EP: 0027 No Home is Perfect. Helping buyers before, during and after inspection with Travis Boyd

Many homeowners have delayed a move-up purchase due to rising interest rates in 2023. In 2024, with rates projected to decline and the higher-end market still soft, this may be a good opportunity to consider a move-up purchase. Kate Fadden is a top-producing broker at JLS Bellingham, and she speaks with Paul Balzotti about the process of move-up buying and some creative ways to make it happen.

00:50 What is move-up buying and what does that look like.

04:18 Snoop Dogg almost buying in Bellingham.

5:55 Real Estate stats that benefit a move-up purchase.

08:25 Timing the market and interest rates.

11:00 The costs of waiting. 

14:44 Realtor cliches about it always being a good time to buy.

20:20 Consolidating debt when doing a move-up purchase.

You can reach Kate at katefadden@johnlscott.com.

Paul Balzotti and Vanessa Treadway look back at the 2023 Real Estate market and discuss the JLS forecast for 2024 for both Bellingham and the Whatcom County.

1:00 Vanessa shares her experiences working with buyers in 2023. 

2:45 The median price ranges pick up at the start of the year.

5:25 Vanessa covering appreciation over the last 3-5 years.

7:00 How interest rates will affect the market in 2024.

11:00 When is the bottom for home values.

13:00 Final predictions for JLS 2024 housing market. 

Any questions, please reach out to Vanessa at vanessatreadway@johnlscott.com

At the start of 2024, Washington state will require Real Estate licensees to have service agreements signed between buyers and buyers agents, outlining the agency relationship and the way the buyer's agent will get paid. Sarah Aguirre is one of JLS's top buyers agents, assisting 28 clients in 2023, 17 of them being buyers. Sarah goes over her process and some ways she tries to bring value to her clients.

00:15  Buyer agency agreements need to be signed in 2024.
01:15  Sarah Aguirres sales in 2023.
02:35  Sarah updating her process helping buyers in a more challenging market. 
06:30  Creating financing options and lender partnerships.
08:50  Negotiation tactics to help buyers win in today's market. 
11:10  Using data when presenting an offer. 
16:44  Working with Spanish-speaking clients.

You can reach Sarah at sarahaguirre@johnlscott.com

When selling your home, the details matter. And there is a range of what price your home can sell for. The factors that a Realtor can help you with to help you get top dollar include, preparation, presentation, promotion and strategic pricing. William Elmer sits down with Paul Balzotti to talk about the programs and formula behind what has helped Will sell all of his listings in 2023 for well above asking price.

1:45 Market Ready Plus. The JLS  0% credit 

6:40: Being Market Ready Day One. It is all in the preparation.

12:00: Marketing to the backlog of buyers.


You can reach Wìĺĺiam at Williamelmer@johnlscott.com.

Water rights is a major concern in Whatcom County with Washington State moving forward with water adjudication for the Nooksack basin and surrounding areas. All owners & prospective buyers of vacant land or residential homes on a well or shared well, should be aware of what is upcoming. 

For more questions you can reach crissyimpero@johnlscott.com

CEO of John L. Scott, J. Lennox Scott is the 3rd generation leader of the company. John L. Scott is a top 20 Real Estate brand in the country with over 100+ in the northwest region and over 3,000 associates. 
Lennox talks about the history of John L. Scott Real Estate, what the company is working on to evolve, the future of A.I. in Real Estate, and he provides a market forecast for Whatcom County and the rest of the Pacific Northwest. 

00:15 About J. Lennox Scott & John L. Scott Real Estate.
02:08 The history of John L. Scott Real Estate
05:48 Industry changes and what is next for the company and the industry in general.
08:40 How A.I. will change Real Estate
10:45 Company philosophy.
17:10 Real Estate market update & market forecast.

The city of Bellingham has agreed to adopt the majority of the new ADU (additional dwelling units) law EHB 1337 that was mandated from Washington state. Hannah Jones talks to Paul Balzotti about the changes the city has approved and what that means for Bellingham.

1:00 Hannah explains.
4:15 How this new law will impact the city of Bellingham.
10:00 How ADU's help with Affordable homeownership.
17:00 ADU's for extended family, and other benefits of more ADU's. 

See episode 6 of the Bellingham Real Estate podcast for more on ADU's. 
To reach Hannah Jones, email hannahjones@johnlscott.com

At the mid-year point in 2023, Dexter Andrews and Paul Balzotti sit down to discuss the year to date statistics, as well as the small correlation (and major differences) between the 2008 Real Estate market crash, and the 2023 market slowdown. 

00:30 Dexter Andrews background in Real Estate, beginning in Minnesota.
02:40 Paul Balzotti touching on 2023 mid-year market statistics.
04:00 Interest rates and how they effect home prices.
06:00 Predictions for rest of 2023.
08:18 The year 2008 verse 2009.
12:00 Stories from 2006-2012.
21:00 Talking boating with Dexter.

Dexter Andrews is a Real Estate broker with nearly 30 years in the business, and he can be reached at dexterandrews@johnlscott.com

When looking at a home, it's important to take a closer look at the quality and condition of a home, even before doing your home inspection. Travis Boyd is a former contractor and property manager plus offers 3 years full-time in sales. In this episode, Travis and Paul Balzotti discuss things to consider before, during, and after the home inspection when home buying. 

00:30 Travis's background in construction and property management. 
03:12  Consulting with a buyer before looking at homes. 
04:40  First things to look for when getting to the home.
12:23  Why so many deals fall apart during the inspection.
16:14  What comes up the most during the inspection.
20:55  New construction homes have issues too.
24:15  How to work through inspection.

You can reach Travis at travisboyd@johnlscott.com

 Veteran Bellingham Real Estate broker Molly Visser talks about downsizing from a larger home to a smaller condo. Tips for downsizing and things to consider when buying a condo. You can reach Molly at mollyvisser@johnlscott.com

00:20 - Molly Vissers background.
01:10  - Molly's story about downsizing from a home to a condo.
5:50 - Trade-offs and lifestyle changes.
6:20 - Researching different condo HOAs.
12:10 - Tips for downsizing.
18:10 - Analyzing the location to downsize 

You can reach Molly at mollyvisser@johnlscott.com