Real Estate and Dating

I recently ran across this. It is a very fun and appropriate analogy.  I would go a bit further……how about  “buyer’s remorse” or not making it to the wedding.  Once you’re engaged (under contract) there are so many ways the relationship can crash and burn.  We always strive for happiness and “wedding bells”

Real Estate Dating

ptupper

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June 26, 2013

Look at this cute little comic I found on Bizaro.com.

He, he.   Told you it was cute.

When you think about it, buying a house IS like dating.  Now, don't get me wrong, I'm a happily married woman however, when you REALLY think about it, there are many ways that shopping for or buying real estate can be like dating.  Let's take a look at the top 5.

1. First Dates.  How many first dates did you go on until you found "the one"?  You look at many houses (some online), imagining the prospect of your lives together...

2. The List.  Number of beds and baths, garage, yard, updated.  Sound familiar?  Must be tall, thin, handsome, great teeth...you get the idea.

3.  Curb Appeal.  Never judge a book by its cover, or a house by an overgrown yard.  How about the great date whose shoes don't match his belt (do people still do that??).

4. Location, Location, Location. Always a must for your ideal home.  After all, you don't want to be stuck in traffic for two hours a day, now do you?  How about that friend-of-a-friend your gal pal wants to introduce you to because "you two would just be perfect" even though he lives 1,000 miles away.

5.  Financing.  I think this is a conversation that most normal people dread before taking that big leap and deciding to move-in together.  "I only owe $100 grand in student loans".  Yikes!

So there you have it, buying a home IS just like dating.  What other ways can you think of where buying a home is like dating?

- See more at: http://www.paulettetupper.com/real-estate-dating/#sthash.fLtJ4GMo.dpuf

Get to Know The Lakes Community in Mercer Island

By Ken Urman, Realtor

The Lakes neighborhood is an all-Buchan-style planned community that has become a Mercer Island landmark on the Southend. Built in the 1980s by John F. Buchan Construction, Inc.

(http://www.buchan.com/), this 40 acre development draws its name from the man-made lakes that dot the landscape throughout the neighborhood. The development was designed to hold storm water in artificial ponds (“Lakes”) and release it slowly downhill to Lake Washington without overwhelming the city’s minimal storm drain lines and ditches. As such, it is an outstanding example of storm water management.

The community is adjacent to the South Mercer Playfields, Lakeridge Elementary School and Islander Middle School. It is also in close proximity to the Mercer Island Beach Club, Country Club and Southend shopping area.

Community statistics:

·         Population (2011):  414

·         2011 median household income:  $186,053

·         Average household size: 2.9 people

·         Vast majority of homes were built between 1960 and 1989.

Halloween trick-or-treating is a hugely popular annual activity in The Lakes, that draws children from all over the island. Treats handed out by residents of The Lakes are reputed to be the Best! A comment often heard is “best Halloween trick or treating ever!” For Halloween, the community encourages families to bring a canned, non-perishable food item to donate to the Mercer Island Food Pantry food bank. Food bins are located throughout the neighborhood on Halloween.

The homeowner’s association in The Lakes is very active. The neighborhood is relatively small and sponsors a number of social activities, allowing neighbors to get to know one another. The homes in this community tend to be very uniform in style, and are either a rambler or a two-story traditional.

Homes in The Lakes are very desirable and sell very quickly when they come on the market. Currently there are no homes for sale or pending sale in the neighborhood. Only two homes have been sold in the last 180 days. The most recent sale occurred June 7, 2013, when a four bedroom, 2.5 bathroom two story lakeside home sold for $1,350,000.

To learn more about The Lakes, or other local neighborhoods, or to list or buy a home, call me today at 206-230-0833.