Bill's John L Scott Business Page

05/08/2026

Flo was one of my favorite clients; she sent us a nice Christmas card every year, and she was sharp as a tack. Flo Fugami was one of those rare souls who left every room brighter just by being in it. At 108 years old, she carried a century’s worth of grace, humor, and quiet strength. She loved her Mariners with a passion, and nothing made her smile quite like watching Ichiro step up to the plate. Even in her later years, baseball brought her joy, energy, and a spark that reminded everyone how young at heart she truly was.

Flo wasn’t just a client — she was a privilege to know. Her loyalty, her warmth, and the stories she shared over the years made a lasting impression. People like Flo don’t come along often, and her memory will stay with all of us who were lucky enough to cross her path.

May she rest in peace, still cheering for her Mariners from a better seat than any of us could ever imagine

04/27/2026

I was handing out my monthly flyer in a farm area when a car pulled over and flagged me down. It was the daughter of one of my clients, along with her two children.b She said do you know what day it is, and then went on to say You sold my parents, Wayne and Joyce Okino, their dream home 41 years ago, and I was only one year old when you sold it to them. We are going over to visit them, and they still love their home. I do not think they will ever sell it. You did a great job finding them their dream home. As I watched them drive off toward the home I’d found for their family four decades earlier, I felt a quiet wave of gratitude settle over me. In this business, we talk a lot about transactions, markets, and timing — but moments like this remind me what truly matters. A young couple once trusted me with one of the biggest decisions of their lives, and all these years later their daughter, now grown with children of her own, stopped just to say thank you. Forty‑one years, and that home is still filled with love. I couldn’t ask for a better reminder of why I do what I do, and I’m deeply grateful for the families who have allowed me to be a small part of their story.

04/01/2026

I recently had a buyer–seller call me, full of excitement, convinced he had found his dream home — a nicely updated rambler close to where he currently lives. Because he and his spouse are older and their existing home has stairs and more space than they can comfortably manage, the idea of a single‑level home felt like the perfect solution.
When we toured the property, it was indeed attractive and well‑updated. But at 1,400 square feet with only one full bath and a quarter bath, the $850,000 price tag was significantly out of line with the market. I told them, candidly, that while the home was lovely, it was overpriced by roughly $100,000. I could see the disappointment on their faces — but I also knew they needed the truth, not a sales pitch.
I then explained another challenge they hadn’t considered: the seller would almost certainly expect a full‑price offer, and because they hadn’t yet sold their current home, they would need to write a contingent offer. That alone would weaken their position and reduce their chances of success.
I suggested a better path. By completing a pre‑home inspection on their current property and correcting the deficiencies upfront, they would attract stronger buyers, command a higher price, and avoid the stress and expense of last‑minute repair demands. A pre‑inspection removes the fear of the unknown for buyers, and it gives sellers time to choose the most affordable solutions rather than being pressured into costly, rushed repairs.
In my view, these clients could have easily been taken advantage of — not out of malice, but simply because the process is complex and emotionally charged. This experience is exactly why it’s so important to work with an experienced, ethical agent who is committed to protecting your best interests, even when it means delivering hard truths. A good agent doesn’t just help you buy or sell a home; they safeguard your equity, your confidence, and your peace of mind.
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03/28/2026

I have heard rumors that our Women's Basketball coach, Tina Langley, might be leaving for the job at Alabama. That would be a shame in my opinion, and she has such a good returning team for next year. I think she has only signed one recruit, a Guard from Texas. Washington women's basketball coach Tina Langley has turned the Huskies program around in her five seasons at the helm. She turned a squad that went 7-16 in 2021 into a 22-11 team that nearly advanced to the Sweet Sixteen in 2025.

Other programs are beginning to take notice.

Alabama coach Kristy Curry, who had been with the Crimson Tide since 2013, left for South Florida on Tuesday to replace former coach Jose Fernandez, who was hired by the WNBA's Dallas Wings. The move came the day after Alabama exited the NCAA Tournament by falling to Louisville on Monday in the round of 32. 2025 was the Crimson Tide's fourth consecutive trip to the tournament. I have not heard of Pat Chun signing her to an extension as of yet. Does anyone have any more information on UW recruiting possibilities or an extension for Tina?

03/28/2026

Any updates on recruiting or extensions from anyone?

I have heard rumors that our Women's Basketball coach, Tina Langley, might be leaving for the job at Alabama. That would be a shame in my opinion, and she has such a good returning team for next year. I think she has only signed one recruit, a Guard from Texas. Washington women's basketball coach Tina Langley has turned the Huskies program around in her five seasons at the helm. She turned a squad that went 7-16 in 2021 into a 22-11 team that nearly advanced to the Sweet Sixteen in 2025.

Other programs are beginning to take notice.

Alabama coach Kristy Curry, who had been with the Crimson Tide since 2013, left for South Florida on Tuesday to replace former coach Jose Fernandez, who was hired by the WNBA's Dallas Wings. The move came the day after Alabama exited the NCAA Tournament by falling to Louisville on Monday in the round of 32. 2025 was the Crimson Tide's fourth consecutive trip to the tournament. I have not heard of Pat Chun signing her to an extension as of yet. Does anyone have any more information on UW recruiting possibilities or an extension for Tina?

08/19/2025

Did you know that studies have indicated homeowners have a net worth forty times greater than renters? Why is this true? I was sending congratulations to one of my past clients on ten years of home ownership today. I sold them their first home ten years ago for $575,000. I estimated that they could now sell their home for about $1,300,000, which means that the value of their home has increased by approximately $72,000 per year over the last ten years. Home appreciation rewards homeowners. For tenants, the only thing that goes up is their monthly payments. Homeowners can deduct their interest payments and real estate taxes; renters get no tax write-off, and that is why the net worth of homeowners is so much greater than renters.

08/13/2025

Have high interest rates and home prices, along with chaotic, and unwise off-and-on-again Presidential tariff policies made you believe that the American dream of home ownership is no longer attainable? If so, I'd like to offer you some good news. If you could buy a house at a rate of 2.75% to 5%, and possibly have a fixed-rate loan for 25 years or less, would you jump at the opportunity? I think most buyers would, because at these interest rates, homeownership is much more attainable. You may be asking yourself, is this possible? Why hasn't my real estate agent mentioned this possibility to me? I can assure you that for many of you it is possible.
The reason why your agent has not told you about this option is that many agents do not know about this option. If you are looking at a house with an underlying FHA or VA loan, that loan is assumable. What is an assumption? The buyer puts down enough money to cash out the seller's equity, and the buyer becomes personally liable for repayment at the interest rate the buyer purchased the house, which could be as low as 2.75% interest. You still must be approved by the company holding the mortgage for the assumed payment.
About three years ago, I noticed that a listing my buyer was looking at had an FHA loan at 2.75% interest, The owner of the house was a real estate agent who had just dropped his price $10,000, and it only took about $34,000 to assume his loan. If I were the listing agent, I would have raised the price because there would be many buyers happy to secure a 2.75% loan with only 28 years to pay it down. The owner was a real estate agent, and he did not know that he was sitting on a money maker; interest rates were at 7%. He was unaware of the assumptions and that buyers could take over his low-interest-rate loan. If you would like to learn more about assumptions, please feel free to call me at 206-953-2669.

07/28/2025

Staging
I have had some new agents asking me who I use for staging and what the costs are. I am a big believer in staging my listings because it can transform a drab, vacant house into a beautiful, welcoming home with just the right emotional touches that convey, 'Buy me, this is your new perfect home! Staged homes sell faster and for more money.
1. Creates a strong first impression
You never get a second chance to make a first impression, and that’s especially true when selling your home. From the moment buyers scroll through listing photos or step through the front door, they’re forming opinions in seconds. A well-staged home immediately communicates care, quality, and value.
Here’s how staging sets the tone:
• Boosts curb appeal: Simple touches like fresh landscaping, a clean entryway, and a welcoming doormat make the home feel inviting before buyers even step inside.
• Establishes emotional appeal: Thoughtfully arranged furniture, soft lighting, and neutral decor help buyers feel comfortable and “at home” right away.
• Reduces distractions: A staged space is clean, uncluttered, and free of personal items, allowing buyers to focus on the home, not the seller’s belongings.

Here is the website of my stager, Mary Shanely. www.impressdesignsaging.com. Mary will often stage the bedrooms with children in mind. For the boys' room, they will receive a stuffed toy dinosaur, and the little girls' room will feature a large Minnie Mouse. The kids fall in love with their rooms and often do not want to leave. What I, and many of my sellers, find most helpful is that I pay Mary a $75.00 consultation fee, and Mary will go through the whole house, telling the sellers what items to keep and which items should go, and how to stage their house using their own furniture and personal items. Mary will suggest to my sellers that she has the perfect artwork Items to enhance a particular room, which complements the room's color palette and style, choosing focal points and evoking emotion. By balancing size and placement, the space feels more inviting and dynamic. So what does it cost to stage a house with Mary? My last listing just sold this month. The house had no furniture; it was a small three-bedroom rambler it cost my seller $1,800 to stage his vacant home. Check out my recently sold listing staged by Mary Shanely.