s I had worked for Real Estate agents in Seattle as a contractor, mostly preparing properties for rent, and sale.
After a few years my skill level increased considerably concerning land use, building code, and development practices. Escrow, and lending offices were housed at the Advance Properties building so it was easy to get involved in all aspects of Real Estate. It was very much a family owned, and operated business.
Over the years my Real Estate license has been at a variety of Real Estate companies, and offices. Nothing compares to those early years, or that sense of family. Real Estate has gotten to be corporate owned.
My hope with this blog is to share with you some of the things I've learned. If you have Real Estate needs, or want contractor help, I refer freely to what best suits you. If you should choose to work with me you'll find a great resource.
My Real Estate license is at Skyline Properties in Northgate. Skyline is a locally owned company that is a desk fee office. There is a wide variety of diverse agents. It helps me with some of the other projects that I have, and mentoring that I do, to be able to work with people from other cultures.
Here in Seattle we are close to Vancouver BC and are the gateway to China. Boeing has a great trade relationship with China, as does Microsoft have with all of Asia. We are a culturally diverse community, and it helps me to be invlolved.
Hey Dave,
Although it can be tricky business finding someone you feel like you can trust, will not overcharge you and almost knows what you’re trying to say before you say it, I have found that man!
His name is Marc Samsen. He is the greatest! He can be contacted at
Dovetail Renovations
82nd Avenue CT NW
Gig Harbor, WA 98329-8849
Phone: (253) 858-4880
Which reminds me that we will be doing an article on local House Painters, but in the mean time we ran into
Scott Sharkey
Scottco Electric Inc.
Based in Mill Creek
425-478-4709
ScottSharkey@comcast.net.
He was doing a small rewire for a client of ours who is fastidious about his home projects.
this year is a major home improvement time for our house. we are going to renovate everything.;–
I find it that there is nothing better than coming home to a clean home. It feels so go and fresh. Something really comfortating about a clean home.
i always like to do some home improvements on our home’”`
home improvement is necessary because from time to time we need to adjust the styles of our homes .”: