Tuesday, May 14, 2013

a Real Estate Agent Tale


The Dual Agent

Sellers and Buyers are expecting to be represented by an agent who is looking out for their best interest with the purchase or sale of real estate. The seller has always had full representation from their agent and agency.

Years ago, all agents were sub agents to the seller and in the early to mid 90’s the “buyer beware” was becoming such an issue that by the end of the 90’s, the buyer now had their own agent working for them known as the buyer’s agent.

Early in my career in the early 90’s I was selling 3-5 of my own listings any given year where I was the only agent.  My sign or advertising would generate a call, a showing and very often a purchase.

When the buyer agent came along, most sales now almost always had 2 agents/agencies involved. As the buyer’s agent became main stream the dual agent was the new title for representing both parties.
The internet and advertising on the internet is bringing more dual agency back in to my business because I am now contacted more often directly from the buyer.

So this is what I really showed up to blog about.

Saturday morning I was minding my own business and ready to spend a full day in the yard catching up on weeding, mowing, weeding and if I had any energy left by the end of the day, I thought I would do some weeding.
 Weeds in my concrete stress bars.
Drive me nuts

I’m not sure if there are more weeds this year or if I play more golf. I’m pretty sure there are just more weeds in my yard. Although come to think of it, my handicap is dropping.

I missed a call and had a voice mail from an old client Saturday morning and she wanted me to give her a call. 

About 12 years ago I had been referred to this young couple. He was a builder, building 2 maybe 3 homes a year. They were an awesome couple with young babies and I was listing their homes and we established a very good relationship.

After a few years, their children began school and the wife who had been very hands on with each of their homes being built and the building process also realized she could do what I do. 

She eventually decided to get her real estate license so they could increase their profit margin on each sale. I told them of a good company that kept small builders with a real estate license or husband and wife teams. They took my advice and she still works there.

So my client had become my competition, although I don’t look at it that way at all. There is more business in any community to help buyers and sellers if you are willing to go out and engage. 

In my career I have had 4 clients turned agents.

We did fall out of touch through the years. Occasionally I would see her advertising or we would run into each other at the store.

So I returned her phone call late Saturday morning. She had just shown a listing of hers to some very interested buyers. At her seller’s request she had been advised to not participate in a dual agency relationship. This young couple did not have an agent, so she had given them my name and contact information.

We had a nice chat about our kids and how they were growing too fast and they were now young adults ready to venture out on their own. We also talked about the real estate business.

So I had to ask ~ “of all the agents in your office and in town to refer these buyers, why me”?
Her answer warmed my heart and once again I was reminded

It’s a Great Life!




going greener
lay cardboard right over the weeds(soak cardboard)
before you lay your beauty bark


Thursday, May 9, 2013

Olympia Home Sales Snapshot ~ April 2013


Kevin Lynch’s Home Sales Snapshot



Olympia, WA

Olympia  ~ area  445,447 & 448

 the numbers for  April 2013 :

  • Homes for sale ~ 134 homes are currently listed
                  Low $129,900 ~ High $5,200,000
                  Median $271,125
                  Avg. days on ~101

  • Pending ~ 30 homes are in escrow
                  Low $99,000 ~ High $625,000
                  Median $251,975
                  Avg. days on ~ 44

  •  April Sales ~33 homes sold in Olympia in April 2013
                 Low $100,000 ~ High $380,870
                 Median $250,000
                 Avg. days on ~ 119

  • April  2012 ~41 homes Sold in Olympia in April 2012
                 Low $104,900 ~ High $775,000
                 Median $249,900
                 Avg. days on 159

The median price for a home in Olympia for April 2013 remained unchanged compared to April 2012.
Note; the average days on market for pending sales. 
Proper pricing + Great Rates = Homes flying off the shelf. 44 days 


"Be miserable. Or motivate yourself. Whatever has to be done, it's always your choice." Wayne Dyer

see you over at http://www.thurstonliving.com/

pretty much


                                 Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.


Lacey Home Sales Snapshot ~ April 2013


Kevin Lynch’s Home Sales Report



Lacey, WA
Lacey  ~ SE area 450

 the numbers for the April 2013:
  • Homes for sale ~ 85 homes are currently listed
                  Low $69,500 ~ High $685,000
                  Median $210,000
                  Avg. days on ~ 66
  • Pending  ~ 28 homes are in escrow
                  Low $112,000 ~ High $750,000
                  Median $194,800
                  Avg. days on ~ 71
  • April  Sales 2013 ~ 30 homes sold in Lacey in April 2013
                 Low $95,000 ~ High $325,000
                 Median $203,500
                 Avg. days on ~ 60
  • April  2012 ~ 30 homes sold in Lacey in April 2012
                 Low $84,000 ~ High $410,984
                 Median $190,248
                 Avg. days on 97

A solid +6.9% increase to the median price in Lacey for April 2013 compared to April 2012.
The average days on market in Lacey so far this year is unlike any average market times I have ever seen. Including the frenzy years back in '03 - '07. Inventory is waaaaaaaay down.


"Either you run the day or the day runs you."Jim Rohn

see you over at http://www.thurstonliving.com/





                                 Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Tumwater Home Sales Snapshot ~ April 2013


Kevin Lynch’s Home Sales report


Tumwater, WA

Tumwater  ~ SW, SE area 443

 the numbers for  April 2013 :

Homes for sale ~ 123 homes are currently listed
                  Low $98,000 ~ High $599,000
                  Median $269,900
                   Avg. days on ~109

Pending  ~ 30 Homes are in escrow
                  Low $160,000 ~ High $379,000
                  Median $234,748
                  Avg. days on ~ 104

April  2013 Sales ~ 32 Homes sold in Tumwater  April 2013
                 Low $160,000 ~ High $449,900
                 Median $215,913
                 Avg. days on ~106

 April 2012 ~28 Homes Sold in Tumwater in April 2012
                 Low $184,990 ~ High $441,000
                 Median $235,370
                Avg. days on 141

An -8.3% fall to the median price in Tumwater for April 2013 compared to April 2012. 
The Tumwater market has improved with pricing for today's market as shown in the average days on market for all 2013 categories.



"Even if you fall on your face, you're still moving forward."Victor Kiam

see you over at http://www.thurstonliving.com/


Seattle WA


                                 Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.



Delphi Hills Home Sales Snapshot ~ April 2013


Kevin Lynch’s Home Sales Report
SW Thurston County

Delphi Hills  ~ SW area 442

 the numbers for April 2013 :

  • Homes for sale ~ 31 homes are currently listed
                  Low $117,000 ~ High $2,000,000
                  Median $336,000
                  Avg. days on ~ 115

  • Pending  ~ 4 homes are in escrow
                 Low $159,000 ~ High $649,900
                 Median $334,450
                Avg. Days on 234

  • April  2013 Sales ~ 6 homes sold in Delphi Hills in April 2013
                 Low $137,900 ~ High $438,000
                 Median $307,450
                 Avg. days on ~ 151

  • April  2012 ~4  homes Sold in Delphi Hills April 2012
                Low $159,900 ~ High $449,000
                Median $236,250
                Avg. days on 194

A +30.1% increase to the median price in Delphi Hills for April 2013 compared to April 2012.

5 yards of cedar wood chips
"let the yard work begin"


see you over at http://www.thurstonliving.com/

                                 Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

West Olympia Home Sales Snapshot ~ April 2013


Kevin Lynch’s Home Sales report


West Olympia

West  Olympia  ~ NW area 444

 the numbers for April 2013 :

  • Homes for sale ~ 116 homes are currently listed
                  Low $124,500 ~ High $2,399,000
                  Median $279,450
                  Avg. days on ~ 131

  • Pending  ~ 25 homes are in escrow
                  Low $115,000 ~ High $530,000
                  Median $226,950
                  Avg. days on ~ 85

  • West Olympia April Sales ~ 22 Homes sold in April 2013
                  Low $140,000 ~ High $975,000
                  Median $256,750
                  Avg. days on ~ 129

  • April  Sales 2012 ~16 Homes Sold in West Olympia in April 2012
                  Low $145,000 ~ High $825,000
                  Median $287,500
                  Avg. days on 151

A  -10.4% drop to the median price in West Olympia for April 2013 compared to April 2012.


Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time. Thomas A. Edison

see you over at http://www.thurstonliving.com/





                                 Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Hawks Prairie Home Sales Snapshot ~ April 2013


Kevin Lynch’s Home Sales report


NE

Hawks Prairie  ~  NE area 446

 the numbers for the April 2013:

  • Homes for sale ~ 132 Homes are currently listed
                  Low $88,900 ~ High $5,788,800
                  Median $316,225
                  Avg. days on ~127

  • Pending ~ 20 Homes are in escrow
                  Low $149,900 ~ High $493,600
                  Median $291,900
                  Avg. days on ~87

  • April Sales ~29 Homes sold in Hawks Prairie in April 2013
                 Low $88,000 ~ High $435,000
                 Median $294,995
                 Avg. days on ~ 75

  • April  Sales 2012 ~24 Homes Sold in Hawks Prairie In April 2012
                 Low $132,142 ~ High $507,000
                 Median $255,750
                 Avg. days on 180

A strong +15.3% increase to the median price for Hawks Prairie in April 2013 compared to April 2012. The pending and 2013 sales average market time are quite impressive also.



If you don't design your own life plan, chances are you'll fall into someone else's plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much. Jim Rohn

see you over at http://www.thurstonliving.com/






                                 Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.