Seattle real estate has been really picking up out there lately!  I am getting contacted from buyers almost every day and even a few sellers. The general feeling is that with these interest rates (well under 5% right now) they need to be at least looking!  I actually drove almost 400 miles over the last week showing houses and probably will match that this week as well. If you want to buy a home in Seattle or the Seattle suburbs this is the silver platter opportunity you have been looking for.  The only downfall to this news?  Loans are harder to get so get yourself pre-approved to avoid any disappointment down the road. I have wonderful recommendations if you need them for a Seattle mortgage person. 

 

Seattle sellers:  Some things to note: 

 

 Please be very accommodating and patient for 2009 Seattle real estate.  Have your house ready at the drop of a hat and make sure to let buyers in when their agents call you.  I have run into a lot of frustrated sellers lately who are wanting 24 hours notice to show or even a partial verbal resume of the buyer in question and I have to tell you that this is not acceptable.

 

  The only time you should require 24 hours notice to let an agent show your home is when a tenant is involved - other than that let them in because it won't sell if you don't let them in to see it to begin with.   Also please respect the agent showing and know that they would not be wasting their time with an unqualified buyer.  It is their job to qualify the buyer - not yours, and they aren't allowed to relay personal information to you any way.

 

 

For all my listings, I have been "dressing" them so that they appear to be Staged when a buyer comes through - we really want to show the buyer the house in the very best light.  I usually hire a housekeeper to clean the home as well and make sure that the lawn is completely tidied up.

 

 

Last note about 2009 that is of interest to both Seattle buyers and Seattle sellers:  Make sure your Seattle Realtor is FULL TIME. This is always true, but never more so than in 2009.  There are a lot of Seattle Realtors and agents out there that could not make ends meet in 2008 and went out to get a second job while still practicing real estate on the side.   The result?  The phone is not answered.  For example:  I tried to show a home this weekend to a buyer who is ready to buy and would have loved the property.  The showing request was last minute and the listing asked for 24 hours notice and not because of a tenant.  I called the agent on a Sunday morning early to ask if they were having an open house and they did not return their call until Monday! That is not full time.  I have never understood agents that don't work on the weekends anyway, but at least return your phone calls, please...

 

 

Despite our rainy skies, sunny!   I am seeing great properties out there with sellers that are willing to negotiate.  The interest rates are down and a few programs have opened up.  This is an ideal market for a move up buyer, a first time home buyer, or a second home Seattle buyer. I am busy and expect to keep at this pace through the year and beyond.  I am excited for the buyers out there and thrilled that sellers can also start enjoying the market a bit more.  If you are interested in buying or selling Seattle real estate in 2009, feel free to drop me a line or check out my Seattle neighborhoods real estate page and my Seattle waterfront page for fun.  Courtney@CooperJacobs.com