Monthly Archives: September 2009

5 Things Seattle Real Estate Buyers Should Know

Posted on September 4, 2009 by Rob LeRoy

Whether you are a first-time buyer or a grizzled veteran, there are about a million things you need to know in order to buy your new home without freaking out, having a nervous breakdown, or, worst of all, strangling that … Continue reading →

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These are a few of my favorite things…about Bellingham

Posted on September 4, 2009 by Rob LeRoy

“Raindrops on roses and whiskers on Kittens, bright copper kettles and…..” Eeeeeeerrrrr (sound of record scratching)!!!!! Wait, hold on, those aren’t my favorite things! I don’t even like kittens…in fact, I’m totally allergic to them. Sometimes I just get lost … Continue reading →

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What is Earnest Money, and How Does it Work?

Posted on September 4, 2009 by Rob LeRoy

What is Earnest Money? Earnest Money is the real estate industry term for what is essentially a good-faith deposit.  While it doesn’t necessarily have to be money (technically, any item of suitable value, such as a car, an elephant, or … Continue reading →

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Real Estate Agents are not Robots!

Posted on September 4, 2009 by Rob LeRoy

According to a recent report by a highly reputable investigative entity, most… several…that is, some real estate agents out there are actual people, just like you- with hearts, minds, maybe even a personality!  I can tell you how to spot … Continue reading →

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What is a Real Estate Appraisal?

Posted on September 4, 2009 by Rob LeRoy

Just about everybody has heard of an appraisal and knows what it is- an assessment of a home’s value based on empirical evidence like recent sales, replacement costs, and the subjective opinions of underpaid appraisers hurrying from one gig to … Continue reading →

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Top 10 Tips to Help Your House Sell Faster (Part 1)

Posted on September 4, 2009 by Rob LeRoy

Unless you’ve been living in a cave, you know that the past couple of years have seen record numbers of homes hit the Seattle real estate market.  And not just Seattle’s market, but all markets across the country. The combination of … Continue reading →

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Top 10 Tips to Help Your House Sell Faster (Part 2)

Posted on September 4, 2009 by Rob LeRoy

7. You have WAY too many knick-knacks and personal items covering your shelves and walls.  If your house looks like an indoor flea-market, potential buyers have a hard time imagining their own crappy junk littering the house.  The same goes … Continue reading →

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Top 10 Tips to Help Your House Sell Faster (Part 3)

Posted on September 4, 2009 by Rob LeRoy

And last, but certainly not least… 10. You’re cheap. Guess what- if you aren’t offering a competitive selling commission (aka buyer’s agent commission or SOC)  on your listing, you are doing it wrong. It is time to get serious about … Continue reading →

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Extensions Happen, Stay Calm!

Posted on September 4, 2009 by Rob LeRoy

They say that buying or selling a home can be among the most stressful experiences of a person’s life, and it is easy to get carried away and freak out. However, with a little bit of patience, preparation, and education, … Continue reading →

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Investing in Real Estate and Your College Kid

Posted on September 4, 2009 by Rob LeRoy

If you are the parent of a college kid,  you might want to take a minute to think about real estate investing.  You’re already spending a ton of money sending the kid to school, “investing” in his or her future, … Continue reading →

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