Janelle Wilton

18 years on a shake roof is definitely getting to the end of its functional life. Talk to your agent about what he/she recommends doing. With appraisers being more cautious on appraisals these days... it may not appraise with that old of a shake roof in that condition. If the appraiser calls the roof out as something needing attention, then it must be addressed as part of your financing contingency, as the bank will not loan on the house with the roof in its current condition. Banks are far more conservative with lending money right now and it could possibly squash your purchase if the seller and you do not come to some kind of agreement accordingly. I haven't seen the roof... so I am not sure this would happen but your agent can advise you on the matter. Ask your agent for recommended roofers... people he/she has used in the past and had good experience with. I have used a number of roofers recently. Heritage Roofing (Mill Creek) and Star roofing (Snohomish) are my most recent roofers used. Hope this helps, however, talk it over thoroughly with your agent! - Thu Oct 9 2008, 13:17

Have your agent pull statistics from a site like trendgraphix.com. Find out how many similar homes you are competing against, how many homes on average are going pending and how many are selling each month. Determine how many buyers are out there to the of homes listed that you are competing against. This will show you when you can expect a buyer and how you want to position yourself (by price) within the market. One thing is for sure... the longer your home sits on the market the lower price you will end up being offered. Buyers have LOTS to choose from. Price, right now, is the determining factor on most buyers making a decision. Not only is the expectation that the home is impeccable... they want a good value as well. Have your agent guide you with stats... and WEEKLY. Become an expert on YOUR market. Know your numbers and you will know what to expect. Good luck to you! - Mon Aug 4 2008, 16:28

June,
Let me first say "sorry" for your feelings of neglect on behalf of all of us Realtors out there that are hardworking and keep our client's interests at heart!!! I sit on a committee that discusses ethics in real estate and standards of practice, so I feel I have the knowledge to answer your question. First, ask to terminate the listing agreement in writing directly to the broker. Secondly, if the broker denies your request, send a letter to the local MLS explaining the situation and ask to be released from the listing contract. It sounds like there may be a few MLS rules the broker has broken. They can offer additional guidance on this. Then thirdly, if the broker is a member of the National Association of Realtors... that is where you would go next for guidance. Communication with the broker is your best course of action. Honesty is the best policy. He needs to know WHY you are eager to terminate. All we have is our reputations, if you are unhappy with your current listing contract and the execution of your professional relationship, the broker should be open to terminating the agreement. He knows there is rarely a positive outcome in a real estate agreement when someone is unhappy. Good luck to you! - Thu Jul 31 2008, 21:01

Helen,
They have a website that can give you more information as well as phone numbers for contact. Here you go!
http://www.cohousing.org/directory/view/2047 - Mon Jul 14 2008, 20:39

Alison,
Another thing to consider is the yard. It is the first thing a buyers sees when coming in to your home. True sweat equity is gained there with little money. Here are a dozen tips!
1.) Create a yard design that is appealing and has interest. Straight flowing lines of flower beds aren't typically as nice to look at as ones with curves and dimension.
2.) Edge your flower beds so there is a nice distinctive line between grass and the bed. Use a flat shovel.
3.) Weed, weed, weed... no weed left behind.
4.) Beauty bark... the fine red variety in every flower bed. Put a good thick coat down so that it keeps weeds at bay and keeps plants moist.
5.) Plant some flowers, ornamental grasses and shrubs. Plant things that give further dimension and variety of color. With the heat right now make sure you water! Maybe a river rock or two for dimension. Different textures give more pop for little money.
6.) Pressure wash patios and brighten up cement surfaces. Stain worn out looking wood of decks and fences.
7.) How is your front door looking? Does it need a coat of fresh paint? How is the hardware? Everything needs to be bright, clean and enviting! It sets the tone of the rest of the house.
8.) Do you have lots of shrubs or trees in front of the windows or touching the side of your house? Cut them back to 18 inches away (will be required during the buyers inspection anyway).
9.) What does your roof look like? Is there any moss or green on it? When was the last time you cleaned out and washed your gutters? We get a lot of green in Everett... get rid of it!
10.) Potted entry and patio plants. Time to invest in some great pots full of color and flowers. You can take them with you! McDaniels in Snohomish sells some beautiful ones or Costco has them for $20 right now in a dark brown color that are plastic and easily movable.
11.) Take a sniff... notice anything funny smelling by your front door that could turn a buyer away? You would be suprised how many houses I have walked in to where the entry has an odor. Maybe a plant that is kinda stinky or the neighbor cat paying visits... it is really important to remove odors from inside and outside of your home. If you aren't sure, ask a friend you trust to come over for a sniff test. Sometimes we are so used to it that we don't smell it. We all love our pets but your buyers certainly don't want to smell Fido when touring your home!
12.) Water and fertilize your lawn and mow EVERY week. Keeping the grass looking nice with fresh mowing and food does wonders! Mow tracks are a good thing!
Curb appeal is VERY important. If you can get your buyer to love the exterior as they walk in... you are well on your way to getting an offer! - Wed Jul 2 2008, 08:49