Archive for August, 2008

Eugene’s Atlernative Update and Thanks!

Saturday, August 9th, 2008
Hello friends of Eugene’s Alternative!
It has been interesting seeing our friends and past clients out on the town the last few months…some approach with a look of quiet understanding and compassion thinking our company must be battling an illness on the level of Stephen Kings “The Stand”.

It is true that the market is not the market of 05′ & 06′ and that overall the velocity of closing through the MLS is off by about 1/3rd of the recent peak. Property values have taken a beating in the outlying areas and upper price ranges (above $600k) however more modest homes in Eugene (South, Southwest and Eugene Core) have held value very well especially when compared to other markets. It is noteworthy that during the last recession Lane County was one of the 1st economies to get hit and the last to recover as our area was re-tooling from a timber dependent economy. This time Lane County is one of the last to feel the squeeze and our hope is one of the 1st to recover.

The fun news is that Eugene’s Alternative has recorded a 20% gain over last years business. “Wow!” and “Why?” are obvious responses; and I have them both. “Wow!” because this was not expected in this market and “Why?” is what this letter is all about – YOU! Our business grows in large part because we ride on the reputation that we have established with our community. I frequently meet new clients who don’t just know one of our past clients but several that have spoken highly about our work. We can’t thank you enough for sending you friends and family our way.

We continue to strive to be the best presented company on the internet and I think we have done it! Our goal is to have anyone who Googles “Eugene Oregon Real Estate” on alternativerealtor.com within 3 – 4 clicks. Alternativerealtor.com is now represented 4 places above “The Fold” (initial visible page) when folks are searching for real estate information for Eugene.

Alternativerealtor.com integrates:

  • A real estate blog
  • Video
  • Virtual tours of all of our listings
  • On-line Real Estate chat - A licensed REALTOR answers questions in real time
  • “Click to talk” where a party can enter a phone # and will get a immediate call back
  • Real Estate Searches with Google Maps!
  • Podcasts are on their way!


The Web; what a way to communicate!

You may have noticed new faces! We have added staff to service the additional business and I could not be happier with the group of folks that I see when I come to work. The volume of business these folks have been doing has been exceptional and their style without compare.

Thanks so much for your support. We hope to see you and your friends in the near future.

Dave and Pam

dave@alternativerealtor.com
pam@alternativerealtor.com

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What are Seller’s Disclosures and why do I care?

Sunday, August 3rd, 2008

Seller’s Disclosure forms are questions written by the State of Oregon & the Federal Government that seller’s answer for the review of the buyer or interested buyers concerning the condition and history of a specific property.

In the State of Oregon Seller’s Disclosures are required in almost all real estate transactions. Court appointed receivers are one example of an entity that is exempt from disclosure law.

From my perspective Seller’s Disclosure Statements are the heaviest legal document in real estate because they survive the transaction. Seller’s must tell buyer’s what they know to be defective. If seller’s do not then the they can be held liable into the future. Seller’s Disclosure Statements are the most central document to litigation when there are issues after a sale is closed.

Questions range from the mundane: “Has the roof ever leaked?” to the exciting “Has this property ever been used as an illegal drug manufacturing or distribution site?”. My favorite question in the Oregon Seller’s Disclosure form is the last: ” Are there any other defects affecting this property or its value that a perspective buyer should know about? If so please attach additional information” …In short; bare your soul if you are selling…you will feel better and stay out of the cross-hairs of the buyer’s legal council.

Sellers are given 3 options for answers on most questions “yes” “No” & “Unknown”. Because “Yes”, “No” & “Unknown” my be inadequate to answer the full depth of the disclosure. We council seller’s to add an addendum to the disclosures and write the full extent of what is known.
From the buyer’s perspective it is a fair to ask seller’s for additional written information during sale process if the disclosures are less than fully descriptive.

Buyer’s have 5 days to review the Seller’s Disclosures and revoke their offer if they are not satisfied. The 5 day review period starts upon receipt of the document.

Seller’s Disclosures are the mechanism that relates known defects to buyers from sellers for the protection of both.

For a copy of the most current Seller’s Disclosures Statement give us a call.

Dave
302-5999
dave@alternativerealtor.com

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