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Dec
30
Posted by teresa j barthol
Not really postal, although we could find reasons to loose our minds. Its Postal like the Postal carrier. As the saying goes, Neither Snow, nor rain, nor heat. Or something like that. On Monday, I was out showing homes to a potential Buyer North of Everett. A real buyer… … looking to take advantage of the low interest rates and some reduced prices on Bank Owned Properties. First house..completely snowed in, knee deep from the road to the front door we walked. Second home, not any better. Third home, no way to even get to the front door without getting stuck in the snow. We returned to my Buyers home, where the power goes out. The wind whips up & is blowing everything over. Then came a down pour of Rain followed by the down pour of hail. Woo… what a trip. Now we know what the postal delivery folks have to deal with everyday. Also, an experience with local weather. I hear its called the Convergence Zone (consult Everett Local Weather) All I know is that I felt like the Postal delivery slogan should have been on my windshield. As for my Buyers, another day when the roads are clear and our adventure is about Buying, not about the weather.
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Dec
23
Posted by teresa j barthol
- Residential and Condos
Clearly Opportunities exist for Buyers in Everett. Interest Rates at a 30 year low and inventory available. Sales are happening and Buyers are finding good values. Let me show you the ones with the Best Resale Value. The ones with the Best Terms. The ones in the Best locations. Buyers who act early will get the best selection. Later, the homes with Issues will remain.
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Dec
23
Posted by teresa j barthol
Which Home would YOU Buy?
Buying a Home with Good Resale Value or the importance of consulting with a Real Estate Agent. Two Clients have called me in the past couple of days with conversations that relate to this point. First Client purchased from me about 4 years ago. I remember at the time all the considerations they had over location and two homes they loved. “Teresa”, they said. “Which one would you buy?” It was clear in my mind they loved the one I did not. Oh Boy! Do I have to answer? Well, the short story is…They did buy the one I recommended. I did tell them why I felt home #2 would have the best resale value. 1. Location was premium 2. Plans for the neighborhood would add value 3. Quality of construction would stand the test of time 4. Floor plan was popular and more. Today, these points are even more important. This home is holding its value better then most in this economy. They are happy! They have held onto the property as a rental. And the home is renting at a premium. All Good News!
Second Client considering 3 different homes today, asks… “Teresa, which one is your favorite” Again, I see the big picture and will share my Experience and knowledge honestly. The points I will offer for consideration will have an impact on their future wealth. Nothing makes me happier then a client calling me four years later with repeat business based on my previous service to them.
Which home would YOU Buy?
Before Buying Your next home call me, Teresa Barthol, 425-876-9552 Your Real Estate Consultant with honest answers. You will be glad you did.
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Dec
22
Posted by teresa j barthol
The snow and ice is keeping us home these days. Now, I know its cold outside, and I expect to dress warmer but, why does inside the house feel like OUTSIDE? What’s with the HEATING? When you have an opportunity to hang around the house a few days, one starts to notice a few things. Like the disorganized pantry, the stale odor of the refrigerator, or the furniture that looks tired……well you know how it goes. But, the REAL concern is why is it so cold IN the house? Maybe we need to evaluate our heating system? The home was built in 1986, surely some updating is in order. Must be better systems to help us stay warm, aside from piling on blankets and wool socks. I think when the driveway is cleared Brennan Heating should pay us a visit. I see from the recommendations of my peers that Brennan Heating is the place to call. Their offer of a free consultation makes me feel comfortable. No high sales pitch. Just honest help in evaluating my concerns.
Free Heating consultation
I wonder if they would bring a Shovel to my Everett address too. This driveway is Big!
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Dec
17
Posted by teresa j barthol
E-mail your wish list
Did you get your wish list to Santa yet? Well there is still time. Go to Santa’s blog and send your letter. Get the count down clock. Santa’s got lots of good news for us about the Reindeer, what to do about gifts and favorite cookies.
Santa Claus Blog
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Dec
12
Posted by teresa j barthol
Mystery of gifts in green packages! Last visit to Musings in Mill Creek Town Center was full of laughs. Customers are trying to pull off some sneaky gift purchases.
When you find that perfect gift (they have many to select from), you don’t want your gift surprise exposed until Christmas Day, Right?
How is it going? Keeping secrets from the gift recipient? Musings? What’s the story?
Musings in Mill Creek Town Center
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Dec
12
Posted by teresa j barthol
Foreclosure options
The Real Estate Agent Tool box is filled with a presentation unlike the glossy binder of a year ago. That glossy binder was filled with, equity gains, plenty of mortgage options, new and larger homes to move up into. Today its less glossy and filled with Tuff choices by Buyers and Sellers in this market. You may find this information on
www.mint.comworth a look. What should a seller do when the money is gone and they want to be doing the RIGHT thing. Is it possible and what are the consequence’s. Last week, while searching the MLS statistics for 98203 zip code, of approximately 200 homes presently listed I found that close to 10% or more are subject to Lien Holder Approval (A required disclosure when the Home Owner is in a negative position with their loan(s).) That’s hard news for the neighborhood and for the individual home owners. Those figures include all price points. If you are facing these choices, get in touch with your Everett area Real Estate Agent, Call me!
Check out this web site to continue with the many Questions being raised in the Real Estate community.
www.mint.com
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Dec
12
Posted by teresa j barthol
Remember Jack? A true Agent of our Personal Finances wants to plant some seeds of thought.
“10 Ways for Baby Boomer Women to Avoid Poverty in Retirement”
Now thats just what I was thinking about as I plan the annual trip to Seattle for Christmas shopping.
Good Points Jack! Thanks for that Article! Got any more good stuff……ha ha!
Point #5 in that article is an important and valuable idea ….what we need is a Good Advisor!
5. Look for good advice.
A significant portion of retirees and pre-retirees do not seek the help of a “qualified professional.” Yet, while they indicate a strong desire to work with a professional, most ask friends and family for advice
Take a look at www.wiserwomen.org for more of what Jack is talking about. Good Advise for some thoughtful book gifts.
Recomended Books!
Get a Financial Life: Personal Finance in Yours 20s and 30s by Beth Kobliner:
The Number: A Completely Different Way to Think About the Rest of Your Life by Lee Eisenberg
Smart and Simple Financial Strategies for Busy People
by Jane Bryant Quinn
Thanks Jack, we now have a shopping list and a web site to bring us closer to having our money in good hands. Keep that advise coming. We want to live long, healthy and prosporous lives.
Jack A. Smelser, CLTC
Senior LTC Specialist, since 1992 / Senior National Alliance Specialist / Pacific Division Group Champion / DL
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Dec
11
Posted by teresa j barthol
For some….. starting their exterior lighting project before Thanksgiving is something to look forward to and for others…….. well you see how it might go in this picture.
Project gone badI went in search of some tips for home owners needing help with thie Exterior Home Decorating project. We know that Christmas lights can transform the exterior of your home during the holidays and create a special atmosphere for children who are already excited at the prospect of all those presents. Many people enjoy driving around and looking at holiday displays during the Christmas season so your afternoon of effort stringing lights won't just bring holiday spirit to your family.....Christmas lighting displays are often beloved family traditions and the source of cherished seasonal memories revisited each year when the holidays roll around. Your outdoor Christmas lighting will bring pleasure to your family, neighbors and "drive by." If you do a really good job.........!It adds Value to the Neighborhood when everyone takes pride in their homes. If you need help for next year, (maybe to late to start now). Check out this website I found. www.externallights.comGo to this Site for next years Christmas Lighting Planning
If the idea is too overwhelming at your present house, well call me your
Real Estate Agent and go in search of a home right NOW! We could drive the neighborhoods for the best displays. Put in an offer for the Whole Display and the House. Then “WA LA” you will have beat the challange!
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Dec
09
Posted by Teresa Barthol
Home Is Where Your Heart Is.
Say that to a man whose passion is building homes! Where custom niches, signature inlayed tile entry and distinctive lighting in various areas of the house, including motion accent lighting in master bathrooms, come standard. I’m talking about Scharbach Homes; a company in which heart always matters. And the man behind it: well, you can say he’s pretty cool too.
Wayne Scharbach, local builder and founder of family owned Scharbach Homes has had a passion for houses for as long as he can remember.
Since 1973, Wayne has been building a clientele in which many builders’ can only dream of having. Customer service is a must; communication with the client is key. He can work with you on multiple levels via pre-sale, to new construction, to custom designs, to remodels, stretched all the way to light commercial work, he has you covered! Every home is different; and the location makes an even bigger difference! Born and raised in Washington, Wayne, a member of the Master Builder’s Association and Built Green Program, has let nature be the influence for many of his designs. Living in a place where sunshine can be a precious commodity, he knows how to make the most of the natural light while designing his homes. From large, floor to ceiling windows throughout the entire house to custom designed skylights; he is always reinventing the wheel of allowing more natural light inside. And he doesn’t stop there.
To continue the idea of making his designs bright, open and very welcoming, it calls for some custom touches. Rounded edges and plenty of arches throughout the interior structure, warm colors and natural light in abundance, these homes just make you feel at home!
The selectiveness of the interior structure carries out to the exterior of the homes, as well. Taking pride in the outside, he goes the distance in making each home literately different. By mixing up materials such as shakes, channel siding and beveled siding blended with stones and brick accents, topped off with unique roof lines and custom trim, you get a home with classy and tasteful curb appeal. In an ever changing and ever evolving world, Scharbach Homes are constantly monitoring new materials and methods of construction, giving customers the best of the best.
Many say that it’s just in his blood, especially his family. Just ask his children Jake and Tawnya; Jake whom recently purchased one of his father’s Scharbach built homes in Timberland Estates, located up in Arlington and Tawnya, whom purchased an extensively remodeled home in Windsor Court in Canyon Park.
“I build all my homes as if I were going to live in them or have someone close to me, family or friends, live in them. I guess that’s why Jake and Tawnya wanted one!” said Wayne, humbly. “I couldn’t imagine making a career, building something you couldn’t back and stand behind 100% – where’s the passion in that?”
Matter of fact, the entire family agrees with this.
Nanette, Wayne’s wife and Design Coordinator for the company, is a firm believer of getting the best of the best for potential home buyers. When it comes to selecting finishing materials, such as specialty designer tiles for the kitchens and bathrooms, custom light fixtures, granite-slab countertops, hardwood flooring, Nanette spends hours, coordinating colors, textures, durability and quality to really make Scharbach homes stand out.
“It really boils down to wanting the best for my clients and potential clients. That’s what really gives me the energy to constantly be pushing the envelop for better materials, better designs and better homes”, Nanette states. “It’s as simple as that”.
Their children couldn’t be happier to get their hands in the process of contributing to the running of their family business. Like father like son, Jake takes nicely to the hands on approach; he’s the boss behind the hammer, he’s the Construction Superintendent. From foundation, to framing, to sheet rocking, to decking, to fencing; start to finish, he can do it all. Their daughter, Tawnya, the office manager is involved with the bookkeeping and accounting aspect of the business; managing and keeping everyone in check.
When being different really makes a difference ~ Scharbach Homes.
Come and see for yourself.
*BE 61308
