Seattle Bubble Forum Archive

a question for all of you RE experts–hope this is an appropriate place to post this:

my husband and i have been watching the MLS for the past year. we're both in agreement that the market is too unstable right now to jump in, but want to have a lender and a realtor lined up just in case we see the right place at the right price, etc. we had a realtor who we'd been working with–just let him go recently for a variety of reasons. we've selected a new lender who we just love.

now we're out interviewing realtors. it's a rather disappointing endeavor because i'm so sick of hearing 'this is the time to buy/prices are only going to go up/the pres of NRA says sales are up/blah blah blah' because i don't agree! anytime i try to ask about factors like case-shiller, unemployment, lag in seattle's bubble bursting, worldwide economic status, etc. i get the same glazed-over response...

i know that realtors must be stressing right now, and they just want to recruit clients in any way possible. but we're looking for someone who is willing to stop spouting the usual BS and give it to us straight–that the market probably isn't going to improve for awhile and may actually still be headed down. we don't want the high pressure crap that we hear from agents.

any suggestions on how to find an agent who can be honest with us?? i figured you guys are the ones to ask thanks!

I've never used any of these personally, but there are a few realtors that hang out on this blog regularly and have even paid for a few ads on the blog.

If you prefer the traditional full-service realtor, there is Ira Sacharoff (http://freespiritrealestate.net/default.aspx)

If you'd rather have a discount realtor, there is Ray Pepper over at 500 Realty (500realty.net)

There is also Kary Krismer, who is both a lawyer and an traditional full-service agent, if you are looking for someone with a bit more of a legal background than your typical agent (http://blog.seattlepi.com/realestate/au ... 2&x=10&y=9)

Washington Lawyers Realty: http://walawrealty.com/

Required by law to serve your interests.

Hi,

let us know what geographical area you're interested in, because that way we can recommend someone who knows your market area.

Ira Sacharoff (posts here as "") is my agent and I'll happily recommend him. I've only been with him a few months, but so far he's not even close to the typical salesman-agent. He's been more of a real estate advisor than an agent. I've felt no pressure from him whatsoever.

Real Estate is a commodity. There are times to buy and times to sell. For the past five years it's been a time to sell property for what ever you can get. The people who buy those properties have a strategy. Many times people are "sold" properties by Real Estate sales people who in most cases don't know any better.

Real Estate, Building a Real Estate takes a business plan. You need to establish goals. Do you want to make money, have a nice place to live, raise kids, have pets, extend your family, or the like. Then you determine a price you are willing to pay for your needs.

Usually you start by deciding on location, so you concentrate on that. Within that location there are usually about five or six working Real Estate agents. Right now it's easy because the good agents are getting people to sell properties. Make a list of the people on the signs, sorry Ray. Interview them.

Last but not least you need to know your market place, get familiar with construction practices in your area, and make some offers. Right now you will need to be about 10% below market value. As time goes on you may be more at equals.

Buying well is hard work. The agent either has experience buying properties or selling properties, you want the one that puts the money where the mouth is.

I recently had a similar call, and in his case I recommended he use Craig and Marc at WA Law because he was buying a new construction unit in downtown Seattle and had already determined the price he wanted to pay and the unit he wanted to buy. Not much I could add to that equation.

Depending on what and where, I may or may not be a good choice. Give me a call at 206-910-1000, and if I am not your best choice...I will give you a few names of agents who might be better suited to your situation. I have different cost scenarios for different people depending on price range and their ability to do some or most of the work on their own.

I do not take on two buyer clients who want the same thing at the same price at the same time. I have already publicly called for the home prices to be down by 4th quarter 2010...so that issue is resolved:

http://www.realtown.com/Ardell/blog/tra ... ounty-2010

I wrote a "How low can King County home prices go" for you. Just my $02 of course. Hope it's helpful.

http://www.realtown.com/Ardell/blog/tra ... in-seattle

sorry i never responded after posting this topic--i've been out of town. thanks for all of the input. i think we've found our realtor!