Corvallis – A Nice Place To Live and Buy a Home

Did you know that Forbes.com recently ranked Corvallis Oregon as the 19th small best places for business and careers? You can see the statistics here:

http://www.forbes.com/lists/2010/5/business-places-10_Corvallis-OR_6170.html

Why Move to Corvallis?

Simply stated, it’s a friendly community and offers a terrific lifestyle. Incorporated in 1857, Corvallis is in the heart of Oregon’s Willamette Valley. And just recently, Corvallis was voted #1 on the EPA list of Green Power communities.

With a residential population of 54,890, it is home to Oregon State University, 16 public-funded K-12 schools and several private schools. And the housing market? —Whether your preference is new construction or old or something in-between, you have choices when you come to Corvallis.

If you are already a resident or plan on visiting, be sure to enlist the help of Shayla Sharp Real Estate and stay informed. You cannot afford to work with someone who will drop the ball – instead, plan on working with an agent that will consistently provide you with the information and the help you need.

For more information: http://www.SharpRE.com

Thanks for dropping by.

My best,
Shayla Sharp

Careers at Keller Williams Realty Mid-Willamette

  Considering a change in 2010? How about a career at Keller Williams Realty.

  It is rare to find an organization where every single associate is passionate about their personal and business goals as well as the company they stand behind. Come and find out what Keller Williams Realty is all about. We have a common objective to make a significant difference in our industry and make a positive impact on the lives we touch.

If you are brand new to real estate or an experienced Broker seeing a change, give me a call and lets talk about all the potential that awaits you and your career. For more information go to:

http://www.SharpRE.com

Free Corvallis Event – First Time Home Buyer Seminar

Happy New Year everyone!

What’s in store for us in 2010? I don’t know about you, but I plan on making the most of every opportunity that comes my way. Whether it’s personal growth, giving back to my community, or just helping people buy their next home, buy their first one, and helping people position their current home for the market – I’m there!

Speaking of first homes – I am hosting another First Time Home Buyer Seminar this month.

When: January 27th, Wednesday, 6-7:30 pm. Where: Corvallis Public Library, main conference room.
Seating is by reservation, so please drop me a note if you would like to attend.

If you or someone you know can benefit from these topics, please send them my way:

Home buyer tax credit
The home buying process
Financing
The appraisal process
Home inspection (why do you need one?), and
Learn how a professional realtor can help you find and buy your first home.

The panel will include 2 Keller Williams Brokers, a home inspector, a finacial representative and a representative from a local title/escrow firm.

If you’re a first-time home buyer, you’re probably hearing all the reasons why buying a home right now is the smart thing to do. So, how do you begin?

The more you know about why you should buy a home, the less scary the entire process will appear to you. Having the right information and support of real estate, escrow and loan professionals on your team will take the stress out of home buying.

Need more information? Drop me a note at: sharp@kw.com or visit my site at: http://www.sharpre.com , click on contact on the menu bar, then fill in the form with your questions.

Thanks for stopping by. Have a terrific weekend ahead!

My Best,

Shayla

Keller Williams Corvallis – Terrific Opportunity

Keller Williams is growing and on the move. In an event held last night at our current office in Avery Squarre, we shared that Keller Williams Realty Mid-Willamette has outgrown our current leased office space and will begin construction of a 6,000-square-foot building at 1121 N.W. Ninth St., the former site of The Gables restaurant.  In five years our office has grown from a few agents to about 90 agents located in both Linn and Benton Counties (including the Salem area).

The new structure will have more offices, a large conference and training room, storage, workstations and more parking. One of the most exciting aspects of this building is that it will have a solar power array. For the complete article
click on Keller Williams unveils new building.

If you are considering a career in real estate or real estate marketing, please contact me. This is a terrific time to make a move and get on board a growing company. Did you know that Keller Williams is one of the only major real estate firms
that offers profit sharing? And there’s so much more – training, resources, and a highly supportive internal culture that will help you thrive in real estate.

If you would like to learn more click on Shayla Sharp Real Estate at KW.

For personalized service contact me at: sharp@kw.com or visit my website at: http://www.SharpRE.com

Thanks for stopping by.

Heading to Corvallis? Going in the right direction!

For first time home buyers the tax credit of up to $8000 for qualified first-time home buyers purchasing a principle residence has been extended. Additionally, a tax credit of up to $6,500 for qualified repeat home buyers has also been implemented. This is good news for those of you considering your first home and for those home owners considering a new one.

Are you one of those that secretly loath asking for directions? Somehow I don’t think it’s a “guy” thing — I freely admit that sometimes I need directions, though once in awhile my gut feeling would like to shout “I know that street was here just this morning! Who moved it!”  Well, we all have our little quirks I guess. And fortunately for me, there’s a coffee shop within close driving distance to give me that laser sharp focus that a busy agent needs. Isn’t coffee one of the major food groups?

The last few weeks have been busier than usual. And with the weather cooling off nicely, by the afternoon I forego the coffee and starting dreaming about hot cider. Now, where did I put that GPS?

Oftentimes, a Real Estate Professional is called upon to provide direction of all sorts. Working together with sellers to prepare their home for market or helping a buyer navigate the real estate process, I am always pleased to provide those services. And that is why I have in big bold letters on my web site “A successful real estate transaction is like a destination…the path begins here.”  

What does that mean? It means that for every phase of the real estate process, we oftentimes find ourselves wearing many hats, rolling up our shirt sleeves working together with sellers to help prepare their home for the market. Part planner, part landscaper, part mover, part hostess, part counselor (you get the picture) – I’m whatever is needed at the moment. For certain tasks (those that require specific skills), those are better left to professionals with more experience. So let them do the work they know best! 

Navigating the process is what I do best, and I do this best when both sellers and buyers are willing to work collaboratively. A map and a compass to your goals — whatever those may be, are important to me too. To the extent that you can lighten your burden, delegate the real estate process. It can be surprisingly satisfying! Can I offer you a cup of coffee?

Need assistance with real estate? Give me a call or drop me a note – I’d love to hear from you. 541-740-6574

For more information log onto: http://www.SharpRE.com
Email me at: sharp@kw.com

Thanks for stopping by – have a terrific week!

Selling your Corvallis home – Great Expectations and The Great Pumpkin

It’s scary out there this time of year! Graveyards are popping up all over Corvallis and in a few days, everything from SpongeBob Square Pants to one-eyed Pirates will come knocking at our door. Hey that means candy. That’s a good thing! Each year I am never disappointed. No matter how many or how few show up, young or old, cute, funny or scary, I always enjoy the surprise (can’t say the same for the dog however) of a creative costume, as they always exceed my expectations.

When it comes to selling your home, you too may have great expectations. Sometimes a buyer’s inspections will detect something previously unknown which may lead to the buyer pushing back with respect to the costs associated with this new discovery. Once in awhile, this leads to a re-negotiation of the sales price or a request from the buyer to have the sellers repair some damage. It’s not personal – it’s just business. And seller’s need to adjust their thinking that their beautiful, perfect home may be— well let’s just say that we need to find some middle ground here. The buyer’s initial offer typically factor in any known defects – but seller’s will have to be reasonable if the inspection unearths new findings.

I find that the best transactions involve compromise on both sides, and well-intentioned give and take. When both sides leave the table having reached a consensus on what is gained and what is given and what is truly important to them, you are more likely to have a very happy ending. A win-win scenario is what I always strive toward as it leads to a happy and successful transaction.

Thinking of selling? Give me a call and let’s discuss some options. The holiday season is a terrific time to put your home on the market.

For more information about Corvallis real estate or surrounding communities, please call me at (541) 740-6574, or send me an email at: sharp@kw.com.

Feel free to visit my website at http://www.SharpRE.com for more information.

Thanks for stopping by.

My best,

Shayla Sharp

The Questions Corvallis Real Estate Clients Ask

When helping new clients, I am often asked many questions. Sometimes, buyers (and sellers) will focus on three or four items that are most important to them. So I thought that it might be worthy to post the top five questions I am often asked:

Question: How do we know if we are getting a good deal on this home?
Answer: As I mentioned in an earlier conversation, value can be based on emotional value, market value, and what the market will bear at the time of the sale in terms of offer price. Emotional value from a
seller’s point of view, can and often does lead to higher sales price. From a buyer’s point of view, what you determine is of “value” to you – typically only you can decide that. Compare prices of similar homes (those that sold recently and those that are currently on the market now) and determine how much you want to spend and can comfortably afford.

Question: Who pays the agent’s commission?
Answer: Typically the seller pays the commissions. When the home is a “for-sale-by-owner” it is not uncommon for the buyer and the seller to split the cost of the agent’s commission.

Question: How much earnest money should we offer?
Answer: Typically, it is 1% of the offer price. Earnest money is the amount put forth by the buyer that tells the seller that your offer is in good faith and that you are serious about your offer. If the offer is accepted, the earnest money is applied to the buyer’s down payment.

Question: When can we take possession of our new home?
Answer: When the property closes and records. The title company, once they receive the funds from a lender, they will then pay off the seller’s loan (if there is one), then record the sale at the courthouse. After recording then the buyer is officially the new owner of the property and can take possession.

Question: As a buyer’s or seller’s agent, what is your role?
Answer: I will advise you and manage the entire process with a custom, carefully planned strategy. I listen to your preferences, concerns, thoughts, and goals and work together with you to either market your home or help you find the perfect house. I communicate very frequently (and as much or as little as you like), analyze the market, follow-up with other agents when necessary, negotiate aggressively on your behalf, guide you through escrow and closing, preview all homes with you, and refer you to specialists (contractors) when necessary. It’s a collaborative process, and I’ll stay in touch long after the final papers are signed.

If you would like to learn more click on The Corvallis Real Estate Market.

For personalized service contact me at: sharp@kw.com or visit my website at: http://www.SharpRE.com

Thanks for stopping by. Have a terrific week!

My best,

Shayla Sharp

The Real Estate Race in Corvallis Oregon

The news is out! It’s hit the streets! Yes, it seems that Corvallis First-Time Home Buyers are racing to the finish line to take advantage of the $8000 first-time home buyer tax credit (just in case it doesn’t come back on 2010).

Just out in the Keller Williams “OutFront” magazine is where you can find information about my two recent First-Time Home Buyers seminar, and the impact that first time home buyers are having in local markets, especially Corvallis.

If you would like a copy of the magazine
please Click Here.

Thanks for stopping by.

 

For more information please visit http://www.SharpRE.com 

 

Keller Williams Realty Mid-Willamette
815 NW 9th Street, Suite L-195
Corvallis, OR 97330 

email:sharp@kw.com 

541.740.6574   Cell – Best way to reach me
541.257.2950   Direct
541.738.7771   Fax

Market Value and Emotional Value in Corvallis Real Estate

 

We can all appreciate the fall weather and what it does for us come spring. And speaking of the future, it’s been about a year since one of the worst housing markets on record, but things are improving. With the $8000 first-time home buyer tax credit and attractive interest rates, buyers are definitely more plentiful than last year.

But what about sellers? I can provide comparable market information, recent sales activity within specific price ranges and neighborhood, but at the end of the day, I can’t tell you about your home’s intrinsic value. Market value and emotional value are two different things. Oftentimes, the seller will place a high value on their home based on emotional value which, unfortunately has nothing to do with the current market. For more informaton about working with an agent Click Here.

Their perception of the home’s true value is entrenched in emotional value – that situation can and does often lead to a long time on the market if the home is priced “out of the market.” The rule of thumb we try to follow is, if you’ve had 8 showings and no offer, it’s time to reduce your sales price. If two weeks have passed and you’ve had no offers and very few showings, it’s time to reduce your sales price.

Agents try, based on statistics, facts, experience and recent activity to predict selling price as much as possible. But in the end, the market determines market value – not emotions, not intrinsic value, not the sellers, nor the agents. For buyers, you can decide for yourself what you value most, and venture forth from that point. After all, it might be your next home – you decide what’s right for you.  For more information please visit http://www.SharpRE.com .

Thanks for stopping by.

 Keller Williams Realty Mid-Willamette
815 NW 9th Street, Suite L-195
Corvallis, OR 97330 

email: sharp@kw.com

541.740.6574   Cell – Best way to reach me
541.257.2950   Direct
541.738.7771   Fax

Moving To and Living In Corvallis Oregon

Did you know? That Corvallis Oregon was named recently as the 7th Best College Town in the nation. Here’s what the GT had to say:

By the Gazette-Times | Posted: Tuesday, October 6, 2009 6:55 pm |

The American Institute for Economic Research has published its “College      Destinations Index,” which ranks the top college destinations in America, and Corvallis was ranked No. 7 for 2009-10 in the “College Towns” category.

Location is considered one of the three most important factors students consider when deciding on where to attend school, which is good news for Oregon State University.

The rankings are based on academic environment, quality of life and professional opportunity, and are divided into tiers by the city’s population size. Corvallis, which was included in the college towns tier of cities of 250,000 or less, stands up alongside Ithaca, N.Y. (Cornell), Ames, Iowa (Iowa State) and Champaign-Urbana, Ill. (University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana), in the rankings.

Interested in more information or if you are considering selling your home, please give me a call or email. I’d love to chat. And remember…..I’ll buy the coffee!

If you’ve never been to Corvallis or if you just want to see some beautiful photography of the area, then a must see is Photography by Lainey Dyer at: http://www.laineydyer.com/
                                                                                                  Photo by Lainey Dyer

Thanks for stopping by…..                                                   

For more information please visit http://www.SharpRE.com

 Keller Williams Realty Mid-Willamette
815 NW 9th Street, Suite L-195
Corvallis, OR 97330 

email: sharp@kw.com

541.740.6574   Cell – Best way to reach me
541.257.2950   Direct
541.738.7771   Fax