Posts Categorized: Fairwood

Are We In Another Real Estate Bubble?

By Rosie Rourke, posted Apr 30, 2018

Hi everyone!!!

I’ve been hearing the same thing at a lot of my listing appointments from my clients, “Are we in another real estate bubble?” My buyers agents are hearing this too from people looking to purchase their first home or sell and buy a house, or second time buyers as we call them. I decided to roll up my sleeves and put my 20+ years of real estate knowledge to the test… I decided to write an article about it!

Here is the post card I just sent out to all my friends and clients:

To read my article check it out right here on my website, go to www.rosierourke.com/bubble

Real Estate Market Update – April 2018

By Rosie Rourke, posted Apr 18, 2018

Hi everyone, Rosie here! My team and I are rocking right now, and it seems like I am getting a lot of the same questions during my listing appointments. My buyer agents are hearing the same thing from their real estate clients looking to buy a home too. “is is a good time to sell a home? What is the real estate market like?” So I thought I would share some exciting Fairwood real estate market stats with you!

For real estate transactions (both homes for same in 98058 zip code and buying a home in 98058 zip code) here are the numbers for residential homes:

Homes For Sale in March 2018: 24 units.
• Up 41.2% compared to last month

Homes Placed Under Contract in March 2018: 62 units.
• Up 121.4% compared to last month

In Fairwood Greens specifically, here are the numbers just for the neighborhood. If you are thinking of selling a home in Fairwood Greens or thinking of buying a home in Fairwood Greens these numbers are important:

9 homes Sold/Pending within last 30 days

Average home is 2,030 square feet, that’s $263.33 per square foot!

Average days on market is 7

Average home value in Fairwood Greens and sold price: $521,667 (104.8% above list price).

WOW!!! Fairwood real estate is sizzling right now! Let me know how the Rosie Rourke Team can help you get top dollar with our proven success strategies in a seller’s market.

AND, my team doesn’t just buy and sell homes in 98058 or Fairwood Greens… we have clients all over the King and Pierce County areas! We did over 130 transactions last year ALONE, making us one of the top real estate agent and teams in King County!

Why Are We Different From Other Real Estate Agents?

By Rosie Rourke, posted Feb 24, 2018

Hi everyone!!! Can you believe that February is almost over? Spring will be here before you know it, which is historically a busy time in the real estate market. But for the Rosie Rourke Team… we stay busy all year long! While other agents are taking time off … we are closing deals! A LOT OF DEALS!

Just look at this… we closed 133 deals last year and helped over a hundred families in the Fairwood, Renton, Kent, Maple Valley, Covington, Auburn areas and beyond! We listed homes, helped our clients buy new houses and helped some first time home buyers navigate the real estate process. The Rosie Rourke team has yet again been named in the TOP 1% of all real estate teams in the area!

Yes, the numbers are nice, right? But what does that mean for YOU, the seller or buyer? It would take the average, stand alone agent over 13 years to gain the experience and knowledge of just ONE YEAR of the Rosie Rourke Team servicing our clients. Now multiple that by the 20+ years of experience that Rosie Rourke has by herself selling and buying real estate. Now add in a 7 person team behind that… can you see what I am getting at?

Here are some other reasons why we are different from other real estate agents:

Members of 2 local Chamber of Commerce organizations
We host community events – Recycle Event, Girl Friends Event, Turkey Trot 5k
All of our team members are active in local school PTA
We live and work in the same communities we serve – Shop local!
Close connections with local charities and service organizations
We have a dedicated marketing staff
24/7 concierge service for our clients

Because of the amount of clients we help we have the knowledge and the experience to out preform other agents… Your home buying process will be smooth and supported by our dedicated and expert buyer agents Melissa Hudson and Colleen Linder. Your selling process will be seamless and the offers will come rolling in with the know how from listing agent and team Leader Rosie Rourke and listing manager Liz DeSmith. And supporting our producers is an amazing team of Sandie, Jill and Carey!

Most agents are one man or one woman shows… they have to wear many hats on a daily basis! Details can fall through the cracks and quite frankly, they are overwhelmed… especially in this market! This is why a TEAM will always out preform an individual!

Next Step…

Contact us today if you are thinking of SELLING your home or BUYING a home! We are excited to show you personally why we are the TOP TEAM in the area and why over a hundred clients trusted us with their real estate dreams last year!

PS. We also specialize in helping our clients UPSIZE! With home prices going up, it’s a great time to SELL, cash in on the equity, and BUY a larger home! And no… you won’t have to be displaced either!

January is the time to sell and buy!

By Rosie Rourke, posted Jan 23, 2018

Don’t wait until Spring… NOW is the time to list your home!

Believe it or not, now is actually the best time to list your home! Competition is lower on the selling side and that means more qualified buyers are ready and waiting for your home to show up on the market!

Whether you are looking to upsize and cash in your home’s equity to get a larger one or you are ready to downsize for the next chapter, the Rosie Rourke Team has both selling and buying solutions for you.

And if you need to sell your home in order to buy another one you don’t need to worry about being displaced, we have creative loan solutions from the areas top lenders to help with a seamless transition!

Bottom-line…

why wait until Spring when my team has buyers ready and waiting NOW!

Contact me personally for an in person home valuation and check out what our clients are saying about the home selling and buying process with my team… it is possible to SELL AND UPSIZE in this market!

What our clients are saying about selling and buying…

“Rosie and her staff were amazing to work with. My wife and I were in the market to sell our home while buying a new one. Rosie came to our home, explained the process of buying and selling at the same time in the most simplistic way that both my wife and I could understand. Because of the amazing work by Rosie and her team, our house was able to sell in just 6 days. When looking for a new home with more space, Melissa did her research and presented us with homes that were in our price range and in the area we wanted were looking in. In fact, we were able to find a home with minutes walking from our old place. Because of Melissa’s amazing work, my kids are able to stay within walking distance of their friends. Thank you to Rosie, Melissa, and the rest of her team for the hard work and dedication to helping families find the perfect home!”

-The Nicholson Family sold and bought a home in 2017 in Bonney Lake, WA.

“Rosie is the consummate professional. She was kind, caring, patient and knew exactly what I needed. She is responsive and I felt confident at all times that she would make sure everything was in place with my transaction. I can’t recommend her highly enough!! “

– Sundiemarie bought and sold a Condo home in 2016 in Park Orchard and Renton, WA.

“My partner and I are well into our 70’s. We decided to sell the home and 14 acres where I have lived for 48 years. We chose to work with the Rosie Rourke team of John L. Scott in Kent, WA. Colleen helped us find a house to buy before we put our house on the market. We were impressed by Colleen’s energy, competency and honesty. She carted us around a radius of about 20 miles and found for us many places that might fill our needs. After we chose a house to buy, Colleen competently walked us through the stacks of paperwork that accompanies purchasing a house. We enjoyed her so much that we began to refer to her as our handler. Just yesterday she met us at our newly built house to hand over our keys and sip wine (our idea) and meander the lovely new abode that filled my desires for light, a walkable neighborhood with grocery store, restaurants, nature trails and a city bus. Well done, Colleen, our dear handler.”

-Liz Mathewson and Marsh Pancheau bought and sold a home in 2017 in Maple Valley, WA

So… what is the next step?

That’s the easy part, contact Rosie directly for a casual, one on one chat about your home… now really is the best time to get started! (Be sure to mention you received the post card too!)

206.719.5870

rosie@rosierourke.com

Happy New Year… SELLERS WANTED!

By Rosie Rourke, posted Jan 12, 2018

Happy New Year from South King County’s Best Real Estate Team!

WANTED… People who want to sell their home and cash in on this incredible market! Our buyer’s agents Melissa Hudson and Colleen Jacobs Linder have pre-qualified buyers ready and waiting to make offers… NOW! I know, it’s only a few weeks into the new year, is the market that hot? The answer is YES! But, there is a shortage of homes for sale in Kent, Renton, Fairwood, Maple Valley, Bellevue, Auburn, and all areas in South King County & North Pierce County!

Don’t wait until spring, NOW is the time to list… Less homes for sale = Less competition and more qualified buyers looking at your listing! https://rosierourke.com/whats-my-home-worth/

Fairwood Featured Business – Este The Aesthetician!

By Rosie Rourke, posted Nov 15, 2017

With this post, I am happy to be continuing my “Fairwood Featured Business” series… and I’m excited to share my recent experience with you!

My ongoing passion as the top real estate agent in the Renton & Fairwood area is to highlight and celebrate the Fairwood neighborhood I live in, raise my kids in and work in. I believe that a big part of what enhances our quality of life is when we enjoy our surroundings. So I’m taking an opportunity to focus on our neighborhood specifically and to appreciate all that we have here, so close to home.

Previously on this blog, I have featured Plaza Cleaners, Fairwood Thai Cuisine, and Cosmo Nail Parlor, Fairwood Golf & Country Club, Fire District #40, Station 17, Shakey’s, There Ya Go Espresso, Salon Tii Gavo and The Wine Alley, and Handy Man Craig!

This month I am EXCITED to feature Este Egan, an Aesthetician at Salon Tii Gavo!

Amazing Aesthetician in Fairwood!

I recently had a facial done by Este at Salon Tii Gavo! She is a well known figure in the Renton area, she is involved with the area schools and you’ve probably ran into her at Starbucks a time to two! Being as busy as I am, I don’t take a lot of “me time.” But I have to say after spending an hour with Este… I think that needs to change!

My Experience…

First of all, Este runs her business out of Salon Tii Gavo, which is well known as being one of the top salons in the Renton/Fairwood area. The moment you walk in you instantly feel the weights of the world lift from your shoulders! Then you are greeted by Este, she is super cute with a charismatic personality. I ended up with a relaxing facial and collagen treatment mask.

After the treatment my skin was moist, supple, and my husband said I was glowing! Este was able to relax and rejuvenate me in an hour… totally worth it!

Other Services – Waxing

Este is also well known for her waxing services.

Getting a Hold of Este

Este is available via phone, just call or text 425-277-5410. And GUYS… a gift certificate for the holidays is sure to please that special someone in your life 🙂

Turkey Trot 5k – Hosted by The Rosie Rourke Team!

By Rosie Rourke, posted Oct 20, 2017

NOTE… this post is from last year, if you are looking for 2018 Turkey Trot information place go here: https://rosierourke.com/turkeytrot/

Join the Rosie Rourke Team and your friends on November 18th for the 1st annual Turkey Trot hosted by the #1 real estate team for John L. Scott in South King County/Fairwood! The race starts at 9am and the winner gets a free turkey!

Where does the race start?

Enter the Fairwood Firs Neighbourhood (off of 140th Ave SE/SE 181st Street) and follow the signs to the park, where the race will begin promptly at 9am!

Do I need to RSVP?

Nope! Just show ready to run, walk and have fun! For updates follow our Facebook page!

Breaking News About The Real Estate Market!

By Rosie Rourke, posted Jul 15, 2017

Hi everyone, Rosie Rourke here! I have some breaking news for you about the real estate market… it has slowed down for the summer! I know, all you hear on the news is how hot it is, but my years of experience and the numbers don’t lie! But this is a great opportunity for you if you are ready to buy!

Using zip code 98058 (Renton/Fairwood) as one example, see above chart. I’m happy to run a report in your zip code–just contact me! The report shows the last 5 years history. As you can see, every year during the summer and holiday months, the sales dip in quantity. Our area has very limited sunshine, so when summer arrives, the buyers and agents disappear. Especially when kids are out of school. Families take their annual vacation and summer sport tournaments take over.

Even in the best of markets, this trend continues. Note the lack of inventory for this year over the last 5 years… wow! Our market is still extremely hot, just in a plateau as buyers take a break for sun & fun.

I hear so many times… “I thought summer would be best time to sell since the families need to position for school”. In reality, it already happened in late Spring so that buyers/sellers could enjoy the summer months.

Without rapid pace of sales, the inventory is higher than it has been since Spring market, but on par for last year this same time. Don’t worry! September and October will heat us back up again.

If you are a buyer, now is the time to take advantage of buying without fear of a bidding war and having no leverage. And, sellers – we got this! Your house may not sell within minutes, but we will sell it for top dollar in a timely manner.

Area Home Prices Are Up… BIG TIME!

By Rosie Rourke, posted Apr 26, 2017

Area Home Prices Are up $132,500 in The Last 24 Months… Whaaaat?!

This isn’t a type-o! Can you believe that? We are looking at the hottest real estate market with the highest home values in our area EVER. For example, home prices in Fairwood alone are up over $132k in the last 24 months. AND, mortgage rates are still at historic lows and home inventory is down. What does that mean for you, the happy home owner? That means your house will sell for more than you ever thought was possible… and fast! The majority of my listings are selling above asking price and we are getting multiple offers.

I know, this is a lot to take in, but is THE time and this is YOUR opportunity to cash in if you are looking to upsize, downsize, or cash in on a rental home you are tired of managing. Just know that I am here to help you navigate this crazy market and help you make the best decision for you and your family.

Call me, text me, email me, or just stop by my brand new office in Kent sometime, I’d love to reconnect and look at your options!

Featured Fairwood Business – Handyman Services!

By Rosie Rourke, posted Jan 31, 2017

With this post, I am happy to be continuing my “Fairwood Featured Business” series with installment #10.

For January I am excited to be featuring…

Fairwood Handyman Services!

The owner and handyman Craig Wadsworth is the best kept secret in Fairwood! He has been an expert handyman for the Fairwood area since 2002. Being a local resident, Craig not only is an incredible resource for Fairwood homeowners, he truly cares about the community we live in. He donates his time and money back to his kid’s schools and helps out when he can! “Customers just love me”, says Craig.

Entry before…

AFTER!

Have a Honey-Do List?

Craig is a licensed contractor in the State of Washington and really is a jack of all trades. No job is too big or too small. “What annoys you? It’s the honey-do list items that I specialize in”, says Craig. And think about that, you work hard, the last thing you want to do on your weekend is patch a wall or fix a leaky pipe, right? And with Craig’s hourly rate being amazingly reasonable, you can’t put a price on your personal sanity!

“Excellent work at an honest price. Craig’s attention to detail is great and he’s a pretty funny guy, too.” – Bob W. via Facebook Review

Raised to be a Handyman…

Some people are born with a green thumb… Craig was born with a hammer in his hand! “I learned a lot from my dad, he was a handy guy, I guess it just rubbed off on me”, Craig said with a smile. He has a passion for problem solving and working with his hands. I’ve personally recommended a lot of my clients to Craig and I’ve never heard a negative thing… and that’s saying something in today’s crazy world we live in, right?

Deck Before…

Deck After!

Getting a Hold of Craig

Craig is available via phone, just call or text 206-713-4904. You can also interact with him and his customers via his Facebook page, click here to check it out!