Thursday, November 28, 2013
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
What is the MLS?
It is the
trademarked term for Major League Soccer, however in real estate it is the
Multiple Listing Service. It refers to a place where real estate brokers can go
and share information about properties that have been sold, or are being sold.
It is a service that
is subscribed to by brokers, it is a place for brokers to list new properties
for sale as well as a place they can search for properties to show their
clients.
In western
Washington we have the NWMLS. When we talk about a MLS number it is a specific
number assigned to a particular house for sale. It is a way of easily
identifying the house, and follows the property for the whole time it is on the
MLS.
If you choose to
sell your house FSBO (For Sale By Owner) you do not have the access to post
your home directly on the MLS. That is one of the important reasons for working
with a licensed broker so that they can get your house on the MLS.
Craigslist and other
web searches are good places to look at properties, however working directly
with an agent can be more direct and can get you the most current homes
available. Also because they can get on the MLS they are often able to get more
information for you on specific properties that you are not able to see as a
buyer.
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Moisture and mold in my house... What do I do?
Mold is a type of
fungus. It thrives on its surroundings including soil, decaying plant pieces,
food, fabrics and clothes and wood materials. It thrives in damp places and
multiplies by sending spores into the air that land and start thriving on their
own. Mold can withstand freezing temperatures, it can also withstand dry
spells.
The key to mold is
moisture control. Damp areas of the home
are a trouble spot for mold growth. The spores that mold produces can create
allergens that can be problematic to sensitive individuals. It is important that
if you see mold in your home you take corrective measures to ensure ridding the
area of the problem.
When you see mold in
your house you need to clean up the mold but also assess the situation and see
where the problem is starting. It could be rot in the floor, a leak in the
roof, or excessive moisture in the bathroom or kitchen area. If you don’t fix the
problem than most likely the mold will present itself again.
Mold can be removed
from a surface by scrubbing the area with warm water and a detergent. Then it
is very important to thoroughly dry the area. You can also take an additional
step of disinfecting the area with a 1/4 cup of beach diluted with a gallon of
water, then let it air dry. This will get rid of the surface/visible mold. Next
you should dig deeper and find out the cause. It may be as simple as adding
better ventilation. Dehumidifiers can help with the moisture, so can running
the kitchen and bathroom fans. If you
have condensation gathering inside your windows and on your windowsills it can
be a smart move to dry those often as well.
Seattle has very wet
fall winter and spring seasons. With precautionary measures and proper
ventilation in your house there should be no major need for concern. Just be
attentive to the issue and if you are concerned with the problem go ahead and
give an expert a call.
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
King County median home price up 15% over year ago - Seattle Times
The Seattle Times is reporting an increase of the value and prices of King County's homes.
Over the past year they have increased by 15% on average.
"Buyers closed on 2,187 homes, 10 percent more than in the previous October, the Northwest Multiple Listing Service (MLS) reported Tuesday."
King County median home price up 15% over year ago | Business & Technology | The Seattle Times
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