Ballard Real Estate Ballard WA Real Estate: "The Mayor" of Ballard's Blog

Selling homes during Covid

Uncategorized - April 25, 2020 - - Comments

We have seen big changes in how homes are viewed, toured, and marketed over the past 6 weeks and I anticipate that more transitions lie ahead. What has mattered, more than anything, are solid communications in the realtor community, as well as with your clients. Since the beginning of “stay at home, stay safe” I have sold three homes in Ballard and a condominium in Madison Park. Every step of the way I’ve done my best to anticipate upcoming issues and iron them out in advance. No one anticipated how we would modify the steps to get from accepting an offer and depositing earnest money to closing & funding, but through phone calls and work arounds, we have found good solutions and my recent sellers and buyers are happy with our results. If you have questions about how things are, and how the market is doing, feel free to give me a call.

For the artist in all of us

Uncategorized - October 10, 2020 - - Comments

Have you grown creatively these last few months? Looking for a little gallery space to show your art? I’m thrilled to be representing another Loyal Heights work loft with just the right space for a new gallery if you have a calling to show and sell your work. 2767 NW 85th Street popped on the market for $599,000 and features a main floor gallery currently with a show by nature photographer Marlin Greene. The upper two floors are the most marvelous condo, with a separate entrance. Let me know if you’d like to tour this very unique property. My partner in this listing, Gloria Jackson, plans to hold private showings on Sunday between 1 – 3.

Drone photos are buyer candy

Uncategorized - September 18, 2020 - - Comments

Wasn’t long ago that drone photos were the new thing, now we’re using them all the time to provide overviews looking down on a property, featuring close-by parks and views, and also allowing buyers near and far to get a sense of the hood. Recently Jen with Porchlight Imaging took this shot of one of my listings which flew out the door and it really is artistry. So great to see a terrific home from an entirely new angle! Between seller inspections, drone shots and Covid required appointments, selling real estate is once again going through a transition. The sellers market continues and buyers are thrilled when they get house keys.

A romantic North Beach home

Uncategorized - August 29, 2020 - - Comments

Seldom do I find a home that really takes your breath away, but this was the year. I was fortunate to list 1932 NW 97th Street in August and it flew out the door. The home had been designed by an award-winning architect, built with absolutely gorgeous materials and had a special zen feeling to it. It was a pleasure to represent sellers Dan & Lisa on this listing and we were so happy to turn over the keys to the new owners.

Custom View Craftsman

Uncategorized - August 9, 2020 - - Comments

Looking for something special in North Beach? This unique view home just hit the market and is easy to show. If I can be of help with additional info, just let me know! MLS #1638212

North Beach, my favorite!

Uncategorized - June 12, 2020 - - Comments

I just closed this awesome Farmhouse sale with fellow broker Jody Baker in North Beach. It’s always been one of my favorite neighborhoods, in fact I’ve lived in three homes here. I love living near the beach, part of it is just leaving the noise and gridlock of the city behind you. The calmness in our neighborhood and water views play a role as well. Anytime I am driving down the hill into our hidden neighborhood I consider myself one of the luckiest people around. The most amazing thing about this property at 2510 NW 91st Street was the size of the garden – about a third of an acre. Between the flower beds, the sitting areas, and the privacy it offered — you felt absolutely away from it all and you can’t beat having a water view. If you would like to tour hidden gems like North Beach, just let me know.

Stylish Homes Sell!

Uncategorized - May 24, 2020 - - Comments

When you walk in the door of a home for sale, you immediately know if it feels right to you, just like the home you’ve been waiting for. How can a Seller make changes to their furniture or stage a vacant home to create that “wow” vibe that Buyer’s pick up on? I have found every home has a certain energy based on the architecture, the color palate, or even what you see out the windows. Once you get the theme down, you can adjust furniture and accents to enhance that Buyer appeal and you’ve got it! In this cute 1940’s Cape Cod we used orange and green accents to play off the amazing natural light & hardwood floors. This home is currently on the market for $675,000 so let me know if you’d like to see it. “It’s very stylish!” https://www.windermere.com/listing/WA/Seattle/8052-16th-Ave-NW-98117/109113410

Summer is wrapping up . . .

Uncategorized - September 28, 2019 - - Comments

Flowers at Ken’s market on Phinney Ridge
As Summer ends, it feels like real estate sales are heating up. It has been so busy the past month or so that it begs the question, what is going on out there? Well a few indications are that the Seattle economy continues to grow steadily with buyers wanting to purchase locally. The interest rates are lower than they were a year ago and sellers are pricing their homes to sell rather than reaching sky high. It all adds up to better interest in top properties and sales that are happening in a week’s time and often with multiple offers pushing pricing up 3% over the list price or higher. When August is extremely busy, you can expect September and October to follow suit. The key to getting your home sold quickly and smoothly is all in the presentation, the pricing, and promotion of your home. Done right, you should have excellent results. As a buyer, listen to the suggestions your broker makes so you can be perceived as the perfect fit for a home on the market, including the timing, down payment, and other ways you can differentiate yourselves from other potential buyers for a home.

Shopping for that perfect home . . .

Uncategorized - June 28, 2019 - - Comments

When you shop for your new home, here’s a few suggestions that should help. Sometimes the vibe of the home will trump the asking price or even location. That means there is a bit of excitement walking through the door. The style, design, and use of natural light can make all the difference. How a place feels as you walk through it is so key to your buying decision, so turn off the computer and get out to some open houses. I tend to notice the room size, the flow, the indoor-outdoor connection and most buyers desire spots for summer living. Be it BBQ’s, a good place to eat dinner, read a book or just chill, it’s great to have a patch of privacy in our city. The things you love about a particular property make it that much sweeter to come home to. Cheers!

Feeling just like home

Uncategorized - April 11, 2019 - - Comments

Sometimes when you are walking through a place that is up for sale, you have a throw back moment that triggers a fond memory from when you were a kid at home. Just recently we did a small reno on a Phinney area home before putting it up for sale. Didn’t really change the house much, just did a refresh with some paint and small improvements to make it feel more inviting. When we were done, I kept thinking “this feels just like home” to me, and so did many of the buyers who toured the property. You may find that it is hard to put your finger on what resonates with you, but having a little sparkle in a home is so very important when it hits the market.

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