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 ...

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!

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 ...

I just finished uploading this House, 1112 NW 67th St, Seattle WA Don't miss this honey of a House in Ballard! 3bdrm Tudor with impeccable oil enamel interior paint, beautifully refinished hardwood floors, glass doorknobs, new electrical panel, new copper plumbing, skylights. Regrouted kitchen tile, Meile dishwasher. Stackable, frontloading w/d. Great basement height; wired for 4th room. ...

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 ...

Home prices are still rising in Western Washington, contrary to trends in many parts of the U.S., home prices in Western Washington continue to rise, even in the wake of growing inventory and fewer sales. The latest report from Northwest Multiple Listing Service, which tracks activity in 17 counties, shows prices rose 15.5 percent for July's sales compared to the same month a year ago. That ...

As a Realtor, I tend to take on the role of many sub-specialists from financial advisor to tax specialist to marriage counselor to psychotherapist.  I get ot know my clients during a stressful part of their lives, whether buying, selling or both.  My job is to be a stellar handholder, a counselor to help alleviate their fears and to be a solution-provider so that they can accomplish their goa ...