Real Estate Weekly: March 17, 2023

INSIDE This Issue

THE BENEFITS OF OPEN HOUSES FOR YOUR HOME FOR SALE

LISTING LANGUAGE SHOULD EXCITE TARGET BUYERS

MARCH 17, 2023

All real estate advertised in Real Estate Weekly is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” We will not knowingly accept any advertising which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed

that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.

For further information call HUD Toll Free at 1-800-669-9777.

All Houses subject to prior changes without notice. Neither advertisers nor Skagit Publishing are responsible for any errors in the ad copy. Skagit Publishing reserves the right to refuse any advertising, which we deem unsuitable for our publication.

Unless otherwise noted, all photographs, artwork and ad designs printed are the sole property of Skagit Publishing and may not be duplicated or reprinted without express written permission.

Skagit Publishing is not responsible for typographical or production errors or the accuracy of information provided by advertisers.

Real Estate Stat

Source: National Association of REALTORS®

Jo Ann Boudreau has been a Professional Realtor for 51 years and a Cer tified Residential Real Estate Appraiser for 30 years JoAnn graduated from Sedro Woolley High School and Studied at Seattle University through the Appraisal Institute to receive her Appraisal Cer tification. She has 5 children, 11 Grandchildren, and now 9 Great-Grandchildren. JoAnn has watched our community grow and become a great place to raise a family Being a Realtor and an Appraiser gives her a broad scope of experience to better determine what the market value of your home is when you are ready to list and sell your home to make a change. She knows Skagit County and likes to help people with their real estate needs.

Why advertising matters

No matter the size of your business, good and thoughtful promotion will always help you grow awareness about your brand, get in front of more serious prospective clients, and ultimately boost your revenue. Advertising has been shown to be worth the investment, and we’re taking a deeper dive into why it really matters and what you can do to spread the word about your business.

• It creates brand awareness.

• It provides credibility.

• It helps you reach potential clients.

• It drives lead generation.

• It produces more continuous business.

• It improves your digital presence.

• It encourages customer engagement.

• It keeps your consumers up to date.

• It leads to repeat business.

The bottom line? Advertising really works. It’s a key component to building your brand, growing your earnings, and maintaining a successful real estate business. Our marketing solutions can help you get lots more eyes on your business with targeted online advertising.

Let us help you meet your marketing goals by advertising your listings in Real Estate Weekly.

The benefits of open houses for your home for sale

by Erik J. Martin

Getting your home listed on the MLS and putting out a “for sale” sign on your lawn may not be enough to garner sufficient interest from prospective purchasers. If you want to increase your odds of getting a good offer soon after listing your home, prepare to open your door to strangers and host one or more open houses.

An open house is an event held by sellers to showcase their residence and permit potential buyers to view and tour the property. It commonly includes walkthroughs, discussions with the property owners and other activities.

“Open houses allow buyer prospects to explore the prop-

erty in a relaxed atmosphere and ask questions that they otherwise may not have the opportunity to address,” says Josh Wilson, co-founder of That Florida Life. “The benefits of an open house are twofold, as it enables potential buyers to discuss the details of the property as well as network with other potential buyers.”

During an open house event, visitors can often get a good sense of the home’s design, square footage, functionality, lighting, amenities, and more. This is also a good chance to scout the neighborhood.

Open houses are usually scheduled and hosted by the seller’s Realtor or real estate agent. The agent promotes this event via traditional and online methods.

“Often, the best times to schedule open houses are on weekends. I prefer between 2 PM and 4 PM on Saturdays and Sundays,” says Ying He, a Realtor in San Francisco.

Open houses should preferably be scheduled soon after listing your home, “as this gives prospective buyers more time to consider making an offer on it before someone else does,” explains real estate investor Boris Dorfman, founder of LBC Capital Income Fund.

The number of open houses you might want to schedule will vary depending on your agent’s advice, your local market and buyer demand and your willingness to host these events.

“In general, hosting two to three open houses should give

you enough exposure to reach at least one serious buyer, resulting in the sale of the home. But having too many open houses can be cumbersome and overkill,” cautions Wilson. “If the home has not sold by the third open house, I believe you should reassess your marketing strategy.”

To prepare for an open house, you’ll need to tidy up the place and deep clean as necessary.

“You want the house to look like a home, with dishes put away and books on the bookshelf,” recommends Warner Quiroga, president/CEO of Prestige Homebuyers. “You want to clean up your yard and make other improvements, such as possibly painting your walls, so that potential buyers are impressed

by what they see with your home.”

Many real estate agents advise staging your home by removing personal items such as pictures, books and souvenirs from the walls and closets.

Once the house is ready, prepare to vamoose.

“The seller and their family should stay out of the house for a few hours, along with your dog or cat, too,” Quiroga continues.

It’s important to set realistic expectations about your open house.

“Sellers can expect some level of interest coming from hosting an open house. But it’s wise not to get too despondent if no offers surface right away,” suggests Dorfman. “Sometimes, just being

able to interact face-to-face with potential buyers can give homeowners valuable insights into what type of people are interested in their property, which can inform next steps – such as readjustment of pricing.”

Wilson agrees.

“Anticipate that your open house may not necessarily generate a lot of offers for a quick sale. There is no guarantee that potential buyers will show up, and many of those who do attend may not be qualified to purchase the home,” he says.

The good news is that, even if you have a weak turnout with no offer afterward, you can always slate another open house and try again, perhaps on a different day or time slot.

Ways to lower your insurance premiums

Question:

Our home insurance premiums have increased by $200 a month. Is there any way to get this cost reduced?

Answer:

It’s hardly a surprise that costs for homeowners insurance are rising. We are seeing more claims and bigger costs per claim, in large part because of climate change.

According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), 5.3 percent of all insured homes had a claim in 2019 versus 6 percent in 2020. This might seem like a small difference, but when we’re talking about tens of millions of homes the bills add up.

In addition, costs per claim are also rising. In 2016, according to the III, the typical claim amounted to $11,977 versus $14,424 in 2018.

What to do? According to the III, there are several strategies that may result in lower insurance costs.

Buy with care. For instance, you will pay less if your home is close to a fire hydrant. The type of home you buy, and its location, can influence rates.

“If you live in the East,” explains the III, “consider

a brick home because it’s more wind resistant. If you live in an earthquake-prone area, look for a wooden frame house because it is more likely to withstand this type of disaster. Choosing wisely could cut your premiums by 5 to 15 percent.”

Bundle. Combine auto and home insurance through one provider. Savings can range from 5 to 15 percent.

Increase the deductible. One sure way to reduce insurance costs is to buy less of it. As deductibles go up, premium costs go down because there is less risk to the insurance company. This strategy, however, can only be attractive if you have the means to pay the deductible in the event of a claim. One approach is to take the premium savings obtained each year and deposit them in an account for use if needed. Buy only the coverage you require. For instance, if your property is worth $400,000 and the land represents $100,000 of that value, you don’t need $400,000 in coverage.

“The land under your house isn’t at risk from theft, windstorm, fire and the other perils covered in your homeowner policy,” explains the III. “So don’t include its value in deciding how much homeowner insurance

ASK OUR BROKER

By Peter G. Miller

to buy. If you do, you will pay a higher premium than you should.”

Install an alarm system. Such systems can result in property insurance discounts. Ask insurance agents about specific alarm systems and insurance benefits. Shop around. As always, shop around to get the best combination of rates and terms.

In addition to the strategies above, it also makes sense to get a copy of your CLUE report.

According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the “LexisNexis C.L.U.E. (Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange) is a claims information exchange. It collects and reports up to seven years of auto and personal property claims. It also provides insurance risk scores to help inform pricing and underwriting decisions for the insurance industry.”

You can get one free CLUE report every 12 months and requesting a report does not reduce your credit score. To order go to: https://consumer.risk.lexisnexis. com/consumer

For additional information and specifics, speak with insurance agents in your neighborhood.

Email your real estate questions to Mr. Miller at peter@ctwfeatures.com.

Listing Language Should Excite Target Buyers

Marilyn Kennedy Melia

Proud homeowners. It may not be polite to brag when guests visit, but when it’s time sell, boasting and name-dropping might pay off. The website, Point2Homes.com, recently examined 52 million words found in the listing descriptions of 730,000 properties listed for sale or rent on its site. Over the past few years, Point2 has conducted the same survey on terms real estate agents across the country are using and finds that listing language changes to reflect “the evolving wants and needs of home buyers,” explains Alexandra Ciuntu of Point2.

For instance, “Space has always been a preference, but the pandemic made it a necessity, whether we’re talking about elbow room or storage,” Ciuntu says. Terms that promote that a home allows all members of a household to work and live without bumping into one another gained prominence, such as private, full, open, great and spacious.

Outdoor spaces also received more attention, with yard, patio and porch

highlighted.

Listings also include specifics. For example, appliance brand names have had a place in descriptions, and in 2022, Whirlpool, Sub-Zero and Wolf were the top touted manufacturers. Gaggenau, Thermador, and Miele were also popular brands to boost the idea of luxury and quality.

Even “gas” and “gas range” made the top 100 words found in listings, reflecting the popularity of this energy source among many consumers.

“It makes common sense that terms reflecting buyers’ current desires are effective,” says Michael Seiler, professor of real estate and finance at William & Mary, who has conducted research on the impact of words and photos in listings. But he notes that the Point2 study doesn’t offer scientific proof of this link.

Still, “picturing who your likely buyer is and mentioning features that likely will appeal to them should be effective,” says Seiler. Sellers can work with their real estate agent to imagine the target buyer and what features and details of their home are likely to impress.

60102 State route 20, MarBleMount $675,000

Mondo is a well- established and wellloved family-style restaurant at the foot of the Cascade Mountain Range. Locals and travelers make this par t of their Hw y 20 and Nor th Cascade National Park trip Major ar terial choice to Newhalem and continue on to Winthrop; or cross the Skagit River bridge and continue up to Cascade Pass and hiking to Stehekin. The restaurant is warm and inviting, with incredible fare Ver y spacious dining area. Some outside seating available. Small gift shop area. The kitchen is beautifully remodeled. New flooring and ex terior lighting. MLS#2038466

24017 trinit y lane, Sedro-woolle y $895,000

Conveniently located corner building lot with available utilities. Build your dream home in this neighborhood that is close to schools, Hillcrest Park, and the 18th Street Water Park. Easy access to I-5, shopping, and medical facilities

14903 ruStiC lane, ConCrete $30,000

Two ver y well maintained, level lots Bring your camper, fifth wheel, RV or tiny home.

Great location for year round residenc y or weekend / vacation getaways. Well shared with seller, power at street.

MLS#1951005 Patricia Box (360) 941-9186

Energy elec tricity; Cascade Natural Gas, fiber optics; cable; and sewer

Subjec t To sur vey and shor t plat. Proper ty is located between Chicago Title Company easterly parking lot and Max Dale Restaurant’s south easterly parking area. MLS# 1649968

whalen driVe, Point roBertS $250,000

Magnificent views of Boundar y Bay and the mountains! Enjoy the lights of Vancouver BC, only 45 minutes away! Less than 20 miles to Vancouver international Airpor t Point Rober ts is a quain community with forests, beaches close to Maple Beach), and the ocean yet near to all that the big city has to offer This lot is ready for your dream home; power at the street, wa er at the street (Point Rober ts Water District).

MLS# 1863417

Custom build your commercial enterprise: 13,361 square foot commercial trac t (two lots) zoned C-2. Great location near recreation center; major grocer y store; hotel; restaurants; offices; health club; house and farm supply stores; gas stations; banks; and I-5. Water, Cascade Natural Gas, Puget Sound Energy, City sewer, and Comcast are all in the street MLS#2009122

There are so many investment possibilities with this home and proper ty Classic 4 bed/2.5 bath farmhouse style 2560 sq.ft home with east facing deck on 1.7 acres. Home offers kitchen w/island and ceramic tile floors, office, bonus room, mud/laundr y room, living room with propane fireplace, built-in bookshelves, and beautiful laminate over hardwood floors Studio cottage has own kitchen and bath. Proper ty also features a 16,000+ sq.ft pole building/barn with office space, shop, and room for RV storage Potentially 5K in rental income each month from the cottage, barn, and RV storage

MLS#2028784

lane, Mount Vernon

Ver y private 5 acres just off Mountain View Rd. Check it out, the great neighborhood, close to future Eaglemont Golf course growth!

Danya Wolf (360) 708-8294

possible, permit#SW22-0073

MLS#1861233

nookaChaMP hillS driVe lot 36, Mount Vernon $210,000 Ready to Build with power, water, sewer and natural gas in the street Build your dream home in Nookachamp Hills, a desirable community in the foothills near Big Lake Enjoy walking/biking the trails and swimming/fishing in the community ’s small private lake/ pond Trail leading to pond/lake nex t to proper ty.

20787 BulSon rd, Stanwood $339,000 Beautiful wooded 4.98 acres situated on south side of Snohomish County/ Skagit County line. Power is in street Solar power is also possible Adjacent proper ty to the east of Subjec t Proper ty is fenced, open field Zoning allows for one building site Stanwood-Camano School Distric t; and just ten minutes to I-5. Great countr y living yet convenient for commuting. MLS# 1841822

Danya Wolf (360) 708-8294

Great visibilit y commercial proper t y: plent y of parking; small storage building/garage (20’ x 24’) in back. Proper t y is set up for offices on main level with 1.5 baths; and basement *access (with washer dr yer hook up plus t wo additional rooms) *from both inside and outside. Second stor y offers t wo additional rooms, one with a sink. Just over 1/2 acre: .547 acre. MLS#2038424

1760 S Burlington BlVd., Burlington $3500/Month

kato

$149,000

nhn S. 15th Street, Mount Vernon $199,000

MLS#2029949

Suzanne Jenkins (360) 941-2983

Carla Fischer (360) 982-0010

Danya Wolf (360) 708-8294

Suzanne Jenkins (360) 941-2983 CRS/SRES

Elva Hunter (360) 202-3086 CRS/SRES

Carla Fischer (360) 982-0010 CRS/SRES

Danya Wolf Designated Broker/Owner (360) 708-8294 CRS/CBA/GREEN

1 Mountain View rd, Mount Vernon $115,000 Located just outside the Mount Vernon City limits, this wooded 1 acre plus lot could be a building site for a stick built, modular, or manufac tured home, with plenty of room. Trac t has been sur veyed and wetlands have been delineated Power and PUD water are available at the street. Perc test per formed/3 bed septic

Danya Wolf (360) 708-8294

commercial BUilDiNG For leaSe

2XXX urBan aVenue, Mount Vernon $600,000

Danya Wolf (360) 708-8294

Prime commercial proper ty with utilities in street, including P.U.D. water, Puget Sound

Danya Wolf (360) 708-8294