Real Estate Blog

Entrance to St. LaurentSaint Laurent Winery is located at 4147 Hamlin Road south of Wenatchee and west of the town of Malaga.   It’s worth the short trip up there just to walk through the beautiful gardens and partake of the fabulous views.   Be sure to click on the above link and review some of the great events hosted at the winery.

When I was in England last Fall I became fascinated by the construction of intricate rock walls, with absolutely no mortor to hold them together.  At Saint Laurent, I was very happy to see many artfully constructed rock walls in this same fashion. 
View from the wedding gazebo

Enjoy the pictures.  You can click on any image to enlarge.
Pond

One of many hand stacked rock walls with restroom building in the background

A pleasant, shaded, sitting area A resident of the Wenatchee Valley for over 35 years, contact Carol Williams, real estate agent, for additional information:
Carol@TopPropertiesWenatchee.com  
Do a search of homes and land for sale in the Wenatchee MLS

source: Saint Laurent Winery - Malaga, Washington

For those people who really want to buy a home but are not in a position to get financing because of low credit scores, I have good news!  There is a program available that may allow you to get into a lease/purchase, with up to 2 years to raise your credit scores in order to get financing.    The greatest advantage to this program is that the selection of homes is very large.  We’ve always had a severe shortage of lease/purchase homes in the Wenatchee area.  Now the inventory has opened up dramatically… and we offer the advisory staff to walk you through the process of improving your credit scores, so you can finance the home as soon as possible. 

If you’d like additional information on the lease/purchase program, please contact me:

Carol@TopPropertiesWenatchee.com
Search homes and land in the MLS (local, statewide, nationwide)
Current Wenatchee real estate news, info & trends (through pictures & commentary)

source: New: Lease Purchase Properties Available !

For the last few weeks, I’ve been negotiating with a builder to assist some clients to get a custom home built.  About 3 weeks ago, we spent 4 hours on-site discussing everything the buyers wanted.  Eventually, the builders came back with an estimate of costs.    So, we sat down over a conference table last Saturday to hash out the details.  At that time, the builders indicated they wanted to work on a "cost plus" basis.  This means cost of materials, labor, plus a guaranteed profit margin for the builder.   My buyers wanted a day or so to make a final decision.   In the meantime, the builder came back with an "actual list price".    Without going into all the details, let me just say this sounded safer for the buyers knowing they would be locked in with an actual price.  So, we agreed to their terms (with a couple of minor conditions attached).    WELL, the builder came back to us this morning saying they WON’T attach an actual price to the home until the home is framed and drywalled.   This could be 3 or more months away because it will take 5-8 weeks just to get the permit approved, then the foundation must be poured before the framing can begin.   Good grief.  What a merry-go-round. 

The gist of the apprehension on the builders part is that costs are going up so fast, they are literally scared to set a price this far out from completion.   Don’t ask me why they made the offer in the first place.   In the meantime, what do my buyers do?  Do they wait or do they go shopping for a different home that has an actual price attached?   

Stay tuned…

Carol@TopPropertiesWenatchee.com
Do a complete customized property search
Residential Blog

source: New Construction Dilemma

Today I was contacted by a prospect to show her a specific property that was listed with one of the local discount real estate brokers.  I searched for this particular property in the Wenatchee MLS and it was not there, which means they listed it as an exclusive listing not to be shared with the rest of us agents.    I contacted the listing agent and he said I could indeed show the home, but the seller would not pay my service fee and I would have to add that into the offer.  This is why I don’t like working with the discount agencies.   It gives me no incentive to actually do what is best for the client.

But, being who I am, I did do what was best for the client.  I told her that the home is available but I would not be able to represent her on the transaction because I wouldn’t get paid, unless she was willing to pay me.  I knew this wasn’t an option because she is already on a very tight budget.    I was honest and told her I could not work for free. Not only am I not willing to work for free, but it doesn’t make sense to take on the liability of a transaction without the compensation to justify it.   My client understood, of course, and is NOT pursuing the purchase of that particular property. 

It is experiences like these that makes me wonder if sellers understand the disadvantages of working with a discount agency.    To be fair, I admit to have worked for one ofthese discount agencies (twice).  I like the concept and I think it’s great when (and if) I can save sellers money.  I’ve even been known to show people do a For Sale By Owner transaction if I think it best serves them! 

Anyway, when I was a listing agent at the discount agency I would prep my clients upfront that it’s important to get as much exposure as possible and price the home in such a way that they can pay a selling agent fee if necessary.    I never had anyone object to that approach.  The plus side is the home might actually sell without paying the extra selling side fee.  It’s certainly worth a try, BUT it’s also necessary to cooperate with the MLS agents to get maximum exposure.  This is part of the supply and demand of economics and actually creates more demand (and therefore higher value)  for any given property. 

The downside, then, of  listing with the discount agencies is that we "conventional" agents are suspicious that we won’t get paid for our efforts, so we don’t make any particular effort to sell those properties.    I don’t mean to insinuate that we purposely avoid working with these agencies listings… but, with our limited time, we do have to make choices and it only makes sense to make the choice to put our efforts where we think we will be compensated.    I admit it.  You’d do the same, I suspect.  The opposite approach to discounting the fee offered is to offer a bonus.  That certainly gets more positive attention. 

Carol@TopPropertiesWenatchee.com
http://TopPropertiesWenatchee.com

source: Working With Discount Real Estate Brokers

Today the local North Central Washington Multiple Listing Service launched a new MLS system, called FlexMLS.  This is going to be an excellent program once I figure out how to use it in my Wenatchee real estate business.   After some initial glitches getting me online with the system, I spent much of the day familiarizing myself with the overall structure of this software program.

This new MLS system is quite exciting because it seems to be aptly named as it is very FLEXible for serving clients.   I will be able to set up daily, weekly or monthly e-mail notifications when new listings come on the market.   I can totally customize these property searches for each person.  I can e-mail Photo Tours and listing reports to you on demand.  All you need to do is tell me what you want in a home or investment property (price, size, age, location, blah, blah, blah) and I will set it up for you to be notified any (or every) day of the week as new listings come on the market.

My primary real estate website also has an auto notification feature but, honestly, this system is far better because it gives us more flexibility in setting up specific search criteria.  

As we move into late winter and toward early Spring, there will be significantly more listings coming on the market.  Now is a great time to sign up for this new automatic notification service. 

Let me know how I can serve you!
Carol

Carol@TopPropertiesWenatchee.com
http://TopPropertiesWenatchee.com

source: New Wenatchee MLS System

Below is a summary of the Wenatchee area home sales activity for the entire calendar year of 2005. 

The following summary includes:  Wenatchee & East Wenatchee (including Malaga and Rock Island)… Cashmere,  Leavenworth… with Peshastin and Monitor included as well.  This overall summary is of ALL homes sold, including mobiles (on leased land), manufactured (with land), condos and standard single family residences. 

Wenatchee / East Wenatchee homes sold
Total # Homes Sold:  1246
Average Selling Price:  $185,569
Average # Days on the market:  98

The least expensive homes were older mobile homes on leased land.    These homes fit well for people who are on a very limited income.  In many cases they can get a very comfortable home for much less than they would pay for rent.    Even though they don’t buy the land, it’s still a more financially attractive option to renting. 

 The overall price average doesn’t have any particular meaning, because it is an average of every single sale (high and low).    There were 58 homes sold under $100,000.   The most active price range was $125,000 - $200,000 with nearly an equal number of homes sold in the $125,000 - $150,000 range (182)  as the $150,000 - $175,000 (180).    

Cashmere area homes sold:
Total # Homes Sold:  77
Average Selling Price:  $187,412
Average Days on the Market:  94

Again the least expensive were mobiles on leased land, the least expensive of which were $12,000 & $14,000 located in the Dawn Lee Mobile Home Park on Kimber Road.    Otherwise, there was no concentration of sales in a particular price range.  Prices ranged from the low of $12,000 to a high of $475,000 for a home on Majeska Lane.

Leavenworth / Lake Wenatchee area homes sold:
Total # Homes Sold:  264
Average Selling Price:  $241,954
Average Days on the Market:  121

As with the Cashmere real estate market area, the Leavenworth and Lake Wenatchee real estate market areas did not have a concentration of sales in a specific price range… but were spread from a low of $10,000 to a high of 1,254,999.   

* * * * *
I hope you find this information interesting.   As always, it is deemed reliable based on my computer market research… but cannot be guaranteed.

If you want any specific information on past sales, or current listing available please call or e-mail me for additional info.
   Carol@TopPropertiesWenatchee.com
   www.TopPropertiesWenatchee.com 
   1-509-670-7840

Happy 2006 !
Carol Williams

source: Wenatchee Real Estate: 2005 Home Sales Summary

Since returning from Europe last week, I’ve noticed a bit of a slow down in the Wenatchee real estate frenzy… BUT there is still good activity on well priced listings.   We are not getting as many showings on each listing but there is still activity and qualified buyers shopping.  

As we move into the winter months people tend to have the impression there won’t be much buying activity.  This isn’t necessarily true.  There may be somewhat of a slowdown, but there is always buyer activity throughout the winter months.    I still have a consistent flow of inquiries through my website, which is an indication of general interest.   Interest rates are still very attractive, so that shouldn’t be a factor in slowing down sales of real estate in the Wenatchee Valley or North Central Washington.  According to studies, Wenatchee real estate is still a very affordable option compared to the rest of the country. 

If you do have a home to you are considering selling, winter is actually a pretty good time to list because there is generally less inventory, meaning less competition for buyers.   As we move into Spring, we always notice a surge in inventory creating more competition among home sellers… and more choices for buyers. 

If you’d like to know the value of your home, please contact me for a FREE Price Analysis:
   Carol@TopPropertiesWenatchee.com
   www.TopPropertiesWenatchee.com

source: Wenatchee Real Estate Activity

The following list is a result of my foreclosure real estate search in Chelan and Douglas County, Washington.  This report was generated at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, November 10, 2005.     The status of these listings changes constantly, so please contact me for current information:
       Carol@TopPropertiesWenatchee.com  or call 509-670-7840

Wenatchee:
407 Oregon St., #112  ($49,900)
429 King St., #322  ($49,900)
407 Ridgeview Loop Dr.  ($104,900)
5005 Squilchuck Road  (Unknown list price)
801 Methow St.  ($72,000)
220 Pennsylvania St.  ($123,600)
1016 West Park St.  ($132,500)

EastWenatchee:
916 S.E. 4th St.  ($154,000)
1112 10th St., N.E.  (Unknown list price)

Rock Island:
1481 Idaho St.  ($115,500)

Cashmere:
409 Pioneer  ($Unknown list price)
110 River St.  ($63,900)

Malaga:
3344 Saturday Ave.   ($88,900)

Chelan:
131 Gibson St.  ($Unknown list price)

Leavenworth:
3628 Allen Lane   ($74,500)

As always, this information is deemed accurate and reliable but cannot be guaranteed.

source: Wenatchee Area Foreclosure Real Estate - 11/10/2005

Here is a list of the properties that come up on my most recent foreclosure home search within Chelan & Douglas counties, Washington State.  If you’d like additional information about any of these properties, please contact me via e-mail @  Carol@TopPropertiesWenatchee.com :

Wenatchee:
407 Oregon St., #112  ($54,900)
801 Methow   ($72,000)
407 Ridgeview Loop Drive  ($109,900)
1016 West Park St.  ($132,500)

EastWenatchee:
2109 Canal Blvd.  ($35,900)

Rock Island:
1481 Idaho St.  ($115,500)

Cashmere:
409 Pioneer  ($Unknown list price)
110 River St.  ($66,900)

Malaga:
3344 Saturday Ave.   ($88,900)

Chelan:
131 Gibson St.  ($Unknown list price)

Leavenworth:
3628 Allen Lane   ($76,500)

As always, this information is deemed reliable but cannot be guaranteed.

Have a wonderful week-end,
Carol

Carol@TopPropertiesWenatchee.com
www.TopPropertiesWenatchee.com (Full featured property searches)
www.RealEstateSuccess.blogspot.com  (Investment blog)

source: Current Foreclosure List

Wenatchee / East Wenatchee / Malaga / Rock Island area:
   Residential single family:
          Sold: 62  
          Avg price: $243,257 
          Avg. days on market:  20
   
    Condos:
        Sold:  4
        Avg price:  $190,475
        Avg days on market:  14
        
  Manufactured Homes
       Sold:  11
       Avg price:  $118,555
       Avg days on market:  20
      
* * * * *
Cashmere area:
Residential single family:
          Sold: 4
          Avg price: $178,725  
         Avg. days on market:  11

Note:  If you’d like to compare to the August market activity summary, click here.

source: September 2005 Wenatchee Home Sales