Distressed Property Consultant law gets modified…. finally!

Posted on February 23, 2009 by Reba Haas

A lot of people got bent out of shape back in June of 2008 when a new law aimed at stopping equity skimming on foreclosures went into effect. The initial premise of stopping others from scamming people in financial distress was good, in theory, but the actual law that went into effect was a far cry from what the Attorney General’s office had put forward.

Today, we learn that the law has been modified via HB 1132 to better qualify what constitutes a distressed property under the law, and what specific elements must be present in the transaction to make it fit, or not fit, the definition. It’s even nicer that the update will go into effect immediately and there is no waiting period.

I don’t want to get too excited just yet as this only just passed the House and it will be going to the Senate soon under SB 5221. Let’s hope the same unanimous vote occurs within the state Senate!

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Need a copy of an oil tank decommissioning report?

Posted on February 23, 2009 by Reba Haas

Since there is an abundance of older housing stock in the City of Seattle, it’s not uncommon to have the question of whether or not an oil tank is on a property. To determine if a tank has been decommissioned it is possible to contact the local Fire Department and have them look up the address to the property and see if one has been filed. In this case I called the Fire Marshall’s office for the City of Seattle.

The Seattle Fire Marshal’s Office is located at:

220 3rd Avenue South
Seattle, WA 98104-2608

Phone: 206-386-1450
fax: 206-386-1348

Business hours are:

Monday through Friday
8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Most decommissioning reports have only been in place for roughly the past 10 years so if it was done earlier you may not have a record available to you. I’ve found that most municipalities are similar in process to this method of investigation so depending on where you live, you’ll want to contact the fire department responsible for your area whether in city limits or in an unincorporated area.

Most reports are faxed and not emailed, so be sure you can provide a fax number to whomever you speak to. Some lenders require a copy of decommissioning reports so be prepared to give a copy to your mortgage company/broker/lender, escrow and other parties as necessary.

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Washington institutes another disclosure policy for agents and those they do business with – this time it’s property inspectors

Posted on January 31, 2009 by Reba Haas

It’s been common for a while that real estate agents and brokers must disclose if they have any affiliated business arrangements with title, escrow, or financial institutions involved in a transaction. Also, agents are required to disclose if any other service they provide or refer gives compensation to the agent in return for the business. Examples would be cleaning services, staging companies, etc.

Now, this has spread to familial or business relationships with property inspectors. Typically I would think that this would be normal if there was some ownership of family relationship but it has spread to include if the home inspector has ever used the agent’s services in the past. I find that part a bit odd.

I’ve got many property inspectors who I know, having met them over the years we’ve been in business, and we list several on our website that our clients can choose from if they don’t have a preferred person of their own. One of those inspectors who we met originally via a client, and then again through the Seattle Chamber of Commerce, has used our services in the past but only because he saw over the years how we treated our clients and the level of professionalism that we offered. So far we have only done a couple of transactions together and none of these have had any sway over how we might do business with one of my own clients. But, we’ll create the disclosure form nonetheless and abide by the new rules.

What are your thoughts on this new rule?

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Burn ban in King, Kitsap, Snohomish and Pierce County has been cancelled

Posted on January 25, 2009 by Reba Haas

A notice came out yesterday with news that the burn ban has been cancelled for King, Kitsap, Snohomish, and Pierce Counties. Details direct from PSCAA below:

Message from the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 24, 2009

WEEKEND MEDIA CONTACT: 206-618-9734

Stage 2 burn ban cancelled for King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties

January 24, 2009 – The Stage 2 burn ban for King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties is terminated, effective at 12:00 p.m., January 24, 2009. The stagnant weather pattern of this past week is finally eroding, bringing improved mixing and dispersion of the fine particle pollution – and ultimately, cleaner, healthier air.

We appreciate the public’s cooperation with the burn ban, and encourage people to check current air quality conditions and air quality forecasts at our Web site http://m1e.net/c?89487606-bMCZxSv.0mp/g%403924828-ZrxerqCoeRvSg before they burn. Conditions can change quickly this time of year.

For those who heat with wood, please remember that it is always illegal to emit excess chimney smoke and to smoke out your neighbor. You know you are burning properly when you do not see any smoke coming from your chimney. To learn more about the most efficient and cleanest burning techniques, visit http://m1e.net/c?89487606-HgGIbBSbvFxSQ%403924829-5j11WlO7tuLr%2e .

For additional information regarding burn bans or other air quality topics visit http://m1e.net/c?89487606-U47stkp7gBrhU%403924830-.WDqVDR102WEc .

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Burn ban raised to level 2 for King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties

Posted on January 19, 2009 by Reba Haas

Message from the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency

Stage 2 burn ban called for King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties

January 19, 2009 – Due to stagnant weather conditions and elevated air pollution levels, the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency is issuing a Stage 2 burn ban for King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties, effective at 12:00 p.m. January 19, 2009.

Stagnant conditions in the lowlands of the Puget Sound area continue with no relief expected during the next 48 to 72 hours. Air pollution levels have risen sharply in some areas. Offshore winds are expected to weaken today, enhancing the impact of pollution being emitted into the air. This Stage 2 ban is expected to remain in place until Thursday.

During a Stage 2 burn ban:

• NO burning is allowed in ANY wood-burning fireplaces, wood stoves or fireplace inserts (certified or uncertified) or pellet stoves, unless this is your only adequate source of heat. Residents should rely instead on their home’s other, cleaner source of heat (such as their furnace or electric baseboard heaters) for a few days until air quality improves, the public health risk diminishes and the ban is cancelled.

• Natural gas, propane and pellet stoves or inserts ARE allowed.

• Regulations prohibit the emission of any visible smoke, even if your fireplace, pellet stove, or wood stove is your only adequate source of heat.

• All outdoor burning is prohibited, even in areas where outdoor burning is not permanently banned. This includes recreational fires such as bonfires, campfires and the use of fire pits and chimineas.

• If our agency inspectors see any smoke being emitted from a chimney during a Stage 2 burn ban, they can assume a fireplace, wood or pellet stove is in use and a penalty is warranted.

• Burn ban violations are subject to a $1,000 penalty.

(Note: The Seattle Parks Department prohibits beach fires at Alki and Golden Gardens during the burn ban.)

This ban is in effect until further notice.

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Burn ban expanded to King, Snohomish, and Kitsap Counties

Posted on January 18, 2009 by Reba Haas

Message from the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency

Stage 1 burn ban called for King, Kitsap, and Snohomish counties; remains in effect for Pierce County

January 18, 2009 – Due to stagnant weather conditions and increasing air pollution levels, the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency is expanding a Stage 1 burn ban to include King, Kitsap and Snohomish counties effective 12:00 PM, January 18, 2009. The ban in Pierce County issued Friday remains in effect.

Stagnant weather conditions are entrenched over the Puget Sound area and expected to persist through Wednesday night. These conditions greatly increase the potential for air pollution to reach levels considered unhealthy for sensitive population groups. The Clean Air Agency is closely monitoring these conditions and will take additional actions as necessary if conditions degrade to unacceptable levels.

During a Stage 1 burn ban:

*No burning is allowed in fireplaces or uncertified wood stoves, unless this is your only adequate source of heat. Residents should rely instead on their home’s other, cleaner source of heat (such as their furnace or electric baseboard heaters) for a few days until air quality improves, the public health risk diminishes and the ban is cancelled.

*Natural gas, propane and pellet stoves or inserts ARE allowed.

No visible smoke is allowed from any wood stove or fireplace, certified or not, beyond a 20- minute start-up period.

*All outdoor burning is prohibited, even in areas where outdoor burning is not permanently banned. This includes recreational fires such as bonfires, campfires and the use of fire pits and chimineas. Burning of storm and flood damage debris is also prohibited.

*Burn ban violations are subject to a $1,000 penalty.

(Note: The Seattle Parks Department prohibits beach fires at Alki and Golden Gardens during the burn ban.)

This ban is in effect until further notice.

Puget Sound Clean Air Agency staff will continue to monitor the situation to determine when the burn ban can be lifted. You can check conditions and forecasts at http://m1e.net/c?89487606-2LuFIG7kBpWNo%403906342-qhoH/zvQHCPCE

The Washington State Department of Health recommends that people who are sensitive to air pollution limit time spent outdoors. Air pollution can trigger asthma attacks, cause difficulty breathing, and make lung and heart problems worse. Air pollution is especially harmful to children, people with heart and lung problems, and adults over age 65.

This is the first burn ban of the season and the first since a new state law went into effect lowering the air-quality trigger for calling a burn ban. The trigger level was lowered to align with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) health standard for fine particle pollution, which was tightened in 2006 to better protect public health.

For additional information visit pscleanair.org.

# # #

The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency is an air quality management agency serving King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties. Created as a result of the 1967 Washington Clean Air Act, the agency protects public health and improves air quality by adopting and enforcing air quality regulations, educating individuals and businesses about clean-air choices and sponsoring voluntary initiatives to improve air quality.

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How do you make a winning team even more effective? Just add Robin!

Posted on December 18, 2008 by Reba Haas

At Team Reba, we’re always looking for ways we can better serve our clients with their real estate needs. And for a few years, it’s been our goal to grow and bring on another agent to round out the team’s experience. It’s been a long and difficult search, trying to find the one agent who would make the perfect fit.

We’re thrilled to announce our search is over, and we’d like to introduce Robin Tomazic.

Robin is a smart, savvy and experienced RE/MAX agent with a thriving business and active clientele. Since 1997, she has helped hundreds of homebuyers, sellers and investors reach their real estate goals. As we work together, we’ll be relying on Robin’s residential expertise to help clients with their buying and selling needs.

By growing our team, it means you can count on the same great service you’ve come to expect from Team Reba—but now you can count on it even more. Working with Robin means we can offer you:

Greater coverage. With a larger team in place, we have more people available for you more often. If you have an urgent need that your designated agent cannot accommodate, we have availability to back each other up.

More expertise in more places.We continue to broaden our geographic territory, and like us, Robin covers the tri-county area, from northern Pierce County up to south Snohomish. Yet her regional specialty is the south Seattle area, and she has developed a following as the agent to tap for transactions in West Seattle, Burien, Georgetown and Beacon Hill.

Consistent service.What really sold us on Robin is that she thinks like we do when it comes to doing business. She is driven by the same sense of integrity, professionalism, and open communication that is the hallmark of working with Team Reba.

As you get to know Robin, we think you’ll come to appreciate her experience and expertise as much as we do.

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Do neighbors really make good fences?

Posted on November 18, 2008 by Reba Haas

First, let me preface this post with the fact that I am not an attorney, nor do I play one on TV or in real life. The following are comments of mine based on several client experiences.

The title of the post is a little twist on the usual saying of, “good fences make good neighbors” but from a real estate perspective it all depends on whether or not the neighbor (or you) put the fence up where it ought to be. Many people buy a house without checking the fenceline to be sure that it really is at the appropriate boundary, part of this is due, I think, to the fact that most people don’t want to pay the extra cost of a survey. In the Seattle and general King County area it is common to see pricing for a survey run around $1200-1500 so it’s certainly not what most people want to pay out of pocket on top of the cost of a new fence, which can be thousands of dollars.

Depending on the size of your fence, and style, a fence can be a pricey addition. Most people appreciate a fenced yard, and particularly those with dogs and/or children that they want to keep free from roaming.

Rarely does a fence actually go along the exact boundary line of a property. So, as a buyer of a home you have to decide if you want to pay for that survey or extended title policy where a look at the fence will bring up the details. From what I’ve seen, the title company, once a fence-line mistake has been discovered, will make that an exception of the policy coverage because the buyer is now aware of the mistake. If a fence has been in place for many years without an agreement between the seller and his/her neighbor, there is a chance that the encroachment could create a situation of what is called adverse possession. Each state has its own rules around how this works so you need to consult local attorneys and law if you need help in a situation where you think this may have occurred, or it is in the process of being done.

A former neighbor of mine in Seattle had a crazy case of this and it created a long term boundary dispute between him and his neighbor for years. The ante seemed to be upped each time it came to the surface resulting eventually in a court hearing, and it is still unresolved. In some cases, the encroachment does end up causing land to be lost – as in a case of where I showed a property to a buyer client of mine in Snohomish County where the tax info showed that 5.2 acres were on site but the agent only noted 4.7-ish on the listing details. The explanation I received when I asked about the discrepancy was that an adverse possession claim had successfully taken .4 acres of land from this owner. All I could think and hope was that someone had told that homeowner to file a petition with the county to have their taxes reduced since they weren’t officially the owners of that portion of land any longer. I have no idea if that happened or not since the people weren’t my clients.

Are there lessons learned here via these few examples? I hope so, and they are numerous. If you didn’t get them the first time reading through this post, email or call me and I’ll be happy to discuss them with you.

So, be a good neighbor and happy fence building!

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Team Reba expands its real estate investment offerings…

Posted on October 28, 2008 by Reba Haas

You’ll see in the post below a program that we at Team Reba have signed on to be part of whereby we are part of the investment group purchasing properties in a 14 state area that are in either foreclosure or short sale position, or both. With the laws in Washington State having changed to deter anyone, including law abiding investors, from working with sellers of homes in foreclosure with equity, the doors to many investment opportunities closed. A minor group of individuals were scamming homeowners and lying about how they would help them, knowing full well their intent was to skim equity from the owner and leave them high and dry.

I personally feel very confident in this program for several reasons: 1) my broker is standing behind it from the standpoint of recognizing it as a viable vehicle for investment as well as providing a reasonable offering to homeowner’s in financial distress, 2) with that, our broker had the company attorney review documents used in the program, and 3) it provides an offering to our investment clientele that they might otherwise not be able to tap into. But, above all this – the final result is that it helps homeowners who are in a tight financial spot and who cannot get out of it on their own.

The close rate of the company is high (75-80%) in an area of real estate contracts that is frequently hit or miss if people uneducated or unprepared for the process are handling it. Having worked with short sales in the past (successfully, I’ll add), I can appreciate the process and systems in place that make this program work so well.

If you’re an agent that needs help with a short sale, or you’d like to refer a client to be reviewed to see if they might be a good candidate for the program, please contact us at Team Reba directly – or check out the website and feel free to submit a lead with us noted as your contact locally. We’ll be sure to get in contact with you right away.

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Considering a wood stove? Check out the EPA Certified list for 2008 and look for available rebates for replacement wood stoves

Posted on September 24, 2008 by Reba Haas

I recently received an email from John Lasswell, a home inspector, with details about a rebate program that the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency has in place for several areas of Snohomish and Pierce Counties. You can find the info via this link.

You can also find the list of EPA certified wood stoves via this link.

These should be useful for those of you that live in some of the farther out sections of Puget Sound where a wood stove is sometimes the only, or best, form of heat for your property. Particularly in more remote areas where cities start getting into the foothills of the Cascade Mountain range.

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Team Reba Real Estate

Seattle real estate and related wealth management topics

Category Archives: Snohomish County

Distressed Property Consultant law gets modified…. finally!

Need a copy of an oil tank decommissioning report?

Washington institutes another disclosure policy for agents and those they do business with – this time it’s property inspectors

Burn ban in King, Kitsap, Snohomish and Pierce County has been cancelled

Burn ban raised to level 2 for King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties

Burn ban expanded to King, Snohomish, and Kitsap Counties

How do you make a winning team even more effective? Just add Robin!

Do neighbors really make good fences?

Team Reba expands its real estate investment offerings…

Considering a wood stove? Check out the EPA Certified list for 2008 and look for available rebates for replacement wood stoves