Rebecca Carlson's Q&A

Congratuations, sriramonly!  Buying your first home is a huge step!!If you have a Realtor, they can should be there for you during the closing process to help you navigate through the paperwork, etc.  Generally, escrow handles the paperwork and acts as a third party to the transaction.  As a first time homebuyer, it's important to have experienced people partnering with you.  However, it shouldn't be necessary to pay the extra cost of hiring a lawyer if you have a great Realtor and escrow company working with you throughout the process.Feel free to email me if you have any other questions!--Rebecca Carlson

I've been working with buyers specifically looking in the Cenral Area as well.  There is a wide spectrum of "fixers" in the area - some in need of some cosmetic work, and some in need of significant structural repair.  Don't be afraid to spend the money up front for the inspections, by multiple specialists as well.  If it's a old home, I'd also do a sewer scope (costs roughly $150-$200).  I know many fixers in the area are also short sales - so negotiating hard up front is key.  Most banks sell the property "as is" and won't give concessions based on an inspection.  I just had a client utilize the new re-hab loan offered via FHA.  It's a TON of work to get the approval, so you should be aware of that as well.If you have not partnered with a Realtor, you must do that.  It doesn't cost the buyer anything, and an experienced, knowledgeable Realtor can ensure you are protected from a contractual prospective. Good Luck!  (and feel free to email me if you have any other questions)--Rebecca

Hi, Sergey12 -One of the most important factors in market value of a home is comparable sales.  I did a quick snapshot of your neighborhood to see what the statistics look like.  The median sales price of homes in your neighborhood over the past 6 months is $620K; the average is $637K.  There are six properties pending sale right now, with an average list price of $560K.  I would suspect that recent sales are what is driving your current estimate down. Unfortunately, Zillow can't detect if your home has upgrades that the other homes do not.  If you are considering selling, a Realtor can give you a more specific idea of how your home compares to what's currently on the market, and what has sold recently.    Good Luck!--Rebecca

Hi, PSeagul -I think it really depends upon the cabintry and your personal preferences.  From a resale perspective, I don't think it will matter much because personal preferences really differ on the subject.  The most important thing when deciding upon flooring is how it goes with the cabintry, counters and other features of the kitchen and surrounding rooms.  Also, the quality of construction and installation is also key.  If you are considering selling soon, do it well and you should re-coop your investment.Good Luck!  I'd love to see the before and after pictures.--Rebecca

Your best resource is the Rental Housing Association of Puget Sound.  It's very inexpensive to become a member, and they provide you with EVERYTHING you need to ensure you are complying with local and state rental regulations.  I just referred a client there and they were very happy with the services and templates they provide their members.  Here's the link to their website:  http://www.rha-ps.com/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home --Rebecca

Hi, Rayshir --There's no "requirement" to have a buyer's agent, but it's very critical that you do.  When you work directly with the listing agent, you are not fully represented in the negotiations.  Via the Agency Relationship, the listing agent has to put the needs of their seller first.  Also, it doesn't cost you, the buyer, anything to utilize a buyer's agent, as the seller pays their commission.  As Tiffany suggests below, you can also hire a real estate lawyer to look through the contract for you.  However, that is an additional cost to factor into the purchase process. Bottomline:  you need representation as a buyer.  Find an agent you connect with and trust or hire a lawyer to ensure you are fully represented in the negotiations.Good Luck!--Rebecca[content removed by moderator for being self promotional]

Yes, it's true that some agents don't show them at all.  However, if the seller has listed their FSBO on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), they almost always offer a buyer's agent commission.  So, really, there's no reason not to show a client a FSBO.  I have actually showed clients homes listed on "Make Me Move" via Zillow.  To date, a client hasn't purchased a home that route, but I think an good agent will think outside the box to find the perfect home for their client first, and then negotiate commission when that time comes. If a FSBO is not listed on the MLS, and you are finding that hardly any agents aren't showing your home, it's most likely due to the fact that they just aren't finding it in their searches.  You want your listing to be where the buyers (and agents) are looking - such as Zillow, Trulia, and RedFin.  A site that only features FSBO's might just be too narrow of a reach to get the attention you need.

Hi, suga111-The best way to find property information is to search King County Records site.  The Parcel Viewer allows you to search by either address or parcel number.  For an address search, do not include city name - just the address.  Once it finds it, simply click "Get Property Report" (on the bottom left) and everything you'll need is right there!Parcel ViewerGood Luck!

I think you just need to call his bluff.  If you haven't done so already, make a counter-offer for a price you feel comfortable with.  This will at least keep the conversation going.  You might also want to know what the average days on market is for your neighborhood.  This will give you a sense of the activity and interest in your neighborhood.Good Luck!!

I'd recommend attending open houses in your neighborhood as a great way to "interview" prospective realtors.  How they act at someone else's listing is a great preview of how they will behave at yours.  Also, looking up agent's information on their website is a great way to get a feel for their personality, skills and experience.  As you alluded to, just because an agent has a ton of listings doesn't mean they are the best for you.  Working with a Realtor should be a close partnership.  While skills, knowledge and ability are crucial, having a good relationship with a Realtor is just as important.  If you need any referrals, feel free to contact me!Best of luck in your search.--Rebecca