Free Home Buyer Seminar – March 21

February 21st, 2012 by Craig

What Every First Time Home Buyer Should Know

WaLaw Realty Continues Its Spring Series of Free Homebuyer Classes on March 21

WaLaw’s next free class for home buyers — sellers welcome too! — is Wednesday March 21.  Once again we’ll have free pizza and beverages (both kinds) so we can stay focused on the topic at hand rather than our grumbling tummies.  The class will again take place at our office in Lower Queen Anne.

This month’s topic: What every first time home buyer should know before buying a house.  We’ll talk about the buying process from start (getting pre-qualified for a loan) to finish (turning YOUR keys to open YOUR door), including “traps” for the unwary.  For example, did you know that the IRS requires the buyer to determine whether the seller is a foreigner and thus subject to taxation?  And if the seller IS a foreigner, the law requires the BUYER to withhold 10% of the sale price and to forward those funds to the IRS?  Learn about this legal obligation that most buyers (and almost all agents) do not appreciate.

As always, we’ll make sure everyone’s questions are answered before the night is over.  So come meet Marc and Craig, WaLaw’s founders, and learn about the homebuying — and selling — process.  Reservations appreciated but not required.  We hope to see you!!

Our New Year’s resolution for more happy homeowners is working!

February 16th, 2012 by Claire

And thank goodness, because I’ve already given up on the gym.

We have had a great start to the year here at WaLaw Realty, with three new closings already this month. Check out what we’ve been busy working on….

 

  Our buyer clients purchased this stately Victorian home overlooking Fauntleroy Cove and saved $6834, that’s a lesson in the era of elegance and economics!

 And look at this beautifully remodeled Newport Hills home that sent $7399 back to our buyers.

And let us not forget our WaLaw sellers, who listed this stunning Bainbridge Island home with us and received a rebate of $8212 at closing!

If your New Year’s resolution is to save money, then you’ve come to the right place. At WaLaw Realty, you can buy your dream home and get money back, so far saving our clients $1,170,784…to be exact.

 

How can WaLaw Realty Offer Such a Low Real Estate Agent Fee?

February 13th, 2012 by Craig

Walaw Realty Charges a Low Flat-Rate Fee to Home Buyers and Sellers: Simply Put, It’s a New Way to Buy or Sell a Home

One of the great benefits of using WaLaw to buy or sell a house in the Seattle area is that you’ll likely save money when compared to a traditional real estate agent.  How much money?  That depends on the price of your purchase or sale.  A typical agent earns a 3% commission upon closing, while WaLaw charges a flat fee ($4995 for deals less than $1 million).  To figure out how much you’ll save by using WaLaw, you need to estimate the price of your purchase or sale.  If you’re looking at a $500,000 transaction, then you’ll save about $9700. In other words, for a $500,000 sale, WaLaw’s fee is nearly 65% LESS than the fee paid to a traditional agent.

As a result, many people ask us, “How the heck can WaLaw charge such a low fee?”  Well, a couple of reasons.  First, we’re efficient and offer only the essential services needed by today’s savvy buyers and sellers. In other words, we don’t “find” the house for our buyer clients because most buyers find their own homes already.  For our sellers, we won’t show the home to an unrepresented buyer, but nearly 90% of buyers have an agent who can show the home.

Second, and even more importantly, typical real estate agents only get paid when a transaction closes. Because of that, their fees must be higher so that the closed transactions cover their time invested in those that don’t close. At WaLaw, we charge everyone the same reasonable fee that is not dependent on closing. By giving everyone the same service for one price, we are able to keep fees reasonable and much lower than what is charged by a typical agent for services through closing.

To see examples of our buyer’s commission rebates, click here.

To see examples of our seller’s commission savings, click here.

New WaLaw Listing – Open house this Saturday 2-11-12 from 11-2

February 10th, 2012 by Marc

8011 19th Avenue NE, Seattle WA, 98115

Stunning Ravenna craftsman with high box beam ceilings, wainscoting, formal dining room and gourmet kitchen with slab granite counters and stainless appliances. Master suite includes private balcony and luxurious limestone 5 piece bath.  3 bedrooms and 2 full baths up, plus 4th bedroom, full bath and media room in fully furnished lower level.  All systems including water main and side sewer updated. Conveniently located in a great neighborhood, get anywhere in the city within minutes.  Come visit!

 

 

 

Our First Free Homebuyer Class is Feb 15

February 2nd, 2012 by Craig

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

If you’re thinking of buying a home 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 Seattle housing market.  Thinking of selling?  You’ll benefit as well.

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


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 Seattle and Eastside home buyers again in 2012. Join us at our offices in Lower Queen Anne on Wednesday, March 21st at 6 pm.

Once again, WaLaw Realty is offering a free home buying workshop to anyone interested in learning more about the Washington home buying process or WaLaw Realty.  In fact, we’re offering five of ‘em!  These classes will run from 6pm to about 8pm here at our new office in Lower Queen Anne.  We’ll provide pizza, beer and soda.

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  This was a great class where we shared our insight and opinions on the current and future state of the local housing market.  

March 21: What Every First Time Home Buyer Should Know  What are the important steps in the process?  Where do I start?  How can I save a ton of money?  And any other question you might have….  REGISTER AND GET DIRECTIONS TO OUR MARCH 21 HOME BUYER CLASS »

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 next Home Buying Class

Registrations for our March 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