April 1, 2011 [11]
www.kirklandreporter.com
REAL ESTATE KIRKLAND
APRIL 2011
Your guide to Real Estate and home buying & selling
Who Wins in Beauty vs. Beast?
• Kirkland Resident for over 23 years.
• Very Patient with 1st Time Buyers, and Short Sale Sellers • Relocation, Investors, 1031 Exchanges
ABR, CNE, CRS, SRES, GRI, Platinum Producer
206-226-0226 www.SarahReed.com
474439
The Difference is in the Details
Clive Egdes 206-251-1680
Windermere Real Estate/Central, Inc.
Clive@Windermere.com www.Kirklandhomelistings.com
Specializing in Kirkland Properties.
“Exceptional Service, Extraordinary Results”
Wine Country Townhome
• 10+ years of Full Time Real Estate Service!
Sarah Reed
encourage you to gain some ‘visionary skills’ in the arena of home ownership. See beyond the home’s bedraggled appearance. Many of these fixer uppers can [ more WALTER page 12 ]
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s a local, full-time licensed Real Estate A buyer for this type of home might offer $370,000, Broker, it is common for us to visit many or even less. In this scenario, a seller would have been homes that are NOT in their most stellar, smarter to pay for a new roof and sell the home for up-to-21st century styles and $400,000. features, especially in today’s challenging Here is the best tip to sellers: invest the market where sellers have seen their home money up front to improve the little things values decline from the peak market. as it makes a HUGE difference for today’s In fact, many homes listed for sale are buyers. Today’s buyers are looking for more being marketed “As-Is”. The sad news for reasons NOT to buy vs. reasons to buy. Give sellers is that most buyers won’t touch ‘Asbuyers every possible reason to buy your Is’ homes. The truth is, buyers won’t see home vs. moving on to the seller who took the beyond your clutter or dirty carpets or old time to make their home shine. Formica countertops. Ironically, many times, there is nothing National statistics show us fixer-upper structurally wrong with the ‘As-Is’ propbuyers will discount the price of the home erty. The buyers simply don’t see beyond the around 15-20% in order to allow for the recosmetic repairs they feel are necessary for pairs and even more for the inconvenience “Debbie Walter today’s standards. Realtor - RE/MAX NW of the repair. In fact, Brokers find themselves in daily The vast majority of today’s buyers simconversations with buyers that often go like ply won’t buy a Beast – they want Beauty! this, “Why did the seller paint the wall such an Say, a home is worth $400,000 fixed ugly color? Why didn’t the seller replace the up, but it needs a new roof. A new roof might cost carpet? Oh, I think the ugly front entry light fixture $10,000. A buyer most likely will not offer $390,000 is awful and I don’t like gold door knobs so I don’t like for this home. Otherwise, they could buy an identical this house. Let’s get out of here!” home with a new roof for $400,000 and not have the On the other hand, for those buyers looking for a hassle of the work. great real estate bargain and outstanding value – I
• Short Sales, Foreclosures, Bank Owned How May I Help YOU?
Northwest Contemporary w/Sound & Mt Views! Beautiful 4 bed, 3.50 bath home with gorgeous updates & impressive Sound, Mountain, and Island views. Hardwoods, granite counters, Travertine entry, designer paint! MIL w/2nd kitchen, Bonus-Home Theatre, separate entry & garage. Stunning curb appeal & landscape set off the Young, Rutledge architectural details. Enormous view decks for entertaining or viewing your waterfall and koi pond-beautiful lawn & enchanting landscape. 3 car garage. $767,000
Gorgeous Hawthorne townhome at the edge of Woodinville Wine Country! Two bedroom + Den, 2.5 bath, built by Burnstead. Located above the Sammamish Valley with beautiful territorial & mountain views. Enjoy the quiet country feel while watching hot air balloons float by. Close to wineries, summer concerts, and walking/biking trails. Minutes to Microsoft, Woodinville shopping, and easy access to I-405. Several guest parking spaces near unit plus attached garage. $218,850
Stonehedge in Mill Creek Gorgeous, elegant, and perfectly located on a quiet, friendly cul-de-sac! The favorite floor plan of the Stonehedge community, a small enclave of 27 homes. 4 Bedrooms-2.50 baths, 3 car garage. Open & flowing, designed to maximize entertaining and enjoyment. Vaulted ceilings showcase this light, bright, home. Trophy kitchen with slab granite, stainless appliances, gas cooktop, and designer backsplash. Main floor den could be 5th bedroom. Huge bonus room offers incredible flexibility. Sunny, fenced back yard. Upgraded carpet, lighting, fixtures $399,850
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