Joy Canova

Janelle, Great observation! It boggles the mind why sellers still fail to stage an impressive presentation of their homes. When and if they do, agents should enlist the best help on photos/videos they can afford. Capture interest creatively; available communication tools are better than ever. - Wed May 14 2008, 06:52

OMG. I know! I released it, then noticed my mistake. Then, I could not figure out how to edit it. I am horrified -- please do not tell my business partner. I was an English major in a former life. He would never let me live it down! Uggggggggggg. - Thu May 8 2008, 18:57

Lynne, Well said. Economize as much as possible, but in the end we cannot pare back on the needs of the clients.

Mr. Melby, Yikes. Time for a Prius?

Rob, Love your idea about Google steet view. And sometimes it makes sense to ask buyers to drive by the property to check out the neighborhood and exterior; this is particularly true if they are having are hard time narrowing down the area. - Wed May 7 2008, 10:15

Natalie,
I would like to echo Ms. Porter's suggestion. Although I am in the business of selling real estate, sometimes the best course of action is to rent first.

Here's why: moving to a more expensive area than the one in which you currently reside will require research to find an afforable neighborhood that is acceptable to you.

Also, with your husband's commuting habits, you probably need a location fairly central -- think of gas costs! Unfortuately, for your husband's work region, "central" means Seattle, one of the more expensive areas here.

However, you may be able to find something just north or south of the city. Nevertheless, it is important you are happy with your new community. I like the idea of "trying it on" when it comes to choosing a neighborhood. Have time to visit shops, or walk the neighborhood.

There are a lot of excellent resources online to find rentals, including the MLS if you have a Realtor. Feel free to check out the rental links on my website.

Good luck and welcome to the Northwest! It is a wonderful place to call home. - Thu May 8 2008, 08:20

Readiness is the first step before buying a new home, so begin with a personal survey of your situation. Why are you buying, and why now? What are your financial goals? Will you still have savings after paying a down payment and closing costs? How will you manage if life throws a curve ball? How long do you plan to stay at the new location? Sorting through these questions at the beginning can arm you with important decision making guidlines. It is also immeasurable information for your Realtor. Starting out right, is the most important step when buying a new home! - Wed May 7 2008, 08:34