Recently, my good friend and client sent me the following interesting info that I thought I might share with all of you regarding the possible origin of the many red doors we see on houses today (apart from the fact that they often look great and really improve curb appeal): In the earlier days of the church it was understood that a soldier could notpursue an enemy that had entered through t ...

12 important questions to ask a Realtor before you choose one! Too often, many people make this decision based on the idea that all real estate agents are basically the same. They sign with the first agent to come along, only to realize too late that they should have shopped around. The following questions are designed to help you avoid that mistake by equipping you with what to look for in ...

Now that rates have risen from their all time lows, the number of adjustable rate mortgages being originated is on the rise. Often,  with housing prices on the rise, an ARM can seem like the only way to afford the same home as one that could have been purchased with a fixed rate product only a few months ago.Since it’s likely rates will never be as low as they were in 2003, chances are that ...

Check out this site and guess who the "perky real estate agent" is?  http://www.seattleweekly.com/food/0625/hatties.php That's right!  It's your very own Pie and Coffee Realtor, Mary Schile at mary@schile.com!

Staging houses for sale has become all the rage thanks to various television programs showing a variety of designers who come in and perform miracles with paint, furniture and rented art. A recent Wall Street Journal article, reprinted in the Seattle Times, reports on the art rental programs around the country and begins, "For years, the Seattle Art Museum has let its most generous suppor ...

Do you know why the term “REALTOR®” is capitalized? It is because REALTOR® is a registered trademark of the National Association of REALTORS (NAR). (r)ealtor is NOT proper use of the REALTOR® registered trademark NOR is it appropriate to use it as a generic term when you mean a real estate agent. Why is this important? Marlow Harris explains it this way on the National Asso. of Realto ...

Don't let having a small backyard dash you dreams of creating the ideal outdoor living space.  The potential of the front yard is often overlooked, yet a well designed front living area offers many benefits.  It creates curb appeal, often distinguishing a home from others around it.  It always adds value!  It provides a welcoming transition from your driveway or front yard to the indoors.  An ...

Then you'll love their upcoming conference on design!  I hear there will be a great deal of info on pre-fab housing. Experience architecture through the lens of prefab, sustainability, affordability and urban design. Dwell on Design Conference + Exhibition takes place in San Francisco’s Concourse Exhibition Center during the heart of the AIA’s third annual Architecture and the City month ...

Most of the activity on your home will occur in the first few weeks. Pricing a home properly creates immediate urgency in the minds of buyers and agents. Typically, there is a pool of  buyers  who have seen most available homes in their price  range and are now only waiting for new listings or price reductions. A buyer may fail to see your home if it is priced too high.  Often, overpriced lis ...

1. Be informed.  The person who has the most information and uses it wisely typically prevails in negotiation. It's the one tool that's imperative. Information leads to the right price for a property, puts details in perspective, lessens tension and keeps emotions in check. One should know the average days on market, list to sell-price ratios, home amenities and all the other basics.  It also ...