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Realtor’s Corner
johnlscott.com/wenatcheeoffice Where were you born and where did you grow up? Born and raised in Bremerton; Washington native.
Carol Kavanaugh John L. Scott Real Estate 509-670-6762
What got you into the real estate business and what keeps you there? My cousin suggested it. Serving people as a trusted advisor and dependable resource. Which living person do you most admire? Tanya Bradford for her quiet devotion and genuine dedication to the mission and people of the Women’s Resource Center. What is your dream vacation? A month at an ocean-side cabin reading, writing, and walking the beach.
What is the most interesting property you have ever listed? Sellers who were referred to me owned a rental that had had extreme water damage to which they had not be alerted; they started to remediate and decided that it was just too much, so we put it on the market. It was uninhabitable with floors removed, pipes exposed in dirt, no bath, a huge mess. The property was purchased with cash by an enterprising investor who knew the value and had the ability and the resources to put it back together again. What technology devices do you use every day? Blackberry and computer. What do you like about living in the Wenatchee Valley? The “community” of our Valley; we care about each other and take care of each other. Is now a good time to buy a house? Great time to buy a house! Interest rates are crazy low, lots of homes from which to choose, and prices have adjusted since our surge market years. What is your favorite beverage? My first cup of coffee in the morning, which starts with the aroma of the fresh grinding of the beans.
August 29, 2011 By Melissa Dittmann-Tracey, REALTOR® Magazine
Housing Upgrades That Aren’t Worth It When upgrading, home owners often seek features that aren’t only desirable to them but also what will add value to the home when it comes time for resale. Certainly, the annual Cost vs. Value survey can be one of your biggest assets in helping to advise clients. The annual survey by Remodeling Magazine, in conjunction with REALTOR® Magazine, reveals specific remodeling projects that offer the biggest returns at resale. But what is some more general advise to help guide home owners when it comes to upgrades? An article at Bankrate.com from 2008, we feel still offers some practical advice that applies today when determining how to upgrade a house and add value-not lose value. Here are a few general tips from the article about judging housing upgrades for resale that may or may not be worth the expense: • Too high maintenance. Many buyers aren’t looking for homes that require too much upkeep and maintenance (hence, part of the reason behind the small-home, downsizing movement). The article notes in-ground swimming pools as a prime example of a high-maintenance feature that may turnoff many buyers as they look at the upkeep of it as too costly and too much work. • Over-the-top. Home owners don’t necessarily want to have the most upgraded home on the block. That’s because when they go to sell it, they likely won’t make all their money back on the upgrades if the home becomes overvalued for the neighborhood. So while granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and all the top finishes are always an attraction, home owners need to ask whether such features are too much for their neighborhood, particularly if the other homes just have moderately priced cabinets or features. • Too personal. Too much customized design choices, such as a Tuscan theme taken to the extreme, may turn off buyers or attract low-ball offers at times of resale because buyers who may have differing tastes see the decor and finishes as something they have to do-over. “Any time you deviate, no matter what the improvement is, from what is a fairly traditional, single-family house, you run the risk of improving in a fashion that will not lend itself to additional dollars,” Miami real estate pro Moe Veissi told Bankrate.com. Reprinted from REALTOR® Magazine Online, August 2011, with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Copyright 2011. All rights reserved.
Bringing Buyers & Sellers Together
Jacqueline SwinDell-Hurst
Sharon Shaw
509-860-3963
Broker Associate
R E A L E S TAT E
Windermere Real Estate/NCW
swindell@windermere.com
509-670-5459 Connect to johnlscott.com/wenatcheeofice • 662-4772 • 1201 N. Wenatchee Ave. This Office independently Owned & Operated
Adult Family Home For Sale in Wenatchee Licensed for 5 beds. Call Jacqueline for more information. 430 21st ST NE, E. Wenatchee
$325,000
Amazing Columbia River, City Lights, and Mountain Views From This Home. Big Back Yard at 0.41 Acre lot with Mature and Garden Landscaping. 2 Large View decks, 3 Car Garage, 4 bedroom, 2.5 Bath 2880 Sq Ft. Living Room and Family Room.
1965 Diamond Ct., E. Wenatchee
www.wenatcheepremierhomes.com Stephen Office: 662-3491 Bishop fax: 664-3897
679-7004
Sharon Moreland
670-0075
WHY USE A
REALTOR? Realtors...
✓ are experts on real estate—the largest financial investments you will make ✓ are pros at bringing buyers and sellers together ✓ have established leads and contacts ✓ handle sales calls and follow-up ✓ have the most current data to help price your home or determine your buying power ✓ make sure all of your real estate forms are completed accurately to refl ect your intentions ✓ have the most current data to help price your home or determine your buying power ✓ arrange advertising and host open houses ✓ sweat the details to reduce your stress ✓ protect the interests of their clients and treat all parties honestly ✓ abide by a strict Code of Ethics ✓ are experienced negotiators ✓ network with other realtors to help market your property ✓ are hired by 9 out of 10 buyers in the homebuying search
$300,000
Immaculate 2 story with large master and master bath. Huge views of the Columbia River, City Lights, and Mountains. Beautiful outdoor patio and water feature in back yard. 4 bedrooms plus and office, 2.5 baths, 2279 sq ft, 3 car garage.
2032 Soden St., E. Wenatchee
$287,900
Faulkner Rambler With Open Floor Plan. 3 Bedroom plus an office, 2.5 Bathrooms, 2216 Sq, Ft 3 Car Garage with a well-landscaped back yard with 2 patio areas for entertaining, 0.25 acre. Built in 2005.
2120 Black Stone Ct., E. Wenatchee
$239,900
New Construction home with all the good upgrades. Granite Kitchen Counters, Maple Cabinets and Hardwood Floors, Tile in Bathrooms, Solid Core Doors, 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 2 car garage 1666 sq ft.
4977 Red Apple Rd., Cashmere
$315,000
Large Country Home with Charm and Acreage. 1.93 Acres including about 75 Pear Trees as well as other fruit, 4 car detached shop, 4 bedroom, 2.75 Baths with a new remodeled master bath. Private!!!
312 E Poplar St in Waterville
$129,900
Zero Down USDA financing available for this charming home. 2 finished bedrooms with the availability of finishing the basement to add one more bedroom, 1740 sq ft. Big kitchen, cute and updated and sits on a 0.47 Acre lot, 2 car detached shop/garage and 2 more outbuildings.
RESERVE YOUR SPACE TODAY! Contact
Tom Nees Talk To Tom About
OPEN HOUSES FEATURED LISTINGS REALTOR SPOTLIGHT
Work: 509-661-5219 Cell: 509-860-2091 nees@wenatcheeworld.com
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