• King County “As Built” plans
• Snohomish County “As Built” plans
• Pierce County “As Built” plans

This Home Owners Guide to Septis Systems will be a useful guide for learning more on Septic Systems.

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• Rob McKenna, WA State Attorney General
• Marc Cote, a Certified HUD Housing Counselor
• Rob Dickson, Lawyer and Short Sale Negotiator

 
Part 1

 
Part 2

 
Part 3

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Special thanks to Jim & Merlita Estrada with Property Inspector LLC.

We hope you enjoy the video!

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In this special episode our friend and buyer, Scott Dosset, goes through the process of selecting his houseboat from a selection of 3 great options. Each of the 3 houseboats has its own unique flavor and character, and all are great representations of the outstanding Seattle Lake Union houseboat lifestyle.

The Househunters “Houseboat Hunters” special episode is schedule to air sometime in December. In the meantime, stay tuned to Special Agents Realty for photos, updates, and teasers!

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We are very excited that Special Agents Realty was asked to audition for a special episode of Househunters for HGTV that will focus on our search for a houseboat for our client Katy. Special thanks to Sam DeBord with Coldwell Banker Danforth for referring us and Katy for this opportunity.

Shooting will begin in August and may potentially include shots from our office on Lake Union, our houseboat “The KevLin” and from our runabout which we used to show Katy some of the other houseboats on Lake Union.  The show will present Katy’s search for the perfect houseboat and will like present some of the great lifestyle scenes on and around Lake Union. With filming occurring in August, we are hoping for great weather to show off the fantastic houseboat lifestyle.

Of course, this means lots of work to do before then – clean the boat, spit shine the KevLin, plant flowers and spruce up the office. We are confident that HGTV will find this lifestyle fun and unique and should make for a great episode.

Oh, yeah.  If you would like to learn about buying a houseboat or floating home on Lake Union, we are specialists in this field and can help you Float Your Boat! Give us a call at (206) 419-0065.

This is the life!

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We at Special Agents Realty have been selling houseboats, floating homes, and housebarges, in the Lake Union area for the last 5 years. Additionally, we sell lots of waterfront property and land based homes as well (actually more of those than houseboats). We have been through the boom and the bust and have seen homes, condos, houseboats, floating homes all ride the market roller coaster. The financial crisis has hit all levels pretty much equally.

So, how do houseboats fare as an investment in comparison to more traditional homes?  Well, it depends greatly on the style, condition, and character of the houseboat. Houseboats will lose value greatly if they are in need of servicing and maintenance. A well kept, updated, clean houseboat will return a better price than one in need of maintenance or paint. Sound familiar?  Pretty much the same holds true for traditional homes as well. So what is the difference?  Well, houseboats are a much more limited commodity and are definitely more seasonal. When summer rolls around and peoples thoughts turn to the water, the houseboat market definitely increases. The majority of the houseboats we sell are sold between May and September. This should be a clue to those wanting to sell (list in the spring), and those wanting to buy (buy in the fall/winter).

It is our belief that houseboats are going to become more and more scarce. This should, according to supply and demand, increase their value. However, in today’s market, nothing is assured and predicting the market has always been difficult.

All in all, houseboats remain one of the most affordable ways to enjoy waterfront living. As people discover the fantastic lifestyle, amazing community, and uniqueness of houseboat life, they will become more desirable and less available. This could lead to increased demand and higher prices, making houseboats a reasonable investment as well as a fantastic lifestyle.

If you would learn more about owning a houseboat and houseboat living, give us a call. We sell more houseboats than anyone else on Lake Union. Additionally, we have 3 websites that can help you learn the details about houseboats and the buying process. Please take a look at our 3 websites: www.SpecialAgentsRealty.com, www.LakeUnionLiving.com, and www.AffordableHouseboats.com, and give us a call at (206) 419-0065, email us, or stop by our office on Lake Union at 2401 N. Northlake Way, Seattle, WA 98103 (about half way between Gasworks Park and Ivars Salmon House.)

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Underground heating oil tanks can pose many potential problems to both home buyers and sellers. They have been the source of many environmental problems such as contamination of surrounding soil and ground water.

Leaks are caused by the rust inside underground tanks, or by an electrical condition sparked by electric utility lines.

Buyers should have the tank inspected to make sure that it is structurally sound. Buyers who do not want an underground fuel tank can arrange for an above ground tank to be installed in the basement, an underground tank to be shut off. Cleanups of any leaks will also have to be taken care of.

For buyers, the underground heating oil tank should be written in the sales contract. For sellers, your lawyer should make sure that the description and condition of the underground heating oil is accurate and up-to-date.

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A professional home inspection protects both you and the buyer. It allows both you and the buyer the opportunity to learn about the property’s defects.

A home inspection usually covers the following:

*Plumbing conditions – if there is leakage or clogging
*Roofing conditions – the extent of deterioration, if there is leakage
*Electrical conditions – if there are inadequate circuits or potential fire hazards
*Structural problems – if there are problems with the underlying foundation of your home

As a seller, the home inspection reports protect you because it establishes the actual condition of the property at the time of sale.

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When reading an offer, keep in mind that you are out to get the best price AND the best terms for you. If you focus solely on the price, you may overlook terms that could be favorable to you as a buyer.

Some terms that may work in your favor:

*higher-than-market-interest in a second mortgage for your home
*the buyer will pay for most or all of the closing costs
*the buyer will take care of any repairs
*quick close – the buyer is pre-approved and ready to close in a time that best suits you
*all-cash deal

When reading through offers, remember to look at the whole package. Take the time that you need to assess what is being offered and if it meets your needs.

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Not all agents work the same way. The most important attribute of an agent is that he/she is well connected to the real estate industry. He/she should know the market and provide information on past sales, current listings, his or her marketing plan, and at least 4 solid references. In addition, you also want to look for an agent that is honest, assertive, and one that best understands your needs.

Try to go with a local agent. They can better serve your needs; they are familiar with what the local market condition is, the local prices are, and what’s hot or not in your community.

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