Realtors' Code of Ethics and What You Should Expect

What is a Realtors' primary obligation to you as our client? In Article 1 of Duties to Clients and Customers, "Realtors pledge themselves to protect and promote the interests of their client. This obligation to the client is primary, but it does not relieve Realtors of their obligation to treat all parties honestly."

So, first of all, you should expect honesty from a realtor, whether your realtor is your agent or the other party's agent.

"What if I suspect that my realtor isn't being honest?" Good question! It's a fair one to ask too. First of all, communicate with your realtor and describe your situation and feelings, and of course, the facts. Perhaps your realtor was miscommunicated to and passed that along, not knowing of the misinformation. This first step of communicating is crucial in maintaining a great relationship with your realtor. If your realtor gets defensive and you feel uncomfortable, take the next step and ask if they would mind if their broker helped to mediate the situation. If they don't mind, set up an appointment. If they do mind, maybe you should reconsider who you are using as an agent.

As a first-time home buyer, I used the seller's agent. This can work for both parties, depending on who the agent is. I wouldn't mind representing both the seller and buyer. I'd know what is going on in each person's mind, and since I like to be treated fairly, I treat them both fairly. Unfortunately for our family (did I already tell you this story??), our dual agent did not treat us fairly, and was, well, deceptive. If I had known then what I know now about the way realtors are expected to treat us, I would have gone to her broker and talked with him/her about our situation. So, since you home buyers and sellers are getting more educated about real estate, be among the first to learn about the Code of Ethics for Realtors, and make sure your agent is a Realtor (r).

God bless you and Happy New Year!

Connie Suehiro
Real Estate Agent, (working toward my Realtor (r) status) :)
Gary Mann Real Estate
305 E. Third
Moses Lake, WA 98837
cell: 509-431-5804 (call me for a free list of homes!)
office: 509-765-3463

Moses Lake is in a Construction Boom

Even though the nation is experiencing some economic hardship right now, with Washington's housing and farming industries, among others like Boeing, Weyerhaeuser, Microsoft, according to the Seattle Times, Moses Lake and Seattle are two places in our state that are fairing well.

Now, don't quote me, but the businesses that I keep hearing about that are coming in to Moses Lake in the next two years are:
~ Lowe's
~ A furniture store on Valley Road, by the Eye Clinic
~ A storage facility on Central, near Chico's Pizza
~ Applebee's Family Restaurant, by the new hotels off I-90

Well, this may or may not be the last time I write to you for 2007. So, if I don't get back on til 2008, have a Happy New Year!

Connie Suehiro
Real Estate Agent
Gary Mann Real Estate
(509) 431-5804
(509) 765-3463

Looking for a Room with a View?

Would you like to have a room with a view of the lake? Moses Lake? Banks Lake? Lake Roosevelt? Which one of these do you prefer? Call me and let's see if I can help you out with one of these three. We have some beautiful homes and awesome land to help meet your needs to find a dream home on the lake, or find a builder for you.

Connie Suehiro
Real Estate Agent
Gary Mann Real Estate
305 E. Third
Moses Lake, WA 98837
509-431-5804 direct
509-765-3463 office

Out of the office through Christmas and back in on Thursday the 26th.

Going.......going.........gone!

We're in the process of selling the 20.5 acres of land in Othello. The listed price is $100,000. I have a great seller I'm working with, and he has big heart. So, if you had YOUR heart set on the 20.5 acres there, keep watch on this blog and see if it is still here in a month. It has a mobile home on it, but with no value attached.

I have some other acreage with a waterfront view that just may be perfect for a developer, priced just right, coming up. Keep your eye out on the NWMLS. It should be coming out in a few days, or after Christmas. We'll see how it all works out.

Have Available:
Country Home on 2.2 acres, 5 bedrooms, bonus room with fireplace, fireplace in dining area, two pastures, ramp access, shop, barn, space for livestock, grapes and other fruit trees. $220,000.

Five (5) acres on Neppel Road in Moses Lake. Ready for you to build a home or place a manufactured home on it, just 1.6 miles down Neppel if you take the first entrance going north from Moses Lake on highway 17.

Beautiful manufactured home on waterfront property (one acre) with three bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (including a soaking tub), 1404 square feet, huge deck facing the water, dock, great fishing, a natural spring, gazebo-type enclosure around the hot tub, huge shop, single-car garage, and two sheds. Very private, fully fenced with gated entry. $439,000. Put this one on your Christmas wish list! Address: 5804 Shorecrest in Cascade Valley.

Need for a buyer:
Three-bedroom home with tile and/or hardwood floors, deep and wide garage (for the boat and trailer), around 1700 square feet or more, lots of closet space, at least 1 3/4 bath (minimum), for $200,000 or less.

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!

Connie Suehiro
Real Estate Agent
Gary Mann Real Estate
305 E. Third
Moses Lake, WA 98837
509-431-5804 direct
509-765-3463 office

Firefly Cafe in downtown Moses Lake

Did ya'll know there's a new cafe' in downtown Moses Lake?


I stopped in there the other day to introduce myself and met some real nice people working there. My co-worker and I asked if they had take-out menus, and sure enough, they did! So, I took one back to the office where I work at Gary Mann Real Estate so we would have one handy.


And you know how espressos have become a form of art? Well, Firefly Cafe' has a sandwich artist! So, they serve coffee and ice cream, sandwiches on croissant buns and sandwiches on regular bread. They also serve baked potatoes! Can you imagine a hot baked potato on a cold winter day? Put chili and butter, sour cream, and other goodies on it. Oh yes, and they also have hot dogs and hamburgers if you'd like something more traditional.


Go on down to Firefly Cafe' at 202 W. Third Ave. and tell them you heard about them from the blog at Moses Lake Real Estate Musings.


God bless you, and Merry Christmas!

Connie Suehiro
Real Estate Agent
Gary Mann Real Estate
(509) 431-5804 cell
Call me for a free list of homes in your price range!

Find A Home in Moses Lake, WA

Do you like it when someone makes it easy for you to find something? Like a house? Or apartment or rental?

Go to www.GaryMannRealEstate.com and do a market search for a home that fits your price range. Then, call me, and I can show you any home in Moses Lake that is for sale by any real estate company. I enjoy helping people buy and sell their homes, and I am here to help you too.

Welcome to Moses Lake!

Connie Suehiro
Gary Mann Real Estate
305 E. Third
Moses Lake, WA
(509) 431-5804 cell

Moses Lake Business Association wants your input

The Moses Lake Business Association is soliciting input for direction as to what type of business you wish to see come to Moses Lake. I don't know exactly what kind of power they have to bring business in, but it doesn't hurt to send your comments in to them at mlba@moseslakebusiness.com and let them know what independent owner, franchised business, general type, or a specific brand you'd like to see here in Moses Lake. I'd like to see Target come in. How about you?

Have a great day!

Connie Suehiro
Real Estate Agent
(509) 431-5804 cell

Call me for a free list of homes for sale in Moses Lake in your price range.

91 Homes For Sale in Moses Lake for..

$180,000 and less. For a list of these homes and more, call me at 509-431-5804 or email me at homes@iglide.net and request a free copy of this list. Let me help you sell your home or buy some property here in Moses Lake. Our office is a very client-friendly office, ready to help you sell your home.

Connie Suehiro, Agent

Gary Mann Real Estate

305 E. Third

Moses Lake, WA 98837

(509) 431-5804 cell

(509) 765-3463 office

http://www.garymannrealestate.com/

10 Things to Take the Trauma Out of Homebuying

I found a great tool that you can use in the homebuying process that will be SO helpful to you. I found it in a realtor-only section of a real estate source I use alot!

It's titled: 10 Things to Take the Trauma Out of Homebuying

#1. First of all, you need to find a real estate agent that’s simpatico. Homebuying is not only a big financial commitment, but also an emotional one. It’s critical that the agent you chose is both skilled and a good fit with your personality.

Well, I have the listat my desk, but time has run out to type it all up because I need to get going to volunteer at the school where my daughter attends. Call me so I can mail the whole list to you. Have a great weekend!

Connie Suehiro

Real Estate Agent

(509) 431-5804 cell

Gary Mann Real Estate

Moses Lake, WA

(509) 765-3463 office

http://www.realestateclipart.com

Visit Real Estate Clipart for great real estate graphics!

Free Comparative Market Analysis of your home

Gary Mann Real Estate is a client-centered real estate office with many things to offer to you. One of the services we offer is a free Comparative Market Analysis, or CMA, when you use us to help you sell your home.

Preparing a CMA for you so you'll know what your home will sell for, in the current home buying market, is a valuable tool for you and your real estate agent. You need to know how much to set the price for on your home so that a reasonable buyer will want to buy it. If we set the price too high, you won't get many offers. If we set it just right and the buyers are available, you are more than likely to get offers on your home, at or near the listed price.

How do we prepare a Comparative Market Analysis, you might ask?

We compare your home with others that are similar to it in size, bedrooms, and neighborhood, that have sold in the past six months. To get this information, we do research on all of the homes that fit that criteria as close as possible, short of finding a duplicate of your home, and come up with a market value to set as a price on your home. Sometimes this is an easy process, and sometimes, it takes longer than we expect, because we pride ourselves on being as accurate as possible. If you need to "pad" the price a little and add to it because you need to net a certain amount, we'll do that if it's reasonable, but understand, there's no guarantee and it's ultimately the home buyers who set the price as you accept their offer.

Call me for a free Comparative Market Analysis, and let me help you sell your home. I look forward to your call and sharing this sign with you for your property!

Connie Suehiro, Agent

(509) 431-5804 cell

Gary Mann Real Estate

Moses Lake, WA 98837

(509) 765-3463 office

5108 Shorecrest Home - video clip

Yes, You Can Qualify for a Home Loan

BUT....

But what?

Okay, what are some things lenders look for when they're checking to see if you qualify for a home loan?

Your credit score. What are some things that affect your credit score? Well, whenever you apply for and receive a new credit card, it affects your credit rating negatively. And, when you cancel a credit card, it affects your credit rating negatively. Why? Because it means someone is checking on your credit rating. Even if it's you checking, it affects your credit rating. Interesting, and frustrating, but that's what I understand to be true. Please correct me if it's otherwise. I'd like to hear some good news on credit ratings.

What else do lenders look for?

Employment, or lack of employment. What if you're a very industrious person who enjoys working hard for a living wage, but your job is seasonal? Does that affect whether or not you qualify for a loan? What if you don't start until January, but the home you want to buy is on the market, and you're ready to buy it? Do you already own a home? Well, check with your current lender, if they're doing a good job for you, and ask if you can get a loan through them, contingent on, or based on, the sale of the home you're living in.

Well, those are just a couple of things lenders look at. Finding the right lender is the first step in getting your home loan. I met a new lender from Eastern Washington today. He takes pride in doing things with integrity and really helping you, not just making a buck. He said that if your current loan rate is at 7% or 8%, you should take a look at refinancing because it's quite possible that your loan could be at least a percentage point or two less with rates being so low now. That is not always going to be the case. But it doesn't hurt to check and see if a refinance is the way you want to go at this point in your loan. I'm no loan expert, but when a loan expert gives me good financial advice, I'll pass it along to you.

Here are the current properties I have available for you:

1. 20 acres of land in Othello on Hays Road, 6.5 miles down WA-26 from Highway 17 for $100,000. Bring your offer!

2. A five-bedroom, 2 bath, country home with 2.2 acres just 6 minutes outside Moses Lake on Rd 2 (follow the directional sign from highway 17), 2,968 square feet and two wood stoves and spacious bedrooms. Currently is being painted throughout the interior. Call for an appointment. Seller is motivated, so bring your offers. Listed price is $220,000.

3. A beautiful, immaculate, private, double-wide on an acre on the waterfront with three bedrooms and two bathrooms, a very large shop/office/library with a half bath inside it, and with a single-car garage attached to the side. Oh, the deck is huge, and the view of the water and sky is quite a panoramic picture. I took an extra 25 photos today when it was on Broker's Tuesday Tour. Be on the lookout for a Public Open House for this home at 5108 Shorecrest in Moses Lake. It's fully fenced with a locked, gated entry. Listed price: $439,000.

4. Five acres of vacant land on Neppel Road for $75,000. The seller bought it several years ago and was going to retire in Moses Lake, but changed his mind. Ready to sell. Bring your offers on this one too. This is close to the price range that other five-acre lots have sold for in the McConihe area. To get to this one from Moses Lake, go past Big Bend College and turn left on Neppel. Go 1 1/2 miles until you get to the first mobile home on your right. The five acres for sale is the lot right after it, where my real estate sign is located. Grab a flyer or two and give one to your friends. Bring us an offer!

I hope you're doing well during this holiday season. I always get excited when Christmas comes around and we think about the birth of Christ. We have a lot of hope to share! Get out there and say, "Merry Christmas" to everyone you meet and brighten their day!

Merry Christmas from my family to yours!

Connie Suehiro, Agent

Gary Mann Real Estate

305 E. Third

Moses Lake, WA 98837

(509) 431-5804 cell

(509) 765-3463 office

Rates are at another low

Heidi Backus called me from Homestead Mortgage yesterday and let me know that rates are at a very good low, less than 5.75%. If you have been waiting to buy that $150,000 home because the monthly payments are too high, and you could afford to spend around $50 less each month, think about making an offer on your dream home today. Rates fluctuate daily, so if you're ready, don't wait to make that phone call to your lender today.

If you'd like a free list of homes for sale under $150,000 (or over $150,000 up to your maximum amount) call me today at 509-431-5804 or email me at homes@iglide.net and I'll email a list out to you. Be sure to call your lender first to find out what size of a loan you pre-qualify for. It starts with a 5-10 minute call, and you'll be glad you called so that your time isn't wasted on something that doesn't fit your needs.

Connie Suehiro, Agent

Gary Mann Real Estate

305 E. Third

Moses Lake, WA 98837

509-431-5804 cell

509-765-3463 office

www.GaryMannRealEstate.com

Country Home on Acreage! 6 minutes from Moses Lake

This is exciting! We now have a home in the country listed. It has 2.2 acres, comes with 2,968 square feet and five spacious bedrooms. It still has some work to be done on it, and we've been painting and preparing it for sale, but there is still work to be done, but come out and see the potential! The seller is motivated and wants to move soon, so come check out their home and bring all offers.

6 minutes from I-90. Trees surround this country home on 2.2 acres. Finished basement, five spacious bedrooms, 2 wood stoves. Deck, garden space, pastures, fruit trees, grapes, barn, corral, grain bin, room for livestock, fully fenced with a large gate at the beginning of the driveway, new paint throughout the home, converted garage used as living space (extra bedroom or family room, or even a rec room, attached garage/shop, asbestos siding and wood siding. Home is partially remodeled for handicap accessibility, has ramp & shower seat.

For more photos of this and other properties and for a virtual tour, go to http://www.garymannrealestate.com/, click on "Moses Lake Agents", then go to the bottom of the page and click under my name, Connie Suehiro, on "virtual tours," and you'll see the home on 2.2 acres.

We'll be having a Public Open House soon on this one. Watch this blog for this tour, and the Columbia Basin Herald for our WEEKLY open house tours for you!

Call me for a preview!

Connie Suehiro

Gary Mann Real Estate

Moses Lake, WA

Cell: 509-431-5804

Office: 509-765-3463 ext. 110