Street Cents

Better to talk more and text less when buying a home

John Maynard and Richard Hagar — Tue, 07 May 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Millennials are the most connected generation in history. In fact, The Pew Research Center calls them "history's 'always connected' generation, treating their handheld devices 'almost like a body part.'"

So when it comes to buying a home, Millennials (those born after 1982) are more likely to do most of their research online as well as communicate electronically. This extends to communicating with real estate agents. But real estate appraiser Richard Hagar says if you're buying a home, "talking" through texting is useful only up to a certain point.

Foreclosed houses at higher risk of meth contamination

John Maynard and Richard Hagar — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Many of us have heard about houses and even hotel rooms that have been used to cook methamphetamine. But most of the time, the pictures of those crime scenes show a rundown house in a rural area or a seedy hotel that few of us would frequent.

Are you living on a garbage dump?

John Maynard and Richard Hagar — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 13:00:00 +0000

What exactly do our houses sit on? Seattle area real estate appraiser and educator Richard Hagar tells KPLU's John Hagar that it's not uncommon for office buildings and homes to be built on former garbage dumps.

Seattle property values: Catching up with San Francisco?

John Maynard and Richard Hagar — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 13:00:00 +0000

What's ahead for Seattle when it comes to property values and density? Seattle-area real estate appraiser Richard Hagar tell's KPLU's John Maynard that San Francisco may have some of the answers.

High tides and storms risky for waterfront property

John Maynard and Richard Hagar — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Stormy weather and high tides may add drama to a waterfront view but they can also lead to major property damage, especially if your home sits close to the shore.

Fewer parking spaces in Seattle apartments likely to drive up prices

John Maynard and Richard Hagar — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 13:00:00 +0000

As Seattle continues to focus on urban density, parking for those living within the urban core is becoming harder to find.

Full disclosure or risk a lawsuit

John Maynard and Richard Hagar — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 13:00:00 +0000

If you buy a house and shortly after moving in you're surprised to find a big crack in the foundation or the septic tank bubbling over, wouldn't your first question be, "Did the seller know about this?" Seattle-area real estate appraiser Richard Hagar says it's bad news all around if problems are not disclosed before the sale. Surprises like this not only mean headaches for the buyer but more times than not they lead to lawsuits for the seller and his real estate agent. So, what exactly should a seller disclose?

Renters no more: Newbies lured to homeownership

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 14:21:06 +0000

In many American communities, buying a home is now less expensive than renting. And with the economics tilting in favor of homeownership, many first-time buyers are jumping into the market.

After eight years of renting, Kitsy Roberts and her husband, Janko Williams, are practically giddy about their new Seattle home. And like proud parents, they are eager to show it off, from its historic details to its fresh paint.

The living room of their 1920s bungalow in the city's Central District features a lovely Craftsman-style fireplace and high ceilings.

Renting out your basement: Extra income or extra hassle?

John Maynard and Richard Hagar — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 21:39:55 +0000

In these tough economic times, it's always tempting to look for ways to bring in extra income. So how about fixing up your basement so that you can rent it out? It would be nice to have an extra $800.00 or so coming in every month. But are there questions that should be answered before moving forward?

Will that remodel add to your home's resale value?

John Maynard and Richard Hagar — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 19:26:00 +0000

Remodeling can turn boring into wow but will it add to the value of your home? If your goal is to sell your home at a higher price after you doll it up, it pays to first ask some serious questions about the house, the land it sits on, and the neighborhood.

Population growth and housing in Seattle: Going up, up, up!

John Maynard and Richard Hagar — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 12:00:00 +0000

As more people move into the Seattle area, the demand for housing goes up. And so does the style of housing with high-rise apartments and condos replacing older, stand alone homes. Real estate appraiser and educator Richard Hagar tells KPLU's John Maynard this trend is expected to continue, thanks to our relatively stable economy and mild weather. Both are factors for people moving here, as are the companies that continue to employ thousands of people such as Amazon and Microsoft.

Houseboats ahoy!

Erin Hennessey — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 12:00:00 +0000

There are not many places on the West Coast where you can find house boats. That means the supply is limited so they are usually in high demand. And don't forget the slips for the homes. Those can go for a pretty penny, too. A recent ad in the Seattle property listings featured a piece of property on Lake Union that's 14 x 30 feet, 35 feet of water, with an asking price of $95,000.

It's not an apartment or a condo. It's a co-op!

John Maynard and Richard Hagar — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 12:00:00 +0000

There are apartments and condos. Then there are co-ops. This type of real estate ownership is pretty common in large East Coast cities such as New York, Philadelphia and Boston, but it's not as common here.

Bank loans tough to get for fire stations and churches

John Maynard and Richard Hagar — Tue, 01 May 2012 11:30:00 +0000

Bored with regular, run of the mill houses? Looking for something unusual? How about buying a fire station or a church for a home?

Seattle-area real estate appraiser Richard Hagar says although places like this could be fun to live in, banks are usually skittish about loaning money for anything out of the ordinary.

Cracking down on suspicious home buyers

John Maynard and Richard Hagar — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Since the 1970s, banks have been required to report any suspicious house purchases to the FBI. Now that mandatory reporting is netting mortgage brokers, too. Seattle area real estate appraiser Richard Hagar says that's a good thing since about 80 percent of home loans go through mortgage brokers.