Hello...
I've been busy working on my new real estate website and you can see it here: Move2Sequim.com
And tonight, don't miss Handful of Luvin' at Olympic Cellars, starts at 7pm.
See you there!
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Wednesday, June 09, 2010
Upscale ADA 3 bed/2 bath on 2.53 acres in Sequim - $389,900
My new listing here in Sequim: 82 Tanager Lane, built in 2004, is an upscale ADA accessible home, with all the goodies: brick paver ramp entry along side of the house, single level radiant heated tile, slate and travertine floors, large roll-in shower in the master bedroom and ceiling lift rail installed in the bedroom adjacent to master bath.
Here's a couple more pics to give you an idea of the quality...
Shower in master bathroom
Beautiful setting for BBQs & relaxing!
To find out more about this listing click here: 82TanagerLane.com or contact me for a private showing.
Thanks, and have a great day!
Marti
Passed my WA Real Estate Brokers Test!
Hello everyone! Thought you'd like to know that I just passed my Real Estate Brokers test! Woo hoo!
So what does this mean? That I can open my own real estate office here in Sequim if I want to... which is something that I'm considering. There's a lot to think about, and I need to come up with some money if I decide to go that way.
The real estate licensing laws change on July 1, 2010, and it will be harder to get licensed = more education, etc. required, so I wanted to get it done before that time.
Check out my fab new listing, which is the subject of my next post.
So what does this mean? That I can open my own real estate office here in Sequim if I want to... which is something that I'm considering. There's a lot to think about, and I need to come up with some money if I decide to go that way.
The real estate licensing laws change on July 1, 2010, and it will be harder to get licensed = more education, etc. required, so I wanted to get it done before that time.
Check out my fab new listing, which is the subject of my next post.
Friday, May 28, 2010
OOPS! I addressed my response to the other 'Bill'
So my comments below were addressed to the 'other' Bill, however, what I said pretty much still applies, with the exception of discussing this situation personally with you. I hope you forgive me for just assuming you were the other Bill... I should know better than that!
Thanks again for your comments, I'm really happy to see that I'm not the only one thinking about this situation.
Thanks again for your comments, I'm really happy to see that I'm not the only one thinking about this situation.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
OLS vs NWMLS... more to the story.
Thanks Bill for your insightful comments on my blog postings regarding OLS vs NWMLS. I appreciate you taking the time to post your comments.
A couple of things I would like to address:
1) First off, you and I did have a discussion regarding this issue several months ago, as I had sent you a copy of my original letter, and then I saw you at one of your open houses, and we discussed it briefly. Sorry you don't remember our discussion, as it must not have been that memorable to you.
2) I do not know why you are afraid of having a NWMLS agent who is a friend or relative of someone here in Sequim taking a listing away from you. You are a very successful agent, and I don't understand why this really worries you. It's happening anyway, and I don't see it as a big enough reason to not have NWMLS as the only MLS data provider. That seems rather exclusionary in my opinion, sort of a 'glass half empty' approach, and scarcity mentality, rather than abundance mentality, as there seems to be plenty of work for the good agents that want to remain in real estate. I'm sorry you feel this way, however, the agents I have talked to have no problem with it.
Really, Bill, does it make sense to you to have 2 MLS systems running here in little old Sequim? The vast majority of western Washington seems to work just fine using only NWMLS. Are they wrong? How can it work everywhere else but not here?
I simply do not understand why we need to have 2 separate MLS systems in Clallam County and how it benefits the community and agents working here.
And you did not address my issue that NWMLS is superior (I know, Paragon is coming our with version 5) for less money. Paragon already costs us $41/month, and NWMLS is $30/month, so do you not see the advantage of spending less money on a system with a much greater reach? Even though you have not had an 'out of the area' agent sell any of your listings yet, many agents have worked with Seattle or other agents and have had positive experiences. I'm sure there have been some negative ones as well, however, that also happens here with local agents, as we well know.
Again, some agents here seem to think that we local Sequim agents should have a monopoly on local sales data and patterns, and protect our data, however, my opinion is that anyone licensed in the state to perform a certain job, that has access to all of the data, can do a good job and should not be barred from working in a certain area because a few people don't like it. As a listing agent, I don't care which agent sells my listing, and neither do my sellers. I feel that it's my job to provide as much information to a selling agent as I can to help them close the sale. Exclusionary tactics are old school and do not help sell houses.
As far as NWMLS members not being required to be Realtors, what does that have to do with anything? NWMLS is a data provider, and only live people can be Realtors. Appraisers are members of NWMLS, and are not typically members of NAR, so they are obviously not Realtors. Individual agents can choose to work for a broker or company that is a member of NAR (as most of them are), and then they can be Realtors, and abide by the code of ethics. This, however, has nothing to do with a data service provider.
I'm truly sorry you took offense at some of my wording. It is not my intent to 'slam' anyone, but to point out what's really going on behind the scenes. I also think that I've said some things that some people don't want to hear, or don't want to acknowledge, especially in relation to the 'good old boy' system, but it's my opinion that this is how things are sometimes being done, and it needs to be said.
I agree I have not spoken to all of the Board members, and I certainly do not mean to imply that they all feel the same way about this topic, or are all part of a 'good old boy' system. I used the term 'the powers that be', and this does not necessarily mean the Board. It just seems to me that there are truly only a few that have the power to actually change things for the better, and I hope that they see this current MLS situation as an opportunity to do something positive.
I really am very tired of this discussion, and as I stated in my original letter to you, my concern is also from an appraisal perspective, and how not having all the listing and sales data in 1 database is negatively affecting property values in Clallam County. I have over 20 years experience in real estate, and over 17 years experience in appraisal, so this is not something I take lightly.
I really just want to make all of our jobs as agents and appraisers easier. As it is now, I have to search both OLS and NWMLS, as neither one has all of the data, as you are aware. Yes, I realize that OLS has most of the data for now, however, as more brokers realize the benefits of belonging to NWMLS, that will change.
Having only 1 MLS system working here in Clallam County, that has ALL of the data, and is easily accessible and utilized by the most agents and appraisers in western Washington, is to me the most reasonable solution.
Thank you again for your comments on my blog - at least someone is reading it! Please let me know if you would like to discuss this further.
A couple of things I would like to address:
1) First off, you and I did have a discussion regarding this issue several months ago, as I had sent you a copy of my original letter, and then I saw you at one of your open houses, and we discussed it briefly. Sorry you don't remember our discussion, as it must not have been that memorable to you.
2) I do not know why you are afraid of having a NWMLS agent who is a friend or relative of someone here in Sequim taking a listing away from you. You are a very successful agent, and I don't understand why this really worries you. It's happening anyway, and I don't see it as a big enough reason to not have NWMLS as the only MLS data provider. That seems rather exclusionary in my opinion, sort of a 'glass half empty' approach, and scarcity mentality, rather than abundance mentality, as there seems to be plenty of work for the good agents that want to remain in real estate. I'm sorry you feel this way, however, the agents I have talked to have no problem with it.
Really, Bill, does it make sense to you to have 2 MLS systems running here in little old Sequim? The vast majority of western Washington seems to work just fine using only NWMLS. Are they wrong? How can it work everywhere else but not here?
I simply do not understand why we need to have 2 separate MLS systems in Clallam County and how it benefits the community and agents working here.
And you did not address my issue that NWMLS is superior (I know, Paragon is coming our with version 5) for less money. Paragon already costs us $41/month, and NWMLS is $30/month, so do you not see the advantage of spending less money on a system with a much greater reach? Even though you have not had an 'out of the area' agent sell any of your listings yet, many agents have worked with Seattle or other agents and have had positive experiences. I'm sure there have been some negative ones as well, however, that also happens here with local agents, as we well know.
Again, some agents here seem to think that we local Sequim agents should have a monopoly on local sales data and patterns, and protect our data, however, my opinion is that anyone licensed in the state to perform a certain job, that has access to all of the data, can do a good job and should not be barred from working in a certain area because a few people don't like it. As a listing agent, I don't care which agent sells my listing, and neither do my sellers. I feel that it's my job to provide as much information to a selling agent as I can to help them close the sale. Exclusionary tactics are old school and do not help sell houses.
As far as NWMLS members not being required to be Realtors, what does that have to do with anything? NWMLS is a data provider, and only live people can be Realtors. Appraisers are members of NWMLS, and are not typically members of NAR, so they are obviously not Realtors. Individual agents can choose to work for a broker or company that is a member of NAR (as most of them are), and then they can be Realtors, and abide by the code of ethics. This, however, has nothing to do with a data service provider.
I'm truly sorry you took offense at some of my wording. It is not my intent to 'slam' anyone, but to point out what's really going on behind the scenes. I also think that I've said some things that some people don't want to hear, or don't want to acknowledge, especially in relation to the 'good old boy' system, but it's my opinion that this is how things are sometimes being done, and it needs to be said.
I agree I have not spoken to all of the Board members, and I certainly do not mean to imply that they all feel the same way about this topic, or are all part of a 'good old boy' system. I used the term 'the powers that be', and this does not necessarily mean the Board. It just seems to me that there are truly only a few that have the power to actually change things for the better, and I hope that they see this current MLS situation as an opportunity to do something positive.
I really am very tired of this discussion, and as I stated in my original letter to you, my concern is also from an appraisal perspective, and how not having all the listing and sales data in 1 database is negatively affecting property values in Clallam County. I have over 20 years experience in real estate, and over 17 years experience in appraisal, so this is not something I take lightly.
I really just want to make all of our jobs as agents and appraisers easier. As it is now, I have to search both OLS and NWMLS, as neither one has all of the data, as you are aware. Yes, I realize that OLS has most of the data for now, however, as more brokers realize the benefits of belonging to NWMLS, that will change.
Having only 1 MLS system working here in Clallam County, that has ALL of the data, and is easily accessible and utilized by the most agents and appraisers in western Washington, is to me the most reasonable solution.
Thank you again for your comments on my blog - at least someone is reading it! Please let me know if you would like to discuss this further.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
'OLS only' Broker searches NWMLS thru a Competitor's website...
Just had a conversation with an agent in my Windermere SunLand office...
She said that this morning she had spoken with a very well known 'OLS only' broker here in Sequim, who shall remain nameless, and he admitted that he searches NWMLS listings through the JL Scott website.
Wow, thanks for proving my point!
If an 'OLS only' broker searches for NWMLS listings through a competitor's website, maybe it's time to think about joining NWMLS, or better yet, having NWMLS be the only MLS in Clallam County.
All I want is all the listings in 1 database... NWMLS.
I don't even know what to say about this bit of information, other than if he admits he does it, probably the rest of them do it too.
She said that this morning she had spoken with a very well known 'OLS only' broker here in Sequim, who shall remain nameless, and he admitted that he searches NWMLS listings through the JL Scott website.
Wow, thanks for proving my point!
If an 'OLS only' broker searches for NWMLS listings through a competitor's website, maybe it's time to think about joining NWMLS, or better yet, having NWMLS be the only MLS in Clallam County.
All I want is all the listings in 1 database... NWMLS.
I don't even know what to say about this bit of information, other than if he admits he does it, probably the rest of them do it too.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Reply to Anonymous post regarding NWMLS
Anonymous -
First of all, who are YOU kidding? You and the 'powers that be' are the only ones that I know of that think what I'm saying is 'nonsense', as all of the NWMLS agents I talk with want NWMLS as the ONLY MLS data provider here in Clallam County.
I understand that OLS and NWMLS members post their listings in both systems. OLS agents only post listings in OLS.
What you don't get, because you can't see them, is all of the NWMLS only listings, entered by NWMLS only agents, both here in Sequim and outside of the area. And that number is growing all the time.
Wake up, Anonymous! It's happening whether you like it or not.
And wanting only 1 MLS system is not 'nonsense' as you state, in the comment you posted under the wrong post, but I digress...
Having 2 MLS systems running in Sequim is nonsense.
And please, Anonymous, I'd love for you to defend and explain to the public, your clients, and the agents in Sequim how having 2 MLS systems running in Clallam County makes good business sense and is in the best interests of the community.
And really, how do you explain to your clients that you only belong to OLS, which only reaches 200 or so local agents in Clallam County, when their listing could be reaching over 23,000 agents all over western Washington?
I agree, that OLS does contain 'most' of the listings, but not 'all' of the listings, but you don't know how many you're not seeing, obviously, because you don't see them! That still means that not all of the data is captured in OLS...
Good try, Anonymous, but I'm not buying it, and neither are the OLS/NWMLS agents here in Clallam County. All I want is to have all of the sales data in 1 place, and with 2 MLS systems running, that can't happen.
And I just noticed that the Jace office in Sequim is now part of NWMLS also, and I say congrats and welcome...
Anonymous, I'm sorry that you are so afraid of change that you continue to let your own personal agenda and ego get in the way of doing what's best for this community.
I'm not here to fight, and you know that. Having 2 MLS systems is negatively impacting property values here in Clallam County, period, and I've already proved that. I'm an appraiser also, as you know, and I see and use ALL OF THE DATA and both MLS systems on a daily basis, so I think my opinion is valid in this regard.
If you would stop fighting it and realize the benefits of having just 1 MLS system, think of how much easier all our jobs would be: we would have all the data, and the best data in 1 database, it would save us time, and it would save you time not having to work on and defend OLS/Paragon, and we would all save some money too.
If you would just give NWMLS a try, I think you would love it. It really is the best system around, and costs less than OLS, which you can't deny.
Again, all I want is for all the data to be in 1 place, which is in the best interests of everyone, and you know that.
NWMLS is a much better MLS system, and offers so many more benefits, for less money, it just makes sense.
And if this were any other industry, and the leaders of which chose to spend more money on an inferior service, and were not implementing 'known best practices' by choosing the best data service for the least amount of money, these so-called 'leaders' would be looking for other employment...
Marti
PS: Thanks for posting a comment! That means you're reading my blog. :)
PSS: I'm gonna keep pushing the buttons until NWMLS is our only MLS. If it works great for the rest of western Washington, it can work here.
PSSS: Anonymous, have some guts and use your name next time... I'll be here.
First of all, who are YOU kidding? You and the 'powers that be' are the only ones that I know of that think what I'm saying is 'nonsense', as all of the NWMLS agents I talk with want NWMLS as the ONLY MLS data provider here in Clallam County.
I understand that OLS and NWMLS members post their listings in both systems. OLS agents only post listings in OLS.
What you don't get, because you can't see them, is all of the NWMLS only listings, entered by NWMLS only agents, both here in Sequim and outside of the area. And that number is growing all the time.
Wake up, Anonymous! It's happening whether you like it or not.
And wanting only 1 MLS system is not 'nonsense' as you state, in the comment you posted under the wrong post, but I digress...
Having 2 MLS systems running in Sequim is nonsense.
And please, Anonymous, I'd love for you to defend and explain to the public, your clients, and the agents in Sequim how having 2 MLS systems running in Clallam County makes good business sense and is in the best interests of the community.
And really, how do you explain to your clients that you only belong to OLS, which only reaches 200 or so local agents in Clallam County, when their listing could be reaching over 23,000 agents all over western Washington?
I agree, that OLS does contain 'most' of the listings, but not 'all' of the listings, but you don't know how many you're not seeing, obviously, because you don't see them! That still means that not all of the data is captured in OLS...
Good try, Anonymous, but I'm not buying it, and neither are the OLS/NWMLS agents here in Clallam County. All I want is to have all of the sales data in 1 place, and with 2 MLS systems running, that can't happen.
And I just noticed that the Jace office in Sequim is now part of NWMLS also, and I say congrats and welcome...
Anonymous, I'm sorry that you are so afraid of change that you continue to let your own personal agenda and ego get in the way of doing what's best for this community.
I'm not here to fight, and you know that. Having 2 MLS systems is negatively impacting property values here in Clallam County, period, and I've already proved that. I'm an appraiser also, as you know, and I see and use ALL OF THE DATA and both MLS systems on a daily basis, so I think my opinion is valid in this regard.
If you would stop fighting it and realize the benefits of having just 1 MLS system, think of how much easier all our jobs would be: we would have all the data, and the best data in 1 database, it would save us time, and it would save you time not having to work on and defend OLS/Paragon, and we would all save some money too.
If you would just give NWMLS a try, I think you would love it. It really is the best system around, and costs less than OLS, which you can't deny.
Again, all I want is for all the data to be in 1 place, which is in the best interests of everyone, and you know that.
NWMLS is a much better MLS system, and offers so many more benefits, for less money, it just makes sense.
And if this were any other industry, and the leaders of which chose to spend more money on an inferior service, and were not implementing 'known best practices' by choosing the best data service for the least amount of money, these so-called 'leaders' would be looking for other employment...
Marti
PS: Thanks for posting a comment! That means you're reading my blog. :)
PSS: I'm gonna keep pushing the buttons until NWMLS is our only MLS. If it works great for the rest of western Washington, it can work here.
PSSS: Anonymous, have some guts and use your name next time... I'll be here.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Why we need just 1 MLS data provider in Clallam County - NWMLS
For those of you that seemed to have missed the point, here's the bottom line of my previous posts regarding OLS vs NWMLS:
WE NEED TO HAVE ONLY 1 MLS DATA SERVICE IN CLALLAM COUNTY, AND IT NEEDS TO BE THE BEST ONE AVAILABLE FOR THE LEAST AMOUNT OF MONEY, WHICH MEANS NWMLS!!!
Here's yet another reason why this needs to happen ASAP: Neither OLS nor NWMLS has all of the listings and sales, which means that neither one has 100% of the data, which means that when an agent prepares a CMA for a seller, unless they are members of both OLS and NWMLS, they are not seeing all of the data.
Sellers, unless you are using an agent that belongs to NWMLS, you are not getting the full picture. Buyers, unless you use a NWMLS agent, you are not seeing all of the listings out there.
Hello??? Do you get it yet?
I will keep beating this drum and stirring the pot until something changes.
Having both OLS and NWMLS in Clallam County is ridiculous, and is a huge disservice to the community and the agents, and until 'the powers that be' realize that they are hurting property values, their clients, and the agents whose interests they are supposedly 'representing' this situation will just continue to get worse.
Do we really need another 'thing' making our jobs more difficult than they already are? Can't we have just 1 really great MLS data provider that costs us less and does so much more? Please? Can't we have all the data in 1 place?
Think about it... it would be such a simple thing that would do so much good for all of us. Please.
And on a side note, it's so interesting to watch potential clients reactions when I tell them that we have 2 MLS systems running in Sequim. Their first question is why?
Wow... that is a good question.
WE NEED TO HAVE ONLY 1 MLS DATA SERVICE IN CLALLAM COUNTY, AND IT NEEDS TO BE THE BEST ONE AVAILABLE FOR THE LEAST AMOUNT OF MONEY, WHICH MEANS NWMLS!!!
Here's yet another reason why this needs to happen ASAP: Neither OLS nor NWMLS has all of the listings and sales, which means that neither one has 100% of the data, which means that when an agent prepares a CMA for a seller, unless they are members of both OLS and NWMLS, they are not seeing all of the data.
Sellers, unless you are using an agent that belongs to NWMLS, you are not getting the full picture. Buyers, unless you use a NWMLS agent, you are not seeing all of the listings out there.
Hello??? Do you get it yet?
I will keep beating this drum and stirring the pot until something changes.
Having both OLS and NWMLS in Clallam County is ridiculous, and is a huge disservice to the community and the agents, and until 'the powers that be' realize that they are hurting property values, their clients, and the agents whose interests they are supposedly 'representing' this situation will just continue to get worse.
Do we really need another 'thing' making our jobs more difficult than they already are? Can't we have just 1 really great MLS data provider that costs us less and does so much more? Please? Can't we have all the data in 1 place?
Think about it... it would be such a simple thing that would do so much good for all of us. Please.
And on a side note, it's so interesting to watch potential clients reactions when I tell them that we have 2 MLS systems running in Sequim. Their first question is why?
Wow... that is a good question.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Sequim Irrigation Festival May 1-9, 2010
The 115th Sequim Irrigation Festival starts tomorrow, and this year's theme is '115 Years of Pioneers'.
Saturday May 1st features events at Carrie Blake park and an Arts & Crafts Fair on Bell Street. There's a full week of activities, including a parade, a carnival and a strong man show. Fun for everyone!
Here's the link for more info: Sequim Irrigation Festival 2010
See you there!
Saturday May 1st features events at Carrie Blake park and an Arts & Crafts Fair on Bell Street. There's a full week of activities, including a parade, a carnival and a strong man show. Fun for everyone!
Here's the link for more info: Sequim Irrigation Festival 2010
See you there!
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