Six,

Episode #2, Double Down is ready for you – including a legal digestible bite and another idea worth spreading. It’s 36 minutes + 56 seconds minutes, raw, uncut and geared just for you. Thank you David Daniel (Demco), Rob Graham (WW, manager) and Blake Budden (WW, broker) in  joining on this podcast fun! I had a blast, yet again and appreciate your insights + our conversations…

The cliff notes version > NWMLS From 22AD vs WRE Form 43 – additional down payment tools and how the two forms differ. (Spoiler alert, review paragraph #3 in 22AD.) Having these two Forms in front of you might be helpful in digesting our legal bite with David.  The idea worth spreading for this month is “turning information into insights” – how to know and leverage your numbers to educate your consumer, provide you more confidence, sound bites and win more business – on several levels. (Spoiler – make Trendgraphix your friend!)

Warning: we’ll get better at our microphone work – sounds like we were a little close to the mic and we sound a little out of breath. Pretty darn funny. I must have purchased really good equipment to pick up on all subtleties! Striving for excellence vs. perfection…here we go – thanks for tuning in!

Ok, taking cinnamon rolls out of the oven as I have a feeling it is going to take a little something extra to get the kids out of bed and off to school today. Can I say, so ready for summer!?! Happy Friday everyone, let’s get after it!

Shout if you need anything, here to help. The ultimate goal! PS, you can always leave me a comment on this blog – love to hear from you. Your take-aways, feedback and the like…upper left hand corner! If anything, say “hi”…

Laura Smith, General Manager | Windermere Real Estate Co.

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

Six,

A thank you to those that have been along for this FWL ride now 52 weeks going – we hit the one year mark today! As I look back, these were the first few words upon launch of this blog – I am hopeful you have found that my vision has been successful as one landing spot to communicate with each of you…in bite sized pieces…

“Fridays with Laura will be my vehicle to recap this week and prep for the next! Let’s face it, you have a lot of content coming your way as you navigate our real estate market and minimal time to sort through. My goal will be to provide you a weekly sweep in bite sized pieces….” – Laura

This week our Western Washington Real Estate Market Update by Matthew Gardner, Chief Economist was posted. This is an easy share with your people hosted on our Windermere.com blog and shared with each of you today…

ECONOMIC OVERVIEW

“I’m happy to report that Washington State continues to add jobs at a steady rate. While the rate of growth is tapering, this is because many markets are getting close to “full employment”, during which time growth naturally slows. That said, I believe that the state will add around 70,000 jobs in 2017. Washington State, as well as the markets that make up Western Washington, continues to see unemployment fall and I anticipate that we will see this rate drop further as we move through the year. In all, the economy continues to perform at or above average levels and 2017 will be another growth year.” – Mathew Gardner, Chief Economist

The full blog post here – share share share!

…and I would be remiss not to include the local Windermere Cup festivities for this weekend – the events begin tonight – a details here!

Next week we record Espisode #2 of our Double Down podcast  – with the conversation looking a bit like this – turning information into insights being the idea worth spreading on how to leverage #’s in educating your clients and winning more business. David Daniel with Demco will again join us with a legal digestible bite. We’ll be round tabling successful use of “additional down payment”  addenda(s) with respect to our current market conditions. I could see low appraisals naturally falling into our conversation and how to handle by setting expectations early in a game plan. It will be raw, uncut and released to you on Friday!

That’s a wrap from me on this Friday! Off to go shop with my 8 year old daughter for a new dress to go dancing with her daddio at the school father/daughter dance. And that means I kick my Friday off with a date with my son. Win/win!

Have a fantastic weekend in productive work + play! And I hope many of you will line Montlake cut to cheer on the Dawgs across that finish line! We welcomed China to the races this year – very fun + exciting!

Laura Smith, General Manager | Windermere Real Estate Co.

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

Six,

FWL is back from Spring Break. Glad to go, glad to come back. Enjoyed the pause last week and this week dug right back into the pulse of our local market…left the beach chairs behind and connected with many of you…

At a glance for this week a few digestible bites to include our Q1 Seattle Market Review ready +  Zillow toolbox + tip from Tune Up + cinco de mayo & WRE Cup is coming…ok, let’s sweep!

Our Seattle Market Review for Q1 is a wrap – here you go, click here. Your managers have three templates that can be personalized. Generic + broker + two brokers.

The “Z” word | Does the word Zillow elevate your blood pressure? The NWMLS was talking about Zillow this week and this communication seemed to put concern & confusion into our listings syndicating process (aka, your listings) to Zillow after May 1st 2017. Bottom-line, Windermere syndicates to Zillow now and we will continue to directly syndicate to Zillow after May 1st. No change. Feeling better? Good…moving on.

…more on Zillow though. Here is a consumer facing talking point – “idea worth spreading” from I  good friend and colleague from our WRE Colorado market – Eric Thompson!

Does Zillow comes up in conversation with just about every customer? I’d bet yes. This is where I see blood pressure rising. Try this on next time a customer says, “Zillow says my home is worth…”

Instead of saying, “Oh, their data is off, inaccurate” etc…which makes a person feel like they have done something wrong – maybe not feeling too good about themselves in that interaction…

…try this instead – “That is a great place to start. Most people start there. In fact, over 40% nation wide start there. Let me show you the art of pricing and how we will dial that in together at a very micro level.” You then get the opportunity to show them your process…as we all know it’s both an art + a science and no Zestimate, automatic valuation model can be the golden ticket in pricing well.

Zillow toolbox for this week…

Click here on “how accurate is a Zestimate?”

***And your manager has our 2017 Zillow Best Practices whitepaper for you – just ask!***

A note from your Tune Up Team on Photo Gallery | Professional photos for listings are a must in the online marketing of listings, but are you really using these images that you have paid for to their fullest extent?

For some time now, the status quo has been to wait for NWMLS to sweep the photos from their site to ours, and leave it at that. This is certainly the easier way to handle it but by doing this, we are missing a huge opportunity to maximize the listing and your own professional branding.

Consider this: The MLS only allows 25 photos. How many times have you had a listing that had much more than 25 photos and you had to leave a few kitchen shots out to make sure you got one of each room? Plus, when you let MLS send them over, they send photos at a much smaller size and branded with their logo.

By building your own photo gallery on the WORC site, your photos are pushed to ancillary websites like Zillow, Realtor, and Luxury Portfolio in a much higher resolution and without the NWMLS logo. This value extends not only to Buyers looking at properties – but to Sellers looking for brokers who present their listings in the best manner.

For more information about utilizing the photo galleries on the WORC site, ask your friendly Tune Up Team TuneUp@windermere.com for help and visit the video tutorials on the WORC site here: PHOTO GALLERIES

– Happy Friday, Your Tune Up Team

Something just got easier! | Go to WORC and you’ll notice a new homepage tile, “My Listings” – circled image above. Yes, this is now where you easily access profile + listings + photo gallery etc.

Looking for Cinco De Mayo plans this year? Click here for the details and join us! Tickets still available for our pre Windermere Cup fun – the hot ticket for your next Friday night! Invite your people for some…

Taco Trucks, Live Music, Beer & Margaritas, Lawn Games & Fun!
Music by: Brian DiJulio & the Lovejacks (6:00 – 8:00 PM)
Spike & the Impalers (8:00 – 10:00 PM)

Ok, that’s a wrap for this week. And oh, if you were wondering – when your hair is on fire with this market, so is ours…this week our managers needed happy hour – it’s amazing what you can accomplish without an agenda, a drink in your hand, a few good eats and great people…

…and yes, what happens when you don’t bring your challenge coin to happy hour – you pay. Dave Hale, I took care of the bill this – but next time…

Welcome to Friday all, have a wonderful weekend in productive work + play, here to help. That is the ultimate goal. PS, next week marks my 52nd week of writing FWL – I’m having a blast with this – thanks for being a part! Inspired + designed for you.

Laura Smith, General Manager | Windermere Real Estate Co.

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

I received these today at my office, too gorgeous not to share with all of you! Looking for signs of Spring anywhere I can take it!

Six,

I’m minutes from swapping my high heels for sneakers, Easter swag, kayaks, a good book and the anticipation of seeing the whales that have arrived Whidbey Island. Before I make this swap, let’s sweep…

At a glance, for this week > why you are “worth it” +  Seattle stats (talking points), a reminder in an uptick in wire fraud, a reminder to “make the calls!” and Windermere Cup fun is brewing. Ok, let’s sweep!

Why you are worth it! | Think back to when the Internet became a thing. Now, think back to 2001. I remember this time well – a time of tech boom + bust. I was working for a very tech heavy real estate brokerage. A time when the brokerage I was with spent $11M dollars (venture cap) in 11 months focused on technology, not relationships. A time when we saw technology being an incredible disrupter to so many industries (great example, travel companies). Fast forward to know, 2017. In reviewing NAR’s research from their 2016 Profile of Home Buyers and Home Sellers – this is what I was reminded of. Stunning really when you think back to 2001 and the Internet as the disrupter for many…

2001 68% of all customers used a real estate broker

2016 85% of all customers used a real estate broker

WHY? Good question – here are four reason that will make you feel confident…

1. Complexity | Would you all agree that the transaction was simpler in 2001 as compared to 2016? Heck yes! Think of the addenda now that exists and the creativity that it takes to prepare a winning offer in this market. More complex now, indeed.
2. Risk | The transaction is risky for a customer. Example, let’s pretend a Seller mispriced their home by 10% on a $800,000 home – yup, that is a $80,000 risky proposition. Yes, good idea to hire a professional for this vs rely on automated valuations.
3. Infrequency | The latest research shows the average homeowner stays in their home is approaching 10 years! This use to be closer to 7 years. Yes, that means the home buyer and seller as part of a transaction is even more infrequent.
4. Emotional | Think about a list of things that are more emotional than buying or selling a home? It is a short list if you really stop to think about it. Another reason why there is an increase in customers hiring a real estate broker.

YOU bring a ton to the table. The role you play in your customers life is indeed making an impact.  These four reasons are a big part and the “why” you are worth it!

Seattle Stats | Data thru March 2017 now available and digestible for both you and your customers. These monthly reports are a great add to your buyer/seller packets. A sneak peek at the talking points below – these talking points will be posted on the windemermerestats site shortly…

Click Here for the report associated with these Seattle talking points

April’s password: wreapril

• Closed median price at an all time high of $630,800, up from 14% from year ago (page 1 bottom chart)
• Price appreciation is being driven by low supply and high demand. Seattle months supply of inventory is less than three weeks (.5 months page 1 top chart).
• 566 active listings as of 3/31/17. Down 20.5% from the year before and 29.5% from two years before (page 1 clue bar top graph)
• Scarcity has buyers paying above list price on 58% of the sales that closed in March (page 3)
• What was the cost of waiting one year (March 2016 vs March 2017) to buy in Seattle? $78,800 in median price. $6,565 per year ($547 monthly) in payment. (Page 5 lower left-hand chart).

This + that! | This is what is on my mind from this week – be extremely cautious of emailed wire instructions and only have clients wire money after verifying wire instructions with a known phone number. Criminals are hacking into email accounts of real estate brokers, escrow agents, mortgage brokers, title companies…and having success. Your manager has most likely been talking about it. I’m simply keeping it top of mind.

As listing brokers, let’s make sure we call every single broker back that did not bring in the winning offer. Selling brokers are working their tails off, as you each know. We owe it to every one of them to make that call. Thank you, signed – this wild market!

If you are looking for the upcoming Windermere Cup details – we’ve got the line up for you – including a Cinco de Mayo party the evening before…follow along here!

Ok, off with the high heels on with the sneakers! FWL is officially on Spring Break this next week…our family is Whidbey bound. When I return I’ll be writing next about the dreaded “Z” word: Zillow – The truth about Zillow’s accuracy, how to respectfully talk about Zillow and how to position yourself as the trusted source.

As my son use to say at the age of 2, “Happy Keester” everyone! I wish he still said that. Shoot, please press the “pause” button on this growing up thing.

…and oh, if you missed Episode #1 of our Double Down podcast, link below. I am already working on Episode #2! P.S. If you download the SoundCloud app on your device – makes it super easy to listen, save, pause and come back whenever.

Laura Smith, General Manager | Windermere Real Estate Co.

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

Six,

This week is the launch of my podcast – it has been a test of extreme “growth mindset” along the way as when I committed to doing this as another communication tool with each of you…I had no idea where to start. It’s been a ton of fun to learn something brand new and I’m excited to get this off the ground…

Each month, one FWL blog post will be a podcast episode. Each episode David Daniel from Demco Law Firm will join us with one topic of focus for us to hash through. Each month we will also have one of you – sharing an “idea worth spreading.” Does this format sound familiar? For those of you who were at our 2017 Windermere Real Estate Co. kick off event on January 23, 2017 at The Mountaineers Club – it should. That was the format of our day together – with the overarching theme of “doubling down” on our people (you), sharing ideas and getting a little smarter as we  navigate our local market.

Episode #1 is one hour. First half we join in with David Daniel alongside myself, Darlene Sozinho (Ballard manager) and Susan Robinson (long time Windermere broker). The second half Susan shares with us the ins + outs of her experience in working alongside a partner in this profession.

Ballard was an excellent host for our day of recording this week. Episode #1 was edited only for sound quality – the rest is raw, unfiltered, and ready for you to grab a Friday beverage and join in…

Double Down #1: Pitfalls of the escalator addenda + An idea worth spreading – on partnerships

If the click through link above doesn’t work – copy and paste this soundcloud link – it should…

Laura Smith, General Manager | Windermere Real Estate Co.

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

…and yes, we had a ton of FUN doing this. Here is the proof…

Six,

Welcome to Friday! Spring is trying to very hard, in the sky and in our marketplace. This week I’m covering for one of our managers who is out of town.  Being in “cover” mode, this week I feel all  of the pain & pleasure points you are feeling in the marketplace. It’s been an all hands on deck kind of week – productive, intense yet all in all – productive in partnership with you. Keeping FWL sweet + simple today for these very reasons (heck, I have stacks of files to review!) and plus…last week I gave you enough to digest after The Battle of the Barristers. This week, I’m going to give you two items to digest – 1. a story and 2. a few more bucks in your pocket! Let’s start with a lighthearted story…

How much is enough?

{A story from an unknown author…yet oh so thought provoking…}

The American investment banker was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large fin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.

The Mexican replied, only a little while.

The American then asked why didn’t he stay out longer and catch more fish?

The Mexican said he had enough to support his family’s immediate needs.

The American then asked, “but what do you do with the rest of your time?”

The Mexican fisherman said, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siesta with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos, I have a full and busy life.”

The American scoffed, “I am a Harvard MBA and could help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat, and with the proceeds of the bigger boat you could buy several boats. Eventually, you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you would sell directly to the processor, eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing and distribution. You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then LA and eventually NYC where you will run your expanding enterprise.

The Mexican fisherman asked, “But, how long will this all take?”

To which the American replied, “15-20 years.”

“But what then?”

The American laughed and said that’s the best part. “When the time is right you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich, you will make millions.”

The American said, “Then you will retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evening, sip wine and play guitar with your amigos!”

• – unknown author

Next up, let’s put a few more bucks in your pocket! | The clever imagery above much be given credit to manager Michael Nelson’s wittiness + fantastic admin Jeanette Ault (Eastlake office) for clever graphical talents!  Ok, Laura…what is this all about? Glad you asked. Think outgoing referrals. Think about those mass emails or resource room conversations about…”hey, does anyone know a good broker in Spokane?” We have a resource for you. Rebecca Espinoza is our outgoing referral coordinator. You call Rebecca, tell her what you need, let her know how involved you want to be (or not) and she’ll make it happen – including providing you timely updates along the way. She also assures that you get paid. And, what I want you to know – any outgoing referral place through Rebecca we will pay you 100% no matter what – regardless of where you are in threshold. ***I’ve place two referral this year, I’m pleased. Think of Rebecca as an additional resource and support to you. How much time should you spend placing, getting updates etc…is this your highest + best “P” time (aka, “productive” time)? Your call. Think big, outgoing referrals can bring in a few extra bucks and 100% is going direct to you – not towards threshold.

Ok, short + sweet this week, as promised. Should be a wild weekend in Final Four activity on the hardwoods. For anyone still relevant in your bracketolgy – good on ya! I’m buried but oh so excited if there is a Cinderella story brewing! I’m game for that despite what my brackets say (and are now in the recycling bin!).

P.S. Wire fraud & phishing scams are occurring at somehow an even HIGHER level – I’ll be sending your managers info + reminders for discussion…

In partnership with you, so glad to be! Welcome to Friday! Hope you enjoyed the storytelling today…

Laura Smith, General Manager | Windermere Real Estate Co.

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

Six,

It’s Friday, let’s take a sweep and move right into the weekend ahead in productive work + play! Yes, it might be pouring outside however there is a ton more basketball to watch – I’m a happy gal. Go Husky women in the sweet sixteen vs. Mississippi State in T- 2 minutes. Always love this time of year.

On the real estate front, my head is full after spending the morning with the barristers who battled all things legal. FWL will be my brain dump from this morning to begin bring a few items top of mind for us to hash out at our respective office meetings, resource rooms & in the field…

Topics worth Digesting today…

• Copyright laws and the practice of real estate (think listing photos & imagery on websites etc…) | Big juicy lawsuit wrapped up recently that got our attention this morning. Let’s go back to what we know – make sure you have obtained a license for use of images used in a listing or on your website. The checks are too large not to! The Copyright Act penalties range from statutory damages of $750 to $30,000 per image for unknowingly violated Copyright Act to $150,000 per image if a court finds a willful violation. Offices may to refer to our 2012 “Is a Picture Worth a Thousand Dollars? Take 2.” legal bulletin, Demco Law Firm.
• Multiple offers, Escalation Addenda | All barristers had their say in our NWMLS 35E having risks embedded within the Form. The question then becomes how do we isolate such risks. There were discussions of countering to obtain total clarity and of having offers due at noon (mid-day) in general so that there is time to get another set of eyes on the offers, if needed (great idea!)
• Off market sales | Discussions –  “do you know who you are representing” or better yet, “do all parties clearly know who you are representing?” – Be sure we are coaching to disclaimer language in your files – example from Demco P&S addenda I drummed up this afternoon…

“You have stated that you wish to accept Buyer’s offer even though your property has not yet had a listing published with the NWMLS. As I have explained, you should understand that publication with the NWMLS is essential for maximum exposure to prospective Buyers and to ensure the highest possible price. If you accept this offer, I will assume that you are satisfied that this offer meets your needs and expectations.”

• Advising a client to seek expert advice | Reminders of the importance of our obligations to advise a client to seek expert advice on matters related to the transaction that are beyond their expertise. Lars Neste pointed out that this is true even when a client doesn’t ask questions – example, if a home is on a steep slope – Lars believes we should be proactively suggesting a goetech company evaluate even if a client doesn’t ask if they should further investigate.
• Seller provided inspections | Barristers agreed that we still very much advise our clients to seek their independent investigation. Listing brokers that are counseling Sellers in this practice need to be careful they are not setting their Seller’s up for post-closing claim. “Buyer Beware” is still very alive + real – let them have access + let them investigate as a Seller. ***p.s. a solid time to remind us all of our WRE Form 42, “Notice to Buyer: Seller-Procured Inspection Report.”
• Procuring cause | Basic tail provision discussion derived from our listing agreements – a good brush up on all therein.
• New NWMLS Form 1S, “Appointment of Subagent.” Review this form first. Be ready to discuss in your offices. This form began a spirited discussion yet again on getting clear in who we represent at any one time. The specific example that had the barristers battling was over holding open houses that are not your listing but in our Firm. Keep in mind, the law speaks to brokers representing the buyer unless a written agreement is in place otherwise. ***p.s. I think this new Form would be good to set the table if you are going on vacation &/or will be unavailable – we now have the vehicle to “Appoint a Subagent.” Keep in mind the listing agreement already authorized us to do so. There could be a case made for us having needed this form for a long long time ago…

Days like today, I’m again so very grateful to have Demco in our corner of the ring & we have a newly renewed E&O policy. I was very much reminded today at this event that my role as DB and the role of our managers is to “supervise” – and that yes, Annie Fitzsimmons reminded us that “supervise” is a verb – a verb being a word to describe action. The best action I can think of is to continue my work in educating. As you bring “the heart of a teacher” to your clients, I and your manager bring “a heart of a teacher” to you. And yes, I should also very much put a disclaimer in-line FWL today that everything I just mapped out was 1. my brain dump from this morning 2. worth further conversations and 3. I’d better check in with Lars with respect to what I heard today I understood correctly. Regardless, great battles – can’t wait for this event next year! Feeling that much smarter than yesterday.

Husky women tip-off in two minutes, must run as my little ballers are expecting me home with hopes we can cheer on the Dawgs to the elite 8! That’s a wrap, we’ll pick up where we left off next week…

Laura Smith, General Manager | Windermere Real Estate Co.

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

Six,

Welcome to Friday! The best part of this week – the sun came out and I’m seeing + feeling signs of Spring! The other best part for me is that the NCAA March Madness has begun – for many reasons, one of my favorite weeks of the year. We are indeed a basketball family – all of us. What should be noted however, after day #1 of NCAA brackets I’m tied for 10th place. If you know me, you know that this doesn’t sit well with me at all. That said, what has come to mind on day #2 of bracketology is this…”It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.” And with you all being the audience I’m speaking too – focus on that mantra with real estate + 2017. “It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.” Solid mindset  in our March madness, tipping on mayhem real estate market…

Ok, let’s get to a quick sweep of this week – at a glance > (new) NWMLS Form 22AD vs. Revised WRE Form 43 (know the key differences) + advisory + next week we battle (barristers!) + we shred + a thank you + a little luck + our nwmls homespotter app is gaining rave reviews – both brokers and clients to boot!

New Form Alert (NWMLS 22AD) and Revised WRE Form 43

On February 23, 2017 NWMLS released new and revised forms. Included in the new forms is NWMLS Form 22AD, Increased Down Payment for Low Appraisal Addendum. This form creates the potential for a surprising and unfair result that all brokers should be made aware of.

Paragraph 2 of Form 22AD requires that the buyer send notice to the seller if the sum of the additional down payment funds and the appraised value is less than the purchase price. Once the seller receives this notice the seller has the choice to either reduce the purchase price or terminate the purchase and sale agreement. Form 22AD does not make a distinction between a buyer who is unable to obtain financing due to low appraisal and a buyer who could still qualify for financing even with the low appraisal. This means a buyer could lose the right to purchase even if they qualify to obtain financing.

Windermere has had its own increased down payment form in WRE Form 43 for several years. It was hoped that Form 22AD would replace WRE Form 43 so everyone would be using an NWMLS form for additional down payment. However, because 22AD provides a seller right to terminate even when a buyer might still be able to obtain a loan we have decided to continue to keep WRE Form 43 available.

WRE Form 43 has been updated and simplified in two significant ways. First, the form can now be used in conjunction with either NWMLS Form 22A, Financing Contingency Addendum or NWMLS Form 22AA, Appraisal Contingency Addendum. Of course, a broker would only use WRE Form 43 with NWMLS Form 22AA when the buyer is obtaining a loan. Second, the revised WRE Form 43 directs buyer and seller into the Appraisal Less than Sale Price procedure within NWMLS Form 22A or NWMLS Form 22AA (whichever is applicable) if the buyer is unable to obtain a loan after application of the additional down payment funds. This change was made because brokers are generally more familiar with the Appraisal Less than Sale Price procedure within NWMLS Form 22A and NWMLS Form 22AA than the procedure within the old WRE Form 43 which was basically designed to do the same thing.

***As a Company we have put a hold on final revision of our WRE Form 43 to be posted to the WORC in hopes that we are able to persuade NWMLS to revise 22AD – which would allow us to get rid of WRE 43. This is where our current focus is. Until then, important we at least know the difference in function between with two forms. Your managers do have the most recent 43 revision and will be coaching through the differences. I’m not concerned about if we are using 22AD – only a matter of knowing the difference.***

Thank you to the following brokers who joined OB + Jill + I for lunch and a conversation this week. We kicked off our 2017 advisory roadshow with two chairpersons representing each office.

 Ann O’Neil (WW) Blake Budden (WW) Nat Hopper (SP) Kim O. Dales (SP) Stefan Hoerschelmann (NG) Charlie Cowan (NG) Brent Sanders (BD) Jonathan Jacobs (BD) Michele Layton (MP) Shavic Jones (MP) Sol Villarreal (EL) Eva Conner

Key topics were conversations regarding what would you like to see more of +  less of…specifically in supporting you win more business. Our agenda included wre tour, a data project we are working on, feedback specific to windermere.com, feedback button on WORC (use it, be specific!), why photo gallery will be important in the coming months, marketing & the messaging in articulating our full service model, social media strategy, (new) homespotter app from nwmls and a natural discussion of the navigating this market. Your chairpersons will use these discussions as banter in your office meetings. Additionally, we will be coming around each office in April to take an even deeper dive on all with your branch advisory board for 2017. We appreciated all the candor, caring, transparency and engagement. Helps us with our roadmap.

Looks like there are a few more seats left at next week’s Battle of the Barristers. In past years I’ve missed out based on this being full. I’ll be there next Friday – click here to register + join me?

Our Sand Point office is thinking + acting green this weekend! If this is convenient for any of your sphere in the NE Seattle hood, a special fyi! Hosted at The Metropolitan Market.

As super duper special thanks to our Eastlake office who has loaned Lindy Oden to our Wedgwood office over the next couple of weeks. Wedgwood was down in staffing for a period of time and our super six offices came together to figure it out. The power + flexibility of us. Thank you!

Here is to hoping my 10th place looks very different when I blog this time next week. And for each of you, my hope is for you to find a win between now and then in our market. They are there, look for them. Mindset will be a crucial part to our success in 2017. And yes, a little luck can go a long ways too – Happy St Patrick’s Day…sporting the only green I could find this morning!

Laura Smith, General Manager | Windermere Real Estate Co.

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

And oh, I’m hearing of fantastic feedback on THIS…

HomeSpotter NWMLS Mobile App Now Available

On the Go? Take NWMLS With You!

Overview of Main Features:

• A variety of search options, or use your GPS to find homes around you
• Quick access to comprehensive property information and broker-only remarks
• Robust neighborhood information, including Google street view, WalkScore® rating, INRIX™ commute times from any address, and school information
• Integration with ShowingTime to quickly schedule showings
• Access to TransactionDesk  to create a transaction

Six,

Ok, it’s Saturday indeed. Let’s sweep anyway! Instead of writing yesterday I was wrapped up in all parts of this March madness, aka market – “all hands on deck” – if you will. With a clear head, prepped for the weekend I’m ready to sweep with you. Here we go at a glance > February talking points (the science) + WRE in-city pulling together (hotsheet/tour) + an email hack you should know about + celebrating my mentor (and many of yours)…

The Seattle Science, February 2017

Reminder: this site is now password protected | www.windermerestats.com March password: wremarch (not case sensitive)

(NOTE: below, I’ve referenced the page numbers that correlate with these talking points)

A sneak peek for you in our February Talking points. I wrapped these up late yesterday and have submitted for posting on windermerestats – here we go…

• Seattle Months Supply of Inventory is at 3 weeks or .6 months (page 1) is the lowest ever since we started tracking in 1998.
• Second lowest number residential and condo for sale (470 page 1) since 1998. Lowest was two months ago, December 2016 (438)

As a result…

• As a result…48% of properties sold for more than list price (page 3). Same as this time last year.
• 67.5% of properties sold with less than 15 days on market with a median price 4% above the list price (page 5).
• Closed median sales price rose 10% from $554,225 to $610,000 in Seattle (page 1)

Buyers who have waited to purchase…

• Buyers who waited the last 12 months to buy a house will pay $55,775 more and their interest rate will have increased from 3.66% to 4.17% (page 5)
• Buyers lost $38,875 of purchasing power on the median price home ($610,000) because of the interest rate increase from 3.66% to 4.17%.
• Statistics to Know was added as page 6 to our reports by request of several brokers.

Laura Smith, General Manager | Windermere Real Estate Co.

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

Six,

I’m up early, “sweeping” this week, excited for the today – heck, I like Fridays. Although real estate as we know it is 7 days a week – people in general seem to like Fridays. I always anticipate and enjoy Ballard’s “annual meeting” – it’s today – something that has been a tradition dating back – well, way longer than I’ve been around. I also get to meet up with all the in-city owners today. We do this sort of thing with the intentions of collaboration and hitting on all in-city hot topics, together. Pretty darn cool.

As we sweep this week, let’s go back to January 23rd for a quick moment – our WRE Co kick off event. Remember what it was all about? “Ideas worth Spreading” + with a focus on doubling down on our people – yup, aka – you. This week I was introduced to an idea I believe is very much worth spreading and can be implemented right away – by anyone. Ready for it? Here you go…

THINK about  the client experience you provide. THINK about your clients purchasing a home. What happens as we get close to closing? Where does the focus go – for the client? –  A walkthrough process? A giant pile of closing documents? Escrow? A focus on money? A key conversation? Coordinating their actual move? When was the last time you purchased a home and moved? Think about your experience and then ask yourself (put your broker hat on know) this question…

What would happen in your business and for your clients if you scheduled to meet with your clients in their new home on day 3 post Closing and again, one week after that?

…what if this was part of your Buyer process? What if you shared this with them early in the process? Who else is speaking to post Closing items…and actually doing them? What if your clients knew they will see the whites of your eyes on this 3rd day and again one week out? Might they feel a little relieved that they have a landing spot for any outstanding items? Might they feel the experience you provide is bar none? This is different than our post closing calls. This is real, this is scheduled, this is anticipated, this is full service. And yes, might this time invested create a closing process different, impactful, beyond commodity that would too naturally generate referrals? I think so. This action goes well beyond the closing gift.

…and yes, we’ll be taking these ideas to my “double down” podcast soon enough. Remember when I stood on stage and promised another vehicle in communication in 2017 – it’s getting closer. I researched what I needed, crafted my intent and goals, purchased the equipment and spent a day playing with my new big kid toys…next stop, an office near you + to try this whole concept out – with our people. This is total “Slight Edge” stuff – FWL meets microphones, one bite at a time – can’t wait.

A sound bite from Demco…on the delivery of resale certificates prior to mutual acceptance. There was rumor of Demco’s stance on this waffling a bit.  No waffling here – let’s spell it out. However, do keep in mind “reasonably minded attorneys” may see this differently – Lars breaks that down for us too – specifically in how to handle – aka, best practices:

“I strongly believe that if a seller provides a buyer with a resale certificate prior to mutual acceptance the buyer’s right to declare the contract void does not expire until 5 days after mutual acceptance. I have conceded that there are reasonable minded attorneys who see it differently than me. To account for that I think the best way to deal with this issue is for a buyer to assume that they only have 5 days from receipt to terminate and for a seller to assume the buyer has 5 days from mutual to terminate. If a buyer has cold feet after mutual they can go to an attorney like me to make the case for an extended termination period.

I have not changed my opinion on waiver either. I think there is a really good chance that a buyer’s voluntary waiver of the right to terminate could be rescinded because the Condo Act does not permit waiver of Condo Act rights in general. I have no doubt that if a seller or listing broker requested buyer waiver in order for buyer’s offer to be considered that the buyer could rescind the waiver. Similar to the other issues, it’s best for a seller to assume the buyer has 5 days from mutual acceptance to terminate.” – Lars E. Neste, Demco Law Firm, P.S.

Fun side note from this week! Yesterday I took a field trip to Bainbridge Island. Piled into my car half of my mom’s knitting group (oh yes I did) – aka, “the cultured purls” – oh my, what a day + what a site. Keep in mind I’ve never once picked up a knitting needle myself – that said, we were on a mission though…to deliver 13 knit hats created by this group to Ty Evans of our Bainbridge office. Each holiday season Ty partners with Bainbridge Island’s Churchhouse Yarns & Teas and invites her people for some wine, cheese and to pick up a hat pattern with the fixings to complete a hat. Where do these hats then go? I kid you not, Ty hits the streets of Seattle to find homeless in need of some warmth. I got wind of this, connected with Ty about a knitting group I know and the rest was history! Yesterday, we delivered the goods. And of coarse, Ty had a brand new listing on the island so we showed up there to surprise her and toured a waterfront beauty. What a story, what a day, certainly an “idea worth spreading” – knit + purl + give. P.S. I still haven’t tried on the sport of knitting (if you were wondering) yet I’m a darn good designated driver for the “cultured purls”! Ty + the ladies…

Ok, let’s enjoy our Friday! Hope you grabbed a digestible bite to put in practice this next week. Shout if you need anything, here to help – the ultimate goal! 206.227.7133 c.

Laura Smith, General Manager | Windermere Real Estate Co.

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