Cowlitz County Homes For Sale

07/04/2024

Good morning. In less than an hour, aircraft from here will join others from around the world. And you will be launching the largest aerial battle in the history of mankind. “Mankind.” That word should have new meaning for all of us today. We can’t be consumed by our petty differences anymore. We will be united in our common interests. Perhaps it’s fate that today is the Fourth of July, and you will once again be fighting for our freedom… Not from tyranny, oppression, or persecution… but from annihilation. We are fighting for our right to live. To exist. And should we win the day, the Fourth of July will no longer be known as an American holiday, but as the day the world declared in one voice: We will not go quietly into the night! We will not vanish without a fight! We’re going to live on! We’re going to survive! Today we celebrate our Independence Day!

06/17/2024

Happy Father’s Day to all the men who are blessed to have children who love you!! It’s an honor to raise a child and hopefully a blessing in your life unlike any other!! Any man can make a baby but only a select few make a great father!
God bless you all!!

04/30/2024

Where my gen x tribe at?

03/25/2024

I thought this was a great post on Reddit

The NAR settlement doesn't mean what you think what it means
Post Mon Mar 18, 2024 7:55 pm

As a former commercial real estate agent (15 years out of the business), I've read the broader discussion and reporting around the NAR settlement with a bit of amazement. I almost can't find any source, including say the New York Times, reporting it correctly. This then trickles down to the broader public, including several threads here speculating a little breathlessly on how the world of real estate agency is going to radically change, or something.

Without arguing, writing a mini-essay, or even imposing my personal opinion, just thought I'd set the record straight on a few factual items:

• The settlement is with the National Association of Realtors, a trade group that represents less than half of all licensed real estate agents. The settlement is not with all of the real estate agents in America
• There was never a 'standard' real estate commission of 6%, and in my experience it was lower in big cities (4ish%) and higher in rural areas. There was never a standard or minimum commission to list on MLS, and if you read anyone stating that anywhere, they're simply wrong. Yes this includes major papers like the Times
• The lawsuit was about requiring the buyer's agent to be paid something to list on MLS. You could have chosen to pay a buyer's agent any amount to list on MLS- 2%, 1%, .5%, $50, or $2. It just, previously, couldn't be $0. So pre-lawsuit you could have chosen to pay a buyer's agent $2, now you're free to pay them $0. I cannot find 1 major publication that can report this simple fact
• The NWMLS, which covers part of Washington State including Seattle, voluntarily pre-empted the lawsuit by allowing sellers to pay buyers' agents $0 back in 2022. From what I've seen reported so far, the vast majority of listings still pay buyers' agents 2-3%. So the exact lawsuit settlement terms apparently hasn't changed anything
• MLSes have allowed flat fee listings for $100-300 since back when I practiced, and probably before. Google 'flat fee listings' and see all of the options. And there have always been discount brokers who would accept a lower fee. Again, there was never the slightest prohibition against it
• Residential real estate (which I did not practice) has a median pay equivalent to a Starbucks worker in every survey I've ever seen, and is famously high-turnover. I've never heard of a 'cartel' which doesn't pay much and where the supposed conspirators churn in and out in large numbers. Real estate brokerages are mostly small to mid-sized businesses, and the publicly traded ones where we have actual numbers are not unusually profitable or anything. It's not some kind of 'cartel' guys, it's.... a normal sales job in a normal sales industry.

03/22/2024

SUPPORT YOUR REALTOR!! There is a lot of talk in the news about real estate agent commissions. We LOVE what we do and we do it because we LOVE helping people but there is almost always a huge misconception on what we do and how we get paid. It's not a secret so here ya go...😊

The average FULL TIME REALTOR’S earnings last year was $31,900 @ 40+ hours a week. (Notice I wrote full time 40+ hours not 0-20 hours a week) which is well below the living wage. As a REALTOR we do not get paid an hourly wage or salary and we only get paid if we sell a home and it closes. We can only get paid by broker to broker. As an agent we could work with someone days, weeks, months, or years with no guarantee of a sale ever.

Essentially we wake up each day unemployed, going on job Interviews, and we deal with constant rejection. We dedicate time away from family, use our time, gas, pay for babysitters, miss dinner and weekends and rarely take vacations. We are on 24/7! We constantly need to be on, or we could miss an opportunity. Once we do close a home, half goes to the other person's agent from the remaining half. We have lots of upfront expenses that must be paid out before we even get paid:

Broker Splits and Fees
Office rent and utilities
MLS Fees
NAR Fees
Local Association Fees
E&O Business Insurance
Extended Auto Insurance
Self-Employment Tax
State Licensing Fees
Advertising Fees
Showing Service Fees
Website Fees
Assistant's Salaries
Showing partners
Transaction coordinator
Yard Signs
Photographers
Videographers
Office Supplies
Business Cards
Property Flyers
Electronic Lockboxes
Continued RE Education
Legal Fees
Gas

Income taxes are not taken out so we have to put that aside around 25-30%.
Don’t forget health insurance if we don’t have a spouse who provides it.

As a listing agent we have lots of tasks; far more than just selling a home.
1. Prepare Listing Presentation for Sellers
2. Research Sellers Property Tax Info
3. Research Comparable Sold Properties for Sellers
4. Determine Average Days on Market
5. Gather Info From Sellers About Their Home
6. Meet With Sellers at Their Home
7. Get To Know Their Home
8. Present Listing Presentation
9. Advise on Repairs and/or Upgrades
10. Provide Home Seller To-Do Checklist
11. Explain Current Market Conditions
12. Discuss Seller’s Goals
13. Share Your Value Proposition
14. Explain Benefits of Your Brokerage
15. Present Your Marketing Options
16. Explain Video Marketing Strategies
17. Demonstrate 3D Tour Marketing
18. Explain Buyer & Seller Agency Relationships
19. Describe the Buyer Pre-Screening Process
20. Create Internal File for Transaction
21. Get Listing Agreement & Disclosures Signed
22. Provide Sellers Disclosure Form to Sellers
23. Verify Interior Room Sizes
24. Obtain Current Mortgage Loan Info
25. Confirm Lot Size from County Tax Records
26. Investigate Any Unrecorded Property Easements
27. Establish Showing Instructions for Buyers
28. Agree on Showing Times with Sellers
29. Discuss Different Types of Buyer Financing
30. Explain Appraisal Process and Pitfalls
31. Verify Home Owners Association Fees
32. Obtain a Copy of HOA Bylaws
33. Gather Transferable Warranties
34. Determine Need for Lead-Based Paint Disclosure
35. Verify Security System Ownership
36. Discuss Video Recording Devices & Showings
37. Determine Property Inclusions & Exclusions
38. Agree on Repairs to Made Before Listing
39. Schedule Staging Consultation
40. Schedule House Cleaners
41. Install Electronic Lockbox & Yard Sign
42. Set-Up Photo/Video Shoot
43. Meet Photographer at Property
44. Prepare Home For Photographer
45. Schedule Drone & 3D Tour Shoot
46. Get Seller’s Approval of All Marketing Materials
47. Input Property Listing Into The MLS
48. Create Virtual Tour Page
49. Verify Listing Data on 3rd Party Websites
50. Have Listing Proofread
51. Create Property Flyer
52. Have Extra Keys Made for Lockbox
53. Set-Up Showing Services
54. Help Owners Coordinate Showings
55. Gather Feedback After Each Showing
56. Keep track of Showing Activity
57. Update MLS Listing as Needed
58. Schedule Weekly Update Calls with Seller
59. Prepare “Net Sheet” For All Offers
60. Present All Offers to Seller
61. Obtain Pre-Approval Letter from Buyer’s Agent
62. Examine & Verify Buyer’s Qualifications
63. Examine & Verify Buyer’s Lender
64. Negotiate All Offers
65. Once Under Contract, Send to Title Company
66. Check Buyer’s Agent Has Received Copies
67. Change Property Status in MLS
68. Deliver Copies of Contact/Addendum to Seller
69. Keep Track of Copies for Office File
70. Coordinate Inspections with Sellers
71. Explain Buyer’s Inspection Objections to Sellers
72. Determine Seller’s Inspection Resolution
73. Get All Repair Agreements in Writing
74. Refer Trustworthy Contractors to Sellers
75. Meet Appraiser at the Property
76. Negotiate Any Unsatisfactory Appraisals
77. Confirm Clear-to-Close
78. Coordinate Closing Times & Location
79. Verify Title Company Has All Docs
80. Remind Sellers to Transfer Utilities
81. Make Sure All Parties Are Notified of Closing Time
82. Resolve Any Title Issues Before Closing
83. Receive and Carefully Review Closing Docs
84. Review Closing Figures With Seller
85. Confirm Repairs Have Been Made
86. Resolve Any Last Minute Issues
87. Attend Seller’s Closing
88. Pick Up Sign & Lock Box
89. Change Status in MLS to “Sold.”
90. Close Out Seller’s File With Brokerage

As a buyers agent we also have many tasks.

1. Schedule Time To Meet Buyers
2. Prepare Buyers Guide & Presentation
3. Meet Buyers and Discuss Their Goals
4. Explain Buyer & Seller Agency Relationships
5. Discuss Different Types of Financing Options
6. Help Buyers Find a Mortgage Lender
7. Obtain Pre-Approval Letter from Their Lender
8. Explain What You Do For Buyers As A Realtor
9. Provide Overview of Current Market Conditions
10. Explain Your Company’s Value to Buyers
11. Discuss Earnest Money Deposits
12. Explain Home Inspection Process
13. Educate Buyers About Local Neighborhoods
14. Discuss Foreclosures & Short Sales
15. Gather Needs & Wants Of Their Next Home
16. Explain School Districts Effect on Home Values
17. Explain Recording Devices During Showings
18. Learn All Buyer Goals & Make A Plan
19. Create Internal File for Buyers Records
20. Send Buyers Homes Within Their Criteria
21. Start Showing Buyers Home That They Request
22. Schedule & Organize All Showings
23. Gather Showing Instructions for Each Listing
24. Send Showing Schedule to Buyers
25. Show Up Early and Prepare First Showing
26. Look For Possible Repair Issues While Showing
27. Gather Buyer Feedback After Each Showing
28. Update Buyers When New Homes Hit the Market
29. Share Knowledge & Insight About Homes
30. Guide Buyers Through Their Emotional Journey
31. Listen & Learn From Buyers At Each Showing
32. Keep Records of All Showings
33. Update Listing Agents with Buyer’s Feedback
34. Discuss Home Owner’s Associations
35. Estimate Expected Utility Usage Costs
36. Confirm Water Source and Status
37. Discuss Transferable Warranties
38. Explain Property Appraisal Process
39. Discuss Multiple Offer Situations
40. Create Practice Offer To Help Buyers Prepare
41. Provide Updated Housing Market Data to Buyers
42. Inform Buyers of Their Showing Activity Weekly
43. Update Buyers On Any Price Drops
44. Discuss MLS Data With Buyers At Showings
45. Find the Right Home for Buyers
46. Determine Property Inclusions & Exclusions
47. Prepare Sales Contract When Buyers are Ready
48. Educate Buyer’s On Sales Contract Options
49. Determine Need for Lead-Based Paint Disclosure
50. Explain Home Warranty Options
51. Update Buyer’s Pre-Approval Letter
52. Discuss Loan Objection Deadlines
53. Choose a Closing Date
54. Verify Listing Data Is Correct
55. Review Comps With Buyers To Determine Value
56. Prepare & Submit Buyer’s Offer to Listing Agent
57. Negotiate Buyers Offer With Listing Agent
58. Execute A Sales Contract & Disclosures
59. Once Under Contract, Send to Title Company
60. Coordinate Earnest Money Drop Off
61. Deliver Copies to Mortgage Lender
62. Obtain Copy of Sellers Disclosure for Buyers
63. Deliver Copies of Contract/Addendum to Buyers
64. Obtain A Copy of HOA Bylaws
65. Keep Track of Copies for Office File
66. Coordinate Inspections with Buyers
67. Meet Inspector At The Property
68. Review Home Inspection with Buyers
69. Negotiate Inspection Objections
70. Get All Agreed Upon Repair Items in Writing
71. Verify any Existing Lease Agreements
72. Check In With Lender To Verify Loan Status
73. Check on the Appraisal Date
74. Negotiate Any Unsatisfactory Appraisals
75. Coordinate Closing Times & Location
76. Make Sure All Documents Are Fully Signed
77. Verify Title Company Has Everything Needed
78. Remind Buyers to Schedule Utilities
79. Make Sure All Parties Are Notified of Closing Time
80. Solve Any Title Problems Before Closing
81. Receive and Review Closing Documents
82. Review Closing Figures With Buyers
83. Confirm Repairs Have Been Made By Sellers
84. Perform Final Walk-Through with Buyers
85. Resolve Any Last Minute Issues
86. Get CDA Signed By Brokerage
87. Attend Closing with Buyers
88. Provide Home Warranty Paperwork
89. Give Keys and Accessories to Buyers
90. Close Out Buyer’s File Brokerage
Whew…exhausting isn’t it!?! 🤯

✨You don't need to buy or sell a home to support your agent's real estate business – here are just a few simple ways to show your support!⁣ By sharing one of our listings, sending a friend or family member our way, letting us connect you with agents outside our area for a broker to broker referral, or leaving us a positive comment or review, this helps us feel seen and supported - (thanks to you)! ❤️✨
If you’re a Realtor, please feel free to copy & paste and continue to share this

03/21/2024

The headlines and massive amount of misinformation spread today is absolutely insane. No matter how you feel about the announcement, the National Association of REALTORS® was very clear and concise in their delivery of *proposed* settlement terms. If you suddenly think Realtors will be working for free, I've got ocean front property with a bridge to sell you (but not for free.) 😒

02/17/2024

I have a HUGE, but SMALL favor to ask.
Go to my business page -

https://www.facebook.com/HeatherReevesRealtor?mibextid=sCpJLy

Go to the 3 little dots…(on the side of page)

- Hit “Invite Friends”
- Select "Invite All"
- that’s all there is to it.

You’ve SUCCESSFULLY supported a business for $0.00 and less than 1 minute of your time.

Thank you for supporting my small and local business!

Copied but wanted to share as this is a great way to help a small business owners for free.

*I highly encourage my small business friends to copy this and use it!*

I'm not one to worry about the likes and followers but this does make a big difference on getting our content seen and shared when it comes to business.

Thanks in advance! 🏡 🔑

https://www.facebook.com/HeatherReevesRealtor?mibextid=sCpJLy

I love helping people so this is why I love real estate, whether your buying a home or selling one I

01/01/2024

Share with me something that made 2023 stand out in your memory…good or bad! And if it’s still bad and you need a prayer drop that in the comments too!

02/24/2023

https://www.aryeo.com/v2/3114-dover-st-longview-wa-98632-3745686/branded

View this amazing property, images, and listing information.

09/08/2022

Have questions about buying? Selling? Let me help, reach out and let’s chat! I want you to feel comfortable in this market and reduce your concerns by answering all your questions! 360.713.8182 I am available 7 days a week

08/26/2022

New Listing click the link for details~
https://www.heatherreevesrealty.com/property/185/1988107/118-Janice-Avenue/