All Blog Posts (210)

Mortgage Rates Highest In Nearly 10 Months After Employment Data

Sometimes a little nudge is the right thing for buyers. Many are getting the news that the steals are gone and there are multiple offers happening.

 …

The Green Genius Educational Series, the very first of its kind in the region! This 12 course,

year-long series offers a broad overview of residential energy efficiency and green building methods and

materials.

Join me for the next 5 sessions!  Here's the flyer for next offering, February 28, 2013, …

Porter’s Pointer: Same Sex Marriage Rules

Here is some interesting ramifications of the new WA law

ALL STATES WITH DOMESTIC PARTNER/CIVIL UNION PROVISIONS

· Community Property law applies to State registered domestic partners so credit reports will be required for non-purchasing domestic partners on FHA, VA, and USDA programs

· Due to same-sex marriage and domestic partnerships/civil unions…

Porter’s Pointer:

One of my favorite movies is “Pay it Forward” about a boy who finds a way to be intentionally, premeditatedly kind to others without any expectation of repayment.

So the question to myself and to you, those of us that are real estate industry professionals, is how will we pay it forward in 2013.

Volunteer for Ramp-a-thons

Get involved with a Habitat for Humanity project

Give a presentation to first time buyer

Here’s…

When it comes to taking out home mortgage loans, homebuyers have very few options since the real estate boom. Since the mortgage marker crisis, most lenders are going through risky situations as they don’t want to lend loans that are based on the risky terms. Since the mortgage lenders have stopped lending loans to people who aren’t able to qualify for the loans, it has become difficult for the borrowers to take out home mortgage loans with not-so-good credit conditions. Are you a…

Give Away an iPad

Partner with Porter and give your open house visitors a chance to win an iPad and to learn more about your listing. I have a complete marketing program tied to this and would be glad to go over it with you by phone or in person (call me at 206-569-9200 to discuss) . The idea is simple: engage the visitor in collecting information posted throughout the house. They learn about the home and you get a real name, phone # and email address since they want to win…

Good New Boards at your  Open House

Buyers need to feel confident about the market. When you read a good news article then add it to a display board at your open house. Here are two to get you started: sell%20good%20news.jpg; …

Goals/Tactics/Tasks: set your goal for 2013

Here is an example of how to write a clear goal then establish tactics and tasks to complete. Here is an example of one for myself.

Goal: Close 24 FHA 203(k) loans in 2013, 12 by 6/15/13

• Tactic: Teach a class to agents

• Task: Call Claudia at SKCR to set up class by 10/15

• Task: Prepare flyer (delegate) by…

“Future-Proof” your business by earning your NAHB CAPS (Certified Aging in Place Specialist) Designation! With over 10,000 becoming 65 every day it’s imperative that you include designing, building, remodeling and marketing to this important group. Learn about Universal Design and how you can incorporate these best practices.

This three day class will be offered by the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties on December 4, 5 & 6.…

Get ‘em while their hot!The FHA 203(k) loan is one of the best loans available for purchase or refinance. Either the streamline (up to $35000) or the regular program (only the loan max applies) are great ways to make a home updated with new flooring, cabinets, paint, bath and kitchen fixtures, energy efficient. You can even make the home green or add energy efficient features to the home.

If you have not done one of these transactions, then the question is WHY NOT? The…

PorterWorks and the MBA of King and Pierce Counties are offering the NAHB CAPS three-day training once again, taught by yours truly, Dave Porter.  The course spans December 5, 6 7, 8:30 to 5:00 p.m. at the MBA Housing Center.

Registration is through MBA by going to:…

I quoted a rate for a borrower yesterday. It was for an FHA loan and the rate was 3.375%. We were able to not only offer this rate but also pay for the 1.75% FHA upfront MIP. WOW!

From Mortgage Market News:

Strong results for this week's US Treasury auctions and rising MBS prices reflect the global appetite for US bonds, which is positive for mortgage rates.

During a relatively quiet week, global concerns caused investors to increase demand for safer assets.…

When it comes to taking out home mortgage loans, homebuyers have very few options since the real estate boom. Since the mortgage marker…

Yesterday I spoke at and attended the 13^th Annual Built Green Conference for the Master Builders Assoc of King and Snohomish Counties.

It was abundantly clear that green and energy efficiency are more in demand that ever. Folks want to save money on the utility bills and want better indoor air quality and a durable home.

The Master Builder Association of Pierce Country has received some grant funds and is offering the GreenRealEstate Specialist Designation class at a…

Here are some great points gathered off of the 2010 census. This report from Milwaukie housing choices

1. Households will be smaller, and more likely to be headed by women;
2. Baby-boomers will continue to redefine retirement, living longer and demanding a wider range of housing choices than their parents did, including downsizing to walkable urban areas, “lifestyle renting” or aging in place;
3. Younger…

I am pleased to announce the newest addition to our already successful  family of Master Planned Communities in and around the Thurston County area. Trosper Ridge is located in Tumwater, Washington.  Just off Trosper and Lambskin.  This community was developed as we transition with the close out of Horizon Pointe, a vibrant Lacey community that experienced record breaking sales over the past 6+ years.

Trosper Ridge offers top quality, well-built, thoughtfully designed homes at…

We all have too much to do. I have a blessing and a curse for you. Starting right now you can no longer say “I don’t have the time.”

We make time for what’s important. If you are late to a meeting but have 3 ounces of gas in your car’s tank – you stop – you find the time.

Time is the great equalizer. Rich or poor, sick or healthy, educated or not – we all have the same amount of time.  If it’s really important to you, you’ll find a way to make the time. It’s that…