Buyers -- What is your Motivation?

There are just 5 short days left to have an accepted contract and still qualify for the $8000 first-time home buyer tax credit or the $6500 credit for qualified current homeowners. I've been surprised that I do not know too many Buyers in the past month that seem motivated to take advantage of this opportunity. Now don't get me wrong, I completely understand that it is more important to find the "right" property then it is to rush just to get the credit, but when you've been looking for many months (some of my Buyers have been in the market for 10 months or more) and have found many great homes that would suit you perfectly but still haven't purchased, I think you really need to sit down and re-evaluate your motivation to buy at all. Are you looking for reasons to talk yourself out of homes that are a good fit? Or are you genuinely looking for that one special gem that is so radically different from everything else you've liked you will absolutely know that it is "the one" the moment you see it? Based on all the homes you've seen is this a realistic possibility? It may be, but are you sure you're not subconsciously sabotaging your home purchase by continually finding reasons NOT to buy? Instead of looking for reasons TO buy?

If you're a home buyer that has been in the market for a while now and has seen more than 50 homes, stop and ask yourself the above questions. What are you really waiting for or looking for? Interest rates will likely never be this low again in our lifetime, and Seattle prices are back down to 2004-2006 levels (depending on location and price points), AND the US government is willing to give you $8000 to buy a home!?!! It really isn't going to get any better than this folks. Trust me!
So you home buyers that have been "on the fence" for many months...I say get out there and start looking for reasons TO buy and stop looking for reasons NOT to buy!

Tweet

New rules will help distressed homeowners to purchase again in the future.

This may be very good news for homeowners who have lost their home due to financial troubles either through foreclosure or a short sale. As it stands right now, these people have to wait a minimum of 4 years before they are eligible to qualify for a new mortgage. Fannie Mae has announced that it is relaxing this 4+ year waiting period to a minimum of 2 years if the Buyer can come up with a 20% down payment or 10% down and can show the hardship was directly attributable to extenuating circumstances.
Buyers will also have to have standard qualifying credit scores, which likely means quickly getting their credit back into shape if it has been significantly damaged from the financial hardship. The new rules are scheduled to go into effect July 1, 2010.

So I guess the bottom line is that if you're a homeowner who has lost your home through financial hardship and you can get to work asap on saving for a 20% down payment and repairing your credit, you may be able to once again own a home in just 2 short years! Hey, it's not perfect but it's better than having to wait 4-5 years! :)

From another point of view, hopefully this will not cause more foreclosures or short sales by encouraging people to simply "walk away" from their upside down mortgages since the repercussions are now less severe. Hmm...

Tweet

Flash Mob Alert!

An estimated 1,000 people took part in this fun Glee flash mob on Saturday in downtown Seattle. How fun is that?!!

Tweet

Greenwood-Phinney April Art Walk

It's the 2nd Friday of the month again already! Sheesh does time ever fly!?! I love hosting the monthly neighborhood art walk at the office. I've met a ton of fabulous neighbors and business owners and am absolutely excited about being a part of the Greenwood-Phinney community!

This month we are featuring a very talented good friend of mine. He has some extremely unique pieces including a full wall tape mural and this piece that has real ladybugs! (Don't worry, they were dead before he got them...no ladybugs were harmed in the creation of this art!)

We'll be having the usual wine, cheese, a few beers, music and good conversation. Please stop by and say hello and check out Michael's lovely art!

Friday, April 12th from 6-9pm
Rockwell Realty
8315 Greenwood Ave N

Tweet

Re-Branding Rockwell Realty!

For the past 9 months or so we have been hard at work on a very special company re-brand for Rockwell Realty. With the help of Horsepower Design, we are very excited to be nearing the launch! This is our new for sale sign! Isn't it pretty? :) The cityscape mosaic represents our goal of having offices in "urban villages" throughout the city as well as abstractly showing our "Connected to Community" theme with the connecting lines. At Rockwell we are highly committed to being an active part in our communities through both monetary donations and personal involvement. About 4 years ago I moved over to the Greenwood/Phinney neighborhood in Seattle and absolutely love it! Both living and working in this neighborhood have allowed me to really feel like I am part of a community. I love it and just keep getting more involved and meeting more of my home & business neighbors everyday! Have I mentioned that I love it?! ;)

You may still see some remnants of the old Rockwell logo floating around with for sale signs, business cards, etc. but these are all being phased out asap. We are very excited about the direction and focus of the company and being "Connected to the Community".

Please feel free to stop in and visit us for an upcoming monthly art walk! The 2nd Friday of every month is the Greenwood-Phinney Art Walk from 6-9pm. Each month we showcase a new up and coming local artist and kick back and relax with some wine, cheese, and sometimes even live music! For a real estate office, how cool is that?!! Our Greenwood office is located at 8315 Greenwood Ave N, oh-so dangerously close to the chocolate shop! :)

Tweet

Amazing Views from this Fremont Treehouse! Just Listed for $520,000

I just listed this beauty of a townhouse in the heart of Fremont. Very hip & modern with outstanding mountain, city and territorial views and at 1776 sqft of finished space, is much larger than other new construction townhomes. Includes a fantastic top floor master suite. Owner completed $40K worth of custom upgrades. Bamboo hardwoods with hydronic in-floor heating throughout. Custom built-in bookshelf, designer tile, custom lighting, cherry cabinets, doors & trim. Quick walk to restaurants, parks, Burke Gilman trail, nightlife, & everything Fremont has to offer. Welcome home to the Center of the Universe! Click for Flyer or More Info

Tweet