Category: Housing and Real Estate

Housing, Development and Real Estate in the Puget Sound region

A New Beginning

Carl Setzer1 Comment

I’ve accepted a new position with Matt Steel, a Bellevue-based broker with EXP realty, who’s a decade or two of real estate experience.  I’ll manage their digital marketing. This excites me greatly. I did this for C&K real estate team a few years ago. I loved this part of my job, even though I”m a bit rusty. My interest in digital marketing goes many years back and it aligns with my interests in web design, writing and social media.

Also, I’ll be managing this team’s transactions, which is another thing I’ve done (both for C&K, and also with Eagle Country construction). I’m excited to be continuing in the real estate and housing sector. I discovered how much I know and understand, and how much I bring to the table. As I’ll be renewing/rebooting my real estate license, I’ll dive deeper into this sector. I’m not entirely sure what I will do with this part of my career, but there are so many options, so many good ways to earn a living. I’m not sure which path is the right one. But as I’ve been listening to Gary Vee the past few days (updating my digital marketing knowledge), I see a need to experiment, take some risks, try some ideas out and see where they lead. I won’t get anywhere I want to go by seeking the easiest path, the easy way forward.

I’m excited to get back into the fray. And very excited to add the official title of “digital marketer” to my resume. And I’m really pumped to put all I’ve learned, and am learning, to work. Time to hit it hard!

Oh, surveyors can cause great pain 

Carl Setzer

While talking with a doctor acquaintance about a building he was developing, surveyors came up. When the full block was developed, a sewer easement was granted across one part of the property. During actual construction, the easement was marked incorrectly and the utilities were installed outside of the granted easement. Fortunately for all involved, since the city and the developer wanted to move them to another side of the building where they had full access (no easement required) it turned into a non-issue. It has the potential of becoming a legal horror fest.

It might be easy to minimize the work of surveyors, and their work, when done well can become invisible to the average person. However, for me, quality survey work is beautiful. It can make my job monumentally easier. More importantly, sloppy survey work can creatr kinds of time consuming problems.

So my hats to good surveyors!

Should I Become A Real Estate Mogul? 

Carl Setzer

I’ve had my real estate license for several years. However, last December I let it lapse. Over the years I held my license I closed no transactions…as an agent. My company sold bank and government owned homes. That was my focus. So I didn’t work with clients exactly. I worked with asset managers, on behalf of the institution that owned the house in our portfolio. I needed my license, but I never needed to go out and generate leads and such that’s part of being a real estate agent. Buy I know about the local market, how to price a home, how to market it, and I know the contract process better than most agents. So, though I haven’t a single transaction officially tied though, I’ve closed hundreds.

So, I’m trying to figure out what to do next. I’m nearing the end of my grace period with the state of Washington. After December, I’ll need to retake my real estate course work from scratch to renew. Right now, I just need to take a few hours of online course work and then pay the renewal fee. It’s very tempting.

In my current role, I manage the construction process from getting a contract signed around to having permits in hand. I believe that my understanding of the construction process coupled with my understanding of bank and government owner homes gives me a unique skill set in the real estate world. New construction, custom homes as well as real estate flipping and investing are things I understand well.

But, is it enough to make the investment worthwhile! Would I make back the investment in time and energy? I’m just not sure. What do you think? I’d love to hear your insights and recommendations.

Not sure I want to become a mogul. But I think I could make a positive impact on the world.

Check out this new construction in Snohomish, built by my team 

Carl Setzer

This project is one the first I’ve seen from concept to build. It’s of particular importance to me. I was at the site anyways, and thought it would be fun to share it with you. Check it the video below.

Yeah, I realize I shot all the clips in portrait. Ugh! 

Anyway, this house is for sale. Have your agent put an offer on this one! Don’t have one? I can fix that for you. 

We’re looking forward to getting someone in there. That’s the best part of this job. 

My Team Is Hiring A Home Detailer

Carl Setzer

Here’s the job description below. We’re a dynamic and fun team looking to make something really great in the local construction market.

Residential Home Detailer Wanted for Growing Construction Company (Snohomish County)

Compensation: Depending on Abilities
Employment type: Full Time

This person will report to our construction manager

We are looking for a highly motivated, energetic, enthusiastic, and hard-working person to help us maintain our jobsites throughout Snohomish County.

Responsibilities include but not limited to:

    • Walkthrough prep for new homeowners
    • Complete punch lists
    • Follow-up on warranty items
    • Landscaping
    • Fencing
    • Pick-up work

Requirements:

  • Ability to learn quickly
  • Transportation
  • Great “can-do” attitude
  • Able to follow instruction and meet goals and deadlines
  • Well rounded skill level
  • Minor Carpentry skills from millwork to framing
  • Ability to do drywall repairs, patches, texture & paint
  • Some knowledge of landscaping
  • Familiar with construction projects

If you’re interested, please reach out to me directly. We’ll then ask you to email a cover letter explaining your potential qualifications for this job, along with your resume.

Thoughts on my latest real estate journey 

Carl Setzer

As you may know, I took on a new role at the beginning of the year: managing feasibility and permitting for a builder. What a journey it’s been! 

I don’t know how clear the title is, but “feasibility” is critical to our company. Can we build at a profit? To state the obvious, in our culture, profitability equals survival. 

The Northwest Multiple Listing Service provides a form specifically for this. I’ve been asked a lot about it lately: most agents never use it. And they don’t understand what it’s for. 

The purpose: time to explore the components of build-ability. For some projects, say a custom home, we’re exploring whether the costs fit into your budget. Will state, county or municipal rules let you build at all? If so, can you afford it?

Construction is cleaner but more complicated. Can what you are able to build sell for for a profit? 

In Snohomish County, well, the whole state, we have challenges related to growth management. Important concerns, for the good of the community, and the ecosystem we draw our life from. I’ll get to that soon.