Brian Leavitt, REALTOR®

God says buy this home.

My Toulon Listing as featured by God.

From my Realtor friends Facebook... looks like something you might see in my office.

Dear Zillow please blog this

From Zillow April 27, 2010

 

“Dear Brian,

 

In reviewing your recent quote ZQ-XXXXXX, we see that this rate is too low. If you feel this is not the case please provide information with the details such as who is the investor, what is your base rate, and lastly what are the ad-ons.

Community Relations

Zillow.com”

 

Response April 27, 2010

 

“Dear Zillow,

I reviewed the quote, and in fact reviewed all of my recent quotes, and have verified that indeed the quote is correct.  I suspect that once again my competitors are complaining about our rates.  You might find this surprising but our clients NEVER see this as a problem.  As far as telling you who my investor is that information is confidential.  My base rate and all fees are disclosed in the quote.  Perhaps the best way for you to verify these rates is to allow me to refinance your home or assist you in a purchase.  Upon completion of a loan application I will be delighted to lock your loan as disclosed in the quote and guarantee this rate.  What is your rate now?

 

If you have an opportunity I would appreciate it if you would blog about this on the Zillow website.  I find it interesting that just because my competitors can’t compete this is viewed as a problem.

 

A mutual friend of ours works for Zillow and I forwarded him a confidential copy of our wholesale pricing matrix so that you may verify the authenticity of these rates although he will not provide you with the investor details.

 

P.S.  If you think this is low wait until you see our new JUMBO program rolling out this afternoon.

 

Brian Leavitt

Designated Broker

Northstone Mortgage

425-837-4700

broker@northstone.net”

Freddie Mac you broke my heart

Freddie Mac you broke my heart.  You teased me with your beautiful little condo nestled on the wooded hillside by the lake.  Two ample bedrooms and two sparkling baths complete with tile floors and sleek tile tub surrounds.  Your spacious south facing living room took full advantage of the fleeting Seattle sun.  But you, unresponsive, communication challenged and unable to commit.  My intentions were clear from the very start, I wanted your condo to be my own to have and to hold in sickness and health to sale do we part, but it seems it was just not to be.  Perhaps you have been wounded by other less serious suitors but 30 days is way too long to expect me to wait.  Terms agreed to orally but no written response.  As beautiful and seductive as your condo is I have left you for another. 

Three days from offer to inspection and now ready to close.  My new condo is beautiful and fully committed, closer to the city center and in way better shape. You my old flame, I wish all the best.  Perhaps we can still be friends but more likely I think not.  Freddie Mac, until you clean up your act and deal with your skeletons you are destined to keep your own condo company.

 

Thoughts from a buyer after waiting 30 days for a signed agreement from Freddie Mac that never materialized.

Wordless Wednesday

Ken Griffey Jr, Have I got a House For You!

Ken,  If you are out there, we just want to let you know that we have the skills and experience necessary to make buying your home a pleasant and stress free experience.  Having helped many high profile people like you, we have learned that the process is an art as well as a science.  Learning to protect your privacy was probably the easiest task since confidentiality is important on every transaction not just our high profile clients.  Avoiding the paparazzi is another matter, not that the Eastside is particularly overrun with them.  We are quite comfortable working with your assistant although working with you personally is something we would enjoy.  Most of our high profile clients have excellent agents and assistants and working with them is a pleasure in itself.  We understand your desire for privacy and expect you will stay out of sight.  We also recognize that your high profile can make negotiating a bit more difficult since everyone knows what you make, so we are quite comfortable using contract assignments if that is a concern of yours. 

It should not be much of a problem finding a home you will like.  Right know we have 438 homes available in the area that could be contenders.  Oh, and since you just have a one year contract, we have some really nice rentals as well.  As the Eastside's boutique Realtor, we are at your service.

P.S. We have a nice place available in Mukelteo if you are interested.

by Brian Leavitt Northstone Real Estate, Inc.

$1,336,689.00 per month?

What does $1,336,989 per month get you? How about a 16 bedroom 35 Bath 55,000 ft.² home on a 784,000 ft.² lot?

We've all heard it said, location, location, location, how about 1600 Pennsylvania Ave? According to Zillow today's market value of the White House would be $284,576,000 or $1,336,989 per month. Zillow goes on to describe the White House as follows: Be sure and click this link to see the article, it's GREAT!

Home Description:

"Built in 1792, this magnificent 132-room mansion is the rarest of homes in the U.S. since it is not only the residence of the U.S. president and his family, but it also has two wings with offices for the president, the First Lady, top staff and aides. Designed by Irish architect James Hoban, it was built during the Federalist period (late 1780-1830), but is considered Georgian in the Palladian style with neoclassical influences. After the cornerstone was laid on October 13, 1792, it was built by slaves, free African-American laborers, immigrants, and salaried Europeans. Second President John Adams and his wife, Abigail, took occupancy on November 1, 1800. Made from sandstone, brick and wood, the White House was composed only of the "Residence" and was completed for a cost of $232,371.83. There are three parts to the White House: The Residence (where the First Family resides), the West Wing (Oval Office and top executive offices) and the East Wing (First Lady and offices for her staff). The Residence contains 6 levels: the sub-basement (storage, laundry); basement (Diplomatic Reception room, Map Room, kitchen, curator's office, dentist's office, one-lane bowling alley); first floor (the "State Floor" contains the Red Room, Blue Room, Green Room, East Room, State Dining Room, and Family Dining Room); second floor (the "Family Residence" contains the master bedroom, Lincoln Bedroom, Queens' Bedroom, Yellow Oval Room, Truman Balcony), and the third floor (rec, music, and sun rooms). The West Wing contains the president's office, the Oval Office and the Situation Room. There are three levels: the basement (Situation Room, Secret Service Offices, Press Corps Offices); the first floor (Oval Office, Vice President's Office, Chief of Staff Office, Roosevelt Room, Press Briefing Room), and the second floor (offices of the president's staff). The East Wing houses the First Lady's office and those of her staff. It is also where the underground bunker is located"

Curious what your home is worth? Compare your homes Zestimate r with my detailed market analysis.

Staging Horror Stories

Check out the staging horror stories at buzz.mn, scroll down past the market update info.  Some pretty funny stuff here.  I like the one about the condemnation notice posted on the outside of the condo building, a pretty tough sell.  OK, and while we are at it take a look at the photo below posted by Charles Buell, a home inspector in Seattle.