Life Isn’t Fair!! Especially in Real Estate…

Posted on March 10, 2010 by Lake Chelan's Number One (1) Real Estate Agent

Lake Chelan View

It’s a fact.  Life isn’t fair.  And, it is a good thing it isn’t fair.  We have choices and the opportunity to make good choices, in real estate, and in life.

Whether you’re buying property, selling your home, searching the mls for homes & real estate for sale or investing in Lake Chelan Real Estate, you’ve come to the right place! Of course, you want a Realtor and broker who knows, lives in, and understands Lake Chelan Real Estate. But, maybe you need an expert in commercial and investment real estate.  Or possibly, you need someone who understands the intricacies of Lake Chelan Waterfront. Whether you’re buying or selling, you definitely want to be up to date on development, land use, coming projects and the trends in the Lake Chelan area. Market savvy?  You bet!

Of course, you want only the best in internet technology, advertising and marketing in the Lake Chelan valley.  In real estate, results matter! Criterion Properties is the trustworthy savvy and motivated guide you’ve been looking for in our digital world.

We’re a very different kind of real estate company from anything you’ll find in the Lake Chelan area.  Explore this site, or check out our blogging. When you work with us, you will know get far more information than you are used to getting.  We work harder and do more to market your property. Start with this web site, which is full of information about how we work.

Say you’re doing something as simple as looking for Lake Chelan Homes for sale.  Other companies make you register and give them your contact information to just search for Chelan homes for sale!  Not me!  I will never contact you unless you call, e-mail or track me down on the street.  I won’t send you anything without you requesting it.

So what really matters when you select a real estate practitioner?  Quality is the only distinction that really matters.  A quality real estate agent will provide you with the effort, ethics and skills to do whatever it takes to get the job done right.  We’re happy to talk about it with you here on the web, by phone  or in person.

Are you ready to find your ideal Lake Chelan Real Estate?  Do you need to search the MLS statewide, locally or for commercial properties?  Do you want to really search Lake Chelan Homes for sale? Criterion Properties is proud of its strength listing and marketing homes and business property.  Shall we get together and chat about selling your home or property?  Do you have a question about Criterion Properties and how we work?  Email Criterion Properties and we’ll get back to you right away.  The choice is yours, but nothing will happen unless you take the first step.

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Trustworthy and motivated Lake Chelan Real Estate experience and expertise.  Contact Criterion Properties for all your Lake Chelan Real Estate needs!

ENJOY OUR BLOG BELOW!!
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Posted in Buying your Lake Chelan home, General Interest, Lake Chelan Happenings, Lake Chelan Real Estate, Selling your Lake Chelan home | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

With all the gloomy news, home prices are up!

Posted on September 3, 2010 by Lake Chelan's Number One (1) Real Estate Agent

After endless bad news and staggering stats in the national real estate sector, the silver lining has finally appeared, giving the industry a small glimmer of hope that all is not lost- according to the S&P/Case-Shiller home price index released today, home prices rose 3.6% over the last twelve months.

Home prices rose 4.4% in the second quarter after a 2.8% dip in the first quarter but there are no signs as to whether a rise will continue. Economists and industry insiders are not jumping for joy however, and gains are not expected to be seen industry wide for some time (although there is no consensus as to when a recovery will take place).  read more at Agent Genius

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Posted in Chelan What's Happening, Lake Chelan Real Estate, Lake Chelan Real Estate Market, The Real Estate Market | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Minimum Commissions for Buyers of Real Estate?

Posted on September 3, 2010 by Lake Chelan's Number One (1) Real Estate Agent

There’s a conversation going on in the world of real estate agents over a trend where some agents are attempting to charge a “minimum commission” amount for their time as a buyer’s agent.  Basically, if the commission offered by the seller’s agent isn’t at least the specified amount, the buyer makes up the difference at closing.

I’m not a fan of the idea.  Commissions are negotiable.  But here’s some insight into the conversation and the comments on the post are worth reading if this type of thing is of interest to you:

With so many bargain basement deals available to buyers, some brokers are implementing a “minimum commission policy”.  They ask buyers to sign an agreement guaranteeing a commission of $X, anything less than that, the buyer makes up the difference at closing.

Many property prices have slipped so low that their position is that they need to net $X per closed transaction to cover the time and effort put forth to find, show, negotiate and close a deal.  This concept is not too different from the more traditional buyer-broker agreement, with one large difference.  Traditional buyer-broker agreements are normally written to guarantee a fixed percentage that the broker requires, regardless of how low or high the sales price is, whereas the intent of this new twist is to merely cover minimum operating costs per transaction. – Agent Genius

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Lake Chelan home sales mixed in August

Posted on September 2, 2010 by Lake Chelan's Number One (1) Real Estate Agent

The sales volume of Lake Chelan homes sold in August, at 17, matched last year.  But, the average sale price was down 42% to only $244,011 making the sales volume in dollars also down by 42% from last year.

The Lake Chelan Residential Real Estate Sales Summary also notes that no waterfront homes were closed in either July of August.  Have a look at it for all the details and history back to 2005.

The old proverb is timely, may we live in interesting times.

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Posted in General Interest, Lake Chelan Real Estate, Lake Chelan Real Estate Market, Sold Lake Chelan Homes | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Private sector cut out by Big Banks (& Feds) in buying foreclosures

Posted on September 2, 2010 by Lake Chelan's Number One (1) Real Estate Agent

The Feds have pressured banks to allow private, politically connected, non-profits “first shot” at foreclosures.  These banks, all bailout recipients, then allow the favored non-profits to buy the foreclosures with $7 billion of federal taxpayer’s money.

The Obama administration said Wednesday local officials could benefit from acquiring these properties and renovating them or using the land for redevelopment projects. Congress has provided $7 billion to buy the homes, but these groups are struggling to spend the federa money because they are often outbid by speculators who are snapping up foreclosures.

“The fear is that they will purchase the property, make very minimal to no improvements on it, and either put it back on the market as a rental unit or let it sit waiting for the market to come back,” said Sarah Greenberg, senior manager for community stabilization at NeighborWorks America, a nonprofit housing group. – MSN

This is outrageous!  The relationship between government and its bailed out banks is no longer arms length.  MSN reports that the banks are “allowing” this.  If private investors really outbid the non-profits, and unless the Feds pressured the banks, why would they take less money for the foreclosures?

The government takes all of our tax money and gives to to banks as a “bailout.” Then, our government takes more of our money and gives it to “special interest groups” to buy the foreclosures. But the special interest groups are being outbid by investors in the private sector. So, your government bans the private sector from the market so their political favorites can spend your tax money on the homes instead!

Everybody loses here, private investors, bank stockholders, contractors, renters and especially tax payers!  All to benefit political operatives!

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Posted in General Interest, Government, Lake Chelan Real Estate, Taxes, The Real Estate Market | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Public Hearing on the South Chelan Neighborhood Plan

Posted on September 2, 2010 by Lake Chelan's Number One (1) Real Estate Agent

The Planning Commission for the City of Chelan is holding their public hearing for the South Chelan neighborhood plan.  The plan will be presented by Sandra Strieby.

  • When: at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 15, 2010.
  • Location: City Hall Council Chambers, 135 E. Johnson Avenue.

All interested persons are encouraged to attend the hearing, and may provide testimony. All documents may be examined in the Office of Community Development during regular business hours.

This process can impact your zoning, land use and development regulations in your neighborhood.

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Invitation to Gibson Neighborhood Planning Meeting

Posted on September 2, 2010 by Lake Chelan's Number One (1) Real Estate Agent

The City of Chelan is inviting the public to the first Gibson Neighborhood Planning meeting. Neighborhood planning is comprehensive, in-depth planning for development in one neighborhood.  The City of Chelan is actively developing neighborhood plans for several neighborhoods and now it is the Gibson neighborhood’s turn.

  • Where: City of Chelan Council Chambers, 135 East Johnson Ave, Chelan
  • When: September 14, 2010 at 6: 30pm
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Posted in Chelan What's Happening, Events, General Interest, Lake Chelan Happenings, Lake Chelan Local, Lake Chelan Real Estate | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Economist’s thoughts on “Inspirational” Housing Policy Ideas

Posted on September 1, 2010 by Lake Chelan's Number One (1) Real Estate Agent

Yale Economist, Robert Shiller, shared his thoughts on the types of housing policies that he thinks might truly help the housing market.  He lamented that the policies out of the Bush and Obama administration so far have only amounted to patches and bailouts.

He is not a fan of bringing back the Home Buyer’s Tax Credit.

For examples of his more inspirational ideas:

Mortgages should be indexed to inflation, he said, to allow for greater long-term certainty for borrowers. As inflation rises, so, too, would the mortgage payments–and vice-versa. Those types of loans, which are more common in economically volatile developing countries, grow as inflation—and home prices—rise. Right now, if the U.S. enters a period of deflation and home prices fall further, borrowers’ mortgage debt “is going to be amplified” as it was during the Great Depression, he said.

Another idea: mortgage contracts in the future should include some kind of “preplanned workout,” that would prescribe exactly how a loan modification would proceed if the borrower fell behind on payments. – Wall Street Journal

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Public Housing Smoking Bans: When you live off the man, you live by his rules…

Posted on September 1, 2010 by Lake Chelan's Number One (1) Real Estate Agent

The Everett Herald reports that a smoking ban in public housing in Snohomish County could spread.

A new Snohomish County policy could encourage more public housing agencies to mostly or completely ban smoking. The move is supposed to keep tenants safe from second-hand smoke, reduce fire danger and save money spent removing smells, residues and damage in housing units vacated by smokers.

A vote is scheduled at today’s 9 a.m. County Council meeting. If positions hold, a majority of council members is likely to pass a strong financial incentive for housing agencies to adopt written no-smoking policies. It would give agencies with no-smoking policies bonus points in the funding process that pays for building, buying or overhauling housing. Some members of the council have supported encouraging agencies to adopt a no-smoking policy, without incentives.

The Housing Authority of Snohomish County, which is separate from county government, has no current smoking policy for the 2,000 housing units it owns and manages. The agency has some concerns, but will follow the county’s lead, said Ann Schroeder Osterberg, director of development, policy and programs.

“One of the things we pointed out to the county is if we’re in a position where we have to evict, then somebody could be losing their housing as a consequence of policies like that,” Schroeder Osterberg said. “Then again, we know that there are many people who don’t smoke and would be happy if there were those kinds of policies.” – Everett Herald

What freedoms and liberties should a person have to give up to live in public housing?  I’ve heard folks suggest that, since drug tests are usually a requirement to get a job, drug tests should be a requirement to receive welfare or unemployment benefits. To take this slippery slope even further, with government health benefits, should smokers or obese citizens get fewer benefits?  Where does it end?

Sound off in the comments on what policies you believe make sense for public housing, or other government benefits.

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Dog’s Night out in Chelan Friday night!

Posted on September 1, 2010 by Lake Chelan's Number One (1) Real Estate Agent

First Friday this month is a Dog’s Night Out!  Every month the downtown merchants have a “First Friday” event.  This month, on September 3, it is all about dogs.

Folks love their dogs in Chelan.  If you don’t believe me, check out the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade dog parade.  Events on Friday include:

  • Whaley’s 3rdd Annual Dog Photo Contest.  Photos taken by GoLakeChelan.com will be available on their website.  After preliminary judging, you will be able to vote for your favorites on-line and help us pick the winner in one of the following categories:
      • Cutest
      • Most Elegant
      • Most Unique
      • Owner/Pet Look a Like

Winners will receive incredible gift basket from Whaley’s General Store and other prizes.

Click Here for 2009 Champions Click Here to see our 2008 Champions

  • Chelan Dog’s Agility Obstacle Course & Doggie Doo Relay Race
  • Whaley’s Doggie Treat Cafe
  • Bear Food’s Doggie Bistro
  • Dog Treats in all participating First Friday stores (complimets of Whaley’ General Store)
  • Walt The Wolf, Mascot of the Wenatchee Wild Hockey Team will be passing out schedules and special gifts
  • Yuppy Puppy’s Grooming Touch Ups
  • Auntie Donna’s Dog Massage Station
  • Pet Portraits by Local Artists (for donation)
  • Lassie Movie Playing at Raycom Radio Shack
  • Dog Pictures Coloring Station and Contest
  • Doggie Face Painting and Hand Stamping Station (for donations)

The human society will be there as well with canine friends available for adoption as well.

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Chelan Residents want trail to Apple Blossom Center

Posted on September 1, 2010 by Lake Chelan's Number One (1) Real Estate Agent

Chelan residents in the vicinity of Apple Blossom Center want a pedestrian and bike trail to Chelan.  In an email to city, deparment of transportation and school district officials, local residents Phil and Mary Long submit that bicyclists and pedestrians in that area are a safety issue that needs to be addressed.

We urge the City of Chelan to take immediate action to develop a trail connecting downtown and Apple Blossom Center. We believe such a trail is fundamental to Chelan’s goal of multimodal transportation and it is clearly consistent with the City’s Comprehensive Plan and the specific goals in the Transportation Plan (see Attachment 1). Yet, such a trail is only briefly alluded to in the Transportation Plan. Given the unsafe nature of the current situation, we strongly recommend that the City of Chelan modify its Transportation Plan and its Comprehensive Plan to clearly give such a trail the same or greater priority as the Lakeside Trail and the North Shore Pathway. A key reason this change in priority is needed is that the Lake Chelan School District ball fields near Wal-Mart will be completed during the Fall of 2010 and this will increase pedestrian and bicycle traffic from downtown to Apple Blossom Center. The new ball fields also create a close tie to Comprehensive Plan Policy 4.4 “Continue efforts to develop trails and pathways that would provide connections among recreation sites and community features…” – Phil and Mary Long

They even submitted possible trail route, downtown Chelan to Wal-Mart for consideration by the governing entities.  Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.

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Posted in Chelan What's Happening, General Interest, Government, Lake Chelan Land Use, Lake Chelan Real Estate, Taxes | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment