Property Management Blog

Home buyers are in a spring mood, but sellers are still hibernating, suggested one broker while commenting on the latest statistics from Northwest Multiple Listing Service. Figures for February and feedback from brokers indicate record-low inventory is spurring multiple offers, rising prices, fewer sales, and frustrated house-hunters.Year...

The next time you need a home inspection remember these simple tips on what to ask and what to look for.When buying a new house, its all to easy to get enamored with all the pretty new features, the shiny granite, the glistening new appliances in the kitchen and the new mosaic tiles in the master bathroom. But don’t fall in love too...

With the real estate market in the Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater, WA areas shifting to a seller’s market, buyers are finding themselves in a bidding war.  But buyers can win without being the highest bidder and here are the two key points buyers should know when preparing an offer:Understand the Seller’s Wants and NeedsUnde...

Nowadays, there are some landlords who choose to manage their own investment properties based on their abilities. But, most of them quickly realize they need a great assistance from most experts. This is the main reason why management companies are quite essential these days, managing tenants and properties is more complex with constant c...

EVERETT — Property-tax statements that started arriving in mailboxes throughout Snohomish County this month are bound to prove a bit pricier than last year.Homeowners in almost every community will have bigger bills to pay in 2017 compared to last year. Most increases owe directly to school, public safety or transit levies that vote...

For those of you working in the City of Seattle, you've probably been privy to the new ordinance in the city called First in Time. To remind, this ordinance mandates that a Seattle landlord must "offer tenancy of the available unit to the first prospective occupant meeting all screening criteria."    Alth...

Far too often I see OSB “sag” between the trusses making your roof look wavy. Although, OSB typically offers a higher shear rating which adds rigidity to your structure.Over the years I have seen claims for plywood decking delaminating, which can cause squeeks and knocks between the ply’s.Plywood vs. OSB: Which is Better...

This week veteran real estate investor and property manager Larry Arth discuss what he sees as 7 real estate investing trends For 2017.I have held many discussions with investors, builders, buyers and sellers heading into 2017, and their consensus, as well as everything I have read, leads me to this conclusion:Real estate investing over t...

The average apartment rent in Seattle rose 8.3% in the past year. That’s a lot. No doubt about it. It beats inflation. It beats wage growth. So some are calling this a problem of skyrocketing rents, a crisis, an emergency. Is it really? Let's take a look.

In the pacific Northwest, It's either the winds, the rains or the occasional deep freeze that seems to visit around Thanksgiving challenging residential property managers. That is not to say winter-like weather can descend long before it’s time to carve the Thanksgiving turkey.“This is the time of the year to be proactive!...