Peter Nilsson

Patrick and James, what did you think about the house for your potential clients? You can email me here for specific feedback or let Wendy know.

The next Broker's Open is currently scheduled for 9/17.

Best, Peter - Thu Sep 11 2008, 12:07

Thanks Patrick.

Sorry for not responding faster.

It is on the market, well staged and ready to sell. We had two Broker's Open with very positive feedback. The plan is to have another Broker's Open next week.

The listing agent is Wendy Lister. I see it on MLS in 98034 and with the description:"Waterfront Bank-Low, Bulkhead, Lake" .

Thanks so much,
Peter - Thu Sep 11 2008, 05:25

Thanks James. I did negotiate an exit clause. Still, my intent is to make it work for both parties and so far I have been mostly impressed.

When your client is ready you will be able to find the property on MLS. - Thu Sep 4 2008, 12:21

Thanks for all the feedback.

The status is I interviewed four agents/teams two high producing and two that was highly recommended by colleagues and friends. In the end I decided to go with one of the high end producing agents. I also got feedback from a buyers agent on her recommendation including how it is to work on a transaction with two of the four agents.

If we review the original criteria:
#1 & 2 are OK.

#3 I'm unsure of the actual rating. However in terms of my interactions and specificity around mutual expectations, I found this agent to be above the rest.

#4 - what made this agent stand apart was an ability to recognize unique qualities in the home and apply those in the marketing.

#5 & 6: I have no specific data. Which does worry me. - Wed Sep 3 2008, 11:26

Thanks for all the answers and especially to James Hsu. I am impressed with the response and it is helping me through the process. I agree with the feedback in general. Liking and being able to work with the agent will be a criteria.

Customer satisfaction: I did check with friends and colleagues, and many like their agents a lot, which is very positive, and none of these agents are experienced in listing comparable homes. And, I am interviewing one of these. I agree a survey is just another recommendation. Angie's List another, and again there are no high end/water front agents recommended.

In terms of distance the 10 miles is arbitrary, and it is probably more about listing comparable homes in an area, and if you have something really unique the area may even be larger.

The marketing plan and execution is of course the essence of the listing agent's work and hardest to evaluate for a seller in terms of what really works well.

Thanks again to this community! - Wed Jul 23 2008, 08:38

Dan, I was in your position in 1995. The company that transfered me to the Seattle area also paid for the relocation service including a buyers agent. I rented for the first almost one year and during that time researched the different neighborhoods with an agent that only represent buyers. I used her again to buy another property in 1998. Her name is Sandy Russo. She is still doing relocation services. I found her patient, listening to my needs and honest. I'm still getting her advice on real estate.

A related observation, my colleagues and friends in the area are in general very pleased with their buyer agents. So you may ask around for references.

You can also look at independent reviews, like Seattle Magazine's yearly ratings (the last results are from 2007), Yelp or Angieslist. On Angieslist the agent, with the highest rating and award nomination (based on JUST 5 responses), is John Madrid, and judging from his web site it looks like he is focused on the areas you are looking in.

As usual I'm very impressed with the responses in this community. Good luck. - Tue Jul 29 2008, 02:04