There was an article in our Sunday paper about how people find the property they buy on line. It’s now up to 47% of people, shopping for a property find the property online. That is probably a true figure because more, and more people come into a Real Estate office clutching a fistful of papers of properties they want to see.
Once the list is compiled, and the agent opens the doors of the properties on the list, the buyer may chose one, write the offer, then send it off into the hands of the listing agent. Unfortunately that probably happens more times than not. The agent may suggest a lower price based on sales statistics, but beyond that it’s become a pretty frightening experience.
Number one is the cost of maintaining the property once the buyer takes on that responsibility. There are things that need to be done that the inspector won’t bring up, because they aren’t defects, they are maintenance items. There may be, and today there surely are, things done to a property to get it sold. We deduct for a lot of that, such as refinished hardwood floors. Bad paint jobs are my pet peeve. Then there are the things about a property that are unique. These can be beneficial or a hindrance.
This may, or may not be the right property for you. I usually use a second pair of eyes from people in the Real Estate business, and we usually discuss purchases. Do you get the same feed back? Better yet do you use your personal financial plan for a property as a negotiating point? Are you getting a planned investment?
The ability to negotiate, for me, is one of the main reasons to hire an agent. If it is just opening doors then, yes, any one could do that.
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.
