Essential Rules for Hiring Contractors

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By Daniel DiClerico | ConsumerReports.org

The Better Business Bureau has just released its latest Top Ten List of services with the most inquiries from consumers. Half relate to home improvement: roofers and general contractors, which take the first two spots, respectively, as well as plumbers, heating and cooling contractors, and remodelers. An inquiry is different from a complaint, so the news isn't necessarily bad. But it's a reminder to do your homework before tackling a home improvement project. Here's how:

Don't chase the low ball. The tight remodeling market has forced some contractors to lower their profit margins. But at a certain point, they'll have to make up the difference in other ways, for example by…

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Home shopping: Should you buy new?

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(Money Magazine)

It's official: After years of little activity, homebuilders are dusting off their jackhammers.

Last year housing permits hit their highest level since 2008, according to the Census Bureau, and new-home sales grew 20% from the prior year.

"Builders are more optimistic than they have been for several years," says Patrick Newport, an economist at IHS Global Insight.                                           

An untouched abode offers advantages, of course, such as a sleek modern layout and few repairs. Buying an existing home, however, may allow you to seal the deal faster and can offer better short-term price appreciation.                                           

These head-to-head comparisons can…

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Mortgage Rates Reverse, Head Lower This Week

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Mortgage rates moved lower this week, just in time for the spring home buying season, Freddie Mac reports in its weekly mortgage market survey. After rising last week, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage reversed course and inched back down. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage — the most popular among home buyers — has remained below 4 percent for a year.

"Low and stable inflation is placing downward pressure on fixed mortgage rates,” says Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. 

Here’s a closer look at mortgage rate averages for the week ending March 21: 

• 30-year fixed-rate mortgages: averaged 3.54 percent, with an average 0.8 point, dropping from last week’s 3.63 percent average. A year ago at…

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Beautiful 4 Bedroom Home in Sammamish!

$ 399,000 - 22031 NE 15th Street , Sammamish     Bedrooms : 4     Bathrooms : 2.75     Sq. Footage : 1,550     Year Built : 1980     Garage Spaces : 1     Type : Residential     MLS® Number : 462669       OFFERED BY: PROPERTY DESCRIPTION:   Leanna Young Real Estate Broker 425.829.1029 Schedule a Showing Request More Info Relax in your own backyard oasis-this remodeled home sits on a large…

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Sammamish Gem under $400,000!

$ 399,900 - 22034 SE 33rd St , Sammamish     Bedrooms : 3     Bathrooms : 2.25     Sq. Footage : 1,680     Year Built : 1977     Garage Spaces : 2     Type : Residential     MLS® Number : 462603       OFFERED BY: PROPERTY DESCRIPTION:   Shane and Anne Coulter Real Estate Brokers 206.915.SOLD Schedule a Showing Request More Info Welcome to this charming and well kept Sammamish gem. This 3 bedroom…

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The Cascade Team's Profile is in the top 1% of All Profile Views in The United States!

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The Cascade Team Real Estate was pleased to learn today that our profile on Trulia (Located HERE) is in the top 1% of all profile views in the United States. Our blog and listings have recieved over 16,000 views. The Cascade Team places all of our property listings for Washington, Arizona and California on Trulia, as well as adds daily contributions to The Trulia blog and also answers questions posed by home buyers and sellers alike across the Trulia platform.

Please be sure to check out our Trulia Profile HERE!

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Market on Fire with "Flash Sales!"

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Some housing markets are heating up so much that homes are selling in less than 24 hours—also known as a “flash sale.” 

Recently analyzed data from major metro areas using MLS information as well as shared information amoung brokerages between Oct. 1, 2012 and Feb. 26, 2013, reveal which metros are seeing some of the fastest sales. These rankings are based on cities that were seeing a home status going from active to pending in less than a day after being listed. Many of those listings in as little as an hour.

Here are the cities are seeing the most flash sales:

1. Phoenix: 540
2. Chicago: 261
3. Houston: 188
4. Dallas: 184
5. Austin: 163
6. San Diego: 135
7. Los Angeles: 132
8. Sacramento, Calif.: 128
9. Denver: 115
10. …

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Your Home Search Tool Box From The Cascade Team Real Estate!

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1) Before Heading Out to Look at Homes This Weekend - Download The Mobile MLS!

It’s like having your very own personal Real Estate Agent riding along with you in the car! One that can even give you directions!

Search for your dream home anytime, anywhere!  WE can help! Text CTRE32 to 88000 and you will have the most advanced and comprehensive mobile search available that will allow YOU to:

• See every property from every brokerage
• School Information
• Annual Property Tax Records
• Driving directions to properties
• Calculate your Mortgage
• See all properties based on GPS location
• See all interior photos for any listing
• Quick contact to see any listing
• Save your favorite properties to view later
• Sold…

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Welcome to The Cascade Team Jayne Chiu (I-Yu Chiu)

• Jayne Chiu
• jayne@thecascadeteam.com
• Cell: 425-392-0192

Welcome to The Cascade Team Jayne Chiu (I-Yu Chiu). Jayne lives in Sammamish and speaks fluent Mandarin Chinese. She was recruited to The Cascade Team by Stan Chang and he will be her Managing Broker. We are very happy to have Jayne join The Cascade Team and we look forward to working with her and seeing her succeed.

Real Estate Agents That Offer YOU Local Knowledge & Personal Service

Cascade Team Real Estate agents spend their time serving customers, studying the market and touring homes, so they can provide the most accurate housing market data for their client. This helps you better understand the competitive environment, pricing strategies and provides an edge in the negotiation…

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Welcome to The Cascade Team Don Donat

• Don A. Donat
• cell 253 380-2612
• don@thecascadeteam.com

Don has over 15 years experience in the Real Estate Industry, and has spent most of that time working for Prudential NW. We are very happy to have Don now be a part of www.TheCascadeTeam.com and he will be a great asset for us. Don lives in Federal Way and will be focusing on the Federal Way and Tacoma markets.

Real Estate Agents That Offer YOU Local Knowledge & Personal Service

Cascade Team Real Estate agents spend their time serving customers, studying the market and touring homes, so they can provide the most accurate housing market data for their client. This helps you better understand the competitive environment, pricing strategies and provides an edge in the negotiation…

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