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About Me
I’ve lived in many places over the years, but I came back to my Northwest birthplace because I believe that no place else in the country can compare, in either the people or the geography. Thurston County and the surrounding areas provide anything you could hope for in a home: if you live here you understand; if you are considering moving here, you will find out!
WHAT IS SERVICE?
When people say “service” it can sound a lot like “chicken”! Without saying what service means, it can be meaningless. For me it means an enthusiastic commitment to your best interests while we work through negotiation and mutual agreement, and getting to closing in a time that’s right for you with the minimum of issues. My personal goal: To have you be so impressed with the work I provide you that not only will you never feel the need to use another REALTOR, you will tell anyone you hear of that is buying or selling a home to work with me. If I don’t have loyal clients after I help you buy or sell your home, I haven’t done my job.
INTEGRITY AND ETHICS
Whether you are buying or selling, consider this: Do you want to have an agent that is committed to this business full-time? Also, do you want an agent that adheres to the REALTOR Code of Ethics? I have been in the industry for over five years, with experience in real estate and lending. I am a member of the Multiple Listing Sales Association, and former board member of the Thurston County Realty Association. What does this mean to you? It means you will have someone that knows the area, knows the industry and the people who work here, and who brings buyers and sellers together to take care of your needs.
WHAT IS SERVICE?
When people say “service” it can sound a lot like “chicken”! Without saying what service means, it can be meaningless. For me it means an enthusiastic commitment to your best interests while we work through negotiation and mutual agreement, and getting to closing in a time that’s right for you with the minimum of issues. My personal goal: To have you be so impressed with the work I provide you that not only will you never feel the need to use another REALTOR, you will tell anyone you hear of that is buying or selling a home to work with me. If I don’t have loyal clients after I help you buy or sell your home, I haven’t done my job.
INTEGRITY AND ETHICS
Whether you are buying or selling, consider this: Do you want to have an agent that is committed to this business full-time? Also, do you want an agent that adheres to the REALTOR Code of Ethics? I have been in the industry for over five years, with experience in real estate and lending. I am a member of the Multiple Listing Sales Association, and former board member of the Thurston County Realty Association. What does this mean to you? It means you will have someone that knows the area, knows the industry and the people who work here, and who brings buyers and sellers together to take care of your needs.
My Q&A
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John Nicholas…'s Questions (0)
John Nicholas…'s Answers (5)
John Nicholas, GRI answered:
Thank you for asking this question! I would guess that a large majority of the people in foreclosure now are people that were in your situation but forged ahead before thinking of getting the stability needed to get the best financing and STAY in a home. I was a lender, and I typically talked people out of buying if they were unstable (not that you are, and no, it didn't help my business :) ).
It sounds like you may have some credit report items (collections, late payments?) and if so, I recommend taking care of these before anything else. It will feel great and you will see your credit score grow sharply over time. Stabilize your finances, be patient (maybe another year at your current job), and you should be in a great position. And keep all payment receipts (especially rent) as these can be used to bolster your credit report.
I honestly don't know how credit and rates are going to look in a year, but if we fall into a deep recession, maybe you don't want a mortgage anyway.
Hope that helps.
It sounds like you may have some credit report items (collections, late payments?) and if so, I recommend taking care of these before anything else. It will feel great and you will see your credit score grow sharply over time. Stabilize your finances, be patient (maybe another year at your current job), and you should be in a great position. And keep all payment receipts (especially rent) as these can be used to bolster your credit report.
I honestly don't know how credit and rates are going to look in a year, but if we fall into a deep recession, maybe you don't want a mortgage anyway.
Hope that helps.
John Nicholas, GRI answered:
UPDATE: One of the listing agents at Briggs believes that access to Ward Lake will be available through the arboretum this is planned. If you go to briggsvillage.com you can see what he is referring to by looking at the artist's rendering; in the N/NE edge of the drawing you can see the arboretum and the lake. What specific limitations on access, when it will be available, etc., are currently uncertain.
Hope that helps.
Hope that helps.
Hi Ed,
One of the great things about the Olympia area is you have many different neighborhoods, ranging from turn of the century craftsman style to new construction (such as Briggs Village), and for the most part, has easy access to I-5, especially in the Olympia School District. So it's really a question of the style and size home you are looking for (and lot size, etc.)- we probably have it!
I don't see that Briggs has access, but there is a park nearby and I will call the agent and post again with what I discover.
I would recommend getting out here if you can to tour the area for a day or two to see what best fits your needs. And hopefully this site is helping you find homes as well.
One of the great things about the Olympia area is you have many different neighborhoods, ranging from turn of the century craftsman style to new construction (such as Briggs Village), and for the most part, has easy access to I-5, especially in the Olympia School District. So it's really a question of the style and size home you are looking for (and lot size, etc.)- we probably have it!
I don't see that Briggs has access, but there is a park nearby and I will call the agent and post again with what I discover.
I would recommend getting out here if you can to tour the area for a day or two to see what best fits your needs. And hopefully this site is helping you find homes as well.
John Nicholas, GRI answered:
It is difficult to answer that, as fraud means that the sellers knew of the condition and purposefully withheld it-as you can imagine, it's very difficult to prove, unless you can find something that shows they were both given notice and that notice was recognized by them. I know that's probably not what you want to hear. It would be in your interest to get a real estate lawyer and give them the scenario, and find out what it would take to prove fraud, or other options.
Hope that helps.
Hope that helps.
John Nicholas, GRI answered:
We have our own legal forms that we must use and cannot be provided to the public.
However, a stationary or office supply store may have something for you to use.
I would make sure it gives you an opt-out clause if you don't like the results of the inspection (returning your earnest money of course) and a way to address specific concerns.
The wording of how repairs should be done is VERY sticky and have gotten lots of people in trouble. If you are adverse to getting assistance from an agent or Realtor, a real estate atty would be in your best interest so you don't get stuck with a home you don't want.
Hope that helps.
However, a stationary or office supply store may have something for you to use.
I would make sure it gives you an opt-out clause if you don't like the results of the inspection (returning your earnest money of course) and a way to address specific concerns.
The wording of how repairs should be done is VERY sticky and have gotten lots of people in trouble. If you are adverse to getting assistance from an agent or Realtor, a real estate atty would be in your best interest so you don't get stuck with a home you don't want.
Hope that helps.
John Nicholas, GRI answered:
I would recommend that no matter how many lenders you see, you should get a GFE (good faith estimate) and TIL (Truth In Lending Disclosure) at the time of the quote for costs and rate. Lenders are required by law to deliver these within three days of application, however it often doesn't happen. If you are told for any reason that they cannot provide you these two documents at the time of interview, I suggest they may have something to hide and I would go elsewhere.
The GFE will tell you the estimated costs of the loan, monthly payment, interest rate, and title escrow charges-obviously very important stuff. The TIL will tell you the APR (easy to manipulate this number but too hard to explain here) but more importantly, whether there is a pre-payment penalty on the loan.
Get these documents and bring them to closing with you. If there are significant changes, do not sign, contact your agent, and contact the lender to explain the differences. It may be reasonable, but you deserve to know why something has changed.
Hope that helps!
The GFE will tell you the estimated costs of the loan, monthly payment, interest rate, and title escrow charges-obviously very important stuff. The TIL will tell you the APR (easy to manipulate this number but too hard to explain here) but more importantly, whether there is a pre-payment penalty on the loan.
Get these documents and bring them to closing with you. If there are significant changes, do not sign, contact your agent, and contact the lender to explain the differences. It may be reasonable, but you deserve to know why something has changed.
Hope that helps!
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