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!
Friday, April 30, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Sequim real estate agents: NWMLS and the new Matrix system rocks!
I've been using the new NWMLS Matrix system and it's awesome! Very fast, accurate data, nice presentation of the data with several choices of how you view the listings. I love it!
And OLS agents... just so you know, NWMLS is only $30/month, and you get way better tools, data, etc.
I've used both NWMLS and OLS for the last 4 years, and what NWMLS offers FAR SURPASSES what we get with OLS, and for 25% less!
Why are we saddled with 2 MLS systems in Clallam County, when it only makes sense to consolidate everything into 1 great system that costs less? It just makes good business sense...
What are 'the powers that be' afraid of? Why won't they let us utilize one excellent MLS data provider so that we can provide better service to our clients, help protect property values in Clallam County, and save money in the process?
Maybe the real question is this: What are they protecting and who is benefiting from keeping OLS alive?
OLS is a cumbersome and archaic system compared with NWMLS... and ironically, it's kinda funny that the 'OLS only' proponents use the 'Forms' portion of NWMLS already. Why not take the next logical step and make NWMLS the only MLS data service in Sequim? It just makes sense...
I'm a paying member of our local association, and as such I expect the Board members to support and represent the interests of ALL IT'S MEMBERS, and not what's just in the best interests of the Board.
I know I'm stirring the pot, but it has to happen. It's absolutely RIDICULOUS that a small community like Sequim has 2 MLS systems running. And we as agents continue to allow this to happen. In my past conversations with 'Board' members regarding this topic, all they have to say is 'vote in someone else if you don't like how things are done'. Really? We've been trying to do that for the last few years, and they've made that virtually impossible. It's just more of the same 'good old boy' system, small town mentality... 'It's always been that way, and that's just the way it is'. Wow, really? Unfortunately, sad but true.
And I recently heard that the Board is considering renewing the OLS contract for another 3 years! Come on people, it's time for change!
I have been a real estate agent for more than 20 years, and an appraiser for more than 17 years, I've worked in 2 different areas in Northern California, and 2 different areas in Washington state, and I've been a member of a few different MLS associations, so I have a little bit of experience with several MLS services.
I have done everything I can to let 'the powers that be' know the gravity of this situation, with specific examples of how this current MLS situation is negatively impacting property values in Clallam County.
And, honestly, how can 'OLS only' agents justify to their clients that they are providing the 'best service' and 'most exposure' to their clients' listings if they are not part of NWMLS, and are not utilizing and embracing the best real estate tools available? Something to consider...
Anyway, these are my own opinions and these are my own experiences dealing with this frustrating situation.
Let's make the changes now and do what's best for our clients and the community of Sequim.
Marti Winkler
And OLS agents... just so you know, NWMLS is only $30/month, and you get way better tools, data, etc.
I've used both NWMLS and OLS for the last 4 years, and what NWMLS offers FAR SURPASSES what we get with OLS, and for 25% less!
Why are we saddled with 2 MLS systems in Clallam County, when it only makes sense to consolidate everything into 1 great system that costs less? It just makes good business sense...
What are 'the powers that be' afraid of? Why won't they let us utilize one excellent MLS data provider so that we can provide better service to our clients, help protect property values in Clallam County, and save money in the process?
Maybe the real question is this: What are they protecting and who is benefiting from keeping OLS alive?
OLS is a cumbersome and archaic system compared with NWMLS... and ironically, it's kinda funny that the 'OLS only' proponents use the 'Forms' portion of NWMLS already. Why not take the next logical step and make NWMLS the only MLS data service in Sequim? It just makes sense...
I'm a paying member of our local association, and as such I expect the Board members to support and represent the interests of ALL IT'S MEMBERS, and not what's just in the best interests of the Board.
I know I'm stirring the pot, but it has to happen. It's absolutely RIDICULOUS that a small community like Sequim has 2 MLS systems running. And we as agents continue to allow this to happen. In my past conversations with 'Board' members regarding this topic, all they have to say is 'vote in someone else if you don't like how things are done'. Really? We've been trying to do that for the last few years, and they've made that virtually impossible. It's just more of the same 'good old boy' system, small town mentality... 'It's always been that way, and that's just the way it is'. Wow, really? Unfortunately, sad but true.
And I recently heard that the Board is considering renewing the OLS contract for another 3 years! Come on people, it's time for change!
I have been a real estate agent for more than 20 years, and an appraiser for more than 17 years, I've worked in 2 different areas in Northern California, and 2 different areas in Washington state, and I've been a member of a few different MLS associations, so I have a little bit of experience with several MLS services.
I have done everything I can to let 'the powers that be' know the gravity of this situation, with specific examples of how this current MLS situation is negatively impacting property values in Clallam County.
And, honestly, how can 'OLS only' agents justify to their clients that they are providing the 'best service' and 'most exposure' to their clients' listings if they are not part of NWMLS, and are not utilizing and embracing the best real estate tools available? Something to consider...
Anyway, these are my own opinions and these are my own experiences dealing with this frustrating situation.
Let's make the changes now and do what's best for our clients and the community of Sequim.
Marti Winkler
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
NWMLS transitions to Matrix and just keeps getting better!
Starting May 4, 2010, NWMLS will be transitioning to its new data service provider, Tarasoft, based in Canada, and it's called Matrix.
As I stated in a previous post, there are currently 2 MLS systems running in Sequim: OLS, which is a local Clallam County only MLS that only ~140 Sequim agents have access to, and NWMLS, which over 23,000 agents in western Washington have access to.
Again, it seems obvious which MLS system best serves the buyers and sellers here in Sequim, however, some of the 'OLS only' offices and agents here in Sequim don't see it that way. I think they are really missing out, especially now with the new Matrix system in place.
Most local Sequim agents who are members of NWMLS have probably already attended the transition to Matrix meeting, and after I attended the meeting, all I can to say is WOW!
I thought NWMLS was great before, and now with Matrix it's even better. It's lightning fast, with excellent search capabilities, statistics, etc., it's a dream come true for any professional real estate agent who's serious about the business.
So as a buyer or seller in Sequim, what does this new NWMLS Matrix system mean to you? If you list with a NWMLS affiliated office/agent, your home listing will be available to over 23,000 licensed real estate agents in western Washington.
Compare that with an 'OLS only' office that is searched by only the ~140 local Sequim agents, plus local Port Angeles agents... you're missing out on a lot of agent exposure!
For buyers, there are more and more 'NWMLS only' listings that 'OLS only' agents are not seeing, so you're not seeing the entire available market if your agent isn't a member of NWMLS.
Again, if NWMLS were the only MLS system running here in Sequim, all of the agents would be on the same level playing field, all the MLS data would be in 1 place, and it would streamline and elevate the level of professionalism in the local Sequim real estate market.
The agents and offices that belong to NWMLS have a distinct advantage over the 'OLS only' agents and offices, so please make sure you have all of the information, and choose your agent wisely!
More exposure, more information and better tools make better agents!
NWMLS is the key to a better real estate experience in Sequim.
Have a great day, and contact me for more Sequim real estate information.
As I stated in a previous post, there are currently 2 MLS systems running in Sequim: OLS, which is a local Clallam County only MLS that only ~140 Sequim agents have access to, and NWMLS, which over 23,000 agents in western Washington have access to.
Again, it seems obvious which MLS system best serves the buyers and sellers here in Sequim, however, some of the 'OLS only' offices and agents here in Sequim don't see it that way. I think they are really missing out, especially now with the new Matrix system in place.
Most local Sequim agents who are members of NWMLS have probably already attended the transition to Matrix meeting, and after I attended the meeting, all I can to say is WOW!
I thought NWMLS was great before, and now with Matrix it's even better. It's lightning fast, with excellent search capabilities, statistics, etc., it's a dream come true for any professional real estate agent who's serious about the business.
So as a buyer or seller in Sequim, what does this new NWMLS Matrix system mean to you? If you list with a NWMLS affiliated office/agent, your home listing will be available to over 23,000 licensed real estate agents in western Washington.
Compare that with an 'OLS only' office that is searched by only the ~140 local Sequim agents, plus local Port Angeles agents... you're missing out on a lot of agent exposure!
For buyers, there are more and more 'NWMLS only' listings that 'OLS only' agents are not seeing, so you're not seeing the entire available market if your agent isn't a member of NWMLS.
Again, if NWMLS were the only MLS system running here in Sequim, all of the agents would be on the same level playing field, all the MLS data would be in 1 place, and it would streamline and elevate the level of professionalism in the local Sequim real estate market.
The agents and offices that belong to NWMLS have a distinct advantage over the 'OLS only' agents and offices, so please make sure you have all of the information, and choose your agent wisely!
More exposure, more information and better tools make better agents!
NWMLS is the key to a better real estate experience in Sequim.
Have a great day, and contact me for more Sequim real estate information.
Sequim Real Estate Update for 2010 YTD
I was hoping to have better news... but it appears that the real estate market in Sequim is continuing to decline.
I just ran the numbers for sales of site-built homes in Sequim:
Sales volume is down approximately 6% for 2010 YTD vs 2009, and we're currently averaging about 17.6 sales/month.
Average sales price for 2010 YTD is $269,891, vs $283,028 for 2009. This is a decline of approximately 5%...
If you're thinking about moving to Sequim, now is a great time to buy! Give me a call and I'll help you find your perfect place in beautiful Sequim.
Marti
I just ran the numbers for sales of site-built homes in Sequim:
Sales volume is down approximately 6% for 2010 YTD vs 2009, and we're currently averaging about 17.6 sales/month.
Average sales price for 2010 YTD is $269,891, vs $283,028 for 2009. This is a decline of approximately 5%...
If you're thinking about moving to Sequim, now is a great time to buy! Give me a call and I'll help you find your perfect place in beautiful Sequim.
Marti
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