Six,

This week’s sweep at a glance > the “pope” (aka, Alan Pope) shared his appraisal market trends + more on paragraph “w” + “drones” – aka Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS’s) + Symposium next week (live + podcast)!

This week we (over) filled Broadmoor Golf Club with 170 brokers strong, crisp bacon and an presentation by Alan Pope, one of the most respected real estate appraisers in the marketplace. He has been appraising through four market cycles – he has my ear every time he speaks.

First and foremost a tool – Alan’s market trend charts – click here! (Jan 2012 – Aug 2017)

A few sound bites from Alan Pope, worth digesting…

He agrees, the market isn’t in a bubble.

This is the most difficult market he has been involved with. Why? Today, historical data isn’t necessarily showing what the market is doing – aka, the closed sales data.

Much to the contrary of our understanding (at least mine), pending sales can be used in an appraisal. Alan’s strong opinion is that this narrative is important in the conclusion of value – especially in a market where historical data may not be available – aka, now.

Yes, appraiser must work to meet the “guidelines” however once met this is where pending sales indeed help tell an even story. Pending sales measure what the competition is doing today. The narrative would include # of offers, rate of escalation, etc…

Absolutely, some appraisers believe brokers are biased and our narratives shouldn’t’ be included (the data we routinely give them). Alan has a different approach to this mindset and shared with us that he is also beginning to see more flexibly within the industry in meet + greet at the home with the broker.

 “Shaking hands makes it more of a relationship” and helps us all tell the story. – Alan Pope

May a Buyer deliver notice and terminate a PSA based on paragraph “w”?

Lars Neste, Demco Law Firm chimes in…

“Paragraph w contingency, following is why I do not believe paragraph w is much of an out. Unlike nearly all other contingencies, a buyer needs to prove two things in order to exercise the paragraph w contingency.

First, a buyer must prove that the seller or broker representation is in fact false. You might think that this would be an easy thing to prove but in practice there are often real questions about the truth of a matter. For instance, a buyer might try to get out because they believe the square footage stated in the listing is false. However, as you know, there are various ways to measure square footage and the figures from reliable sources often vary, sometimes significantly. This can lead to debate about whether the representation is in fact false.

Second, the buyer was prove that the false representation is material.  Black’s Law Dictionary defines material as: “Of such a nature that knowledge of the item would affect a person’s decision-making; significant; essential . . .” There is always some room to argue on the question of materiality. On the margins we can all agree what is or is not material but in most cases there is a lot of room to debate whether something is in fact material. For instance, using square footage again, let’s say the listed figure was off by 500 sf on a 3,500 sf home. Can we state without question that the 500 difference materially reduces the value of the property?

Because paragraph w requires a buyer to prove a materially inaccurate representation was made, it is far from an easy out. I have seen people utilize it to get out of a contract but those occasions have been few and far between. One of the issues I had with the Realtor’s video on paragraph w recently was they made it sound as though you simply send a notice and you are out. That is not the case at all. If a seller wants to contest the out they can and unless the buyer can prove the two elements required, they would not have the right to terminate the contract.”

Clear as mud? If not, chat with your manager or ping me – happy to chat.

Last week I promised the release of a Legal Bulletin educating us on hiring photographers utilizing  “drones” – aka Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS’s) – for aerial photos of listing properties. Ok, it’s not 100%  complete (for good reason, I promise!) – yet I do have a general talking point to digest and get this UAS party started…

More and more brokers are hiring photographers that utilize Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS’s), commonly known as “drones”, to take aerial photos of listed properties. Most brokers using this new marketing tool are not considering the legal ramifications. Many drone operators hired by brokers are not in compliance with the current regulations. Last year, the FAA adopted regulations making it easier for persons without a pilot’s license to operate drones commercially. But restrictions remain. A UAS certification is required, and operational regulations apply unless waived by the FAA. Regulations of note include the following:

Drones must stay within the line of sight of the operator; may not fly over a person unaffiliated with the operator; can only be operated during daylight or twilight; must stay within 400 feet of the ground or a structure; cannot fly inside a structure; and can only fly if there is 3 miles of visibility.

Feel free to begin this conversation with your photographers as you prep listings. Are they aware of local ordinances? I have a handful of more regulations to share with you soon (restricted airspaces, FAA fines per occurrence etc…) – once the Legal Bulletin is complete and best practices are inked. I’d like to keep everyone out of hot water and have a general awareness in the immediate that regulations do exist!

Wowza, that’s plenty to digest this week! Always learning. #growthmindset. For those of you at Symposium next week – can’t wait see you there! Many of you are in my clock hour Buyer-Savvy Strategies class – please do me a favor, participate with me. This class will be successful if we have a conversation. I have 15 tools ready to deliver along with 3 clock hours = win/win.

Ps,  at the end of next week I have a podcast to share that embodies a few of these Buyer-Savvy tools as I interviewed both Kristin Munger (Eastlake) and Greg Lewis (Ballard) in their Buyer-Savvy Strategies. Tune in live in class next week or via podcast! I love sharing this stuff as I continue to #doubledown on our people…

Laura Smith, General Manager | Windermere Real Estate Co.

Welcome to Friday “six”! If  you couldn’t tell by the weather outside, happy first day of Fall! This week’s Fridays with Laura at a glance > Going a little tech on you today as we sweep! Standards of Practice is back in session post summer. Survey says? (you tell us!) FORE! for a good cause and plenty of laughs!

Let’s start on the tech front. I would be remiss not to mention the rebranding of TouchCMA!

What was once TouchCMA has been rebranded and released as Moxi Present – your all-in-one real estate marketing presentation tool.  It goes well beyond a “CMA” tool only. Thus the rebrand. So far so good, I’m hearing good feedback!

On the homepage of WORC you’ll notice this “news” message – log into WORC and get the full download – all right there for you…

 News: TouchCMA is now Moxi Present

In the immediate, a few Moxi Present digestible bites…

Revisualized to be more compact and to the point. Simplified to make getting around easier. A complete overhaul of how presentation pages are viewed, added, and created. Live, inline editing of custom page with our new “visual editor”. Mobile-friendly layout and page composition elements that make it simple to create custom page content that looks great on any device.

Standards of Practice is back in session!

Keeping in step with our commitment to the highest standard of service to our clients and to respectful relationships with all brokers I thought a good time of year to let you know our incredible Standards of Practice group is back in session after the summer and meeting up again monthly. Led by Mark Hobbs and all WRE offices in-city represented – this is an absolutely incredible group of people. Content should be again monthly coming back to your office meetings for continued engagement. One item from this week’s engagement that is worth noting is the current market confusion in the practice of crossing out the 10 days on the information verification time (paragraph “w” in our boiler plate) – spoiler alert – it actual HURTS THE SELLER.

(Thank you Eastlake manager, Michael Nelson, for these talking points – they get right to the heart of the matter) …

It opens the SELLER up to lawsuits long after closing.

It does not protect the SELLER.

It does not keep the deal together.  What it does is OPEN UP THE SELLER TO LAWSUITS LONG AFTER THE DEAL CLOSES.

The BUYER ALREADY has the right to sue the SELLER for misrepresentations (aka, lies).

What that paragraph does is LIMIT the BUYER’S right to sue to only 10 days.

If you cross it out you are giving the BUYER the right to sue for years and years after closing.

SO = That’s good for the BUYER, they have the right to sue for longer.

BUT if you are a listing agent and you allow this to be crossed out you are opening your client, your SELLER, up to lawsuits long after closing.  You are NOT representing your SELLER’S best interests.  You are in fact doing exactly the opposite.

The question then becomes, is it ok to reduce the 10 days to a shorter time frame?

Answer is (from Lars Neste, Demco) : I agree in general that having paragraph w provides the seller with a good defense against a misrepresentation claim. By the way, the same is true with an inspection contingency. I would not go so far as to say that striking paragraph w necessarily exposes the seller to lawsuits though. If I were defending a seller I would like to have paragraph w in play. However, paragraph x still provides a great defense against seller misrepresentation claims, more defense than paragraph w actually. I think the best approach is to either limit the time period to zero days or just a few days. Zero days suggests the buyer still had the right but has completed their due diligence prior to mutual acceptance so they do not need more time. Might be a subtle difference from striking the whole paragraph but it does allow the seller to claim the contingency was in place but the buyer elected to essentially waive it by restricting the time period to zero days.

PS, Lars Neste agrees with Annie Fitzsimmons – no real battle of the barristers on this one. Annie speaks to this confusion within these next 4 minutes – click here

Survey says! Well heck, you tell us…

Late last week brokers throughout the entire Windermere network were asked to complete an anonymous “Agent Satisfaction Survey”…I’m the first to tell you I’m not a fan of surveys. However this go around I will tell you that I do feel as if we have the right people in place to listen, digest and commit to our relentless pursuit of having the best-trained and best-equipped brokers in the industry. I know these are the reasons  I chose Windermere to be my partner in all things real estate since 2000. Your voice means a ton to OB, Jill & I and will help all of Windermere improve. If you are willing and have not yet taken this broker survey, click here for the link. Survey closes Thursday, Sept. 28th at 5pm.

Next week I should have a new legal bulletin to share with respect to drone photography and the law. Stay tuned as we are polishing up a new bulletin in partnership with Demco. Interesting & relevant, needless to say…

Signing off today as I must go find my golf clubs in the garage, dust them off and take a few swings as you’ll find me on the golf course this Monday with many of you at our now annual tournament benefitting Mary’s Place. For those of you golfing Monday, bring your game face + smiles! FORE!

Laura Smith, General Manager | Windermere Real Estate Co.

Ballard + Eastlake + Madison Park + Northgate + Sand Point + Wedgwood

Six,

As promised last week, this week I’m going to share a few of the interworking’s of  Catherine Adams process in writing ad copy. I had the opportunity to hear and experience her approach to her process, as she speaks to creativity “being steeped in discipline.” Our ad copy skills is absolutely one item that “cannot be replaced by machines.”

#1. Build a library (a file), always always always look for great ad copy, save it for all types of architecture, style & property types. Build a file of words that you love & ad copy that tells a story, experience and lifestyle. Grab our newest Windermere Living magazine, the PSBJ, Dwell…you name it – there is great content all around you that can be massaged into your writing. Keep this file close to you, pull it out when you are ready to write.

#2. Become a reader. This is the ultimate habit in looking for inspiration. Read lifestyle magazines for content.

#3. Invest in telling a story.

#4. Write several ads written for a home. Rotate them. What return (calls etc…) are you getting from an ad? Change it up if there is not ROI (return on investment).

#5. It’s time to write, now what? No distractions, turn off computer, clear your desk, turn off phone. Pad of paper, pencil(s), your library (file) and yes, probably a cup of coffee, tea…

Pull out your library (file) that you’ve built with great copy from many sources! Read it.

Think about these two key questions:

“How does that property make you feel?”

“Who is the buyer for this home?” ***primary buyer profile, secondary etc…

Start writing down words.

…words then turn into phrases, which turn into sentences, where turn into storytelling.

#6. You have 7 words to hook a reader! Often we insert, as Catherine would say, “our big finish at the end of our ad” – instead, move your 7 “hook” words to the beginning of any ad!

Invest time in understanding your audience – speak to all generations, cultures, personality types!

#7. Remember! When writing ad copy within the NWMLS marketing remarks, you do not need to state the obvious – bedroom/bath count etc…these items are already part of the listing input process. Instead focus on the story, one that mirrors a lifestyle…and how it makes you feel!

Coming soon, in October, Catherine has indeed agreed to share this creative process via podcast! We’ll again address understanding your audience + tips on affective ad writing + a process (you do not need to be a writer!) + marketing vehicles + how to determine the best marketing return.  I can’t wait to share this conversation with you!

This week you’ll notice a push in promoting our 2017 Symposium. Early bird sign ups (meaning better pricing for our you, our people) will run through September 21st (next Thursday, $249 > $289). We hear oh so often, “I just haven’t signed up!” Well then, we’ll take care of for you. Each of your offices has been given a process to sign you up and yes, agent charge it. We delivered this process to your managers & staff today. “Show up” to your office meeting for the full download! OB, Jill & I want you there so we thought we’d make it easy for you to get there! A ton clock hours & skill builing to choose from – and yes, networking – which turns into referrals. Take a quick peek of how you’d like to fill your two days by clicking the Symposium image above! Then, let us do the rest…

We are again very proud to be the Official Real Estate Company of the Seattle Seahawks for the second year running! I know I’m getting fired up for this weekend’s first home game against San Francisco and can’t wait to see how much money we are able to raise for @YouthCare and homeless youth through our #tacklehomelessness campaign. We are giving you more hashtags than you’d ever need – shout it out! ***ps, your office has the image above for you…

#GOHAWKS #seahawks #windermere#nfl #SEAvsSF #football #giveback #community #realestate #windermereblue @seahawks @49ers @nfl @q13fox @fanseattleseahawks @seahawksfanpage @seahawksofficial_

That’s a wrap from me this week. Go HAWKS, Go Windermere!

Laura Smith, General Manager | Windermere Real Estate Co.

Ballard + Eastlake + Madison Park + Northgate + Sand Point + Wedgwood

Six,

This week I was able to attend our Luxury Marketing Specialist Class (13 clock hours too!) – taught by Jan Selvar & Rick Franz! It’s a tall order for these two high producing brokers to take two full days to share + teach – although boy, do we sure appreciate it! This week’s sweep is a handful of digestible bite sized pieces from my class notes. Indeed, we spent two days focused on understanding the mindset of the affluent consumer – although I do believe you’ll find my notes relate to all consumers and price points.

Let’s do this, let’s dig right in and take a sweep…

“Be the docent of the home” – the area, the neighborhoods, right on down to knowing where to get the best ice cream sundae. You get the picture – it is ever so crucial to know absolutely everything an algorithm or computer can not provide someone! Be the docent.

Help winning the business – reminder that we (OB & Jill) are game to write a letter to a perspective client to help you “win the business.” If you are up for a luxury listing – Luxury Portfolio has a fantastic letter and we too have a W Collection letter. All of these are available to customize with you and we’ll get it out the door! Just ask.

Cultural differences | Would you agree knowing cultural differences with respect to business practices, culture, social etiquette would help when working with, networking and negotiating with people from all around the globe!? Indeed we have this opportunity right here in Seattle now. “We are local, we are global” – right here, right now. Here is a great resource to discover these key topics for over 80+ countries! Click here and discover!

The Waterfront Report | Did you know we have this? Thank you to our Mercer Island office for keeping this up to date! Click here.

Resale Certificate review services | CWD Group performs studies of resale certificates for Realtors and Buyers. We review resale certificate and disclosure information for any community, including those managed by CWD Group, by other companies, and those produced by self-managed communities. Different than a resale certificate, our review is an independent, unbiased appraisal of the provided information, and details Buyers need to be active, informed, and participatory members of their new community. CWD Group’s consulting service cuts through the reams of disclosure documentation and distills the information down to the elements that really matter so Buyers may make an informed decision when becoming a member of the corporation. For additional information, contact Marshall Johnson, at 206-706-8000. or Click here.

Pre-listing packets | Haven’t yet gotten around to putting a pre-listing packet in your practice? It’s time. Turns out that TouchCMA has made it easy to get started. We have two videos that will show you exactly how to do this. WORC > Education > Did you Know? > prelisting packet with TouchCMA. There is a 3 minute Overview video and a 5 minute  How to Training Video by The Dan Givens. Easy to follow along. Need help? Just ask.

Next week I’m going to share the interworking’s of  Catherine Adams process in writing ad copy. This week I had the opportunity to hear and experience her approach to the creative process. She described “creativity being steeped in discipline.” A sneak peek in writing great ad copy – think about these two key questions: “how does that property make you feel?” and “who is the buyer?”

…oh heck, as I blog today I believe I’ve just discovered our next Double Down podcast! Yes, that’s it…I’ll go get Catherine mic’d up – I’m liking the sound of that! I would like everyone to experience her creative process…and maybe she’ll even repeat her “itsy bitsy tiny weeny yellow polka dot bikini” ad copy story!

Laura Smith, General Manager | Windermere Real Estate Co.

Ballard + Eastlake + Madison Park + Northgate + Sand Point + Wedgwood

Six,

As we set out to enjoy Labor Day I thought best to sweep about goodness this week. Goodness is always a fantastic topic, yet now feels appropriate to keep it light with all that surrounds us in media, news and the like…

Before taking a quick sweep, a reminder regarding computation of time…

When computing time for the purchase and sale agreement, please regard Monday, September 4th as a legal holiday. Labor Day is a legal holiday under Washington law.

This week, Michele Flinn and I had the privilege of delivering to Food Lifeline our $12,000 raised through our first Dine Well + Do Good campaign. The fabulous Pattie O’Loughlin captured this goodness in her Seattle Spaces & Places blog about it – click here. If you too were inspired by these efforts please shout it out. Blast social media. Tag #windermere, tag #windermerefoundation, tag the participating restaurants, tag your offices, tag people that dined with you. Our $12K equates to over 48,000 local meals!

Several of our offices participated this week in filling hundreds upon hundreds of backpacks with school supplies. I’d say this too is goodness! Thank you for the many hands that made this lighter work yet so very impactful. Hundreds of local kids will walk into school next week a bit more confidence to be at school and prepared to learn. #goodness

Yes, school has started for many, school starts for many more next week after the long holiday weekend. As you drive about reminder of those school zones and their reduced speed limits. Our kiddos were back to school this week – best part – 5th grade for Shale started with a pep talk from Kid President. An oldie but a goodie, click here for goodness. What will be your space jam?

That’s a wrap, thanks for sweeping a goodness report with me today! Enjoy the long holiday weekend in productive work + play – here to help, that is the ultimate goal.

Laura Smith, General Manager | Windermere Real Estate Co.

Ballard + Eastlake + Madison Park + Northgate + Sand Point + Wedgwood

Six,

Many of us, if not all, have received an email with subject: ****ACTION REQUIRED*** Windermere H.R. 2874 Updates Employee Communications.

The email appears to be coming from Geoff Wood, including his picture. PLEASE DELETE – this is indeed a scam.

Have a great rest of your week, I’ll sweep – as planned – on Friday!

Laura Smith, General Manager | Windermere Real Estate Co.

Ballard + Eastlake + Madison Park + Northgate + Sand Point + Wedgwood

Welcome to Friday “six”!

I’m sweeping this week during halftime of the Hawks game with a mighty fine cold lemon LaCroix in hand and a handful of delicious sea salt potato chips! Let’s sweep – keeping it light and digestible this week being August 25th…the dog days of summer.

At a glance for this week > got health insurance? + market science + talking points – including a readers digest version…

Of particular interest this week OB, Jill & I hosted our monthly manager meeting off-site to accomplish both connection, fun and time to think outside the offices. One item of business that came out of our conversations was to host an information session (a meeting) for our six offices around the topic of insurance – all types. We are well aware that health insurance for independent contractors is changing in the marketplace. 2018 is bringing to our people, less carriers , less coverage and all with a more expensive price tag.  We are wrapping our heads around what this meeting would look like, who to involve and the like. Open enrollment for many of you is upcoming November 1st and will run through December 15th – the sooner we get together to provide you resources, the better. Looking at early October – just after Symposium. Additionally we’ll dust off information for you at this session with respect to our retirement plans and other tools you currently have available to you that are often forgotten.

Ok, wait – I said I’d keep this light! Maybe not, although I promise to keep it relevant though. Let’s keep sweeping and continue to work together to solve the rubix cube of our 2017 local market…

As promised last week, Seattle & Eastside talking point are now posted on Windermere Statistics. For reports and a full set of talking points click here.

password: wreaugust (not case sensitive)

For the reader’s digest version…

Seattle – based on our Residential and Condominium Report, July 2017:

Has the market slowed down?

It depends on who you asks and what submarket you are asking about.

The market is moving fast and the only things that would make it feel slow is comparting it to the frenzied pace of the 1st half of 2017.

 Months supply of inventory, is the best indicator of speed of the market.

Since last month, June 2017 months supply of inventory has increased by 33%  from 0.6 to 0.8.

Since last year, July 2016 months of supply of inventory indicates 11% faster pace (from 0.9 down to 0.8).

The number of active inventory for sale increased 10% to 796 since the end of June 2017. (718 end of May 2017) 

Two other indicators that the market is moving fast are:

81% of sold homes were on the market for less than 15 days. This is down from 84% in June.

58% of the sold properties sold for more than the asking price. This is down from 67% in June.

Would I buy a house today? Yes, if I could afford the house and like the location house  + location.

Real estate appreciation is being driven by demand (new jobs, population growth, and foreign investment) not speculation.

Increasing commute times will make housing close to job centers more valuable.

The fast paced market has been difficult on Buyers. House prices increase $100,000 and interest rates increased 0.46% to 3.90% resulting in monthly payments increasing $627 per month – $7,526 per year.

Get your Buyers back in the market now.

History shows a slower paced market for Buyers between now and the end of the year (2.82 months supply of inventory five-month average) compared to waiting to the new year (2.175 months supply of inventory four month average).

Ok, this week swept! Grabbing another handful of sea salt potato chips and my still cold La Croix and headed to watch the rest of the Seahawk pre-season fun! Have a fantastic weekend in productive summer work + play, here to help. The ultimate goal.

Laura Smith, General Manager | Windermere Real Estate Co.

Ballard + Eastlake + Madison Park + Northgate + Sand Point + Wedgwood

Welcome to Friday “six”! Excited to release to you today our fourth podcast,  Episode #4, Double Down whereas this month we doubled down on the big juicy word of “support.” It’s 37 minutes, 6 seconds in length. Our Tune Up team and I had a blast recording together and we are hopeful this will inspire you on some level. Where do you need to Tune Up? Not sure? Well then,  start with a conversation – ask for an appointment and let’s talk about you: tuneup@windermere.com

…and for those of you looking for a little market science, Windermere Statistics are updated along with the monthly corresponding reports:

new password: wreaugust (not case sensitive)

Click here for July reports!

Laura Smith, General Manager | Windermere Real Estate Co.

Ballard + Eastlake + Madison Park + Northgate + Sand Point + Wedgwood

Welcome to Friday six!

This week we recorded Episode #4, Double Down podcast. This will be edited and ready for you next Friday at sweep time. 38 minutes in interviewing our Tune Up team as we double down on: support. We share the history of the team, where our current focus is and how to ask for a “tune up” – hint hint: tuneup@windermere.com. I am hopeful the conversation with Maddy + Patty + I will inspire you on some level and provide a few insights you weren’t yet aware of. We are here to help – the ultimate goal.

This week – at a glance: a note on Earnest Money (or lack of!), NWMLS stats and summer market commentary, compliance fun (the auditors are out and about!) and a reminder of your Q2 Seattle Market Report ready for you – and yes, can be personalized for you.

I’m hopeful the stories I’ve heard this week do not become the “next big thing” in our marketplace and instead a giant coincidence on a few occasions. A heads up specifically to those of your representing Sellers. Please be vigilant in making sure Buyer’s Earnest Money is being deposited on-time. We’ve had a couple scenarios where Buyer gets into mutual (strong, tight, no contingency offer) and then sends rescission terminating the PSA (purchase and sale agreement) – only then for Listing Firm to discover there was no Earnest Money deposited. Without deposit of EM there is no Interpleader process > thus Seller would have to obtain counsel and sue Buyer for EM (aka, damages). Not a good look for anyone no matter how you slice it. To get ahead of this, as a Listing Broker – be certain to check status of EM deposit of Buyer. ***I may have more commentary later on this, for now – simply be vigilant in representing your Sellers.***

Summer doldrums for home sales “not happening” around Western Washington

Full NWMLS monthly statistical report released this week, full report hosted on the homepage of NWMLS. I’ll be recapping the Seattle “science” next week.

One soundbite to digest in the immediate…

“The leap in prices may have some people crying “housing bubble,” said OB Jacobi, president of Windermere Real Estate. “I still feel confident we’re not headed in that direction. Bubbles result from irresponsible lending practices, but buyers in King County have high credit scores and higher than average down payments. This area also has a high percentage of homeowners who are ‘equity rich’ which means their home is worth more than twice what they owe. For a housing bubble to occur we would expect to see far lower equity, down payments and credit quality.” – OB

Technical Excellence
DOL auditors are out, pretty please help us get audit proof!  Your managers will be reminding your about compliance items soon, if they have not already. 100% absolutely blame me. Being that I know auditors are on the road, I have to dig in to be sure we are in good shape as a Company! I know what there hot buttons have been this year. First and foremost, please digest the Department of Licensing’s two-day rule –  whereas we (WRE Co. – aka, The Firm)  have to log everything you do in a timely fashion to be in compliance.

TWO DAY RULE: 

“WAC 308-124C-135 and 140 require that all managing brokers and brokers deliver “transaction documents” to the appropriate managing broker, branch manager or designated broker within two business days of mutual acceptance. Transaction documents generated after mutual acceptance should be delivered to the firm promptly after generation. WAC 308-124C-125 and 130 require that the designated broker and any branch manager ensure that all licenses submit transaction documents to the firm within two business days of mutual acceptance. According to DOL interpretation “transaction documents” do not include correspondence. As such, a firm may permit licensees to deliver correspondence to the firm at any time during a transaction or upon closing or termination of transaction. Licensees should review their files at closing or termination to ensure all transaction documents and required correspondence has been delivered to the firm.”

That’s a wrap for this week – next week I’ll release the Tune Up team mic’d up! Hope you’ll listen in on the conversation as we Double Down on: support.

Laura Smith, General Manager | Windermere Real Estate Co.

Ballard + Eastlake + Madison Park + Northgate + Sand Point + Wedgwood

…and a reminder that our Q2 Seattle Market Review is ready for you! Our offices have several formats available for you.  If you are interested in how to leverage this tool &/or have customized by adding your picture and contact information please connect up with out Tune Up team. Note: this will too be embedded within our Sept 1st client newsletter (mailchimp) as well for those of you who use this as one of your monthly “flow” pieces.

Request Q2 Seattle Market Review support via email: tuneup@windermere.com

…your Tune Up team members are standing by! For a quick peak – click the image below!

Six,

This week, wow a hot week. Outside of that let’s digest a few items together…let’s start with your toolbox…

Our Q2 Seattle Market Review is ready for you! Our offices have several formats available for you.  If you are interested in how to leverage this tool &/or have customized by adding your picture and contact information please connect up with out Tune Up team. Note: this will be embedded within our Sept 1st client newsletter (mailchimp) as well for those of you who use this as one of your monthly “flow” pieces.

Request Q2 Seattle Market Review support via email: tuneup@windermere.com

…your Tune Up team members are standing by! For a quick peak – click the image below!

Following the Redfin IPO?

I am, it is interesting to me. We asked Matthew Gardner to speak to it…

I see this as an IPO based on it being a technology company, not a real estate company.  They have never been profitable and the filing actually states that they are a long way away from actually making money!  Additionally, as their agents actually make a salary, the likelihood of them being able to continue to offer reduced commissions will be tested – especially when we start to get to a more rational market!!

 My take on it is that the initial investors wanted a return on their initial $160M investment and that pushed the IPO.

 Bottom line is that I am not worried about it relative to Redfin increasing market share.

Matthew Gardner | Chief Economist | WINDERMERE REAL ESTATE

Ok, let’s wrap this week up! Next week I dig out my podcast equipment  and start another conversation with hopeful ideas worth spreading. Tune in as I’ll be interviewing our Tune Up team. Together we’ll share what we are working on in support of your businesses on our next Double Down podcast episode.

Welcome to Seafair weekend! Ps, I did grab a quick pause and look up to view those Blue Angels – oh what a sight – so much power! And yes, the below is a picture of those jets buzzing overhead as my son ventured out to the middle of Lake Washington in sailing camp. Fearless! – 11 years old and off he went with no idea what he was doing. He did make it back dockside. Phew!

That’s a wrap, have a fantastic weekend in productive work + play, here to help.

Laura Smith, General Manager | Windermere Real Estate Co.

Ballard + Eastlake + Madison Park + Northgate + Sand Point + Wedgwood