Short sales and FHA financing

From today's Realty Times ---

Investor Report: HUD Guidance
-----------------------------

Investors and others who expect to use FHA financing in connection with a short sale better check out the latest guidance issued by HUD last week.

Full Story

"Top green homes this year feature sharp design and energy efficiency"

Be sure to read this USA Today Green House blog post

Award-winning green homes this year are not just ugly boxes devoid of panache. Many could win prizes for design as well as energy efficiency and water conservation. But don't take my word for it. You be the judge.

Read "Top green homes this year feature sharp design and energy efficiency"

Practically free green cleaning class in West Seattle's High Point neighborhood 1.6.10

Thanks to one of my Facebook friends, CoolMom Laura Elfline (see video post on this blog from October regarding the Eat Local Now initiative and fundraiser), you're invited to a Green Cleaning Demonstration event at one of the newer facilities in High Point, active retirement village Bridge Park. (I want to live there, it's so nice).

From the flyer: “Make, get recipes, and take home a few Green Cleaning products and other tips to use with peace of mind – all while saving money and the planet! Please bring empty glass jars with lids and spray bottles for yourself or to share!”

January 6th, 7 to 8:30 pm
$5 donation to cover material costs appreciated. Great door prizes. Easy parking and acess from bus routes. Space is limited so please RSVP for you and your friends via the Evite page or at 206-938-6394.

Hosted by West Seattle CoolMom and Bridge Park Independent Retirement Living. Sponsored by Amercian Lung Association Master Home Environmentalist program, PCC, and Perfect Touch Cleaning Services.

Holiday wishes to one and all!

Merry Christmas to everyone - thank you for being a part of my life and business this past year. My husband Steve and I enjoy the company of all we cross paths with. Best wishes for a wonderful day!

Big blog payday - finally

I have to thank the hummingbirds - last year we posted hummingbirds in the snow and ice photos and blog posts and because of it I was contacted by a couple on the Oregon coast who needed help selling their home - that was on the hummingbird migratory route from Mexico to the Northwest. I am not licensed to sell real estate in Oregon (only Washington), but I put together a team of professional agents Joanna Flippin and Joni Biron with regional leader Emerald Coast Realty. And these ladies got the job done. The sale of the home closed last week and I received a paycheck for 33 months of blogging by way of a referral fee.

I intend my blog as a resource and educational tool but I do want people to know I am in the real estate business and am looking for new clients. I am a cutting-edge marketing agent in addition to an experienced professional who looks out for my clients interests by watching for weird little things that might pop up and cause a snag.

Special thanks to Jorrie and Ken, Joanna and Jori ( my 'J' team), and of course the hummingbirds, for making this post possible.

And here is a new entry in the hummingbird category - now that I am vlogging you can expect to see hummers in flight - I will set up the video camera outside on a tripod and just leave it running and put together some interesting footage!

It's All About Avatar Today

Must-read from TreeHugger:

Avatar: Big Movie with Big Environmental Themes

Image: 20th Century Fox

Good article and lots of links to reviews and scientific information.

This is a Must-See Movie.

An Evening on the Water with Friends

Here is today's post from my husband Stephen's blog - since he already wrote it up I just asked if I could steal it and he said sure! I will add the Stephen Hochhalter has been my personal and referred mortgage lender since 2006 and it was fun to spend time with his wife Tina and their two kids, who had never been on a boat like this before. Thank you Laurie for a grand evening! (Steve helped decorate the boat for the holidays which is how we earned a trip out to follow the Christmas Ships).

Added 12/21/09: Video on YouTube

An Evening on the Water with Friends

Last night Wendy and I were fortunate enough to be able to take a tour of Lake Washington on The Way Home, a 42 foot cabin cruiser that belongs to Laurie Way. Wendy met Laurie at RE Bar Camp earlier this year, and after the Bar Camp Laurie took us for a short cruise around Lake Union. I offered to help decorate her ship for the holidays, and that’s how we ended up there last night.

We brought along the Hochalter family, and Misha St. Lorant, and were also joined by a couple that had just purchased a home here in Seattle through Laurie, as well as Laurie’s friend & First Mate Cary.

It was a fun cruise, the weather ended up perfect. Not too cold, and clear. Not windy. We headed through the Mountlake Cut along with a couple of other decorated boats, and then headed south to Leschi under the SR-520 bridge. There we met up with a larger group of Christmas Ships as well as the main Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship that has the carolers on board. Last night’s group was The Dickens Carolers.

I took some pictures, but with the boat moving and everything, my old camera just couldn’t really keep up… they are all a “little” blurry… If you’d like to see them, follow the link below…

http://pensandpixels.com/stephenhj/images/ChristmasShips1/index.htm

D4L?

Read Deed For Lease Program Is Another Attempt To Make Things Better (Realty Times)

"More Seattle neighborhoods considered affordable"

The King County housing slump made six geographic areas affordable for those earning the county's median household income of $68,821 in 2008. When the market was sizzling in 2007, only Auburn was considered affordable, a Seattle Times analysis showed.

Read the Full Story By Lisa Pemberton Butler (Special to The Seattle Times) and Justin Mayo (Seattle Times staff reporter)

Simon's Cat

Just trust me on this. Watch all of them. It is uncanny how he gets cats spot on. And how unoriginal our own cats apparently turn out to be.

Native Plant Propagation Workshop

Native Plant Propagation Workshop
Saturday, February 6, 2010, 10 AM-2 PM
Warren G. Magnuson Park, Sand Point Way, Seattle
Taught by Jeanie Taylor

Learn how to propagate native plants in this workshop. We will cover seed collecting and planting techniques, vegetative propagation by cutting and live staking, and discuss general topics on propagating and growing native plants. Proceeds benefit education programs of WNPS.

Jeanie Taylor worked for Seattle parks for nine years, six of them in the propagation unit, where she grew native plants from seed, cuttings and spores, as well as annuals, perennials and ornamental nursery stock. She has given propagation talks to Seattle Parks forest stewards and taught a propagation class in the public education program at the UW Botanic Gardens Center for Urban Horticulture. She is currently testing the viability of native Northwest fern spores after storage for the Rare Care program at the UW. She teaches Restoration Horticulture at Edmonds Community College.

Workshop Cost: $15 for WNPS members; $20 Non-members

To sign up, print out and complete the Workshop Registration Form and send it to WNPS by January 31. For more infomation, call WNPS at 206-527-3210 or maria@wnps.org.

Safety Is Not an Accident

From Realty Times

Your choices and decisions can keep you safe and prevent accidents in everything from do-it-yourself projects to holiday celebrations. PJ Wade explains why not making a conscious choice to act proactively is a decision and how this neglect of strategic thinking can allow bad things to happen.

Full Story

Real Estate Outlook: Housing Warmer Than Weather

From Realty Times

If new applications to buy homes are any gauge, the U.S. housing market is warming up, and that's despite the fact that we're now into the traditionally quiet holiday season.

Full Story

See the all-electric Nissan Leaf all day Saturday at Seattle Center Fisher Pavilion

My husband and I sneak off to Bellevue Square on Thursday 12/10/09 to get a first look at the new Leaf, all electric car that Nissan intends to roll out in 2010.

You have another chance to see the Leaf all day Saturday at Fisher Pavilion at the Seattle Center. Visit GreenSpacesRealEstate.com or NissanUSA.com for more information.

Note the paint color is not a stock color, it is a "show" color.

And this is my 500th post on this blog!

Perfect starter home in a perfect Bellevue location seeks new owner (video)

I admit I am stumped as to why this home is still on the market. Please check out this casual walk-through video tour I did of 15543 SE 24th Street in Bellevue. Tell your friends. This is the perfect entry into the Bellevue real estate market at $349,950. BUY THIS HOUSE!

Another art walk done and boy was it cold out last night!

I hosted artists for the December Art Walk in West Seattle last night. I think it was about 25 degrees out. We still had a lot of shoppers although we've decided turnout was definitely effected by the cold temperatures. We spent the evening sipping strawberry apple cider from Rockridge Orchards and eating "Cuties" (California Clementines). And telling bad penguin jokes.

Artists Michael Eric Dennett (potter), Delores Johnston Peck (jewelry artist) and Guy LP (painter, mixed media). Delores and Guy have been married for 16 years. Guy specializes in "Affordable Original Art".

Paintings by Guy LP.

Mixed media/collage/painting by Guy LP.

Pottery by Michael Eric Dennett.

Pottery by Michael Eric Dennett.

Bracelet by Delores Johnston Peck.

Please visit her online store, Lella Rae Designs.

Earrings by Delores Johnston Peck.

Please visit her online store, Lella Rae Designs.

Mixed media artwork by Guy LP.

Paintings by Guy LP.

"Green Building Reaches New Level With Nation's First ‘Emerald' Remodeling Project"

From today's Realty Times

Green Building Reaches New Level With Nation's First ‘Emerald' Remodeling Project

Read the Full Story

Eco-Chic Cottage Looking For the Right Owner

It has been a real pleasure to market this amazing property in north central Seattle. But this home's number is up! After being on the market for 140+ days it is time for the right person who appreciates all that this home has to offer appear on the doormat and make an offer!

Please take a look at the video tour. This home comes complete with a kitchen swing as seen in the screen show below!!

Holidays can be a favorable time to buy, sell

Although seasonal slowdowns are typical for housing activity, industry experts say now can be a good time for both sellers and buyers. Buyers tend to encounter less competition for the most desirable homes. Also, qualified buyers can expect above-normal attention from service providers who are experiencing a slowdown in their business, including lenders, home inspectors, appraisers and title companies. Lenders may even be willing to extend very favorable mortgage terms or forgo some fees as they vie for business.

Agents are able to devote more time to clients and the smaller selection of homes on the market. Sellers can also benefit from showcasing their homes with tasteful holiday decorations, although home stagers caution them to show restraint and not overdo the décor.

Other advantages may be faster closings by lenders who are motivated to add transactions to their 2009 books, and tax deductions.

If you are considering buying your first home, or are in need ot selling your current residence, please contact me directly. I am happy to provide you with a Right Price Analysis and guide you with the good advice you need to make these important decisions related to your house and home.



One month ago I opened a small operating center in my home territory of West Seattle for GreenWorks Realty. Super convenient and close to home - but I do serve King, Pierce AND Snohomish Counties. Stop by and say hi or call for an appointment and private consultation.

The Talking Plug from Zerofootprint

Hot out of my email Inbox, here is information about a cool new tool you can use at home or office to reduce your electricity usage and carbon footprint!


Dear Friend of Zerofootprint,

We are thrilled to share the launch of TALKINGplug™, an exciting new initiative already making headlines worldwide. This revolutionary technology empowers individuals to change how they use energy without increased effort.

Imagine if all electrical outlets had the ability to monitor and capture your home or your office energy use, carbon output data, and could also "talk" to the Internet.

The TALKINGplug™ works when clipped directly onto a standard power outlet. Using Zerofootprint's VELOpulse™ software, the data collected from the TALKINGplugs™ in your home or office is analyzed and responds with your energy consumption.

Individuals and corporations can automatically control and manage the power of each appliance.

Zerofootprint has taken a visionary concept and made it reality, which will usher in a new era of home energy monitoring and control.

Stay tuned for updates on how this innovation is helping to make our world smarter, and on how you can get involved to make a real difference in the health of our planet!

All the best,

Zerofootprint
www.zerofootprint.net
www.talkingplug.com

For more information, including media, product information, investment opportunities and/or to sign up for the talkingplug.com mailing list please contact us at info@talkingplug.com