Criminally Naive

I was raised to be a nice girl. You know the one that respected her elders, didn't talk back & all of that. Imagine the epiphany that I had at the young age of 23. I was diligently working two jobs for a year & a half to make ends meet when a business man actually lied to avoid paying my commission. It was beyond my comprehension that a man in the business community would actually lie to avoid paying my commission. As a distraught young professional, I called my father to ask why he hadn't prepared me for this life lesson. Life Lesson # 1. People, even professionals, have the capacity to lie, steal & cheat!

As I'm sure that most real estate agents will attest, the Obama First Time Home Buyer Tax Incentive has stimulated the real estate market, ggiving a much needed boost to the sluggish real estate marketplace. Inventory levels are dropping as a result of this and several other factors. Wouldn't you know that it's now coming to light that there's been an excess amount of fraud. Luke Mullins of U. S. News & World Report (10/22/09) reported the following, " Using computer programs & other means, a Treasury Department inspector general has identified more than 90,000 cases totaling more than $ 600 million in questionable first-time home buyer claims, while flagging shortcomings in the Internal Revenue Service controls." It appears that one of the more flagrant claims was made on behalf of a 4 year old. The article goes on to report that the inspector general has found at least 580 taxpayers under the age of 18 filing for the tax credit. One would have to then surmise that secondary home buyers are filing, along with others who have the capacity to dummy up documents or even be brazen enough to claim the credit without any documentation at all. Net/net, this once again catches me off guard. Who woulda thunk? Certainly, not the criminally naive!!!

As with all programs, there needs to be refinement, revision & reassessment. Does the IRS have enough manpower to monitor & review these claims? If not, why not? Let us all hope & pray that the political forces against the program will stop long enough to realize that this program has been effective, revisions are warranted & that more support is needed to monitor the claims. Let us all pray that those who practice fraud will get their just desserts, sooner vs. later. Let us stand strong as a real estate community and fight for the tools that we need to survive!

Utopia + An Ocean View!

Opportunities abound in the hub of southwest Seaside's desirable Ocean Vista neighborhood, where a truly unique three-unit home complex is seeking to be "yours, mine, and ours." Ideal for a multi-generational family or for an owner searching for a charming vacation rental prospect, this sunny brick trio features a private garden courtyard with loads of state-of-the-art built-ins for entertaining, breathtaking views of the ocean, and an unparalleled location, merely a few feet from the sandy shore.

Brick Bungalow:

Through the French doors of the quaint and cozy brick guest cottage is a welcoming gas fireplace which invites visitors to pull up an easy chair, enjoy the warmth of the fire, and reflect on a day spent at the ocean's shore, a mere stone's throw a way.
This charming home has been richly appointed in a rustic yet elegant Tuscan style. The walls of knotty pine tongue-and-groove are resplendent in warm red, while the wood ceiling displays one-of-a-kind ornate hand-craftsmanship. Smooth ceramic tile covers the floor throughout.

Near the fireplace is the modern kitchen with a sturdy island/breakfast counter, where guests can pull up a stool and read the newspaper while the coffee perks. The antique-finish white cabinets, some with glass windows, and intricate silver knobs and pulls enhance the Tuscan appeal with incredible attention to detail. Ceramic tile covers the countertops, lending both beauty and function. Nearby is a spacious and useful pantry closet, covered by a French door.

The comfy, informal living room is ideal for a wine party with a small gathering of friends, or simply curling up with a good book, while the adjoining dining room, complete with a second gas fireplace, invites guests for a four-course meal into its more formal atmosphere. A built-in media cabinet, complete with yet another beautiful French door, can hold all the makings of a great movie night.

Slip away to serenity in the spacious bathroom with spa-like jetted tub and glass-encased shower. Utilities are accessible and cleverly hidden behind wooden doors. After a long bath, slip into the tranquil master bedroom, drifting off to sleep to the sounds of the ocean's gentle lullaby. The roomy walk-in closet, accessed through a French door, is a fashionista's dream-come true.

Private Fenced Courtyard

The guest cottage adjoins the nearby duplex by way of a garden courtyard, which has been designed with fun and entertainment in mind. An eight-foot cedar fence and gate encircles the courtyard and promises privacy. Perfect for an outdoor party, the courtyard features a built-in bar with colorful tile countertop and a cedar roof (no rain in your margaritas!). A refrigerator beneath the bar can hold beverages and hors d'oeurves, and outdoor electrical outlets provide power for the fun, outdoor lights. Guests can warm themselves by the built-in brick fireplace while they wait for burgers cooking on the nearby barbecue grill, also built-in.

For maximum relaxing, invite guests for a soak in the courtyard's bubbling hot tub, which is included in the sale. If a quiet evening is more your style, the courtyard also has plenty of room for a cozy bistro table and chairs, where you can enjoy a glass of your favorite wine under the evening stars.

Duplex

Opposite the guest cottage, across the courtyard, is a large, matching duplex home, which is also of brick construction and features many charming, sea-side elements, such as porthole windows. The left half of the duplex has many stately features, including hardwood floors, pine walls, and a tiled gas fireplace. The kitchen has vintage appeal with handcrafted cabinets and many charming nooks and storage options. Two bedrooms share a bath with walk-in shower and built-in storage galore.

The right half of the duplex, which is handicap-accessible, has a most spectacular feature; a breathtaking view of the ocean from a large window in the kitchen. This unit is designed to be open and airy; the kitchen, living room, and dining area are all open and accessible, giving plenty of space for company. The bathroom conveniently features a walk-in shower with a sink in a separate, adjoining space.

With this spacious duplex, the options are endless; it could be a lucrative vacation rental, a cozy, loving space for a multigenerational family, or with a few remodeled elements, could easily become one large house!
The exterior of this three-home complex has been immaculately landscaped and maintained and puts the finishing touches on a true Seaside gem.

Property Information: http://www.postlets.com/repb/2370414

Virtual Tour: http://www.obeo.com/Public/Viewer/Default.aspx?ID=542380


Marianne Pittard
RE/MAX River & Sea
Cell: 503-440-0577
Office: 503-738-9552
Website: http://www.mariannepittard.com/

Customer Service or Lack Thereof!

I pride myself on providing superior customer service to my real estate clients or rather "concierge" level customer service.  I figured out early in the game that if I provided superior customer service the rest would follow.  I'd earn clients for life & have the referral business that would be the envy of others.  A rather simple solution wouldn't you say.  That being said, I feel that I'm paid handsomly for what I do & in return my clients are in my opinion, entitled to a higher level of customer service.  By definition, that would include things such as professional photographs, professional signage, full color property flyers, extensive property representation on the web & so much more!

Suffice it to say, I'm deeply troubled by a handful of agents that qualify for the title of "Single Bagger"  The analogy is one that refers to the grocery clerk that takes a single bag, then places the eggs on the bottom of a single bag & the milk on the top. As you can visualize, the bag splits open before you reach the car, spilling the already broken eggs all over you & the parking lot. Conversely, I strive to be a Double or even Triple bagger.  This type of service will in time be recognized as a point of differentiation & will prevail in the long run.  Single Bagger real estate agents are the ones that give us a bad rap & place us in the respect level of a used car salesman.  You can imagine my distress when I identified that the following bank owned property was actually listed by an out of area agent.  One would simply have to pose the question, what's wrong with this picture?

As you can see, there's no indication that the property is even on the market!  No sign, no flyer box, no nothing!  It isn't even in our local inventory of properties as the out of area broker doesn't subscribe to our multiple listing service. Therefore, local agents aren't even aware that it's a viable option for their buyer clients. Imagine what the bank would say if they were to receive this photo!??!!  Does the seller deserve more?  You bet the seller deserves more!!!  Perhaps the listing agent needs to subscribe to the following, (a quote that I have hanging promeniently in my office)

Quality

"Quality is never by chance; it is always the result of good intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction and careful execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives." 

(source unknown)

Moving To Seaside, OR.

Growing up on the North Oregon Coast was a most wonderful experience.  I've always said that we had the best of everything with, the ocean out the front door, the mountains out the back door & the fact that Nordstrom's was only an hour & half away!  Never in a million years would I have predicted that I would return home after a fulfilling sales career with Corporate Nabisco.  Circumstances prevailed & I've been back about 13 years.  Today, I claim to be living the good life (according to the standards of HGTV)!  I'm living where I want to live & doing what I love to do. The sun is shining brightly on the North Oregon Coast as we enjoy yet another "Indian summer" day.  Life is Good!

I recently stumbled across a wonderful relocation guide produced by our well respected Seaside Chamber of Commerce.  This invaluable tool addresses some of the most often asked questions by my real estate clients.

Following, please find a excerpt that can be located at: http://www.seasidechamber.com/moving.htm

Population:

Seaside's permanent residential population is around: 6,300.  During the summer months this can swell considerably with visitors from all over the world.  Approximately 22% of the population is over the age of 65, and the median age 39.

Climate:

Seaside enjoys a cool, moderate climate.  Summer days are long and often end with a dramatic sunset.  Temperartures range from 50 to 80 in the summer with cooling breezes.  Indian Summer in the fall provides a pleasant balmy close to summer.  Winter brings misty rainfall interspersed with sunny days and occasional storms.  Temperatures run from 30-50 on average.  The air is fresh & clean with Northwest winds in the summer and Southwest winds in the winter. 

Make It A Great Day!

Marianne Pittard
RE/MAX River & Sea
Cell: 503-440-0577
Office: 503-738-9552
http://www.mariannepittard.com/

Inventory Levels Are Dropping...

Just thought that I'd provide you with a status update on our current market conditions. The number of active listings are falling! Today, a total of: 43 active residential (including both homes and condos) listings expired. That's great news for current sellers as there's far less competition. At the present time, there are currently a total of: 563 active residential listings (only residential). This is a significant decline vs. this time last year when there was roughly 750 residential homes for sale.

Inventory will continue to decline over the next several months. I strategically align my property listings to expire at year end. My goal is to give the listings a rest over the winter and re-list in the spring when there's a resurgence of buyer interest. Just thought that you'd like to know.......

Marianne Pittard
RE/MAX River & Sea
Cell: 503-440-0577
Office: 503-738-9552
e-mail: Marianne@MarianePittard.com
web: http://www.mariannepittard.com/