Our First Free Homebuyer Class is Feb 15

February 2nd, 2012 by Craig

If you’re thinking of buying in 2012, stop by our first Free Homebuyer Class of the year at our brand new office in Lower Queen Anne!  We’ll have our “WaLaw refreshments” on hand (pizza and beer/soda) and we’ll be discussing the current state of the housing market.  Thinking of selling?  You’ll benefit as well.

We’ll also be discussing our unique model in the real estate industry and how you can save thousands of dollars by using our services.  Attendance is free, and reservations are appreciated but not required.  We hope to see you!

This is the first of five seminar/workshops we have scheduled. Click here to see dates and topics for all our Home Buyer Workshops.

Seattle Home Buyer Seminars — Our 2012 Schedule

January 12th, 2012 by Craig

Looking for a Home Buyer Seminar in Seattle?

Your Next Home? us for our Home Buyer Seminars in Seattle

WaLaw Realty is offering free workshops for home buyers again in 2012. Join us at our offices in Lower Queen Anne on Wed. Feb 15 at 6 pm.

Once again, WaLaw Realty is offering a free home buying workshop/seminar to anyone interested in learning more about the home buying process or WaLaw Realty.  In fact, we’re offering five of ‘em!  These classes will run from 6pm to about 8pm or so here at our new office in Lower Queen Anne.  We’ll provide pizza and beverages — both “adult” and “unleaded” — for those in attendance.

Whether you’re a first time homebuyer or an old pro, you’ll undoubtedly learn something new at these free home buying classes.  Plus, you’ll learn about the WaLaw model that combines the services of a real estate agent with the skills of an attorney, all for a fee substantially less than what you would pay a typical agent.  Are you a seller?  Don’t worry, you’ll still pick up some valuable information, and of course we’ll answer your questions.

Free Home Buyer Seminars for 2012:

Each class will have a unique theme, although every class will be driven primarily by the interests and questions of the attendees.  We like talking — we hate lecturing!  So even if you think you know everything there is to know about a particular theme, we’re confident you’ll still be glad you came.  Our schedule:

February 15: The State of the Market  We’ll make sure in this one to spend a significant amount of time discussing our opinion about the current and future state of the housing market.  Is it a good time to buy?  A good time to sell?  Come and find out! REGISTER AND GET DIRECTIONS TO OUR FEBRUARY 15TH HOME BUYER CLASS »

March 21: What Every First Time Home Buyer Should Know  ‘Nuf said.

April 18: Is the Seller Responsible?  This home buying workshop will also benefit sellers who want to learn more about their potential exposure to a buyer after closing.

May 16: Traps for the Unwary Buyer  While not exactly “traps” there are certain legal issues that could be a very unpleasant surprise to a naive buyer.  Learn about them so you can avoid them.

June 20: Financing: Where to Get It, What Happens if It Fails  Most everyone needs to borrow money to buy a home.  Come to this home buying class to learn about some of the ins and outs of the financing process and how the contract can protect you if your financing fails.

Register today for our first Home Buying Class

Registrations for the first class are now available. Click here for a MAP & DIRECTIONS and to RSVP.  Registration is appreciated but not required.  We’ll be setting up the other classes as time rolls on, and we’ll make sure to blog about each one when they’re open for registration.  We look forward to seeing you!

About the Presenters:
Craig Blackmon and Marc Holmes are Seattle attorneys whose legal practice, Blackmon Holmes PLLC, is focused on residential real estate. Craig and Marc own and operate WaLaw Realty LLC, a real estate brokerage that provides the services of a real estate agent (such as MLS listings for sellers and access to listed properties for buyers) plus the professional legal representation of an attorney – for a flat rate.

Holy rebate Batman! WaLaw has now rebated $1 million

December 29th, 2011 by Marc Holmes

We’re very excited to announce that with our most recent closing we have now rebated over $1 million dollars to our buyers.  And that’s not counting the thousands of dollars in commissions we’ve saved our sellers.

Since we opened our doors in 2009 our buyers have received an average rebate of $13,514.  That’s the average amount of cash they received at closing, and that’s after our fees are paid in full.  We’ve had two clients receive over $50,000 and, in an off market deal, one client got over $60,000 off his sales price in lieu of the commission.  That’s some serious jack.

What’s even more satisfying to us is the incredible feedback we get from our clients when they’re deals close.  The accolades they express about our service is priceless and the referrals they send our way is the cherry on top.

Thank you to all of our wonderful clients who have made this possible.

Another Seattle Home Buyer Saves a Ton of Money with WaLaw

November 23rd, 2011 by Craig

We just helped a very nice Seattle home buyer client close on this charming home in time for the Big Thanksgiving Dinner!  The best part?  He saved $8295 — more than enough to spring for the organic turkey and the good wine!

 

Another Closing, Another BIG Home Buyer’s Commission Rebate!

November 1st, 2011 by Craig

Our home buying clients just closed on this lovely home in Bellevue.  The best part?  Well, you know the answer: They saved $29,030 by using WaLaw.  Talk about a little something to warm up the new house…

The 3% Buyer’s Agent Commission Rebate is a top feature of what WaLaw Realty offers its clients. You won’t get this kind of rebate with a traditional real estate agent.

Open House this Sunday 10-16-11 from 1-4pm – 6000 17th Avenue SW #11, Seattle WA 98106

October 13th, 2011 by Craig

Gorgeous 2 bed, 1.5 bath end unit in charming Duwamish Cohousing community. Open floor plan with 12 ft ceiling & large windows. Refinished maple floors & new wool carpets. Private backyard, off street covered parking, radiant heat, large storage room w/potential for 3rd BR. Community features large clubhouse with commercial kitchen, woodshop, play structure, lush gardens & p-patch, T1 line available; dues include insurance. Easy access to transit & downtown. Close to SSCC, arboretum . Come check it out at 6000 17th Avenue SW #11, Seattle, WA  98106

6000 17th Ave SW #11, Seattle, Washington

We Are Moving – October 17th!

October 10th, 2011 by Craig

We are moving on 10-17-11. We found some awesome residential office space located at 808 5th Avenue N. Seattle, WA  98109. This is in the Queen Anne neighborhood. Come visit our new location soon. Free 1 hour street parking and no more elevators. All phone numbers will remain the same.

Buyer Liability for Seller’s Tax under FIRPTA: Another Great Reason to Use WaLaw

October 7th, 2011 by Craig

This is not legal advice.  For legal advice, consult an attorney about your specific situation.  Never rely on a blog – even one authored by an attorney.

I just authored a post on Rain City Guide regarding a buyer’s potential liability under a federal law, the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act (FIRPTA).  If you don’t have time to check it out, here’s the quick-n-dirty:

FIRPTA requires a buyer to determine whether the seller of real property is a “foreign person” as defined by the act (essentially any non-resident alien).  If the seller is a foreign person, then the buyer is responsible for withholding 10% of the sale price and forwarding it to the IRS.  This insures that the seller pays the tax due on the gain from the sale.

Here’s where it gets really interesting: if the seller is in fact a “foreign person,” yet the buyer fails to so determine and fails to withhold and forward the 10% to the IRS, then the buyer is liable for the 10%.  Ouch!  That’s quite a bite!  The current NWMLS form contracts specifically inform the Closing Agent to make this determination and to withhold these funds on the buyer’s behalf if appropriate.  However, most escrow instructions (which supplement the contract) relieve escrow of this responsibility.  As a result, most Closing Agents don’t determine whether seller is a foreign person and won’t withhold the funds.  So if you’re the buyer, and if the seller is indeed a foreign person, you run a risk of serious liability to the IRS absent this determination and withholding.

At WaLaw, we’re lawyers.  It is part of our job to insure you comply with the law.  Unlike your average real estate agents (I suspect “almost all” is more appropriate) we appreciate this law and the obligations it imposes, plus the penalty if you don’t comply.  When you hire us, you know that you won’t fall into this trap.  Oh, and you’ll save alot of money, too!

Our Kirkland Home Buying Clients Received a Rebate of $26,774.00 on Their Purchase!

October 6th, 2011 by Craig

Another Home Buyer’s Commission Rebate: We are very excited to have rebated our Kirkland home buying clients $26,774.00 on their gorgeous $1.1m purchase.

Our Home Buying Clients Were Rebated $5980.00 on Their $323,000 Purchase!

October 5th, 2011 by Craig

More exciting home buying news! Another one of our clients found a lovely home in Bothell for their family to live in. They were rebated $5980.00 on their $323,000.00 purchase. We love helping our clients and saving them money at the same time.

232 Nellis Road, Bothell WA