Kirsten Mohan

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"Real Estate Marketing Specialist"
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Kirsten Mohan, Real Estate Professional in Bellevue, WA
  • 15 Answers
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About Me
I learned to love marketing homes when I started a property management career in college. Working to pay the bills while getting my BA in Communication Studies from Seattle University, I quickly excelled and moved up the management ladder. Eventually, I took the leap into selling homes instead of leasing them, and never looked back! I now specialize in providing exceptional marketing to every property I represent. I pride myself on being on top of the latest technology, and in using that technology to provide the highest level of service to my clients.

My husband, Bryce and I have two boys under 3, so we're always busy enjoying our family and our businesses. We wouldn't trade this life for anything. When I'm not selling real estate, you're likely to find me with at least one of my kids strapped to my back, hiking up a mountain. See you at the top!

It's all about marketing!

I love my life and my career, which allows me to hold myself to the highest standards of innovative marketing. My clients trust me to do everything I can to showcase their homes in the best possible light.

I do this by using one of the Seattle area's best real estate photographers. I believe that I can create a higher-end brand identity for each home I list, which helps my clients' homes sell faster and for substantially more money than they would otherwise. I have a Days on Market Average that is below the market, and below most of my competitors!

The highest quality images are combined with professionally designed fliers, savvy internet marketing, and video tours to ensure the highest level of buyer exposure. I'm always working on new ways to market homes, and don't stop working until the deal is CLOSED.

Client Service Comes First

Within reason, I try to always be available to my clients whenever they need me. Selling or buying a home is an emotional and stressful process, and it's my job to make it easier for my clients. Real estate is complicated, sometimes confusing, and always unpredictable, and buyers and sellers need someone they can trust to guide them through the process putting their needs first.

Once a home is under contract, my job isn't over. For all the bumps in the road, my clients need someone who can pull resources together as well as manage vendors and services. When problems arise, as the often do in this business, sellers and buyers need someone who can work hard, not take no for an answer (from vendors, not my clients!), and get the job done! I have a track record for not letting up, and solving problems few other agents would even dream of tackling.

To learn more about me, visit my website at http://www.kirstenmohan.com
Testimonials
"“Kirsten helped us buy a "beach cabin" near Long Beach Washington. Even though Long Beach was outside her normal work area she agreed to help us find our perfect getaway cabin and she delivered. A number of challenges presented themselves because of the distances and different approaches that the rural agents used and Kirsten was able to work through each one quickly and efficiently. She really came through for us and I'd recommend her to anyone looking for Real Estate services.”"
Craig N. Fri Oct 20, 2006
"“Kirsten is a friendly, honest person who has a very strong work ethic. She showed us a million homes until we found the perfect one. She thoroughly marketed the home we were selling which gained ton of showings, which was especially impressive as the market was slowing. She made our goals her goals and communicated with us consistently with a positive yet realistic attitude. I speak for my husband as well as myself in saying that we'd certainly work with Kirsten again in a heartbeat and hope also to maintain the friendship we've developed for a long time to come.”"
Mary T. Thu Oct 16, 2008
My Q&A View all »
Kirsten Mohan's Questions (0)
Kirsten Mohan's Answers (15)
Kirsten Mohan answered:
jj-

The property you linked to appears to have been sold in December of 2007, according to a search on the MLS. There are quite a few other units for sale in that building, though. There is one available (Unit 206) for $210,000 if you're interested.

Good luck in your search, hope that was helpful (sorry it wasn't better news)!
~Kirsten - Thu Oct 16 2008, 17:11

hao do i buy

Kirsten Mohan answered:
Manuel,
Thanks for elaborating on your question. (originally it simply said, "How do I buy?")

James is correct, you can seriously get messed up if you don't know what you're doing buying foreclosure. Scott Germino with John L. Scott is an agent with tons of experience in foreclosures, and I'd start with him if you really want to go that route. He works with them all the time and can be your best resource in purchasing this type of property.

Best of luck!
~Kirsten - Thu Oct 16 2008, 16:43
Manuel,

If what you're wondering is, "how do I get started in the homebuying process?," which I'm guessing it is, here are a few tips:

- Make the most of sites like Trulia that allow you to browse listings, see comparable information, and do lots of research on your own time about the process.

- When you're ready, talk to a professional, or take a class. I teach classes in the community for first time homebuyers to help educate them about the process and help them avoid common pitfalls, as do other agents. The Seattle Times Real Estate calendar is a great tool to see what free classes are being held in your area.

- Find a few agents online whose work or advice you like, and email them or call them to set up a time to speak with them. Meet with a few so you can decide who you think you'd work with the best. Everyone is different and if you use an agent, you'll be spending a lot of time with them, so make sure you respect and trust them!

- Talk to a mortgage professional you trust (get a referral from someone you know or a Realtor you trust) to find out how much you can really qualify for. A lot has changed in home financing recently, so you want to have all the information and make sure you are pre-qualified and ready to go when you start your search. Nasty suprises are nobody's friend!

Hopefully these few tips will get you started in the right direction. I am of course always happy to help if you need any more advice about real estate.

~Kirsten - Thu Oct 16 2008, 12:17
Kirsten Mohan answered:
Commisions vary by area, and you should ask a local Realtor what the commission is in your area. Typically, home sellers with an agent pay a percentage which is split between the listing agent and selling agent. If you're selling your home without an agent, you should be sure to offer the standard commission in your area to the selling agent so that you are competitive with other homes on the market. An agent can also give you an estimated net proceeds worksheet that will show you an esitmate of the final amount you would walk away with after paying commissions, taxes, and fees, which can be very helpful.

If you're not using an agent (and even if you are these are good things to be aware of), make sure your home is marketed properly. That means hiring a GOOD photographer to do the photos, and a stager if necessary to make sure the home is attractive to buyers and gives them an idea for how much they would enjoy the home if they lived there. This market is highly competitive, and it's vital that you not only price the home properly, but market it to the right audience to get lots of traffic and sell it quickly to get the most money. A good real estate agent will charge a full fee, but should provide these services to you, along with many other tools for marketing your home and representation through the entire negotiation process (generally yielding a higher return than if you sold it yourself). If you're thinking of hiring an agent, follow the link below to see interview questions you should ask any agent you consider.

Good luck!
~Kirsten - Thu Oct 16 2008, 14:54

what are the HOA dues and taxes for this property?

Kirsten Mohan answered:
Kary brings up a good point - any time you have a situation like this with no homeowner dues, you have to be very careful to make sure you understand what you're getting into. If you're working with an agent, make sure they thoroughly review all documents before you make an offer.

If you're very interested in this particular property, also be aware that there is an offer pending on it, so it may be under contract soon. Of course, there are no guarantees, so there might be an opportunity there if you're looking to move quickly.

Best of luck!
~Kirsten - Thu Oct 16 2008, 11:56
Hi Josalyn,

The property you're asking about is a zero lot line home, which means it looks like a townhouse, but it's owned as a single family home. What that means to you is that there are no homeowner dues. :) (I verified that with the listing agent to make absolutely sure.)

As far as the taxes, the agent didn't list them on the MLS, and it's new construction which means the records of last year's taxes can be inaccurate since they show the tax for the entire lot before it was subdivided and was built up with homes. Sorry I can't be more helpful on that front!

Please let me know if there is any more information I can get for you.

~Kirsten - Thu Oct 16 2008, 11:21

Question removed

Kirsten Mohan answered:
Amy,
It's almost always a good idea to be pre-approved before buying a home. Especially in today's tumultuous mortgage market, it's important to know what you really qualify for before getting too deep into the process.
The sellers probably know that the mortgage market has been going through some major changes and don't want to waste their time with buyers who aren't serious about buying. While it's not a route I'd choose (personally, I want to let as many people into a home as possible in a market like this so that the chances of finding the right buyer are greater), many people have circumstances that make it very difficult to constantly show their home to people who may not be all that serious about it. If you're really interested in their home, I think it's a good idea anyway that you speak with a mortgage professional and find out what you really qualify for. Getting pre-approved shouldn't be too time consuming and is a good step forward for you in the buying process anyway. A good lender will be able to take your information and get you a pre-approval within 24 hours at least.
You might also contact the sellers and let them know that you're very serious about seeing their home and have contacted a lender to get pre-approved but are concerned about waiting until then to see the home. They may find that your interest level combined with the fact that you're working towards a pre-approval is enough for them to be willing to show you the home after all.
If you're working with a Realtor, they should be able to give you a referral to a great lender they trust. That's your best shot at finding a good, solid lender in today's market.
Good luck! - Tue Aug 26 2008, 15:54
My Listings
, WA 98033 , WA 98033
$585,000
3 br  2½ ba  
9720 355th Ave SE, Snoqualmie, WA 98065 9720 355th…
$515,000
3 br  2½ ba  
9508 167th Ave NE, Redmond, WA 98052 9508 167th…
$450,000
3 br  2 ba  
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Specialties
Marketing, Marketing, and Marketing. Also exceptional negotiation skills (I should've been a lawyer), and a client first attitude I've had ever since I answered the phones at my dad's business when I was 5!
Experience
Latest:
Real Estate Marketing Specialist for John L. Scott, Inc.
Specializing in exceptional marketing for residential properties in the Greater Seattle Area
April 2006—present
Certifications & Awards
2007 John L. Scott President's Award
Interests
Hiking, running, swimming, biking, sailing... pretty much anything that gets me outside and requires exercise. I'd love to rock climb, but so far haven't made it past the YMCA's climbing wall in Missoula, MT.
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