Obviously, you will negotiate the 3% commission on the Buyers side into your offer

I’m surprised you, as an agent, would say that. There simply is no way to take the 3% off the table. The only time we did that when we were buying was when the seller was the agent.

As to your comments about attorneys out of law school, they don’t tend to teach specifics of anything. So no one out of law school could handle a specific situation, especially on something as localized as real estate. One of my favorite just out of law school topics (actually clerkship during law school) was my bewilderment when a partner came up to me and wanted an “Order Shortening Time.” My immediate thought was something out of Star Trek. I had no idea the courts had so much power! ;-)

Little to no chance I’d go through Steve Tytler for the mortgage. Not because I don’t think he runs a great business, but because I know about 3 or 4 other people in my more immediate circle of friends that do mortgages.

That is an extremely poor way to pick a mortgage person. More often than not when that is a client’s basis for picking their mortgage person, there is a delay in closing due to mortgage docs not being timely.

All that said, you stated “I know that an agent will get you a better, cleaner, and quicker deal than any attorney can.”

What do you consider to be a better, cleaner, and quicker deal?

Yes Tim, that would be a good post about using an attorney. I know that an agent will get you a better, cleaner, and quicker deal than any attorney can. There are reasons that I say that, but am interested in why people think an attorney can do anything for you in a residential purchase.

Ray, you’d be crazy to pay an Atty 1% to review a purchase and sale. It should cost $500…max.

My general thought on buying a home right now: Any buyer who doesn’t buy their home from the massive inventory of REOs is doing a disservice to themselves.

Good God if your looking for a Mtg Rep theres only 1 place to go, in my opinion. Westwood Mtg in North Seattle. You will see why when you speak to Tom Schwab. Visit your friends for Pre Approval but then you owe it to yourself to contact him.

Tell me Tim….What is your plan with the Attorney? Obviously, you will negotiate the 3% commission on the Buyers side into your offer. You will also have your Attorney work with the listing Agent to get you into the homes *I assume*. What is this Attorney going to charge you? I hope its just 500.00-800.00. Don’t you dare pay 1%!!

What I’m getting at is very astute Buyers such as yourself seem to always come back to us when we educate them that YES you can also use an Attorney. I want you to please blog why this is so. Why is it that you find Buyers end up going back to Agents? Is it rude listing Agents that won’t let you in? Is it you found an Attorney that doesn’t have MLS access. Is it Attorney’s just don’t have the time………..We have all our Agents attend the inspections. I know you don’t need this from your Attorney but I’m fascinated to see why so many people drop their Attorney?

Educate me with what you find………

High likelihood I will go with an attorney. It just makes sense for someone willing to do so much of the legwork themselves.

Little to no chance I’d go through Steve Tytler for the mortgage. Not because I don’t think he runs a great business, but because I know about 3 or 4 other people in my more immediate circle of friends that do mortgages.

He buys in Kenmore or within 5 miles of it. Odds 2-1
He uses an Attorney to represent him to prove a point. Odds – 3-1

(He cannot use Red Fin (odds-6-1) because Findwell (Odds 4-1) -advertiser would feel jaded. He will not use Ira(15-1), David( 20-1), Brent (4-1), or any of the other bloggers/advertisers on this site. He will not use 500 Realty(Odds10-1) because I’m SOLD OUT of shirts. )

**Wild Card Pick going off at 30-1 odds**…………………………I forgot his name ….The human predictor up in Everett who writes for the Everett paper.. I love betting on the long shots at the track. I’d put a buck on him.

Place your bets. I’ll hold the cash.

RE: deprogram @ 36 – I think Margarita is where I would draw the line. The Crazy One did not think twice about nationalizing many private institutions. He just might nationalize your vacation home.

Yup. Margarita is pretty scary. Incredibly cheap, but…

I tend to prefer the Caribbean islands that are now or have been in the past a territory of a ‘western’ nation. Yeah, you pay for the privilege, but in terms of a real estate investment, well, I’d think the peace of mind would be worth the extra scratch.

http://www.redfin.com/WA/Bellevue/701-Shoreland-Dr-SE-98004/home/253326

Waterfront, Sabadeco:

http://www.bonairehomes.com/ListNow/Property.aspx?PropertyID=364610

Waterfront, Grand Cayman:

http://www.remax-cayman.com/homeguide/Index.cfm?RAN=0&INV_ID=13292&price=4100000&Acct_ID=All&detailDNN=

Hmmm.

Man, that kitchen would go over well up here. Goodness.

A little rich for my tastes to be honest, but that’s a lot of money in Margarita.

Maybe it’s better now with the recession.

Even Rich Karlgaard, a guy I usually can’t stand, agrees.

http://www.amazon.com/Life-2-0-America-Transforming-Happiness/dp/1400046076

RE: mukoh @ 28 – Very true. There is a massive U.S. retiree population in La Paz, as well as San Juan del Cabo and smaller towns like Los Barriles. Most of them have completely cashed out and live quite well down there.

If I could pull that off, I would in a heartbeat. Some of the best windsurfing in the world during the winter months!

You like to windsurf?

Look what 134k buys you in Bonaire.

I love the Netherlands Antilles. No issues with hurricanes, and Bonaire is the best of the three (in my admittedly biased opinion!).

I agree; the tip of the peninsula is ruined. It may self-heal a bit now that all the funny-money is gone.

That is why I like heading north to La Paz and beyond.

wreckingbull,
Do you mean San Jose Del Cabo, or is there a smaller town I’m not aware of?
Cabo San Lucas itself has become insanely expensive, even by Yankee standards. When I was there last, I saw a fat American waving a 100 dollar bill at a Mexican fellow, speaking slowly and loudly in English ” Where can I get a fishing boat, Jose?”
At that point I really wanted to say I was from Toronto

If I could pull that off, I would in a heartbeat. Some of the best windsurfing in the world during the winter months!

I moved out of Seattle, a couple of counties away, last November.

It was by far, the best thing I have ever done. I am 100% happier. The small town (15K) where I live now is pleasantly devoid of traffic, self-important a-holes, and overpriced homes. If you are thinking about it, just do it!

I left for the opposite reason. Wanted to be near a big city.

You know Ira, I bought my first home in 1995 in Seahurst behind the Huckleberry Restaurant. Prior to that (1992)I was working for the USPS at the little Seahurst Post Office. In my opinion the entire area has gotten better. The downtown has become wonderful! The commutes are outstanding from that area to anywhere. Normandy Park/Gregory Heights is not to be overlooked either.

If I were to ever return to King County I would definitely look in that area 1st but then most likely end up back in the 98332 Sea Cliff Area.

I’ll second Ray’s recommend of Seahurst and Three Tree point, and add that “Old Burien” nearby is every bit as cool as Wallingford. For years I’ve been saying “Burien is the next Ballard.” maybe not, but certainly an undiscovered area with art galleries, microbreweries, upscale Italian food, and more tacquerias per square foot than almost any other place around here..

I strongly urge everyone to look in 98332 if you are leaving the City. I’ve lived everywhere it seems in King and Pierce County. Still the best in the Sound….In my opinion of course. As long as you can work from home and don’t need to commute into King County.

If you MUST live in King County……………..98062…………..Seahurst “The Gem of the NW” and “3 Tree Point ” with a sweet commute into the City and airport.

I really like northern Idaho. If I could figure out a way to support myself over there, I’d be gone.

It was by far, the best thing I have ever done. I am 100% happier. The small town (15K) where I live now is pleasantly devoid of traffic, self-important a-holes, and overpriced homes. When prices stop falling here, it will be simple to buy outright for what would have only been a moderate down-payment in Seattle.

Just a reminder that you don’t have to go far to improve your quality of life. Yes, you will have to make some sacrifices and realize that you have to do more with less, but in the end, I’ll bet you will be happier with a simpler existence. I have not been back in Ballard for 10 months now, nor do I have any interest in returning.

If you are thinking about it, just do it!

Can somebody add the Property Tax to the article. I’m thinking Seattle might improve in this situation.

Just for kicks, because you asked.

2008 Property Tax Bill
Seattle property (per Redfin): $18,286
Wisconsin property (per Sawyer Co. records): $14,948

(the WI property is technically 9 different parcels, the above is the total tax bill for all 9 combined)

I think the same thing when I travel but when you look at all the old cars and realize there are no jobs/economy you will come back. Nobody will read Wisconsin Bubble, Gorst Bubble, Reno Bubble, Couer D’Alene Bubble, or Tucson Bubble. At least not enough to generate any income.

I just walked through a Pre Sale of homes in Kent where they all sold for 250k+. In Nevada the same homes are maybe 100k. If you think the local economy is rough here cruise through Reno, Carson City, and Phoenix.

The fact of the matter, the Midwest, particularly the Twin Cities, are a very tempting move. I love Seattle, but the prices are still through the roof when compared to places such as Salt Lake, Denver, Minneapolis, etc.

I’ve been down in Minnisota and Wisconsin the winter; the roads are much flatter and 50 mph on below zero sticky ice isn’t scary at all in the country…..unlike Seattle’s dangerous/slippery hills….

My relatives got irritated with me for driving so slow, so I sped up, they were right….didn’t slip at all…

That one I’d buy. Anyone willing to loan me about $1.3M?

Does The Tim’s house want to make me move to the frozen tundra in Wisconsin? It doesn’t.

The point is if you want to live in the middle of nowhere, I’m quite sure that $2.5M buys you quite a bit, whether it is in Washington or Timbucktoo.

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