Yesterday I went out with two agents from the office to assist in "Light Staging" their Vacant Properties. I love Real Estate Sales as an "Artform".  Knowing when to fully stage vs. "lightly" stage, is an important decision that you make for your seller clients.  When homes were on the market for a very short time a few years ago, these decisions were a bit less important than today, when a home could easily be on market 90 to 120 days before the close of escrow. Adding staging costs to the mix can't be "it's ALWAYS best and better".  But cold and old and vacant can give one the creepies.  So heat on is important as is putting a few strategically placed pleasant items. I call this "Taking the Curse Off the Vacants" aka "Light Staging".  I firmly believe that agents should own their own ... 02/10/2008

I believe a good seller's agent is often better equipped to address getting a property ready for market than a stager.  An agent is much better able to prevent future problems before they arise, if we are involved during the early stages of getting a home ready for market.  The above office sunroom looks very cheerful in light yellow, and given it is the office of a REALTOR (me) the pictures of homes and staged rooms is appropriate and attractive.  One might think that these things can stay until the home is sold.  THINK AGAIN!  When getting your home ready for market, remove everything off of the walls and only put back those items that you will be using to stage the home! Why?   Because after the property is in escrow, and you have so many other things to do like hire movers and pack,... 02/03/2008

By Greg PerryKirkland Realtorhttp://www.425realty.com So what about formal education?  You know --what we do through high school, then college.Here's what some notable people have to say about education:"We are shut up in schools and college recitation rooms for ten or fifteen years, and come out at last with a bellyful of words and do not know a thing." Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-82) U.S. essayist and poet."They say that we are better educated than our parents' generation. What they mean is that we go to school longer. They are not the same thing." Douglas Yates"[Education] consists mainly in what we have unlearned." Mark Twain (1835-1910) American writer.Many of the brightest minds that the world has seen seem to have rather harsh things to say about formal education -- the kindergarte... 01/21/2008

By Greg PerryEastside Realtorhttp://www.425realty.com/ Kirkland / Bridle Trails Real Estate Statistics December 2007Single Family homes ( not condos)Area 560 Kirkland/Bridle Trails median prices were up 5.7%. Listing inventory was up 37.8% and pending sales were down -27.7%LISTINGS: 332 (2007) vs. 241 (2006) +37.8%PENDINGS: 34 (2007) vs. 47 (2006) -27.7%MEDIAN: $676,475 (2007) vs. $639,950(2006) +5.7% compiled from but not published by the NWMLS 01/09/2008

By Greg PerryKirkland Realtorwww.425realty.com Mortgage interest rates are hovering at about their lowest levels for the year. There are many forces at work in our current economy. Weak dollar, high oil, inflation? recession?, liquidity crises. Yet for right now mortgage interest rates are hovering right at 6%.Did you know the how mortgage interest rates affect affordability in a house purchase?Basically the Affordability index goes like this:Every 1% increase in mortgage interest rates equals a 10% decrease in purchasing power.Here's how that math plays out for a 30 year amortized loan (Per 1,000 borrowed):A 6% Rate equals a monthly principal and interest factor of $6.00.A 6.25% rate = a factor of $6.16A 6.50% rate = a factor of $6.33A 6.75% rate = a factor of $6.49A 7.0% rate = a fact... 01/05/2008

Did you know?  Carillon Point was a major naval shipyard!  By Christmas of 1940, the US had commissioned the Lake Washington Shipyard (now Carillon Point) with a big order to produce four anit-sub net tenders, one thousand tanks for anti-submarine nets, seven artillery lighters and six seaplane tenders?  As a result of this order the three hundred men who had worked building passenger ferries turned into 9,000 men and women who would fill this war order and more.  By 1943 the shipyard tripled in size and built 29 Navy vessels and repaired around 500 over the course of the war.Its hard to imagine all that cold Steel while enjoying the fine amenities and ambiance of Kirkland's Carillon Point! By Greg Perry,Kirkland Realtorwww.425realty.com 12/21/2007

The futuristic ferry, Kalakala, was built in the Lake Washington Shipyards, in Kirkland, and was launched on July 2, 1935.  The Kalaka was built for the Seattle to Bremerton run and was the largest and fastest ferry on Puget Sound.She was very luxurious and was considered a tourist attraction.  The Kalakala even entertained passengers with her own eight piece orchestra.To read more about the facinating ferry,  Kalakala, click here! http://www.historylink.org/essays/output.cfm?file_id=312 12/21/2007

Top Trends For New Homes, and what home buyers are looking for!If you are looking at putting your home on the market, there are some things you may want to consider to get an edge in today's market.  Gone are the days of tradition!  Today's home buyers want versatility, with style and comfort.  1)  MORE STORAGE:  That's the key phrase for home buyers out there today!  When I am out with clients storage is on a short list of must haves before they start looking at the details.  In new construction the three car garage is becoming the standard...not for a third car, but for storage!  If you have a basement, consider finishing it off for more storage space.  Here in Seattle's Eastside, basements are rare so I often see people create lofts in their garage.  Using your attic for storage is n... 12/12/2007

When A Client Turns Into a Friend Today, I had lunch with one of my best all-time clients, Tom.  Tom and I have done over 10 transactions together over the years, and he's referred many other clients to me.  When I look down my client list, Tom ranks right up there.What made today's lunch special for me, is Tom brought me two venison steaks.  Tom is hard worker for sure, but when hunting season comes.... bye bye, Tom.  He's headed for the fields in Eastern Washington to  hunt those elusive mule and white tail deer.  This year he was successful and he brought me two venison steaks.Those steaks are valuable.  Heck, there's not all that much meat on a deer.....and he gave me two of them.  Those steaks came from Tom's passions.  They came from the two weeks in his life he uses to recharge. ... 12/12/2007

 I've read Zig Ziglar's books,listened to his recorded material, and watched him perform live for many years.  He has the ability to entertain and teach us at the same time.   I remember the day that I met Zig and shook his hand.  Here are 3 of Zig's most famous quotes:"Remember that failure is an event, not a person""Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude""Confidence is going after Moby Dick in a rowboat and taking the tartar sauce with you."Zig always delivers more than he promises.....here's one more. "You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want" Greg PerryKirkland Realtorwww.425realty.com 12/10/2007

Winning is not a sometimes thing.  It's an all the time thing.  You don't win once in awhile.  You don't do things right once in awhile.  Winning is a habit..........  Unfortunately, so is losing.                                                                            Vince LombardiThis is the third of my 6 friends that I have hanging on my office wall.   This quote reminds that my daily choices become habitual.  Here are my other friends:ResolveDoing - The man in the arena.Greg PerryEastside Realtorwww.425realty.com 10/22/2007

For residential only (not condos).Area 560 Kirkland/Bridle Trails median prices were up 10.17%. Last month median prices were up 6.69%. Listing inventory was up 13.67% and pending sales were down -24.53%LISTINGS: 424 (2007) vs. 373 (2006) +13.67%(Last month there were 386 listings in this area.)PENDINGS: 40 (2007) vs. 63 (2006) -24.53%MEDIAN: $594,925 (2007) vs. $540,000 (2006) +10.17% The median price in August was $726,250.Compiled from but not published by NWMLSBy Greg PerryKirkland Realtorwww.425realty.com 10/11/2007

More on real estate value......Depreciation In our fourth article on real estate valuation, we'll explore depreciation.  Sometimes we wonder why a neighboring property easily sells for one price, and another close by property has a difficult time selling, and when it does, sells for much less.  The answer may lie in depreciation.Depreciation is the difference between the value of the existing improvements and the cost of replacing the improvements.  Depreciation represents a loss in value due to age, neglect, undesirable features within the property, or negative influences from without.The land value plus the replacement costs of its buildings is usually the maximum a property can be worth.  In other words, who would pay more for something than it would cost to replace it?There are 3 fo... 10/09/2007

"It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes short again and again, who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause, who at best knows achievement and who at the worst if he fails at least fails while daring greatly so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."Theodore Roosevelt, 1910This is the second of my six friends that have been with me for years.  I love this quote and it always serves to remind me to keep unnecessary criticism to myself.... 10/08/2007

Keller Williams Realty has opened another market center here in Western Washington! The Kirkland ownership group consists of the following: George Charles, President/CEO of Home Services Consulting, LLC.  President of Loan Central LLC, President & Founder of Response Mortgage Services. Sam & Renee DiBello, Re/Max Hall of Fame Members.  Best known for their TV commercials and their own television show, Home Lifestyles Showcase. Jill Jensen who had her own brokerage for 4 years, with 27 agents. These extremely talented owners have added Sheryl Russell as our Team Leader.  Jacky Elmore, who owned her own Century 21 office is our MCA.  Together this group will take the Keller Kirkland office to new limits!!  We are opening our doors profiting from the git go!! If you are considering making ... 10/01/2007

I Believe,I believe every person has within themselves inexhaustible reserves of potential they have never even come close to realizing.I believe each person has far more intelligence than they have ever used.I believe each person is more creative than he or she has ever imagined.I believe the greatest achievements of your life lie ahead of you.I believe the happiest moments of your life are yet to come.I believe the greatest successes you will ever attain are still waiting for you on the road ahead.And, I believe through learning and application of what you learn, you can solve any problem, overcome an obstacle and achieve any goal that you can set for yourself.  Brian Tracy 10/01/2007

"There is no chance, no destiny, no fate that can circumvent, or hinder, or control, the firm resolve of a determined soul."                                          Ella Wheeler WilcoxFor about the last 20 years or so, I have displayed a series of 6 quotes that have hung in my various offices.  I refer to these quotes as my 6 friends.   I love to occasionally visit my friends.  They always welcome me and help give me that little shot of inspiration that they know I need.Here's the first of those friends that I'd like to introduce to you.  I call this friend "Resolve".by Greg PerryKirkland Realtorhttp://www.425realty.com/  09/24/2007

Having lived in Kirkland since 1979 may qualify  me as an "almost native" and I have seen several waves of changes in housing and lifestyle near downtown. So let's focus on the neighborhoods in a radius of say 2 miles from the downtown business core. Here are my top 5 reasons to love living in these neighborhoods?Walking  to get a cup of coffee  instead of driving allows one to talk to neighbors- a lost art of modern society.The diversity of home styles is exciting. Have you seen the fabulous redo of the older home on Waverly Way into an Italian cottage? Beautiful.Kirkland has one of the most vital park systems around the Eastside. Parks are the face of a city and Kirkland has done a very good job.More and more good ( ok great) places to dine. What are your favorites?Community involveme... 09/20/2007

"It is in the quiet crucible of your personal, private sufferings that your noblest dreams are born, and God's greatest gifts are given for compensation for what you've been through."These were the words shared with us by Wintley Phipps at Brian Buffini's Mastermind Summit, that I attended in August.  One of the songs he shared with us at the event was God Bless America.  I found the performance on you-tube and thought I would share it with you. 09/17/2007

 For Single Family Homes: (not condos)Kirkland's median price continues to climb.  Last month median pries were up 44.41%, this month they rose another 6.;69%  Overall inventory rose another 20 units from last month and was up 14.57% over last year.Here are the Kirkland Breakdowns:Area 560 Kirkland/Bridle Trails median prices were up 6.69%. Last month median prices were up 40.41%. Listing inventory was up 14.57% and pending sales were down -21.61%LISTINGS: 386 (2007) vs. 337 (2006) +14.54%(Last month there were 366 listings in this area.)PENDINGS: 55 (2007) vs. 72 (2006) -23.61%MEDIAN: $746,250 (2007) vs. $699,475 (2006) +6.69%Statistics compilied from, but not publised by the NWMLSby Greg PerryKirkland RealtorKirkland Washington 09/15/2007