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I’m honored to have represented the buyer in this completely remodeled South Seattle charmer that recently closed. Listed at $625,000, the 3-bed/3-bath sold for $655,000. Congratulations, guys!
From Don •
November 20, 2020
FROM DON: An Attitude of Gratitude
Dear friends,
I hope this letter finds you healthy and well.
This year has been a challenge on so many levels that I’m finding it even more important than ever to focus on all that I have to be grateful for.
Allen and I have our health, our home, our loyal pugs Dylan and Dexter, and each other, which frankly feels like everything right now.
This year, I’ve also been fortunate enough to have helped 26 families settle down and achieve their life goals, and am especially grateful to the amazing team of real estate professionals who help me accomplish this day in and day out.
And that’s why I love what I do: meeting new friends, helping people and building relationships that last forever.
I’m so grateful for your friendship and referrals.
Here’s to a warm holiday season and a fulfilling 2021.
Don
Buyers •
November 16, 2020
Buying a Fixer-Upper
For some home buyers, a fixer-upper is their idea of a dream home. Preparing for the process comes down to creating a plan, knowing what to look for, and understanding what financing options are available.
Homeownership •
November 12, 2020
A Guide to Going Low-to-Zero Waste
Making the switch to a more sustainable household won’t happen overnight, but there are simple steps you can take to cut down on your home’s waste.
Start your waste-reducing process by getting to know your local disposal guidelines. What you can recycle varies at both the state and city level. Check your local municipality’s website for recycling rules and more information, like whether you need to separate your recycling and if your community accepts food and yard waste for composting.
CoBuy •
November 9, 2020
CoBuying a Home: How Does it Work?
The first thing most people want to know about co-buying a home is, “how does co-buying work?” It’s a great question. Teaming up to buy a home is a big decision. There’s a lot of money involved, and it’s not your typical home purchase. Let’s first look at the big picture and then break it down.
Folks often focus on the purchase. But the transaction is just the start. Buying a home is not the end goal: the real objective is successful co-ownership. Success involves some combination of financial and social return on investment with minimal stress.
For more on the CoBuy journey, check out these recent case studies:
- CoBuy Success Story: Mom & Daughters Buy Home Together (10/16/20)
- CoBuy Success Story: Mom & Daughter Find Perfect Home to Live Together but Not Too Together (6/21/19)
- CoBuy Success Story: Dan, Briannon & the Perfect Fremont Townhome (4/22/19)
- CoBuy Success Story: Spouse & Siblings Purchase Sleek West Seattle Townhome (6/15/18)
Financial •
November 5, 2020
What is Wire Fraud and How to Avoid It
A fast-growing form of cybercrime, wire fraud has led to major losses for homebuyers in recent years. Get to know what it is and what steps you can take to avoid it.
Uncategorized •
November 2, 2020
Don Selected as 2020 Seattle Five Star Real Estate Agent Award Winner
I’m honored and humbled to be among and exclusive group of professionals in my field–the 2020 Seattle Five Star Real Estate Agents. This distinguished designation is awarded to less than 7% of professionals in the market after a rigorous selection process, including eligibility criteria, consumer evaluations, an evaluation score based on a proprietary algorithm and finally, a review from a Blue Ribbon industry panel.
Real Estate News & Information •
October 27, 2020
Western Washington Real Estate Market Update
The following analysis of the Western Washington real estate market is provided by Windermere Real Estate Chief Economist Matthew Gardner. We hope that this information may assist you with making better-informed real estate decisions. For further information about the housing market in your area, please don’t hesitate to contact your Windermere agent.
Restaurant Reviews •
October 20, 2020
RESTAURANT REVIEW: Smarty Pants in Georgetown
Alan and I have been going to Smarty Pants in Georgetown for years, and it always seems to be a favorite for out of town guests. For many of our friends, a trip to Smarty Pants is a must-see on their Seattle agenda.
Smarty Pants has the classic biker bar atmosphere, which, in my opinion isn’t a bad thing, considering how much character Seattle has lost due to gentrification. It’s fun and relaxed, and they have a large patio with a cool back yard feel. Part of it is covered, which makes it a great place to eat during the COVID era.
They also have limited indoor seating as well as takeout, and are open for lunch and dinner, and brunch on weekends.
Smarty Pants has a fairly large menu of mostly sandwiches and salads, with more breakfast-y entrees for brunch. They also have a full bar along with beer, wine, and ciders.
COBUY SUCCESS STORE: Mom & Daughters Buy Home Together
I became a CoBuy certified agent so that I could help buyers that may have been priced out of our housing market. As a CoBuy partner, I’m able to focus on my client’s home search and offer process, while leaving the very important details of co-ownership to the experts in that area.
Once I learned about this mom and her two daughters, I was eager to help them find a home. They all work in healthcare, which I have a ton of respect for, especially now.
I arranged a Zoom meeting to meet with them and learn about their criteria for a home. Once I knew what they were looking for, I set up a unique MLS search and began sending listings. They would also find interesting properties and let me know which ones they wanted to tour, so I set up several tours and we saw lots of homes.
