The first thing most people do when looking for homes online is read the description. Then they usually thumb through the pictures and a part of them subconsciously makes sure the pictures reflect what the description says. At least that’s what I do. The point I’m trying to make here is that it’s important to have a great (yet accurate) description and great (yet accurate photos).

Of course there are the obvious buzz words that usually try to make the home sound better than it is. And I know because I’m guilty of some of them. For example, “charming”  most likely means the home is tiny. I’m sorry but that’s the honest truth. A 2500-3500 square foot home will almost never be referred to as charming. Also too many exclamation points may mean the agent is trying hard to make this home something its not. “Easy to maintain yard!!!!!!” might simply mean there’s a yard. And there’s some grass in that yard. And maybe a few plants. And my favorite “great floorplan” might mean the agent can no longer think of anything else to say about the home.  Oh and don’t forget “custom” which sometimes means it’s a bit of an odd feature but it was something the previous owner had done to the house and it worked for them therefore its custom.

However, when a great home comes along you will read the completely amazing description and it will match the completely amazing pictures and when you go visit you will probably see a completely amazing home. On the flip side if the pictures are terrible and the description matches, you will probably go there and not be one bit surprised that the home isn’t one bit completely amazing. And that’s ok because you were prepared.

The bottom line is that if the home is great, the pictures and description should be great. If the home is distressed or falling apart, it should be very obvious from the pictures and description (and if there is only one picture be very skeptical!) And for all the homes in between, the agent should definitely highlight the good areas but make sure the photos and description are accurate so the buyer isn’t disappointed when they visit the home in person.

Here is an actual description of a home (and no its not the home in the picture above). Despite it being pretty gloomy, you have to give the agent credit for honesty and believe it or not, this home had an offer in 5 days!

This home has been vacant for over two years without heat due to a faulty furnace. Broken water lines have caused damage to walls, floors, and appliances. Some roof repair is needed. Also some siding Damage. Home is sold “As-is”.

If you are looking to sell, I promise to do a great job marketing your home!

At the very beginning of my real estate career I considered “networking” to be meeting my friends at the park or Starbucks (with our kids) and if we happened to touch on the topic of real estate that was a huge plus. If we didn’t, at least I could tell my husband I spent my day out and about with real people. I also considered “business attire” to be my good Lulu Lemon sweats instead of my cheap Fred Meyer knock-offs. That was also when the market sucked and there was virtually no business to be had, especially for someone who got their real estate license the same day the market tanked.

Fast forward a few years and somewhere along the way I decided I really, really liked real estate and enjoyed actual networking and if the topic of real estate didn’t come up I would be more than disappointed.  I stopped wanting to talk about teaching and kids (topics I was more than familiar with) and began wanting to talk real estate (a topic I was becoming more and more confident with).  Instead of dreading the question “how’s the real estate market” I found myself hoping someone would ask. So today when I stare out at the snow (who at the moment is being an awesome babysitter for my kids and not costing me a dime) I am reflecting on my networking and how to move forward with it in the new year.

The beauty of networking is that you can meet with people you like at places you like during times that work for your schedule. And depending on who it is, you may even be able to get away with wearing your Lulu Lemon pants and your Uggs. Networking is definitely on my to-do list this year and I’ve already got a good start! Text me or facebook me if you’re up for some networking. And if you need to use our networking as “networking” just to show your husband or your boss that you are out meeting with actual people, I’m cool with that!

HAVE FUN BOYS! NO NEED TO HURRY HOME!

Well I’m sure there are a lot of things you can expect this year but since I’m in charge let’s narrow it down to just real estate. Will home prices keep falling? Will interest rates go back up? Will home sales rise?  I just shook my magic 8 ball and here is what it says: things are looking up.

Yes, prices have been steadily falling but the general consensus for those of us in the biz is that they may decline a bit more but most likely they will stay about the same. Foreclosures and short sales will continue to drive prices down a bit which is good and bad, depending on who you are. If you are looking to buy this year, good for you! If this is the year you plan to sell, maybe not so great. But interest rates are once again at historic lows so it will bring buyers out of the woodwork, making home sales rise and hopefully decreasing the amount of time homes will sit on the market.

Should you buy or wait? My advice is buy. If you already own a home, buy an investment home. If you are renting, take advantage of the low interest rates…you will probably save money.  Will waiting another year ensure that prices will drop even more? They might, but what if interest rates go back up? Then it won’t matter. Take advantage of low rates and pretty low home prices. As long as you don’t have to turn around and sell your home in the immediate future, it’s a smart choice.

As for me, my goal is once again to do better than I did the year before, continue to make Cara in the House a recognizable brand and improve the real estate market, one happy client at a time!

I’m no economist. I also sometimes have every intention of reading  the Wall Street Journal online but accidentally go to Facebook instead.This doesn’t mean I don’t know a thing or two about the economy which, in my option, is slowly heading in the right direction. I feel like I should insert a disclaimer here because I know most of what I’m about to tell you is not based on any real facts or statistics, just my own personal research. Here’s what I mean:

Have you been to the mall at all since Thanksgiving? If you have you probably had as much trouble as I did finding a parking spot and maneuvering around the busy stores. You probably also stood in very long lines at the food court (or if you were at Bellevue Square you stood in a very long line at either PF Changs or the Cheesecake Factory). To me this means that people are spending money and that’s a good sign.

Have you paid attention to all the vacations people are taking lately? If you haven’t been on Facebook you might be clueless but I swear every time I get on Facebook (ok, not every time because that would literally be a massive amount) I read people’s status updates talking about their vacations. To me this means people have a little extra money to spend and that’s another good sign.

Jobs are back in style. The unemployment rate (according to the Seattle Times and not my own research) has dropped to the lowest point since February of 2009. And to me, that is the most critical piece and probably the best sign of all.

So to recap, lots of people are spending money at the malls, eating out in restaurants, taking vacations and working. They are also buying houses (thank you to all my wonderful clients), donating to charities and participating in more recreational activities. Unless I’m living in some kind of weird bubble, I’m sure you have noticed the same. So let’s keep up the good spending, I mean let’s keep up the good work! I love blogging about good news.

Happy Holidays!

I have truly been inspired by some of your Christmas spirit this holiday season. I have also doubled over with laughter. Let me explain…

First we have Sonia: friend, former co-worker, and Cara in the House client. She and her sister have decided to spread holiday cheer by performing one random act of kindness a day from December 1st to Christmas Eve. Every day they post a picture and describe their random act of kindness. Here they are on Day #3 bringing gifts to the Sunrise Children’s Home in Arizona. And their good cheer is spreading…a lady overheard them talking about their random acts and gave them $10 to contribute towards the giving! I’m looking forward to seeing what these 2 lovely ladies will think of over the next few weeks.

Next we have Windermere Real Estate. Again, they have outdone themselves in only a way that a true family-owned company who truly cares about their employees and their community can do. This past Saturday, the 5 Windermere offices owned by the Deasy family met at the Factoria Target. 100 agents were paired with a child from a low income family and were given a $175 gift card to help them purchase gifts for their family. The kids arrived at 8 am with smiles and their lists. When the shopping was done, the other agents helped wrap, tag and box up their gifts while providing Christmas treats, activities and free Santa pictures. It was an experience I’ll never forget.

Next up is 180 Degrees Chiropractic in downtown Redmond. Even though their doors have been open less than a month, they are raising money for Hopelink. From now until December 23rd, they are offering $50 for a first visit (exam and x-rays) and every penny they collect will go to Hopelink to help local families in need. Call to make your appointment: (425) 636-8354.

Last but not least is Sheila: friend, Cara in the House client and co-founder of Tale of Two Elves. This facebook page was created by two ladies who are friends on facebook but have never actually met in person. This hilarious page (you should definitely like it by clicking here) shows the elf from the book “Elf on the Shelf” on various adventures in Seattle and Chicago. Thank you for giving me the gift of laughter! Here he is in one of my favorite poses!

However you are giving back this holiday season, I want to say thank you. “No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted.” -Aesop

If you have a charity or tradition that you would llike to share, please consider leaving a comment below. Happy Holidays!