Regardless of if you are buying an investment duplex or single family home, if the property is rented, the tenant has rights that must be respected.  Your use and enjoyment of the property will be impacted, so make sure you are okay with the situation. Example #1:  Bill and Mary are buying their first home … More Buying property “Subject to tenant’s rights”

It has been my experience that sellers that want to do a DIY real estate sale are a unique breed. They obviously feel that real estate professionals don’t bring enough value to a transaction to merit the fees charged.  I have also found that their pricing is often way out of line.  They expect to … More The Dangers of Buying “For Sale by Owner”

Whether you are a first time home buyer or a seasoned investor, review of House Hunting 101 guidelines is order when hitting the streets in this seller’s market: #1. Know what your goals and budget are.  Have a narrow band of flexibility – but don’t stray wildly. #2.  Don’t fall in love.  That emotion causes … More House Hunting 101

Whether you are selling your home or looking for a place to live, real estate professionals should be just that – professional.  Just like in any other business, customer service should be the top priority. These are some things I think are important in finding a customer service oriented agent: Does the agent seem prepared? … More Does your real estate agent “do” customer service?

Home prices are up 9% in Thurston County for 2016 to 2017.  In real terms, a $200K home you could have purchased last year will cost you close to $220K.   The average sales price of a home in April 2016 was $258,273.  This year that home would cost you $283,510. This is good news … More Thurston Co Real Estate Values

In my time as a Realtor, I’ve had a few listings that were 100% pet free since new.  For some buyers, this is a major plus.  Showing a home today, I had a buyer sniff twice and say “cats!”.  The issue may not just be a litter box smell, some clients are highly allergic to … More The role of pets in your home sale

The Thurston County Assessor’s website is full of fascinating information and can be found at http://tcproperty.co.thurston.wa.us.  There is a tab for a picture of the front of your home, tax information and valuation info, but what do they think about the layout of the residence and how accurate is it? The site has a tab, simply … More What does the assessor think of your home?

In my real estate career I’ve ordered and attended many pre-purchase inspections.  I advise my buyers to attend, listen and to take the information in – hopefully without over reacting.  The purpose is to find major flaws in the foundation, roofing or the home’s major systems.  Inspectors are giving an opinion, and of course, covering … More Home inspections – the top 3 “fixes”

The more I deal with septic systems the more I know they are best left to the experts.  In Washington state, septic tanks get pumped whenever a home is transferred from one owner to another.  The pumping company not only pumps the tanks, but tests the system and notes that each component is functioning properly. … More The real poop about septic systems

The weather outside may still be cold and damp, but the real estate market is red hot. Why? Inventory (homes on the market for sale) is very low.  February 2017 had only 623 units VS 920 units in 2016.  There are more buyers looking at fewer homes. Home prices are up 8.3% from March 2016 … More Thurston County Real Estate is H-O-T!